Two up, two down is the Central League promotion and relegation outcome

May 26 2011 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

Thorniewood United will look back with mixed emotions on a campaign that brought them some success even if they were denied the ultimate prize.

With promotion secured to the Super League for the first time in their history, Thorniewood were pipped for the First Division title in a tense weekend struggle.

United went into their final game at Shettleston on Friday one point behind leaders Kilsyth Rangers, who were to host Greenock on Saturday.

The Viewpark club raised their hopes with a draw at Shettleston, but those were sunk less than 24 hours later as Kilsyth won 3-1 to make sure they captured the flag.

Shettleston opened the scoring but Mark Daly headed in a late equaliser from a Bryan Wharton throw-in.

Player-manager John Fallon said: “It was quite a tense game with Shettleston fighting off relegation fears, and in the second half I threw four up front in a bid to snatch a winner.

“It’s a great achievement to gain promotion to the Super League at the third attempt.

“In our first year we lost out on goal-difference. Last year we were badly hit by injuries and finished sixth, but we’ve achieved it this time.

“I’m delighted for all concerned and now we are already starting the rebuilding for next season to prepare for life in the Super League.”

Before then the players are set to celebrate at their Player of the Year presentation in the Robertson Park social club on Friday night.

After going through a hectic midweek schedule in April Larkhall Thistle wrapped up their Second Division programme a fortnight ago by securing runners-up spot to Yoker Athletic, bossed by former Hamilton Accies striker and ex-Blantyre Vics manager John Brogan.

Vics were effectively relegated almost a month ago, as they drifted 11 points behind the First Division pack.

They play their final league encounter at Greenock on Saturday.

The introduction of a new management team, headed by local businessman Alan Shields, injected fresh hope in the run-in, but this is more steered towards next season, as relegation had been almost certain since April.

Former Shotts, Arthurlie, Larkhall and Lesmahagow defender Shields has held talks with the Vics committee to outline his ambitious plans for next season.

He said: “I have tabled a large list of players I would be interested in talking to over the course of the next few weeks.

“I intend to spread the net fairly wide to try and capture as strong a squad as possible and push for a quick return to the First Division.”

Stonehouse Violet claimed a creditable fifth place in the Second Division, just six points behind the promotion pack in their first season back in Junior football after being dormant for two years.

A new backer, new committee and manager, were put in place during the close season but there was an autumn hiccup, which led to a change in management and committee membership.

Former Perthshire manager Dougie MacDuff was brought in as the league programme got underway, drafting a number of promising youngsters he had known from his Glasgow days.

His revamped squad created a few surprise results and performances along the way, and MacDuff has moved quickly to sign up seven members of the squad for next season while he scouts around for new additions to the squad.

Craig Munro, who cracked in a few spectacular free-kicks, was presented with the club’s Player of the Year trophy, while Michael Daly received the Players’ Player of the Year award.