2009-10 Season Preview

Around a three week break now until the pre-season friendlies begin and this blog kicking off. I intend to make my blog entries similar to the Meadow March On entry, before that I was just giving myself a wee taster of attempting to do a blog, and I've quite enjoyed it so will do my best to keep it going as next season progresses. I'll also attempt to add my own photos.

The cup draws have been made, and the league fixtures announced, I know that my first trip to Annan Athletic's Galabank Stadium will be on Saturday 25th July as Queen's visit in the first round of the Challenge Cup. Boxing Day will bring about my Station Park début, weather permitting of course. I'll be jetting off to Oslo for Scotland's World Cup qualifier against Norway, sadly poor trip planning means I miss a jaunt to Elgin.

I'll be mainly attending Queen's Park games, but will hopefully get to a mix of friendlies and a bunch of junior games also. Some interesting friendlies are being arranged with Ayr United playing hosts to Romanian champions Unirea Urziceni and Queen's playing Fleetwood Town in Largs.

Fixtures Attended 2009-10

This blog entry will be edited throughout the season as I add matches that I attend and some details on them.

Date, Competition, Fixture, Score, Attendance, Report Link
Thu 02.07.09, ELQ1L1, Motherwell v Lllanelli, 0-1, 4307, Report
Tue 07.07.09, FR, Queen's Park v Partick Thistle, 1-2, unknown, Report
Sat 11.07.09, FR, Albion Rovers v Crawley Town, 1-3, unknown, Report
Sat 11.07.09, FR, Queen's Park v Fleetwood Town, 4-1, unknown, Report
Mon 13.07.09, FR, Queen's Park v Clyde, 1-1, unknown, Report
Sat 18.07.09, FR, East Kilbride Thistle v Ayr United U19s, 3-0, unknown, Report
Sat 18.07.09, FR, Alloa Athletic v Petershill, 4-1, unknown, Report
Sun 19.07.09, FR, Petershill v Ayr United U19s, p2-2, unknown, Report
Sun 19.07.09, FR, East Kilbride Thistle v Alloa Athletic, p1-1, unknown, Report
Mon 20.07.09, FR, Albion Rovers v Celtic XI, 0-0p, unknown, Report
Tue 21.07.09, FR, Rutherglen Glencairn v Cumbernauld United, 3-2, unknown, Report
Thu 23.07.09, ELQ2L2, Motherwell v Flamurtari, 8-1, 4641, Report
Sat 25.07.09, CC1, Annan Athletic v Queen's Park, 2-0, 411, Report
Mon 27.07.09, FR, Queen's Park v Daily Record XI, 2-1, unknown, Report
Sat 01.08.09, LC1, Queen's Park v Queen of the South, 1-4, 886, Report
Sat 08.08.09, SLC, Pollok v Benburb, 4-2 (2-1 @ HT), 429, Report (click below) - (until HT)
Sat 08.08.09, SFL3, Queen's Park v Forfar Athletic, 2-2, 595, Report
Tue 11.08.09, NOR, Skeid Oslo v Sparta Sarpsborg, 0-2, 1750, Report
Wed 12.08.09, INT, Norway v Scotland, 4-0, 24083, Report
Sat 15.08.09, SFL3, Elgin City v Queen's Park, 0-1, 570, Report
Mon 17.08.09, FR, Queen's Park v Ayr United, 0-5, unknown, Report
Sat 22.08.09, JUN, Pollok v Bellshill Athletic, 4-2, c600, Report
Sat 29.08.09, SFL3, Berwick Rangers v Queen's Park, 1-0, 519, Report
Sat 05.09.09, INT, Scotland v Macedonia, 2-0, 50214, Report
Wed 09.09.09, INT, Scotland v Netherlands, 0-1, 51230, Report
Sat 12.09.09, SFL3, East Stirlingshire v Queen's Park, 1-0, 393, Report
Mon 14.09.09, FR, Rutherglen Glencairn v Clyde, 0-2, unknown, Report
Sat 19.09.09, SFL3, Queen's Park v Annan Athletic, 0-0, 581, Report
Mon 21.09.09, RES, Queen's Park Res. v Partick Thistle Res., 0-0, unknown, Report
Sat 26.09.09, SFL3, Livingston v Queen's Park, 2-1, 961, Report
Mon 28.09.09, FR, Rutherglen Glencairn v Larkhall Thistle, 4-0, unknown, Report
Tue 29.09.09, SFL3, Queen's Park v Albion Rovers, 0-1, 376, Report
Sat 10.10.09, SFL3, Queen's Park v Stranraer, 1-2, 598, Report

Fixtures Attended: 32.5
Goals Witnessed: 96
Goals Per Game Average: 3
Penalties Witnessed(Scored): 12(8) (not including penalty shoot-outs)
Red Cards: 5

End Of Season Review

Another long football season comes to a close, although pre-season fixtures are already being lined up for early July. I can't wait. Over the course of the 2008/09 football season I managed to attend seventy-six games, something I'll aim to beat next campaign. Surprisingly I didn't see any penalty shoot-outs, although one cup game went to extra-time.

