Poise, Purpose and Passion

There were many lessons to be learnt from my latest Junior Fitba experience. 1. Never trust the MET office - it never rains on Rob Roy; 2. Beware children of Irvine; 3. Old school footballers are the best; 4. Always give time minus ten to the missus when arranging anything. 5. Medda are deserved champions.

On the morning of the game I checked with the MET Office forecast which predicted heavy rain followed by electrical storms for the Glasgow area. Rather than take a brolly to the game - I saw what happened to Steve McLaren when he took one - I decided to wear my parka as its one of the few jackets I have with a hood. Besides the pockets on it will be perfect for my notepad, camera, pie, juice, money and everything else I cart along to these games. Sure enough the skies were dark across Adamslie park when I was dropped off via Matalan by my good lady. Although it was still warm - summer day warm but I was sure that would pass when the rain came.

I paid in, duked the halt-time draw boy after my bitter previous experiences, and headed over to the stand and its shelter. First though I had to visit the gents which I had seen before but never had to use. The gents is basically a long wall and two short side walls and no roof. The long wall in front has a gap on the left side that you walk through, turn to your right, take a step forward, turn to your right again and go against the wall. There are the remnants of porcelain that presumably once formed a gleaming wall of white in its heyday.

In the stand the majority of fans were Irvine Meadow who were there to celebrate their team's league win. A few even had T-shirts printed with "Champions 2010/11" printed on them. They were in good cheer although one wee boy clearly wasn't happy. The 4 foot ball of anger strode up to a guy (turned out to be his dad) in front of me and without saying anything lashed out with his fist with a straight jab to his dad's right arm. Hardly a Haye-maker but the boys dad was holding a full cup of coffee at the time which ended up all over him. Credit to his dad he didn't retaliate but later on I did see him walk away from his son's request for money with a fed-up mutter of "fuck off".

The league champions were given a warm reception as Irvine Meadow players ran on to the pitch with a guard of honour given by Kirkintilloch Rob Roy players and staff before kick-off at Adamslie Park. However the home side's hospitality didn't end there as The Rabs went on to gift three goals to The Medda.

It was The Rabs who started the game the better and had a few chances in the opening few minutes with McQuilken coming close with a strike just past the post from ten yards out. Rob Roy's attacking 4-3-3 formation was causing Medda some defensive headaches as Gow and Zok both looked to pull wide and take on the full backs. This pressure led indirectly to the first booking of the game on 7 minutes when Medda left back, Dillon, was booked for swearing at the referee following his conceded free kick.

Irvine Meadow started the game with a 4-1-2-3 formation with Strain dropping into the space between defence and midfield. However they struggled to get any sort of rhythm in their passing with Rob Roy enjoying most of the possession in the first half. On 13 minutes The Rabs had a glorious chance to open the scoring. A deep free kick from McQuilken on the right hand side was met by fellow central midfielder, Sinclair, with a free header. However from 8 yards Sinclair was only able to put it past the right hand post much to the relief of the Medda defence who had allowed him so much time and room.

The breakthrough came on 17 minutes when Rob Roy captain Feroz chased down an innocent looking backpass. He got the reward for perseverance as he charged down the Medda goalie's kick before a scramble left the big No.9 with the ball at his feet and the goal at his mercy. He duly slipped it in from a tight angle. Rob Roy one-nil.

Things could have got worse for the Medda five minutes later when their centre half, Robertson sold his goalie short with a bad back pass which Hewitt managed to just get a toe to as Gow was rushing in. There was a tension beginning to bubble up amongst some of the players and the referee had to give a talking to Irvine's Adams and Kirkintilloch's Zok on separate occasions both for challenges that could be euphemistically called over-zealous.

On 29 minutes Rob Roy made a substitution by bringing off centre half Carter and bringing on attacker McKay. This meant a reshuffle of the team with right back, Dunlop, coming into cover centre half; right midfielder, Muir dropping back into right back position and winger Gow dropping back into midfield. This change would have a huge impact on the game as the dominant Rob Roy side were suddenly on the back foot.

