Linlithgow Rose V Blantyre Victoria (Prestonfield 05/02/2022)

Linlithgow Rose V Blantyre Victoria – SFA South Challenge Cup Round 4 (05/02/2022)

Resumed my journey through the SFA South Challenge Cup as I missed a game in the third round due to covid. Hoping I can now keep up a game in each round up to the final.

Another new ground for me today and one that I wanted to visit for some time, Prestonfield the home of Linlithgow Rose.

I went swimming this morning and stopped for some food at Subway, so I was cutting it fine time wise and got into the ground with minuted to go till kick off. I had to keep an eye on Twitter to check if the game was on, as Linlithgow had announced earlier in the morning that the referee would inspect the pitch at 1300 due to the bad weather this part of Scotland had seen. Luckily the referee deemed it playable and it was game on. Although I was late arriving I still managed to get a spot standing under the seated top tier just next to the half way line.

Prestonfield is a cracking little ground, with terracing on both touchlines, with a seated tier above the benches which added a great look to the ground. Behind the goal where the social club is situated has an uncovered terrace and the other has a grass bank. Glad I made the trip as it’s a great setup and great character.

To say the conditions were bad would be an understatement, the pitch resembled a mud bath and early on a Blantyre forward went down due to his boot being caught in the pitch. A few players were slipping and passes were slowing down in the chewed up mud.

After plenty of threatening attacks from the home side in maroon, with 20 minutes gone following a deflected cross that caused danger was headed in by Sean Heaver. A much deserved 1-0 lead for Linlithgow Rose.

Good first half, had a proper cup tie feel to the game with plenty of tasty challenges. But it was Linlithgow Rose’s half as they dominated with the most chances and looked more dangerous.

Headed to the pie stand at halftime and grabbed myself a bridie and a bottle of water, for an absolute steal at £2.30 for the pair. Love when a ground has bridie’s for sale as they have become one of my favourite football foods at the non league grounds I’ve been to this season. Linlithgow smashed it out the park with theirs as it was bloody delicious. Also dog watch returned again as I spotted a spaniel on the far touchline. Facilities were first class as their were toilets housed in the social club connected to the ground.

Linlithgow came out all guns blazing after the restart as a shot flashed across the goal. But Blantyre looked fired up as they created more and got further forward in the opening plays of the half as they worked the long ball game.

Rose almost doubled the lead but another great save from King in the Vics goal made sure it stayed 1-0. But he could do nothing minutes later, after a late challenge the resulting free kick was whipped into the box and Rose skipper Gary Thom headed home.

Blantyre found themselves back in the game minutes after the goal, a route one ball over the top was latched onto by Sam MacKenzie who dinked the ball past the keeper with a well taken flick.

King once again pulled off a superb save from Sneddon shot from distance as Linlithgow threatened once again. But following how the second half had gone, the visitors countered and went close themselves. But the comeback was not meant to be as it finished 2-1 to the home side.

A great cup game to be fair, both sides battling well but in my opinion the better side won as Linlithgow played the better football in the bad conditions. Take nothing away from Blantyre as then have a great account of themselves and put in a good performance, especially King in goal for the team in blue.

So onto my ratings…

Ticket Price – £7

Programme Price – N/A

Programme Rating – N/A

Refreshments – 8/10

Stadium Facilities – 9/10

Getting To Stadium – 8/10

Stadium Rating – 8/10

Thanks for reading my thoughts on Linlithgow Rose against Blantyre Victoria.

Daz Carding