BASILDON United ended a hugely impressive season by beating FC Romania 3-0 to lift the Essex Senior League Challenge Cup.

All the goals came in the second half, as a brace from Jordan Williams followed an own goal shortly after the restart.

Craig Gillam’s side smashed the club’s record points total in the Essex Senior League this year (94), as they finished runners-up to rivals Bowers & Pitsea in the league.

But despite that disappointment they ended the season on a high with a comfortable victory over FC Romania to win the competition held by the team who pipped them to the league crown.

And manager Craig Gillam said he was so pleased that his players’ efforts this season were rewarded with a trophy.

“After losing the league in the manner we did getting the result in the final was important,” he said. “The pitch was absolutely atrocious. Romania are an excellent footballing side so the pitch was a real leveller and to get the result was brilliant.

“I had to lay into the boys at half time and I have needed to do that this season. It has been a long and hard season and the players deserve their success.

“Romania weren’t very good but we turned it up in the second half. It may have been a case of the occasion getting to the players but we got through it and were worthy winners.

“The fans took over a pub in Ilford and made so much noise. We have a few that come to all our games and their support was brilliant in this game.”

Gillam’s future at the club remains in doubt despite Basildon’s remarkable season. The Bees chief resigned briefly in January after a disagreement with chairman Dave Maxwell and he says his situation will be resolved in the coming weeks.

“We will have a break now and who knows what will happen over the summer,” he said. “I am ambitious and so is this squad and we want to have the chance to fight for promotion in the Essex Senior League next year.

“I will sit down with the chairman in the next week and talk about it all.”