Match: Bathgate Thistle v Edinburgh College
Date:12/02/2022
Venue: Creamery Park, Bathgate
Competition: EOS Conference X
Entry Fee: £6
Travel: £14.20
Miles completed today: 68
Total miles remaining: 38535
Sometimes (and especially in Scotland) the weather ruins your plans. I’d chosen a local derby in Armadale v Whitburn but as this was called off and Bathgate was close by I ended up here completely unplanned.
Like most clubs in the division, Bathgate are ex Junior and even won the coveted Junior Cup in 2008 after losing in the final just two years earlier.
Some of my favourite experiences have come from completely unplanned events so got to Bathgate full of optimism but without knowing what to expect.
Preview
Bathgate Thistle Last 5
LWLLL
Edinburgh College Last 5
LWLLL
Odds:
Bathgate Thistle 21/10
Draw 9/2
Edinburgh College 31/50
Bathgate were bottom of the league but a victory would see them leapfrog their opponents (and potentially Pumpherston too) so there was plenty at stake. I’d personally have had the home team down as favourites but McBookie were backing the College.
My prediction was a physical battle ending with a 1-0 home victory.
The Ground
I arrived only a few minutes before kick off so didn’t get my normal look around the town but Creamery Park is extremely easy to find and it’s an excellent ground.
Entry is via the stand which is a large terraced and covered area large enough to host all the spectators which is a godsend on a wet and windy day like this.
There’s a pavilion next to the stand hosting the dressing rooms and a clubhouse which looks on to the pitch. The weather was so unpredictable that at least one person watched the entire game from the clubhouse.
Even the surface was in good condition, especially considering the game I had planned only 2.5 miles away was off due to a waterlogged pitch.
Overall I’m impressed with the setup here and I was ready to watch an entertaining game.
The Game
Much of this match was a midfield battle with few clear cut chances created but plenty of hard work and application. In the early stages both teams looked good going forward and a little shaky at the back.
It was Bathgate who took the lead on 20 minutes as McInnes cut inside from the left and squeezed the ball between the Edinburgh goalkeeper and his near post from the edge of the box for 1-0.
The lead only lasted 8 minutes as the College’s Kriss Gaff controlled the ball out of the air and struck a sweet half volley across the Bathgate goal and into the corner.
There was a big incident in the first half as Edinburgh #10 (who I think was playing centre half) drove with the ball out of defence. He sprinted into the space in front of him but overran the ball as he went and flew into a tackle taking the ball and plenty of the man.
The Bathgate players and spectators were incensed but the referee went with just a yellow.
It’s one of those tackles that whilst the rules are consistent throughout all levels of senior football, it’s always a red card in the Premiership yet you might just get away with it at this level – He was a lucky boy.
I had a chuckle at one of the College’s coach who bemoaned the ref with cries of ‘How is that a booking?’
My reply to that would be… because it’s not 1982 anymore.
Bathgate came close right on half time as a wonderfully struck free kick from range came off the bar but it was level at the break.
The second half had less in the way of big chances yet it always looked as though there was a goal on the hirizon.
The winner came just 3 minutes into the second half as #6 either played the best through ball or the worst shot I’ve ever seen. Either way this put Mark McGovern beyond the defence and he smashed the ball past the onrushing keeper high into the net. Bathgate’s defence screamed for offside but I had a decent view and thought he was on.
From there it was Edinburgh who looked the more likely but couldn’t find the space they needed. Bathgate couldn’t breakthrough the midfield and the forward players were starved of much service.
The most exciting part of the game was the last 10 minutes as Bathgate threw the kitchen sink at their opponents and it’s a shame full time came when it did.
Full time: Bathgate Thistle 1-2 Edinburgh College
MOTM
My man of the match award goes to Edinburgh College’s Kriss Gaff This guy is huge in stature but he’s quick and technical too – the technique involved in his first goal is testament to this.
He caused Bathgate problems all day and did actually score a second that was (rightfully) called offside.
If there was a man out there who deserved to be on the winning side it’s him!
Summary
It’s a disappointing day for Bathgate as they remain bottom but Edinburgh College controlled the game for much of the second half and had the better chances therefore deserving the victory.
Creamery Park however is an excellent facility – so much so that Rangers & Motherwell’s youth teams previously played home games here alongside Bathgate.
There’s plenty of places for a good view and you’re well covered if the rain hammers down. It has floodlights with a good surface and it’s one of the better grounds I’ve got to this season.
All is not lost for Bathgate and despite being bottom they’re certainly not a bad side.
Good luck to them!
GroundhopScot 