South Essex College’s Thurrock Football Academy has been crowned double champions after winning the Essex County FA Colleges league and cup finals.

The players, who all study and train at the Grays campus, beat Sweyne Park 4-3 in the league final last week, having beaten Havering College 3-1 to lift the cup.

The team didn’t get off to the best of starts in the league final, going two goals behind against Sweyne in the first 20 minutes.

But, in an exciting match, South Essex went on to score four goals to take them to victory including a brace from striker Hakeem Lewis-Harrison.

Elliot Stamps, Academy Course Leader and Manager, said: “We didn’t do it the easy way but I always believed we could win. It’s brilliant to get both titles.

“After a complacent start to the game, the boys dug deep and showed the type of form and temperament that has seen us lose only two games all season. In the second-half, we controlled the game and created a number of chances.”