KNUZDEN Juniors clinched the LFA Under 14s Youth Cup glory but they made hard work of it.

It took extra time to see off a spirited Foxhall side when it had looked like the Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and District Junior League side would breeze to victory.

Knuzden were in cruise control in the first half as they raced to a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Marcus Carver and Jonathan Hession - but in truth they could have comfortably led by double the score at the break.

The unbeaten league leaders played a 3-5-2 formation which Foxhall couldn't cope with.

Nathan Brooks, Oliver Holden and Andrew Hindle were rock solid in defence in front of keeper Thomas Heap. Karam Bhatti was effective in the anchor role behind central midfield pairing Zak Slater and Ryan Smalley with Jonathan Hession and Sam Eastwood offering width out wide. And Carver and Mohammed Javad's pace caused Foxhall all sorts of problems.

Carver gave Knuzden the perfect start when he raced on to a deft pass from Javad to drill a low shot past the James Gazey in the Foxhall goal.

Gazey had already rushed bravely from his line to push a shot from Javad around the post.

Javad was tormentor-in-chief with his blistering pace but with a bit more composure in front of goal would have doubled Knuzden's lead but instead saw another effort saved.

Then the impressive Hession weaved his way to the by-line to drill in a low cross only for Carver to mishit with the goal at his mercy.

But Knuzden made their supremacy count when Zak Slater floated in a superb cross and Hession nipped in inside the full back to score with a fine diving header.

Foxhall were restricted to trying their luck from range with Oliver Crolla and Ben Duffield both firing over the bar.

Javad was proving to be Knuzden's main attacking threat but, after racing in to the box following some clever play on the left, he shot from a tight angle rather than picking out a well placed team-mate.

But just before half time, Foxhall were gifted a goal when Knuzden keeper Thomas Heap attempted punch fell to Matthew Heys who hooked the ball home Suddenly, the down-and-out Blackpool side found a bit of confidence which they took in to the second half.

Now it was Knuzden's turn to suffer from a bit of self doubt.

And it was no surprise that Foxhall made the most of their new found confidence when Duffield headed home John Winthrop's cross.

Foxhall sensed victory was theirs and the tricky Joe Nicholls weaved his way in to the box before blasting over the bar.

The powerful Duffield was proving to be a real handful but the Knuzden backline, which now included the versalile Bhatti, stood firm against the onslaught.

But Knuzden, who have won all of their league games and currently sit top of the table, showed they were still a force to be reckoned with and after weathering the Foxhall storm, came close to retaking the lead.

Daniaal Ali found Carver who spun his marker superbly but his cross forced Sam Eastwood wide who hit the side netting from a tight angle.

Eastwood then forced Gazey in to another good save after a driving run from Slater.

With time ticking away, Carver raced on to a Andrew Hindle through ball but was once again denied by Gazey and Javad smacked the loose ball against the bar.

Knuzden kicked off the first period of extra time as they had done the match and it was no coincidence that they regained the lead with a trademark flowing move.

Straight from kick off, Javad released Toby Morgan down the right and his low cross was met by Carver who bundled the ball home.

Knuzden bossed the remainder of the extra time period and they showed that once they regained the lead and their composure they made sure they didn't let their lead slip this time.

KNUZDEN JUNIORS: Thomas Heap, Nathan Brooks, Oliver Holden, Andrew Hindle, Jonathan Hession, Ryan Smalley, Zak Slater, Karam Bhatti, Sam Eastwood, Marcus Carver, Mohammed Javad. Subs: Masenge Malanda, Daniaal Ali, Toby Morgan, David Curran.

FOXHALL: James Gazey, Sam Witter, John Winthrop, Francis Donaghy, Mark Shaw, Oliver Crolla, Chris Walsh, Joe Higgins, Ben Duffield, Matthew Heys, Joe Nichols. Subs: Isaac Guy, Jordan Wood, James Daley, Richard James, Craig Brown, Tyler Atack.