On a morning that was typical of Sunday football with heavy rain coming down over the weekend, Sacriston travelled to Rams Head seeking revenge for the recent defeat that dealt a blow to their title challenge. Ironically this return fixture proved to be the game that won the title for Segga.
Sacriston kicked off shooting up-hill on what was a small, bobbly and muddy pitch and looked to get on the front foot immediately, playing some nice football across the park and not letting the conditions change their style of play.
Segga almost went in front 10 minutes into the game with the Winter combo linking up down the right resulting in a first time strike from Tom towards the top corner only for the keeper to make a great save tipping the ball over for a corner.
Renwick went even closer on 20 minutes when played in behind the defence he fired a thunderbolt which looked to be heading into the roof of the net only for the keeper to react quickly and make an excellent save.
As the half wore on Sacriston continued to dominate and create good openings but the finishing touch was lacking and a frustratingly good performance from the opposition keeper meant Sacriston went into half time at 0-0.
All of the lads were happy with the performance at half time but knew it was vital to continue on the attack and look for the first goal; Rams Head had offered little threat up to this point but a goal from them would have changed the game completely.
Now kicking down-hill Sacriston continued to put pressure on the opposition and almost made the breakthrough when some good work from Winter down the right led to his cross across goal being deflected onto the post and then cleared and you started to wonder if it was going to be one of those days for Segga.
Fortunately the all important breakthrough came on 50 minutes when the impressive Dean stepped up to take a corner and whipped it in Beckham-like towards the back post only for it to go over all attackers and defenders into the top corner sparking celebrations from Sacriston who knew the importance of that goal.
Rams Head's heads now started to drop and Sacriston continued to pile on the pressure and Benjamin John Captain Fantastic Enginge Room Sanderson made it 2-0 shortly after make a bursting run from midfield and being played in one-on-one by Renwick resulting in a cool finish to the keepers left.
Winter all but killed the game off around the 60 minute mark, receiving the ball just outside the box from Luke's pass, he squared up the Viking looking fullback and took it past him before firing an excellent right foot finish low into the far corner.
Andy White then replaced Gav and slotted in nicely alongside the excellent Davey and Ben in midfield and Segga almost made it 4-0 soon after when a freekick just outside the box was struck fiercely by Dean only for the keeper to tip it over the bar for a corner.
Sacriston made it 4-0 around 70 minutes when Ben's inswinging corner went towards the back post and the aerially dominate Summers climbed highest to nod home for his first goal of 2014; a nice link up from two of Royal Mail's most attractive posties.
Burnsy and Fozzy then replaced Winter and Luke upfront and looked lively throughout the remaining 20 minutes of the game with the latter missing a guilt edge chance with a free header from the six yard box, followed by him smashing the bar from close range moments later. Any more of those misses Fozzy and you will lose your 'super-sub' tag!
Sacriston wrapped things up shortly before full time with Burnsy's delicate through ball putting Renwick in on goal and the powerful striker made no mistake blasting home first time to keep his push for the League's top scorer ticking over.
Langley offered little threat all game and the only time they came close to scoring was when Finch tried to get his name on the own goal scoresheet poking it past Davies, only to be saved by his centre half partner sliding in on the line to clear.
The full time whistle went and it was job done for Sacriston who now had one game left to win to lift the title, man of the match went to Dean for an excellent display at left back and getting that crucial first goal to set us on our way. It wasn't long after when the rumours of a defeat for the Britannia were going around the changing room and when Luke announced confirmation of this chants of 'Championes' went round the room. Unfortunately there was no champagne to spray but Davies did his best to make up for it using his two cans of cheap energy drink!
The confirmation of the title caps a fantastic season for Sacriston WMC who have fully deserved to win this league, particularly on the back of beating closest rivals The Britannia at home and away. Thanks to Timmy, Burnsy and Ben for running the show this year and of course all of the lads who it is a pleasure both to play with, and get pissed with on a Sunday.
Still one more game to go for Sacriston and I encourage all fans of entertaining football to get down to the Welfare Ground next Sunday, pure and simply for the fact that 0 goal hit man Aaron White will be on penalty duty and that extra 10% encouragement from the crowd could be the difference between him skying it and smashing it in the top corner... Also with rumours of a start for the Ice Man floating around, attendance numbers are bound to reach record levels.
Up the club, champions!
