Halstead Town manager Mark Benterman said his team’s Tolleshunt D’Arcy Cup triumph was for the club as he thanked them for their support this season.

Benterman’s team travelled to Witham Town and won 4-3 against a strong side full of stars who had just led their team to promotion to the Ryman League premier division.

Jordan Palmer’s first-half hat-trick and a Matt Knowles goal brought the silverware to Rosemary Lane and Benterman said it was an important victory as it proved what he had been telling his players all last season.

Despite them falling just short of their own promotion goal in Thurlow Nunn League division one, Benterman knows his team is good enough to play at a higher level and felt this cup win justified the belief he has in his team.

He said: “Regardless of winning the trophy, we beat a side who play three levels above us and that’s great.

"I didn’t know how to take it that they had put out such a strong side, but it showed us respect.

“They wanted to win it and it meant a lot to us to beat them.

“It’s a fantastic achievement for our boys and it was proof of what I have said all season about us."

See this week's paper for the full version of this story and more pictures and reaction to Halstead's cup win.