SALISBURY City put the bitter disappointment of narrowly missing out on promotion behind them to close the season on a high by lifting the Wiltshire Premier Shield writes Mike Turner.

Monday's comprehensive 3-1 win over Swindon Supermarine ensured the county crown returned to Old Sarum for the third time in five years.

A rip-roaring first half saw Nick Holmes' side turn on the style in front of another bumper Bank Holiday crowd at the Ray-mond McEnhill Stadium.

Adam Wallace netted his 21st goal of the campaign to put the home side ahead on 16 minutes, then provided the pass which led to Steve Strong doubling their advantage five minutes later.

Tyronne Bowers' 36th minute free kick caused mayhem in the Swindon defence, and after a frantic goalmouth scramble John Purches hit the target to take Whites in at the break with one hand already on the shield.

But the second half proved something of an anti-climax for those home fans expecting a City goal glut.

Supermarine finally shored up their defence and Whites, now looking slightly drained perhaps due to a combination of the heat and fatigue from Saturday's hard-fought league defeat at Ton-bridge Angels, found clear goal scoring opportunities few and far between.

A 75th minute lapse in concentration led to Swindon clawing back a consolation goal through Dave Slattery.

All smiles as City triumph

"IT'S very nice to finish the season with a trophy," said Salisbury City manager Nick Holmes after watching his side beat Dr Martens Western Division outfit Swindon Super-marine in Monday's Wilt-shire Premier Shield final at Old Sarum, writes Mike Turner.

"The lads have worked very hard during the season, and it's right that they should have some reward for what they've done."

It may not have been the reward Holmes and his players had set their hearts on, but as City's display on a hot afternoon demonstrated, county pride still mattered.

"Of course we wanted to win promotion. It wasn't to be this time and that's hard to accept. But we'll bounce back. We're a young team and our players will have learned a lot from this campaign. Today's display showed we want to win things."

City were always in control of Monday's final and could easily have opened their account on 40 seconds when Adam Wallace just failed to connect with Tyronne Bowers' cross.

Wallace made no mistake on 16 minutes and played a part in helping Steve Strong make it 2-0 midway through the half.

By the time John Purches had put them three up, the result was beyond any doubt. Only a late lapse in concentration allowed Swindon, who were on the back of an impressive run that had eased their relegation worries, to net a consolation goal.

"Having gone three-up you'd hope we could go on to hit five or six. We haven't really put teams to the sword when maybe we should have done," added Holmes, who one senses, simply can't wait for next season to begin.

Judging by the reaction of the City faithful afterwards, neither can they.