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

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.

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.