THETFORD Wanderers lifted the Best Badges Suffolk Sunday Shield after a comprehensive 6-1 victory in the final against Bury Bowl, writes Rob Binns.

A James Dean hat-trick had Wanderers well in control against their fellow Bury & District Sunday League Division Two opponents at half time of Sunday’s final - one of four held on ‘Suffolk Super Sunday’ at Bloomfields, home of Needham Market FC.

Dean added a fourth in the second half which was quickly followed by another from Adam Meen. Kerrin Lawrence headed in a late consolation for Bury Bowl before Meen wrapped up the game.

Thetford Wanderers took the lead inside the opening minute when Meen was released down the right flank and got into a crossing position. He drilled in a low ball across the box which was turned in at close range by Dean.

They doubled their lead in the 10th minute when Ian Fancett drew a foul right on the edge of the area. Dean took the resulting free kick and whipped a fantastic effort off the far post and into the back of the net for his second.

Thetford Wanderers extended their lead in first-half stoppage-time when Meen nodded a long ball into the path of Dean, who shrugged off his man and finished into the bottom left corner to complete his hat-trick.

Thetford Wanderers celebrate after being presented with the shield. Main photograph: Bury Bowl (red & white striped shirts) head clear in the final versus  Thetford Wanderers (navy blue shirts) at Bloomfields. 

They netted a fourth in the 60th minute when Pedro Fortes was slotted in behind and found Meen, who took a touch before squaring the ball for Dean to tap home his fourth into an empty net.

Two minutes later Wanderers were awarded a penalty when Meen was shoved to the ground in the box. He got up to take it himself and calmly rolled the ball into the bottom right corner.

Bury Bowl pulled one back in the 70th minute when substitute Harvey Sandry sent a floated corner into the back post to which fellow substitute Lawrence rose highest to head home from close range.

Thetford Wanderers wrapped the game up in stoppage with some lovely interplay between substitute Elliott Gibson and Meen resulting in the latter breaking through one-on-one and he tucked the ball away at the near post to complete a near-perfect afternoon for his side.

The shield and medals were presented by Richard Maydell from competition sponsors Best Badges.

The teams

Bury Bowl: Charlie Cope, Jaiden Hazelton, Jay Proctor, Tyreke Langford-Fox, Tom Calver, Matt Smith, Guy Bailey, Connor Suckley, Vash Clarke, Brandon Salisbury, Connor Mantle. Used subs: Ash MacDonald, Kerrin Lawrence, Harvey Sandry, Arthur McCourt, Luis Buchan.

Thetford Wanderers: Jamie Humphrey, Jordan Piggott, Kehen Whitby, James Sillett, Steven Davies, Bradley Sandell, Liam Levy-Womey, Pedro Fortes, James Dean, Ian Fancett, Adam Meen. Used subs: Elliott Gibson, Lewis Bishop, Josh Underwood, Luke Lampon, Tom McDonald.

Referee: Carl Phillips.