Being on holiday meant I missed the majority of pre-season friendlies but when away I managed to see Toronto play hosts to Colorado Rapids. A few familiar faces from the British game were playing such as Tam McManus, Danny Dichio (who scored a peach of a volley) and Rohan Ricketts (who was by far the best player on the park).

The majority of my season was spent watching Queen's Park eventually fail to maintain their SFL2 status after being relegated by Stenhousemuir in the play-off's. I still enjoyed three trips in the gale to Peterhead, the winding roads to Stranraer, a glamour cup tie away to Celtic and the rare victory. The end of Queen's season meant I could watch my second priority, Pollok, as they cram in their remaining fixtures in the lighter summer nights. Also witnessed Motherwell's home European game to Nancy, Scotland's latest failings, a few reserve, under nineteen and other junior matches.

Biggest crowd from my attended games was Scotland's home 0-0 draw with Norway, the game where Chris Iwelumo had a début open goal miss to forget, 50,205 people where there in the flesh to witness a 'my granny could've scored that' moment. Highest scoring match was a end of season friendly between Arthurlie and Neilston, an eleven goal thriller that The Farmers Boys from Neilston edged 6-5. Unfortunately I had to endure seven scoreless encounters, the most painful being a toothless display that confirmed the relegation of The Spiders. Over the course of the seventy-six matches I witnessed 213 goals, an average of 2.8 goals per game.

A full list of my attended fixtures throughout the 2008/09 season can be found here, and my current grounds attended here.

Meadow March On

Pollok v Irvine Meadow
Evening Times Cup Final
Thursday 18th June 2009, kick-off 7.30pm (delayed)
Newlandsfield Park, Glasgow

The season finale had finally arrived and two of the junior heavyweights were going into battle for the final time in the 2008/09 season. Newlandsfield Park, home of Pollok FC, was the destination on a wet night in Glasgow, Meadow had agreed to play the match at their oppositions ground despite being given the option of a neutral venue.

The prices were hiked up an extra 20% from my previous junior experiences, but I wasn't complaining as I could watch a game of football in the flesh in mid-June. Many more fans seemed keen to take up this opportunity and with a big queue building outside the gates the kick-off was delayed by ten minutes. The programmes where sold out fifteen minutes prior to the original kick-off time and the queue at the pie hut was getting longer and longer. A rather unique option of being able to purchase a newspaper was on offer inside the ground, it was the days edition of cup sponsors Evening Times newspaper.

The cup brings together all the winners of the league and cup competitions throughout the season. Pollok gained entry after winning the Central League Cup on penalties against Kilsyth Rangers and were drawn at home against Auchinleck Talbot in the preliminary round. A 3-1 victory meant a trip to Largs in the quarter-final where they came from behind to defeat the Super First Division champions 2-1. Dalry Thistle were just cannon fodder in the semi's as Pollok romped into the final, winning 8-0. Meadow entered the competition in the quarters as Super Premier League champions and faced Arthurlie at Dunterlie Park, winning 5-2. They then stumbled into the final after a tight 1-0 victory over Blantyre Victoria on Monday night.

Just under a month ago Meadow came to Newlandsfield and won 2-1, a result that eventually proved to be a title clincher. You could understand why they agreed to play at Pollok's home ground after that result and the fact that the pitch was in excellent condition. A perfect pitch, two top teams, a bumper crowd, everything was perfectly set for a great conclusion to the football season.

Unfortunately the spectacle didn't quite live up to it's billing. The 'Lok started brightly, pressing high up the pitch and forcing the Meadow defence back, although only a few half chances were created. An early injury saw Meadow gaffer Chris Strain sub off his son, who enjoyed some friendly banter with the home support when departing from the action. After a bit of reshuffling they managed to weather the early storm and get a hold on the game.

Pollok seemed to struggle with the ball being flighted into their box, and Meadow had the players to give them something to really worry about in that department. A poorly defended free-kick ended up with Meadow defender Chris Robertson free at the back post, who found the net just as he did last month at Newlandsfield. Meadow held onto their one goal lead into the half-time interval just as the rain started to come down.

The rain didn't put off the young punters from getting a kick about on the fine surface, it was packed with various different games all over the park, it was also arguably more entertaining. A tannoy announcement requesting that they left the field of play to allow the substitutes to warm-up was thankfully ignored, I wanted my moneys worth. It didn't seem to bother Meadow's veteran sub Andy McLaren as he was chuckling away with an interested spectator in the name of Chic Charnley, both controversial characters of the Scottish game in their heydays.

