The Final Countdown - Promotion Special


Crucial Times

By Sonny Rock
April 4 2002

With the promotion race coming down to the wire CSN takes a look at Sons and our rivals final run-in. Realistically there are only four teams left in the promotion race ourselves, Peterhead and Albion Rovers look the most likely candidates for the final spot with Montrose still in the hunt. Cruyff Says No - Match Report

The Final Countdown

Any one from four

Latest Promotion News

Report by Sonny Rock
With the Third Division promotion race coming down to the wire CSN takes a look at Sons and our rivals final run-in.  Realistically there are only four teams left in the promotion race ourselves, Peterhead and Albion Rovers look the most likely candidates for the final promotion spot with Montrose still in the hunt.

Dumbarton

Dumbarton currently sit in second place but have played one more match than Peterhead.   Our recent results have been to say the least disappointing but our fate is still in our own hands - if we win the last four we go up - simple as that. 

Date  Opponent Venue Current Position
06-04-2002  East Fife The Rock 7th
13-04-2002  Brechin City Glebe Park 1st 
20-04-2002  Peterhead The Rock 3rd 
27-04-2002  Queen's Park The Rock 10th 

Sons run-in is not the easiest by a long shot with only Peterhead having a harder time of it.  A visit to title-winners Brechin may not be as daunting as it could have been now that the title has been won.  The second last match at home to Peterhead could be set to be a promotion decider.

Current Points 

51
Promotion Decider Win all four and their up

Peterhead

Peterhead have only lost once in their last six outings and can move in to second-place if they win their game in hand against East Stirling (who used up all their luck against us).  In the same boat as Sons - if they win all their games they go up.

Date  Opponent Venue Current Position
06-04-2002  Albion Rovs Balmoor 4th
09-04-2002  East Stirling Firs Park 9th 
13-04-2002  Stirling A. Balmoor 8th 
20-04-2002  Dumbarton The Rock 2nd 
27-04-2002  Montrose Balmoor 5th 

Arguably the Blue Toon have the hardest run-in as they have to face all their promotion rivals.  Their match against Albion Rovers this weekend could blow the entire race wide open while they have to come to The Rock on the penultimate day of the season.  At present a draw in that match might be enough for them - but you never know.

Current Points 

50
Promotion Decider Win all 4 from 5 as long as they don't lose to Dumbarton and their up

Albion Rovers

Rovers have come from nowhere to force their way in to the promotion battle.  The Coatbridge side are the form team - unbeaten in their last six outings.

Date  Opponent Venue Current Position
06-04-2002  Peterhead Balmoor 3rd
13-04-2002  East Fife Cliftonhill 7th 
20-04-2002  Stirling A. Forthbank 8th
27-04-2002  Elgin City Cliftonhill 6th

Albion Rovers have on paper a far easier run in than both Dumbarton and Peterhead.  Once their match with the Highlanders is out the way Rovers face the only three teams in the league with nothing to play for (Assuming Queens and the Shire both don't want to finish last).

Current Points 

49
Promotion Decider Need others to lose

 

Montrose

Montrose looked a good bet throughout the season to take the second promotion slot but appear to have hit a sticky patch at the wrong time. Only one win in their last six matches has seen them slip to outside bets for second place.  However with the other sides none too convincing Montrose will still hold out hope.

Date  Opponent Venue Current Position
06-04-2002  Elgin City Links Park 6th
13-04-2002  Queen's Park Hampden 10th 
20-04-2002  East Stirling Links Park 9th
27-04-2002  Peterhead Balmoor 3rd

Montrose will be looking to make up ground as they face the bottom two sides just before travelling to Peterhead on the last day.  If they are still in touch for that they could still snatch it although they require others to slip up.

Current Points 

46
Promotion Decider Need others to lose

Odds

This promotion race looks like it will go to the final day - if Sons can get their act together then they will be there for the showdown - but a win on Saturday against East Fife is a must.

Report by Sonny Rock

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