A minute after the substitution and Irvine Meadow were level. The goal came from an aimless long ball down the right which Rob Roy centre half, McGregor, had covered well but as he turned inside he fell under pressure from a Medda striker and the ball broke to the oncoming Adams who sent a delightful chipped shot over the Rab's keeper to score from 25 yards out. Without taking away from the finish it was a soft goal to lose from Rob Roy's point of view.

On 33 minutes it could have been worse for Rob Roy as Medda's McGinty and McGeown combined well on the edge of the box but goalie McNeil saved well to keep his team level at the break.

Half Time: Kirkintilloch 1 – 1 Irvine Meadow

Another half time at Adamslie and another fine Rob Roy pie - I must ask who the supplier is to give them their due. As I was tucking into my lunch at the back of the stand, down the front to my shock walked the half-time draw boy actually displaying the winning numbers. Finally that particular mystery could be put to rest.

As in the first half the heavy rain that had been predicted was still only threatening and I was now roasting in my big jacket. But the dark skies weren't dampening the spirits of the travelling away fans who were here to celebrate the Medda's triumph in the league. One younger fan in particular seemed to have started his celebrations early - perhaps Wednesday. He was stocious. Clutching a can of TL he shuffled up to some old guys in front of me asking for a light as he'd lost his own. Unaware of personal space boundaries he was inches away from the old guy's right ear when the Medda fans shouted for an incident on the pitch. As this wave of grumbles died down to silence the boy shouted "That woman's a whore!" causing an entire stand to stop and stare at him before having a good laugh.

Barely 9 minutes into the second half and the Medda fans had another goal to celebrate. A penalty conceded by Sheridan for a pull back on the Medda striker meant a booking for the left back and the chance for McGinty to put the away team ahead for the first time in the game. Keeper went left and well struck shot went right. 2-1 to Irvine Meadow.

Rob Roy tried to immediately hit back when two minutes after the penalty Feroz headed over from a good cross by left back, Sheridan. The pace of the game seemed to drop somewhat as Irvine Meadow made a few substitutions: Wingate came on for McLean on 55 minutes; Quinn on for Strain on 66 minutes; both in addition to Fleming replacing Adams at the end of the first half.

Gow was unlucky not to equalise for Rob Roy when his fierce strike following an inviting lay off from McKay was beaten away by Medda keeper Hewitt. That was as close as Kirkintilloch came to getting anything from this game and 31 minutes into the second half Medda killed it off. This time it was the Rabs keeper who was put under pressure from a back pass. His clearance was very poor and rolled into the path of McGeown about 30 yards out. The Medda midfielder lofted the ball over the heads of the covering defenders into the empty net. 3-1 Medda.

The game rolled on but without any further incidents as both teams seemed resigned to 3-1 being the final score. Rob Roy could feel aggrieved at not getting something from a game that they had looked so comfortable in until the substitution of their centre half caused their team's reshuffle. However it was individual errors that gifted the goals to Irvine Meadow. The Medda showed a ruthlessness in their punishment of these errors and that is often the mark of worthy champions.

Full Time: Kirkintilloch 1 – 3 Irvine Meadow

After the game I realised I'd made a mistake saying to my wife to pick me up at 4pm. As the game had kicked off the second half bang on time at 3, then finished equally bang on 45 minutes later. Caught between staying at the park or heading to a pub I decided that I should wait as she was likely to be there any minute. I stood out the front as the last of the fans left - the Irvine Meadow supporters bus taking fourteen attempts at getting out the tight car park. I don't mind being the last supporter to leave but then the players started to come out too. I was getting strange looks too. Maybe they thought I was hanging back to remonstrate with them over the loss or even worse they thought I was an autograph hunter. Embarrassing but at least the rain had started.

Squad Lists

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy: McNeil; Dunlop; Sheridan; Carter; McGregor; Sinclair; Muir; McQuilken; Feroz; Gow; Zok. Subs: Wilson(Gk); Palmer; Martin; McCue; McMenamin; Craig; McKay.

