THE bubbly was cracked open as Halstead Town Reserves became the Chell Trophy champions with a 2-1 final victory against Walsham le Willows Reserves.

Having won the Thurlow Nunn Reserve League title last year, the Humbugs put more silverware in the Milbank Stadium trophy cabinet on a glorious night at Hadleigh United.

Halstead led from the front and opened the scoring when Josh Preston sent a superb 30-yard effort flying into the net and although Walsham responded well and put Town under pressure in the closing part of the first half, the Humbugs held the lead at half-time.

That was added to after the break when Braenen Andress calmly slotted the ball past the Walsham keeper into the bottom corner after a great pass from Jake De’ath.

Walsham knew they had to push hard to get back into the game in the last 15 minutes and ensured a nervy end when they bundled the ball over the line from a corner, but Halstead held on and lifted the silverware with a 2-1 victory.