Graeme Robertson's side ran out 3-2 winners in an epic derby with East Kilbride Thistle to find themselves on the cusp of glory
East Kilbride YM boss Graeme Robertson hailed the never-say-die spirit in his squad after yet another last-gasp winner this season saw them put one hand on the West of Scotland Fourth Division trophy.
The Kirktonholme club were involved in an epic local derby yesterday with East Kilbride Thistle at the Showpark and ran out 3-2 winners in the Saturday sun. Robertson's side knew they had to win to stay clear of second-place Royal Albert going into a final day showdown between the two at Kirktonholme and YM's win means they sit three clear of Albert - and, crucially, 15 goals better off - in their debut season in the West of Scotland ranks.
YM have one hand firmly on the trophy and the full-time whistle sparked jubilant scenes at the Showpark as YM players and fans celebrated on the pitch at full-time, knowing the magnitude of the battling win. It looked like it would be plain sailing for the visitors when Ross McDonagh and Cammy McCulloch had them 2-0 up at half-time.
However, Stephen Kane's Thistle side - who had been in title contention themselves until a defeat to Albert last week - came out all guns blazing in the second half. Ten minutes after the break, Connor McKenzie pulled one back and 11 minutes from time Willie McLaren's effort pulled them level and seriously threatened to derail YM's title dreams. Yet, Robertson's men kept fighting and, as they have done on many occasions this season, they found a late winner.
They were rewarded in the 88th minute when Jordan Fletcher popped up to bag the vital goal, sending young supporters spilling onto the pitch in celebration. And Robertson beamed: 'It was fantastic and the whole day was really good. It was a real fight and the boys dug in deep at the end to get that third goal.
'It says a lot about our players that when Thistle got the goal back to make it 2-2 near the end, to still fight on get that winning goal so I was delighted by that. 'We have done that a few times this season, hitting a few late winners, and that is down to the boys that giving up and their superb mentality. 'There was a fantastic support there.
I saw guys from the YM I haven't seen in years and it was really good to catch-up with quite a lot of them. A huge crowd for this level was there, I'd say at least 300 so there was a good atmosphere.
'If it had stayed a draw, it would have made next week pretty nervy and gave Royal Albert a real bit of hope. But we just need to avoid an eight-goal defeat now and I am pretty confident we will be able to do that.
'We will be going for the win and we want to go out and enjoy a victory in front of our own fans on the last day of the season. ' Ahead of hosting Royal Albert at Kirktonholme on Saturday, Robertson also heaped praised on his players for proving the doubters wrong in their debut season at this level.
He added: 'When we made the move from amateur last season to semi-professional in the West of Scotland League, there were a few folk that said it was a bit jump for us and we would be doing well to get mid-table.
'I think we have proved a few of the doubters wrong. We have kept our opinions to ourselves and we've done our talking on the park, so we are really pleased with the levels we've reached this season.
' Reflecting on their defeat, Thistle boss Kane said: 'First half we were absolutely terrible, probably the worst I've ever seen us. 'The second half was much better and we looked more like ourselves, but then we gave away a stupid goal with a couple of minutes to go. That's been the story of our season, unfortunately, individual mistakes costing us at key moments.
'Congratulations to EKYM, for me the best team in the league and that's why they're champions. Well done. '
East Kilbride Thistle FC East Kilbride Mclaren Partick Thistle FC
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