The Champions League kicked off at 1pm today and saw Raith compete against the top two teams from each of the three Walking Football Regional Leagues in 2021. From the West league we have Giffnock SC Auld Timers and Townhead Strollers. From Central we have North Lanarkshire and Hearts 56′. And from the East we have ourselves and our good friends St James. Each team plays every other team once in a league format and the team with the most points after five games, wins.
Front row: Kevin Thomson, Martin Page, Paul Gregory, Harry Younger
First up our fellow East league team, St James. We’re expecting a tough tight game here having played St James many times and honours being almost even. Unfortunately we go one down early when big Franny gets the ball and manages to get past our defence and slot the ball home. The game continues and is tight with few chances for either side. A lot of hustle and bustle in midfield. With the game drawing to a close and Raith pressing a saved shot from St James ends at Franny’s feet unmarked at the edge of the box and he managed to seal the game with a last minute strike.
St James 2-0 Raith
Giffnock 3-2 Townhead
North Lanarkshire 0-0 Hearts
Next up West league winners Giffnock SC Auld timers. A sporting gesture from Giffnock at the start of the game as they hand over a team pennant. A tight start to the game with both sides cancelling each other out changed in the ninth minute with two quick Giffnock goals. Despite a lot of effort Raith were unable to get a toe hold back in the game and the game ended at two nil to Giffnock.
St Jame 1-0 North Lanarkshire
Raith 0-2 Giffnock
Hearts 0-0 Townhead
Our third match was against Hearts 56′, runners up in the Central league. Two games in and Raith haven’t yet scored but a first minute goal in this game puts that right. A free kick played to John Wylie sees him slot the ball into the net on the keeper’s right. As in other games a lot of hustle and bustle but no morew goals and Raith hold on for their first win of the tournament.
Hearts 0-1 Raith
North Lanarkshire 0-2 Townhead
St James1-0 Giffnock
Our penultimate game of the day, against Central winners North Lanarkshire and the trophy is out of reach and we’re playing for pride. An early goal from Kevin Thomson in the third minute sets the team up for our second win of the day with Kevin also getting the second after a nice turn and pass from Harry Younger.
St James 1-1 Townhead
Raith 2-0 North Lanarkshire
Hearts 2-2 Giffnock
Our final match against West league runners up, Townhead Strollers. With us sitting in third a point ahead of Townhead a draw confirms our third place finish. Again a tight game with some questionable refereeing decisions for and against each side. For the first time in all five games the ref calls a running foul against us. Then another. And then a third and it’s a ninth minute penalty for Townhead. The taker steps up and puts it to Pagey’s left but it hits the post and the chance is gone. Four minutes later though and a break down the left sees a shot across the goal and in off the post. With two minutes left Townhead play a good pressing game cutting down any Raith chance of an equaliser and the game finishes one nil to Townhead.
North Lanarkshire 3-0 Giffnock
Raith 0-1 Townhead
St James 5-1 Hearts
And so the day ends with Raith in fourth place overall and the Champions League trophy going to fellow East League team St James who once again were unbeaten throughout the tournament.
Congratulations to St James. See you again in the league.
| GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS | |
| St James | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 13 |
| Townhead | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| Giffnock Auld Timers | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 7 |
| Raith Rovers | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 6 |
| North Lanarkshire | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 4 |
| Hearts | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 3 |
RRCF Walking Football 