Kelburne’s Nelson ready to hit the ground running

Paisley outfit desperate to atone for final-day heartache

Bromac Kelburne stalwart Chris Nelson insists that the Paisley side’s players will bounce back next season.

This is despite Kelburne missing out on their 14th consecutive Division One league title.

Kelburne were on their way to the title beating Uddingston 3-2 with just 30 seconds remaining until they conceded a penalty.

That handed rivals Grange the title on goal difference with the Edinburgh side having swept aside relegated Inverleith 5-0 to end their 16-year wait.

Nelson, who admitted it was a strange season, said that the players needed a reality check.

He told Express Sport: “This is very much new territory for the boys, with this being the first season in a long time where we are not going into it as champions.

“The players are feeling down but we will look to kick on from that.”

In a season were the club qualified for the indoor final for the first time in their history and progression in European qualification, it was a case of so near, yet so far as the club missed just missed out on glory.

And Nelson believes that the players will have an even bigger appetite for next season as they look to regain their title.

He added: “The players are gutted about what has happened but that gives us an incentive for next season and we will do our very best to get the title back.

“We almost did everything right but I believe that we could have done a little bit more to ensure that the title stayed with us.”

Kelburne knew that a win would be enough to secure their 14th consecutive Division 1 title prior to the final fixture with Uddingston.

Despite going two goals down, Michael Christie, Josh Cairns and Jack McKenzie turned things around and the title was back in their own hands.

However, a devastating last- minute equaliser has left Nelson and his teammates with a lot to ponder.

“Naturally, I’m disappointed, especially to lose the league in the manner that we did with a last-minute penalty,” he said. “We were playing with confidence but obviously it just wasn’t to be.”

Kelburne will start their challenge for the Division 1 title when the league resumes in September with head coach Gordon Shepherd remaining in the role.

They will look to avenge their final- day heartbreak as they try to wrestle the title from Grange.