We All Dream of a Team of Ross McCabes

Petershill FC 3 – 1 Kirkintilloch Rob Roy

Saturday 12th November 2011 Stagecoach WOS League Super Premier Division

A strong winter sun burned low in the sky over this top of the table clash between second-placed Petershill and league leaders Kirkintilloch Rob Roy at Petershill Park. With only one point between them at the start of the match it would be the Peasy to comeback from a goal down to leapfrog the Rabs and take top spot in the Stagecoach WOS League Super Premier Division.

This game was an interesting match-up of two differing philosophies. Both teams had struggled in the league last season with the Peasy needing to win a play-off to avoid relegation. Rob Roy changed their management team and the new boss, Jimmy Lindsay (an ex-Petershill player in their successful 1980s team), overhauled the team in the summer to the extent that only 1 player in their starting lineup today was a regular in the team last season. Petershill chose the different route and kept faith with their management duo of Willie Paterson and Scott Smith who in turn have kept their squad of players together with the heart of the team remaining unchanged. However they have managed it both teams have surprised many with their great start to the season.

Petershill were coming off the back of a bitter-sweet week having been knocked-out of the Emirates Cup on the Saturday then winning the Sectional League Cup two days later on the Monday. Such an effort from the players meant that their squad was being tested to the full and six changes had been made from the team that started the cup final. The Rabs also had selection troubles of their own as injuries meant they could only name two substitutes. 

The game started tentatively with Petershill lined up in a 4-4-2 with a diamond shaped midfield – Murch (6) dropping deeper and Green (8) sitting more advanced ahead of him. Up front McGregor (10) would drop deeper while top scorer McGladrigan (9) would make runs off the last defender. Rob Roy started with a 3-3-2-2 shape with their captain, former Rangers star, Marvin Andrews (4) sitting in the middle of 3 centre backs. Midfielder Cairney (5) dropped back to sit in front of the defence in the same line as wing backs McAleenan (3) and McLachlan (7). Two advanced midfielders and the strike pair formed two attacking lines up front. The result was that Petershill’s full backs had a lot of space and time to advance with the ball but the crowded Rabs defence limited their options.

The first half had a few half chances with shots over from Rob Roy’s strikers Mackie(10) and Gormley(9) but McNeill was not tested. Petershill had a lot of the possession but limited opportunities until 26 minutes in and McGladrigan and Andrews chased a through pass down the right hand channel. The Rob Roy defender appeared to clip the Peasy man who went down inside the box right in front of the linesman who flagged for a penalty. The referee agreed and Peasy had a chance to open the scoring. McGregor took responsibility to score at the opposite end from where he’d finished so well from the spot against Beith a fortnight prior. Unfortunately for the home fans his penalty kick was poorly hit and the Rabs goalie, Robertson, guessed the right way to save well - he even held onto the ball.

Spurred on by their keeper’s save Rob Roy duly opened the scoring eight minutes later. Chris Mackie received a pass just inside the Peasy penalty box on the left hand side of the ‘D’. With his back to goal he feigned to his right then twisted back to the left and fired a low drive with his right foot which beat the diving McNeil at his near post.

GOAL Petershill 0 Rob Roy 1 (Mackie 34)

Petershill had just the one chance to respond before half-time when Murch, Green and Palmer (3) combined well in a free-flowing passing move that resulted in Finnigan(11) getting the ball in some space 20 yards out before drilling the shot just wide of the Rab’s left hand post.

HALF-TIME Petershill 0 Rob Roy 1

The crowd was the biggest I have witnessed at Petershill Park with the stand full and plenty of fans from both sides also taking up standing positions around the pitch. The Peasy Ultras were out in force again and were in good voice. I had the opportunity to witness a “noise-off” across the years as the modern Ultras with drums, conductor and singing were pitched against one the Rabs fan’s 1920s style wooden rattler. For sheer noise the rattler was loudest although for longevity the sans-Megaphone Peasy Ultras were much more persistent. They also had added to their repertoire since the Beith game. My favourite was to the tune of The Beatle’s Yellow Submarine:

“We all dream of a team of Ross McCabes,

A team of Ross McCabes, a team of Ross McCabes”

With the verses going like “Number 1 is Ross McCabe, Number 2 is Ross McCabe, Number 3 is Ross McCabe” and so on.

Both teams emerged from the dressing rooms unchanged and would serve up a cracking second half. Rob Roy’s formation was different however. Their right wingback McLachlan now dropped back to be a more orthodox full back with Donnelly (6) moving to left back. Cairney and McAleenan still maintained a line just in front of the defence while Fulton (8) and Easton (11) shifted more to the right than in the first half. It gave the team a strange tilted feel and unfortunately for the Rabs it left McLachlan overly exposed to the Peasy attacks.

Six minutes into the half and McGregor burst through a tackle before a rush of blood to his head made his lash wildly from 35 yards sending the ball high, wide and handsome. However it was a statement of intent from the home side. Although it would be McGregor’s last involvement as he and Green were replaced 2 minutes later by Woods (15) and Dickson (14) respectively.  A switch  of wings for Burke and Finnigan and Petershill started to look much more dangerous. Demonstrated on 56 minutes when Richie Burke showed lovely touch as he dribbled past a few Rob Roy men down the left wing before hitting the by-line. His cross caused a scramble in the box which ended with a the ball being smashed off Dickson’s face from a few yards. The Peasy midfielder was down for a minute before being able to resume.

Rob Roy could have a penalty of their own as a corner on 58 minutes was drifted in from the right there was claims of a push on one of the Rabs’ strikers in the box. The ref waved claims away but Mackie complained too much and found his name being taken for a yellow card. Two minutes later and it was Peasy captain Ryan Jordan who was booked for mouthing off to the ref too.

The game was getting hotter as the air was getting chillier and on 62 minutes Mackie took the ball towards the right hand corner flag with Murch and McCabe following close behind. The striker jumped up in the air with a scream but it didn’t look like any tackle had been made. The linesman was right beside the incident and didn’t see anything wrong as Murch drove on with the ball. Mackie remained off the pitch while the physio looked at him for a couple of minutes. Immediately after however Fulton looked to take retribution himself with a wild tackle on Murch that could have easily been more than the yellow he received.

Sixty-seven minutes into the game and Petershill were level. Burke again dribbled down the left wing and found himself one-on-one with McLachlan on the left edge of the penalty box. The tall winger glided effortlessly round the full back and slid the ball into for McGladrigan to score his 18th goal in only 19 appearances this season. The Peasy striker looks set to break the 20 goal mark that has evaded him in previous seasons.

GOAL Petershill 1 (McGladrigan 67) Rob Roy 1

The home side were now well on top of the game and continued to cause Rob Roy’s defence problems. McGladrigan almost doubled his tally on 71 minutes when his low drive from the right beat the goalie before rebounding off the far post to be cleared by defender.

The second did come 32 minutes into the second half and it will be one that right back McLachlan will want to forget. Finnigan was released in space down the right wing but his deep cross missed both strikers. The Rob Roy man failed to clear at the back post and the ball ended up at the feet of the Peasy number 9 who’s shot was saved well by Robertson but it fell to Woods on the goalline to poke it home.

GOAL Petershill 2 (Woods 77) Rob Roy 1

Three minutes later and Petershill had wrapped the game up as a contest. A high ball upfield was allowed to bounce by Andrews who then failed to deal with it properly allowing McGladrigan to cut across him and advance into the box. He looked up and slipped the ball into the path of the supporting Dickson who swept the ball into the net for Petershill’s third goal.

