ATHERTON Town Thunder Under-11s are hoping to repeat their Bolton, Bury and District Football League success next year after their completed a league and cup double.

The Howe Bridge side celebrated one of their most successful seasons in their history after beating Bury Juniors 1-0 in the Players Cup final at the Macron Stadium.

Neil Wade's side broke Bury's hearts when Samuel Hodgkinson fired past the keeper in the bottom left four minutes time and they held onto win.

Wade said: "We had brought in a number of player at the start of the season and were hopeful we would have a successful campaign.

"We set the target of trying to win Section C and then doing well in the Players Cup final.

"The team won the league by six points and then won the cup.

"Our aim now is to kick on and try to go up again in Division B again.

"It is obviously going to be hard getting promoted against better standards of teams but we are good enough to try to get promoted."

Both sides had a number of chances to break the deadlock and was fitting game to grace the big stage of the Macron.

Wade said: "It was end-to-end game and we knew it would be tough against Bury.

"We beat them 4-0 the previous week but it was a great final and they had improved from the week before.

"In the first 10 minutes Bury were on top but as the game we progressed we got back into it.

"They got their tactics right and tried to hit us on the break."

Wade praised Thunder and the performances of the whole team in the final in particular goalkeeper Thomas Cleary.

He said: "Thomas made some great saves and they kept us in the game.

"There was only going to be one goal in it so we needed him to keep a clean sheet.

"He was a very cool customer and did well to motivate the team throughout the match.

"Byron Wright was in midfield and had a few mazy runs but the final ball did not get to a team-mate and he was impressive.

"Sam Hodgkinson was our man of the match.

"He scored the goal and was our midfield engine covering every blade of grass in midfield.

"He also made a few really good last ditch tackles.

"I thought Tommy King was brilliant linking up well with Byron down the left side while Sam Wade was involved in all our good play delivering great balls into the box and from free-kicks.

"Meanwhile Rob Price was our main striker who had a few chances – one was great on the half-volley."

Wade admitted that he was proud of his defence.

He said: "The match was so tight as Keane Wilde is our main defender and had a solid game alongside Finley Hodgson.

"Ben Smith also came on for half-an-hour and did a great job with good challenges playing the ball out and his distribution is great.

"Midfielder Farrel Saturley was composed on the ball and was an accurate passer.

"Our captain Josh Millard sits in front of the back two and helps to protect the defence making a few good challenges.

"Corban Bewley has had a good season and played very well as a second striker.

"He manages to hold the ball up and is a great player on our team as he takes the pressure off the defenders."

Wade also praised the supporters for cheering the club on.

He said: "It was great and there were scenes of jubilation when Sam's goal went in and there were players jumping on him.

"We had quite a group of parents, family and friends cheering on the sidelines and it was good for the players."

Despite playing at the Macron, Wade admits the player were not affected by the big occasion.

He said: "The coaches were more nervous and we had a chat before the game and despite the first 10 minutes we got in our rhythm and played well after the initial pressure from Bury.

"It is a massive achievement to win our section league and then to win the cup was even better."

Wade insists their path to the final was tough too.

He said: "The semi-final was against Hindley and finished 3-3.

"It went into extra-time and they still could not be separated.

"We won 4-2 on penalties and it was a very close game which finished just when it was getting dark.

"We have had an unbelievable season doing the double and we set it as a target at the start of the year and then we achieved it.

"We did have a little celebration to mark all their achievements and we are so proud of how they have played as a team."