Club 35/279 – Maryhill FC

Match: Maryhill v Maybole
Date: 22/01/2022
Venue: Lochburn Park, Glasgow
Competition: West of Scotland Conference A
Entry Fee: £6
Travel: £3.30
Miles completed today: 10
Total miles remaining: 38883

It wasn’t too long ago that a tweet came from Maryhill’s twitter account pleading for help to stop the club from closing their gates for good. Fast forward a few years and they’ve survived the COVID shut down and with a little help from the locals and the ICW wrestling chaps they seem to be thriving.
Football in Maryhill has been a big part of the area since the game was first introduced. Partick Thistle being the largest since 1876 and two time Junior Cup winners Maryhill FC have been here since 1884.
Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld and current Scotland captain Andy Robertson both hail from the area and today marked my first visit to Lochburn Park

Preview

Maryhill Last 5
LWWWL

Maybole Last 5
LWLWW

Odds:
Maryhill 17/10
Draw 4/1
Maybole 4/5

There were only 3 points between the sides before the game and the bookies had higher placed Maybole as slight favourites.
I thought the odds on Maryhill were strangely long but I didn’t bet this as I thought we’d see a score draw however I’d never seen either team play

The Ground

Lochburn park is quality. It’s hidden away behind a police station and a Royal Mail sorting office and if you weren’t looking for it you’d probably never come across it.
Entry is the standard £6 which usually turns out to be great value and Maryhill have one of the best (and only) programmes at their level.
All spectating areas of Lochburn Park are raised meaning you’re always looking down on the pitch. There are foundations of a Roman fort in Maryhill and this is a bit like looking down from the Colosseum albeit on a smaller scale.
There’s an uncovered seated area behind one of the goals but nobody took up that option – maybe a wee bit cold to be that exposed to the elements.
There’s a very highly rated social club to accompany the ground and the bonus ball is Maryhill’s famous breakfast pie.
Unfortunately these weren’t on offer today but I have a vendetta against beans anyway however black pudding bacon and sausage all in a pie sounds incredible and the idea has gained many a plaudit on social media.
It was nice to see a club shop open too.
To sum up, the ground is different but in a good way.

The Game

Blood sweat and tears would accurately sum up the first half of this match. Plenty of full blooded (but honest) tackles coupled with a quick tempo and the ref getting a hard time from both sets of players who wanted decisions for anything and everything.
Maybole came the closest in the early stages as Jordan Banks hit the post but the opening goal came from a beautiful free kick put into the top corner by Gavin Brown.
Half time and Maybole deservedly led by a goal to nil.
Early in the second half Maybole’s best 2 players thus far linked up to double their lead. Paul Cameron swung a ball high to the back post and Jordan Banks headed the ball back across goal and past the helpless Glen Cameron in the Maryhill goal.
At this stage Maryhill looked dead and buried and even the more optimistic in the ground would’ve conceded defeat – but that’s not how football works.
Maryhill scored with virtually their first chance of the game Ross McKenzie broke down the right hand side and with Maybole’s defensive line caught cold he fired a great cross into the box for the unmarked Jay McInally to head home an excellently controlled header.
From here Maryhill were a different team and it looked as if it was a case of when rather than if they’d score again although Maybole did hit the bar with a strike that really should’ve been buried.
Jay McInally got his second controlling another McKenzie ball into the box and stabbed an effort towards goal. Maybole’s keeper was wrongfooted and couldn’t get back across the goal fast enough to prevent a level game.
Another excellent Ross McKenzie cross found 2 Maryhill men unmarked at the back post and it was Craig Stevenson who looped his header into the net and the home side were in front for the first time.
McKenzie rounded off a fine performance by adding a fourth with a low right footed drive from about 18 yards to seal the points and round off a remarkable comeback.
The referee got a lot of stick from both sides’ players and coaches but actually had a decent game and did well to keep control of a feisty encounter.

Full time: Maryhill 4-2 Maybole

MOTM

Easy. Ross McKenzie. A goal and three assists in a game where his team were struggling for the first hour or so made a huge difference and without his moments of quality it’d be fair to say that Maryhill lose that game.
His crosses were of outstanding quality and the goal was the icing on the cake.
A wonderful performance.

Summary

Maryhill have a brilliant ground and I picked a great day to take in a game.
I’ve never been so certain that a game was over. The score may only have been 2-0 at the time but Maybole were in total control and when you see a comeback like this you go home entertained.
Lochburn park is well worth a visit and whilst I’m ignorant to the logistics around this I wonder if they’d be permitted to kick off at 12.30 in the hope of getting some of the Partick Thistle crowd along before their game kicks off at 3.
We had a crowd north of 80 in today and even if 50 Partick fans came along it’d increase the clubs gate by 62.5% and would help the club massively.
Nonetheless I took in a fantastic game of football for 6 quid and was back in the house before 5pm. Happy days.

