Rosebank Park, WOSFL Division 3, 4/4/26
Lugar Boswell Thistle Football Club
Founded – 1878
Nickname – The Jaggy Bunnets
Honours – Western League – 1953/54 and 1955/56. Ayrshire Second Division -1995/96 and 1999/2000. Ayrshire (Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald) Cup winners – 1927/28 and 1928/29. Ayrshire District (Irvine Times) Cup – 1929/30 and 1948/49. Ayrshire District League– 2002/03
Random Fact – Heart of Midlothian’s still standing record defeat came at the hands of the Jaggy Bunnets when the Ayrshire side beat them 10 v 2 in 1883
After a cracking experience down in Buxton yesterday it would take some effort for today to match the good feelings our Derbyshire exploits gave us. Well, we were in for a surprise as we left East Ayrshire chuffed to bits. Ok this was not a full day experience like our sojourn to the Peak District but the two hours or so we were in Rosebank Park on the way back from England were ace. This without the fitba too which was not much of a spectacle. The ground however, is a spectacle, the place just oozes history. It dates back to Victorian times opening in August 1882 with the Jaggy Bunnets calling it home ever since. This making it one of the oldest grounds in the country. Built on the site of the Rosebank (topical name these days in another industry) mine, the name of the venue is historic. As you walk into the park you can see the evidence of the age of the place as you are faced with the old decrepit terracing along the wing. Yes it has seen better days, but it is bloody glorious if you ask me and the back drop of the hills and woodland in behind the terrace just sets a phenomenal scene. The place is a relic but give me Rosebank Park over any pro grounds as it really is a gem, the type which gives me huge satisfaction to visit due to the character and quirks. Wee Man loved it too saying the view on the wing “looked ace” and he was liking the roll of astro we had our obligatory kick about on too.
The game did not live up to the ground as Easterhouse (another topical name given it is chocolate egg day tomorrow) ran riot in the end. This aided by two poor refereeing decisions which were to change the course of the game. Pre-match the teams were seen warming up outside the ground on the adjacent public park, this clearly to preserve the Rosebank pitch for as long as possible after it had felt the wrath of the days sopping elements. The pitch was also being rolled right until the first whistle. But with the rain landing on the park topping up the already sodden grass you just knew this was going to cut up and with minimal effort. On minimal efforts, the visitors took the lead in the 6th minute via the penalty spot after a daft chain of events from Lugar led to the ref pointing to the spot. A total gift for Easterhouse. A high ball was sent goal ward, this saw Lugar keeper Russell caught in two minds whether to tip over, something he chose not to do as he elected to punch. The connection was not there seeing the ball drop at an Easterhouse man who had his clocked cleaned out under an extremely rash challenge. Robbie McArthur stepped up and sent the ball into the net. Lugar were then to spurn two decent chances soon after with one over the bar and out the ground leaving me as the make shift ball boy retrieving from the wasteland behind the east side goal. The second was a bigger chance when number 9, Craig seemed to drag his shot wide from 12 yards out. He really should have been scoring. Then came the the first of the controversial calls from the referee when he refused a penalty for the Jaggy Bunnets. A cross was struck into the box was clearly stopped in its tracks by the hand of Ciaran McGurn which he had moved towards the ball. A stonewaller right in front of us and also the ref but play was inconceivably waved on. Typically the ball was cleared and soon after Easterhouse doubled their lead when Lewis McLear sent a free kick beyond Russell from at least 25 yards out. Looked a fair hit power wise, but was it quite central and saveable, Wee Man seemed to think so anyway. Lugar had their work cut out for them now, and even more so when they referee stepped up again when he gave Lugar defender Steele his marching orders for what he deemed an over zealous challenge. This being a nonsense for starters, it was a booking at most but the ref couldn’t wait to get his card out. If thats a red the sport is ruined.But more importantly there was a clear foul on the Lugar man prior to the sackable challenge. We saw it from three times as far away than the ref. But he somehow “missed” it. If his eyes were open the game stayed at eleven-a-side. One of the locals on the old terrace was apoplectic “you fucking little cheat”, “referee you are a cheating little bastard” echoed around the trees. This decision completely changed the game as the visitors, who were already good on the ball became even better using the extra space to their advantage and were rewarded with a third before half time when Matthew McCaffery struck an effort at goal which deflected past Russell who had no chance due to the nick en route to his goal. The visitors were on easy street.
HT 0 v 3
We were both in agreement this was going to become a massacre. This set off Wee Man thinking what scores should be called. 1 v 0 being narrow, 2 v 0 job done, 3 v 0 comfortable. Massacre was seven and we both thought that a seven could be on the cards. As it happened it was six which he called a do-in. The game had been ruined with the uneven numbers and Easterhouse continued to use it to their advantage. Their fourth goal came from another direct freekick which I caught bonnie in a photo(see below). This was once again from the boot of McLear who absolutely walloped the dead ball into the net from 20 yards out. Three minutes later some poor defending let in McArthur for his brace as he half volleyed in to the top corner from 10 yards. This had the potential to get embarrassing. Easterhouse were to hit the bar when substitute Henderson rose and nodded a corner off the woodwork. I think Russell may have got the faintest of touches on it. Easterhouse saw the majority of the ball but the sixth just wouldn’t come and a couple of efforts saw Wee Man in the wasteland to retrieve the errant shots. They were impressive on the ball at times and decent to watch going forward, very confident which was good to see given the team looking so youthful. Finally a sixth came in the last minute minute when Aaron Bradley put the cherry on top from close range. A day to forget for the hosts, unlike us who were not even bothered with the incoming three hour forty minute drive back up to Aberdeenshire in crap weather. Absolutely worth it after this wonder of a place was visited. It is also another chapter of book three which can be created and one of the longer journeys ticked off. What a two days we have had together. People call what we do “groundhopping”. A Buxtonian even said yesterday, “so your a groundhopper type then”. That couldn’t be more counterfactual, this is a whole lot more. This is father/son bonding over a common passion while getting to travel and see other parts of the world together and we dont use futbology. From Buxton to Lugar, two places I doubt either of us would have set foot without the fitba. What a 24 hours.
Entrance – Me £7, Wee Man Free
Attendance – 49
Pie – £4.50, Pie, Coffee, Crisps
Pint – N/A
Score Predictions – Me 1 v 1 , Wee Man 1 v 2
Seasons Score Predictions – Me 3 v 3 Wee Man
FITBAWBAG 