Mahoney’s header from a corner sparked jubilation on the Winstanley bench, with the club now looking to secure the Wigan & District Amateur Football League Garswood Trophies Premier title to complete the treble. 

Winstanley’s number 10 scored his first on 44 minutes with a brilliant solo effort, that coming just two minutes after Dale Goldsborough had opened the scoring for Belvedere.

There were few chances in the second half but all it was needed was one goal, Winstanley the ones to score and win the cup.

The first period of the game was played in bright sunshine, the Winstanley keeper David Naylor’s decision to wear a baseball cap probably telling as to the conditions. 

Their first chance came on five minutes, Dean Calloway whipping the ball in towards Mahoney whose header was straight at Belvedere keeper Damian Ellison.

Mahoney was in the action again on 10 minutes, his effort on the turn narrowly clearing the bar.

Belvedere won a free kick past halfway on 14 minutes, the ball in headed across goal by Callum Little for John Thompson to head in from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Winstanley’s Joe Hull showed a good turn of pace down the right, before cutting inside and beating several defenders, but he was closed down well before he could get a shot away.

Hull later led a break away down the left, his shot across the keeper clipping the edge of the post before going behind. 

Ian Roby then tried an ambitious effort on 31 minutes for Winstanley, his half volley from outside the area going over.

Belvedere were having to withstand a lot of pressure but were a threat on the counter, Nathan Egan leading a one man attack down the left, his shot going narrowly wide of the post after cutting inside.

Winstanley almost opened the scoring fortuitously on 41 minutes, Ellison’s clearance hitting Hull with the ball going wide of the post. 

Belvedere did manage to open the scoring on their next attack however, Dale Goldsborough running through before sliding in to divert the ball past the ‘keeper. 

Winstanley equalised almost immediately on 44 minutes, Mahoney replicating his earlier effort on the turn, this time brilliantly firing into the top right corner to ensure the teams went into half time level.

SECOND HALF

The first opening of the second half came on 51 minutes, Winstanley’s Roby hitting a well-struck effort from distance which was well caught by Ellison. 

Winstanley continued to have the fair share of possession, Jack Callahan running through on goal on 57 minutes but he was unable to get a clear shot away.

Belvedere brought on Billy Lane on 62 minutes and he almost made an immediate impact, his effort on the half volley from 10 yards going narrowly wide of the right post.

Both sides continued to put pressure on in the attacking thirds although no breakthrough could be found.

Belvedere had a chance to win it on 86 minutes, the ball falling to Nathan Egan who was free in the box, his effort going over the keeper but also over the crossbar.

They continued to put pressure on, Egan outpacing the Winstanley defence before just failing to latch onto a through ball into space.

Winstanley won a corner deep into injury time from the left but it was cleared.

The resultant corner was more successful, however, Mahoney beating his marker and heading home to spark wild scenes in the Winstanley dugout.

Winstanley St Aidans: Naylor, Sculthorpe, Smith, Roby, Parker, Callahan, Calloway, Quigley, Hull, Mahoney, Peet
Substitutes: Ratcliffe, Fairhurst, Marsden, Gibson, Harrison
Burnley Belvedere: Ellison, Riley, Brodderick, Lawless, Little, Thompson, Ennis, Toms, Egan, Goldsborough, Cliff 
Substitutes: Lane, Halstead, Garvin, Green, Carroll