WATCH: Burchell is the Toast of Speyside as he fires Fochabers to Moray Welfare title
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FC FOCHABERS clinched the Abbeyside Moray Welfare title in a final night of drama.
A goal four minutes from the end by player manager Gary Burchell – a screamer from 20 yards – secured a 5-1 win and the crucial four goal margin they needed to take the title.
Burchell's rocket saw them lift the league shield on goal difference from visitors Hopeman who went into the final game knowing that a point or even a defeat by two goals or less would have seen them crowned champions.
And even a three goal defeat for the coastal side would have seen the title decided in a play-off game.
With Fochabers leading 4-1 in the dying minutes it looked as though the teams would have to do it again next week.
However, sub Stuart Harrold set up Burchell to blast home and spark wild celebrations.
Burchell (35) said: "What a feeling. That's a goal to win you a title. I have scored similar but nothing as important as that.
"It's crazy. Honest to God it's wild. The first 20 minutes I genuinely thought we were not doing it because we were lackadaisical and they had a few chances.
"It was going through my head all day. I didn't think we could beat them by four because they are a good team and usually defensively sound.
"I did think we could get three goals and take them to a play-off."
Burchell – known as Toast – revealed he was about to sub himself off moments before Warren Orford made it 4-1.
"I was near coming off myself. I was tired and wasn't really offering much. We got the (fourth) goal and I switched it back to a 4-5-1."
Hopeman had started brightly and threatened to take the lead.
However, it was Fochabers who got their noses in front through Keiron Ingram. And when John Gerrard converted from the penalty spot after a foul on Orford, the goal chase was on.
A good cross from Gerrard was sliced into his own net by a Hopeman defender to make it 3-0 at the interval.
Hopeman started the second half on the front foot and Christopher Cooper fired in a terrific shot from long range but the ball smacked off the crossbar and over the goal.
However, the goal they deserved for sustained pressure came when Iain Lunan hooked the ball home from a corner.
At that stage, the title was heading to Hopeman, however Fochabers responded well and Orford slid home a fourth to put the championship back in the balance again.
A goal either way would clinch the title for either side and it was the Rockets who got the decisive four goal margin they needed when Burchell lashed home.
Despite just six teams in the league this season, it was a really competitive championship race, with Fochabers, Hopeman and Aberlour all in the mix right up to the penultimate round of games.
Fochabers still have more silverware to chase with a cup final against RAF Lossiemouth on Sunday, September 4.
