Irvine Meadow take the title as Pollok crash

Jun 5 2009 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

IRVINE Meadow were crowned Premier League champions after an incredible night of drama at Beechwood Park on Tuesday.

Few gave Scottish Cup winners Auchinleck Talbot much of a chance against Pollok after 90 minutes of torrid action at a baking hot Rugby Park on Sunday afternoon.

But Tommy Sloan's side didn't just get the draw Meadow needed, they gave the Glasgow giants a goal of a start and then hit them with three of their own in the last five minutes to send the league flag winging its way to Irvine.

It looked bleak when former Meadow skipper half Derek Wingate gave Pollok the lead seconds after the break.

But although the visitors then bombarded the Talbot goal, the home defence – with keeper Adam Stain in fine form – held firm before a late double from ex-Meadow hitman David Gillies and an injury time strike from Steven White handed Meadow their first major league title since 1994.

And for Meadow manager Chris Strain it was a case of déjà-vu as his thoughts turned to the final game of season 1988/89 when, with the Irvine outfit having competed their league programme, underdogs Cumnock beat Talbot 3-2 at Townhead Park to gift wrap Meadow the title. Strain played in defence for that talented Meadow side and, as he sat by his phone on Tuesday night, the memories came flooding back.

"It was like history repeating itself only this time it was Talbot who did us the favour," he said. "But it's a brilliant feeling, just superb, and I'm delighted for the players, the committee, the fans and everyone connected with the club."

And the Meadow manager was quick to praise Talbot for the way they treated the Pollok match.

"It was a nothing 90 minutes for them, especially after Sunday's Scottish Cup triumph," he added.

"They couldn't have had much left in the tank but Tommy Sloan put out a strong team and it says a lot for their character that they came back so strongly to win the game in the closing minutes.

"That speaks volumes for the pride and passion at the club and I have to take my hat off to Talbot for what they did on Tuesday night."

But Strain was quick to stress that the league wasn't just won at Beechwood Park.

"We beat Pollok, Talbot and Arthurlie home and away and, if you examine our results over the course of the season you can't deny we deserved to win the title," he added.

The title triumph also guarantees Meadow entry into next season's senior Scottish Cup and Strain can't wait to pit his wits against the big boys.

"I genuinely feel Irvine Meadow could more than hold their own against a most of the lower league teams," he said.

"And all you need are two or three good results and you're in among the really big teams.

"It would be fantastic if we could get Celtic or Rangers.

“Apart from raising the profile of the club a game at Parkhead or Ibrox could be worth around £200,000 and that's unbelievable money for a Junior outfit."

But all that's in the future and there was no time for the Meadow players to celebrate their title success.

"We've got training on Wednesday and an Ayrshire Cup Final against Talbot on Saturday," said Strain.

"And what a game that's turned out to be after what happened on Tuesday night.

"Townhead Park will be packed for that one and it will be great to se the Premier League champions and Scottish Cup winners slugging it out.

"I just hope the weather keeps up for it because it promises to be a terrific footballing spectacle."