A very professional performance, some would argue that their on professional wages, by Meadow in the second-half as they killed off any momentum Pollok attempted the build up. A very solid, committed defensive display, along with time-wasting and keeping the ball in the corner prevented the 'Lok from getting any real chances, an opportunist effort by Pollok goal-getter Bryan Dingwall was collected at the second attempt by Wardrope in the Meadow goal. That was as good as it got for Pollok and without any real danger Meadow held out to clinch their fourth trophy of the season.

The celebrations began, Meadow had done the quadruple and could call themselves winners of the Super Premier League, Ayrshire League Cup, Ayrshire Cup and now the Evening Times Cup. They'll be looking to add the Junior Cup next season and will be competing in the senior Scottish Cup next campaign after their league success, with their current financial backing there's no reason why Meadow won't become a real force in junior football in the coming seasons.

Pollok will be looking to improve next season and will have former manager Rab Sneddon back at the helm as they seek the title and their first Junior Cup success for thirteen years. Meadow have already added a few new players as they aim to succeed on all fronts, they'll be only the eight victories away from securing European football, you never know.

Other match reports can be found on the official Pollok website, the sponsors Evening Times newspaper and Down the Wing blog. Further photos can be found on the Irvine Meadow blog, Medda Message Board and Pollok FC Fans Forum (will need to be a registered user on messageboards). Also a video of the presentations can be found here.

Result: Pollok 0-1 Irvine Meadow

Line-ups
Pollok: Robertson, Carruth, Dillon (?), Wingate, Walker, McClay, MacKay (?), Turnbull, Dingwall, Essler, Cruickshank.
Irvine Meadow: Wardrope, Ryan, Swift, Robertson, McGowan, Strain (Docherty (McLaren)), Turner, Crilly, Hamilton, McGinty (Hyslop), Barr.

Goalscorer(s)
Pollok: none
Irvine Meadow: Chris Robertson

Attendance: 1153

Pride At Stake

Monday evening brought about the chance to tick off another ground, Brig O'Lea Stadium was the venue for the last Super Premier League match of the season. Home of junior club Neilston who were playing hosts to Junior Cup winners Auchinleck Talbot. The reason for this fixture being played so late in the season was due to Talbot's cup exploits taking priority to their league duties, leaving them with many fixtures to complete in recent weeks. Even the tannoy announcer joked that it was a pre-season friendly match. Neilston were rock bottom and relegated long ago, whilst Talbot still had a chance to finish third ahead of Beith if they were to win.

First thing I noticed when arriving at the ground was the smell of manure from the local farm land, which explained straight away why they're nicknamed The Farmer's Boys. The ground had a sheltered terrace on the far side, access all round the ground to stand and a dugout on each long side of the pitch. To my surprise they had floodlights, which is a bit of a rarity at this level, whether they use them or work is another thing. Not the best looked after of grounds and open to the elements, even the smell!

In the early stages it was apparent that Talbot were much more comfortable on the ball and were taking the game to Neilston, although they looked threatening on the counter. After about quarter of an hour Neilston had the lead against the run of play, a cool finish on the counter that wrong-footed the unsighted Adam Strain in the Talbot goal.

Double the time later and the lead was doubled. Very similar to a goal I'd seen on Saturday at Newlandsfield, a lobbed own goal, Gaughan was the unfortunate Talbot defender to produce a superb finish at the wrong end. Only a few minutes later the deficit was halved by veteran striker Stevie Mallan who nodded in from close range. The interval came and Talbot made a triple change with Mallan and two trialists departing.

The second period was mainly Talbot huffing and puffing, but getting nowhere, the final ball and finish was lacking. Neilston killed off any comeback hopes with a simple counter attack goal which knocked the momentum out of Talbot as the rest of the game petered out.

Full Time – Neilston 3-1 Auchinleck Talbot

My final game of the season will be my next one, Thursday evening finally brings a close to the junior season as Pollok take on Irvine Meadow in the Evening Times Cup final at the neutral venue of Newlandsfield (home of Pollok). Not to worry though, pre-season friendlies will be starting at the beginning of July, which isn't too far away. I intend to try a different format when I post my next entry that I'll hopefully use all next season when I really begin this blog.

Losing Count

Come the end of their Saturday afternoons work Dalry Thistle will have been wishing they hadn't overcome Lugar Boswell Thistle on penalties in the previous round as they were ran ragged in the heat by Pollok at Newlandsfield. The 'Lok had more players watching on in the terraces than available for selection, a trialist started along with another three on the bench who all got run-outs. A good crowd was present as many punters, myself included, were trying to ensure their close-season was as short as possible.

