BILLERICAY Town under-21s were crowned Champion of Champions on Saturday after seeing off their Leatherhead counterparts 2-1 to lift the trophy.

Goals from Josh Grantham and Jas Johnson were enough for Justin Gardner’s charges, who had lost the showpiece final this time last year.

It is Town’s second trophy in as many months, following the first-team’s Ryman League Cup triumph.

And Gardner said it was a deserved victory.

“The boys did very well,” he said. “Winning a trophy at any level is great and you never get tired of that feeling.

“We were short of options up front so we played two midfielders in striking positions and they did very well. Josh, who scored our first goal did excellent and was deservedly man-of-the-match.

“It wasn’t the prettiest at times but we got over the line and that is what matters. We did enough and held out well at the end as they started to crank up the pressure.

“It is a good win and it’s another trophy for us so it’s a good moment.”

Joe Ellul captained the team, with other first-team players Tambeson Eyong and Alex Stephenson featuring for a strong Billericay outfit.

But it was two of the young guns that made the difference.

Grantham headed home the first goal emphatically and Johnson followed that up by rounding the goalkeeper to net in a first-half Billericay dominated.

Leatherhead pulled a goal back after the half-time whistle in the match between the winners of the Northern Division and the winners of the Southern Division, but Town held on to pick up the silverware.

And owner Glenn Tamplin added he was thoroughly pleased at the outcome.

“It was a great result and I am very pleased to add another trophy to the cabinet,” he said. “I was getting updates from Justin and the boys did well.

“We have some talented young players and they deserve their success. We will look to build on it ahead of next season.”