Giants of the amateur game, Drumchapel United won the WoS Amateur Cup with a controversial 3-1 win over Thorn Athletic in a game full of spills, thrills and refereeing mistakes.
The final was played at Hamilton Accies’ home ground, New Douglas Park. The first task was trying to find the ground. After following my google map towards the racecourse I found a bright yellow “Football Traffic” sign. Handy, I thought until they disappeared and I was in the car park of the Mecca Bingo. I retraced my route and chanced upon the smallest of blue signs for Hamilton Academical that seemed to come straight out a bygone era. Directed by these along with faith in my heart I finally arrived at the ground via two more wrong turns and a couple of high-vis stewards flying me in.
Although I was late, thankfully so too it seems was someone else arguably more important because kick off had been delayed. I got my souvenir programme (£1) from a lovely old dear and took my seat ready for the team line-ups. Sadly from where I was sat the might as well not have been a tannoy as I only managed to pick out one member of the Drum line up (10 McKay) from the garbled mess. On top of this the Black and White striped shirts of Drumchapel had gold numbers on the back which were damn near impossible to read (a sponsors name across the shoulders, also in gold, made every number look like a 7). Therefore – and my apologies – this could be the least accurate/informative of all match reports. If you are a statistician you may want to switch off now.
As the game kicked off the weather conditions were very poor. A worst trio since Right Said Fred reformed:
- Smirring rain that soaks you through
- Wind from the Arctic
- Baltic Temperatures
It was bad enough sitting in the stand so it must have been worse for the players. When you watch fitba on the telly you think these conditions shouldn’t matter – they’re paid professionals, get on with it. However watching Amateurs and Juniors games it feels that you have a greater connection with the players on a human level. That could be what makes it special and more enjoyable than Seniors.
The first half kicked off with both teams lining up in 4-4-2 formations and within 3 minutes Thorn No.10, Craig McGlone, had a low drive from 25 yards which had the Drum goalie scrambling as the ball skidded past the left hand post. This settled the nerves of the underdogs and Thorn were more than matching their more illustrious opponents.
11 minutes in and Thorn’s left winger, Andrew Parker (No.11), was forced off the field to have some treatment to a nasty looking head cut above his left eye. The injury seemed to come from an innocuous looking challenge and even surprised the Thorn player even though he looked like Carrie at the end of the bloodbath in her self-titled film. Vaseline and a sponge were applied and Parker was able to continue.
Three minutes later and Thorn’s No.6, Stuart Robertson, put a header wide from 6 yards out after a dangerous free kick in. However the chance wouldn’t have counted as the referee had already blown for a push by the right midfielder.
The Drum started to get more into the match and had a great chance on 19 minutes when after some good work from their left winger, Thomas Murray (No.6), had his shot well saved by the Thorn goalie before the rebound was cleared by the left back as attackers rushed in.
The Central League team pushed on and had a half shout for a penalty on 22 minutes when two Thorn defenders closed down the Murray who went down under the challenge in the box. The ref judged the tackle fair and waved play on.
The game started to ebb and flow with both teams swapping attacking moves. 25 minutes in Thorn midfielder Mark Campbell broke through a few challenges into the penalty box but the ball refused to sit up for him and the closing defenders cleared well. Drumchapel then swept up field and their centre forward, David McKay (No.10), had a looping header just past the left hand post. Almost immediately after, Parker skipped away from his marker on the left wing and put in a dangerous cross that was well cleared by Drum defence. Less than a minute later, Parker and McGlone combined well on the left wing. This time Thorn midfielder Campbell was able to shoot but it was blocked well by a defender.
However it was the Drum who came closest to opening the scoring when McKay found space in the Thorn penalty area on 36 minutes. His close range shot was saved brilliantly by Liam McWilliams in goal. The rebound was then headed back at goal by No.9, Paul Wilson, and the defence couldn’t only watch as it looped onto the top of the bar and out for a goal kick.
McWilliams was the busiest keeper in the last ten minutes of the first half and he bettered his earlier save when the Drum’s danger man, McKay, broke clean through with a suspicion of offside. The Drumchapel striker had scored 49 goals prior to encounter but his strike was blocked by the Thorn goalie when it looked a certain goal.
Drumchapel finished strongly but couldn’t find a way past a stubborn Thorn defence.
Half Time 0-0
Half time gave a welcome chance for some heat in the form of food and drinks. I was disappointed to see Accies still charging SPL prices - £3.50 for a pie and coffee! The pie wasn’t that good and the coffee was ganting. This lack of taste savouring gave me a chance to reflect on my favourite chant from the first half and I went for one from a young Thorn fan (looked no more than 11 years old and 1 metre tall) directed at the Drum’s Murray: “Take that wee pie oot!”
