From Celtic Park To Showpark

Alloa Athletic v Petershill
Friendly, Tommy McGrane Cup, Semi-Final
Saturday 18th July 2009, kick-off 3.30pm
Showpark, East Kilbride

The second match of the Tommy McGrane Cup was welcomed by a downpour of rain. A similar crowd to the previous match of around one-hundred, mostly under the sheltered stand, was there to see the Wasps take on Peasy. Allan Maitland had brought a full-strength team and was hopeful of continuing a good pre-season that has already seen his side win the Keyline Cup up in Oban. A few familiar faces in both sides, with ex-Spiders Adam Coakley playing as a trialist upfront for the Wasps and Michael Keenan in the Peasy midfield. Petershill also had ex-Stranraer defender James McKinstry in their line-up, there tends to be some form of 'entertainment' when he's around.

Alloa started the better of the two sides in the tricky conditions and it wasn't long until they took the lead. Adam Coakley swivelled and hit a half volley into the bottom corner, something he didn't do enough of for my liking in a Queen's jersey, although he did score against Celtic in the Scottish Cup. From Celtic Park to Showpark, very different surroundings. Peasy began to grow into the half as it progressed and were awarded a penalty after a handball in the box, which was converted (below) to level the scores at one apiece. It remained that way into the half-time interval and the cheerleaders were out again to entertain us.

The second-half started and a female fan behind me opted to use a bin as a seat, prepared with her snacks she made herself at home, judging by her appearance it may have been, nonetheless it was bizarre. Wasps assistant James Ward continued as he did last season with his constant bickering at the officials, I'm convinced that this man eats, drinks and dreams about fouls. Thankfully the referee gave as good as he was receiving and said he'd start booking players if that's what he wanted, but there was no need in a friendly game, it was all physical yet fair.

The Wasps were beginning to pin the Peasy defence back and were finally rewarded, the ball was cut back to Hugh Kerr who took a touch and volleyed in. He was to become to man of the moment when he doubled their lead minutes later, Scott Agnew's drilled effort was cleared off the line by James McKinstry but Kerr followed up finding the bottom right corner. Further misery for Peasy and McKinstry soon followed in the final minute as he was caught in possession. Brian Carrigan was played through on goal, his first scuffed effort was saved but he coolly volleyed in at the second attempt.

That was to be the final action of the game and helped confirm the fixtures for the following day. Petershill and Ayr United U19s will now go head-to-head at noon with the final between hosts East Kilbride Thistle and Alloa Athletic kicking off at half three. Unfortunately I couldn't make it along to St. Andrews for Queen's Park's friendly with Arbroath, which finished 1-1 (report on Un-official website), but I enjoyed the festival of football at the Showpark ground. A few photo's can be found here and a youtube link to the penalty video. The Alloa Athletic website also has a small report with photos.

Result: Alloa Athletic 4-1 Petershill

Line-ups
Alloa Athletic: unknown
Petershill: unknown

Goalscorer(s)
Alloa Athletic: Adam Coakley, Hugh Kerr (2) and Brian Carrigan
Petershill: unknown (pen)

Attendance: unknown

Brazilian Magic

East Kilbride Thistle v Ayr United U19s
Friendly, Tommy McGrane Cup, Semi-Final
Saturday 18th July 2009, kick-off 12pm (delayed)
Showpark, East Kilbride

A weekend feast of football as the junior clubs begin their pre-season fixtures. The annual tournament at East Kilbride Thistle's Showpark was my destination as four teams battle it out over two days for the Tommy McGrane Cup. Tommy was former club secretary at the Jags and a big part of the football club, but he sadly passed away in 1984. His wife is still involved with the club and she will be presenting the trophy to the winners alongside her two sons. The teams competing are Allan Maitland's Alloa Athletic, Glasgow junior side Petershill, Ayr United U19s and of course East Kilbride Thistle, the latter of the two are first up. The two winning sides will play it out for the cup late afternoon on Sunday with the two losing sides providing the support act beforehand, if any ties end in a draw they go straight to penalty kicks. The programme for the weekend is as follows:

Saturday 18th July
9am – East Kilbride Thistle Girls U15s v Falkirk Girls U15s
12pm – East Kilbride Thistle v Ayr United U19s
2pm – East Kilbride Thistle Youth Development
3.30pm – Alloa Athletic v Petershill
Sunday 19th July
9am – East Kilbride Thistle U21s v East Kilbride Thistle U19s
12pm – Third Place Play-Off
2pm – East Kilbride Thistle Youth Development
3.30pm – Final

On arrival I opted to park in the nearby street opposed to the home of potholes that was the car park. I purchased the weekend ticket for a tenner, not bad for all of the above, and 'The Jag Mag' (top right) tournament programme for £1.50. I visited the ground towards the end of last season for a meaningless league match against Girvan, EK losing out 1-0 in a dismal affair. Since then a lot of work has been done on the ground with the fences and sheltered stand painted, which looked quite impressive. The stand is about twenty yards back from the pitch and has a snack shop at one end, which sell high quality hot-dogs. The pitch is given a unique, old-fashioned appearance because of the square goalposts which must be very rare now, I recall Montrose having them before they changed to the plastic surface. I personally liked the ground, it had a bit of character despite totally lacking in atmosphere.

Kick-off was delayed for around fifteen minutes for some unknown reason, as a crowd of about one-hundred or so waited patiently in wet conditions. Whilst waiting some kids were blowing bubbles, perhaps they were young West Ham fans. Eventually the teams came out, The Jags in black and white stripes and the young Honest Men in all white. Ex-Jags midfielder Jonathan Tiffoney moved to Ayr United in the summer and was on bench this afternoon.

The Jags looked the better side in the early stages and had the ball cleared off the line as the Ayr youngsters took their time to settle. I noticed that EK frontman Steven McClung was being referred to as 'Dunga' by his team-mates, a belter of a nickname! It took half an hour for the experience to tell, Jags left full-back bombed forward down the wing and fired the ball across the goal, 'Dunga' reacted quickly at the near post to open the scoring. Late in the half the Jags struck the square crossbar from distance as they began to dominate, half-time thankfully came for the youngsters. The entertainment was provided by cheerleaders, I've never understood this at football games, especially when it's young girls, but EK Thistle seem to have a great relationship with the local community with things like this, ladies teams and various youth teams.

An amusing moment at the beginning of the second period as blocked cross deflected out and knocked a fan off the pitch side fence, who stumbled and fell onto the park, it arguably received the biggest cheer of the day and of course he was okay. EK doubled their lead after a volleyed shot-come-cross by Ross Ballantyne was headed in, and it was all one-way traffic. A superb third goal was then added, 'Dunga' turned his man expertly and played a one-two with his strike partner, then opened up his body to stroke it past the advancing 'keeper, beautiful! Straight after young Tiffoney came on for an early Showpark return and gave the Ayr youngsters some much needed energy, a few efforts from distance was all he could manage though.

The match finished 3-0 to Thistle and they'll play the winners of the next match between Alloa Athletic and Petershill tomorrow, Ayr United U19s will play the losers from that encounter. Some of my pictures from the day can be viewed here.

Result: East Kilbride Thistle 3-0 Ayr United U19s

Line-ups
East Kilbride Thistle: unknown
Ayr United U19s: unknown

Goalscorer(s)
East Kilbride Thistle: unknown
Ayr United U19s: none

Attendance: unknown

Guess Who's Back

Queen's Park v Clyde
Friendly
Monday 13th July 2009, kick-off 7.15pm
Lesser Hampden, Glasgow

I made the short journey down the road to Lesser Hampden again for another 'closed-door' friendly, this time Queen's were hosting the trialists of Clyde. Being unsure of the kick-off time, with seven and half past being mentioned I wondered down for the former time, of course it was neither, around quarter past proceedings got under way on a wet evening. With the rain coming down the small shelter was packed with a few fans braving the elements, and even a few more wise spectators watching from the windows in the social club.

