Any of three teams could of landed with the division 2a title heading into the final round. However the leaders, Springer FC, were away to a team needing a win to have any chance of staying up. Palm FE were the opponents and were looking to play spoiler. That is what 2nd placed SK Velika Srbija would be hoping for as they faced an already relegated and depleted El Classico team. Then of course there was FC Jämtbo who were three points behind the leaders and they faced the other already relegated side Frampton Athletic. They needed both of the two teams above them to falter at the final hurdle whilst pick up the win.
El Classico were not expecting to play spoiler against SK Velika Srbija as the manager lined up his team based on making one final push to boosting player development. 3-4-3 formation and 6 players with skill levels of 9 or less in the starting lineup. Leaving a 10 and 12 skill players on the bench. Up against a team whose weakest player in their starting lineup was a 12 skill keeper. El Classico somehow stunned the visitors with a goal in the opening 60 seconds, Costy Buhusi netting after some fine work by 20 year old midfielder Wytze van Duzen. The youngster showing off his dazzling skills and why manager Celticlegend rates him so highly while the veteran striker doubled his tally of goals for the season to 2. Yes it was literally the 29 year olds 2nd goal of the season!
Still another 89 minutes of action and surely the lead couldn't last for long against the stronger visiting team that we've not beat in 3 previous attempts? Well they made it to the break still in front, infact it was the only chance of the first half. The visitors didn't look like a team in 2nd place and hoping to have title celebrations after the match. Elsewhere FC Jämtbo were 3-0 up agaisnt Frampton Athletic and leaders Springer FC were 1-0 up against Palm FE. The other result in the division 1982 FC led 2-0 at halftime against Paisley Panthers.
The second half got underway and word of a Palm FE equalizer against Springer FC got the away crowd trying to encourage their team to find their own equalizer here. Well it worked a treat as the hour mark came with a goal for the visitors. Substitute Aarão Vilhena headed SK Velika Srbija back onto level terms. Finally breaching the brick wall that El Classico had built after taking the shock 1-0 early lead, the visiting team had finally set their sights on their dream. They needed a winner and for Palm FE to atleast hold Springer FC. Meanwhile FC Jämtbo who were cruising to victory against Melchester Rovers needed Palm FE to grab a winner and also hope El Classico could hold on.
As full time approached SK Velika Srbija's hopes of winning the title were disappearing quickly as it was still level at 1-1 here and also in the match between Palm FE and Springer FC. Even worse they were all set to be knocked out of the playoff spot too as FC Jämtbo looked likely to snatch 2nd place in the division as they were running riot with Albert Olovsson heading in their 7th goal of the afternoon in the 87th minute of their match. However there would be one final twist in this final round of fixtures. A 92nd minute goal in one of these all important matchs would determine the fate for all three of the title chasing teams. SK Velika Srbija's would claim the playoff spot despite not finding a winner against El Classico, who superbly grabbed a 1-1 draw to deny their opponents the title.
Dave Ripley would score the winning goal for Palm FE which would sink long time leaders Springer FC from first position right down to third place. They stay put unlike Palm FE, who played spoilers today too, who joined El Classico and Frampton Athletic in heading down to division 3. The goal however gave 7-0 winners FC Jämtbo the unlikeliest of titles as everything went the way the needed it to in order to finish as division 2a champions. Meanwhile 1982 FC stay up with a final day 4-0 win which thankfully for Paisley Panthers wasn't enough to see them fall down.
The final standings show 3 teams level at the top with only goal difference separating them all. Likewise 4th-6th all finished with the same amount of points too and Palm FE go down on goal difference while the other two teams stay up on goal difference. El Classico and Frampton Athletic, the managers are long time friendly rivals, have a sad season and both go down as they both look to rebuild.
"It was some finish to the league, I think everyone was surprised with the final winners in this division. We played spoilers as our opponents could have won the title with a win against us knowing the other results. It's a big point even if we are down as it shows we can pick up points with a weaker squad, that is important for us as we look to rebuild this team. It's good for FC Jämtbo, they are a strong team and we wish them well in division 1. SK Velika Srbija didn't have much luck against us but we wish them better luck in the playoffs. As for us development has went reasonably well but another injury to Empresto was a blow."
"Division 3 and rebuilding the team, next season is going to be exciting for us. We feel we can rebuild and bounce back up at the same time. We finish the season on a good note and I feel confident we can do well. We are relishing playing some new faces, although I suspect we will see some familiar faces too. We look forward to the silly season now and bringing in some new faces to the squad. Freshen things up and hopefully we will improve and get back onto the big stage where it used to be."