Chris 'the goal machine' Cruickshank, a bit of tongue in cheek there, continued where he left off and was proving to be a real nuisance in the air. He was on a hat-trick after two headed goals in the first period, and even hit the bar with another headed effort at the beginning of the second-half before resorting back to a more familiar defensive role. It was one way traffic as the Ayrshire League champions seemed well off the pace. The Dalry manager seemed more determined to prevent top scorer Dingwall from getting chances that he forgot about the other threats that the 'Lok possessed.

Two early goals in the second-half from Essler and Wingate ended the contest and the trialists came on to give Pollok a new look midfield. The right sided one crossed for the left sided one to score with their first involvement, then they swapped roles with the latter providing the assist for the former. It was a sunny Saturday stroll and Dalry where all over the place, but at least they hadn't let Dingwall score yet, despite his best efforts to steal one of the trialists goals.

Disaster struck again as Dalry added to the 'Lok's tally with a lobbed own-goal. Then at long last the Pollok hit-man got his goal after Essler placed a pass off the crossbar straight to Dingwall to volley home and complete the rout.

Pollok now march on to the season finale, the Evening Times Cup final, where they'll play either Blantyre Victoria or Irvine Meadow who play on Monday evening.

Full Time – Pollok 8-0 Dalry Thistle

Below are youtube highlights of the demolition of Dalry, credit to lokpars. Also credit to codofthenorth for the photo.

Cruickshank's first-half double
Second-half goals
Missed chances

Next up for me will be a Monday evening fixture, not Blantyre hosting Meadow, but I'll make the trip to Neilston's Brig O'Lea ground as the play hosts to Auchinleck Talbot in the last Super Premier League game of the season.

When Midges Attack

Off to the seaside I went on a pleasant Thursday evening to tick off another ground, Barrfields Park, home of West of Scotland First Division champions Largs Thistle. That achievement had won them the right to play in the Evening Times Cup, and a home tie with Pollok was their reward. This was a quarter-final tie, the winners would be at home to Dalry Thistle on Saturday afternoon in the next round.

The pitch was massive, and had plenty of space to be made even bigger if allowed. I got myself some decent grub, put up with the terrible music blasting out and made my trek to the other end of the ground for a good view. Plenty of the locals took advantage of the nice weather and came prepared with their very own carry-outs to aid their enjoyment of the match.

Pollok had a very depleted side and could only name three substitutes, two of which were trialists signed on the day. Largs started at a lightning pace and were very much in control, pinning the 'Lok back for the early stages. They got their deserved goal from a well struck volley that flew through a crowd of players, the 'keeper couldn't get a strong enough hand to it. So, the sea-siders had the lead which they took into the half-time break.

The game proved to be the clichéd game of two halves, all Largs in the first period and it was to be all Pollok in the second. Also for the bloody midges it was a game of two halves, non-existent in the first (just like Pollok), then ran riot in the second.

A minute after me saying that the striker Dingwall was having a quiet game he popped up in the box and scored, albeit via a deflection, Pollok were very much on top now, somehow. With ten to go talented, when he wants to be, midfielder Davie McGeown charged down the wing and whipped in a ball that centre-back/left winger Cruickshank bulleted off the bar and in with a header.

The full-time whistle couldn't come soon enough as the midges continued to attack, I've never seen so many people scratching their heads, although that could've also been in disbelief at what they'd just witnessed. A crime that each team only showed up for forty-five minutes each but the real crime where the midges, it was borderline assault!

Full Time – Largs Thistle 1-2 Pollok

The goals from Barrfields Park are linked below, credit to lokpars.

1-0 goal
1-1 goal
1-2 goal

Next up for me will be the semi-final tie that's now been set-up, Pollok v Dalry Thistle at Newlandsfield on Saturday, 2pm kick-off.

Scouting Mission

Newlandsfield was the destination on a Monday evening as I made it along to the re-match between Pollok and Auchinleck Talbot, it was only six days ago that Talbot had killed the Pollok title dream. Since then Talbot had lost in the Ayrshire Cup final to Irvine Meadow and Pollok won the Central League Cup on penalties against Kilsyth Rangers. This match was the preliminary round of the Evening Times Cup, winners would be away to Largs Thistle in the quarter-final on Thursday night.

I was unsure of the kick-off time so was in the ground with time to spare, to my surprise I seen Queen's Park manager Gardner Speirs and his coaching staff, could only assume a wee scouting mission was their intentions. From the Pollok line-up I'd like to see three players make the short journey to Hampden headquarters, goalkeeper Kris Robertson, versatile midfielder John Sweeney and frontman Paul Macaulay.

