A quality goal won a quality game as Cirencester Town Ladies clinched the GFA Women’s Trophy at Almondsbury last night.

The goal was scored by Bethan Harris and it earned Cirencester a thrilling 4-3 final win over Bitton Ladies.

It came 10 minutes from time and Karen Messenger, who is part of manager Dan Ray’s support staff, said: “It was a real good goal. She ran through their defence and from a tight angle smashed it into the top left-hand corner.”

Cirencester, who like Bitton play in Division 1 North of the South West Regional League, had led 3-1 at half-time before being pegged back.

“It was a very good game, a good advertisement for ladies’ football,” said Messenger.

Bitton, who could still win Division 1 North this season, made the brighter start and scored the opening goal of the game.

But Cirencester were soon on level terms through Shannon King and then striker Lani Dickinson took over with two further goals.

“She’s new to the club this season, she chipped the keeper for her first goal,” Messenger said.

Bitton have already beaten Cirencester in the league this season – they meet again at Bitton on Sunday – but Cirencester were not going to be denied.

“It was brilliant,” continued Messenger. “The players were shattered at half-time but they never stopped battling, they all gave 100 per cent.

“We couldn’t have asked for more, they worked their socks off.

“We’d won the GFA Challenge Cup before but this is the first time we’d won the GFA Trophy, this is a step up.”

It was a good night for the club’s flagship men’s team, too, because Corsham Town’s 4-2 defeat at Longlevens means they are through to the end-of-season play-offs in Hellenic League Premier Division.