KILKHAMPTON boss Ben Meaker hailed his side’s ‘incredible’ achievement as the Lambs secured the Cornwall Intermediate Cup title for the first time on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over St Blazey Reserves at Wendron United.

The two sides are league rivals in St Piran League Premier Division East and served up a first half which saw the majority of the play in the middle of the Underlane pitch.

Kilk’s best chance came when winger Jay Needham was played in, but Blazey’s keeper was out quickly to cut down the angle and save.

At the other end, a lot of long balls were expertly dealt with by the back four of Kieran Jollow, Harry Nancekivell, Matt Jones and Kieran Jeffery.

Kilk knew they needed to up it in an attacking sense after the restart and did so, even if Blazey had some moments themselves which forced good saves out of Leam Powell and a brilliant block inside his own box by man-of-the-match Nancekivell.

But the Lambs gradually got on top, led by midfielders James Dart and Ben Thomas running the show, and took a 73rd minute lead with a moment of brilliance by striker Adam Sleeman.

A throw-in behind the Blazey defence by left-back Jeffery saw Sleeman superbly lob the ball into the far corner from just inside the touchline to the delight of Kilk’s travelling supporters.

Wingers Needham and Jason Heard worked so hard that the Green and Blacks struggled to make any headway down the flanks, and the game was wrapped up with 88 minutes on the clock as Sleeman struck his second.

A throughball by Ben Thomas saw him outmuscle his defender before going clear and slotting home from 15 yards.

Kilkhampton then saw the game out comfortably to spark wild celebrations and make the near 200-mile round trip on a Sunday worth it.

A delighted Meaker told the Post: “I’m absolutely buzzing for the lads. We’ve worked so hard all season, so to win the cup, particularly after last year’s defeat is really special.

“I’m also so pleased for our captain Ben Thomas who’s led from the front brilliantly all season and thoroughly deserved to lift the trophy at the end of the game.”

Kilk were backed by a healthy contingent in West Cornwall, something not unnoticed by the boss, who added: “The supporters have always been the backbone of the club and plenty are there home and away without fail.

“As a team and as a club we’ve been incredible, and for such a small village, no words can describe how much it means.”

Kilk were promoted up to Step Seven last season and Meaker, who is in his third season in the job, wants to keep smashing the glass ceiling.

He added: “Although we’ve got two games left and will finish sixth we’ve done really well as throughout the season, at times we’ve had a bare 11 or 12 and still managed to pick up results.

“It’s definitely been a learning curve and knowing where we can improve, but hopefully we can push on next season and try and challenge for the title.”

KILKHAMPTON: Leam Powell; Kieran Jollow, Harry Nancekivell, Matt Jones, Kieran Jeffery; James Dart, Ryan Thomas, Ben Thomas (capt); Jay Needham, Adam Sleeman, Jason Heard. Subs: Richard Dymond, Adam Cleave, Chris Ward, Jared Sofield, Adam Cottle.

Kilk man-of-the-match: Harry Nancekivell.