RISHTON United powered to victory to win the Birtwistle Cup after they proved to be just too good for Islington.

The game began with a quick exchange of goal attempts with Rishton’s Ben Bridson – who was to have a major impact on the game – saw a free kick blocked by Adam Brown responded with a shot over the bar at the other end.

Islington carried the game to Rishton in the early stages – a fine Martin Clarke run halted by a last ditch tackle by Jason Sarchet before Shoib Malik fired wide from a corner.

Adam Brown then headed over from a corner.

But Rishton started to take control of the game and after Sarchet fired just wide after good hold up play by Matt Pendergast they took the lead when Bridson coveted from the spot after a handball by Darryl Cocker in the area.

Pendergast then had a great chance to make it 2-0 but just failed to connect with a cross from Bridson and Islington were glad to get to the break just the one goal down.

But Islington were level soon after the restart when Michael Dilworth scrambled the ball home from a corner.

Rishton went straight back on the attack and Michael Green was inches away from connecting to a fine Sarchet cross. Sub Sam Yates then sprinted clear down the wing but Michael Winkley could only fire his cross wide.

But they eventually regained the lead in the 65th minute.

Brad Campbell was brought down by Craig Brown outside the area and Bridson powered home the resulting free kick.

And the game was put beyond Islington in the very next minute when Pendergast struck a beautiful shot that gave Islington keeper Neil Woloszczuk little chance of saving.

Islington tried to get back into the game and went close when, following a goalmouth scramble, Ashley Clayton hit the ball over the bar.

A free kick by Michael Dilworth was then scrambled away by the goalkeeper.

But it was Rishton who dominated the closing minutes and Aaron Ashton should have added a fourth but blasted over the bar following a lovely run by Jamie Taylor that left three Islington players trailing in his wake.

But a fourth goal did arrive thanks to a clinical finish from Matt Crook to complete a Rishton double after the Reserves had won the Eddleston Cup.