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 :)

LESMAHAGOW JUNIORS (Craighead Park)

WEST OF SCOTLAND REGION CENTRAL DISTRICT DIVISION ONE , LESMAHAGOW JUNIORS 4-1 DUNIPACE JUNIORS, ATTENDANCE: 284



Nae Paper!

Another weekend, another trip North!

I was part of a travelling party of four Groundhoppers heading to Scotland. Before we set off we took a vote as to our destination, the options being either Larkhall Thistle or Lesmahagow Juniors. The vote on the latter was carried unanimously.

Both games were a straight shoot out for the runners-up spot, behind Greenock Juniors, and the promotion to the West Superleague First Division that went with it.

Lesmahagow held the upper hand in the sense that if they did the business then it would not matter what Larkhall did. If the 'Gow drew or lost then it was up to Thistle to take advantage.

After a "pit stop" in the Wetherspoons in Lanark, we made it to the ground in good time despite the postcode that was given on most channels being wrong (the ground is actually about a mile down the road).

Craighead Park is simply one of best grounds I have been to this season. From the main road you walk down into this glorious amphitheatre....

The covered stand was full of local youths adding to the atmosphere with a large flag and a loudspeaker, not unlike what you get in the Bundesliga.

Dunipace started the brightest and probably shaded the opening period. A Craig Reade penalty (pictured left) gave the visitors the lead after 28 minutes, which they held onto until the break.

News filtered through that Larkhall were winning, which meant as it stood it would be them who were promoted. That must have made Robert Irving's half time team talk pretty straight forward.

Whatever was said did the trick. John Logan (47) and Kris Jarvie (57) put the homesters in front and after that the result was never in doubt. Jarvie bagged his second with five minutes remaining to get the party started before a Colin Boylan penalty (87, pictured right) sparked wild celebrations.

There was a pitch invasion at the climax of the game as fans and players celebrated as one. Someone even let off a smoke bomb, which seem to be de rigueur at games these days.

Another top day in Scotland and I managed to maintain my reputation for "eating all the pies" as I bagged the last pie at Half Time!!!



The Lesmahagow players celebrate their promotion