GOAL Petershill 3 (Dickson 80) Rob Roy  1

Rob Roy were rattled by how quickly the game had turned in the home side’s favour and it could have been worse. McGladrigan again latched onto a mistake in the Rob Roy defence but Robertson saved his left foot volley from point-blank range. Woods then hit the post before Andrews was mugged by McGladrigan who shot when he should have passed. There was just time for Rob Roy almost to get one back in the last minutes when McNeil fumbled a through ball at the feet of Mackie. The Rab’s striker was harried out of the box by McNeil and lack of support meant the danger passed.

Full-Time Petershill 3 Rob Roy 1

The win took Petershill to the top of the league and having played 9 games we are nearly at the half way stage of the Stagecoach West Region Super Premier season. Results went their way with Irvine Meadow XI losing away to Pollok but the Ayrshire team still have 2 games in hand and are still able to go ahead of the Peasy if they win both of those.

With both Petershill and Rob Roy out of the Emirates and WoS Cups earlier than they’d have liked both teams can now concentrate on the league and who knows if they can keep their early form going. One thing is certain that both teams will continue to entertain.

I’ll even stick my neck out and say Stephen McGladrigan will break the 20 goal barrier and the Peasy Ultras will need to write a new song.

Petershill:

McNeil, Hadden, Palmer, McCabe, Jordan, Murch, Burke, Green, McGladrigan, McGregor, Finnigan

Subs: Black (GK), Turnbull, Dickson, Woods, McArdle, Barr, Maxwell

Rob Roy:

Robertson, Carter, McAleenan, Andrews, Cairney, Donnelly, McLachlan, Fulton, Gormley, Mackie, Easton

Subs: J. Lindsay, Lochhead

Petershill FC Turnaround Delights The Peasy Ultras

Two teams in form served up a five-goal feast in Springburn, Glasgow. This West Super Premier League tie was eagerly anticipated and well attended as both sides’ fans turned up in good voice and numbers.

Despite the cold and windy weather (with rain clouds threatening) the stand at Petershill was already home to a noisy bunch of young lads aka the Peasy Ultras. Taking up several rows of seats and accompanied by a drum, megaphone and plenty of flags the boys were already building the atmosphere when I arrived 30 minutes before KO. It was a great positive I took from this game that both teams had a good number of school-age fans and it was brilliant to see so many of the young Beith fans in replica tops. In the words of Whitney Houston – “I believe the children are the future of junior football”.

The visitors lined up in a standard 4-4-2 formation with 3 distinct lines of players. The Peasy also went 4-4-2 but with a few variations to the Cabes. Ryan McGregor, their No10, dropped back into the space between the Beith midfield and defence while both wingers Ryan McArdle (7) and Paul Woods (11) pushed further up the pitch. The central midfield pairing of Jordan Murch(6) and David Dickson(8) would take it in turns to drop back to gather the ball off the defence.

The mismatch in lines meant that Petershill central midfielders were getting more time on the ball and this was demonstrated only 3 minutes in when Jordan Murch dropped into space to collect a pass from his right back. His clipped ball down the inside right channel evaded the head of Beith centre back Mark Staunton(4) and Peasy striker Stephen McGladrigan(9) was clear through on goal. The home team were denied an early opener though as onrushing Beith goalie did enough to force the striker to clip his shot over the bar.

One minute later McGladrigan had a half chance to make amends when he latched onto a loose ball in the box but his shot was blocked.

Petershill’s domination of the early part of this game continued and captain Ryan Jordan (5) could have given his side the goal their play deserved but instead hit the post twice in five minutes. The first was a looping header from a crossed ball from the right that evaded the keeper but not the left hand post before bouncing clear. A second header from a corner by Dickson was more powerful but again the post denied Jordan.

Beith were forced into an early substitution as injury to summer buy from Clydebank, Paul McMenamin (3), meant the left back was replaced by John Craig(19).

The breakthrough arrived on 17 minutes and it was no surprise that the Peasy scored the opener with a very well worked goal. McCardle dribbled with the ball on a diagonal from the right flank across the pitch before his short pass wrong footed the defenders to send Woods to the by-line down the left wing. The winger kept his composure and picked out the run of Dickson who arrived unmarked in the six-yard box to connect with the cross and put his team one-nil up.

Goal Petershill 1 (Dickson) Beith 0

Whether by design or not Petershill changed their shape with McGregor no longer dropping deep but instead they tried repeatedly to hit the ball down the right channel for him to chase. The pass that had set McGladrigan free so early in the game wasn’t working now and for the remainder of the half the play was rather disjointed.

The failure of Petershill to capitalise on their lead was matched by Beith being unable to create any sort of meaningful attacks on their opponents goal.

Or so it seemed until four minuts before half time when Beith launched a dangerous attack with the ball being pinged about in the box a few times before it landed at the feet of substitute Craig who’s fierce drive was blocked by McCardle illegally according to the referee who blew for a penalty kick.

The pressure was on  Kenny McLean(10) who was up to the challenge as he sent keeper McNeill the wrong way to equalise.

Goal Petershill 1 Beith 1 (McLean)

And so having been hardly in the game for most of it Beith went in at half time level and as they were to prove in the second half the wind was in their sails.

Half-Time Petershill 1 Beith 1

Some of my favourite chants from the Peasy Ultras during this half:

“Send your daddy over here” and

“Stevie McNeill shags ten burds a night”

The Cabes came out at half time with a second substitution made – Robert Downs(16) on for Tony Fraser(11). They lined up in a different 3-4-3 formation with right-back Ross Dunlop (2) moving into the middle of John Sheridan(5) and Staunton to make three central defenders. Two wing-backs ran the flanks with a central midfield pairing behind a withdrawn centre forward with two runners up front.

The tactical change coupled with their late equaliser in the first half spurred Beith onto a quick start in the second half as they pinned Petershill back in their own half. And after only five minutes the visitors were 2-1 up.

A free kick from left, just inside their opponents half was launched with purpose into the penalty box. Centre half Sheridan rose well to meet the ball and his controlled header beat McNeill (possibly tired given his heavy nocturnal schedule) and nestled into the bottom right corner. A finish that any centre-forward would have been happy with.

Goal Petershill 1 Beith 2 (Sheridan)

Momentum was very much with the Cabes now and one minute after their goal McLean had a dangerous looking overhead kick deflected to safety. Five minutes later his strike partner Reid (9) almost took advantage of a poor, looped backpass from the peasy left back Stewart Maxwell that had his goalie in trouble. Reid met the ball slightly before McNeil but his headed contact was easily swept away by the covering centre-half, Jordan.

At this point it looked like a third was coming from Beith and they nearly had it on 61 minutes when a cross from the left wing was met at the back post by Calum Hardie(7) who could only look on as his headed attempt met the right hand post.

The game’s fourth goal did come but it wasn’t Beith extending their lead but Petershill who dragged themselves back into the game with a penalty equaliser. Woods took the ball for a dribble down the left wing before feigning to drive inside before cutting outside the Beith defender who’s swinging tackle caught the winger for a clear cut penalty.

McGregor was given the chance to match the feat of his opposite number and he duly sent the keeper the wrong way to score. If he was nervous he didn’t show it.

Goal Petershill 2 (McGregor) Beith 2

It is an old adage that a team is never at its most vulnerable after they’ve scored and so it almost proved to be the case as Beith tore up the pitch immediately after the Peasy’s goal. This time it was McLean who’s sharp turn wasn’t matched by his stinging drive which went over without troubling the goal.

The rest of the second half becamse more frantic as both teams looked to prevent the other from scoring a winner. Substitutions, yellow cards and plenty of free kicks made this period very stop-start.

One of these substitutions was Richie Burke coming on for Woods for Petershill. Whenever Burke received the ball he looked to beat a man and was often successful or brought down. With a slow and easy style of dribbling, the time Burke seemed to have on the ball was a stark contrast to a lot of the frenetic action about him. A strange yet enjoyable aspect to what had become rather stunted period of play.

