Stauff Park, Association Trophy, 26/10/25
Me still 325, Wee Man still 191
Stoneywood Parkvale Amateur Football Club
Founded – 2016
Nickname – The Vale
Honours – None
Random Fact – This is the first club I have ever visited in their Junior and Amateur branches.
The first part of a rare chance to watch the only two teams who’s results matter on a Saturday. Started of poorly with Wee Man being late dropped off leading to the knock on effect of missing kick off. Things got worse when as we walked in the gate of Stauff Park the home side were just sticking the ball in the net to make it 1 v 0. I couldn’t even tell you who scored it as the player tapped it in at the far end from us, he was immediately piled by his team mates. This against the very noticeable wind that was hitting the area, to the extent the offshore choppers were doing the side on against the wind flying thing above us as the gusts were up. Keeping on the flight path theme, there was a surprising lack of ironbird flights above us. A BA and a TUI was all that took off during the game. The place used to be a plane spotters heaven too. Back on the pitch and the wind was causing havoc for the Vale team who were playing into it in the first half, this especially ballsing up goal kicks which would travel 40 yards forward and 30 yards back. Thistle were the better team and were getting forward but the end product was just not there for them especially in the first half hour with balls in the box being easy for the keeper or going out for goal kicks. They did have a brilliant chance when David Coutts beautifully lifted a ball over the Vale defence to Ross Fraser who crossed to Liam Kerr who put his effort wide. Yes there was a bit of pressure from a diving defender but the shot should surely have hit the target. A sitter you would have to say. Then incredibly the Vale went up the park and pulled off their own sitter. Logan Pritchard was the felon when from a few yards our with only Law to beat shanked his effort wide. As the half burned on Ellon equalised. This when Cammy Muir launched a throw in at Thomas Blakey who flicked behind to Callum Donald who headed home, the striker scoring moments after coming off the bench for the injured Michael Moffat. But controversially and mostly unnoticed , the lead up to the throw-in came from a missed offside. Not the first thing the referee would crucially miss and not too long after he failed to get his red card out for a challenge from Thistle’s Ryan Webster on the Vale full back after he flew in high and studs up leaving the defender flattened and the Vale bench apoplectic and rightfully so. A lucky escape for Thistle.
HT 1 v 1
A wee catch up with my Dad at half time and after the first half showing we were in agreement that Ellon would come good here, despite not being at their best in the first half. We were wrong. Thistle just did not seem at it second period and failed to get up the park in the manner they did in the first half. They were given a big let off when Malcolm broke down the left and crossed to the back post where Lewis Tait was sliding in but was a ball hair short of reaching what would have been a tap in. It was around this time that the referee was becoming centre stage in this game when he seemed hellbent on talking to anyone and everyone for anything and nothing. It turned into the referee show where once he started he couldnt stop. Fouls that were fair challenges were being punished. Stopping the game to make a show about speaking to managers and players for nothing including booking subs on the Vale bench. There was also his cards coming out quick sharp but on other occasions that were stick ons not at all. But his creme-de-la-creme was Stoneywood Parkvale’s winner. Malcolm was on his bike down the left again with Tait in the middle constantly ahead of the ball and the Thistle defence, the ball was played across and the striker struck home which of course you would do even knowing you were offside. Nobody thought it was a goal but the referee signalled to centre to the astonishment of New Polo Park. A shocker of a decision. He then followed this up by allowing Victor Otuba to stay on the park when he wiped out Callum Donald who would have been clean through, a goal scoring opportunity it was. A clear red card it was but the big defender stayed on(for the record I thought he had a very good game overall). The resulting free kick taken against a wall that was maybe eight yards away. This because after measuring the wall out the ref turned his back and it moved forward two steps, then after the infringement being pointed out he refused to correct it because he explained “you saw me walk the yards out”. Then to finish off this display of officiating he booked Thistle’s Donald for being tackled. I shit you not. Booked for being tackled. (But he was poor to both sides and its not just me being of a Thistle persuasion). Not the greatest game ever and I am sure both managers would agree their sides can play better on other days. Thistle still unbeaten in the league but now out of three cups. Deservedly so today? Not so much but you always run the risk when your standard drops this much.
Entrance – Free
Attendance -32
Pie – N/A
Pint – N/A
Score Predictions – Me 1 v 2 , Wee Man 1 v 3
Season Score Prediction Totals – Me 0 v 0 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 