UCL Review 2012-13_9a2d718c

LEAGUE REVIEW

PREMIER DIVISION: TIGERS ROAR TO THIRD TITLE

The Premier Division proved fascinating at both ends of the table with the championship and promotion race fiercely contested and a third of the division involved in the relegation battle.

Eleven goals in their first two matches marked St Ives out as a side to watch as did a win at fancied Spalding on the first Saturday in September, but the Tulips proved a potent side on their day. Holbeach reeled off a run of nine wins to start the campaign while new look Quorn also looked set to mount a challenge for a quick return to step 4. Early season head to head encounters tended to favour away sides with Holbeach winning at Quorn who likewise came out on top at St Ives, becoming the first visiting side to win at Westwood Road in 13 months at the start of November.

Holbeach went to the top of the table and were never headed thereafter as the bad winter took its toll on St Ives and Spalding found themselves sidetracked by Vase progress.

Quorn’s challenge faded after an eleven match unbeaten run ended at Yaxley on 8 th December, with manager Tommy Brookbanks departing along with the bulk of the Farley Way first team squad.

The worst of the weather eluded Holbeach and after beating Spalding on Boxing Day they ended 2012 with a fifteen point lead over nearest challengers St Ives who had four matches in hand.

The Tigers lost their first match of 2013 at Cogenhoe but bounced back with a long unbeaten run. An impressive Easter inched them closer to the crown as they won 6-1 at Huntingdon and 3-1 at Spalding to all but end their neighbours’ title ambitions.

Holbeach hadn’t applied for promotion though so the tussle between St Ives and Spalding made for an interesting sub plot!

On 13 th April Holbeach had the chance to seal the title when hosting St Ives, but a late Arron Last leveller kept the Saints in with a shout. A home loss to Newport Pagnell seven days later left Holbeach out of reach though.

Nerves were in evidence for the promotion contenders as the campaign drew to a conclusion, with St Ives losing at home to Huntingdon and Spalding suffering shock reverses at Stewarts & Lloyds and Wellingborough.

It all came down to the club’s final games on 4 th May, with the Saints needing to match Spalding’s result. The Tulips ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Peterborough Northern Star but missed out on promotion after sub David Cobb scored with nine minutes to go to give St Ives a 1-0 verdict at Shepshed.

Irchester finished way adrift at the foot of the division, winning just two matches all season, both against Desborough. Above them a thrilling contest ensued to avoid the drop.

Wellingborough and Harborough seemed most in peril over the winter, but put together respective twelve and eight match unbeaten runs to climb to safety. Stewarts & Lloyds saved themselves with an eight game unbeaten sequence. By contrast form had deserted AFC Kempston, Long Buckby and Blackstones at the wrong time. Buckby won their last two matches to secure their top flight future and Sleaford were also safe with a week to go after a late season change at the helm. Blackstones were left sweating after a six match losing finish to the campaign, heading AFC Kempston by a single point. The Walnut Boys saved themselves with a 5-0 defeat of Sleaford in their final match, leaving Blackstones in the drop zone as the final tables were drawn up. 6