Report

So, after 9 months of blood, sweat and tears we ended our first season in the league by lifting the division four league title thanks to this victory over Mill View at Catterick Village.
A season that started way back in July ended in the best possible way, even if our performance on the day was not as good as we would have liked. However, a win is a win and as this one clinched the title it will go down as the one that mattered the most.
The starting XI for our bigggest match of the season saw three changes from last week. Daz was fit to return so he repalced Scully in goal, Wrestie was back from his hamstring injury to replace the absent Shaun in defence, while Roger was given the nod to replace Eugene down the left. That left Ricky, Kevin, Doc, John, Sasha and Aldo on the bench.
Our cause was helped when Mill View arrived with only ten players, but if we thought that meant we were in for an easy game we were very much mistaken.
We got off to the perfect start, however, when Bobby gave us the lead inside the opening minute, but we seemed to take our foot off the gas and they were gifted a great chance to draw level soon after. Danny fouled their No. 4 just inside the area and referee Jim Wilson pointed to the spot, but thankfully their big defender smashed the kick against the crossbar and we had been given a lucky escape.
It should have 2-0 moments later when Sly got on the end of a lovely left wing cross from Steve, but he somehow sent his diving over the top from three yards, and we were made to pay almost immediately.
They strung together a neat move down our left and their No. 4, who had only just come back on after treatment for the injury sustained in the penalty incident, scored at the far post.
But that merely stung us back into action and Bobby ran through to restore our advantage before then creating the third for Steve with a lovely through ball soon after. Although not comfortable, we were at least half way to achieving our goal at the break.
The second half was a tale of missed chances as Danny looked desperate to get on the score-sheet for the first time this season, while their keeper did well to deny Bobby another hat-trick.
We made changes to freshen things up so Sasha, Ricky, John and Kevin replaced Sly, Roger, Steve and Conga and we really should have made it all rather more comfortable. More chances came and went but thankfully it didn't matter in the end as we had done more than enough to seal the title.
The challenge now is to regroup for the forthcoming season in division three, where we should have one or two new faces, but for now lets all just enjoy this moment. Winning titles does not come around very often so we need to savour our achievement. And what an achievement it has been.
Back in July our main aim was to get promotion, but two defeats in our opening three matches looked to have put an end to that. However, we turned things around in great style and having led the table since November 5th, no one can deny we do not deserve it.
It has been a rollercoaster ride at times, we have had good days and bad, but we stuck together and have got our reward.
Credit to Mill View for battling so hard with 10 men here (Billingham would have proud of the effort they put in!) and credit also to Billingham and Darsley Park for pushing us all the way and making it such an exciting title race. We can now go away, enjoy the summer and look forward to renewing our rivalry in division three next season.
Champions! Doesn't that sound good?