Club 34/279 – Invergordon

Match: Invergordon v Inverness Athletic
Date: 15/01/2022
Venue: Recreation Ground, Invergordon
Competition: North Caledonian League
Entry Fee: £0
Travel: £17.90 (Started in Nairn)
Miles completed today: 392
Total miles remaining: 38893

There are two league associations I’ve yet to venture into on my travels and the first of these saw me travelling north… way north to the North Caledonian League
This division is a standalone entity feeding into the Highland League at tier 6 in the pyramid.
Most of the teams in this division are from the far north and less travelled road by central belters like me.
Most of my games are picked at random and after picking numbers (yes, that’s the simplicity of my methods) I chose Invergordon to be my inaugural North Caley club.
Invergordon is a place I’ve never had a reason to visit – All I knew about the place was that the guy who was recently named worlds strongest man comes from here. With trains not all too frequent I arrived in plenty of time and took a walk around.
After paying £3.54 for a steak pie from a bakery I consoled myself with a mural trail of which Invergordon has plenty. These massive paintings on the side of buildings are a must see if you’re up this way and doesn’t take too long to get round.
I learned that there used to be a navy base here too and managed to read a little about it but let’s get on to the football.

Preview

Invergordon Last 5
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Inverness Athletic Last 5
LWLLD

Unfortunately the North Caledonian League is the only senior division in Scotland that McBookie don’t offer odds on.
The table and form would suggest Invergordon as heavy favourites and whilst I knew very little about the strength of teams on show my pre match prediction was a 5-3 home win.

The Ground

Invergordon play at the Recreation Ground which is essentially in a public park. This is the same for most North Caley clubs and the bonus ball is that none of them charge an entry fee. That’s right… Free football!
It’s easy to find and only a short walk from the train station.
The more I venture into the Highlands the more I believe that they’re the friendliest group of people and everyone had five minutes for a chat – I really enjoyed this.
The crowd was between 40/50 people and I have paid a lot more to get into grounds and been a lot less entertained.

The Match

I was not sure what to expect standard wise but both teams were intent on playing a modern brand of football.
By this I mean playing out from the back, short goal kicks and playing through the midfield. As much as a physical battle is fine, I much prefer to watch this brand of football. Both sides were comfortable in possession and moved the ball quickly with intent.
Every Invergordon corner or free kick looked as if it was going to find it’s way to goal and it was no surprise that the scoring was opened this way. A corner was tucked home by Benjamin Kelly. Strikers instinct to be in the right place at the right time but Inverness could’ve defended better.
There weren’t too many chances but it was far from a boring spectacle. Inverness came out a lot stronger in the second half and got their deserved equaliser. Tricky winger Thomas Lewis (who was a joy to watch) beat his man on the left hand side and drilled a ball across the box. After a goalmouth scramble the ball found it’s way to Dom Macaulay who was more than happy to stick the ball in the net for a level game.
From here it always felt as if there’d be more goals but either side could’ve taken the game.
Invergordon eventually did through another corner as dominant centre half Charlie MacDonald powered a header past the helpless Inverness keeper. It was a quality delivery and header but as in the first half, Inverness will be disappointed that MacDonald was given so much time and space to tee up his effort.
At the other end it’d take a smarter man than me to work out how a 17 man stramash that must’ve lasted about 15 seconds didn’t end up with another equaliser but Invergordon somehow survived.
A thoroughly captivating game that could’ve gone either way but it’s Invergordon who took a vital 3 points.

Full time: Invergordon 2-1 Inverness Athletic

MOTM

I could’ve watched Inverness’ Thomas Lewis all day but my main man here was match winner Charlie MacDonald. I believe Invergordon’s centre half pairing were the key to victory and MacDonald was the pick of the two.
He dealt with two very different types of strikers effectively. One physical, one small and tricky.
He put his head and boot through everything and it was no real surprise that he rose highest to head home the winner.
A fine performance from a fine player.

Summary

With results elsewhere going in Invergordon’s favour they’re still in with a realistic chance of winning the title. This win has them in 3rd place level on points with Golspie and now only 6 behind leaders Loch Ness.
If they can defend like they did here then they’ll give themselves a chance against anyone and I come away from this respecting how good a side they are.
Whilst it’s only my first North Caley game and I haven’t seen the other teams play I cant fathom how Inverness are bottom of the table off the back of this performance.
They play some excellent football and although defending set pieces seems to be their achilles heel I reckon they have more than enough to propel themselves up the table – and I hope they do!

I urge everyone to pick a North Caley game at some point this season and see what it’s all about.
It’s a super friendly atmosphere and a high standard of attractive football in one of the most beautiful parts of the country… and it’s absolutely free to watch.

On a final note, after I put out on Twitter than I was coming up for the game Inverness Athletic got in touch and presented me with a pin badge and scarf after the game.
A real touch of class and when I come back for another North Caley game later in the season I know where I’ll be going next.

