Ardrossan Winton Rovers win WoSFL Second Division title

Winton sealed the deal on Saturday with a remarkable 5-4 comeback win against Caledonian Locomotive in their penultimate game of the season.

Goals from Blair Docherty, Aidan Ferris, David Gray and a Ryan Wilson double earned Winton all three points in a match where only one was required to make the Second Division championship a mathematical certainty.

But while Winton didn't need to win, the manner in which they did so made for a thrilling end to a compelling 90 minutes at Winton Park.

Rovers took the lead early on, only to be pegged back before the break - and then had it all to do as the Springburn side seized a 3-1 advantage.

Friels' troops still trailed 3-2 going into the final five minutes - but in a stunning finish the hosts scored three late goals to turn the game around.

The visitors did pull one back in the dying moments but Winton held out to win both the match and the title.

In fact, Cumbernauld United's 3-2 defeat to Craigmark meant the championship was in the bag regardless of Winton's result...but Friels said he was delighted to see his team get over the line in the manner they did.

He said: “Because we almost had it won, you didn’t expect that euphoria grabbing it, but being down 3-1, what a way to win it.

“You thought we were down and out, and then we turn the screw. We turned up at the right time, as you would expect.”

It is a second successive promotion for Winton who will no move into the First Division - only one step from the top WoSFL.

And it is all part of the club's long-term plan as they look to build a side which can compete with the best of them.

Friels added: “We’ve not been trying to build a team for the two divisions we’ve been in; we’re trying to get the best players possible.

“There’s no magic formula. We’re not trying to get a team to win this league and then that league.

“As you go up the leagues, the traction comes back to Winton. We’ve grown the reputation of the club where it’s a good place to play football. It’s been a gradual improvement.

“We’ve got a plan to get a team where we can get to the top half of Division One and we could be a match for anyone in, say, a one-off cup game.

“I think we’ve got there quicker than anyone thought we would – we’re there or past that just now. Next season will tell.”

And the 2024-25 campaign is already at the forefront of the Winton manager's mind as he looks to build heading into their inaugural First Division campaign.

Key to that will be keeping his current squad together before adding any new faces to the group.

Friels continued:  “We’ll do our best to keep everyone we want at the club.

"Naturally, if you’re winning, there will be interest from other clubs. But it would need to be a good offer, from a good club, for players to leave Winton, because you’re not getting better facilities and a better set-up unless you go to the high end of the top league.

“I’m confident 90 per cent of that team will be signed in the next month.”

Before that, Winton have one final game in the Second Division, away to already-relegated Glasgow University on Saturday, May 11, at 2pm.