SAFN Chief Writer Tom Scott reveals all the action reveals the sensational drama that led to BLOCHAIRN STAR being crowned SSMAFL Premier Division champions (Sponsored by Stax Trades Centre) at the end of season 2015- 2016.
He can reveal Star had already finished their 22-game programme on 54 points, and second-placed Dennistoun Vale knew only a win in their final fixture – against the previous year’s champions, Tynecastle AFC at Stepford Road, Easterhouse – would be good enough to swop overall Division placings.
Another huge crowd eagerly attended waiting to see if Tynecastle could cement third-top spot. And in true SSMAFL fashion, the 90 minutes did not disappoint.
The homesters took a 5th minute lead through an Andy McLaren header, but Vale came back into it with a scrambled equaliser on the 30-minute mark. Scott Faulds restored Tynecastle’s advantage minutes before half time after Vale failed to clear an attack.
The title hopefuls made three changes, but it was Tynecastle who struck again (3-1) through vice-captain Chris Hughes.
Jamie Cochrane, who hit the winning goal in their dramatic Harley’s Sky Bar Strathclyde Cup Final victory at New Tinto Park, missed three good chances – all saved by Dennistoun Vale’s outstanding goalkeeper JP Cassidy.
Andy Dearie replaced McLaren late on after the former Dundee United man felt his hamstring tight, but it was Vale who put huge pressure on Tynecastle. when O’Donnell crashed home a volley from an almost impossible angle for their second goal.
The final minutes saw more pressure from Dennistoun, Tynecastle held on to secure all three points.
Compared to our current situation, those certainly were the days!
* PICTURE CREDIT to Kelly Neilson for taking and supplying the action shot.
Tynecastle AFC vice-captain, Chris Hughes, nearest the camera, and one-time Dundee United favourite Andy McLaren both scored in the club’s dramatic 3-2 victory against Dennistoun Vale – a result which crowned Blochairn Star champions in the Stax Trades Centre-sponsored Strathclyde Saturday Morning Amateur Football League Premier Division.
