New Tinto Park, Lowland Development Cup West, 11/2/22
Entrance – £5 Donation
Attendance – 43
Pie – Coffee, Lion Bar, Crisps £2
Pint – £3.50 Clubhouse Bar
Benburb Football Club
Founded – 1885
Nickname – The Bens, The Chookies
Honours – Scottish Junior Cup 1933/34 and 1935/36, West of Scotland Cup – 1940/41, 1941/42, 1982/83 and 2001/02
Random Fact – Benburb served up Wee Man’s first ever 0 v 0 when they drew with Deveronside in the Scottish Junior Cup in 2019. Incredibly they won 10 v 0 in the replay the following week.
A bonus ground for us, new to both. This due to our earlier visit to Hampden for the tour and the museum. Not plan A, nor B or even C but a great day none the less. After a shun by the good lady for the weekend I looked into Glentoran v Linfield a with that being incredibly expensive it was ruled out.(Fuck Loganair for the record). I gave Wee Man a couple of ideas for the weekend to think about at school on Wednesday. He chose a Thurso and Wick Academy double header. Sounded like a great choice. Then Wick took the kick off forward due to damaged flooflights. At this point D plan was initiated. This beginning with a great afternoon at Hampden doing the tour followed by the museum. A great way to spend our time. As we were in Glasgow and staying down this led us to New Tinto Park given it was a ten minute drive from the hotel.
Not the full team but worth the visit getting a new ground ticked off for the both of us. This was not the first time we have taken on this level as we had seen St Peters destroy Forth Wanderers earlier in the season and was quite impressed by the standard. Again we were treated to the goals and saw the net rustle six times with some very decent players on show. The ground is a typical new build. Designed for a purpose which it serves. However I did find the “bleacher” quirky. Why does it not have a roof. It really could have done with one tonight too. This is Scotland for gods sake. Not Spain. It would also give the place a better look. I was a fan of the wee clubhouse bar though. I like old photos and I like seeing an array of pennants. This place has both (to be noted The Bens have played Dyce a good few times). One thing is for sure though, I like it more than their neighbours ground……
The game was extremely one sided in the home sides favour and they were in the lead sharp after being gifted a penalty via a rash challenge. McDermott converted the kick, this to the delight of the wee band of Bens Ultras who even let off a flare in approval which in turn delighted Wee Man. Ashfield had their best chance of the half not long after when their 14 was through on goal bearing down but the Bens keeper stood up well to prevent the equaliser. A miss the Ashfield man will have been even more gutted about as a second Bens goal was added moments later when a free kick was spilled by the the Ashfield keeper leaving a tap in at the post for Airdrie. Two swiftly became three when a decent save from the Ashfield keeper, which possibly hit the post, but we were at the other end of the park so cannot be certain. But what we are certain of is McDermott absolutley lashed the ball home from the angle. Even if the keeper was on his feet, I am not sure he would have saved it. As this was a cup tie I was wary of extra time and did not want it as Wee Man would be shattered for part two of our plan D tomorrow. The third removed any doubt at all and a Bens win would be the only outcome. This after only half an hour. The three could really have been more too. In fact, should have.
HT 3 v 0
The misses kept coming and Airdrie had miss of the night when he struck past the post from a yard out. It was a hell of a miss but in all honesty , he was man of the match by a long way and I was informed by another punter it was his debut. Ashfield had more of the ball in the second half and looked a better team but their final ball always seemed to be the wrong option. They were then put down to ten men when their 16 was sent of for a second yellow offence which was more than deserved as it was an attempt at a professional foul. Interestingly the move carried on and the Bens scored but it was pulled back for the free kick and the red card. Incredibly, almost immediately the away side snatched one back when a misjudged free kick left a tap in to an empty net for the 15. This was just a consolation as Benburb who did seem to be going through the motions since the start of the half stepped up a gear and re-established themselves in the game and went on to score another two. The first from Ferguson who managed to squeeze a slow motion effort past the Ashfield keeper. The fifth Bens goal was arguably goal of the night when debutant Airdrie added to his one goal and two assists with a brilliant drilled effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box giving him a brace. A very comfortable win for the far better side. Some of the Benburb play was cracking throughout the ninety. This may have been a bonus game, but six goals cannot be sniffed at and the first half especially was an enjoyable watch. Sometimes the random plans pay off. Lets hope St Mirren v Kelty Hearts tomorrow adds to the good weekend so far. One thing is for sure. At least we wont get soaked like tonight in Paisley.
Me 221, Wee Man 92(need to start thinking of a special 100th as it will be here soon)
FITBAWBAG 