Holywood complete stunning title coup with latest victory
HOLYWOOD have been crowned Amateur League Division 1A champions with games to spare after they proved their mettle with a resilient win against Shankill United on Saturday.
They were considered champions elect heading into the match, seeking a 15th straight league win and needing just three points to mathematically guarantee the title, having already leapfrogged long-time leaders Dunmurry YM.
Although a less favourable result would not have been the end of the world against Shankill, they wanted to get the job done in front of their home support.
With just two away games remaining between now and the end of the season, Saturday offered the final opportunity for a title party on their own turf.
They made an ideal start to proceedings, opening the scoring courtesy of a Matthew Keys finish after just four minutes of action. However, third-placed United had nothing to play for and instead, they set about spoiling the occasion.
Those intentions went to plan when Jamie Young and Justin Armstrong led a stunning offensive, launching the visitors into a shock lead, but the drama was just beginning to unfold.
Striker Calum James looked to have set Holywood back in the ascendancy with his leveller, only for his counterpart, Kyle Wilgaus, to net against the run of play and give the away side an unexpected half-time advantage.
Still trailing by the 68th minute, the ‘Wood found themselves in need of a hero, and who else to deliver but captain Stevie Anderson?
The skipper was Johnny on the spot when he produced a diving effort to finish on the end of Rudi Little’s effort, which ricocheted off the crossbar, instilling belief in his side once more.
There only looked like being one winner from there, but it seemed as though the celebrations would have to be put on ice when an array of late chances went amiss.
That was until super sub JJ McKinley had his say on the matter, plucking Joshua Craig’s cross out of the air, turning and poking the ball into the bottom corner, sparking pandemonium at Spafield and declaring his team champions.
The Division 1A silverware meant much more to Holywood than your average league title. In fact, it represents the first intermediate level trophy in the club’s 43-year existence and more than cushions the blow of their Steel & Sons Cup final heartbreak.
Managers Glen Upton and Jonny McKay were the masterminds behind it, approaching the end of their first season in charge with an unforgettable success.
The impact the duo have made cannot be understated. They have given their supporters untold joy this season, adding this latest feat to their promotion to the Premier Division and memorable runs in multiple cup competitions.
Speaking at full-time, amongst the marvel of the celebrations, co-manager Upton’s reaction expressed a mixture of relief and delight.
“The way we’ve been winning games, I’m relieved we got it over the line. That was our 15th league win in a row and it allowed us to clinch the league, so I can’t put it into words,” he said.
“The dramatic wins have been the way of us all season. We did it in the Steel & Sons semi-final, we’ve done it in numerous cup competitions and we’ve done it in the league over the last few weeks.
“Sometimes, you’re better to be lucky than you are to be good, but we’re both at the minute.”
Upton was not short on praise for his players either, adding: “The amount of effort the boys have given us all season and what they’ve done to get us this far, it’s an absolute credit to every single one of them.
“Coaches play a big part, but all 25 players have more than played their part. It’s been absolutely brilliant.”
Holywood still have trips to Willowbank and Sirocco Works before the end of the season, but Upton has already hinted at his expectations for a campaign in the Premier Division.
“The world’s our oyster now. It will be our first time in the Premiership, so we’ll give it a go and see where that takes us.”