The clubs last met in the first round of the League Cup last season, a very different looking Clyde side won comfortably, 4-1 with double from veteran striker Gary McSwegan. The fixture represents a bit of a derby from before my time, when both teams were in the same division and Clyde played at Shawfield before moving to Cumbernauld. With the combination of the move and both sides not being in the same league for some time now the rivalry has died.

With the rain constantly coming down the synthetic pitch looked slick and perfect for football. Disliked Bully Wee manager John Brown received a bit of abuse as he made his way over to the dugout, even at a 'closed-door' match he can't avoid it. Queen's settled first and were quick out the traps as they controlled the early stages as both teams started with 3-5-2 formations with wing backs. The Spiders opened the scoring from a Paul Harkins corner which was headed across the goal then in by James Brough. A whipped free-kick from Barry Douglas was headed off his own post by a Clyde defender, the Bully Wee trialists struggled to get into the game as Queen's passed to ball around them without creating many more clear-cut chances.

Plenty of changes at half-time as expected, ex-Queen's midfielder John Neill came on as a trialist for Clyde. The beginning of the second period also seen the return of Frankie Carroll, a fans favourite at Hampden, the diminutive frontman was always a class act and is currently trying to win a contract back at Queen's after two years out of the game.

Clyde started the half with much more purpose and put the pressure on the Spiders, it didn't take them long to get on level terms. A cross to the back post was headed downwards by trialist Alan Lithgow, despite it being straight at Queen's 'keeper Zander Cowie he could only palm it over the line. Queen's continued with more changes to the team as the match progressed and spurned two late chances to win the match. Ross Dunlop and Frankie Carroll took turns at close in rugby conversions.

Another good pre-season workout, and Clyde gaffer John Brown would've been pleased to have another good look players and will need to make signings soon with the beginning of the season fast approaching. Next up for the Bully Wee is their first public friendly against fellow Glasgow side Partick Thistle at Broadwood Stadium. Queen's will now travel to St. Andrews for a weekend training camp and will play Arbroath in a friendly at the university playing fields.

The Un-official Queen's Park website also has a match report.

Result: Queen's Park 1-1 Clyde

Line-ups
Queen's Park: Cowie, Ure (Hamilton), Douglas (Trialist), Walker, Brough, Burns, Trialist, Tiernan (Dunlop), Watt (Odunewu), Daly (Carroll), Harkins (Murray).
Clyde: Trialist (Trialist), Trialist, Trialist (Trialist), Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist (Trialist), Trialist (Stevenson), Trialist, Trialist (Howarth), Trialist (Trialist).

Goalscorer(s)
Queen's Park: James Brough
Clyde: Trialist

Attendance: unknown

Watt A Day

Queen's Park v Fleetwood Town
Friendly
Saturday 11th July 2009, kick-off 3pm
National Centre Inverclyde, Largs

As the support act of Crawley Town and Albion Rovers departed Queen's Park and Conference North side Fleetwood Town continued to 'warm-up' on the same sloped pitch. If the term warm-up was to be taken literally there would be no need for it, unfortunately for the players it wasn't as the temperatures continued to rise. The Fishermen's gaffer Micky Mellon opted to begin his clubs pre-season preparations in the country of his birth, whilst Spiders head coach Gardner Speirs had taken his side away for weekend training to the seaside of Largs. With the glorious weather some fans made the most of it and came prepared with their own carry out.

Straight from kick-off Fleetwood surged forward and forced Queen's 'keeper Zander Cowie into a brilliant save. The match soon settled and a bit of amusement when the ball got stuck in a tree, the ball was technically still on the field of play (wonder what the official ruling is on that, play on?), but the referee awarded a throw-in. The Fishermen were forced into an early change of 'keeper and sixteen year old Kieran O'Boyle was thrown into the action. It was his poor kick that resulted in the opening goal as Spiders striker Ian Watt pounced to control and then round the helpless 'keeper before rolling the ball over the line.

At half-time a few changes were made and Queen's went to a 3-5-2 formation for the second period. With about an hour on the clock Fleetwood equalised against the run of play as a cross to the back post was nodded in by Lee Dodgson. Queen's responded well as Barry Douglas fired in a free-kick which was met by James Brough who headed in to restore the lead.

