Blackfield and Langley secure league title with emphatic victory
Evo-Stik Southern Div. 1: Blackfield and Langley FC 4-0 Evesham Utd
BLACKFIELD and Langley FC were crowned back to back league champions following an emphatic 4-0 win over promotion-chasing Evesham United.
A dominant three-goal first-half performance capped off a fantastic Blackfield season which books their place in the Evo-Stik Premier League South.
The Watersiders' were looking for their fourth win in five games to secure the league title and got off to the perfect start as Tom Bearwish fired home to give the league leaders an advantage on 14 minutes.
Great start
The hosts pushed forward, and doubled their lead after striker Liam Robinson found the net from 12 yards out on the half-hour mark.
Continued Blackfield pressure paid off again as they were awarded a penalty just before half-time. Fatah Makhloufi stepped up, and coolly converted to give the hosts one hand on the title.
The second half brought Evesham pressure, but Blackfield held their nerve and added a fourth when Robinson's strike smashed the right upright and fell straight to top scorer Lerone Plummer who tapped in the rebound.
League champions
The Watersiders cruised to victory and sealed the league title after second-placed Yate Town lost 5-1 away to Cinderford Town following a five-goal performance from James Harding.
Blackfield will move into the Evo-Stik Premier League South subject to ground improvement approval.
Manager Glenn Howes stated that his players were focused on promotion after hearing of the club's commitment to ground upgrade.
He said: "When the players saw the ground improvements, they were ready to take on the challenge and move up in the Southern League."
Watersiders chairperson Claire Sinclair was stunned at her side's achievements this season. "At the start of the season, I would have been happy to remain in the league or attain a mid-table finish but to win it is a fairytale."
Blackfield and Langley FC host Barnstaple Town on the last day of the season on Saturday (27th April) and will be looking to round off a superb season.
