We have our champion club! With one game remaining, it’s Darvel who have been crowned PDM West of Scotland Football League Premier Division Champions after a fantastic run of form that saw them unbeaten in 7 league matches after a 0-3 defeat to Clydebank, all within a run if 18 matches from the 5th of March till the 9th of May. The turning point came after the 2-2 draw at Recreation Park v closest challengers Auchinleck Talbot, when the following match Talbot dropped points to Hurlford, giving Darvel the opportunity to take top spot, they extended this lead to 4 points when they beat Blantyre 1-6 whilst Auchinleck lost 1-0 at home to Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.
With only two games remaining, Darvel would secure the title with a win at home to Kilwinning Rangers and this is exactly how It turned out, despite the Buffs putting up a good fight, Darvel ran out 3-2 winners to spark scenes of jubilation as the home crowd, players management and staff enjoyed fireworks, flares and that champion feeling as captain Daryll Meggatt was presented the trophy by WoSFL Chair Matt Bamford. Darvel will now represent the WoSFL in the playoffs for promotion to the Lowland League where they will playoff against St Cuthbert Wanderers on Wednesday 25th May at St Cuthbert and the winners of the East of Scotland (Tranent/Penicuik) on Saturday the 28th May at Recreation Park. Good luck to them!
At the other end of the table, with 6 or 7 clubs being relegated (depending on whether Darvel go up in the playoffs or not) its crunch time for a handful of clubs all fighting to stay above the dreaded drop zone. Sadly teams do have to be relegated and 5 are all ready resigned to playing in Division One next season as Kilbirnie Lakeside, Rossvale, Cumbernauld, Blantyre Vics and Bonnyton failed to beat the drop. Hoping not to join them are Largs, Rutherglen Glencairn, Benburb, Troon, Glenafton or Beith, who have yet to secure their Premier status for next season.
In Conference A, fresh after lifting the title, Arthurlie became the only team win the WoSFL to complete the season with an invincible league season after a 3-2 win away to Muirkirk which capped off a campaign that saw them play 30, win 28 and draw 2, with no losses scoring 109 and losing 29. What an achievement!
We will give you an end of season update next time out so you can see how your favourite WoSFL club got on this season and what division they will be plying their trade in was we move from the conferences set up under the Premier Division to linear leagues with 3 up and 3 down promotion and relegation.
What a first season in the PDM Buildbase West of Scotland Football League…and it’s only the beginning!