Hesitation in the Fleetwood defence allowed Spiders livewire Ian Watt nip in to net his second goal of the afternoon. The young substitute 'keeper continued with his horrible afternoon by gifting another goal away, this time presenting Michael Daly with an open goal. Eventually the ball fell out of the tree late into the second-half (perhaps Fleetwood would've just preferred they played on with the ball stuck up there).

The match finished 4-1 to Queen's and apart from getting sun burn it was good viewing. One of the Fleetwood staff gave me a badge of their club crest after the match which has left me with a nice opinion of their club who also played in a sporting manner, I wish them all the best for next season. They now travel back to England for some more friendlies as their pre-season continues. Next up for Queen's Park is a closed-door friendly against Clyde at Lesser Hampden on Monday evening.

Photos from the match can be found on the Fleetwood Town website and the Un-official Queen's Park site. Also a report from the Blackpool Gazette.

Result: Queen's Park 4-1 Fleetwood Town

Line-ups
Queen's Park: Cowie, Ure (Walker), Douglas (Trialist) Sinclair (Trialist), Brough, Dunlop (Capuano), Hamilton (Henry), Tiernan, Watt, Daly, Harkins (Trialist).
Fleetwood Town: Hurst (O'Boyle), Wolliscroft (Beeley), McNulty, Mercer (Taylor), Elderton, Trialist (Dodgson), McGuire (Trialist), Connors, Mullan (Trialist), Rogan (Bell), Wilde (Trialist).

Goalscorer(s)
Queen's Park: Ian Watt (2), James Brough and Michael Daly
Fleetwood Town: Lee Dodgson

Attendance: unknown

Cook Puts Icing On Baking Day

Albion Rovers v Crawley Town
Friendly
Saturday 11th July 2009, kick-off 1pm
National Centre Inverclyde, Largs

Oh we do like to be beside the seaside. I made the trip to baking hot Largs on Saturday afternoon for a double header of football. First up was Albion Rovers taking on Blue Square Premier side Crawley Town, followed by the 'main event' of Queen's Park and English seasiders Fleetwood Town sweating it out. After eventually finding how to access the sports complex I arrived pitch side, a rather unique pitch that sloped from the centre line downwards towards each goalmouth. Burst goal nets meant that a Crawley substitute practising penalties had to fetch the ball from the nettles behind the goals despite his successful spot kicks. Football at it's best before it had even began.

The match was the Red Devils first match of their pre-season training camp in Scotland. The West Sussex sides gaffer Steve Evans was an ex-Albion Rovers player from the early eighties. The Wee Rovers were playing their second pre-season fixture, notching up an impressive 2-0 victory away to Alloa Athletic last weekend.

Once the match kicked off it was made obvious how short the pitch was with 'keeper clearances going deep into the oppositions half. Something else you don't notice much at your average game of football are the shouts from the players, being on the touchline made it easy to hear and they were a bit colourful to say the least. The ball spent the majority of the first period getting pinged from one end to the other in a very physical battle. A half of very few chances, only one of real note was strong Crawley frontman Geoff Maxin's right-footed drive saved by Rovers' debut 'keeper Derek Gaston.

The players stopped for a short half-time interval and Crawley made many changes that were to have an impact on the match. Despite looking more threatening Crawley had to clear the ball off their goal-line from a Bobby Barr effort. The deadlock was finally broken after an individual effort from Charles Ademeno, netting from just inside the box. The extra fitness from the full-time Red Devils helped them pin back their part-time opposition as they began to dominate.

Romone McCrae doubled the lead with a fine strike from the edge of the area. A third was soon added after a mix up in the Rovers defence led to Todd Lumsden bringing down Ademeno in the penalty box. Jamie Cook did the necessary and even managed to prevent the ball from going into the nettles, just the net this time when it mattered. With the last kick of the match Rovers trialist Ally Forster fired in a consolation goal that may have impressed manager Paul Martin.

Next up for Rovers is a Saturday trip to play Selkirk as their pre-season programme continues. Crawley continue their Scottish tour when they travel to Cappielow on Monday evening to take on Morton, before a glamour home friendly against the millionaires of Chelsea. The Crawley Town website has a small report.

