Long Stratton eyeing up a double after securing league title

Having been thwarted by the Covid-19 pandemic last season, Long Stratton’s Sunday side finally got to celebrate winning a league title at the weekend.

Although they were still promoted from Division Three of the Norwich & District Sunday League, the virus forced all 2019/20 league campaigns to be voided and therefore no prizes were given out.

To rub further salt into the wound, Stratton had also made it through to the Norfolk Sunday Junior Cup final against Easton, which was also cancelled.

However, just more than 12 months on the side has been able to put all of that disappointment behind them, with Sunday’s 6-0 thrashing of Rackheath seeing them crowned champions of Division Two.

It was a particularly special outing for manager Steve Race, who watched on as his son Adam scored a hat-trick to help wrap up the victory.

“Last season ended cruelly for us,” said the boss. “The lads had got us into a great position to win the league and we’d had a brilliant cup run to get through to the final.

“Once we were able to start again we set about trying to secure the trophy we felt we deserved.

“It’s more or less the same squad from last season, made up of local lads. Many of them play for Stratton on a Saturday.

“Some of the lads have been with me since we started at Under-11s and my son Adam has been my captain since then.”

Stratton also still have the chance to get their hands on the Junior Cup this term, with Broadland United due to be the visitors in the quarter-finals on Sunday (10.30am).