Kevin Marsden’s hat-trick paved the way for Harold Hill (Over 45s) to secure a 3-0 victory over Herongate Athletic (Over 45s) in the final of the Essex Veterans Trophy at Concord Rangers FC’s Thames Road home.

Marsden opened the scoring as soon as the 5th minute with a low finish and he further set the tone nine minutes before the break, getting on the end of a through ball to convert again. Ten minutes beyond the interval, Marsden effectively put the game beyond doubt.

The match was a repeat of last season’s final, which Harold Hill won 6-1 in 2023. And they raced into an early lead when Marsden found the net, slotting low past the advancing Herongate goalkeeper, Adam Placey. It added to the two goals he’d already scored in his team’s semi-final victory.

Ten minutes later they almost doubled their advantage through Jamie Hooker, who broke through on goal and tested the agile Placey again, though the latter did well to intervene on this occasion. Mid-way through the half, Herongate threatened at the other end, Ben Lord driving through the middle of the pitch and dragging his shot narrowly wide of goal.

But Harold Hill did extend their lead with 36 minutes played, David Bastian playing a ball over the top, which Marsden latched onto before tapping wide of former representative team player Placey. Ten minutes beyond the interval, Harold Hill put the match out of Athletic’s reach with a third, Marsden completing his hat trick. Moments after they’d cleared a goalmouth scramble at their own end, Danny Happe’s strike was saved and the loose ball fell to Marsden, who converted.

As the hour point was reached, Harold Hill were determined to keep the 121 spectators entertained when Herongate’s recent signing, Danny Steel, was forced to clear a shot off the line and keep the deficit down to three.

In the 67th minute, Kevin Marsden sought his, and his team’s fourth, receiving the ball and driving into the penalty box but dragging his effort wide. In the closing stages there was a hint of a consolation for Herongate, Lord cutting inside and seeing his shot fly high and wide of the target, but the match had already been settled in favour of Harold Hill.

Harold Hill (Over 45s): Grant Lee, Michael Black, David Bastian, Basil Bagunaid, Gary Howard, Kevin Marsden, Jamie Hooker, Danny Happe, Andy Grant, Darren Morley, Cass Hoy. Substitutes: Richard Bastian, Peter Ward, Troy Braham, Paul Welsh, Brian Kingston. Manager: Kevin King.

Herongate Athletic (Over 45s): Adam Placey, David Smith, Paul Martin, Tom Hegarty, Steven Robinson, Danny Steel, Brian Steers, Ben Lord, Gary Ewers, David Gipp, Ricky Cornish. Substitutes: Fraser Higgs, Paul Cobb, Phil Lush, Mark Waldron, Jon Milford-Cottam. Manager: Steve Edkins.

Referee: David Parker (Braintree).

Assistant Referees: Dean Fenn (Basildon) and Nuno Nunes (Redbridge).

Fourth Official: Richard Marsh (Basildon).

Attendance: 121.