Unfortunately Sweeney made the wrong impression, a straight red-card for a bit of verbals to the linesman, apparently prick was his word of choice, he had a point. Talbot were already a goal up by then after a slack start by the 'Lok. The sending off seemed a harsh decision and the referee didn't hesitate when his chance came to even up the numbers, Talbot's McIlroy the unlucky one to be on the end of crazy refereeing. Half-time came and the officials had a chance to think up some more bizarre decisions for us to endure in the second period.

A change in personnel and formation did the trick for Pollok, Brain MacKay made an immediate impact, a quick throw-in put him in on goal and he did the necessary. The game had opened up with a man less each and tiredness kicking in, the chances were coming thick and fast.

Macaulay picked up the ball at the edge of the area, shifted it and fired it into the net, a real strikers goal, take note Mr Speirs and co. A few more controversial decisions by the man in the middle followed, one being an indirect free-kick in the penalty box for, erm, something. Late on the man of the moment Macaulay finished things off late on with a carbon copy of his first goal to secure a trip to the seaside on Thursday evening.

Full Time – Pollok 3-1 Auchinleck Talbot

Highlights from the match are linked below, credit to lokpars.

0-1 goal
1-1 goal
2-1 goal
3-1 goal

My next match is likely to be that aforementioned trip to the seaside as Pollok visit Largs Thistle, my bucket and spade are at the ready.

One Hundred And Counting

I popped down the road to Hampden Park for a Wednesday evening match between Queen's Park and a Scottish Amateur Select side to celebrate the centenary year of amateur football in this country. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a free programme and to see the Queen's were fielding a strong side consisting of players already signed up for next season, including new signing, Chris Hamilton from Stirling Albion.

Hampden can be quite strange for Queen's games with crowds in the hundreds instead of thousands, the atmosphere can be a bit morgue like, but tonight wasn't about atmosphere, it was about enjoying to sides celebrating playing the gentleman's game in a friendly manner. 'Ludere causa ludendi', Latin for 'to play for the sake of playing' is the motto of Queen's Park, which sums up the spirit of this game.

The Select were fielding ex-Queen's player Tommy Murray, nice to see the pint-sized midfielder strutting his stuff on the Hampden turf yet again, he now plays for Drumchapel United. The match wasn't the best but both teams were playing it on the deck on a beautiful surface and going easy on the tackles. Winger Ryan Holms netted the only goal of the contest for Queen's, from close range after the 'keeper had made a good save.

At the final whistle awards were made and the winning side climbed the Hampden steps to collect their winners medals, I'll be hoping I see more of that next season! On exiting the ground free pies were on offer, I couldn't refuse, it would be rude not to. So a successful evening, a polite game of football, a free programme, a few cheeky free pies and my admission fee going to charity.

Full Time – Queen's Park 1-0 SAFA Select

Currently unsure of what my next match will be but I'm sure I'll find one soon as I need my football fix.

Helicopter Tuesday

Okay, there wasn't a need for a helicopter, it was down to one match to decide the Super Premier League title. The match was Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok, the title was between Irvine Meadow and Pollok, confused? Well, Meadow played their final league game over a week ago, beating Pollok 2-1, which meant Pollok would have to win their final three fixtures to win the league. Victories at home to Glenafton and away to Cumnock meant a win away to Talbot on a sunny Tuesday evening would secure the title.

It was my first visit to Beechwood Park, a very tidy junior ground including a seated stand with terracing all around the ground, to avoid being blinded by the sun the majority of fans opted for the far-side terracing to view this crucial encounter. Pollok and the match officials applauded the Talbot players onto the park as they paraded the Scottish Junior Cup which they had won on the previous Sunday. When approaching the ground the local pubs and houses had Talbot decorations outside them to wish their team good luck for that match which hadn't been taken down yet, perhaps to remind the travelling fans of their recent success.

The first half wasn't much to write home about, Pollok applied most of the attacking intentions, forcing countless corners, but no real chances. The half-time orders seemed to do the trick as a long throw into the box was flicked on by commanding centre-half 'Dexy' Wingate which looped into the net. The title was in sight, but a long forty odd minutes were still to come.

The 'Lok continued to press on as both sets of players continued to tire in the heat and after a long season. Due to the lack of floodlights at the majority of junior grounds the remaining fixtures get crammed in towards the end of the season, meaning three games a week for teams needing to catch up on fixtures, which both sides had been doing recently.

With eight minutes remaining, despite not providing much of an attacking threat, Talbot countered and hit Pollok on the break, then barely a minute later they netted again to take the lead, the title was flipped on it's head and Talbot had done their Ayrshire rivals Irvine Meadow a massive favour to help win them the title.

