Defeat in the final of the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup final didn't take the shine off Flackwell Heath’s first league title since 1957, according to manager Graham Malcolm.

The Heathens boss saw his team win the Hellenic Premier Division courtesy of a 7-0 demolition of Cheltenham Saracens on Saturday before they succumbed to a 3-2 loss against Windsor after extra-time at The Gore on Tuesday night.

Malcolm, in only his second season in charge of the club, was keen to ensure the feats of his players, who wrapped up the title with three games to spare after losing only once all season, were not overshadowed by their cup final defeat.

He said: “We did everything that we’d hoped for. A home game, big gate, large crowd, incredible victory and the enormity of it was just fantastic for everyone involved. It’s hit home now how well we did.

“It’s an amazing achievement. It took away a bit from last night (Tuesday) because it really bought home to us that we were league winners. You don’t often win a league and players can go through their whole careers without winning a league.

“We realised when we were in the Berks and Bucks Cup final just what a big deal it was with people congratulating us. It’s just a fantastic achievement for the club and it will go down in history.”

The seven-goal blitz of Cheltenham came via a hat-trick from top scorer Gavin James and one each for Dan Burnell, Joe Blount, Liam Tack and captain Ben Sturgess.

James struck again to give Flackwell the lead after 51 minutes on Tuesday night but Windsor replied shortly after to force extra-time. Heath were reduced to ten men when Burnell picked up his second yellow card before Windsor took the initiative with two goals in nine minutes.

Tack pulled one back but it proved to be little more than a consolation.

“I’m not too disappointed because we had enough chances to win the game but sometimes it doesn’t work and it didn’t work,” said Malcolm.

“In the 90 minutes when we had 11 players, right at the end we had three or four gilt-edged chances. Bryan Taylor had a one-on-one that got cleared off the line, Danny (Burnell) hit the bar, he forced a great save from six yards out and we could have won the game quite comfortably 4-1.

“It didn’t go in, it has gone in in the past. Unfortunately in extra-time the sending off hurts us and gives them a little bit of momentum and the result is the result.”

Flackwell had the chance to make another final when they took on Ascot United in the last four of the League Cup last night (Thursday) and they will also contest the final of the Wycombe Senior Cup against Penn & Tylers Green on April 29.

For the moment though Malcolm is keen to embrace his team’s achievements after ending the club’s 58-year wait for a league title.

He said: “From a team perspective, a club perspective and a personal perspective it’s just been awesome. I never, ever thought for one moment it would happen.

“I’ve been told that it is one of the finest years in the club’s history and that is fantastic for the club. It puts us on a better standing, going to step four football with the likes of Chalfont St Peter, Beaconsfield, Marlow and Burnham, and it’s fantastic.”