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!

Another Bank Holiday "Treble Header"

There were plenty of games a long way from home with a lot more riding on them but I simply couldn't be bothered facing up to the the Bank Holiday traffic on the motorways. However I did manage to find myself a treble about an hour from home. Start the engine... 

1100 Warrington & District League Guardian Cup Final @ Cantilever Park, Warrington 
Billinge 2-0 New Street 
Att: 120 (h/c)

The Guardian Cup is the flagship Cup Final of the Warrington and District League. The game was played at Cantilever Park, the home of Warrington Town. This was my first visit there in 12 years.

On a baking hot morning, Cheshire League Billinge were two up at the break thanks to goals from Ryan McCabe (28) and Steve Taylor (30) and they really should have been further in front. After the interval New Street, also from St Helens, applied the pressure but simply couldn't find a way through and gradually wilted in the heat. 

From Cantilever Park it was a straightforward 10 minute journey across town for... 

1400 Cheshire League Premier Div.
Tetley Walker Sports Ground
Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds 0 
Altrincham Reserves 4 
Att: 55 (h/c) 

The fantastically monikered Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds, who were founded in 2003 by a merger of Greenalls FC and Padgate St Oswalds FC, were hosting Altrincham Reserves at the Tetley Walker Sports Ground. It is a great set up with a covered stand on the halfway line. The ground was once home to Tetley Walker FC who were members of the NWCFL from 1994 until they folded in 2001. 

It was a comfortable victory for Altrincham, whose youngsters played some good football and scored some quality goals. Dylan Scanlan put Alty ahead (pictured right) before Joel Swift made it 2-0 with a tap in. Scott Smith then beat four GSPO defenders before slotting home the third goal and a late penalty from Darius Palma completed the scoring.

The final game of the day saw me head back down the M56 and across the border into Wales for...

1830 Welsh National League Div.1
The Gwyn 
Maesgwyn 2-5 New Brighton Villa 
Att: 32 (h/c)

Maesgwyn are in their second season at this level, having been founded in 2002. The ground is on Lilac Way, just down the road from Wrexham's Racecourse Ground, where you can see the floodlights in the distance. The Gwyn is a railed off pitch with no spectator facilities but on a balmy evening there was no need for any cover!

There was a minutes applause pre-match for Martin Ford, the Queens Park manager who died suddenly earlier in the day.

The match was a comfortable win for New Brighton, who in all honesty missed enough chances to at least double their score. The Gwyn goalkeeper was not a happy bunny as despite making several fine stops to keep the score down, he was certainly expressing his displeasure at the defence in front of him!

The New Brighton Villa goals came courtesy of Matty Williams (2), Jordan Dorrington, Ben Hughes and a Pete Morris free-kick rocket. Dan Roberts replied twice for the home side.