EP lift title and now eye a historic treble

L17641H14 East Preston receive the County League cup after their game on Saturday

The runaway Division 1 leaders lifted the prestigious trophy that they secured two weeks ago for the first time in the club’s history.

The champions completed a routine 5-0 win over Hassocks at the Lashmar before SCFL chairman Steve Nealgrove handed over the trophy which captain Joe Shelley lifted to wild champagne-soaked celebrations.

EP manager Dominic Di Paola could not hide his jubilation at getting his hands on the trophy, but is now hoping to secure an unprecedented treble in the next week.

The Lashmar outfit face Crowborough in the John O’Hara Cup final at Shoreham on bank holiday Monday (11am), before playing Horsham YMCA in the Sussex RUR Cup final on Wedneday evening at Lancing (7.30pm).

During EP’s celebration on Saturday, Di Paola said: “It’s been waited for for a long time. I am over the moon, I have said it before but they really are a brilliant bunch of lads here. They fully deserve it. It’s been a great season and they really are a top bunch of people.

“Winning this league has been my ambition since starting in management six years ago and to do it with this bunch of lads has made it even better.

“Big thank-yous go to Browner (Ian Browne), Jan (Miller), Wezzo (Adam Westwodd), Lizzy (Beresford) and Rob Chapman. I did not really give them much recognition last time and it’s really down to the hard work of all of them.”

Full report, reaction and pictures in this week’s paper.