HAYWARD Sunday League Division Five title favourites Boscombe Celtic became the first team to collect silverware this season following their impressive 3-0 victory over JP Morgan reserves in the MA Hart Nicholas Read Cup final at Hurn Bridge.

JP Morgan goalkeeper Richard Pountain was almost caught out in the 10th minute by an inswinging corner from Celtic’s dead ball specialist John Bailey.

Moments later, Alex Rossi was denied at the far post at the expense of a corner and another superb delivery into the JP Morgan penalty area by Bailey paid dividends when Carlos Costa charged in to head Celtic’s opener.

Celtic doubled their lead in the 18th minute when, following a sweeping move through the middle involving Connor Picken and Jorge Correia, Picken played an excellent pass to Rossi, who sent a stunning 30-yard strike into the roof of the net.

Bailey and Rossi combined well in the 22nd minute with Bailey’s controlled effort going inches wide of the far post.

JP Morgan were finding Rossi, Bailey and Picken difficult to contain but, when they did break out of defence, Lloyd Wallen looked impressive up front with his ability to retain possession.

In the last action of the first half, Keeble Osborne put a promising ball through the middle but JP Morgan were unable to capitalise.

Four minutes after the interval, Bailey brought the ball under control in the centre circle and picked out the ever-dangerous Rossi, who raced down the left and whipped a shot narrowly wide.

Bailey then won possession in his own half and put Rossi clear down the left again but Pountain got down well to push away his low drive for a corner.

Just before the hour, JP Morgan broke through at the other end with their best move of the match, Yusuf Akanni and Wallen combining to put Jon Asante clear with only James Mylam to beat.

Asante slipped the ball past the Celtic keeper and was brought down and referee Jordan White, who had a fine game, had no hesitation in awarding a penalty.

Akanni stepped up to take the spot-kick but he put it too close to Mylam and the stopper redeemed himself by pulling off an excellent save.

A long free-kick by Bailey in the 65th minute was turned back across the JP Morgan goal by Picken but Rahul Patel came to the rescue with a timely clearance.

At the other end, Celtic’s Rob Daniels performed an excellent diving header to put a dangerous cross from Wallen behind for a corner.

JP Morgan became more of a threat in the closing stages and looked certain to score in the 74th minute when Dan Hunter’s ball into the goalmouth resulted in a chance for Joe Taylor but Joe Clarke blocked his close-range effort and Daniels scrambled off the line.

Celtic brought on 61-year-old manager and secretary Pat Gormley for the last three minutes of normal time plus the five minutes added on.

It was in stoppage time that substitute Dan Hallworth took advantage of a defensive slip to add a third goal for Celtic.

Celtic striker Rossi was named man of the match by Hayward League president Mike Fowler.

JP Morgan reserves: Richard Pountain, Matt James, Leigh Simmons (Gerard O’Mullen, 54), Rahul Patel, Alex Dean (Nick Roberts, 78), Dan Hunter (Dan Warr, 75), Keeble Osborne (Arun Bains, 60), Lloyd Wallen, Joe Taylor, Yusuf Akanni (Niall Curtis, 81), Jon Asante.

Boscombe Celtic: James Mylam, Simon Macey (Andy Trapp, 65, Pat Gormley, 87), Joe Clarke, Connor Picken, Alex Rossi, Rob Daniels, Jorge Correia (Barry Campbell, 70), Ben Di Verdi (Dan Hallworth, 80), Martin Morgan, John Bailey, Carlos Costa (Paul Bright, 55).

Finishing the season with two points from their final four games put the Hayward Saturday League Division Two title beyond one-time pacesetters New Milton Eagles.

But Eagles have one last chance of collecting silverware when they meet Gotham reserves in the MA Hart Hayward Cup final at Hurn Bridge tomorrow (7.30pm).

Gotham reserves were 5-2 winners against Eagles on the opening day of the season and the recent return clash ended in a 2-2 draw.

Connor Picken is Gotham reserves’ leading goalscorer with 14 goals in 16 games, closely followed by John Bailey, who has weighed in with 13 in 15. Alex Hawey, with 11 in 12, also represents a threat.

Justin Keeler is Eagles' most prolific marksman with 24 in 18 while Shaun Waterman, with 10 in 15 and James Vibert, with nine in 17, have also made valuable contributions.

Gotham reserves: Steven Cummings, Ryan Malcolm, Aaron Bailie, Kris Wilkins, Matty Davitt, Carl Charman, Warren Rutter, Mark Jimmy, Connor Picken, Alex Hawey, Alex Rossi. Substitutes: Adam Louka, Mark Claremont, Keiron Goldrick, John Bailey.

New Milton Eagles: Dale Wakefield, Lloyd Rixon, Lee Borley, Lee Gilbert, Sam Quinn, Jim Vibert, Shaun Waterman, Aaron Hurdle, Justin Keeler, Shahed Miah, Chris Payne. Substitutes: George Boultwood, Tom Prior, Jon Spooner, Liam Miller, Julian Smith.