Since I didn't fancy having to find my own way home from Auchinleck I left a football match early for the first time, the disappointment was too much for some 'Lok fans as they headed for the exits. I was suitable punished for the crime of leaving early and missed a late third goal for Talbot.

Congratulations to Irvine Meadow, the Super Premier League champions, which also gains them admission in the senior Scottish Cup for next season. From what I'd seen of Pollok this season they weren't as impressive as their previous league winning sides, and only seeing the Meadow the once, against the 'Lok, they were by far the better team that evening.

Full Time – Auchinleck Talbot 3-1 Pollok

Below are goal highlights from the match at Beechwood Park, credit to lokpars.

0-1 goal
1-1 goal
2-1 goal
3-1 goal

Next up for me is a Queen's Park side playing hosts to a Scottish Amateur Select side, I'm unsure of how strong a team Queen's will field but a new signing might get some game time. The match is to celebrate the centenary of the Scottish Amateur Football Association.

Glens Progress In Paper Cup

On a roasting Monday evening I popped along to New Southcroft Park for my first time. A new ground that only had it's very first game at the beginning of this season when senior opposition in the shape of Clyde came to visit for the grand opening. It's a perfect modern ground for a club of it's size with crowds of only a few hundred to be expected, it consists of a covered enclosure at two sides of stepped terracing. Everything is new and shiny, even the graffiti is fresh!

The match was the preliminary round of the Evening Times Cup, with Rutherglen Glencairn playing hosts to Beith. The Glens have marked their ground opening season with promotion and the Central Distract Division One title, whilst Beith won the West of Scotland Cup just over a week ago. So, superb weather and two successful teams, potential for a good match, or perhaps more likely; I'll just get burnt and look like a lobster by tomorrow.

I only recognised two players from previous junior games that I had been to, which are mainly just Pollok games, Glens ginger frontman Paul McDougall and Brian McKeown, a versatile player for Beith. It's hard to forget McDougall, he enjoys the crowds banter and plays along, giving as good as he gets. Great entertainment if he's playing for your team and the target of the colourful language from the opposition fans. He blew them a few kisses when subbed late on, all 'friendly' banter. McKeown, or Sniffer as he's known, is a player that I really like, he was a Pollok player last season, and even won their player of the year. A small, defensive player that's quick thinking and more than comfortable when on the ball. My uncle informed that the nickname was because he suffers badly from hay-fever and therefore sniffs a lot, hence 'Sniffer', being the gullible sod that I am I'm still undecided whether to believe him or not.

As for the game itself, I found it quite enjoyable if lacking in quality and entertainment. Of course with this being a junior game there was the staple sending off, or am I stereotyping? The majority of sending off's that I've see at junior level isn't because of the rough style reputation that the junior game seems to have but more to do with the inexperienced referees making hasty decisions. I'm pretty sure the lad received two bookings, one for a bit of verbals and the other for a mistimed tackle, a bit harsh in my view.

Harsh or not it meant Beith had ten men for the last thirty minutes or so. Up until then the match had very few chances despite a comical own-goal in the opening exchanges of the match when a Beith defender headed over the out-coming 'keeper. A man down and a goal down, then two down after a superb wee move. After a bit of twisting and turning in the box before the ball was played to McDougall to cross back-post with the outside of his foot for Andy Murray's long lost twin brother to nod home. I'd heard he was fairly decent at football so it could've been him, but it wasn't, it was Richie Burke.

Beith then had a spirited fight back, crashing a shot off the underside of the bar and then finally getting a deserved goal with about ten minutes to go to set-up a nervy finale. The Glens had to clear the ball off the line in added time, it looked like it was done so by a hand but with the lack of serious protests and my glasses this evening I'll put it down to my eyes playing tricks on me as I hoped for a dramatic penalty shoot-out to decide the tie, not to be though. The Glens progress to the quarter-final and now face an away tie to Blantyre Victoria at the weekend.

Full Time – Rutherglen Glencairn 2-1 Beith

Below are links to YouTube video highlights from this game, credit to lokpars and vitomac19.

1-0 goal
2-0 goal
Beith hit bar
2-1 goal

Goal highlights

My next match will be Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok at Beechwood Park. Pollok travel to the newly crowned Junior Cup winners and need a victory to win the league, if they fail to do so Irvine Meadow will become the champions of the west.

Fixtures Attended 2008-09

Listed below are all the games I've attended so far this season, with a few more junior games to go to before the season is completed meaning that I will have been to just over seventy games throughout the season.