However there was action and drama still to come in this match as the lead changed for the third time in the game.

Only two minutes from time being called upon this tough encounter Petershill broke down the left hand side on a make-or-break attack. A lofted ball forward found McGladrigan who’s header touched it on to his strike partner McGregor in the centre of the pitch about 25 yards out. Surrounded by Beith strikers the No10 was able to touch the ball through the gap for overlapping substitute Liam Finnigan(17). The sub had made a great surge to support his strikers and was rewarded when he broke through a challenge into the penalty area where he was one-on-one with the Cabe’s goalie. He calmed himself, lifted his head and then drilled the ball past the keeper into the net.

Goal Petershill 3 (Finnigan) Beith 2

The winner – as it turned out to be – was too much for one member of the Beith support who must have said something too strong for the stand-side linesman. The referee was called over but the supporter was leaving anyway.

The game resumed and Petershill weren’t troubled in the final minutes although the same linesman was involved again in injury time when Beith’s Stuart Callaghan(8) was upset by his decision to give a throw in. A few strong words from the Cabes man earned him a yellow card.

Full-time Petershill 3 Beith 2

With this win the Peasy showed that they are a team not to be taken lightly. It is a great turnaround for a team that were last season’s relegation strugglers. The crowds are buzzing, the team is playing well and things are looking up for Petershill.

Petershill

McNeill, Hadden, Maxwell, McCabe, Jordan, Murch, McArdle, Dickson, McGladrigan, McGregor, Woods.

Subs: Black (GK), Burke, Palmer, Barr, Green, Finnigan, Bonar

Beith

O’Neill, Dunlop, McMenamin, Staunton, Sheridan, Hughes, Hardie, Callaghan, Reid, McLean, Fraser

Subs: Robertson (GK), McGrath, Kisuka, O’Keane, Downs, McCulloch, Craig

Junior Football Legends Abbreviated List by Club

Below is an abbreviated list of all the Legends of Scottish Junior Football as suggested by the fans themselves. Over the coming weeks/months/years(!) I will research and gather more information to build up profiles for each Legend.

If your team isn't listed then get in touch with your Legend nomination.

Ardeer Thistle –

Tommy Duffy

Auchinleck Talbot –

Willie Knox (Manager)

Tommy Sloan (Manager)

Beith –

John McNeill

George Coll

Benburb –

Tommy Douglas

Cambuslang –

John Cummings

Clydebank –

Mark Hailstones

Dalry –

Billy Walker

Dyce Juniors / Mugiemoss –

Norman MacKay

Greenock –

Tam Docherty

Hill of Beath Hawthorn –

Bobby Wilson

Davie Baillie (Chairman)

Kilbirnie Ladeside –

Sconie Davidson (Manager)

Jim Marner

Davie Anderson

Kilsyth –

Alex Querrie

Kilwinning –

Gerry Peline

Paul Mullin

Danny Sloan

Norman Montgomery

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy

Tommy Loughran

Franny Loughran ( no relation )

Gary Carberry

Chic Charnley

Larkhall Thistle –

Martin Mulhearn

Lesmahagow –

Rocky Crichton

Chris Wilson

McCarrison

Eddie McGuinness

Billy Melvin

Alan Shields

Linlithgow Rose –

Brian Carrigan

Jimmy Creaney

Mark Whyte

Kevin Donnolly

Ian Gallagher (also Kilwinning)

Gordon Herd

Danny Smith

Steven Pinkowski

Petershill –

Bert McNab

Port Glasgow –

Billy Gray

Billy Gibson

John Cummings (Also Cambuslang)

Mick Conroy

Gordon Greer

Ricky Cabrie

Ian King

Joe Ohagan

Paul Coyle

St Anthony’s –

Joe Mulheron

Scottish Junior Legends

As the close season is upon us and there is very little football to write about except transfer rumours and other gossip I'd like to fill the time by compiling profiles on the legends of the Junior game past and present.

I need the fans of all teams in Scottish Junior football to contact us with their suggestions of who should be their team's Legend. You can supply as little or as much information as you can but at the very least I need the player's full name, team, position and when he played (even roughly if actual years not known i.e. mid-60s is enough). This basic information along with why you think he's a legend.

As all fans know legendary status is not about the stats but can be (and usually is) based on the most ludicrous stories which is part of the fun.

The best profiles will be completed and posted here (with accreditation where due as always). Ideally we can get at least one for every team in Scottish Junior Football.

So please get in touch via this website, facebook or twitter and I'll get back to you asap.

Your suggestions are very welcome.

Largs Thistle 2 Talbot 1 (4th May 2011)

Match report contributed by murray from the Auchinleck Talbot Forum

All good things must end, and Talbot’s long unbeaten run was finally ended by Largs, so ending Talbot’s slim hopes of the league title.

Talbot had named Mallan in the starting line up but Stevie must have picked up a knock in the warm up and when the teams came out McCann was starting, and Talbot only had two fit subs, Latta and Tucker.

Largs wasn’t a happy hunting ground for Talbot last season and from the outset of this match it was obvious that it was going to be another tough night for the Bot.

Talbot were facing an uphill struggle after only 3 mins when they conceded an early penalty for O’Neill’s trip on Deas. DEAS stepped up to take the penalty himself and put it into the bottom corner to put Largs 1-0 ahead.

It could have been worse a few minutes later. A ball over the top found Lindsay on the left of the penalty area and Leishman was called into action to block his drive and then gathered the ball up at the second time of asking.

Talbot’s first attempt of the evening came in the 9th minute. Boyle passed it across the area to McCann who spun and shot wide of Connick’s right hand post.

Soon after, Talbot won a free kick out on the left touchline when Black impeded Young. Butch curled a good ball over to the back post and McCulloch stretched to get on the end of it but his shot was well held by Connick.

Largs were next to have a go for goal when Robertson found himself in space on the right and tried an ambitious effort from distance that flew over Leishman’s bar.

On 14 mins, Talbot worked a short free kick and a good passing move saw the ball worked to White who shoved it through for Boyle whose shot was held by Connick.

Talbot drew level after 17 minutes. A ball into the right of the Largs area was met by Boyle who laid it back into the path of MICK MCCANN who fired it past Connick and into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Largs were almost gifted the lead again in the 23rd minute. White did well initially to win the ball at the edge of the area but then tried to run it out from the back and lost the ball to Deas who pulled his shot wide of target.

Boyle and Young then worked a good one-two out on the left, Butch releasing Boyle down the wing and Coyle had to be on his toes to get across to clear Boyle’s cut back to the near post area, at the expense of a corner. The corner was hit over to the back post where McCulloch met it but it went out for a goal kick.

In the 27th minute Largs were awarded a free kick in a dangerous area when McCulloch brought down Lindsay, just outside the area. Monaghan drilled it in low, but Leishman was behind it to make the stop.

Talbot should have taken the lead on the half hour mark. A mix up in the Largs midfield surrendered possession to White and he passed it through to McCann inside the area. McCann had an opportunity to hit it from a similar spot from where he’d scored but he took an extra touch and this allowed the defence to get back and make the challenge and put it behind for a corner.

It was a poor corner by Talbot and Largs raced up the field and re-gained the lead. The defence was posted missing as Monaghan raced free down the right wing and he had time to look up and square it in for DEAS who slotted it past Leishman to put Largs 2-1 ahead after 31 mins.

Largs were now back in the ascendancy and White was forced to head behind for a corner out on the right, and when the corner came over to the back post, McCulloch had to head behind. This time, Largs wasted the corner, attempting to swing it into the near post but putting it straight out for a goal kick.

