CAMBUSLANG RANGERS (Somervell Park)

WEST OF SCOTLAND CUP QUARTER FINAL, CAMBUSLANG RANGERS 3-4 HURLFORD UNITED, ATTENDANCE: 300 (est)

My final domestic game of the season saw me head north of the border once again, this time to the outskirts of Glasgow. Cambuslang Rangers were hosting Hurlford United in the quarter finals of the West of Scotland cup.



Founded in 1899, Cambuslang Rangers have played at Somervell Park since 1904. The ground is simply wonderful with a large stand and banks of old terracing. I have said it many times before that you struggle to get grounds like this south of the border, mainly due to the health and safety brigade, but I feel they are a link to football times gone by and should be cherished. Cambuslang's record attendance at Somervell Park is 13,500 and it is quite easy to imagine those supporters packed into this tight little ground.

The Lang's halcyon days were in the 1970's when the club reached the Scottish Junior Cup final four times in a row from 1971 to 1974, winning it on three occasions. There were also league titles and other cup victories but the club have never reached the heights of those seasons.

There has been some success this season though as the club have gained promotion to the West Super League Premier Division after finishing runners-up to Petershill.

This afternoon they were up against current Premier Division side Hurlford United, who came into this cup game looking for some silverware after losing the Junior Cup to Auchinleck Talbot 3-2 after leading 2-1 going into stoppage time.

It looked like Hurlford were going to give a repeat performance of sorts today when after taking a 3-1 lead in the second half, they were pegged back to 3-3 before finding a winner with 10 minutes remaining. Cambuslang gave their all but sadly for them they just fell short. Credit to both sides for producing a thoroughly enjoyable match. Hurlford will now meet old foes Auchinleck once again in the semi-final on Monday.

The goalscorers for Cambuslang were Craig Hastings, Callum McRobbie and Dale Simeon whilst Ross Robertson, Callum Watt, Jack Whittaker and Glen Mitchell netted for Hurlford United.

Another great afternoon in Scotland and, if you have not visited Somervell Park then it is definitely one to put on your bucket list.

KILWINNING RANGERS (Abbey Park)

SJFA WEST SUPERLEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION, KILWINNING RANGERS 0-0 HURLFORD UNITED, ATTENDANCE: 250 (est)

In what seems to rapidly becoming a tradition at this time of year, I headed North of the Border for my football fix. Destination this afternoon was Kilwinning in North Ayrshire. 

When the trip was originally mooted with three other football travellers, Killwinning were in with a shot of the title. However with a few untimely draws, the title appears to have slipped through their fingers unless other results go their way. Another reason for visiting is there are whispers that the club may be on the move (click here) due to proposals of the Scottish Junior joining the pyramid, meaning it is unlikely Abbey Park will meet the ground criteria in it's current form.

The ground, to be frank, resembles a building site at the moment with plenty of work going on. Whether this is any indication that the club plan to remain here, who knows? The old sleeper terraces have been removed and alongside the touchline there is a grass bank and flat standing whilst behind one of the goals there are new concrete steps. This complements the stand behind one goal and the main stand, which is essentially an overhang from a couple of portacabins. The ground certainly has character and is a lot more interesting than a 3G pitch in a cage.

The game was a hard fought affair, especially in the baking hot conditions, but in truth neither side created any real clear cut chances and it was no surprise in the end that it finished goalless. Unfortunately for the Buffs, title rivals Auchinleck lost to Pollok meaning a victory for The Buffs would have kept them in the hunt. However due to their inferior goal difference this draw has effectively ended their title dreams. 

The ruins of Kilwinning Abbey can be seen from the ground, hence the name
Abbey Park. The Abbey dates from around 1162 - 1168 and features prominently on the club badge.

I must give a special mention to the Buffs Steak and Sausage Pie,
which was excellent! Steady The Buffs!

POLLOK (League Champions Cup Final 2013 @ Newlandsfield Park)

POLLOK - LEAGUE CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL, HURLFORD UNITED 0-3 AUCHINLECK TALBOT, ATTENDANCE: 783

Season 2012/13 finally concluded with one last trip to Scotland. Glasgow was today's destination as Hurlford United took on Auchinleck Talbot in the League Champions Cup Final at Pollok.

As is usually the case for most of the cup finals in the West Region, Newlandsfield Park was the choice of venue for the final.

The ground is situated adjacent to Pollokshaws East train station and is more or less landlocked by flats and a supermarket.

The ground is yet another fine example of a Scottish Junior ground. Opened in 1928, Newlandsfield Park has a capacity of 4,000 and the large stand can hold up 1,500. The social club is outside the ground but I chose the 5 minute walk to the local Wetherspoon's for my pre-match beverage.

The format of the competition has changed where before it was the West Region's Cup Winners and League Champions, it is now just the Champions. Today pitted the Super League Premier Champions (Auchinleck) against the Super League First Division Champions, (Hurlford). Today was the first all Ayrshire final since clubs from Ayr were admitted into the competition in 2002.



Hurlford provide a guard of honour for
2013 Junior Cup Winners Auchinleck



Auchinleck came into the game fresh from winning Scottish Junior Football's top prize, the Junior Cup itself, after beating Linlithgow Rose 1-0 at Livingston last Sunday.

It would be a big ask for Hurlford United for to win today and so it proved as they were comprehensively outclassed by Auchinleck, who gave the impression of of team that did really have to go through the gears to win the match and trophy.

Two first half goals from Ray Montgomery (22 & 27) put the 'Bot in control. Any hopes Hurlford had of a comeback were dashed on 55 minutes John Craig was shown a straight red card for a studs-up challenge. An own goal 11 minutes from time sealed the win for the Beechwood Park men.

An enjoyable finale to season 2012/13, spent in very good company, even if the game was a little anti-climatic.

   



2013 Evening Times Cup Winners - Auchinleck Talbot



In a shock move I've claimed my seat back and returned to the fold at Goodison Park for Roberto Martinez's debut season, so this is going to curtail my groundhopping a little.

It's goodbye for now, Thanks for reading.

Chris :)