GREAT BENTLEY 1

LAWFORD LADS 0

Essex and Suffolk Border

League division one

ALTHOUGH the destination of the title had already been decided, pride was very much at stake as top met second in front of a 100-plus crowd on Bentley Green.

Jake Vaughan's angled snap-shot was parried away in the fifth minute and Vaughan went close again with a looping header from Quentin Daly's cross.

From a similar Daly cross, Vaughan headed back for Connor Jones to shoot over.

Vaughan had another effort saved and Keiron Baker hit the post as Bentley carved the better chances.

Just before half-time, home keeper Greg Waltham needed two goes to hold onto a Lawford free-kick.

As the second half began, Baker struck a long-range shot over the bar and Lee Branson hit a first-timer straight at the keeper before Bentley took the lead in the 57th minute.

Daly sent a left-wing corner beyond the far post where Jack Burch headed in from what looked an impossible angle.

The Greensiders nearly doubled their lead on the hour, when Daly went on a mazy run into the left of the box before rattling the far post with his shot.

Lawford responded with their best spell of the game as Oli Mann hooked a shot against the middle of the crossbar and then fired wide from a good position.

But it was Bentley who finished the stronger, skilfully running down the clock on another good performance.

After the game the teams were presented with their trophies by Border League treasurer Brian Reed.

Great Bentley's veterans are the club's only team in competitive action on Saturday when they travel to play Rowhedge (2pm).