LINFORD Wanderers, from the Essex Olympian League, won the Section B Southend Charity Competition final at Eastwoodbury Lane when they beat Southend Borough Combination Essendon 3-1.

They were presented with the Austin Cup in a final sponsored by Bergen Transport Ltd.

More than 150 fans saw Linford take an early lead through Nicky Judd's penalty and they were 3-0 up at the break with Paul Sergent and Lee Guiver adding to the opener.

Essendon made a spirited recovery and pulled back a goal through John McCormack, but Linford won to receive the trophy from Charity Competion president Harry Stennett, who also handed over the Fred Wright Memorial Shield to the runners-up.

The Charity season comes to an end on Friday week at Great Wakering Rovers' Burroughs Park ground (7.30pm) when Olympian League Benfleet take on Borough Combination Borough Rovers. The match is sponsored by SP Financial Management Ltd.

There are some key cup finals this week.

Tonight Rochford Town take on Shoebury Town at Eastwoodbury in the Borough Combination's top knockout competition, the Walton Cup.

Tomorrow night Billericay Town's under-18s meet Hullbridge Sports in the County Pelly Cup final at New Lodge.

And next Saturday the top Wickford Carparts Southend District League final takes place when Rhodesia United take on AFC Horndon for the French Cup.

The match kicks-off at 2.30pm at Great Wakering Rovers Burroughs Park ground and Rhodesia, who won the Section B Charity final and the Centenary Cup, will look for a hat-trick of knockout trophies.