Cairnlea has been relegated from the Football Federation Victoria men’s state league 1.
The Reds would have had to produce one of the great escape acts to survive in the top tier of the state leagues, but they fell well short.
Needing a three-goal victory against third-last Altona East Phoenix to jump out of the relegation zone, the Reds succumbed 2-0 to the Phoenix away at Paisley Park and sunk to the division below in the process. The Reds managed only three wins and six draws, finishing six points away from safety.
North Sunshine Eagles finished third, Sydenham Park came fourth, while Westgate, defending champions Western Suburbs and Keilor Park had mid-table finishes.
In state league 3, Westvale had a rough end to the season, going down 2-0 to champions Geelong Rangers on home soil at McKechnie Reserve.
Westvale’s consolation is promotion after finishing second, six points behind the Rangers.
Western Eagles will be playing for their state league 3 survival in the promotion-relegation playoffs. The Eagles will need to lift after Saturday’s 4-1 hammering at the hands of Fawkner at the Polish Sports and Recreation Complex.
Brimbank Stallions wrapped up the state league 4 title weeks ago, so Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Bell Park was of no consequence.
The Stallions claimed only a point from their last three matches but still had a four-point buffer over second-placed Point Cook.
Balmoral had to settle for an eighth-placed finish, while Spring Hills came second-last.
In state league 5, Keilor Wolves ended their campaign well with a 2-1 road win over Kyneton District.
