Monaltrie Park, Mid-Deeside League Cup 1/2 Final, 30/6/23
Me 283 , Wee Man 155
Ballater Football Club
Founded – 1946
Nickname – N/A
Honours – Mid-Deeside League – 1998, 2001 and 2002. Fraser Cup 1964, 1965 and 1994. Kynoch Cup – 1967, 1970, 2008, 2016 and 2018. Littlejohn Trophy – 1963 and 1978. Keith Memorial Shield – 1963, 1970, 1981, 1983, 1991 and 1997. Fair Play Cup – 1993.
Random Fact – Craig Mitchell the player manager is at least 3rd generation to play for the club. His brother and cousin also play.
With work coming ever closer the Welfare trail could be over for another year for Wee Man and I. But it has been an eventful summer with four new Welfare FAs visited and further NESFA and Morayshire visits thrown in. This while clocking up around 1200 miles over eight matches. Tonight’s dip into the Mid-Deeside League set up was a first for us at this incredibly picturesque venue. One we had visited prior but were greeted with the sound of heavy weights clanging, bagpipes and American tourists last time we were here. You see Ballater FC play at Monaltrie Park. The home of the famous Ballater Highland Games for over 130 years. And what a place. If this is us signing off the Welfare for another summer then what a place to do it.
But before the fitba I promised Wee Man we would go for tea somewhere. I planned on the Balmoral Bar as it was recommended but when we went in it was stowed out. This clearly happened for a reason as we opted for the cozy restaurant in the Balmoral Arms at the other side of the square. In here I had one of the greatest plates of food I have ever had the fortune of stuffing into my fizog. Venison pie with mash. Oocha beasties. Truly delightful. A fantastic start to the night.
With plenty of time to burn we were at Monaltrie where after taking in the special views there was a caged in mini pitch with goals. Perfect for pre-game entertainment and 100s of shots at each other. I was sweating buckets after as despite the grey skies it was close and greenhouse like.
Then came the real reason we were there, not magical pies or kick abouts. Welfare fitba in the sixth association to date. Probably the final association we will visit too as the Montrose and District is away to turn amateur, the Greenock is winter fitba and the Warriors Premier ,while is a great idea and should be commended is not really for me in terms of travelling and viewing. So the Mid-Deeside League was completion of the possible set and what a way to start. As stated we had been here previously for the Highland games and knew how picturesque it is. But as far a fitba viewing goes it really is special in my eyes. I have been to famous grounds like the San Siro and De Kuip. I have been to brilliant relics like Somerset Park and Cappielow. I have been to amazing non-league grounds such as Newlandsfield and Bellslea. Although all awesome venues, none of these places give you the views like Monaltrie. The hills, the trees , the countryside that make you remember you live in the worlds most beautiful country. Coupled with the fact that you are literally sitting where a glacier has made its mark and plowed through leaving some clear evidence of glacial troughs as far as you can see. All this while in Deeside summer heat ready to watch a battle of two “big rivals” (as I was told pre game). This may not be for everyone but these days it is right up my street, and clearly up another 82 punters streets too. A very decent crowd for this level.
The game saw the ball in the net early when Rovers man Jamie Coutts broke through and finished but he was immediately called offside by the referee. A tight but correct call. The ease in which the forward got through was to be the story of the night. The next chance was for the home side when Nathan Mackie got his connection wrong at the edge of the box but the effort still headed toward goal this seeming to surprise Rovers keeper Strachan who had to pull off an unorthodox last second save. This looking almost comical, but he kept it out none the less. Then at the other end Coutts had the ball in the net again. This time it counted despite being initially offside (fact as we were directly in line) but the striker wasn’t caring as he burst into the box. His effort wasn’t great but it trickled under Ballater keeper Bellis. Again though it seemed to easy getting through Ballater’s back line. Ballater were unlucky when Daniel Wimbush saw a header cleared off the line. This quickly followed by them having a goal chopped off for offside when Carrol lashed home. I cant say if it was off or not but there didn’t seem to be much complaining. The game was strange as it was not played in a nasty spirit but saw the tackles flying in at times and by the time the half came there was already a handful of bookings. But every foul was met with a handshake or a pat on the back. But as the foul count crept up so did the amount of times Charleston sliced Ballater open and heading towards the half time whistle it really should have been two-nil when Barry Taylor went on a mazy run beating numerous Ballater players. With the striker clean through, Bellis was fast off his line making himself big and saving very well. I still think the forward should have scored though.
HT 0 v 1
With the cage pitch the inevitable happened for the duration of the break but much to the disappointment of Junior the half time was not the full fifteen. You would think he would know by now. The second half saw Charleston become even more dominant and by far the better team. They missed a sitter very early on, either Nicoll or …..eh Nicoll was the culprit but my view was blocked by other players and these two were close together. Whoever it was, the goal was gaping. The second came and it was a fair old hit. Keigan Mathers picked the ball up on the left and cut in slightly then from distance had a pop. Bellis couldn’t get near it as it sailed in. I couldn’t see Ballater getting anything out of this from here. I thought getting one back would be a struggle let alone two. A drone made an appearance above the game for the remainder of the second half. If it has any footage I would love to see it. What a spot to be filming. Back on the ground Charleston made it 3 v 0 when Nicoll (Sam definitely) rose to head home a corner. That being the death nail in this semi final. But the action had not stopped there as next to me, a wee daftie kicked his ball off the bench we were sitting on, only for it to twat him in the face and burst his nose leaving a stream of crimson down his Dons top. However, as this was cleaned up , Ballater were extremely unlucky not to get what could have been a sensational consolation. This when Wimbush expertly chipped Strachan in the Rovers goal only to see the ball hit the bar and bounce out. Fine margins, but I am positive this would have went in if the bar wasn’t bowed in the middle. Not that it would have mattered as the men from Aboyne were were firmly in next weeks final.
If that is the Welfare done for us for another year than I am chuffed it came at Monaltrie Park. It really is a beautiful venue. I just checked if I am home for the Highland Games this year. I am not. Shite. However, there are a few possibilities elsewhere in the Welfare in 4 weeks time when I am back. I’ll raise my glass (of Port) to that and the Welfare game in general. 1200 miles and counting this year.
Entrance – Free
Attendance – 82
Pie – N/A
Pint – £5.50 Cairngorm Wildcat, Balmoral Arms
Score Prediction – Me 1 v 2, Wee Man 1 v 2
Season Score Prediction Totals – Me 0 v 0 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 