FPs keep the dream alive with home rout

May 20 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

FPs keep the dream alive with home rout

WISHAW HSFPs kept their Central Scottish AFL Division 1B play-off dreams alive at the weekend with a convincing win over Waterside at King George V Park.

Having being thumped by The Spartans in a cup match last week it was important the local side remained focused on league duties as they build up to what could be a play-off decider against Campsie Minerva in the last game of the season.

Despite missing suspended trio Stephen Duffy, Gary Miller and Kevin Burnside as well as goalkeeper Paul O’Hara and Ian McVey, Wishaw secured a convincing victory as they took advantage of Minerva’s slip up last week to leap above them into the play-off position.

The opening half hour was an evenly contested affair with several chances falling to David McCluskey, Allan Burnside and Steven Murdoch.

It was McCluskey who eventually opened the scoring for the FPs from 15 yards to secure a narrow half-time lead.

The second period was generally one-way traffic however and after only five minutes of the restart, Mark Jamieson made it 2-0 when he prodded the ball home from close range after good work by David Napier.

Soon after Allan Littlejohn then made it three heading home McCluskey’s corner from six yards.

The enigmatic McCluskey notched another two in the next 10 minutes to complete his hat-trick before Waterside pulled one back themselves.

But Littlejohn rounded off an excellent performance by slotting home his second of the afternoon and the FPs' sixth to leave the final score 6-1.

If Wishaw finish second they face a play-off against the second-placed team in Division 1A to see who gains promotion to the Premier Division.

Meanwhile everyone at the FPs would like to thank the Waverley Bar for their tremendous after match hospitality this season and sponsors Bells Decorators, CCG, Weston Transport and Harkin/Jeffrey Associates.

The FPs are also holding their annual Player of the Year Dance in Cambusnethan Miners Welfare on Saturday May 30 with a 7pm start.

Anyone wishing to attend, please contact any member of the FPs committee for tickets which are priced at £5 per head.