FA Trophy final: Cambridge United 4-0 Gosport Borough

Cambridge United lifted the FA Trophy for the first time in their history with a comfortable victory over Gosport Borough.

Ryan Bird opened the scoring before the break with a tidy lob over Nathan Ashmore when put clear.

Ryan Donaldson made it 2-0 when rounding Ashmore and tapping home.

Donaldson got his second after tucking home from 12 yards following a goalmouth scramble, before Luke Berry made it 4-0 from the penalty spot.

Cambridge headed into the game as favourites, with Richard Money's side second in the Conference Premier taking on Conference South strugglers Gosport.

And United shaded an even and entertaining first half at Wembley played in front of 18,120 spectators bathed in spring sunshine.

Bird, ironically on loan from Gosport's Hampshire neighbours Portsmouth, saw his early effort smothered by keeper Ashmore, who did well to narrow the angle and spread himself when one on one.

Unsurprisingly it was Gosport's record goalscorer Justin Bennett who had their first real chance, with the forward doing well to create an opportunity for himself on the edge of the box before scuffing his strike.

Ashmore again did well, this time denying Josh GIllies who was clean through, before Bennett forced Will Norris into an uncomfortable low save.

But six minutes before the break Cambridge were ahead with Bird beating the offside trap before lobbing Ashmore with expert precision from just inside the box.

And five minutes after the restart worse was to come for Borough who fell 2-0 behind.

Donaldson beat the offside trap after being played in by Bird before rounding Ashmore and side-footing into the empty net from a tight angle.

Donaldson then tucked home from 12 yards after Cambridge struck the post during an almighty goalmouth scramble that Gosport failed to deal with.

Bennett, Gosport's standout player, did his best to get them back in it, but his neat turn and shot from the edge of the area was just wide of Norris's goal.

And Berry sealed the rout from the penalty spot after Sam Pearce brought down Andy Pugh.

Dan Woodward hit the crossbar late on with a speculative effort, with Gosport failing to end a disappointing afternoon on a high as their attention now turns to Conference South survival.

Cambridge United: Norris, Tait, Miller, Coulson, Taylor, Berry, Champion, Hughes, Gillies, Bird, Donaldson.

Gosport Borough: Ashmore, Molyneaux, Forbes, Pearce, Poache, Carmichael, Brown, Smith, Gosney, Sills, Bennett.

Bookings: Pearce (78)

Referee: Craig Pawson

Attendance: 18,120