Match: Lochee United v Tayport
Date: 05/02/2022
Venue: Thomson Park, Dundee
Competition: Midlands League
Entry Fee: £6
Travel: £31
Miles completed today: 172
Total miles remaining: 38603
Thomson Park is a groundhoppers favourite. I’d tried to find out why earlier in the season to take in a Lochee derby but the game was postponed en route. Lochee United v Tayport is a big game in Tayside and I found this the perfect opportunity to have a look around.
I didn’t know too much about the club beforehand. They get a mention in 5 Rebeccas by The View which is one of my favourite songs – ‘Floating with the schemers and the part time Halloweener’s and the Lochee team‘. At least I hope that’s about the football club and not the local young team.
United have always been one of the stronger sides in the region and whilst they had their golden period during the 70’s and 80’s, they won the East Superleague as recently as 2019.
Now in the new Midlands league, Lochee United are still in the title chasing pack. On top of the competitive rivalry that exists between the sides, the ‘Blue Bells’ as they’re known simply must win to keep pace at the top and anything other than a victory would leave their title hopes bleak at best. It’ as good a reason as any to make the trip across the country to take it in.
Preview
Lochee United Last 5 (League)
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Tayport Last 5 (League)
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Odds:
Lochee United 1/2
Draw 9/2
Tayport 13/5
Lochee are on a high after last weeks derby win and their only recent loss was away to high flying Carnoustie.
Tayport would be dangerous opponents and haven’t lost a match since October 23rd. Their manager Eddie Wolecki Black used to be manager here before a successful stint in the women’s game and had yet to taste defeat as boss.
United manager George Shields has his team firing on all cylinders scoring 91 goals in just 22 league games.
My pre match prediction (ill informed as always) was a 3-2 home win.
The Ground
Thomson Park is found in the Dryburgh area of Dundee and has been Lochee United’s home since 1959.
It’s an exciting time to be a follower here as the club have put the wheels in motion to gain an SFA license meaning they’d be eligible from promotion and entry to the Scottish Cup.
To help achieve this, floodlights have recently been installed and local contractor McGill recently completed £100,000 worth of improvements including their dressing room which would be the awe of most non league clubs.
There’s a large sheltered & terraced stand behind one of the goals where most spectators on a windy & cold afternoon decided to congregate.
The best views can be seen from a mound which almost gives you a birds eye view of the action. Lochee are well supported and I love that you can hear the ‘ooh’s and ahh’s’ when chances are missed or a tackle flies in – it’s a big part of an authentic footballing experience often missing from non league grounds.
The part I was most impressed with was the food kiosk. Firstly, the lady behind the counter was one of the most friendly and welcoming people I’ve ever met. Secondly, A steak pie and a decent portion of chips can be purchased for a combined total of £3. Where else in Scottish football can you get that sort of value?
The Game
Lochee had the better of the early exchanges with some sustained pressure in the final third. The final ball wasn’t quite there and there was a penalty shout too but Tayport weathered this storm.
It was the away side who took the lead when Jamie Gill drove around 70 yards through the midfield and unleashed a pinpoint strike in off the post from range.
Lochee were having some success on the out wide with both wingers getting by the full backs but nothing came to fruition. Their biggest chance came from a strike on the left hand side across goal that was tipped round the post by Tayport’s goalkeeper.
In the second half Tayport doubled their lead with a spectacular free kick from Ryan Paterson. Struck from range with power and dip the ball hit the underside of the bar on the way in.
Lochee struggled to get out of their own half for much of the second half. A mixture of tenacious pressing from their opposition and some misplaced passes.
The last 15 minutes saw the home side’s best spell and they created some big chances.
One was well saved by the Tayport keeper whilst the other was a header from a free kick put wide of the post.
I stood by the Lochee dugout for a spell during the game and overheard their disappointed with the performance. It’s frustration for Lochee and elation for Tayport.
Full time: Lochee United 0-2 Tayport
MOTM
I was a big fan of Ryan Paterson’s performance. This was a complete performance and a joy to watch,
He can tackle, he can beat a man, he can pass the ball with precision and always makes the right decision.
He can also score long range free kicks and his goal is up there with the best I’ve seen this season.
Summary
It’s a shame that I turned up on such a disappointing day for Lochee United but it was still a fantastic experience. Thomson Park boasts friendly and forward thinking committee members and I believe the club are in safe hands with an exciting future.
For any groundhoppers reading, Thomson Park is a no brainer. A great ground and one of the strongest sides in the league on the park – It’s a good place to be at the moment.
Tayport fully deserved their win on the day having controlled the midfield for most of the game and scoring two excellent goals. It’s the first time Tayport have won at Thomson Park in 26 years! Perhaps one that Lochee will want to write off as a bad day at the office and move on, but I’m sure even they wouldn’t grudge Tayport the victory on the face of the 90 minutes.
Regardless of the result, Lochee have had a decent season thus far and I’d love to see them cutting cloth in the Highland League in the next few seasons.
Finally I’d like to give a big shout out to Pete – Tayport’s communications officer. I was contacted on Twitter through the clubs account and on the day he gave up some time to have a chat about football whilst handing me a Tayport hat (which I’ll wear when I visit) and a pin badge.
A classy gesture that I promise never goes unappreciated.
GroundhopScot 