Irvine Meadow: Hewitt; Swift; Dillon; McDonald; Robertson; Strain; Adams; McGeown; McGinty; Milliken; McLean. Subs: Wardrope(Gk); Quinn; Turner; Wingate; Barr; Ryan; Fleming.

A Tale of Sunshine and Canines

A glorious sunny day appeared again for my second trip to Adamslie to see Rob Roy this time taking on title chasing Arthurlie. Yet I still didnt heed the sunburn warnings of the last time and returned home with a red face and neck to boot. The heat from the sun was masked by an incredibly strong wind but I finally witnessed a win in the Juniors as The Rabs’ third league win in a row sent Arthurlie title hopes blowing in the wind.

On the way to the park my wife and I were stopped at lights. The driver in the car in front was talking to her passenger who had the biggest blonde 'fro cut you are likely to see. But we couldnt decide if it was an old biddy with a big hat or a young cool dudette with teenage rebellion in hair form. I thought it was Rod Stewart but as the driver turned once more to her passenger - this time stroking their face - the passenger turned and in profile we discovered it was a huge poodle. We were still at the lights ten minutes later unable to move for laughing.

The first taste of how strong the wind was came when I got out in the car park and nearly lost the door. As I gave over a tenner for entrance I jokingly told the guy to make sure he's got a good grip of my change when the young boy selling lucky draw numbers told me that earlier a guys fiver had blown away sending him careering after it. I dont know if he's still looking for it. Unfortunately this dialogue made it harder to not buy a strip of raffle tickets - £1 buys two strips - even after my in-law's troubles with the draw last time. Still I felt lucky anyway.

Arthurlie had brought a decent crowd with them to the game and again I found myself standing on the terracing surrounded mainly by away fans. Just like the Pollok fans from before they were in good spirits and friendly in their banter. I was also encouraged to see that the two freeloaders on the hill over looking the ground had been joined by two mates and a dog. Although later on in the game they seemed to get a bit too friendly with the mutt.

Both sides lined up with a traditional 4-4-2 formation, Rob Roy choosing to shoot with the wind in the first half after winning the coin toss.  However it was Arthurlie who took the initiative attacking straight from kick off. They forced two free kicks and a corner kick all within the first few minutes to pile pressure on the Rabs’ defence.

However it was Kirkintilloch who had the first effort on goal after 5 minutes with a sweeping move which saw the ball crossed from the left wing finding the head of midfielder Sinclair who put it just past the right post with the ‘Lie’s goalie scrambling.

Taking heart from this chance The Rabs pushed on with their central midfielders, Sinclair and McQuilken, combining more with Zok up front to create problems for Arthurlie. On 7 minutes Zok found space near the bye-line on the left wing before drilling a low cross towards Feroz on the penalty spot. A dummy from the big No. 9 let the ball find McQuilken with space in the 18-yarder but his shot went over.

Four minutes later a long free kick from inside the Rabs’ own half looped into the box where it was met by the eyebrows of Sinclair – the deft touch not quite enough to divert the ball inside the right hand post with the goalie beaten.

The Rabs' domination at this stage was a contrast to the start of the game but Arthurlie were unable to get any passing moves together successfully. The very strong wind was making it very difficult for goalie, Parry, to get distance on his kicks. By contrast Zok was able to use the wind to his advantage when he cut in from the left wing again and fired a low shot from a narrow angle which swerved viciously towards goal – the keeper did well to block on this occasion.

Unfortunately the keeper was fully to blame two minutes later when Rob Roy took the lead through Zok. A long ball right from midfield ran through to the goalie at the very edge of his box. Zok chased the lost cause anyway and got his reward when Parry inexplicably fumbled the ball into his path. The Rabs No.10 did really well to stroke home into an empty net while falling backwards to give his team a 1-nil lead.

Arthurlie had brought a decent crowd with them to this game and they were rewarded with an equaliser on 29 minutes from their No.6 Keenan. A mis-control from left back Sheridan gave possession to Arthurlie’s right winger, McEwan. He drove forward before cutting it back to Blair on the edge of the box. He delayed the move and gave Rob Roy defenders the chance to get back and cover. Just as it looked like the chance had been lost, Blair’s through ball took a ricochet off a Rabs defender then back off the Lie’s midfielder to put Keenan clean through on McNeil in goal. His volleyed finish gave the goalie no chance.

