Morgan Shapland put on a five-star performance as he scored a hat-trick in the final to help his team lift the trophy at the County Ground.

Both teams had identical chances at each end, Shapland of Belvedere and Owen Higson of Cherrybrook were played in behind but failed to find a team-mate when squaring it across the box.

The first goal of the game was created in the eighth minute, Leo McNulty rode a few challenges to eventually find Shapland who slotted it home making it 1-0.

Cherrybrook became dominant the more the game grew as Max Rawson was denied a shot on goal from some good Belvedere defending.

However, the East Lancashire side finished the half in style as they made it 2-0 from an excellent Ben Sharples finish.

Cherrybrook did not let the score affect them, when Higson was faced one on one with keeper, it was Archie Houghton who came out on top denying the winger.

A corner that followed the missed chance was capitalized on the 60th minute; Connor Barr met the cross that created a roar from the Lion’s fans.

Belvedere bounced back after conceding with a second goal from Shapland, it was thing of beauty as he beat his man and struck the ball from 30 yards creating a two-goal deficit. 

A straight red was given as Cherrybrook played the rest of the game with ten men. The referee gave it as the player took the man and ball with excessive force.

But Shapland took the spotlight as he got his hat-trick with a left footed finish into the corner that crowned Burnley Belvedere champions of the U14s County Youth Cup.

- by Lucas Goldburn