HMH Under 11 manager Damon Letzer paid tribute to his young guns after they overcame Bricket Wood 2-1 in the final of the Excel Challenge Cup.

Goals from Jamie Newman and Rafi Auret gave HMH a two-goal lead at the break and despite conceding late on, Letzer's boys held out for victory.

And after watching his side triumph at Belstone FC in Radlett, Letzer was quick to praise the progress of a team who were playing seven-a-side football last season.

"We're really pleased with the boys because they've taken the harder option of playing proper 11-a-side football this year," he said.

"Last year they were playing seven-a-side but now they've learnt to play on a full-size pitch with bigger goals and they really have got stuck in.

"The final was a really good game and it was very tight at the end when we conceded a late goal. But the boys stuck in there and made sure they stayed together so I'm delighted for them."