A quick note on the scorer details here. It was Arthurlie's No. 6 who scored which on the team sheets said Keenan with Blair marked as No.8. However speaking with the Lie fans beside me they said it was Blair who scored with Keenan playing it through. I've went with official team sheets as the players looked quite similar from where I was standing. Apologies to Mr Blair if I've done him out of a goal bonus.

With the game tied at 1-1 it looked like it was staying that way at half-time as neither team were really pushing for a second. However 5 minutes before half-time the Rabs broke down the left hand side where Gow and Zok had looked dangerous all game. This time the cross into the box found Sinclair on the penalty spot with a defender right beside him. A deft flick over the Lie man’s head found centre forward Feroz in space 10 yards out. His volley gave Parry no chance and Rob Roy were 2-1 up.

Half Time: Kirkintilloch 2 – 1 Arthurlie

At half time the wind had gotten much colder I had to put a jumper on but it seems that it was just me that was affected because making their way behind the goals were a couple of 'Lie fans who'd got the "Taps Aff" shout. I must have missed it. I presumed they were council workies following their official dress code whenever even the tiniest bit of sun pokes through.

Another nod to the pies at Adamslie - delicious for a quid. Nice filling; soft, think pastry; not too greasy. Nice work Rob Roy Catering.

Into the second half and Arthurlie must have hoped the wind would aid their chances of getting an equaliser for the second time on the game.

It was the ‘Lie who had the first chance 8 minutes into the second half when No.9 Bradford put a header over the Rob Roy goal after some good work down the left hand side.

Three minutes later and it was Rob Roy’s turn to put the pressure on. After some ping-pong football outside the Arthurlie box the ball broke to Feroz who’s low strike was well blocked with a diving tackle but the ball broke to the feet of Zok on the left side of the six-yarder clear of the defence. However he was only able to put it into the front post side-netting under pressure from the goalie and right back Lundie.

The game seemed to dip a bit with very little chances for either team other than a solid free kick on 62 minutes from Arthurlie’s McLay which was parried by the keeper and cleared by right back Dunlop.

Arthurlie made a few substitutions to try and force something from the game bringing on Adam, McParland and McLaughlin. McParland found himself straight into the action getting a talking to from the Referee after a tussle with Rob Roy centre half, Carter after 73 minutes.

Frustration seemed to be setting in for the Arthurlie players who could maybe sense this tie slipping away from them. This was exemplified by Keenan who after chasing a ball through only for Rabs centre half McGregor to shepherd it out for a bye-kick, battered the ball high over the walls of the ground and into the car park. Followed closely with a chorus of "Hey, watch ma motor!". He wasnt booked by the referee but only because Gow had kicked the ball away a minute earlier but not as spectacularly.

It was another substitute, McLaughlin, who brought the game to life again on the 82 minutes when his dipping shot from 30 yards caused McNeil a few anxious moments in the Rob Roy goal.

After 25 minutes without chances the last five minutes brought plenty of action for both teams.   

On 84 minutes a long ball put Lie striker Boyle through on goal with left back Sheridan in pursuit. As both players tussled to catch the bouncing ball, the Arthurlie No.10 went down in the box but the Referee was right to wave play on and deny the away team the penalty.



Two minutes later however Boyle burst into the box on the left hand side this time in control of the ball at his feet. A lunging tackle from a Rabs defender seemed to catch the man rather than the ball but again the Referee waved on the claims for a penalty. It looked like a let off for Rob Roy.

As Arthurlie were pushing hard for an equaliser Rob Roy counter attacked down the left hand side with winger Gow showing incredible stamina to be able to power into the box at this late stage in the game. His cross took Parry out of the game but Feroz couldn’t stretch his leg the extra inch he needed and was only able to jab the ball over from 6 yards out.