Date Comp. Fixture Score

1. Sat 14/06/08 MLS Toronto FC v Colorado Rapids 3-1
2. Tue 08/07/08 FR Queen’s Park v Dumbarton 2-3
3. Tue 22/07/08 FR Queen’s Park v Q. of the South 0-2
4. Sat 26/07/08 CC1 Partick Thistle v Queen’s Park 2-1
5. Wed 30/07/08 FR Pollok v East Kilbride Thistle 2-1
6. Sat 02/08/08 SL2 Queen’s Park v Stranraer 2-2
7. Tue 05/08/08 CIS1 Clyde v Queen’s Park 4-1
8. Sat 09/08/08 SL2 Raith Rovers v Queen’s Park 2-0
9. Wed 13/08/08 SLCg Pollok v Neilston 2-1
10. Wed 20/08/08 INT Scotland v Northern Ireland 0-0
11. Sat 23/08/08 SL2 Queen’s Park v Brechin City 1-1
12. Sat 30/08/08 SL2 Ayr United v Queen’s Park 2-1
13. Wed 10/09/08 INT Iceland v Scotland 1-2
14. Sat 13/09/08 SL2 Queen’s Park v Peterhead 0-1
15. Sat 20/09/08 SL2 Arbroath v Queen’s Park 1-1
16. Sat 27/09/08 SL2 Queen’s Park v Alloa Athletic 1-0
17. Thu 02/10/08 UEFA Motherwell v Nancy 0-2
18. Sat 04/10/08 SL2 Queen’s Park v Stirling Albion 1-1
19. Sat 11/10/08 INT Scotland v Norway 0-0
20. Sat 18/10/08 SL2 Stranraer v Queen’s Park 0-0
21. Sat 25/10/08 SL2 Brechin City v Queen’s Park 2-1
22. Mon 27/10/08 RES Queen’s Park Res v Stranraer Res 1-2
23. Sat 01/11/08 SL2 Queen’s Park v East Fife 0-0
24. Sat 08/11/08 SL2 Peterhead v Queen’s Park 4-1
25. Sat 15/11/08 SL2 Queen’s Park v Ayr United 0-3
26. Wed 19/11/08 INT Scotland v Argentina 0-1
27. Sat 22/11/08 SL2 Alloa Athletic v Queen’s Park 1-3
28. Mon 24/11/08 RES Queen’s Park Res v Clyde Res 1-3
29. Sat 29/11/08 SC3 Albion Rovers v Queen’s Park 1-2
30. Sat 06/12/08 SL2 Queen’s Park v Arbroath 1-2
31. Mon /08/12/08 RES Queen’s Park Res v Airdrie Res 3-1
32. Sat 13/12/08 SJC3r Pollok v Kilbirnie Ladeside 2-0
33. Sat 13/12/08 SL2 Queen’s Park v Raith Rovers 1-2
34. Sat 20/12/08 SL2 Stirling Albion v Queen’s Park 0-3
35. Sat 03/01/09 SL2 Queen’s Park v Peterhead 2-1
36. Sat 10/01/09 SC4 Peterhead v Queen’s Park 2-2
37. Mon 12/01/09 RES Queen’s Park Res v Partick Res 0-3
38. Sat 17/01/09 SL2 Queen’s Park v Brechin City 0-0
39. Tue 20/01/09 SC4r Queen’s Park v Peterhead 1-0
40. Sat 24/01/09 SL2 East Fife v Queen’s Park 4-2
41. Sat 31/01/09 SL2 Queen’s Park v Stranraer 1-1
42. Sat 07/02/09 SC5 Celtic v Queen’s Park 2-1
43. Sat 14/02/09 SL2 Queen’s Park v Alloa Athletic 1-2
44. Sat 28/02/09 SL2 Queen’s Park v Ayr United 0-3
45. Wed 04/03/09 SL2 Ayr United v Queen’s Park 1-1
46. Sat 07/03/09 SL2 Peterhead v Queen’s Park 1-1
47. Sat 14/03/09 SL2 Stranraer v Queen’s Park 2-2
48. Tue 17/03/09 SL2 Raith Rovers v Queen’s Park 1-0
49. Sat 21/03/09 SL2 Queen’s Park v Stirling Albion 3-1
50. Sat 28/03/09 INT Holland v Scotland 3-0
51. Wed 01/04/09 INT Scotland v Iceland 2-1
52. Sat 04/04/09 SL2 Brechin City v Queen’s Park 2-0
53. Sat 11/04/09 SL2 Queen’s Park v East Fife 3-1
54. Sat 18/04/09 SL2 Queen’s Park v Arbroath 0-1
55. Sat 25/04/09 SL2 Alloa Athletic v Queen’s Park 0-0
56. Sat 02/05/09 SL2 Queen’s Park v Raith Rovers 0-1
57. Mon 04/05/09 RES Queen's Park Res v Dunfermline Res 2-0
58. Mon 11/05/09 SL2 Stirling Albion v Queen’s Park 4-0
59. Wed 13/05/09 RES Queen's Park Res v Ross County Res 1-3(aet)
60. Thu 14/05/09 SL2(P) Stenhousemuir v Queen's Park 2-1
61. Sun 17/05/09 SL2(P) Queen's Park v Stenhousemuir 0-0
62. Mon 18/05/09 JUN Kirkintilloch Rob Roy v Pollok 1-2
63. Wed 20/05/09 JUN Pollok v Irvine Meadow 1-2
64. Mon 25/05/09 JUN Pollok v Glenafton Athletic 2-1
65. Tue 26/05/09 U19 Livingston U19's v Queen's Park U19's 2-0
66. Fri 29/05/09 JUN East Kilbride Thistle v Girvan 0-1
67. Sat 30/05/09 FR Arthurlie v Neilston 5-6
68. Sun 31/05/09 SACF Queen's Park XI v Hurlford Thistle 3-1
69. Mon 01/06/09 ETCPR Rutherglen Glencairn v Beith 2-1 Report
70. Tue 02/06/09 JUN Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok 3-1 Report
71. Wed 03/06/09 FR Queen's Park v SAFA Select 1-0 Report
72. Mon 08/06/09 ETCPR Pollok v Auchinleck Talbot 3-1 Report
73. Thu 11/06/09 ETCQF Largs Thistle v Pollok 1-2 Report
74. Sat 13/06/09 ETCSF Pollok v Dalry Thistle 8-0 Report
75. Mon 15/06/09 JUN Neilston v Auchinleck Talbot 3-1 Report
76. Thu 18/06/09 ETCF Pollok v Irvine Meadow 0-1 Report