Drumchapel started the second half as the finished the first and within 2 minutes had produced a good save from McWilliams from 25 yards followed by an outrageous dive from Murray in the left hand corner which included the arching out of the chest while arms are thrust back in a beautiful swan-like shape. The comedy of such a blatant dive would not seem so funny to Thorn fans later.
Seven minutes into the second half and the Drum should have scored if it wasn’t for a desperate diving block from left back Paul Young which saved Thorn. Good work from the Drum attack found McKay free inside who fired at goal from 6 yards which Young blocked well with his chest with the keeper beaten.
53 minutes into the game and Drumchapel finally breached the Thorn defence but it took a controversial penalty decision. Drum striker McKay did well to get free of his marker and dribbled into the penalty box, he rounded the diving goalie but, with his touch was too heavy to gather, the striker went to ground when it appeared there was negligible contact. The Drum No.10 picked himself up and kept composure to slot home the kick with a fine finish. Drum 1 – 0 Thorn (McKay, 53)
Such a hard fought lead lasted only five minutes as Thorn rallied well from the disappointment to equalise after 58 minutes. A low free kick from Young on the left hand wing was tucked away into the far post leaving Drum goalie, McGall, with no chance of saving. A fine finish from Thorn No.9, Gordon Smith. Drum 1 – 1 Thorn (McKay, 53; Smith, 58)
With passions running high and both sets of players committed in their tackle, the game threatened to spill over with Drum’s Murray receiving a talking to from the ref and the two No.7s - McDevitt and Taylor - squaring up to each other after a brief tussle for the ball.
Thorn created a few chances to get a second. Seventy minutes gone a great ball floated into the path of McGlone (No.10) from left back Young. However Drums goalie was quick off his line to clear just in time to deny the Thorn striker a goal scoring chance. Six minutes later a corner from the left was flicked on by Robertson and landed at the feet of McGlone who could only dig it out of his feet and over the bar from 10 yards.
Two minutes later and another controversial decision by the referee when Drumchapel substitute McGroggan (No.16 on for No.9 Wilson) dived in with a reckless challenge on Robertson near the half way line. With his studs showing this was a dangerous tackle yet the referee only showed the yellow card when it could have easily been red.
With 88 minutes on the clock Drumchapel broke Thorn hearts with a second goal following a lightning fast counter attack. A Thorn attack was broken up and the Drum attacked down the left hand side. Although McWilliams did well to save the first shot the rebound fell straight to the feet of Drum attacker Chris Craig who made no mistake and slotted home.
Drum 2 – 1 Thorn (McKay, 53, Craig 88; Smith, 58)
Thorn tried to get back into the game but as they pressed forward gaps were found by the Drumchapel front line. First McKay dribbled into the penalty area on the left wing and slid an inviting cross over but Craig (No.11) was only able to shoot just past the left hand post from 8 yards out.
A third did arrive this time 2 minutes into injury time when after some great interplay down the right wing from the Drum, McKay found space and time to fire home the goal to put the game beyond doubt. Drum 3 – 1 Thorn (McKay, 53 & 90+2, Craig 88; Smith, 58)
Full Time Drumchapel Utd 3 – 1 Thorn Athletic
A well contested final saw the Drum lift the WoS Amateur Cup and over the course of the game the Central League side probably deserved the win. Thorn Athletic can be proud of their display as they went toe-to-toe with one of the Amateur game’s heavyweights who still have the chance of a clean sweep of trophies this season. However the controversy surrounding the penalty award for the opener and the challenge from McGroggan took some of the shine off Drumchapel’s win.
Squad Lists
Drumchapel United
Starting: Jamie McGall; Michael Kennedy; Andrew Patterson; James Mulvay; Jamie Caldwell; Thomas Murray; Stephen McDevitt(C); Alex Clearie; Paul Wilson; David McKay; Chris Craig
Subs Used: Anthony McGrogan.
Squad Members Unused: Threlfall; Crawford; Brown; Hardie; King; McKellar; Friel; Jones; Reilly; Dalzell; Smith.
Thorn Athletic
Starting: Liam McWilliams; Brian Robertson; Paul Young; David Gallagher(C); Jason Henderson; Stuart Robertson; John Paul Taylor; Mark Campbell; Gordon Smith; Craig McGlone; Andrew Parker;
Subs Used: David Elliot.
Squad Members Unused: Watson; Morrison; McKeown; S. Graham; T. Graham; Goodwin; Malcolmson; Forsyth; Haughie.
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