Winton Park, WOSFL First Division, 21/2/25
Me 332, Wee Man 199
Ardrossan Winton Rovers Football Club
Founded – 1900
Nickname – The Winton
Selected Honours – West of Scotland Football League Second Division – 2023/24. Ayrshire District League – 2010/11 and 2014/15. North Ayrshire Cup – 2006/07, 2007/08 and 2008/09. West of Scotland Cup-1934/35. West of Scotland Consolation Cup – 1935/36. Western League – 1919/20 and 1933/34. Western League Division 2 – 1978/79, 1988/89 and 1997/98. Western League Cup -1935/36. Kilmarnock and District League – 1907/08. Irvine and District League -1909/10 and 1911/12
Random Fact – The club have been promoted in their last two seasons.
Wee Man is some kid. With 200 grounds in his sights he is determined to do this before I leave for offshore again, which is not far away. This meaning a game tonight was imperative for his quest. However, if I was given the choice, a 398 mile round trip was not really what I was up for as it would involve a direct drive from the school run and well, a lot of fucking driving. In a strange sign from my ipod, “The Passenger” by Iggy Pop came as if to remind me this was for the other person in the car and not for me. The said passenger needed this 199th journey to a new club to keep his current goal alive. With the only pyramid game somewhere we hadn’t been to being way down the country on the west coast, who was I to let him down. Early in the journey I clocked the Kilmarnock bus heading up the road for Aberdeen at about Auchenblae (of course the bird was flicked at it in the hope Derek McInnes saw it, and yes I am a child), I was wishing I was as close to Ayrshire as they were to Aberdeen but again I had to think about what the purpose was for this trek. Although not expected tonight. A trip to AWR has been on the cards for a while as an old workmate/fitba and cans partner/ice hockey companion from my days is Denmark, Mick is a season ticket holder there. I had told him I would be down at some point, so in truth it was a fine chance to catch up with him, which happened. To add to this I have seen pictures of Winton Park over the years and I have always fancied it given the old school vibe it has.
With a hold up free journey down we made it with 45 minutes to spare which was a huge surprise in truth. This gave us time for a look about the place and a pre-match refreshment. On the look about I noticed the old stand seemed to be damaged at one side(this side not used for spectators on the night) as were the fences across on the opposite side. This I was told was all storm damage after the last one to hit a few weeks ago. Once ready for the game Wee Man sent us to the terrace behind the goal for our match berth. A match i might add was historic as it was the first competitive game under the lights.
I wasnt too sure what to expect here. With both teams finding themselves in the second tier after not being in it last season for very differing reasons it was hard to call. So I went for a draw. The first half pointed towards this being a real possibility. It took only four minutes for us to see the net ripple. This coming after the Medda were handed an extremely soft free kick, which in my eyes was a terrible decision. In typical fashion,the free kick that was never a free kick was bent round the wall by Shaun Gallagher and past Winton keeper Smith who seemed to be unsighted, going down far too late to stop the set piece. The leagues top scorer Ryan Wilson should have leveled things a few minutes later when he was picked out mid box unmarked but he managed to send his header over the bar. A sitter. But he made amends on 25 minutes when he sent his next header across the goal and into the far corner. A fine header. The game was even and end to end with AWR with the better chances but the biggest chance fell to the visitors, Andrew Skinner who from six yards went for placement instead of laces through it which saw his effort strike the post. A bad miss for the debutant. A costly one too in the long run and it was all square at half time.
HT – 1 v 1
A soggy half time kick about on the grass made me realise how many wee neds were on the go at Winton Park. There just seemed to be an element of folk who werent there for the fitba kicking about. I struggle to see the point in this. Just dinna bother. Anyway, back on the pitch the second half was entirely different to the first as the home team were excellent and took the game right at the Medda who could not cope. Numerous chances were created with a couple only a fag paper width. One feom Wilson and one from Mark Curragh past the post. You could sense a goal coming as the Winton had Meadow pinned back . The second came on the hour when Curragh burst through to send a calm and well placed finish into the bottom corner. A third them came when Wilson grabbed a brace with a strike from the edge of the box. This finishing the game. In amongst this home man Findlay Frye was booked for a ludicrous challenge in the middle of the park. One which was a guaranteed red in the pro game but at this level the game isnt soft as shite and ling may it continue. It was one of those challenges where I let out an “bloody hell, min”. As did others around us on the terrace, or words to those effect anyway. On cards, the game ended with a red card for Medda’s Dale Moore right in front of us. After complaining about a throw given against his team, he told the lino to “shut the fuck up” which I thought would have seen him walk on its own. It didn’t but the follow up usage of the universal sign for wanker directed at the diminutive official on the line did. Although he pleaded his innocence he didn’t have a leg to stand on. An amusing end to a long haul night.
Was it worth the trip? Aye, for numerous reasons. Old pal catch up, decent game, daft sending off and Wee Man on course for his milestone with a smile on his face. A good night and totally justifiable, although others though it was a bit mad.
Entrance – Me £8, Wee Man Free
Attendance – 269 (Rough Head Count)
Pie – £4, Sausage Roll, Crisps. Coffee
Pint – £3.50, Tennent’s , Supporters Bar
Score Predictions – Me 2 v 2, Wee Man 2 v 0
Score Predictions Season Total – Me 2 v 1 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 