10am 3 June 2023
Strathclyde Evangelical Churches League, Premier Division
Craighalbert 3 Tollcross 5 (att 44)
My first game in this league, and what better way to start than with a title decider. It was only going to determine the title if Tollcross won, but they did so despite a late scare.
It was the visitors' final game of the season, and they knew that three points would give them an unassailable lead at the top of the division. It took them a while to hit their stride, but after a gift of an opening goal they quickly took control.
Craighalbert, one place off the bottom and with nothing to play for, put up a decent effort, but by half time Tollcross had a 4-0 lead.
They added a fifth goal after a hour, and the game seemed over as a contest. The league trophy even appeared on the sidelines as Tollcross, with the support of almost all the crowd, prepared to celebrate.
Perhaps the sight of silverware put them off, or more likely they eased off with the game seemingly won, but Craighalbert threatened to spoil the party with a late fightback.
Their first goal looked a meagre consolation, their second exposed slack Tollcross defending. Their third, with about five minutes remaining, had the potential to set up an exciting finale. In the end though Tollcross held on to become champions.
Craighalbert play at the Strathclyde University sports ground in Stepps, north of Glasgow. There are several football pitches, spread far enough apart for me to consider a return visit in future. This was on 'pitch four', which is enclosed and benefits from grass banking around part of the perimeter.
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