IAN Street has said 1874 Northwich’s players passed a psychological test by winning Monday’s Mid-Cheshire District FA Senior Cup final.

A 3-0 victory against Witton Albion secured a first piece of silverware since the club was formed three years ago.

The manager told the Guardian his side’s belief would be bolstered as a result.

“We’ve proved we can win something,” he added.

“There’s always that nagging doubt when you haven’t done so previously.

“Every team has to start somewhere, to show that you can do it – even at the highest level.

“We’ve got a taste of it now, and know what it takes.

“Once you’ve got your hands on one trophy, then it leaves you wanting another.

“For us, it was never ‘just’ the Mid-Cheshire FA Senior Cup; look at the reaction afterwards from our players and supporters and how much it meant to them.”

First-half goals from Matthew Beadle and Craig Farnworth, both scored inside the opening 10 minutes, set 1874 on a course for victory against their higher-ranked hosts.

Beadle emphatically converted a penalty in the closing stages too.

The celebrations that followed prompted Street, who has been in charge since 1874’s first official match against in August 2013, to describe Monday as his ‘favourite moment’.

“It’s got to be number one hasn’t it?” he replied when asked where the success ranked in the supporter-owned outfit’s short history.

“I probably felt better the day I received a call to say we’d been promoted, but as a one-off this is definitely top of the list.”

He hopes the momentum from winning will carry his side through the remainder of what is a testing week.

They meet landlords Winsford United tonight, Wednesday, in a rearranged North West Counties League game.

On Saturday they then visit old foes – and promotion-hopefuls – Runcorn Linnets.

Street quipped: “Tired! What’s that?

“I just hope there’s no ‘after the Lord Mayor’s Show’ about what happens next because they’re both big games.”

Northwich Guardian:

Craig Farnworth's header puts 1874 Northwich 2-0 up against Witton on Monday. Picture: MD PHOTOGRAPHY