The home side had a real chance to extend their lead on 38 mins. Robertson whipped the ball in from the right and it broke off McCulloch and fell nicely for Monaghan straight in front of goal but Leishman made a good stop to his left to deny him.

In the final minute of the half Largs squandered a decent break due to a poor final ball. Lindsay had Monaghan free in the centre but over hit his pass and it went straight through to Leishman, and so the sides went in at the interval with Largs one goal to the good.

The home side were first out of the blocks in the 2nd half with Deas making a run into the box before sliding it back for Gault at the edge of the area but he fired his shot wide of the right post.

It was then Talbot on the attack with McCann’s cross from the left being nodded down by Boyle into the path of O’Neill who was nudged over from behind but the referee ignored Talbot’s penalty appeal.

In the 51st minute Talbot had a half chance to pull level. Smith pulled the ball back to McVey just outside the area and whilst Liam didn’t make good contact with the shot, it nearly turned into a good pass for McCann who got a foot onto it but hit it straight at Connick.

A minute later and Talbot had a set piece in a great area when O’Neill was fouled just outside the box by Gault. Boyle hammered it on target but Connick made a good stop, and Smith failed to make the most of the rebound.

Talbot were now permanently camped in the Largs half but were failing to take their chances.

With 55 mins gone Young’s ball over the top picked out Boyle on the right and he went for a shot across the keeper but it also went wide of Connick’s right hand post.

Just short of the hour mark Young’s free kick into the area was flighted perfectly onto the head of O’Neill but he didn’t get enough on his header and it went straight through to Connick.

Talbot then forced a succession of corners as the pressure mounted on Largs, but the defence stood firm and Connick did well to punch Young’s in swinging corner clear under pressure.

Largs won a free kick out on the left on 66 mins following McCulloch’s foul on Lindsay. The free kick was curled into the goalmouth where Leishman made a good take.

Play then switched to the other end where Boyle forced a corner out on the left. Young whipped the ball over to the back post where McCulloch met it but his header was fractionally too high, and clipped the top of the bar and over.

Young then went on a mazy run, evading at least four challenges, before releasing the ball out left to Boyle who drilled it across the keeper but just wide of the left post.

Talbot made their first change after 70 mins with Latta coming on for Smith.

The chances kept coming and Young had a chance inside the area when Connick could only punch McGoldrick’s cross into his path. Unfortunately, the ball wouldn’t come down, and he was unable to get over his volley, which flew over the bar.

Moments later and Boyle had a go from outside the box but his shot also went over the bar.

Largs who had been under the cosh for sometime, now responded by making their first change on 72 mins with Muir coming on in place of Gault.

Talbot had another decent chance to draw level in the 76th minute when Young’s pass picked out the run of Boyle down the right. He was clean through on goal with only Connick to beat but the Largs keeper had raced from his line and when Boyle tried to touch it past him, Connick got enough on the ball to deflect it and when it went loose in the box, it didn’t break Talbot’s way and Largs were able to clear.

Tucker now made the transition from dug out to field of play as he came on for O’Neill and within minutes of taking the field was on the receiving end of a dreadful refereeing decision when he was penalised, after winning the ball cleanly and knocking it out into space on the left.

With 10 mins remaining Largs made their second switch with Jamieson coming on for Robertson.

Talbot kept plugging away but it just wasn’t our night and another chance went past with 5 minutes remaining. A shy on the right went into the box and McCann laid it back to Young on the edge of the area but he drilled a shot just wide of the right hand post.

Largs made their final change in the 83rd minute with Dow coming on in place of Monaghan.

With Talbot pushing forward they were vulnerable on the break and Largs had a great chance to put the game beyond all doubt in the final minute of regulation time when Jamieson was put through on the right but he failed to take advantage, shooting wide of Leishman’s left post.

Talbot kept pushing right to the end but it wasn’t to be and with Meadow winning at Beith, the league title chase is now over.

Now it is back to cup duty and another visit to Townhead Park, here’s hoping that Tucker can lift the team for Saturday.

Talbot – Leishman, McGoldrick, McVey, McCulloch, Collins, White, Smith, O’Neill, Boyle, McCann, Young

Subs – Latta & Sloan

Largs – Connick, C Black, Coyle, Walton, Cochrane, Gault, Robertson, Lappin, Monaghan, Lindsay, Deas

Subs – McClure, G Black, Dow, Muir, Jamieson, Phillips, Greenwood (gk)

Match report contributed by murray from the Auchinleck Talbot Forum

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.

Irvine Meadow 0 Talbot 1 (27 April 2011)

Match report contributed by murray from the Auchinleck Talbot Forum

Talbot emerged from Meadow Park with a second successive win and all three points, with a victory that keeps the title fight alive.

Talbot got off to a slightly nervy start, with a few casual passes gifting the ball to Meadow in dangerous areas.

Liam McVey and then Martin McGoldrick were uncharacteristically slack in possession but Meadow failed to capitalise.

Meadow were making the early running and their fans thought they had taken the lead on 7 minutes. McVey gave the ball away to Fleming, he whipped the ball over from the right for Hughes to touch it home but the Meadow player had moved too soon, and the celebrations were cut short by the assistant who flagged for offside.

Talbot had yet to get started and a moment of defensive uncertainty almost gifted a goal to Meadow after 9 minutes. Leishman opted for a short throw out to McVey but Liam was covered and when he tried to clear it, the ball ricocheted off a Meadow player but fortunately went straight to the Talbot keeper.

The Bot’s first look at goal came after 10 mins when Gillies knocked a good pass through for McCann but Mick couldn’t generate any power behind his shot and it was comfortably held by Wardrope.

Play then switched down the other end and Robb had to be at full stretch to turn a ball behind for a corner. The ball was knocked long, past the back post and headed back across goal but Leishman made an easy take in the centre.

With 12 mins gone Talbot had the Meadow defence at full stretch when Latta’s dangerous cross to the back post looked destined for Young, but Ryan got back to make a crucial interception and head it behind.

Young took the corner and Meadow were only able to partially clear it, with the ball coming back out to Butch on the left and he curled a good ball into the far post area but there was nobody there to supply the finishing touch.

Meadow had a great chance to take the lead in the 16th min. Robb took a heavy touch outside the box and the ball broke straight to McGeown who raced through on goal but failed to make the most of the chance, drilling a low shot on target, which Leishman blocked and then McVey completed the clearance.

Talbot then attacked down the left with Young and McVey combining well out wide. Liam crossed into the centre and Gillies got his head on it but didn’t get enough behind it to trouble Wardrope.

Meadow were forced into an early change after 22 minutes when McGowan limped off to be replaced by Wingate.

The 1st booking of the game came a minute later and it was for Ricky Robb. Ricky was adjudged to have fouled Barr just outside the area and he was shown a yellow for disputing the decision.

Ryan took the free kick and went for goal but it was a poor effort, easily held by Leishman.

Hughes had a decent chance to put Meadow in front on 27 mins. Fleming whipped a great ball in from the right and Hughes looked set to steer it home from 6 yards but he couldn’t make a clean contact and the ball eventually went out for a throw in on the far side.

In Talbot’s next attack, White pinged a good ball over from the right onto the head of Gillies and Davie was unlucky to see his cushioned header back across goal, clip off a defender, allowing the Meadow defence to clear.

The game remained highly competitive but with most of the play confined to the middle third and neither defence being really tested.

The next incident of note came in the 40th minute when Talbot were denied what looked a stonewall free kick just outside the area. Connolly played it into the feet of Latta who was bundled over but the referee waved play on.

A few minutes later and McGeown had his name taken for a lunging challenge on Spence in midfield.

Meadow now made a 2nd switch with McGinty coming on in place of Turner.

