WATCH: Fochabers are the champions again as RAF Lossiemouth suffer late agony
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IN a pulsating finish to the Moray welfare season, Fochabers clinched back to back league shields on the final day of the campaign for the second season in a row.
It couldn't have been more dramatic or tense.
A draw or win would have been good enough for the airmen to seal a first ever Abbeyside welfare title after leading the way for most of the season.
A victory by a one goal margin for Fochabers would have ensured the requirement for a play-off given the sides head-to-head record.
The only outcome which would have seen the champions successfully retain their crown was a win by two goals or more.
The fact that they sealed a 4-2 win in the closing stages of a frenetic game at the air base only added to the drama.
Liam Watt was the Fochabers' hero when he cooly rounded keeper Connor Hutton and slotted home from a tight angle,sparking wild scenes from the visiting camp.
Only minutes earlier Craig Thomson had powered in a fantastic header from Dean McKellar's pinpoint corner to get the airman back to 2-3 and look to secure a play-off, if not go on to get a draw.
Lossie had dominated the early exchanges in the first half and deservedly went ahead when Cameron Newton finished off a lovely move with a neat finish.
Fochabers were playing second fiddle to their hosts at this stage but levelled against the run of play when Jordan Clark fired in from around 22 yards.
Within five minutes the game was turned on its head when Euan Edward got on the end of a free-kick to head home.
And three minutes before half-time they took a decisive two goal lead when Evan Smith seized on a mistake in the home defence to fire in a third.
The second half was a cagey affair and Fochabers' defending became increasingly desperate as the RAF started to pile on the pressure.
They spurned several good opportunties and Kieran Burchell in the visitors goal made some good saves to keep the two goal margin intact.
Thomson's goal was no more than Lossie deserved and at that stage they looked likely to get an equaliser which would have given them the title.
However, from their own corner, the RAF got caught on the break and Watt kept his nerve to grab a fourth goal to restore the vital two goal margin.
Captain Ben Stewart lifted the shield and the champagne corks popped as the Fochabers players celebrated in style.
They now have two cup finals against Hopeman to see if they can complete a treble.