Result: Albion Rovers 1-3 Crawley Town

Line-ups
Albion Rovers: unknown
Crawley Town: unknown

Goalscorer(s)
Albion Rovers: Trialist
Crawley Town: Charles Ademeno, Romone McCrae and Jamie Cook (pen)

Attendance: unknown

Good To Be Back?

Queen's Park v Partick Thistle
Friendly
Tuesday 7th July 2009, kick-off 7pm
Lesser Hampden, Glasgow

A closed-door match, I use that term loosely, at Lesser Hampden was to be Queen's first pre-season fixture. Opponents were Glasgow friends Partick Thistle, the two clubs are well linked with current Spiders gaffer Gardner Speirs being former assistant to Ian McCall at Thistle. Two ex-Queen's players are now Thistle men, in the shape of Paul Paton and Paul Cairney, who had come through the Hampden ranks. The Jags started their pre-season with a 4-1 victory over Cowdenbeath in Edinburgh on Saturday. I'd estimate a couple of hundred attended the match in the shadows of the national stadium, Hampden Park.

There's now a division separating the sides following Queen's relegation to the basement league, Thistle finished an impressive second in the First Division last season. The sides last played in the first round of the Challenge Cup last year at Firhill, a friendly was planned but cancelled to prevent the sides playing twice in a week. Two early goals that afternoon helped Thistle to a comfortable 2-1 victory that day. Both teams had changed kits from that encounter, Queen's in their Irn-Bru can away kit and Thistle looking pretty in pink.

After establishing who was who, with a few new faces and hair colours, Queen's opened the scoring. Ian Watt linked with new strike partner to perfection, crossing from the right onto Daly's head. Thistle 'keeper Hinchcliffe misjudged the flight of the ball and Daly headed into the net. It didn't take Thistle long to reply, with them getting some joy down their left flank, the ball was cut across the box and tapped in by one of their many trialists. That was all the scoring for the first-half but there was to be an injury apiece, seemingly a head knock ended the match for a Jags trialist and Stevie 'treatment table' Reilly.

One of the joys of being at Lesser Hampden is being able to go into the social club for a drink, munch or even a wee heat. I noticed Chic Charnley yet again at a game I was at, he might think I'm stalking him, seen his performance for Celtic (a team he didn't play for) in the Scottish Masters at the weekend, he's certainly lost it, if he ever had it. Also seen Gary Harkins, big brother of Queen's midfielder Paul, but also ex-Thistle now Dundee player after his 150k move. After the Hull City-esque on the pitch half-time team-talks and watching the funeral of Michael Jackson on the TV in the social club the second-half was under way with countless changes.

The Jags adapted best to the changes and controlled the majority of the second period, it wasn't until the last fifteen or so minutes that they made their domination count. A trialist was left unmarked in the penalty area, he was given plenty of time to turn and finish into the top corner. The Spiders rarely threatened and the match petered out, something I'm far too familiar with. Unfortunately just before the final whistle a Queen's trialist suffered a bad looking injury as he turned on the synthetic surface.

Thistle held out for a 2-1 victory, both managers would've been happy to see players given a chance to impress and prove themselves for the coming season. The Jags will be looking to gain promotion but will be a difficult task with big spending Dundee to compete with in the very challenging division. Queen's will be looking to bounce back at the first time of asking, but the Third Division is always a hard one to predict, especially at this stage.

The Partick Thistle website has a small match report, as does the Un-official Queen's Park site.

Result: Queen's Park 1-2 Partick Thistle

Line-ups
Queen's Park: Cowie (Trialist), Ure (Henry), Douglas (Murray), Trialist, Reilly (Brough), Harkins, Hamilton (Trialist), Tiernan (Capuano), Watt (Odunewu), Daly, Holms (Trialist).
Partick Thistle: Hinchcliffe, Paton (McGeough), Twaddle, Little, Maxwell, Rowson (Hodge), Trialist (Cairney), Trialist (Trialist), Trialist (Bannigan), Doolan, Erskine.