Strain should then have joined McGeown in the notebook, following a late challenge on McVey, but the referee chose to restrict himself to a few words with the Meadow midfielder.

In the final minute of the half, Meadow had a half chance to take the lead. McGeown threatened to burst through the centre but Robb got across to make the clearance. However, his clearance only went as far as McGinty just outside the area and he went for a volley but it went a yard over the bar, and so the sides went in level at the interval.

Talbot have developed a habit of making a strong start to 2nd halves this season and this game was no different, with the Bot looking much the sharper side at the start of the 2nd period.

Connolly made a good break down the right, reaching the bye line before cutting it back for McCann. Mick with his back to goal, spun round, and hit it 1st time but couldn’t find the target, his effort drifting well wide of the far post.

Then in a carbon copy of the incident from the 1st half, Connolly played a good ball into the feet of Latta right outside the Meadow box, and once again the Bot midfielder was bundled off the ball with nothing given.

The referee then further infuriated the visiting support when he allowed a Robertson foul on Latta to go unpunished and seconds later awarded Meadow a free kick within shooting range for a challenge from Spence.

Ryan got the ball up and over the wall but there was no zing in his effort and Leishman made a comfortable save.

White became the 2nd Talbot player to pick up a card when he was cautioned after 55 mins for bringing down McGeown.

Talbot made their 1st change of the match in the 61st minute with John Boyle coming on for Mick McCann and the sub had a chance to make an immediate impact when he was played through on goals by Gillies. Unfortunately, having just come on he wasn’t quite up to speed, and took a poor touch inside the area, allowing the defence the chance to get back and clear.

Spence then went on a surge towards the Meadow box and looked like he was about to break free until halted by a good tackle from Strain just outside the area.

Talbot were having a good spell and Gillies managed to glance a header on target from Boyle’s cross but whilst it had the direction it lacked pace and Wardrope plucked it out the air.

With 66 mins gone Talbot did make the breakthrough and it was a wonderful, solo effort. YOUNG picked the ball up on the left, waltzed past a couple of challenges and drilled a right foot shot past Wardrope at his right hand post from around 20 yards out to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.

Meadow tried to find an immediate response and Latta was forced to concede a corner when he cut out Wingate’s ball into the penalty area. The corner came over to the back post and a Meadow player managed to get his head on it but it went well wide of Leishman’s left post.

Fleming then went on a mazy run, cutting in from the right before trying his luck from the edge of the area. His shot was blocked by Robb and with the aid of the deflection it spun just over the bar and behind for a corner. This time Meadow opted to pull the corner back to Fleming outside the area and he fired a low shot into the crowded area, and it was knocked away to safety.

Meadow’s Robertson was cautioned on 72 mins for a late challenge on Boyle, which resulted in a Bot free kick out on the right. Young took the set piece and fired a good ball over which was met by Gillies whose diving header flew over Wardrope’s bar.

A couple of minutes later and Young turned defence into attack when his diagonal ball from deep inside his own half very nearly picked out Boyle on the right wing, however Wardrope had reacted quickly and came right out to the edge of his area to gather, just beating Boyle to the ball.

The game’s major talking point occurred with quarter of an hour remaining. Young fed the ball to Boyle and he in turn released the ball to Gillies on the left of the penalty area. Gillies took a touch before clipping the ball past the advancing Wardrope. The linesman’s flag ruled out Davie’s effort, however this is not what angered the Bot support but rather Wardrope’s reckless challenge on Gillies after he had shot past him.

Unfortunately, Gillies injury was too severe for him to continue and after a delay, Talbot brought on Mallan to replace him.

With 12 mins remaining Talbot again tested out the Meadow defence when McVey found space on the left and whipped over a dangerous cross that McDonald did well to clear.

Both sides now made their final changes of the evening, firstly Talbot brought on Smith for Latta and then Meadow replaced Strain with Milliken.

Meadow came within inches of grabbing an equaliser with 6 minutes remaining of regulation time. Fleming put a cross into the near post and McGeown met it inside the 6 yard box and crashed a header off the underside of the bar, which Talbot were able to scramble clear from the goal mouth.

Robertson, having already been cautioned earlier, then had a lucky escape when he went in late on Spence and the referee awarded the free kick but decided against showing a 2nd yellow card.

Talbot had a glorious chance to put the game beyond all doubt in the final minute of normal time. Mallan’s head flick deceived the Meadow defence, allowing Boyle to race through on the keeper but he went for power and blazed his effort just over the bar.

Due to the stoppage following Davie’s injury there was at least 5 minutes of injury time and Meadow pressed hard for a late goal, but they couldn’t get past Talbot’s defence and the Bot saw the game out to win 1-0.

This was a hard fought win that came at a price, as Gillies will now possibly be out for a couple of weeks, but the points gained move Talbot 3 points nearer to the top end of the table and keeps the momentum going and team morale high.

Talbot – Leishman, White, McVey, McGoldrick, Robb, Spence, Young, Connolly, Gillies, McCann, Latta

Subs – Mallan, Smith, Boyle, Davidson, O’Neil

Meadow – Wardrope, Ryan, McDonald, McGowan, Robertson, Strain, Fleming, McGeown, Barr, Hughes, Turner

Subs – McGinty, Wingate, Milliken, Hewitt

Match report contributed by murray from the Auchinleck Talbot Forum

A Game Of Two (Centre) Halves

Petershill FC served up a thrilling encounter with Kilbirnie Ladeside in my first visit to watch the Springburn team. On a wet and sunny Saturday, 23rd April 2011, my quest to choose between Clydebank, Rob Roy and The Peasy would finally give me the chance to experience the third and final team on my shortlist. And it was a cracker.

I arrived early in the car with my missus straight from some shopping to find Petershill Park sitting atop a hill looking like a modern Acropolis. A winding road took me right up to the ground where I jumped out and let my wife take the car away to enjoy her peace and quiet away from me. This Juniors adventure is a win-win situation for us both. What I thought were the turnstiles (sign above said S-U-P-P-O-R-T-E- -S: someone in Springburn has a big red R on their wall) were closed but peaking through the metal fence I checked I was in the right place. I walked back along the road where I had previously passed another entrance with old guys hanging outside smoking. Wondering if this was another entrance I went in to discover a Gym receptionist who politely told me to go back where I'd come from. "Aye, it's the bit at the end wi supporters above it". Biting my lip from arguing that it actually said supportes I left bidding good day. Five minutes of milling about and we were let in.

After paying £5 admission and going through the turnstile - and it was a proper, heavy duty steel turnstile - I was met by a friendly old guy selling programmes for a £1. I bought one and was told it was also entry into the Lucky Number draw - value for money or what? The programme was decent with a handy squad list for both teams that I could mark shirt numbers onto. There was some other good stuff to read in there too including a Blast From The Past section with a match report from a Blasties v Peasy game in 2005.

My first impression of Petershill Park was that the set up was very good. There is a covered stand which has seated areas bookended by large standing, terraced areas. You can also stand on the far side (where the dugouts for both teams were) but as that side was open to the elements which were all of the H2O variety not many took that option. With time to spare and hunger tapping me on the shoulder, looking for a quick word I grabbed a pie (£1.25)and a coffee (£1) and sat up the back of the stand, near the half way line. Both pie and coffee were alright: pie not as good as The Rabs' and coffee not as good as The Bankies'.

As the ground filled around me, the stadium PA kicked in and welcomed the crowd to the game. The announcements were clear, concise and friendly. The team lists were read out - I tried to take a note while balancing coffee and pie - and soon both teams were out on the pitch waiting to kick-off. Kilbirnie Ladeside had brought a good crowd of supporters with them and the stand was nearly full. I had forgone my seat to stand up the back for the game and I had a couple of Peasy fans immediately beside me but the majority around me were away fans. Soon the relegation battle began.

