Kirkintilloch Community Sports Complex, West of Scotland League Cup, 2/11/24
Me 327, Wee Man 192
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy Football Club
Founded – 1878
Nicknames – The Rabs, The Roy
Honours – Scottish Junior Cup -1920/21, 1942/43 and 1961–62. West Of Scotland Cup – 1960/61 and 1962/63. Central League – 1961/62 and 1962/63. West Super League First Division – 2007/08. West Central Division One – 2006/07. Central Sectional League Cup- 1971/72, 1973/74 and 2016/17. Central Cup – 1923/24, 1927/28 and 1931/32. Glasgow Dryburgh Cup- 1923/24, 1927/28 and 1931/32. Jubilee Cup – 1977. Coronation Cup -1954/55, 1957/58 and 1960/61. Evening Times Trophy- 1961/62, 1962/63 and 1963/64
Random Fact – The first ever televised Scottish Junior Cup final was in 1977 when Rob Roy faced Kilbirnie Ladeside at Hampden . The latter triumphing 3 v 1
For the second time this season a plan B had to be used. After missing out on Glenafton Athletic in exchange for Kilbirnie Ladeside due to traffic hold ups a couple of months ago, once again in similar circumstances a change of ideas came into play. This time Larkhall Thistle bit the bullet for the Rabs due to hold ups at Dundee, Perth and again near Stirling. To be honest, it was a fine exchange. This because Rob Roy’s new home (finally as of this season) is a very tidy example of a new build. I am usually wary of the newer grounds in non-league fitba, Whether glorified cages or thrown up efforts, more often than not they fail to impress. However, this joint is an exception to the rule. I was impressed. The plan for the day was to get a game prior to watching Aberdeen at Hampden, which would be part of a double header of new grounds for Wee Man, this inclusive of my brother Gareth being in tow. One thing we all had in common was the fact none of the three of us had set foot in Kirkintilloch before. Not that we saw much of it as due to the traffic issues we had time for a swift pint in the Kirky Puffer (named after a boat). A fine enough juicer which was pretty well packed out at 13.15. Then it was on to the ground. As you walk in the gate(where you are warmly welcomed) you see it is better than the usual type of new build. With all the gubbins at the entrance side, changing rooms, pie stall, dug outs and the opposite wing home to the stand its a fine example of a modern non-league ground. In behind the stand there is a concrete plant and Wee Man immediately pointed out “that looks like the Locos”. For a few seconds I was unsure what he meant but after realising, he was right, it looked very much like the Breedon yard in the back Harlaw Park. On the pitch I was unsure what to expect. With two divisions between the clubs you would think it was maybe a given. But I saw Threave v Stranraer last week and they are clearly a good team. I also always find it hard to judge Threave Rovers as they don’t seem to have found their level yet after defecting from the South of Scotland League. To be honest though, I think the Rabs were better overall today. The game started in the home sides favour and they were guilty of spurning a decent chance when Calum Wilson whipped a free kick into the box but the header from Craig Kerr missed the target. Then in one of those twists that makes fitba magic Threave despite the pressure from the home side took the lead. Lewis Downie was played through with a superb through ball and he coolly rounded Main in the Rabs goal to slot home. 0 v 1 against the run of play. But Rovers were not finished there. Three minutes later the were two to the good, this when Coles crossed from the edge of the box to find Aiden Kerr who could not miss from a few yards out. It was quite incredible goings on and the teams went in at the break with arguably the better team going out as it stood.
HT 0 v 2
Half time saw me instructed to fire passes at Wee Man to try and “test my first touch” as he put it. Not much scope for a kick about here but what we did worked and he seemed happy. We shifted vantage points to the stand side wing as the teams came out, this to see the second half played in a similar fashion to the first half. Again the Rabs were better but in an even more apparent way. The ball was in the Threave half for long spells of the second 45. Early doors saw a solid double save from Rovers keeper Henderson, the first with his legs then more spectacularly the second keeping out a top corner bound effort from Shaun Kennedy. But what seemed like the inevitable came when full back Toby Ferrie crossed finding Jordan Pirrie who expertly smashed home a low volley across goal into the bottom corner. Game on. From here the Rabs pushed and pushed for the equaliser but despite multiple chances including a big opportunities like a Kerr header wide which surely should have hit the target and a Kennedy effort dragged wide which again had to at least test the keeper they just could not find it. The were in fact unlucky not to find themselves two goals behind again when Threave man Wilson struck the post with a header. Tempers started to flare up with at least three handbag skirmishes breaking out before the game finished. With only one goal in it and this being a cup tie there was a worry that we would potentially head to extra time, something we would have to miss to head to Hampden. But a quick download of the Cup rules and it became apparent that it was straight to pens. But it did not matter as Threave saw it through and knocked the team two divisions above out of the cup.
A very good plan B if ever there was one and it is great to see this famous old name of Scottish fitba in their own home again. Good luck to Rob Roy in their new hoos and good luck to Threave in the next round.
The ten miles to Hampden we headed, hindsight is a great thing but I really wish we headed Northbound. Ach well.
Entrance – Me £9, Wee Man Free
Attendance – 173 (Rough Head Count)
Pie – £9.50, Pie x 4 and Coffee
Pint – £2.41 Green Devil IPA, The Kirky Puffer
Score Predictions – Me 3 v 1, Wee Man 2 v 1, Gareth 3 v 0
Season Score Prediction Totals – Me 0 v 1 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 