Premier Division, Lion Hillcarter 1 Burn Valley 0: The destiny of the Premier League title will go right down to the wire after Lion just edged out a plucky Burn Valley side by a single goal.
The match kicked off with the players and the large crowd bathed in warm sunshine and was played at a frenetic pace.
Ex-Hartlepool United junior Craig Lines, who has been outstanding all season for Lion, almost broke the deadlock when he showed a terrific burst on pace to put him through for a one on one with keeper Stephen Jewson, only to screw the ball wide of the far post.
Lion kept up the pressure with wave after wave of attack, but they could not find a way past a resolute visiting defence, with Jewson in top form for the Valley and Andy Tose terrier-like in the centre of the park.
It was more of the same after the interval, with the Dixon brothers, Stuart and Lee, instrumental in creating numerous chances from the midfield engine room.
Just as it looked like Valley were going to break Lion's hearts and with it their championship hopes, the vital breakthrough came, courtesy of the hardworking Lines.
The pocket dynamo again showed real acceleration as he raced clear of a tiring defence and then showed measured composure as he coolly slotted the winning goal past the helpless Jewson in the Valley net.
The final throws of the game saw Burn Valley pin the home side back in their own half and were unlucky not to get the equalising goal when they hit the bar as time ran out.
Star men for Lion were Lines, Michael Gough, Chris I'Anson and Anthony Lund, while for Burn Valley, Jewson, Tose, Mickey Quinn and Andy Watts stood out, in a game well refereed by Stan Henderson.
With Burn Valley due to face reigning champions Rovers Quoit in the final game of the season, the Premiership crown is still delicately balanced between Lion and Rovers.
Division Two
Ath. Millhouse 1 Workingmen's C. 4
A hard-fought end of season encounter which went the way of Workies by four goals to one.
Despite numerous chances at either end, the teams went into the break level after a goal at either end.
Lee Aird was running the show for Workies at the back and he was helped by Mickey Ireland, a tireless workhorse in the middle of the park.
After the half-time oranges, it was the visitors who came out all guns blazing and they scored three goals without reply against a home side that was wilting in the spring sunshine.
Individual errors at the back from Millhouse were the main cause of their malaise and they never recovered as Workies ran out, in the end, comfortable winners.
Best for Athletic were Dean Chalk, Anthony Lutz, Paul Bartholomew and Danny Swan, while for Workies, Aird, Ireland, Waugh and Oliver were outstanding.
Special mention goes to whistler Mark Gayle, who did his job perfectly and kept the game flowing at all times.
Best wishes go to the granddad of the Athletic Millhouse team, Craig Watson, who brought down the curtain on a glittering Sunday league career with a sterling performance and he now goes into an early retirement and possible coaching career.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article