Match: Lugar Boswell Thistle v Newmains United
Date: 27/04/2024
Venue: Rosebank Park, Lugar
Competition: WOS Division 4 (Tier 10)
Entry Fee: £6
Travel: £8.05
Miles completed today: 72
Total miles remaining: 28064
We often hear of a triad in East Ayrshire, three clubs that dominate the local landscape. Everyone knows about Glenafton, Auchinleck Talbot & Cumnock but there’s a fourth, often forgotten about club in the area. They’ve played in the senior setup and are older than all the rest – it’s Lugar Boswell Thistle.
Lugar have two remarkable claims to fame. This may need triple checked, but they’re the only side Rangers have played more than twice competitively and never defeated! The club also battered Heart of Midlothian 10-2 in a friendly in 1883 and remains the their heaviest defeat to this day.
Looking through ex players, I found Joe Mason and Bertie Black from the 60’s and a few from way back but there’s one in particular that blew my mind. There’s only one other sport I follow and it’s the darts. Everyone knows Gary Anderson and Peter Wright but there’s another Scot really making a name for himself at the moment – Cameron Menzies.
So imagine my shock when I found Lugar’s old website from 2015, clicked squads and staring back at me in a goalkeepers shirt was Menzies himself. I wasn’t looking for him, purely a chance encounter I’d never have otherwise known.
Lugar is a tiny place, literally a couple of streets where 221 people live. I did find that William Murdoch was born here and in a nearby cave, held experiments which led to his invention of gas lighting and the steam engine. The cave still exists but it’s in someone’s garden and I didn’t fancy chapping their door to ask if I can see it. Still, he really put the place on the map.
Preview
Lugar are a team that have featured twice on the blog so far. They lost to Bellshill in the very early days of the project, and played out a 0-0 draw at Vale of Leven so they’re due a win.
The good news is that this is a game you’d probably expect them to get it. Lugar haven’t lost to Newmains since before COVID and won the reverse fixture 3-0 back in August. They’re fighting for promotion but with 3 games left and Rossvale hot on their tails, it’s an absolute must win.
They’re currently 8 unbeaten with 7 wins and a draw in that time. I’ve nothing at all against Newmains but it’s hard to look past the hosts here.
Odds:
Lugar Boswell Thistle 1/3
Draw 11/2
Newmains United 7/2
The Ground
The Jaggy Bunnets were founded in 1878 and have called Rosebank Park home for 142 years. This is one of the oldest grounds in the country.
It’s a fantastic time to follow Lugar. Not only are they looking good for promotion, just two months ago they acquired their ground from the council and are the proud owners of the place they’ve looked after for so long.
I walked from Auchinleck, a long leisurely stroll and upon approach to the village I could hear drums being played. There was still 50 minutes until kick off so I figured it couldn’t possibly be coming from the ground but I was wrong. A real early start from the ultras and to their credit, they didn’t stop all game!
For a ‘small’ club, their facilities would put most of their division to shame. There’s not a whole lot of space between the main road and the hill that backs on to the ground so the fact they’ve managed to fit a pavilion, covered stand, terracing, benches and a social club around the pitch is awe-inspiring.
Watching the players warm up, I took a moment to think about the history this place has. Some of the top teams in Scottish football history have graced he pitch. Imagine the tales these old brick terraces could tell. I really like the fact they’ve installed benches on the ‘hill side’ of the ground too.
Rosebank Park isn’t often mentioned in the groundhopping community but it absolutely should be. One of Scottish footballs less travelled roads but for the aesthetics and the history, this should be way higher on football enthusiasts priority list.
The Game
As the teams took to the field captain Adam Lowe ran straight towards the ultras behind the goals and encouraged the youngsters with the microphone and the drum to make as much noise as possible, love that.
From the outset it looked as though Lugar were the stronger team but Newmains were keen to ensure they wouldn’t have things all their own way.
After both sides forcing their opposition keepers into good saves, Lugar would have a golden chance to open the scoring. It’s one of those incidents that you can see coming way before it does as Conan Mackin beat Newmains keeper McDougall to a loose ball in the box and was wiped out for the clearest of penalty decisions. Lewis Kerr stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way for 1-0.
The home side came close again as Wallace’s low drive flew agonisingly past the post and at the break Lugar had a 1 goal lead. Newmains had worked hard to ensure they were still in the game and the cliqued second goal would be crucial.
A fantastic delivery from a corner by Marks was met by the head of Kyle McCulloch and the ball nestled in the net for 2-0.
From then on the second half was one way traffic and it became a case of how many. Lewis Kerr got his second with a side footed controlled volley that he expertly guided into the top corner – one of the most aesthetically pleasing goals I’ve seen all season.
Despite all the away side’s good defensive work they shot themselves in the foot with what would be the last goal of the game. An attempted back pass was intercepted by Conan Mackin who took it round the keeper for the second time in the game. This time there was no foul and he stroked the ball home with his left foot from close range.
Full time: Lugar Boswell Thistle 4-0 Newmains United
MOTM
For me, there were two players that really stood out on the park. Jack Marks, a tenacious winger was at the heart of most Lugar attacks but I’m awarding it to two goal hero Lewis Kerr. He plays central midfield but with an emphasis on attack. Always picks the ball up in space and technique wise probably the best on the pitch. He first caught my eye in the first half with a long range effort that went just over the bar before stroking home the penalty but my mind was made up with the technique of his second goal – sublime.
Summary
I can sum this one up in two words – pleasantly surprised. My expectations were low considering this was a last minute decision, a team in the bottom tier of Scottish football and I’d done absolutely no research but was blown away by the beauty of this place. With the tiny population of Lugar coupled with the powerhouse football clubs that are nearby, it can’t have been a walk in the park keeping the club going and I’m positive there’s been tough times in the past. But, to look at them now when they’ve bought their ground, play some good football and are gunning for promotion – it’s clear those in charge are doing many things right.
Lugar’s second half performance blew Newmains away and on another day could’ve been more than just a four goal margin although they’ll be quite rightly happy with the achieved result.
Considering I know a lot of people who travel around Scotland taking in football matches, I can’t believe nobody mentions Lugar and Rosebank Park as an excellent place to visit. In fairness, I’d never heard any negatives either, but there’s so much to like about the club and the location it should be spoken about more often and I’m happy to take that mantle on.
A real football adventure
GroundhopScot 