Hopeman Pavillion, Abbeyside Premier Division, 15/8/25
Me 357, Wee Man 215
Hopeman Football Club
Founded– 1998
Nickname– N/A
Honours(that I can find) – MDWA Premier Division -2017 and 2019. MDWA Second Division – 2000. WJ Tewnion Memorial Trophy– 2017 and 2019 Leisure Sports Cup – 2000
Random Fact – The original club badge was designed by the local primary school. This was used until the 2005 when the club incorporated the towns crest
45 miles from Hopeman the Wee Man and I were partaking in a couple of rounds of the greatest invention known to mankind. Footgolf. Penicillin and the wheel can bugger off. The plan for the day being, get frustrated with numerous bogies then see some sites of the Strathspey area, food with the day culminating at a Strathspey and Badenoch League game between Abernethy and Badenoch United. Then a text message came saying the game was off as the ref had pulled out. Once the golf was finished I tried to make a plan B. With only two teams left to visit in the Morayshire league and with Hopeman at home there was only one place to go. The Moray coast and given where the pitch is situated, slap bang on the coast. But not before we made our way along the beautiful and picturesque Scottish wilderness on the A939 which was complete with many sheep roaming free on the road.
But before I go into football let’s talk about Hopeman. I think I could safely place at the top of the pile of most friendly I have watched fitba in. On arrival we headed to the Braemou Inn for food. In here we were met with smiles and warm welcomes and chat from the staff. As we waited for the (very good)food Wee Man wanted to see the Highland League table. He then got me to guess who was in every position. Once that was finished there was a couple on the table next to us, the guy informed us he used to play in the HFL in the 80s for Forres Mechanics(didnt catch his name) so we blethered away with this really lovely couple.Fine company it must be said. From here to the shop for sweeties and the guy in there was sound. Then to the football and it seemed everyone who walked past us (included an Avoch fan randomly)would either have a conversation with us or at the least give us some sort of greeting. So noticeable Wee Man even said “why is everyone so nice in Hopeman?”. To add to this I had a chat with Hopeman player Craig Robertson before the warm ups who got his missus Sharon to sort out the team lines for me. More on that man later. But Hopeman I salute you. What a fine town.
On the park I was expecting a Buckie win after the conversation with Craig as it seemed the home side were down a few players. Wee Man jumped on that too and as it turns out we were both well off. Buckie didn’t turn up in truth and I am sure they would agree with that. But that’s not taking anything away from Hopeman, they were the better team and deservedly won. They were attacking from the off with Struan Kelly causing issues for Buckie down the right. They got their noses in front before the match was even in double figures for minutes. A through ball seemed to get through the Buckie back line with too much ease leaving Finlay Tulloch clean through to send the ball under Cameron Bruce and into the net. Buckie were not aided in the build up by an injury to Adam McCarten who was helped off the pitch after the goal. Hopeman then should have had a pen a couple of minutes later when a cross from Kelly struck the arm of Matthew Henderson. The ref said the defenders arms were by his side. Yes, the ref is correct here but the rule is daft because the defender got down low and bent his body towards the ball with his arm stopping the travel of the ball. It was a deliberate use of his arm whether “tucked in” or not. It was not to matter as no sooner had this happened were were treated to a fantastic goal from Hopeman. Just in from the right touchline and just shy of 30 yards out, Craig Robertson stepped up and with his left foot sent an unstoppable effort into the far top corner. What a magnificent hit this was. It was never excessively high but was always out of reach of any heads. A hit that can be safely classed as a howitzer. One we wouldn’t have seen if the penalty was given. Then it almost happened again a minute later. Same man, same distance but this time the effort cannoned off the crossbar. Hopeman really should have been three up but incredibly were not after Connor McArthur lobbed a ball to the back post, it actually looked like it was heading in, until team mate Gary Burr got a touch right on the post and inexplicably sent it wide. I genuinely don’t think he could achieve what he did if he tried again 100 times. A strange occurrence.Rovers had a late chance when Jordan Mackie found space in the box but his powerful effort was well saved by Wood in the Hopeman goal. This was then followed by a long dipping effort from Mackie but it was again saved by Wood right on the whistle.
HT 2 v 0
Just after the second half kicked off I went to use the facilities in the pavilion, as I was passing there was a table of Friday night tinnie scoofers outside this including one of the half time Hopeman subs still in full kit. Magic stuff. Buckie were a bit better in this second half but Hopeman were well organised and defended stoutly Russell McLaughin had a couple of chances, Mackie had a go but Buckie couldn’t get the ball into the net. They rung the changes to try and get back into the game but just could not find a way. One of said subs had a ferocious long range drive which looked to take a nick on the way through leaving Wood to save with his chest, this clearly knocked the wind out of the keeper but to be fair he managed to deal with the second ball, albeit in a unorthodox fashion but he managed to clear before clearly trying to catch his breath. Hopeman had a chance late on when Burr struck well from point blank range but Bruce was up to it and got his hands to it.
A good win for Hopeman who after speaking to Craig, I didn’t hold out much hope for. They went on to put in “performance of the season” according to the man himself. On his performance. Man of the match and that would have been the case even without his worldie. Solid at left back, marshalled his defence well when switched to centre half, won everything in the air while nobody seemed to get past him. But Hopeman looked well organised all over in general. Not a classic game, but an absolute screamer of a goal and fine toon in the Moray sunshine. That will do me. Now Lhanbryde, you are next and we complete the set up. Next season though unfortunately.
Entrance – Both Free
Attendance – 41
Pie – N/A
Pint – £4 , Tennent’s, Braemou Inn
Score Predictions – Me 1 v 4, Wee Man 0 v 3
Score Prediction Seasons Total – Me 1 v 0 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 