St Rochs V Drumchapel United – West of Scotland League Conference C (14/08/2021)
Had a massive detour to get to the game today as I had to head into Glasgow to print my ticket for tomorrow game as Celtic won’t let you show an E-Ticket on your phone. Boarded the 1301 from Glasgow Queen Street to Barnhill and made the stupidly wet 20 minute walk to James McGrory Park. The rain had been spitting up until I got off the train and boy was it pissing down, definitely a day I’m glad I made the decision to pack my waterproof coat.
The road google maps took me on came to an abrupt halt as it was fenced off begin a padlocked gate the looked like it hadn’t been open for quite some time, so the only route I could take was through a field with a derelict football pitch in. I’m sure it would be a nice walk if I had the dog and better footwear on.
This is my third St Rochs game in two months and at the third different ground with them being the home team, this time in the League at their home ground James McGrory Park. The ground is a nice non league ground with lots of character, the graffiti on the walls really around the stands made it really feel like a unique ground and a must visit for any ground hopper. The ground has a snack stand serving warm food and drinks, which seemed to be doing good business.
I took a spot up in the Teddy Croly Stand on the half way line behind the away dugout, as I made my way round the ground passed a Jack Russell behind the goal. Had a great view from where I was and not as busy as the opposite stand, luckily the rain had stopped. St Rochs give off a real community spirit that care about and celebrate their history around the ground.
Both teams started the game at a quick pace, what you would expect with both looking like two teams that could have good seasons. Longworth for St Rochs looked like he wanted a goal with a few early long range efforts testing the keeper, McLaughlin in green and white who impressed me the last two times I’ve seen St Rochs again looked dangerous and creating good chances while troubling the defence. McMullin for Drumchapel was getting in good space but just wasn’t getting the ball as the away side seemed to want to play through the middle. Not sure the person filling in on the line on my side knew what he was doing as he stood in the same half as the bloke on the other side and stood chatting to someone in the crowd, the joys of junior football. We really do need to start having linesman at this level of football as decisions are being missed as the referee can’t judge from his vantage point.
I think I jinxed it as the half went on both sides were like brick walls at the back and neither side could find a breakthrough. Any attacking free kick or corner was being dealt with easily by defenders and the keepers. Close to half time Longworth for The Candy went close following a corner hitting the ball just wide of the post. A bit of controversy on half time as a St Rochs player went down in the box but from where I was standing it was clearly a dive and he should have stayed on his feet as was in a great position. Then up the other end Drumchapel’s McMullin hit the post from distance, but we went into half time 0-0.
No pies left when I went over to the snack stand at half time so I had a Bridie instead, which was more than worth the £1.50 I paid for it as it was full of meat and tasted amazing. Both goals were full of kids having a kick about during the 15 minute break and I was happy to see the person running the line on my side made it into the correct half this time.
Drumchapel went on the front foot as the second half started and forced a cracking save out of the St Rochs keeper minutes into the half. Then straight up the other end The Candy went close after a one on one with the keeper, a fast start the same way the first half started. There was a shout for handball from the Candy fans but nothing was given. During the second half I spotted two more dogs, a Labrador and a Terrier. Dog Watch brought to you by Daz Carding….
The deadlock was broken as after a great ball through in the box, Hughes found space and put the ball through the keepers legs with a great finish. The lead was doubled after the United keeper had a mare and palmed the ball into the path of Longworth who curled the ball inside the post from close range, he got his well deserved goal.
Not many minutes had passed and Drumchapel halved the lead with a long ranger from Finnigan who gave the keeper no chance. Longworth got his second and made it 3-1 to the home side after a defence splitting through ball and after a neat touch put the ball in the top corner.
My jinx must have undone itself as they game was a cracking watch for a neutral, some great football played and topped off with 4 goals. Really enjoyed the game and the ground, as I said before would highly recommend a visit to James McGrory Park.
So onto my ratings…
Ticket Price – £6
Programme – N/A
Programme Rating – N/A
Refreshments – 10/10
Stadium Facilities – 8/10
Getting to stadium – 6/10
Stadium Rating – 8/10
Game Rating – 8/10
Thanks for reading my thoughts on St Rochs against Drumchapel United.
Daz Carding
Football Days With A Salopian Jambo 