We did it! Falcons did their job on Sunday and won the final match of the season 1-0 to claim the LUL title for the first time since 2012.
Having topped the league all of the way through the season, we required a win to make sure of being champions. In our way were Titans XXL in Chiswick while second-placed Romans hosted Titans 2 Brewers, hoping we'd slip up.
With a full squad to choose from, Andrew, Chris and Stevie returned to the starting line-up while a strong bench featured Kieran, Elliot, Paddy, Ritchie and Jack.
It's fair to say we didn't have a great first half. The thought process was a little bit slow and the bobbly pitch didn't help with our passing which was already off. The best chance of the half fell to Chris whose header went straight at the goalkeeper. At the other end, things were relatively comfortable although Paddy - on for the injured John - made a crucial intervention close to the interval.
The message at half time was to remain calm. We knew we hadn't been great but ultimately we would improve and our energy levels would tell.
There was a bit of a scare early on when Conal was called into duty to prevent the hosts getting a shot on goal but the breakthrough came on the hour mark and what a goal it was. Alex played a throughball between the two Titans centrebacks and found Stevie. The striker turned his marker inside out before cutting in and sending the ball into the back of the net with the outside of his right foot.
Further chances followed as Alex twice went narrowly wide with long-range shots while Olu and Paddy also had opportunities.
The crucial part of the game came when a Titans free kick was cleared to the edge of the box and a low shot forced Conal into a save with his foot that looped over the bar.
The final ten minutes were calm and reasonably uneventful. Duncan hit the bar with a header and Titans had an opportunity from a free kick in the final minute which fortunately failed to cause any issues. The final whistle went and Falcons were crowned champions!
12 months ago Falcons turned up to the same pitch with 9 players. 3 of those were borrowed from another club. We had to forfeit our final game as we couldn't get a team together. It's take a lot of hard work from some very dedicated people to turn the club around since then but the results are now there for all to see. We've brought together a big group of players into a club aimed at being diverse and inclusive. Everyone has brought into that ethos and it's been a magnificent team to be a part of.
However, we don't stop there. Soon we will announce a business partnership which will secure the future of the club. Over the next 12 months we will also aim to build the club into two teams and expand our reach into a Saturday league. There's a lot of work to be done but we do like a challenge!
Squad: Conal, Duncan, Andrew, Pete, Olu (Jack 75), Jimmy (Kieran 80), John (Paddy 40), Alex, Brady, Stevie, Chris (Elliot 85)
Scorers: Stevie 60