KINGSTEIGNTON Athletic have a trophy in the bag following Monday night’s 5-0 win over Paignton Saints Reserves.
The convincing victory away at their nearest challengers meant that the Rams clinched the South Devon League Division One title – the first of four potential pieces of silverware which could be in the Broadpark cabinet come the end of the season.
Steve Workman’s men went ahead with 12 minutes gone when Cal Leech curled the ball into the bottom corner following a set-piece.
Despite some sustained pressure from the visitors they had to wait until five minutes before half-time to grab their second, Sam Barnes following in after Ryan Tovagliari had been denied by the face of Saints stopper Mike Stockman.
A third goal came in the third minute of first half injury time when the hosts were penalised for an adjudged handball in the area – Jason Jones seeing his spot kick saved before gobbling up the rebound.
There was still time for a fourth goal in slightly comical fashion before the interval when Nathan Isaac’s speculative free-kick was palmed by Stockman into his own net.
And the engravers could safely start etching Kingsteignton’s name onto the trophy 11 minutes into the second half when Louis Dickinson beat his man and crossed for Leech, who rounded the keeper and calmly made it five.
Celebrations back at Broadpark lasted long into the night – but as a new day dawned manager Workman was able to reflect on his achievements since taking over at the start of the season.
‘A lot has happened at the club since I was last here in 2005,’ Workman explained. ‘My remit was basically to consolidate.
‘I wouldn’t say we have any outstanding individual players but we do have a great squad, and that is what wins you things.
‘I wasn’t expecting it to be quite so straightforward on the night but I couldn’t ask for more from the lads. If anything we could’ve scored a couple more.’
The Rams’ attentions now turn to Friday night’s Herald Cup final against Premier Division side The Windmill at The Rec (7pm).
Then they play their last league game and the finals of both the Devon Senior Cup and the Dartmouth Cup – all three games against Chudleigh Athletic.