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| Division 1 here we come! |
FK Radnik Roystjina are celebrating after yesterday's 2-1 play-off win over Patriots FC earned them promotion to Division 1, their fourth elevation in the past five seasons. Goals from Octávio Bettencourt and Luciano Furacão relatively early in each half had Radnik two ahead, and though Patriots pulled one back just past the hour mark, the Roystjina side held on with relative comfort.
This latest rise was the most unexpected of the four by a distance, as FK Radnik began Season 37 with just three points from their opening five games. At that stage it looked like the only way they would exit the Division 2b was via the relegation trap door, but their season was sparked by a massively fortuitous 1-0 win against The Stevie Gees in Round 6. That game was the beginning of a run of improved form as the Roystjina side compiled a 6-1-2 record, culminating in winning their final three games by an aggregate score of 7-1 to just sneak into the play-off spot on the last day of the campaign by the narrowest possible margin, +1 Goal Difference.
The last day win 3-0 win at The Bullywee and the play-off game were notable for featuring club legend Ninian Killaloe in his final two appearances before retirement. Radnik manager Janik paid tribute to his departing centre-half saying "Ninian didn't get a lot of opportunities this term, but he was there, as solid and dependable as ever, when we really needed him. Indeed he was man-of-the-match in the play-off. Talk about leaving on a high!
"It is a shame to lose a player who was still able to contribute at such a high level, but Ninian has other interests he wants to pursue. He has a passion for designing head pieces for the haute couture market, and I'm told a rare skill for it as well. A number of the leading fashion houses are pursuing him to be their in-house milliner, and one cannot stand in the way of such an opportunity for a Man to follow his dream. Yes, it is a big step from bullying centre-forwards, but there are parallels, or at least so Ninian claims. He will always be welcome at the Gradski Stadion if he wants to visit, and if he brings examples of his work with him, we will try and understand how two feathers and a bit of tulle can be worth 50 grand."
Goalkeeper Iorga Cismaru also hung up his gloves in the aftermath of the play-off. In his case Janik said "We were more of a coda to Iorga's career, he signed to be the back-up goalie when already a veteran, but I thank him for his professionalism and contribution the few times he did play. If he wants complimentary tickets for future games he knows my number, I will be glad to chat"
Finally there was good news for the manager himself as Janik won the latest Official League Manager of the Week award. He tried to play this down, noting "It is the lucky breaks that decide things like this. In my case that was suspensions for The Bullywee and an injury for Patriots, all of which massively restricted the possible formations open to my opponents. That really helped in setting the team up right for both those key games."
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