Tom Rimes partnered Mike Williams at the back after impressing in the last game against Fenland Police. Tom Broughton, who was aiming to finish the season as the club's top scorer, played up front with George Greetham.

The match was a slow burner with both sides having chances in the opening stages of the game. Greetham headed an Aaron Yeoman corner over and Daniel Robinson sent a half volley over the bar after a magnificent cross field pass from Yeoman.

There was controversy 20 minutes into the game. Halcyon fired in a free kick from the left which took a couple of deflections and looked to elude Cardea keeper Anton Fountain but he grabbed it on the line. A Halcyon player kicked it out of his hands and it looked to have crossed the line but Fountain grabbed the loose ball and the ref signalled no goal.

This served as a wake up call for the league leaders and Yeoman saw two free kicks just miss the target. Left back Ryan Moore also tried to get in on the act but his awful shot ended up closer to the corner flag.

Cardea finally broke the deadlock on 37 minutes. After a good period of possession Daryl Patrick held the ball up on the edge of the area and laid it off to Kynan Bereznyckyj whose shot was straight at the keeper but somehow he let it go through his legs and into the net. It was an absolute howler and Bereznyckyj looked embarrassed to celebrate the goal.

Cardea doubled their lead two minutes before half time, Yeoman played the ball into Greetham's feet who turned and played a superb through ball to Broughton who kept his cool and chipped over the keeper to take him onto 13 goals for the season and ensure his Cardea top goalscorer trophy.

There was more drama in first half stoppage time when Patrick was fouled in the area and a penalty was awarded. The decision looked a bit soft but Yeoman stepped up to take the penalty. The midfielder slipped slightly as he struck the ball and hit the post, losing his 100% penalty record and maybe his position as penalty taker!

The referee brought an end to the first half. Yeoman came off with a knee injury (excuse for his penalty miss) and Mike Dandrilli took his place.

Cardea created chances in the opening 20 minutes of the second half but through a mixture of defence and keeper Halcyon kept the score down. Patrick, Bereznyckyj and Robinson all saw there efforts saved.

Patrick was throwing himself into challenges but nearly had an embarrassing moment as he fell over mid challenge and almost slid in some dog mess and then was set upon by Harper's dog!

Cardea added a third on 73 minutes. After good work from Robinson down the left he passed to Bereznyckyj who took aim and curled the ball past the keeper and into the corner of the goal to double his tally for the day.

Defender Tony Harper was brought on for a cameo appearance for the final 10 minutes, his first appearance for two months following heart irregularities.

The change obviously affected the Cardea back line as Halcyon front man Tom Wales managed to get in behind and beat Fountain to the ball to score a consolation.

The three goal cushion was soon restored when another good cross from Robinson was bundled in on the line by sub Dandrilli. The goal was celebrated by Dandrilli on his own!

Cardea could have added a fifth late on but the keeper stopped Dandrilli from more glory.

The referee brought an end to the game and an end to the season for Cardea who have now guaranteed 2nd place and must wait for Fenland Police and Yaxley British Legion to fulfil their fixtures to find out if they are champions.

The management team were happy with the result with Craig Robinson saying: "We started poor giving the ball away too easily, but like we always do we relax when we got the first goal and started to play football.

"Once the second went in it was game over. Was nice to get a couple more in the second half, always good to see Yeoman miss a pen! 2nd place is guaranteed which is a successful first season. Let's hope Yaxley and Fenland drop some points and we're champions!! Man of the match was between Robbo and Kynan but Kynan's 2 goals just edge it for him."

Kev Webster added: "Well done to all involved this season, it's been a good debut season in the Sunday morning league. Runners up is the least you all deserve lets just hope results go our way and we end up as Champs.

"Good effort today, again not our best but managed to run out 4-1 winners in a game where we never really looked under threat. Well done to Kynan on his man of the match performance.

"I will be in touch in the week for player's player of season and will keep you all posted on the presentation evening to be held in The Whittle. Thanks for a good season, it's been a pleasure"

Cardea will play an end of season friendly with Werrington Dragons next week at Bushfield as both teams look forward to next season.