Division Two's Dramatic Final Day

The Sunday League reaches its thrilling climax with drama in Division Two

Men used to go to war. Now they fight for promotion to the top flight of the St Andrews Sunday League. I’d like to say there are bigger days in my calendar than the final matchday of the season, but there really aren’t. With DLL, Real Sosobad and the imperious BLFC all competing for the automatic promotion and play-off spots, it was time to see who would rise above the rest.

The indomitable BLFC (no bias here at all, even though I am the captain) went into their game against bottom-of-the-league Crotchdale FC knowing that anything other than a win would rule them out of a top-two finish. Crotchdale, yet to register a point all campaign, had their lineup bolstered by ringers from Strokers. Not a good sign for BLFC, who had anticipated a straightforward end to the season.

With no referee to temper emotions, it looked as though the game might boil over early, but aside from a bruised ego for an unfortunate centre-back (me), who was clotheslined after attempting a Cruyff turn in his own half, the challenges were firm and fair from both sides. As time went on, the game grew into itself, and the goals kept getting better. From a short corner, a Crotchdale player cut inside and wrapped the ball from an improbable angle into the top corner.

Not long after, BLFC’s left-winger took the ball from all of 25 yards and let fly. The shot had that feel to it — everyone just knew. You couldn’t have placed the ball better with your hands. Have that. The game was a heavyweight bout, and neither fighter was pulling punches. BLFC ran out 6–5 winners. Over to DLL and Real Sosobad.

DLL began the day on top but could be knocked off their perch if they lost to Real Sosobad, who were just two points behind. As with any top-two clash, tensions were high from the outset. Like in the BLFC game, a referee would have been nice, but considering the match was the day after Szentek, hopes for an official were at an all-time low. It didn’t take long for the tackles to fly in, nor for the goals.

After playing an advantage, Sosobad made it 1–0 with a tidy finish, leaving the league leaders trailing at half-time. As things stood, DLL were heading for the play-offs, while Sosobad were going straight up. Things went from bad to worse for DLL when a worldie from outside the box put them 2–0 down mere minutes into the second half, but they were far from throwing in the towel. A penalty and a corner later, they had pulled it back to 2–2.

With time running out, both keepers kept their teams alive, and for a while it looked as though the game would finish level. That was until, with ten minutes to play, another long-range effort crashed in for Sosobad, putting them 3–2 up. Despite their best efforts, DLL were never able to turn the tide, and at the final whistle, it was Sosobad who came out on top.

After seven weeks of football, it’s Real Sosobad who will join the big dogs in Division 1. As much as it pains me to say — as the ever-neutral sports journalist that I am — BLFC will have to do it all over again next season.