Royal Albert win the Essex Sunday Junior Trophy to become county champions

Royal Albert have secured the biggest title in their history beating, Basildon Athletic 3-2 to lift the county cup.

They became the second successive winner of the competition from the Corinthian League following Upshire's run to the title last season, with a crowd in excess of 200 turning up to support the east London side at Aveley.

Albert were ahead in the opening minutes as Smith netted from close range to hand them a 1-0 lead. Basildon levelled almost instantly however, scoring from the penalty spot to make it 1-1 on the night. But Albert were ahead again midway through the half with Wallace netting through a host to bodies to regain the lead. But on the stroke of half-time, calamity at the back from Albert saw Basildon's forward in to level it up into an open goal.

With the scores therefore level at 2-2 at the break, a big second half performance was needed and the all important moment came just two minutes into the second half as Wallace sprinted past the Basildon defence and lashed the ball into the net to make it 3-2. Basildon responded well and could have levelled on numerous occasions but their shooting didn't really test the Albert keeper enough on the night. After a few minutes of injury time were played, Royal Albert clung on heroically to become the county champions!

A tremendous occasion for the club after a long and arduous season for them and a tremendous accolade for our league also. Well done to everybody involved with the club. Thank you also to Essex County FA for their hosting of the evening and to the match officials (including Emma Guest and Lanray Alapafujah) who done a really good job.