Scottish Groundhop 2021

After a delay of 18 months, for the obvious reasons, the Scottish groundhop originally scheduled for March 2020 finally took place over this weekend. I was lucky as four of the six grounds I needed to visit were all on the Saturday, meaning I could do a day trip rather than stop over. It was an early start to arrive in time for my first game of this extravaganza...

11:15am East of Scotland League, Conference A

King's Park 

Dalkeith Thistle 8-2 Tweedmouth Rangers

Att: 309

The visitors were actually winning at half time before a red card for an off-the-ball incident saw Tweedmouth down to 10 men. The collapse was unreal as they proceeded to conceded 7 goals, with Dalkeith hitting the woodwork on numerous occasions which could have made the scoreline even more embarrassing. The steak pie on sale at the ground was tremendous.

Goals:

Dalkeith Thistle: Ryan Weston (32, 61) Darren McTernon (50) Darren Leslie (58pen) Greig Callaghan (66) Own Goal (70) Danny McFadden (76) Jack Burrows (90)

Tweedmouth Rangers: Michael Robinson (6 & 35) plus red card (46)

2pm Lowland League 

New Dundas Park

Bonnyrigg Rose 2-1 Dalbeattie Star

Att: 517

Bonnyrigg looked the stronger outfit throughout but couldn't convert their chances. Dalbeattie looked short of ideas in the final third but could have nicked a point right at the death. I must give a special mention to the doner pies that were on sale. They were superb!

Goals:

Bonnyrigg Rose: Lewis Turner (17) Kerr Young (59)

Dalbeattie Star: Lewis Todd (46)

5pm East of Scotland League, Conference B

Newbattle Complex 

Easthouses Lily Miners Welfare 2-5 Glenrothes

Att: 208

A good game. Visitors much the better team in the opening exchanges but after racing into a two goal they were pegged back by the homesters. A late flurry of goals though ensured victory for Glenrothes, including a hat-trick from Graeme Walker. I completed my own hat-trick with a Chicken Balmoral pie which was an absolute winner!

Goals:

Easthouses Lily: Lewis Sives (60 & 63)

Glenrothes: Graeme Walker (7, 56 & 90) Reece Brown (79) Lea Schiavone (90)

7:45pm East of Scotland League

New Victoria Park

Newtongrange Star 2-2 Tranent Juniors

Att: 401

Bottom vs Top but Nitten thoroughly deserved their point after twice taking the lead. A tremendous encounter concluded a fabulous day of football. Great to catch up with people but my tight schedule meant it was all too brief. I was home just before 3am but it was well worth it. The next Scottish Hop is scheduled for March 2022. I cannae wait!

Goals:

Newtongrange Star: Chris Robertson (27 & 37)

Tranent Juniors: Sean Wringe (31) Craig Stevenson (62 pen)

The aforementioned doner
kebab pie. Delicious!