Glenthorne United 1-0 Montana Boca United A

Glenthorne United boss Ian Cohen saluted his players after a solitary effort from David Ossack helped to clinch a return to the JC Maccabi League Premier Division elite at the first time of asking.

The East Londoners now require just two points from their remaining two matches to secure the title.

After beating their closest rivals, an elated Cohen said: “It was a nail-biting contest settled by one of those goals that feel wonderful when they go in. Everybody to a man was absolutely magnificent and if you look back over the season we definitely deserve to be where we are. My boys have been fantastic throughout and proved the doubters wrong. Our club has a great history and we are finally back where we feel we belong.”

A tight contest of few chances was finally settled on 79 minutes when Ossack outjumped Montana keeper Ben Law to head home a Lewis Walker cross which was flicked on by Dan Cooper. Montana players and supporters were unhappy with the referee’s decision to allow the goal as they thought Ossack had impeded Law.

Ossack said: “I am not famed for my bravery or heading so don’t really know how I managed to score. We believe we have been the best team Division One this season.”

The visitors briefly threatened but the hosts who were creating the better chances. Ossack came close to scoring a second but was denied by Law.

Montana boss Marc Ziedman remained upbeat: “Five points from our final three games should clinch promotion.”

Glenthorne: Lee, Zeff, Marks, Cooper, Mervish, Rubin, Lishak (sub: Sollosi) Walker, Golding, Lassman, Ossack (sub: Block)

Montana Boca United A: Law, Lustigman, Harrod, Haffner, Myers, Peterman, Kramer, Wood (sub: Miller) Levy, Henen, Osper