They certainly celebrated at Boldon CA on Monday after winning the magnificent Monkwarmouth Charity Cup with victory over Stokesley SC.

And the South Tyneside team did it in style ending 5-2 ahead of the Teessiders who have strongly challenged for the championship and in four cup competitions all season.

"Let's face it, we were definitely the under-dogs. I do not think anybody outside Boldon gave us a chance and the odds were heavily stacked against us," said manager Norman Hunter.

"On the day though, we definitely deserved to win although I have to say that at half time the lads were very down."

After taking the lead, Boldon were pegged back just before the break and Hunter reckons he had to lift his team during the interval.

"They were so disappointed that they had conceded the equaliser but I told them we were in with a great chance of winning. The lads certainly turned on the style during the second 45 minutes when I thought we gave our best performance of the season."

This is only Hunter's second campaign in charge. Last season he led Boldon to fourth position and they are currently in the top six with one game to play - ironically at home to Stokesley SC on Monday night.

"When I took over I told the chairman it would take four years to bring success so I am obviously pleased that we have won a trophy in year two," enthused Hunter who paid warm tribute to the Stokesley side and management team for their after-match hospitality.

"They were very complimentary. It is the way the game should be played and it made for a great day out. We certainly celebrated when we got back to Boldon."

North Shields were also in a celebratory mood this week. On Monday, they clinched promotion to the Albany Northern League subject to ratification at the Annual Meeting and victory over Annfield Plain on Wednesday means that they need just one point from their two remaining games to be crowned champions.

Stokesley SC meanwhile, who have lost in both the finals of the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup and the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup, have another opportunity to win further silverware when they play at Birtley Town on Monday May 17 in the Final of the Wearside League Cup. So far, Stokesley have won the North Riding County Cup.

Fixtures: Tomorrow: Wearside League (2.30pm): Jarrow v Barnard Castle Glaxo, Gateshead Reserves v Annfield Plain, Stokesley SC v Harton and Westoe, New Marske v Windscale, Washington Nissan UK v North Shields, Whitehaven v Birtley Town, Wolviston v Cleadon SC.

Monday, May 10: Wearside League (6.30pm): Boldon CA v Stokesley SC.

Wednesday, May 12: Wearside League (6.30pm): Annfield Plain v Birtley Town, Darlington RA v Stokesley SC, Whitehaven v New Marske, Wolviston v Harton and Westoe.