It was Town's first ever season competing for the Challenge Cup trophy as it has previously been a cup played for in the West Lindsey League, but as the two leagues have combined Lincoln League teams were entered into the competition to win the 115 year old trophy.

Finals don't come along too often for Horncastle Town Reserves, and the club in general, so it was a massive opportunity to pick up some silverware at Ashby Avenue on Saturday.

However a tough match was to be expected as Lincoln League premier division outfit, Ivy Tavern stood in Town's way.

Town went into the game fielding exactly the same eleven that started the semi final tie against The Blues Club. Harness led the line with Matty Low and Luke Blondel on either wing. There was a midfield trio of Maplethorpe, Brown and Nunn with Bodily, Marshall, James Blondel and Callum Low in the back four. Liam Smith was between the sticks.

Town couldn't have dreampt of a better start when they took the lead after just 3 minutes. A freekick was awarded on the edge of the area. Michel Harness hit the ball past the wall, but the ball took a slight deflection off the back of Steve Brown sending it past the Ivy keeper.

Two minutes later Town doubled their lead when the ball was worked down the right flank and driven into the box, falling to the feet of captain, Scott Maplethorpe who finished from close range.

Horncastle were in full control of the game and continued to put the Ivy defence under pressure and push for a third. The Ivy defence just couldn't cope with the pace of Matty Low and Michael Harness up front.

The oppositions frustration began to show and they began to commit several consecutive fouls on the Horncastle players, and on the half hour mark went down to ten men after a player was seen to have used excessive force in a high tackle.

Horncastle made the most of the extra man and again a ball played into path of Michael Harness down the left wing put him through on goal. The Ivy keeper appeared favourite to get to the ball first, but decided to back pedal, giving Harness the opportunity to lift the ball over the top of the stranded keeper, and from a narrowing angle he did just that.

Town went in at half time delighted with their first half display, but knowing full well that it was only a job half done.

The Lincoln side made all three substitions at half time in an attempt to amends for their first half display. It was a hesitant opening ten minutes to the second half for Town, but the pressure was relieved when an Ivy midfielder was shown red, firstly being pulled up for a foul and worsening the situation when raising his hands to one Town's players.

The game then returned to being an extremely one sided affair with the Ivy defence often absent of their defensive duties. Again, Michael Harness was put through on goal and when two on one with an Ivy defender, he unselfishly squared for Luke Blondel to slot past the oncoming keeper to make it 4-0, scoring a goal that really did kill any hopes of an Ivy comeback.

It went from bad to worse for the premier division side as another of their players was shown red for a dangerous tackle.

Town introduced fresh legs in the last twenty minutes of the game bringing on Jamie Lewis, Lewis Burchnall and youngster Callum Hotchin.

All Town needed now was the icing on the cake, and that soon followed as Stephen Brown arrived in the box on cue to slot home a cross from the left and make it 5-0 to Horncastle.

The final whistle blew and the celebrations began. The 115 year old challenge cup trophy was coming to Horncastle for the first time in it's history.

Town side: Liam Smith, Callum Low (Jamie Lewis), Dave Marshall, James Blondel, Daniel Bodily, Steve Brown, Ryan Nunn, Scott Maplethorpe, Matty Low (Callum Hothcin), Luke Blondel, Michael Harness (Lewis Burchnall)