Naomi Lyon s hat-trick secured a magnificent victory in the Beds County Cup final for Langford Ladies. They retained the trophy after beating Bedford Town Belles 3-1 in Sunday s final played at Cranfield United. Cup holders Langford started strongly and p

Naomi Lyon's hat-trick secured a magnificent victory in the Beds County Cup final for Langford Ladies.

They retained the trophy after beating Bedford Town Belles 3-1 in Sunday's final played at Cranfield United.

Cup holders Langford started strongly and played some controlled football. Forward Faye Rees worked tirelessly, closing down Bedford defenders and linking up well with strike partner Lyon.

The better chances were worked by Langford (pictured right) as Rees, Lyon and Laveena Betts all went close, before Lyon put the Welwyn Garden City based side one-up on 35 minutes.

Indecision in the Belles defence allowed Lyon to nip in between their keeper and centre-back before lofting the ball into the net.

Bedford hit back five minutes later when a cross from Langford's left found a player on 18 yards, Verity Crook in goal appeared to have the shot covered before a deflection took it in.

Langford pressed from the whistle after the break, Jade White going close a couple of times with long range strikes.

Their second goal came on 70 minutes when Lyon finished a flowing move that started with Nikki Day and was worked through midfield into the penalty box.

Bedford conceded the final goal when Lyon outpaced a tired defence and slid the ball past the keeper for her second hat-trick in this season's competition.

Laura Bright played the last few minutes in goal after Crook picked up a head injury when making a save and had to leave the pitch, leaving Langford with 10 players.

Langford squad: Verity Crook, Nikki Day, Sheree Oliver, Sophie Bailey, Debbie Styles, Laveena Betts, Laura Bright, Jade White, Naomi Lyon (Laura Shearwood 89m), Faye Rees (Emma Tune 89m), Shelley Forster (Donna McGuigan 75m).

Arlesey Town Ladies were 3-0 winners over Godmanchester Rovers.

They had a great start to the match and created chance after chance.

It was only a matter of time before they took the lead and it duly happened when Marie Clarke coolly side-footed a low cross into the back of the net.

Arlesey were three goals up after half an hour thanks to further efforts from player of the match Sarah Tayler and Katie Baldwin.

Despite dominating the remainder of the game, they were unable to get into their stride due to numerous stoppages of the game.

Arlesey Town Ladies' second team and Hitchin Hearts shared the points in a 1-1 draw.

Hearts again misfired as the season draws to a close although after a slow start, they looked good for a goal in the first half with the hosts having to clear their lines several times to prevent a goal.

The second half was a different story with Arlesey taking the game to Hearts and taking the lead when Michelle Whitehead's angled lob went in over Mel Sayer.

Hearts did not look like getting a goal back until Arlesey gave away a penalty in the closing moments for handball that was confidently struck home by Laura Ravenscroft.