Furness Cavaliers Whites U11s 6 Crooklands Casuals U11s 3

A CHARLIE McGladdery hat-trick helped fire Furness Cavaliers Whites to victory in a nine-goal KO Cup thriller at Holker Street.

Cavs saw off the challenge of Furness FA Youth Cup runners-up Crooklands Casuals in the Barrow Junior Football League showpiece.

The sides had met twice previously, in the semi-finals of the FA and Ulverston Hospitals Cup, with one win apiece before this, their final encounter of the season.

The Whites went 2-0 up as McGladdery found the back of the net twice, but Cassies showed their fighting spirit as they came from behind to level before half-time, with Lewis Taylor on target for both goals.

His second was a particularly fine effort, curling the ball into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Sam Atkinson made a fine one-handed save to keep it level and a Cavaliers effort was cleared off the line in the final minute.

Cavs were quick out of the gates after the break, as McGladdery completed his hat-trick, Freddie Lawton scored and Jake Lamb headed home number five to give them a three-goal cushion.

Despite Crooklands pulling one back as Lucas Seal made a strong run, cut inside and fired into the bottom corner, Luke Davey made sure of the win for the Rampside Road side as he scored number six late on.

Both goalkeepers – Ben Niven for Cavaliers and Atkinson for Cassies – made some superb saves to prevent further goals throughout the encounter.

Cavaliers joint-manager Mark McGladdery was thrilled to see his team triumph, and said: “It's brilliant – I'm really chuffed for the lads. They work really hard, and they're a good set of lads.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game, because they are a good side, and it was a good game, with both teams having chances and both goalkeepers playing very well.

“It's been a good season – we've only lost the one game all season.”