Goalscorer(s)
Queen's Park: Michael Daly
Partick Thistle: Trialist and Trialist

Attendance: unknown

'Well Done Llanelli

Motherwell v Llanelli
Europa League, First Qualifying Round, First Leg
Thursday 2nd July 2009, kick-off 8.05pm
Shyberry Excelsior Stadium, Airdrie

Beginning of July and it's my first match of the season, strangely a competitive one at that. The brand spanking new Europa League (the old UEFA Cup) kicked off with the first qualifying round, first leg matches taking place. The draw paired up Motherwell and Welsh side Llanelli for a British derby. Rather bizarrely both matches wont be played on the clubs respective home grounds. Motherwell's Fir Park is getting work done on it's heavily criticised pitch in preparation for the new season and Llanelli's home ground will struggle the fit in the Steelmen's travelling support so has been moved to a larger local rugby stadium.

Llanelli qualified for the Europa League as Welsh League runners-up. A bit of a different story for Motherwell though as they gained entry via the Fair Play ranking system, even with Maroš 'booking' Klimpl in their side. Llanelli went into the match as massive underdogs with odds of 14-1 on offer. Although, if there was a time to play Motherwell this would be it, key first team players leaving and a new manager only appointed in the days running up to the match.

With the Fir Park pitch currently getting a revamp the match was agreed to be played at rivals Airdrie United's Shyberry Excelsior Stadium. A ground I've visited in the past, it's very much your four stand lego effort, but it's ready for SPL football if Airdrie where to ever get there. The small travelling support was housed in the far corner of the main stand.

Motherwell started brightly, as expected, in the humid conditions, you could tell it was going to be a physically draining contest in the heat. The youthful Motherwell team were keen to get the ball down and play as Llanelli invited the pressure onto them with ten men behind the ball.

Llanelli had an impressive out ball in the form of player-manager Andy Legg's long throw, he was able to get the ball well into the penalty area from the half-way line and was taking them from both sides despite playing left midfield. They were causing chaos in the 'Well defence, and one forced a corner before the half hour mark. Legg, the set-piece specialist then whipped the corner to the back post for Stuart Jones to give them a shock lead against the run of play. Everyone in attendance was shocked, even the Llanelli fans!

The 'Well struggled to get into any rhythm afterwards and the fans were starting to get inpatient as they expected a leisurely stroll in the park. New gaffer Jim Gannon made his first major decision by hooking Keith Lasley at half-time for young winger Paul Slane and reshuffled his 4-2-3-1 formation. The one upfront was John Sutton, younger brother of ex-Celtic player Chris, who seemed to specialise in the offside position, much to everyone's frustration.

The Welsh side defended with ease as the Steelmen failed to create many chances, none clear-cut anyway. They were insistent on playing the patient build-up football that continually broke down and keeping with the failing formation. Late shots from distance from 'Well youngsters Slane and Forbes gave Morris something to do in the Llanelli goal.

An embarrassing debut defeat for Gannon, but a famous victory for Llanelli, their gaffer Andy Legg described it as the clubs best ever. The tie is still in the balance and I'd expect Motherwell to play much better next week in the away leg. The Llanelli players seemed shattered, some even a bit overweight (one very overweight), or perhaps it was all part of their time-wasting ploy. I'll jump off the fence and predict Motherwell will advance and progress onto a Albanian jaunt against Flamurtari, who await the winners.

Further match reports can be found on the BBC Sport, Motherwell and Llanelli websites, as well as Down the Wing blog. The Motherwell website also has some photos from the match and a few of my photos here.

Result: Motherwell 0-1 Llanelli

Line-ups
Motherwell: Fraser, Saunders, Craigan, Reynolds, Hammell, O'Brien (McHugh), Lasley (Slane), Forbes, McGarry, Sutton, Murphy.
Llanelli: Morris, Legg (Warlow), Howard, Jones, Jarman (Thomas), Phillips, Mumford, Corbisiero, Venables, Griffiths, Jones (Follows).

Goalscorer(s)
Motherwell: none
Llanelli: Stuart Jones

Attendance: 4307