As the rain started to get heavier, Petershill started the game in the best possible manner. Quickly winning a corner on the left hand side, Ryan McArdle (No.7) floated the cross in which centre-half, Ryan Jordan (No.4) rose to power in from 7 yards. The captain looked overjoyed to open the scoring after on 2 minutes. Petershill had struck an early first blow in this relegation fight.

The Blasties were playing a standard 4-4-2 formation with one of their strikers (usually No.10 Mcgregor) dropping deeper while Petershill started with a 4-1-3-2 shape with David Dickson (No.6) sitting deep and centre in midfield, with McArdle and Jordan Murch (No.8) ahead of him right and centre respectively. On the left Richie Burke played higher the the other midfield and saw a lot of the ball in the first half which caused Kilbirnie a lot of problems on the side of defense. As the half progressed Dickson always gave his team a passing option while helping out defensively. It was no surprise that Petershill had most of the ball and most of the chances while Kilbirnie were resorting to long, high balls.

However on 18 minutes one of these long balls combined with a mix up in defense put James Marks (No.9) clean through on the Peasy goal. A fantastic effort was put in by the left-back, Mark McVittie, to get back and put in a fine sliding challenge to deny Marks a shot on goal. Kilbirnie seemed to take heart from this chance though and caused some problems by taking quick corners, free kicks and throw ins. One such chance created required a fine double save from Petershill goalie, Scott Black.

It is worth noting that the rain had steadily grown heavier and was now pelting down. However this wasn't enough to stop a stocky, bald guy who appeared in front of the stand walking a wee scotty dog. He strolled on past oblivious to the game before turning at the far end and wandering back. I don't know who he was, where he appeared from or if the dog had paid to get in but it quite surreal.

The Petershill attack continued to cause problems though with Paul McLaughlin denied by Paul McCann in the Blasties' goal with a smart save following a good pass and run by the Peasy No.9. Soon after this chance with five minutes to go before half-time, Petershill won a free kick on the right hand side, halfway in to the opposition half. Both centre halves went up for it and combined to put the home side 2-0 up. Ryan Jordan again rose well this time nodding the ball down for his defensive partner and Petershill FC Player of the Year 2010, Ross McCabe(No.5) to slam home from 7 yards out.

Half time: Petershill 2 - 0 Kilbirnie with Ryan Jordan standing out in the heart of the Peasy's defence.

At half time I went to get another coffee as the temperature had dropped even though the rain had stopped. The food stand was beside the dressing room entrance and as I stood in the queue the Petershill No.3 came out and sat down against the wall complaining that he was about to faint. I wondered if he'd be out for the second half but he did and was in fact on the pitch about 10 minutes before the rest of his team who also kept Kilbirnie waiting for five minutes for kick off.

This strange event was followed up immediately by the guy in front of me in the queue getting extra sausage rolls for nought because the cook had too many! How I wished I hadn't had the pie earlier when he walked away with a box full of savoury treats.

With the change in seasons - the sun was now coming out - came a change in Kilbirnie's line up and attitude. Kinney and Montgomery (No.12 & 14) were on for Boyd and Eeles (No. 11 & 7) in the hope of giving the visitors a new attacking lease of life. The effect wasn't immediate though with Petershill carrying on where they left off in the first half. McArdle was especially creative and causing problems with some fine dribbling and movement although he did take a clattering for his troubles from Ladeside's McKeever (No.2) who seemed to start his tackle five yards away from the man and ball missing the latter altogether but connecting with the former with a bang that the shoppers in the nearby Tesco Superstore probably heard.

Somewhat against the run of play Kilbirnie striker James Marks scored with header following a cross from the right to give a bit of hope back to Ladeside after 61 minutes. After the goal was scored the away fans greeted the goal with a chant which started deep, rising steadily in noise and pitch before breaking into a song. It sounded great reverberating off the roof of the stand and seemed to give a lift of spirits to their team. All of a sudden Petershill's solid defense looked uneasy and breachable.

And seven minutes later the song started up again as Kilbirnie equalised. This time a horrible back pass from Peasy substitute Kieran McAleenan gifted the ball to the Ladeside striker in the penalty box. With goalie Scott Black out of position the ball found its way back to No.12 Kinney who put it away and set the fans off singing again. It was another soft goal for the Peasy to concede.

The rest of the game and especially the last ten minutes had chances for both teams but the best all fell to Petershill who couldn't find that third goal. On 78 minutes the increasingly impressive Ladeside centre half Peter McMahon (No.5) managed to clear off the line to deny sub McGladrigan a goal which was followed up by another goal line clearance after a free kick from the left hand side this time it was fellow sub Scott Anson (No.17) who was denied. With two minutes to go it was Kilbirnie's chance to grab all three valuable points but Jordan did brilliantly to block a shot on the 6-yard line. The ball broke and Petershill countered down the right hand side. A mix up between goalie and McMahon saw the ball break out to McArdle only 25 yards out with the keeper off his line but his delayed chip drifted wide of the left hand post.

Time was running out and all that was left was for Petershill substitute right back, David Barr (No.12) to clear a long ball away with a facer instead of using his head as is traditional then get booked for a perfectly good tackle.

Full time: 2-2

In the end Petershill paid the price for poor finishing and switching off for the two goals. Kilbirnie Ladeside showed a lack of fight in the first half but their half-time team talk must have worked as they were a different side in the second. Their fans made a lot of noise after the goals - the most vocal support that I've witnessed so far in my task. Both the Blasties' goals came down the left hand side so I wonder if the problems the Peasy left back was suffering from at half time had an affect on his game.

On the way out I nipped into the gents before the journey home. Suddenly I heard a rabble of aggressive shouting - with every second word being selected from a gangsta rap lyrics sheet. I thought it was all kicking off outside but then realised the gents backed onto the dressing room and the home side were getting a hair-drier treatment that Sir Alex Ferguson would be proud of.

The draw wasn't enough for Ladeside who really needed a win in this one but it remains to be seen if it will be enough for Petershill.

PS Congratulations to Auchinleck Talbot and Musselburgh who both made it through to the final of the Scottish Cup Final which will be played at Rugby Park in Kilmarnock on 29th May 2011.

Bo'ness Utd 1 Talbot 3 (23rd April 2011)

Match report contributed by murray from the Auchinleck Talbot Forum

It was a case of singing in the rain for the Bot support, as Talbot breezed through this 2nd leg at a soaked Newton Park, to book a place in the Junior cup final.

Leading 2 nil from last week Talbot took the game to Bo’ness right from kick off and the tie was as good as done and dusted as early as the 2nd minute.

Spence found himself in space out on the left and played the perfectly weighted pass into the centre for JAMES LATTA, who had the freedom of the box to sweep it home from close range and put Talbot 3 goals ahead on aggregate.

Bo’ness now had nothing to lose, and piled forward but without making any impact.

In the 11th minute McFadyen won what looked like a very cheap free kick in a dangerous area when he crumpled under Slavin’s challenge, but justice was done when Collins rose highest in the area to head clear Fleming’s free kick to the back post.

Talbot now immediately switched onto the counter and a ball down the centre saw a three way race between McCann and Duffin and Longmuir of Bo’ness. The keeper was never getting there, but luckily for Longmuir, Duffin’s header went past his own post with the keeper stranded, to narrowly avoid the own goal.

When the corner came over, Slavin met it beyond the back post and nodded it into the goal mouth but the defence managed to scramble it away.

It was then the turn of the hosts to threaten from a corner kick out on the right. The corner was met by McQueen who headed it back across goal but Latta was on hand to make the clearance.