Around The Grounds

Below I have listed all the football grounds that I've been to, whether it be supporting Queen's Park, Pollok, Motherwell, Scotland or as a neutral.

SPL
Celtic Park – Celtic
Tynecastle Stadium - Heart of Midlothian
Eater Road – Hibernian
Rugby Park – Kilmarnock
Fir Park – Motherwell
Ibrox Stadium – Rangers
McDiarmid Park - St. Johnstone
SFL1
Somerset Park - Ayr United
East End Park – Dunfermline Athletic
Almondvale Stadium – Livingston
Firhill Stadium - Partick Thistle
Starks Park - Raith Rovers
Victoria Park - Ross County
SFL2
Excelsior Stadium - Airdrie United
Recreation Park - Alloa Athletic
Gayfield Stadium – Arbroath
Glebe Park - Brechin City
Broadwood Stadium – Clyde
Strathclyde Homes Stadium – Dumbarton
Bayview Stadium - East Fife
Balmoor Stadium – Peterhead
Ochilview Stadium – Stenhousemuir
Forthbank Stadium - Stirling Albion
SFL3
Cliftonhill Stadium - Albion Rovers
Hampden Park - Queen's Park (Scotland)
Shielfield Park - Berwick Rangers
Central Park – Cowdenbeath
Ochilview Stadium - East Stirlingshire (ground-sharing)
Borough Briggs Stadium - Elgin City
Links Park – Montrose
Stair Park – Stranraer
Galabank Stadium - Annan Athletic
JUNIOR
Newlandsfield Park – Pollok
Adamslie Park - Kirkintilloch Rob Roy
McKenna Park - St. Anthony's
Lochburn Park – Maryhill
Showpark – East Kilbride Thistle
Dunterlie Park – Arthurlie
New Southcroft Park – Rutherglen Glencairn
Beechwood Park - Auchinleck Talbot
Barrfields Park - Largs Thistle
Brig O'Lea Stadium - Neilston
OTHER SCOTTISH
Firs Park - Old East Stirlingshire
St. Mirren Park – Old St. Mirren
Lesser Hampden – Queen's Park Reserves and Youth
National Centre Inverclyde - No Club
Toryglen Regional Football Centre - No Club
NON-SCOTTISH
Old Trafford – Manchester United
Ewood Park – Blackburn Rovers
Parc de Princes – France (PSG)
Laugardalsvöllur – Iceland
Amsterdam ArenA – Netherlands (Ajax)

Here We Go!

Hello, and welcome to my blog, as the 2008-09 football season comes to an end I've decided that I'll keep a track of all the games I attend next season and write down my thoughts on what I've witnessed, whether it be bad, awful or dreadful. This will be for my own personal enjoyment and something I can look back at, if you make the decision that you'll live to regret and read my rambling nonsense I hope you find it enjoyable, somehow!

To get things kick-started I'll post a list of the stadiums I've been to throughout my football supporting days and the games I attended in the 2008-09 season. The senior season in Scotland has just finished but they're still some junior fixtures to be played which should be completed by the third Saturday in June. So as a wee sample/test-run I'll add entries regarding the remaining games that I drag myself along to.