[C]leator Moor Celtic FC have won the race for the Smurfit Kappa Cumberland County League Division One title after beating rivals Frizington Whitestar 2-1 at Bishops Park in Frizington.
With a really good crowd turning up on a beautful sunny evening, this close victory was the decider for the League championship as the teams went into this, the last match of the season, level on points. A draw would have done for Whitestar, as the home side had a superior goal difference, and they so nearly made it happen in this wide open game refereed by Alan Charters.
The game started quickly with both teams closing down any chance, and with tight defending a both ends, and with the crowd on both sides of the pitch vocal in their support. Cleator seemed to have more of the ball as the game progressed, and as the first half drew to a close, Cleator’s No 5 Bryan Todd scored on 42 minutes with a shot that Dean Armstrong just couldn’t quite reach, and that’s how the half ended, with Cleator 1-0 up.
In the second half Whitestar began to find ways through the Cleator defence, and had two near misses on the Cleator goal, and then a move from the Whitestar defence set up Jordan Lee, who fired in a powerful equaliser from 30 yeards out on 55 minutes for 1-1. Game on, but wth Whitestar now in pole position for the title.
With both teams making substitutions as the frantic pace of the game took its toll on tiring legs, Cleator regrouped, found their rhythm, and scored the vital second goal with just 15 minutes to go as substitute Ryan Hall slid in his shot at a very tight angle from the right hand side of the penalty box. With nothing to lose, Whitestar piled forwards, with Stefan Scott having a couple of good chances of goal, but then suffered the cruellest blow as Frizington’s Robson Todd was denied equaliser in the dying minutes when his header hit the right hand post of Craig Devine’s goal and deflected out, a piece of woodwork that ultimately cost Frizington the championship.
Despite never giving up, Frizington just couldn’t draw level, and Cleator held on to their lead to win the match and end the season as champions. Both teams played well, and Frizington are worthy runners up, but the League trophy is now at it’s new home in Cleator Moor.
Referee: Alan Charters. Assistant: Tommy Linford
Cleator Moor Celtic FC: Craig Devine, Owen Charlton, Daniel Graham, Byran Todd, Craig Scott, Gary George, Reece Brown, Darren Little, Glyn Edwards, Robert Fowler, Stuart Shaw. Subs: James Edwards, Liam Johnson, Ryan Hall, Reece Hughes, Lewis Close.
Frizington Whitestar: Dean Armstrong, Dava Williams, Richard Watson, Scott Davidson, Jayke Cattnach, Arron Rossi, Ben Graham, Robson Todd, Craig Williamson, Ryan Taylor, Jordan Lee. Subs: Glen Meagan, Stefan Scott, Dan Williamson, Greg Rooney, Curtis Rossi.
