SJFA EAST REGION PREMIER DIVISION, ARMADALE THISTLE 4-1 THORNTON HIBS, ATTENDANCE: 175 (h/c)
Today's choice of game was another trip north of the border for the winner takes all relegation clash at the stupendous Volunteer Park.
The home of Armadale Thistle is another ex-Scottish League ground as Armadale FC played in the league from 1921 until 1933, when they were expelled from the league due to financial problems.
Volunteer Park has hosted football since the late 19th century, when C Company of the Royal Scots Volunteer Battalion moved to Armadale and began training on a field on North Street. Armadale Stars asked permission to use the site as a football pitch, and were allowed to do so on the condition that they joined the Volunteers. The club was renamed Armadale Volunteers and Volunteer field subsequently became Volunteer Park. In 1889 Armadale FC took over the ground and played there until their disbandment in 1894.
In 1910 a new Armadale FC were formed, taking over at Volunteer Park. This was the club that were admitted to the Scottish League Division Two. Their first game on 20th August 1921 (a 3-0 win against St Bernard's) attracted a crowd of around 4,000, a club record for a league game. The last league game in November 1933 (a 2-0 defeat to Alloa) attracted a crowd of just 300. The club eventually folded in 1935.
Armadale Thistle then arose from ashes in 1936 and have been playing in Junior football ever since. The club currently play in the East Region Premier League. Former England international Joe Baker started his career at Armadale Thistle before moving on to Hibernian, Torino and Arsenal, amongst others.
Volunteer Park is another fine example of the type of ground you only seem to see in Scottish Junior Football and is one of the reasons it is worth the lengthy journeys north. There is a covered enclosure, well almost if you allow for the dilapidated roof, and there is crumbling terraces on three sides of the ground. The ground oozes history but it's sad to say if this ground was south of the border the health and safety brigade would probably condemn the place.
Today's clash was a huge winner-takes-all game at the bottom of the East Premier League with both teams needing the three points to ensure survival. The Armadale Ultras were out in force and they literally banged the drum througout the game.
The game turned out to be a bit of damp squib as Armadale ran out comfortable, and deserved, winners. Thornton Hibs offered no resistance as the toll of three games in a week finally caught up with them.
Darren Downie put The Dale 1-0 up inside the opening 10 minutes and were the dominate side in the first half. Gary Brown and another effort from Downie put Armadale 3-0 up early in the second half before Daniel McNab pulled a goal back for Hibs and, given their exploits last week in coming from 4-1 down to grab a point at Bathgate, maybe a repeat could've been on the cards.
However it wasn't to be and a second yellow card for Hibs' Mcnab made it mission impossible and another Armadale goal from Dave Taylor wrapped up the victory, ensuring another season of Premier League football for Armadale, whilst confirming Hibs' relegation back to the North Division.
If you have not visited Volunteer Park to watch a game of fitba then I urge you to make a trip here a priority, you will not be disappointed!
With it being Scottish Final Saturday, many clubs/players wanted to see Rangers take on Hibernian at Hampden Park, so a fair few fixtures were moved, mostly to Friday night, but some to an earlier kick off time. This therefore presented the opportunity of a Scottish double header which, under normal circumstances, is a very rare thing...
12pm, SJFA West Central Division One
Robertson Park
Rossvale Juniors 1-1 Thorniewood United
Attendance: 68 (h/c)
Rossvale groundshare with Petershill but the 3G pitch at Petershill Park was booked for a youth cup final this morning so, when both teams wanted an early kick off in order to watch the festivities at Hampden Park, they mutually agreed to switch the game to Thorniewood's Robertson Park. The away team playing at home? This would make some groundhoppers splutter all over their notebooks!
There was nothing riding on today’s game, so it ended up being typical end of season fayre. Having said that, the opening exchanges were quite bright with both teams creating good chances. Rossvale took the lead after 20 minutes when a long punt from their goalkeeper was missed by everyone apart from Erald Krasniqi who latched onto the clearance to slot home. Thorniewood were level 3 minutes later when a fantastic defence splitting pass was collected by Chris Lennon who calmly passed the ball into the corner of the net.
The second half was a non-event, not helped by Thorniewood playing most of the half with 10 men after using all of their substitutes. They actually finished with 9 men when another player was stretchered off in stoppage time.
Robertson Park is hidden away behind the houses on Old Edinburgh Road and is fully enclosed. There is a terrace behind one goal and a stand on one side. We received a warm welcome from Thorniewood’s secretary and president, who came over for a chat, and we were all invited into the boardroom portacabin for a drink and nibbles at half time.
From Viewpark it was a 20 miles trip along the M8 to....
2.30pm, SJFA East Premier Division
Creamery Park
Bathgate Thistle 4-4 Thornton Hibs
Attendance: 91 (h/c)
We arrived at the ground about 10 minutes before kick off, allowing time to partake in a fabulous Scotch Pie (they were so good I had to try another at half time). Formed in 1937, Bathgate Thistle became a community club in 2013 when the town's youth and amateur sides all united under the Thistle name.
The ground is another fine example of a junior ground. The modern covered enclosure was opened in 2013 after the original structure was damaged beyond repair in winter storms in 2011. The rest of the ground is grass banked and made for ideal viewing in the afternoon sunshine, before a sudden rain shower sent many, including me, running for cover!
Former Dr Who David Tennant was born in Bathgate, but the timelord himself may struggle to understand how Thistle managed to grab a draw from from the jaws of victory. They were in complete control as they found themselves leading 4-1 midway through the second half, courtesy of goals from Stephen Easton (11) Jaconelli (34 & 50) and Hassan Nyang (68).
Thornton Hibs missed a penalty, when Chris Ireland's effort was saved, which would have made it 1-1 but a second half hat-trick from Jack Wilson, with a goal from Ireland sandwiched between, grabbed an unlikely point for Hibs. The draw keeps alive Hibs' bid to avoid an immediate return to the East Region North Division.
Volunteer Park is another fine example of the type of ground you only seem to see in Scottish Junior Football and is one of the reasons it is worth the lengthy journeys north. There is a covered enclosure, well almost if you allow for the dilapidated roof, and there is crumbling terraces on three sides of the ground. The ground oozes history but it's sad to say if this ground was south of the border the health and safety brigade would probably condemn the place.
Today's clash was a huge winner-takes-all game at the bottom of the East Premier League with both teams needing the three points to ensure survival. The Armadale Ultras were out in force and they literally banged the drum througout the game.
Darren Downie put The Dale 1-0 up inside the opening 10 minutes and were the dominate side in the first half. Gary Brown and another effort from Downie put Armadale 3-0 up early in the second half before Daniel McNab pulled a goal back for Hibs and, given their exploits last week in coming from 4-1 down to grab a point at Bathgate, maybe a repeat could've been on the cards.