That missed chance didn’t matter though as the referee blew for full time to condemn Arthurlie to a second league defeat in a row and effectively end their title hopes. Kirkintilloch however can put the fears of relegation of a few weeks ago firmly behind them and eye-up a top half finish if they continue in this form.

Full Time: Kirkintilloch 2 – 1 Arthurlie

As I headed out the ground - only too aware that I'd wasted money on the lucky draw that hadnt been announced again - I noticed that approaching the hundreds of fans squeezing out the one turnstile was a man with a dog on an extendable lead. The dog was about 20 foot in front of its owner and as it got closer to the turnstile I waited for the owner to do the considerate thing and wind his dog in before passing through the exit in turn with everyone else. Obviously this fan was not a considerate man as he let his dog weave between us all creating a human wicker basket. As we all unweaved ourselves on the other side of the exit he wandered off through the car park without a care in the world with the dog still 20 foot ahead. I urged the missus to run it over in the car but she refused. Probably for the best.

Yer a half-wit son, and that's an insult to wits

My second step on the path to Junior enlightenment was a trip to Adamslie Park to see Kirkintilloch Rob Roy - the second of my three shortlisted teams as I search for a club to support forever more.

The next home fixture scheduled was a Super League Premier Division game against Pollok on Saturday, 9th April 2011. I had already missed out on a 2-1 win against Irvine Meadow in the West of Scotland Cup due to other commitments - fajitas and good company - and I was looking forward to this one.

However I had a couple of items on my to-do list before the game. First up was to see if my father-in-law wanted to join me. I knew that Rangers weren't at Ibrox that day so he'd be free and he's a local so wouldn't mind contributing to the Rob Roy cause. There was still a niggling doubt though which I suppose was down to his response when i invited him along to watch Clydebank: "What do I want to see the fucking juniors for?" The offer of paid entrance, a pie and a pint didn't even work. I asked him anyway and to my surprise the big man said he'd come along.

The second thing was to get some local knowledge from my missus about the ground and more importantly where to get a pint. I knew the bus dropped you off either at the ground or near the high street depending on the bus route and the train drops you in Lenzie. So I asked: how long to walk from Lenzie (thinking Carriages pub)? Oof - at least an hour. You sure? Ok, how long from Kirky High Street (thinking of the 'Spoons)? Oh, that's ages away - you couldn't walk it. Really? I didn't think Kirkintilloch was too big a place. Oh, it is. I'll give you a lift. Fair enough - I'm not daft enough to pass up a lift.

So on the Saturday I get a lift to Adamslie but of course I'm about 50 minutes early on top of this my good lady pulls into the car park, takes a look at the ground and bursts out laughing. It seems street cred is in short supply with the juniors. It might be a while before Adidas and Snoop Dogg come calling. In return for her insensitivity I demanded a lift to a pub - any pub - and two minutes later I was outside the Stables - a beautiful pub sitting on the banks of the canal with a massive beer garden and tons of rural, rustic charm. It was hoaching because of the sunshine but I managed to get a seat inside with a pint of "Proper Job" from the St. Austell brewery. I was in St. Ives, Cornwall, last year and have fond memories of the local brew also from St. Austell. I was conscious of my time so this pint wasn't savoured too much before I started back for the game. Unfortunately a two minute car ride turned into the equivalent of a fifteen minute, sweat riddled march in the heat but I made it with five minutes to spare before kick-off.

My first impressions of Adamslie were good. The pitch was in cracking condition, the terracing area was more than adequate for its purpose and the atmosphere felt warm and friendly. There was a decent crowd - a few hundred - but I'd say most of the folk around me were Pollok fans who'd even more on the far side of the pitch behind the away dugout. Also on the far side (opposite the pavilion and stand) were sat two guys in their mid to late twenties behind the fence, on the hill enjoying a liquid picnic and a free game. I couldn't believe you'd get free-loaders when it was only a fiver entry. Sadly there was no match programme but the team sheets were written on a sheet of paper, laminated and pinned to a wall near the entrance. It was too crowded at the start to get a proper look and I forgot to go back to it at the end. Therefore the following match report will be sketchy on names but high on mystery and intrigue.

