Central League: Second Division

  Dunipace 3 - 2 Royal Albert  

The final day of the league season and Dunipace knew that a victory, nothing else, was required in order to secure second spot in the final standings and promotion straight back to the First Division. With that in mind the home side started nervously and in truth the entire first half was a bit of a non-event as both teams scrapped it out in midfield, unable to put any meaningful passing moves together. This was particularly frustrating from a Dunipace point of view, having played some fantastic football in the run up to this point.

The second half started brightly with Dunipace looking more urgent but it was Albert who took the lead.

James Orr was robbed by the striker who expertly curled the ball high over both the attempted block from Graeme MacMillan and keeper Meighan into the top corner. And things were to get worse for the home side 5 minutes later when MacMillan felled the striker in the area to hand the away side a penalty. Meighan did well to save the initial effort but the rebound was forced over the line to make it 2 - 0 against with half an hour to play.

It all looked to be going horribly wrong for the Pace, who were now creating a number of chances but just couldn't put them away. Rodger had one cleared off the line before Wright fired over from close range.

With 20 minutes to go though, Dunipace did get themselves a lifeline when Grant, not noted for his aerial prowess, rose to fire an unstopable header beyond the keeper. Sensing a comeback Dunipace rallied again, by this stage throwing everything at Royal Albert and it was to pay off when Wright popped up at the back post to calmly take a touch before lifting the ball over the keeper for 2 - 2.

Game on and suddenly it didn't look quite so bleak for the home side who now had 15 minutes to save their season and claim second spot.

Dunipace continued to pressure the visitors goal and didn't have to wait long till amazingly the third goal came. Stephen Oates, who popped up with a good few important goals from defence during the season, found himself up front and when the ball arrived on his head in the six yard box the stopper made no mistake in planting his header low to the keepers right. Cue the beginning of the celebrations within Westfield.

With 10 minutes to hold on and both McPhail and Oates succumbing to fatigue as a result of the great effort being expended by the Pace players, Dunipace were happy to see the visitors reduced to 10 men following an over reaction to a challenge by Cairney. Even more pleased were the home side that it was arguably Albert's most influential player who was dismissed.

Some strong defending was to follow, with the only real heart in mouth moment for the Pace being in the closing seconds when Albert had what looked to be a strong claim for a penalty as the striker ran across a defender in the area. Given the ridiculous penalty decision awarded against Blantyre that lost Dunipace the three points that day the crowd feared the worst, but the referee said no and Dunipace got that slice of fortune they'd been looking for all season.

As the final whistle was blown, Dunipace finished their season with another win and in the process clinched second spot and promotion to the first division, leaving Carluke as the unlucky side to play another year in Division 2. And that shows just how tight this division was, given Carluke came to Westfield two weeks prior to play their last game, which if they had won would have seen them crowned champions.