Ian Cashmore Memorial Park, Lowland Development League Cup West Second Round, 28/10/22
Me 255, Wee Man 129
Kilwinning Rangers Football Club
Founded – 1899
Nickname – The Buffs
Selected Honours – Scottish Junior Cup – 1908/09 and 1998/99. West of Scotland Super League – 2003/04. Ayrshire District League – 2012/13. Ayrshire District League – 1998/99 and 1999/00 West of Scotland Cup -1993/94 and 1998/99. Ayrshire Cup – 1904/05, 1908/09, 1934/35, 1976/77, 1985/86, 1994/95, 1997/98, 1998/99, 1999/00, 2001/02 and 2017/18
Random Fact – The nickname The Buffs reportedly comes from the site of former ground Abbey Park being found within an area called “the Butts”. This was misspelled and The Buffs came to fruition. Although this is only a theory.
Ok not the big teams but still a big interest to me as I have been impressed with a couple of development teams in the past, namely Benburb and St Peters. With Wee Mans choice of Craigmark Burntonians v Kilbirnie Ladeside tomorrow, at the last minute I decided that heading down Friday was a good idea as we could make the most of our Saturday morning without wasting it travelling the guts of 4 hours. This giving us the chance for a bonus game. So why not check out two big names of the WOSFL and what their future stars look like since we are in the vicinity. This while ticking off a WOSFL ground in the process( this was played on the artificial park, home of 4th division Eglington and not the adjacent Buffs Park home of the big team). Not much to write home about in all honesty. A fenced in 3G pitch. But on the whole despite being dark the whole Kilwinning Rangers Training Centre looks to be a very tidy set up. Another reason to come back, to see it all in the light.
The game started in explosive fashion. Withing the first 15 there were 3 goals, chances and end to end proceedings. The first goal came the Buffs in 4 minutes through Lewis McGinn, when he let fly a twenty yarder which Talbot keeper McHugh could not get near. The lead lasted around eight minutes. Talbot number 8 Harrison bullied his way through the Kilwinning defence to thump home with venom. But again another goal was not far away this time though it was heavily aided with a calamity of errors. Initially the Talbot defence were caught flat footed then McHugh had a rush of blood and came well off his line leaving an empty goal for Max Conway to knock into from 18 yards or so. From here Kilwinning looked the better team, they looked hungrier and also seemed to get in behind the Talbot defence with too much ease. The home side were almost celebrating again after a juggling like fumble from McHugh which landed at a Buffs man who did everything right but a superb goal line clearance followed from Harrison. It wasn’t to go all well for Kilwinning and the lost defender Elliot O’Brien who seemed to get his studs caught in the turf and after spending 15 minutes down, he eventually hobbled away on crutches with bust ligaments(info from a KR coach). I see the benefit of these pitches but nothing should come ahead of the safety of players and I have lost count of the injuries I have seen on them. This coming from someone who innocuously dislocated his ankle on one, yes, and you would think I have a blinkered opinion. But they are fucking dangerous that is a fact.
HT 2 v 1
The second half was not as good as the first. Nobody in the ground could possibly say so. But it wasn’t devoid of action. Talbot’s captain Duffy hit a fizzing long ranger from around 25 yards which was tipped wide. But he went down injured. Strange as again it was very innocuous. To evaluate the teams. Kilwinning were better on the night. I dont think anyone can say otherwise. In my eyes they are a good unit rather than having any stand out players and when they get the ball down they are pretty good to watch. Auchinleck could look good at times but played far too many long balls for my liking. It was like they ran out of ideas. But they had stand out players. Full back Taylor was decent and rapid when at full pelt. Duffy looked good before his injury too. But over all the better team won. And that team finished off the game late on after Talbot keeper McHugh was sent packing for denying a goal scoring opportunity when he came careering out of his goal to wipe out the on rushing Buffs man. Within a minute they made the man advantage count when McAlpine struck into what was an effectively an empty net after the replacement keeper Halliday didn’t get back into to position quick enough after dealing with the initial break from Kilwinning.
Decent enough viewing and something to do to fill in time. Good to see the set up although it was in the dark. Also coincidentally, we got to see “the bleacher” at Buffs Park which the last time we saw was when visiting Benburb 20s in this exact trophy which was the last time we watched a game at the level the guts of a year ago. It has made a lucrative transfer south from Govan to Ayrshire since that soaking wet night at New Tinto Park.
As we made the short trip back from the Buffs complex, a return has already been made mandatory as Wee Man has said so. This obviously to visit the senior team at Buffs Park and I am sure it will happen at some point. However, first there is a wee matter of Dalmelington awaiting us tomorrow.
Entrance – Me £2, Wee Man £0
Attendance – 77 + 24 rogues
Pie – N/A
Pint – £3.95, Hobgoblin, The Red Squirrel
Score Prediction – Me 3 v 2, Wee Man 2 v 3
Season Score Prediction Total – Me 1 v 1 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 