My father-in-law turned up, first having caught up with insulting his cronies, and the game started at a good, fast pace. You could see both teams were up for this. I felt the Rabs were edging it when Pollok won a corner on their left side. I was standing in line with the bye-line and had a fantastic view of the Lok winger's inswinging corner. It bent right over the keeper - who was nowhere - and was heading straight in to the bottom corner before the Pollok No. 8, Roddy Hunter, stuck his foot on it and made sure on 8 minutes. Great strikers instinct or mooching? A bit of both but it shouldn't have got anywhere near him if the Rab's No.1 had of jumped.

To their credit the Rabs came back at Pollok with some good passing and pressure play. It paid off with an equaliser in the 14th minute. Left winger Brian MacKay was released down the left and he duly powered into the box showing great pace followed by composure by cutting back to Craig Feroz (No.9) who slotted home well past scrambling defenders with the Lok goalie taken completely out the game by MacKay's lay off.

In keeping with the see-saw nature of the half it was Pollok's turn to put pressure on KRR. They made the breakthrough five minutes before half-time down the right wing where a good passing combination put the No.11 clear of the full back. The Lok winger put in a dangerous cross that looped over the goalie to the back post where it found its way to Iain Diack (No.9). The attacker stretched to fire a low shot to the near post which somehow found its way past the goalie via his crotch. From where I was watching I didn't realise/believe it had gone in.

The other highlight of the first half for me was the incessant chat from two men and a woman behind us. I say highlight but that came when they buggered off taking their pretentious prattle with them.

Half-time: 1-2

At half time it was tempting to not move a muscle other than to take a seat in the sun as the weather continue to be beautiful. However I had read there was a pie stand beside the pavilion which I was keen to test out - for research purposes only, of course. On my way there I noticed a queue of guys heading into a portacabin behind the pavilion and sussed it must be the bogs although beyond the main stand was a walled off area with "Gents" written on it too. Confused I made my way to the food and got a pie (£1) and a can of juice (50p) for me and the big man. The pie was delicious as was the bru in that heat. Another plus point was the number of big bins available. I hate littering almost as much as standing holding finished food packaging. The only thing that spoiled a fine half-time was the raffle. My father-in-law had bought a strip of tickets but no announcement was made about them. I was hoping that he'd win to put a smile on his coupon.

The second half kicked off in the sunshine and was memorable for some glaring misses from the Lok. The visitors had two or three really good chances to win the game but in fact it was the Rabs who equalised on 74 minutes. Kirkintilloch Rob Roy had brought on a wee winger, Gary Gow (No. 14) who's delivery from corners was excellent. I must say the standard of corners and free kicks that I've seen so far at Junior Level would put their Senior counterparts to shame. How many times do you watch a game on the telly and corners are constantly hitting the first man or go straight out? It was from a fine corner from Gow the goal was scored. The ball in teased the goalie into thinking about it but instead landed on the head of Feroz who bagged his brace with a great leap and finish. The striker followed his goal with a celebration dance that resembled hand puppetry without the dolls. It was just desserts after a period of good pressure from KRR. Yet instead of pushing for the a winner while on top of the game the Rabs found themselves letting Pollok back into it. As stated before the chances that Pollok put high, wide and handsome could have won it for them but over the course of the game a draw was a fair result for both teams.

Full-time: 2-2

Before finishing with the match I'd like to highlight KRR's midfielder Paul McQuilken, who was wearing the No.8 shirt for this match. In my opinion he was a stand out in this game - one of the few players who took the ball comfortably, was happy to keep possession, always looking for a pass and very capable of beating his man. I was very impressed and from what other Rabs fans are saying it wasn't a one off this season neither.

Also an honorable mention to the linesman (nearest the pavilion) who proved there's only one thing funnier than watching a scotch egg with legs running flat out and that's one carrying a wee flag.

Next game for me:

Petershill at home to Kilbirnie Ladeside on 23rd April 2011. Relegation Battle.

Related Links

Full Match Report on Rob Roy Website ¦ Pollok Website

Match highlights on YouTube