THE BEECHES FC have completed a Cirencester League and Cup double, writes Phil Rice.

They were confirmed as champions of the M4 Karting-sponsored League Division Two when their nearest rivals Hatherop lost 4-0 at Siddington Sports Vets on Saturday.

Beeches then finished the season in style with 1-0 win over Ashton Keynes Reserves in their final league game on Monday before claiming a 5-1 victory over Hatherop in the final of CIA Mills-Roberts Cup at Malmesbury Victoria FC two days later.

They were also presented with their league trophy at the Vics ground.

Beeches scored 142 goals and conceding a miserly 16 in the league this season. Their captain Brett McKenna paid tribute to his hardworking and dedicated team and the patience of the fringe players. Looking forward to next season he is hopeful that the same level of success can be repeated in division one.

McKenna was also quick to thank manager Russell Jones and his assistant Ashley Warriner along with long-serving club secretary Mick Ricketts for all they have done.

With Hatherop expected to join Beeches in the top league, there should be a lot more goals in the division as they found the net 145 times themselves.

CIA Mills-Roberts Cup final Hatherop 1 The Beeches 5 THIS was just one game too many for Hatherop who were playing their fourth game in nine days.

While they have beaten division two league champions Beeches twice this season, a repeat was never likely after James Moorcroft opened the scoring on three minutes.

Beeches doubled their lead through Brett McKenna on 27 minutes and with James Moorcroft grabbing two more goals, they led 4-0 at the break.

The second half was more even but Hatherop rarely got close to pulling the lead back and right on time substitute Adam Stone made it 5-0 before Pete Houston claimed a token last-gasp goal to give Beeches the trophy 5-1.

This was the second time the club has triumphed in the CIA Mills-Roberts Cup and this young side could have more success in 2016-7.

Meanwhile Hatherop (formerly CHQ Reserves) probably achieved more than they expected this season with a Senior Charities Cup win and an appearance in the final of the Gloucestershire FA Minor Cup.

The side played 40 competitive games – a big ask for a team with a number of veterans.

Secretary Nick Stevenson expressed thanks for the support, help and guidance from Phil Smith and Dennis Young of the M4 Karting Cirencester & District League in setting up the new club. Hatherop play it hard and fair and mostly with a smile on their face.

While Intel FC had been confirmed as champions of Cirencester League Division One several weeks ago, it was only on Monday that the runners-up position was decided.

Bibury Reserves enjoyed a comfortable 5-1 win at Poulton to clinch second place and put paid to any lingering hopes of South Cerney claiming that position.