GOSFORD Hill lifted the Oxfordshire Schools Under 19 Football Cup for the first time since 1988 with a 2-0 victory over King Alfred's, Wantage in the much-delayed final at Faringdon Town.

Gosford struggled to get their passing game together on the tricky surface in the early stages.

But once they got into their stride, Steve Litten and James Philpott fired shots wide before Gary Bracey brought a superb save out of the King Alfred's keeper with a cracking 25-yard drive.

However, Bracey was not to be denied and he pulled the trigger again from the edge of the area to fire a shot into the bottom corner.

Gosford kept a grip on the game after the break and grabbed a crucial second goal when Ryan Curtin's cross was turned home by Luke Holden.

The game then became rather ill-tempered with several players finding their way into the referee's book.

Chris East, Ed Willmot and Litten all had chances to increase Gosford's lead, while King Alfred's missed a great opportunity to grab a late lifeline when Jack Desmond saved well.

The last time Gosford Hill won the county crown they went on to reach the national quarter-finals before bowing out to top Somerset school Millfield.

They'll be hoping their success this time signals another good run in the ESFA Genie Under 19 Schools' Trophy as they resume their challenge with a second-round tie against Shrewsbury at Bletchingdon FC on Tuesday (2pm).

However, the Shropshire side are expected to provide tough opposition, having won the Boodle & Dunthorne Cup a national tournament for independent schools in March in front of 1,700 fans at Leicester City.