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!

FAULDHOUSE UNITED (Park View)

EAST OF SCOTLAND CUP SEMI-FINAL, FAULDHOUSE UNITED 0-1 DUNDONALD BLUEBELL, ATTENDANCE: 250 (est)

For my final domestic game of season 2015/16 it was once again another trip to Scotland. When I was offered a lift north of the border it seemed like a good idea at the time! Despite being a Bank Holiday south of the border, in Scotland in was a normal working day so the game at Fauldhouse United kicked of at 7.15pm.

Fauldhouse is a town situated just of the M8, roughly halfway between Glasgow and Edinburgh. The local club Fauldhouse United were hosting Dundonald Bluebell in the East of Scotland cup.

The East of Scotland Cup, for sponsorship purposes is currently known as the DJ Laing East of Scotland Cup, is open to all East Region clubs. The competition dates back to 1896 and is one the regions premier cup competitions, with the Junior Cup, obviously, being THE cup competition.

Fauldhouse United play in the East Region Superleague but have been struggling near the bottom of the table. They will not be relegated directly but after this game tonight they have two games left, which they have to win, to avoid the relegation play off.

Dundonlad Bluebell play in the East Region Premier league and last Saturday they travelled to Dundee Violet where a 5-0 victory clinched a top two Premier League finish and a first ever promotion to the East Super League, so you could say there is nothing between the teams. So it proved.

The first half was a tight affair with neither side giving anything, with chances few and far between. The game opened up in the second half with both sides spurning decent chances.

As the game wore on it seemed Fauldhouse were going to run out victors as they put Bluebell under intense pressure. However, the visitors from Cardenden rode the storm and the home sides profligacy proved costly when, in the 93rd minute, Calum Young popped up with a winner to set up a clash with Bo'ness United in the final.

Park View is a tidy ground, surrounded by trees on three side, with an enclosure "the coo shed" on one side of the ground. There is a seated stand, fashioned from a lorry trailer, parked behind one goal. It looked splendid bathed in the evening sunshine. Despite arriving home just after 1am, it was a great way to round off the season at 'home'.