Match: Threave Rovers v Abbey Vale
Date: 05/03/2022
Venue: Meadow Park, Castle Douglas
Competition: South of Scotland League
Entry Fee: £4
Travel: £30.50
Miles completed today: 164
Total miles remaining: 37861
There are twenty one divisions in the Scottish Pyramid split between multiple associations – I’ve been in twenty of them this season. The South of Scotland had until now eluded my footballing travels and whilst I can’t put my finger on why, it was time to change that.
Threave Rovers come from Castle Douglas around 20 miles south west of Dumfries. There’s no train station close so travelling down means a two trains and a bus but here’s something I need to pick up on and something people need to be aware of… SPLIT YOUR TRAIN TICKETS. My local station to Dumfries return is £31.10. If I buy two return tickets – my local to Glasgow then Glasgow to Dumfries it’s £24.50 for EXACTLY the same journey. I’m not sure how this is legal or justified but do a little research before buying a longer haul ticket.
Anyway, back to the football.
There are no odds on South of Scotland League games but it’s the business end of the season and that adds a bit of extra spice to the games. Threave Rovers are 9 points behind St Cuthbert at the top with 6 to play. Abbey Vale are 6 behind Threave with a game in hand but a win for the home side would put them firmly in the driving seat for second place.
The Ground
Meadow Park is pretty easy to find at the far end of Castle Douglas. The town is known as ‘the food town of Dumfries & Galloway’ and every café was busy and some queued out the door.
I didn’t really have time to indulge so I headed straight for the ground and couldn’t believe that entry was only 4 quid! The setup here excellent and well laid out. As you enter the ground I was greeted with a bit of Paolo Nutini playing over the tannoy. You can immediately see their seated stand at the far side of the ground with terracing on the other end.
Behind one of the goals is where their social club and pie stall is. I didn’t check out the social club but the pie stall is one of the best. As you walk in it feels like a wee café/chillout zone with couches and pennants all over the walls from the sides that’ve played here.
The pitch looked in good condition although this would cut up significantly throughout the game which the 80 odd people had turned out to watch.
The Match
A real competitive, full blooded battle. On a heavy pitch it was hard for either side to dominate whilst both defended well.
The game could’ve set a record for the number of 50/50 challenges if such a thing existed and it was around 20 minutes before we saw the first real chance and it fell to the away side.
A free kick from the right was floated high into the box and Vale’s Dan Thom met the ball in the air ahead of Rovers goalkeeper Kieran McCulloch and his header looped into an empty net.
Threave equalised shortly after as right back Phil Middlemiss clipped a ball to the back post which hit the far post and nestled in the net. It was definitely intended as a cross and it looked an excellent ball but if it hadn’t gone in off the post it’d be tapped in by one of the unmarked strikers anyway – he deserved that bit of luck.
In the second half Rovers had a dominant period of around 20 minutes and this was ultimately the difference in the game. Vale were given a warning as a flick on from a long ball put Dan Carmichael through but his effort was wonderfully saved.
Only a few minutes later Carmichael was in again and this time he made sure with a composed finish in the opposite top corner beating the onrushing goalkeeper. He then made it 3 as he was first to pounce on a free kick that was spilled by the keeper. Abbey Vale players surrounded the referee looking for an offside decision and whilst they’ll likely disagree with me I’m not so sure. At the very least I don’t blame the referee if he’s got that one wrong.
Abbey Vale didn’t crumble, in fact they pushed the home side all the way and very nearly got back into the game.
A header from the edge of the box which came through multiple bodies but only on to the post followed by a volley off the bar kept Threave Rovers on their toes but there was to be no more scoring.
Full time: Threave Rovers 3-1 Abbey Vale
MOTM
An easy decision here, Dan Carmichael was a joy to watch. Although not always involved in the game his movement was fantastic, constantly finding himself in space in behind the Vale defence with his well timed runs not being picked up – so much so that the defenders screamed for offside in desperation rather than expectation.
His two goals were both products of his movement and could’ve had another two if not for good goalkeeping. A good days work an ultimately, the match winner.
Summary
As far as grounds go Meadow Park is one of the very best for location, character and convenience. You get a warm welcome, a great view, a great pie and ridiculous value for money at only £4 entry.
This is an excellent ground for Rovers. I think winning the league is probably out of reach but this could be a pivotal 3 points in the race for second spot – It’s Threave’s to lose from here.
I did notice that the town gets a lot of tourists and has a busy caravan park. I wonder if some sort of advertising can get these tourist families along for a cheap and enjoyable few hours away from the park. Pamphlets around the town with next fixture details maybe?
Regardless this is one of my favourite grounds so far and I do fancy a revisit when my challenge of getting around them all is done.
One final completely random note. In the article I use the word ‘tannoy’. We all know what that is right? Well, it isn’t. Tannoy is a brand of loudspeaker and that’s all. If the loudspeaker in question is not made by tannoy (and I’ve no idea how you’d find that out) then it isn’t. The more you know eh?
GroundhopScot 