MANAGER Julian Workman watched Redditch Borough suffer last-gasp heartache in their quest for a cup double but insisted: “I am so proud of our lads.”

Paget’s Dan Carter, Midland League Division Two’s top marksman, fired his 44th goal of the campaign to consign Borough to a 2-1 defeat in the Les James Challenge Cup final at Walsall last Tuesday.

The setback brought down the curtain on a memorable campaign which saw Workman’s charges win the Evesham Hospital Junior Cup and finish fourth in their first season in Division Two, missing out on a top-two place by virtue of a three-point penalty.

Watched by a crowd of 293, Redditch led through Billy Garvey’s seventh-minute finish at the far post before a controversially-awarded Dean Morris free-kick from the right surprisingly sailed over keeper Ryan Young early in the second half.

Chances came and went at both ends before Carter ghosted in to nod inside Young’s near post as the clock struck 90.

“It was so hard to take but how could I be upset after a performance like that?” Workman said. “We played our part in a cracking final. Like us, Paget have attacked opponents all season and that certainly didn’t change on the night.

“Had we put away one of our chances while 1-0 up it might have been a different story but credit to Paget, they played some nice stuff and took one more of their openings. That was the only difference.

“I am so proud of our lads, not only for their performances in the finals but the way they have approached this season.

“These are exciting times for the club with a lot in the pipeline on so many fronts and the first team has really captured the imagination at an important time on and off the pitch.”

The club this week announced 29 teams would play under the Borough banner with opportunities for boys, girls, men and women to play from the age of three upwards.

Borough, based at the Mettis Sports & Social Club, Cherry Tree Walk, Batchley, has a vacancy for an under-7s manager. Anyone interested in joining the club should email: rbfc.jw@gmail.com