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!

BEITH JUNIORS (Bellsdale Park)

SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL 1st LEG, BEITH 3-0 KILWINNING RANGERS, ATTENDANCE: 1,451

I received a text message in the week asking if I would be interested in a trip to watch the Scottish Junior Cup Semi-Final tie between Beith and Kilwinning. Well it would have been very silly to refuse such a kind offer!


The North Ayrshire towns are just 9 miles apart so the cup tie had massive local interest, and a large crowd was expected, as Beith attempted to reach the Scottish Cup Final for the first time ever and Kilwinning for the first time since they won the competition in 1999.

Beith Football Club were originally formed in 1875 and were members of the Scottish Football League from 1923 to 1926. When the club folded, Beith Juniors were formed in 1938 as a junior successor to the senior side.

Bellsdale Park has been home to football in Beith since 1920, and this was the ground used during the years in the Scottish Football League.

The ground currently has three separate covered stands alongside either side of the pitch, with hard standing behind both goals and also a grass bank behind the goal at the top of the slope. Yes, that is one thing you notice about Bellsdale Park as soon as you see the pitch, there is a very pronounced slope. I am not sure though if it is a steep as Chard Town's, but it certainly isn't far off! 

Beith found themselves in the national spotlight in 2010 when, as the West of Scotland Premier Division League Champions, they entered the Scottish Cup at the first round stage. After defeating Linlithgow Rose (2-0) and Glasgow University (8-1) they faced Second Division Airdrie United, at the Excelsior Stadium, in the third round and, with 10 minutes to go in the tie, they led 2-0 before being pegged back. Beith lost the replay 4-3 at Bellsdale Park.

Back to today's cup exploits, and it was a cagey first 45 minutes but Kilwinning had the best of what chances there were, Ben Lewis guilty of missing an absolute sitter, when it was probably easier to score.

Kilwinning also started the second half brightly but it was Beith who took the lead when the ball was played into box and, after a scramble, the loose ball fell to Andy Reid (52) who smacked it home.

The Buffs were given a chance for an immediate response when they were awarded a penalty kick just two minutes later, but a tame effort from Lewis was easily saved by Stephen Grindley.  A pivotal moment in the tie.

A well worked move led to Beith's second goal. After an an exchange of passes, the ball was back-heeled into the path of Darren Christie (73) who smashed it home at the near post. Buffs goalkeeper Adam Strain got hands to the ball, but the shot was powerful enough to squirm over the line and into the net.

A corner kick in the 80th minute was powerfully headed home by John Sheridan to make it 3-0 and give 'The Mighty' one foot in the Scottish Cup Final for the first time in their history. The second leg will take place at Abbey Park, Kilwinning, next weekend.

Highlights can be found by clicking here