Dunmow Rhodes had to settle for the runners-up medals in the Braintree & North Essex Sunday League’s Malcolm Foy Memorial Trophy final at Brantree Town.
The Division Two outfit faced Great Bradfords, from Division One, at Cressing Road and saw Jake Sutton’s shot cleared off the line in a goalless first half.
Bradfords took the lead from a free-kick after the restart when Luke Johnson blocked a shot but the ball fell to Harry Mills to score.
Bobby Pike made it 2-0, but Rhodes put pressure on their rivals before conceeding a third to Pike.
Rhodes saw Sam Hockley’s shot come back off the crossbar, while man of the match Johnson produced three excellent saves to deny Bradfords any further goals, including a one-handed effort.
Set-piece specialist Adam Griggs beat Craig Porte with a great free-kick to pull one goal back for Rhodes, but that was as good as it got as they lost 3-1.
Rhodes can claim the Division Two title with victory over Great Bradfords Reserves on Sunday.
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