With 19 minutes gone Bo’ness conceded a corner when a cross from the left was met at the back post by Slavin and his knock down was slashed behind his own goal by McQueen. When the corner came over it fell for GAVIN COLLINS and he buried his left foot shot into the top corner of the net to end the game as a contest.

With the home side’s heads down and Talbot buoyant it could have been three nil a few minutes later, and if it had went in it would have been a contender for goal of the season

A superb passing move saw Spence pick out Slavin who in turn fed the ball to Gillies. Davie knocked it into the path of Latta as he raced into the area and he squared it across for McCann who did everything right with his drive for goal, only to be denied by a top notch stop from Longmuir who touched it onto the bar and over, with Talbot unable to make anything of the corner.

Frustration now began to creep into the Bo’ness ranks and McFadyen picked up the 1st yellow card of the afternoon on 26 mins for a needless late challenge on McGoldrick as he went to clear the ball.

Talbot then had another chance to extend their lead from a set piece when they won a corner out on the left. It was taken short to Spence and Colin looped a cross over and onto the head of Latta who headed it just over the bar.

White then made a good burst from the midfield but chose to go for goal from distance rather than spread it left to Gillies who was in space, and never properly caught hold of the shot, which went tamely past Longmuir’s right post.

Chances had been few and far between for Bo’ness and when they did go for goal it was posing no threat, as was the case on the half hour mark when Fleming went for goal wide out on the left but his ambitious effort flew yards over Leishman’s bar.

Bo’ness had a better chance to pull one back on 35 minutes but again failed to work Leishman. Walker swung a cross over from the right and McLaren met it in the centre but despite having a free header, he failed to capitalise and got no power behind his header and Leishman made a comfortable save.

Donnelly then tried to break free down the left for Bo’ness but his final touch was too heavy and Leishman came off his line to claim the ball.

Bo’ness were pressing hard but getting no change out of Talbot’s back four who stood firm and dealt comfortably with everything thrown at them.

One minute from the half time whistle Bo’ness had another promising break when Shirra made a run down the left before releasing McFadyen. The Bo’ness striker made for the bye line and cut it back but McVey covered across and made the clearance, and so the sides went in at the interval with Talbot having a commanding aggregate lead.

Bo’ness started the 2nd half on the offensive but again without really looking like they had it in them to muster the goals necessary to make a game of it.

McQueen fired a wild shot well off target just after the interval and then Duffin got on the end of a corner kick but his header was always going wide of goal.

Fleming became the 2nd Bo’ness player to pick up a caution when he was booked after 54 mins for up ending White who was breaking into the Bo’ness half.

Slavin played the ball down the line and when Hunter lost his footing, Gillies nipped in behind but was unable to keep his shot down and fired over the bar from a tight angle.

Moments later and Talbot had the Bo’ness defence at full stretch again. A ball over from the right was met inside the area by Latta who cheekily back-heeled it in the direction of Gillies, only for a defender to get across in the nick of time to make the clearance.

Spence then slipped a great ball through for McCann on the right of the area and his shot from an acute angle seemed to come off the keeper but the officials said otherwise and gave the goal kick to Bo’ness.

With time running away from them Bo’ness now made a double switch with Hay coming on in place of Fraser and Plenderleith replacing McFadyen up front.

On 58 mins McLaren played a good ball down the left channel but McGoldrick had read the situation and got back to cover and touch it behind for a corner, and Talbot were able to cope easily with the resultant corner.

With almost an hour gone Plenderleith should have gone into the ref’s notebook but had a lucky escape when he was only spoken to for a late challenge on White.

Talbot then came close to grabbing another goal when Gillies whipped a great ball across the face of goal from the left, only for Duffin to make a crucial clearance.

With 64 mins gone Gillies had a half chance to make it three, when he got onto the end of Spence’s ball but he got underneath it and volleyed the ball over the bar.

It was now all Talbot again and it looked as though another goal was imminent. It nearly came on 65 mins when Young whipped a dangerous cross over but Fleming managed to scramble the ball away from the goal mouth.

Leishman hadn’t been called upon too often but made a good save when required on 70 minutes. Walker found a bit of space out on the right and fired a shot across for the far post but Leishman got down well to turn it round the post and as Talbot had done all afternoon the defence dealt confidently with the corner into the box.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot made their 1st change with Boyle making his return from injury and coming on in place of McCann.

Hay then joined his fellow sub Plenderleith in the ref’s book and again it was for a late tackle on White who had been on the receiving end of a few such challenges.

Boyle made an immediate impact when he was involved in the build up to Talbot’s 3rd goal in the 76th minute.

He laid the ball off into the path of DAVIE GILLIES and he drilled a shot, low into the corner of the net at Longmuir’s right hand post.

With a place in the final booked, Talbot now made their final two changes with White & Spence coming on after a hard shift in the middle, to be replaced by Connolly and Davidson.

Bo’ness then picked up a couple of yellow cards in quick succession when Donnelly had his name taken for a late challenge on Latta, only to be joined a few minutes later by McQueen for a foul on Young.

Talbot were continuing to press and Latta nearly made it through on goal from Davidson’s pass but a defender got across to make a last gasp clearance and then Davidson met a corner and played a good ball back across but it was well cleared by the defence.

With 4 mins to go Bo’ness grabbed a consolation effort, following a mistake by Leishman.

A ball into the area was headed on by McQueen but there seemed no danger as Leishman looked favourite to gather, however the Bot keeper hesitated and PLENDERLEITH was able to stretch out a leg and divert the ball home.

In the closing stages Fleming also picked up a yellow card to become the 5th Bo’ness player to be booked.

The final whistle was met by loud celebrations from the Bot players and fans who now have a cup final date at Rugby Park to look forward to at the end of May.

Talbot – Leishman, Slavin, McVey, McGoldrick, Collins, Spence, Young, White, Gillies, McCann, Latta

Subs – Connolly, Smith, O’Neill, Mallan, Davidson, Robb, Boyle

Bo’ness – Longmuir, McQueen, Fleming, Duffin, Hunter, Fraser, Donnelly, Shirra, McFadyen, McLaren, Walker

Subs – Ballantine, Cooper, Forrest, Hay, Plenderleith, Ure & Baillie (gk)

Match report contributed by murray from the Auchinleck Talbot Forum

Talbot 2 Bo'ness United 0 (H-T 1-0)

Match report contributed by murray from the Auchinleck Talbot Forum

It is advantage Talbot after the 1st leg of the Scottish semi-final, as the Bot emerged with a two goal lead to take through to Newton Park next Saturday.

Talbot got off to a good start, winning a corner kick on the right within the first few seconds, when McCann headed the ball into the path of Gillies and Duffin had to race across to put it behind. Unfortunately Young didn’t get his delivery right and the corner was easily swept away from the near post.

Bo’ness won their own first corner with 5 minutes played, Shirra winning the corner off McVey out on the right. When the corner came over to the back post, Leishman came off his line to punch the ball to safety.

Talbot then broke down the field through Gillies who raced clear down the left wing but lacked any support in the centre and when he cut it back into the area, the defence were there to clear their lines.

In the 9th minute a good pass by Fraser picked out McLaren on the left touchline but Collins got across quickly to make the challenge and put it out for a shy.

Bo’ness worked the ball back to Donnelly and his cross into the centre was met by McLaren but he got underneath it and put his header a yard or two over the bar.

Latta then sent a good ball through the right channel for McCann who went for the early snap shot which was comfortably saved by Longmuir.

The visitors had a chance to take the lead on 14 mins when Gillies gave away possession just inside his own half. Bo’ness quickly fed the ball through the centre to McLaren but Leishman had read the danger and came swiftly off his line to make the block.

McLaren was involved again a minute or two later when he popped up on the left but his attempted cross into the near post was partially blocked by White and spun harmlessly into the arms of Leishman.

