A STUNNING 25 yard strike from Alex Gee handed Meltham the District FA Saturday Trophy as they notched a 1-0 win over Westend.

Gee’s 70th minute goal, where the midfielder latched on to a loose ball and lashed it beyond the grasp of Westend keeper Daz Weaver, was the highlight of a tight encounter.

The first half was so cagey that chances were few and far between.

Meltham made the early running and Weaver did well to clear from the feet of striker Matthew Varley as he chased down a good ball into the box from Nathan Addy, but midway through the first half Meltham keeper Simon Taylor had to be equally alert to deny Westend striker Aaron Van Leeuwen.

The keepers continued to be the stars in the first period as Weaver saved well from Varley as he managed to get in an angled shot and on the stroke of half-time Taylor was equal to a good effort from Sam Boothroyd after he had adjusted well to get in a shot.

Weaver was at his best again two minutes after the interval as Gee gave a preview of what was to come as he made the most of a mistake by Westend defender Ramon Fleetwood and fired in a good effort on goal.

Steadily the game became stretched as tired limbs and flared tempers took their toll – five names going into the book as a ‘competitive’ edge emerged as both sides sought the means to settle the issue.

Meltham threatened to break the deadlock on 64 minutes when a free kick into the danger area was met by Varley but Weaver made a great stop.

Six minutes later he was beaten by Gee’s stunning strike and the goal signalled a frenetic end to the contest.

Westend pushed the pace with Warren Canavan shooting just wide before a Mark Thwaites free kick into the danger zone was met by a well placed Craig Boustead header which Taylor did well to tip over the bar.

Thwaites then rattled the Meltham bar with another well delivered free kick, but Meltham finished strongly and five minutes from time went close as Gee set up Addy but Weaver again produced a good save.

Meltham: Taylor; Yarker, Hamby, Woodhead, Green; Bradley (Marcus Varley 82 mins), Gledhill, Gee, Sykes; Matthew Varley, Addy. Subs: Cooper, Kelly, Lee, Haigh.

Westend: Weaver; Johnson, Fleetwood, Knox, Polzin; Thwaites, Canavan, Boustead, Boothroyd; Van Leeuwen, Walters (Robertson 52 mins). Subs: Birch, Haigh, Baxter.

Referee: H. Young.