Isaac Mpiana blasted a hat-trick as Whitton Wanderers’ U16 Youth claimed the Invitation Cup, but faced a nervy five minutes as Inter Ditton staged a late comeback.

The hotshot striker opened the scoring after 24 minutes as he produced a looping header that dropped into the net to give Whitton the lead.

Wanderers looked to have sealed the trophy as Mpiana struck twice in five second half minutes.

He raced through on goal to slot the ball past the Inter Ditton keeper before firing home from Matthew Osbourne’s cross.

Inter Ditton’s heads then dropped and Csaba Varadi struck the side netting with a vicious shot but they were handed a lifeline in bizarre circumstances.

Robbie Butt looked to be attempting a cross but eluded everyone and landed in the

net going into the final 10 minutes.

Mpiana nearly settled it with six minutes left before Sam Blake fired home to set up a grandstand finish, but Whitton held on to claim their first trophy.

Manager Gavin Green said: “I was very nervous at the end as it was the first cup final this age group have had.

“We looked comfortable at 3-0 and the goal put us on the back foot. It’s been a great season for Isaac and he deserved it. He will go onto better things.

“The player he is, he should go on to play a good standard of football.”

“We’ve had four or five that started at seven and I think it’s the first time they’ve won something. It’s special for me.

“I haven’t been the manager for all these years, but I’ve been involved with the club and it’s a great day for all involved.”

The squad were Geordan Ryan, Matthew Osbourne, Ben Brownscombe, Zak Green, Jack Tait, Khyron Ryan, Giuliano Oggioni, Csaba Varadi, Misha Bhathena, Luke Pearce, Jack Saville, Daniel Cornhill, Nicholas Hashimi, Azmi Ahmed, Albert Godwin and Isaac Mpiana.