Grantham Town Under 16s beat Boston United to win the Lincolnshire County Cup

Grantham Town Under 16s have been crowned Lincolnshire county champions.

The young Gingerbreads lifted the County Cup after a 1-0 victory in an epic battle against Boston United in the final.

A first half goal from Jacob Price proved the difference in front of a crowd of around 400 at Lincoln United's Sun-Hat Villas and Resorts Stadium.

It settled a hard-fought clash between two teams competing at the top end of the NPC Division of the Junior Premier League.

Grantham assistant boss Mark Bexon said: "It wasn't the prettiest performance, but we dug in right to the very end and took the chance early on.

"It was all heart and desire that saw us over the line in the end.

"I thought after the first five or six minutes we settled into it well and I was delighted to have won it."

Both teams had one win apiece from the two league meetings between the sides this season so another close encounter was expected.

It was a nervous start for both sides but particularly Town as they struggled to keep hold of the ball for the first five minutes.

However, once they became accustomed to the surroundings and the close proximity of the tight stands, they started to settle and in fact thrive off the atmosphere.

Grantham applied the pressure to Boston’s backline, winning corners and throw-ins deep into United territory and recycling attacks from the Pilgrims' clearances in regular waves.

The midfield area in particular was fiercely contested with no time for players to bring the ball under control but early on Grantham were forcing the chances.

Rhys Stevens swivelled on the edge of the six yard box but dragged his shot inches past the post and then from a corner the ball was headed towards goal only for a Boston defender to head off the line at the back post.

On the half-hour mark, Grantham's persistence paid off.

A long throw into the penalty area saw the ball drop to Price 12 yards out to smash home and give Town the lead.

The remainder of the half was well fought without too many clear opportunities and the Gingerbreads went into the interval with a one-goal advantage.

A Boston resurgence was anticipated and the message to the Grantham players was to keep it tight and exploit any openings at the other end.

They weren't disappointed as United raised their game and began to apply pressure of their own.

Town goalkeeper Harri Bexon, with the Boston contingent behind his goal, had to remain alert on several occasions to keep out the team in amber and black.

The pick of the bunch of his saves was palming away a powerful effort from close range and again smothering at the back post to deny the outstretched boot of United's winger.

As the minutes ticked away, Boston threw caution to the wind with the ball launched into the box from every throwing opportunity.

However, the Gingerbreads defence, who had been superb throughout, remained resolute and denied United their equaliser.

The final whistle blew and the cup was Grantham's after a fantastic display of heart, desire and determination in a fiercely contested final.

All credit to both sides but it was Grantham who took home the silverware.