Club 33/279 – Forres Thistle

Match: Forres Thistle v Whitehills
Date: 08/01/2022
Venue: Logie Park, Forres
Competition: North Region Second Division
Entry Fee: £3
Travel: £4.50 (Started in Nairn)
Miles completed today: 348
Total miles remaining: 39285

After almost a month of COVID, weather postponements and government restrictions ruining my plans I was finally able to take in a game of football. There is method to the clubs and timings I choose and the last month has set me back a little. I was in the Highlands for a few days regardless of any football so I used this to my advantage and thankfully picked a match that didn’t get called off – it’s a minefield out there!
Like most towns in these parts, there are two clubs in Forres but the Highland League Mechanics will have to wait – today was all about Thistle.
The club play in the 8th tier of Scottish football which at this moment in time is the lowest. I’ll admit to not knowing a whole lot about them prior to the match but as with most of the home teams I’d be cheering them on.

Preview

Forres Thistle Last 5
LDWWW

Whitehills Last 5
LDLLW

Odds:
Forres Thistle 1/6
Draw 7/1
Whitehills 6/1

Neither side had played a competitive game for the best part of a month but this was an important one for Forres. Rothie Rovers (who weren’t in action today) were 5 points clear at the top with the same games played. Today was a chance for Thistle to close the gap to 2 and pile the pressure on their title rivals.
Whitehills sit second bottom and picking up any points here would be a bonus. I’d never seen either side play but McBookie didn’t fancy an upset and neither did I.
There are usually goals at this level – my pre match prediction was a 4-2 home victory.

The Ground

Like most clubs in the north region divisions it’s a pretty basic arrangement here. The setup typically consists of a pavilion with a fenced off pitch and this was very similar. Their bonus ball is two fair sized sheltered areas on the same side as the dugouts. These would be a godsend on wet Saturday afternoons but it was dry yet very cold.
The entry fee is a bargain at just £3. It is possible to watch from outside the ground as you can see through the fence but most passers by only stayed for a few minutes – I doubt the club mind.
The pitch was fairly cut up making it hard for the players with some stray passes and difficulty controlling the ball at times but that’s to be expected with the amount of rain and frost in the area recently. The game was on and I’m sure everyone including me was thankful for this alone!
A crowd of around 60 were in to watch the action.
I’ve heard that the pies here are amongst the best in Scottish football but I was too late to the window and missed out!
I was pleasantly surprised to see linesman here too as tier 8 in the pyramid doesn’t usually get them.

The Game

This was a great game of football to watch. This was fast paced with moments of real quality and some meaty yet honest challenges. Whitehills started well and if I hadn’t seen the table I’m not sure I’d have been able to point out which team were higher in league.
The away side took the lead from a corner when Mattie Davidson turned the ball into his own net. A poor goal to lose from their point of view and Whitehills were in good value for their lead.
Things almost went from bad to worse as the Hills were presented a gift from the Thistle defence but the strikers effort from a tight angle beat the keeper but came back off the post.
Forres looked dangerous and got their equaliser on the 30 min mark after a throw and subsequent lay off fell at Matty Fraser’s feet who blasted the ball high into the net – a wonderful finish.
The teams went in level at half time and while neither dominated it was a fair reflection.
In the second half Forres showed their class. Mattie Davidson made amends for his own goal by making a perfectly timed run to meet a ball over the top. He had time to pick his spot and finished with composure. From this point the result never looked in doubt.
Azza McLellan was dominant at the back and met a corner with his head to literally thump home number 3.
Matty Fraser added a second from another corner and had a golden chance to make it a hat trick when Forres were awarded a penalty for a push. I’ve seen these penalties not given but they absolutely should be and was an excellent spot from the referee. Matty Fraser wrapped up the hat trick sending the keeper the wrong way before being substituted quickly after.
It was all one way traffic by this point and the final goal was put away by Charlie Beck who pressured both the defender and goalkeeper to win the ball inside the Whitehills box and stuck the ball in the net for number 6.
Forres second half showing was fantastic and they deserved the emphatic victory.

Final score: Forres Thistle 6-1 Whitehills

MOTM

Matty Fraser scored two good goals at crucial times and his penalty was the icing on the cake. Matty is quick, persistent and caused Whitehill’s defenders all sorts of problems – even in the first half when the game hung in the balance. An easy decision for man of the match.

Reflection

Forres are a good side and continue their title challenge in style. Having watched games in Division one I’m confident they’d cope if they were to be promoted (although only 1 side go up). The club are almost 6 years without a trophy and their last league triumph was in 2003. With the current crop of players they’ll fancy their chances whether it be this season or next.
At £3 entry this worked out to around 43p per goal – an absolute snip. With Forres Mechanics not in action I’d encourage their regular supporters to come and cheer on the towns other side when the opportunity arises.
A very enjoyable end to a month without seeing a game.

I’ll end on a slightly strange note. After downloading the Scottish pyramid database on Football Manager I noticed that Forres right back Ross Kelman was also the right back in my Rothie Rovers squad as we went all the way to the Highland League and beyond. This was pretty cool to see and Ross would’ve had absolutely no idea that watching on the side lines was a manager who’d achieved greatness together in a virtual game!
I’m not sure whether this is cool or sad but I found this entertaining regardless as I had no idea he played for Forres Thistle beforehand.