In a season that began full of doubt and apprehension for KElliott, his UU Accies continued to surprise him by extending their run of games to 13 games without loss.
After the 4 – 0 friendly win over Infinity FC KElliott and his Accies created some club history by managing to get their first win at Hog Lane against OAP last weekend.
MattCFC is in the process of shaping his team for life in Division 6 next season but it was still a tough game for the champions elect, as the Accies were at that time. Despite young Japanese striker Hisao Okazaki having his 3rd minute opener disallowed, then seeing his countryman Jasuhiro Kajiyama carried off injured UUA went on to win the match 2 – 1 with the history goals coming from midfield duo Fabio Roberto and Louis Dustan on 33 and 50 minutes respectively.
OAP did manage to pull one back in the second minute of injury time through Lars Oostmeijer, much to the dismay of Dragan Andic and Guang Yu Chiu who were both railing at the other 9 Accies players for their lack of concentration.
It was this historic win that that moved the league leader 11 points clear at the top and handed the Accies the title, guaranteeing Division 4 football next season.
This title winning victory was followed up by another friendly midweek win, this time 4 - 0 against FC Tutten, as KElliott continues his preparations for next season.
Win number 12, from 13, came this morning as the Accies hosted Vorsprung DT, the only team to score more than a single goal against the Accies this season (not counting the 2 – 0 Cup defeat to Just Another Team) when they powered 5 past Chewie in Round 2.
The UU Accies got their own back for that 5 – 3 pasting with a comfortable 3 – 1 win to continue their march up a Division. The home team dominated the tie throughout, carrying the game to the visitors but it was VDT who took an early first half lead. On 17 minutes Sami Khedira fed Ramiro Montenegro from deep in the midfield to slot past Chiu from close range.
The lead was short lived, though, as Drew Harsley headed in the equaliser on 22 minutes and, only 2 minutes later, Fabio Roberto gave the Accies the lead from a Bogdan Zabelin corner. Harsley then crossed for Zabelin to head home and give the Accies a 3 – 1 lead just before the break. The second half saw more chances, especially for the home side, but did not produce any more goals and the Accies ran out comfortable winners.
It was a good solid performance from the home team as they continued to dominate The Who this term. Winning the Division with games to spare has put everyone at the Sink in a positive mood as they look forward to the silly season but the gaffer is not resting and continues to arrange matches when he can to keep the team ticking over.
KElliott has finally admitted it: his UU Accies have surpassed all expectations this season and won The Who Division at a canter…although he still scratches his head as to how that was possible.
You’ll not have seen much in the way of Pressers from the Sink in recent weeks and, we’d love to say, it’s because the manager and back-room staff have been busy partying like it’s 1999. The truth is KElliott has been uber-busy of late and what time has been available he has spent scoping out the potential competition for next season. He now wishes he hadn’t bothered.
“Before this term, my beloved Accies have been to Division 5 twice before. On both occasions we were rank rotten and couldn’t compete at that level: we were horsed repeatedly week after week and bounced straight back down again to our celestial home that is Division 6 and I was concerned we would be tagged Yo-Yo Accies.
“For the start of this season we prepared as we always do but were better equipped to handle this level of football. Reviewing the opposition teams and managers at the start helps prepare for each match as they come along. There are some damn fine teams in this Division, it looked a tight group with not a lot between us all so to win the title last week, in the manner in which we have, is very, very surprising yet immensely gratifying.
“Next season we will be competing in Division 4 for the first time in our history and I am absolutely delighted at that. Mostly for the players and fans, especially our captain Dragan Andic. At his age I reckon next season could be his last so at least he’ll go out at a decent level, even if we do get gubbed more often than not. He has been immense for this club and he will be needed more than ever for next season. I’ve seen a fair few of the teams that will also be in D4 next term and no matter where you look, it’s all quality: good quality, good experience, good skills and good managers. We could be in serious trouble! But, you know what? We don’t care, we’ll give every team a game and give everything we have and, hopefully, do enough to show we deserve to be at that level.
“But this season is not over yet, so there will be no beers until after the last league tie with Bare FC. Then we can really start to party. I would like to say a big thank you to all the other teams and manager in this Division for making it a cracking affair. We have won it but there are still two in the mix to survive relegation and two others, The Rangers and Spectra who meet next week, battling for the play-off berth.
“KElliott and the Accies wish you all the very best for next season and 2014, and good luck to whichever team reaches the play-off.”