Kippen Sports Field, League/Telfer Cup, 23/06/23
Me 281, Wee Man 152
Kippen Football Club
Founded – 1910
Nickname – The Grapes
Honours – Cameron Cup – 1914, 1930, 1932, 1965 and 1984. Leslie League – 1930 and 1932. Garvie Cup – 1989, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2008 and 2010.
Random Fact – The clubs badge and nickname comes from the Kippen Vine. This was at one point the biggest grape vine in the world and it covered an area of 5,000 square feet
Some things happen for a reason, not everything but I do believe some things do. Tonight was one of those occasions. a trip to Kippen was not the first choice of games. Boat of Garten Ospreys in the Strathspey and Badenoch set up was to be the viewing for the night. Then their opponents Abernethy scratched the game. As I raked about for other games others were cancelled too, Deanston fell foul to a stag do. Aberfoyle Rob Roy dropped too but Kippen stood strong despite the incoming rain. Was another trip to the Forth and Endrick League within a week on the cards? After a wee chat with Kippen manager Paul Goodwin the plan was set in stone.
We left Meldrum in 22 degree heat with our sunglasses on, we arrived in FK8 in rain under dark skies but it wasnt to matter as the night was set to be a cracker. The first port of call was to get our tea. This was in The Cross Keys which is a pub that is right up my street. An old fashioned boozer in what must be a centuries old building given the door heights. A pint for £3.90 came as a pleasant surprise, especially to someone who lives in Aberdeenshire and works in Denmark. The food was excellent too. A good start to proceedings. Then it was to seek out the ground which is well hidden down Oakbank.
Given the traffic we faced at Perth and how busy the pub was were arrived later than expected and bang on kick off. As the whistle blew and the ground opened up into view it was clear this was a special wee place for a game. And a great way to end our 2022/23 season(this as we will attend our first pre-season friendly tomorrow). I was also impressed with the sizable crowd who made the effort on this dreich night between the Gargunnock and Fintry Hills
The game was not bad viewing. It opened with some decent chances for both teams. What was apparent early was Kippen looked dangerous going forward as they were brimming with pace with Rory Currie, Max McDougal and Gregor Goodwin. And the best chances of the opening stages fell to Currie who failed to hit the target on each occasion. Kippen had the ball in the net when Currie burst forward on a half park length run but he skewed his shot and strike partner McDougal tapped in but from an offside position. A correct call. Kippen then hit the post soon after when Currie cross found captain Gray who’s header was left by Buchlyvie keeper Harris Roberts who was either extremely confident or lucky and was let off when he saw the ball strike the post and go behind. Lucky he was not when he pulled off a tremendous stop from McDougal who unleashed a long ranger which was expertly tipped over.Although Kippen had danger men in attack and a handful of chances, Buchlyvie looked the better team unit and grew into the game and they took the lead when Callum Buchanan latched on to a long punted ball over the top from Louis Waters. He pulled out a decent stop from Kippen keeper Aldous then was the quickest off the mark to reach the rebound and stick it away from a few yards. Then the game went even more in an orange favour when it became two nil when Blaine Prentice broke down the wing cutting into the box striking across Aldous into the far bottom corner. Currie almost halved Buchlyvie’s lead in the dying seconds but his effort from 18 yards went just over Roberts bar.
HT 2 v 0
Enter the mass kids sidey on the pitch during the half. Something I enjoy seeing. This should happen everywhere if you ask me. It was during the break I got speaking to Fraser Scott the Forth and Endrick league secretary. A fine dude with a wealth of knowledge on the league and its history but also a guy who clearly loves the league too. A fine half spent in his company learning a bit on what we had watched over the last two Friday nights. On the pitch Kippen were still plucking away and were unlucky not to grab a goal back when Currie hit the post early doors. It was game on soon after when McDougal nipped in behind the Buchlyvie defence on to the ball at pace to slot past Roberts as the defenders like statues watched on . From here Buchlyvie did not look the team they were in the first half and Kippen were right back in it. However they reduced to 10 men Frenchman Loic Lize-Thiry was sent off for a second yellow. Although his first seemed soft, on another day his second could have been a straight red. But this didn’t seem to phase Kippen and Fraser and myself believed a draw was possible and deserved. This not what Wee Man (who was now coming out of shy mode around Fraser)wanted as he was currently correct with the score. Then in the last minute the home side were awarded a penalty. Largely uncontested on the pitch but the Buchlyvie manager was furious on the sideline. This leading to his dismissal. Currie stepped up to take the kick, but the man who thwarted him with an excellent save earlier in the match, Roberts, again proved his nemesis and stopped the kick. This leaving the points to go head the 5 miles to Buchlyvie. This sending the visitors top of the league.
After two visits it is clear the Forth and Endrick League is superb place to watch football. Whether it is speaking to League secretaries, managers, the ladies that sell the half time draw or ex Grade A refs everyone seems extremely friendly. Add to this picturesque venues and the views when travelling to these towns which would remain unvisited without the fitba. But the football is entertaining too. I think it is a guarantee we will be back down Stirling way sooner rather than later. Another great night down that neck of the woods and a great way to end season 2022/23 for Wee Man and I. Not even the fact we were soaked come full time could put a dampener on this season ender.
Entrance– Free
Attendance– 89 (Rough head count)
Pie – N/A
Pint -£3.90, Tennents, The Cross Keys
Score Prediction – Me 1 v 3, Wee Man 1 v 2
Season Score Prediction Totals – Me 2 v 5 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 