Spence then tried his luck from distance when he had a go from around 20 yards. He got decent power behind his effort but it was straight at Longmuir who made a routine save.

The tide turned Talbot’s way on 20 mins when Bo’ness found themselves a man down. Latta threaded a ball through for Gillies and as he began to break clear of Forrest on the edge of the area, the Bo’ness centre half had a tug at his shirt and Gillies went down. The referee awarded Talbot a free kick right on the edge of the area and showed Forrest a straight red for a last man foul and denying a goal scoring opportunity.

The free kick was just left of centre and once the dust had settled over the red card, Spence stepped up to hit it and was very unlucky to see his low swerving effort, curl just the wrong side of Longmuir’s left post with the keeper beaten.

With 26 minutes gone Talbot did take the lead with the Bo’ness defence posted missing. A huge clearance by Leishman wasn’t cut out by either central defender and YOUNG beat Ballantine to the ball before coolly steering it with the outside of his foot, past the keeper and into the corner of the net.

Bo’ness were wobbling at this stage and a few minutes after taking the lead, Gillies looked set to burst through on goal only to be denied by a last gasp challenge from McQueen.

On the half hour mark Latta swung a cross over for Gillies at the back post but it was just fractionally behind him and he had to lean back to get his head on it and subsequently couldn’t generate enough power behind the header. His header went into the goal mouth where McCann met it with his back to goal but he was crowded out and the defence cleared it to safety.

A quickly taken shy by Latta then opened up the visitor’s defence as he found the run of Slavin into the area and Talbot’s skipper came close to doubling the lead, but his shot was brilliantly turned around his left hand post by Longmuir.

It was all Talbot at this stage and the Bot again came close to scoring on 34 minutes. The move started when Latta passed it through for Spence who would have been through on goal but for a well-timed tackle by Ballantine. The loose ball was picked up by Slavin on the right of the area and he dinked it over to McCann at the far post. McCann took a touch and then drilled his shot from 6 yards against the base of Longmuir’s right hand post, in what was a real let off for Bo’ness.

It had been one way traffic following the red card but Bo’ness showed they were still very much in the tie when they won a free kick in a dangerous area, following White’s foul on McLaren. Shirra took it and whipped it over to the back post for Ballantine who got his head to it but couldn’t beat Leishman.

Talbot then had their own chance from a set piece in a good area when Duffin fouled Gillies out on the right. However, Talbot didn’t make the most of it, Spence squaring it across for McVey to have a shot but his effort was always rising and went over the bar.

Fraser became the 1st player to be cautioned after 42 mins when he was penalised for taking Latta out of the game.

With a minute remaining of the 1st half Talbot again threatened to extend their lead. Young and McVey combined well down the wing before Liam flashed a dangerous ball right across the face of goal which had to be scrambled clear from the goal mouth.

Then deep in 1st half injury time Bo’ness had a chance to snatch an equaliser. A high ball was swung into the box and Leishman came to claim it but was beaten to it in the air by McLaren. The ball went up into the sky and fell for Walker who seeing the keeper off his line went for the 1st time volley but it was too near Leishman who plucked it out the air, in what was the last action of the 1st half.

Talbot made a dream start to the 2nd half when they scored within a minute of the re-start.

Spence drilled a shot at goal which Longmuir could only block straight back out and GILLIES was in the right spot to tuck the rebound away to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.

Bo’ness went looking for an early response and nearly found it when Donnelly raced down the left and swung over a dangerous cross which forced Leishman to tip the ball over his own bar. Bo’ness fired the corner over to the near post but Slavin was there to make the clearing header.

In the 50th minute Walker became the second Bo’ness player to see yellow when he was cautioned for a late challenge on Young.

Talbot had a half chance on 55 minutes when a ball into the heart of the Bo’ness box wasn’t dealt with at all by the central defence but despite there being a few Bot players in attendance, the ball just wouldn’t break kindly and eventually found its way through to Longmuir.

Bo’ness were awarded a fairly soft free kick out on the left after 59 mins and with plenty of height in their ranks, they opted to throw it into the area but Leishman was equal to the challenge and came off his line to punch the ball to safety.

Colin Spence then had his name taken for what seemed a very innocuous challenge but the ref then signalled that it was for persistent fouling.

Talbot’s next effort came in the 64th minute. A shy out on the right was thrown infield for McCann who steered it out to Young on the left of the area. Butch hit it early and Longmuir had to turn his shot behind at the expense of a corner, which Talbot could make nothing of.

Bo’ness now made their 1st change of the afternoon when McLaren left the field to be replaced by Plenderleith.

With 70 mins gone Bo’ness won a corner out on the right when McVey’s clearance was charged down and spun back off him and behind. The corner was lifted into the centre but Leishman came out and took the ball cleanly.

Talbot were soon back on the attack and McGoldrick’s ball down the left channel saw Gillies racing free until he was up ended by Ballantine’s clumsy challenge. The free kick was taken short to Young who whipped a good cross into the centre which the defence managed to scramble away.

However, the danger wasn’t over and with Bo’ness unable to clear their lines, the ball fell to Gillies inside the box and his powerful drive on target was blocked away by Longmuir.

The action then switched ends with Walker making a break into the Talbot box but McGoldrick did well, staying on his feet and shepherding him out wide and when he finally played it across, Leishman gathered it in.

Talbot had a golden chance to make it 3-0 and effectively kill the tie off on 78 minutes.

The ball was swept into the box and although Spence couldn’t get on the end of it, it fell for Gillies 8 yards out and he had time to take a touch and steady himself before drilling a low shot for goal. Longmuir did well to make the block but it was a chance missed.

Bo’ness again couldn’t clear the loose ball and it found its way to Gillies for a 2nd crack at it; this time his shot produced a top quality save from Longmuir who dived to his right to turn it round the post for a corner.

White then became the 2nd Bot player to pick up a caution when he had his name taken for a body check on Donnelly.

Bo’ness now made their 2nd switch of the match with Hay coming on in place of Fraser.

With 8 minutes remaining a slack pass from Gillies surrendered possession to Walker and he fired a dangerous cross over from the right for Shirra beyond the far post, but the Bo’ness man was stretching to reach it and could only prod it wide of target.

Talbot made a double switch in the 84th minute with Gillies and Spence coming off to be replaced by Mallan and O’Neil.

As the game moved into the closing stages Talbot started to look a little nervy and for the 1st time since going behind, Bo’ness began to exert some concerted pressure.

Latta picked up a caution in the 89th minute for a late challenge. Bo’ness looped the free kick into the box but Leishman came and made a comfortable catch.

Deep into injury time Leishman was called into action when Donnelly cut in from the left and went for the near post, forcing Leishman to turn it round his right hand post. When the corner came over Talbot headed it clear but only as far as Shirra out on the left and he whipped the ball across to the unmarked Duffin at the corner of the 6 yard area who volleyed it back across goal and just past Leishman’s right hand post.

This proved to be the last action of the match with the ref blowing for full-time.

Talbot now go up to Newton park next Saturday protecting a two goal lead which puts the Bot firmly in the driving seat but still with work to do, in what is sure to be a tense afternoon through at Bo’ness.

Talbot – Leishman, Latta, McVey, McGoldrick, Collins, Spence, Young, White, Gillies, McCann, Slavin

Subs – Robb, Connolly, O’Neil, Mallan, Smith & Davidson

Bo’ness – Longmuir, McQueen, Hunter, Duffin, Forrest, Fraser, Donnelly, Shirra, McLaren, Walker, Ballantine

Subs – Fleming, Hay, McFadyen, Plenderleith, Snowdon, Ure & Baillie (gk)

Match report contributed by murray from the Auchinleck Talbot Forum

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