LINKS UTD ARE CHAMPIONS

LINKS United clinched the first division title in the Caledonian League when handing out a 7-2 hammering to East Kilbride YMCA at the Civil Service Sports Ground. Team spokesman, Willie Randall, said: “We got off to a whirlwind start with goals from Paul Roberts Ian Siegal and Peter Carroll in the first  15 minutes Peter went on to score a hat-trick before half time which saw us in an unassailable 6-1 lead with Roberts also on target again. East Kilbride  pulled another goal back mid way through the second-half but fittingly,  John (Jock) Sutherland who has been with the club through recent seasons when we hardly won a game, scored our  seventh goal of the  game.  Ian Cowden, the match secretary of the Caledonian League,  was at Muirhouse to present captain for the  day, Ian Seigal with the champioship trophy. Regular skipper,  Jordan Lieshman, was in Northern Ireland with the SAFA select team!”

Match Report by Jane Rankin

Links United secured their second promotion in two years and did it in style on Saturday with three points that ensure their elevation into the Caledonian League Premier Division as Champions of the First.
 
After a hard fought draw with close contenders Hamilton the previous week, Links knew that whilst a point against East Kilbride at the Civil Service Recreation Ground could secure top spot, only a win would ensure it.  Links went into the game with four regulars out - three on holiday and Captain Jordan Leishman in Ireland on international duties with the Scottish Amateur team.  However, from the kick off, Links showed their spirit and a cheeky, back-heeled opening goal from Peter Carroll after only three minutes set the pace.  Captain Stuart Seigal ventured upfield from a corner and his great header gave the Hamilton keeper no chance.  On seven minutes, Carroll made it three and Kilbride were left reeling. Links continued at the high tempo that Manager Stephen Osborne asked for and the team's passing game was particularly impressive.
 
Paul Roberts made it four before Carroll grabbed his hat trick on the half hour and although Kilbride managed to get a goal back the Roberts added another goal for 6-1 at half time.  The second half started as the first had ended with Roberts and Carroll running the Kilbride defence ragged particularly due to some great service from Ryan Dignan. John Sutherland added the seventh goal for Links and a final result of 7-2 that firmly placed the First Division Trophy in Links' hands.  Manager Obsborne said, "the guys gave me everything today and I am so proud of them all. At the start of the season myself and Stuart Seigal were aiming for promotion to the Premier Division but early in the season we had a lot of injures and all those that turned out for us gave their all.   It is always hard to get out of a First Division, but I felt we did it in style all season playing some really good attacking football and the guys fully deserve to be champions.  I would like to thank the work of Willie Randall and Jane Rankin, who put a power of work behind the scenes to make everything go smoothly. I told everyone at the Club that I would have us playing in the Premier Division in three year and am delighted to have achieved this in two!"

Captain Jordan Leishman echoed the Manager's words by adding, "it's been a great season and to win the league just underlines how well the boys have done. I think over the season we played the best football in the league and thoroughly deserved to be crowned champions. The Caledonian Leagues is undoubtedly the best amateur league in Scotland to play in and to win the First Division and be promoted to the Premier is a great achievement. Links United deserve to be in the top amateur league and we are all looking forward to the challenge next season.

On behalf of the players, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Stephen Osborne for all his hard work. Any manager winning back-to-back promotions plus winning a League title should be very proud of his achievements. Without him Links United would not be where they are today."
 
Links United would also like to thank Renov8 and Stenhouse Motor Engineers for their valued support over the season.
 
Links United : Andy Ritchie, Neil Brownlie, Sam Chetwynd, Stewart Seigal, Mark Dixon, Gavin Frizzell, John Sutherland, Jason Wilson, Peter Carroll, Paul Roberts, Ryan Dignan. Subs : Gavin Thomson, Ross McLean, Martin Sneddon, Stephen Weatherspoon, Stephen Osborne.
 
East Kilbride : to follow
 
Referee : Derek Mason