FOOTBALL: Wetheriggs United laid hands on the trophy that has eluded them for more than 20 years when they beat Corinthians, of Milnthorpe, 3-0 in the final of the Westmorland FA Senior Challenge Cup on Saturday.

The Penrith-based club have six successive Westmorland League championships behind them and won all of the other area knockout competitions during that period, but you have to go back to 1986 for a Senior Cup final victory.

Wetheriggs striker Andy Robertshaw struck twice from first-half setpieces to put his side on top. He won a strong aerial challenge to head home from a free kick taken inside the Wetheriggs half by keeper Chris Walker after 27 minutes. Then, six minutes before half time, he produced a more creative finish when Russell Sharpe palmed an inswinging corner on to the crossbar. The ball bounced up to Robertshaw who, with his back to goal, produced an overhead kick into the top corner of the Milnthorpe net.

Skipper Martin Currie added a third four minutes into the second half, direct from a hard-hit free kick, which he swung into the far corner of the Corinthians goal from the left hand edge of the penalty area.

Corinthians battled hard and defended well but lacked real penetration against a well-organised Wetheriggs back four.

Even so, they fashioned a handful of chances, with Peter Nicholls - the Westmorland County's Football Development Officer - seeing his shot cleared off the goal-line, substitute Aidan Caswell heading against the crossbar and Chris Vincent hitting the crossbar with a dipping volley.

In the Westmorland League title race, Kendal County hold an eight-point lead over Wetheriggs United with both teams having six matches to play.

Kirkby Stephen's Carvetii United remain on course for a return to Division 1. They top Division 2 by four points from Ambleside United, with two matches in hand.

Results: Westmorland FA Senior Challenge Cup final: Wetheriggs United 3, Corinthians 0.

Saturday - Mason & Freeman Cup, semi-final (at Ullswater): Penrith Rangers 0, Ambleside Utd 1.

Thursday - Div 1: Burneside 5, Sedbergh Wanderers 1; Kendal County 4, Windermere SC 1; Keswick 1, Coniston 1.

Wednesday - Div 2: Keswick Res 2, Ullswater Utd 0; Sedbergh Wand Res 0, Ibis Res 2; Wetheriggs Utd Res 2, Carvetii Utd 3. Div 3: Ambleside Utd Res 2, Lunesdale Utd Res 2.

Div 4: Coniston Res 0, Staveley Utd Res 3; Greystoke Res 2, Dent Res 0; Shap Res 2, Endmoor KGR Res 1.

Tuesday - Div 1: Appleby 3, Windermere SC 2; Greystoke 1, Northbank Carlisle Res 2; Kendla County 3, Keswick 1; Sedbergh Wanderers 1, Wetheriggs Utd 2.

Div 3: Penrith Rangers Res 4, Braithwaite 2; Shap 1, Endmoor KGR 1.