07/05/05

LATEST VANDAL ATTACK SENDS SHOCKWAVES AT BO'NESS: This season has saw a few vandalism attacks, such as Ashfield's arson attack and the pavillion attack at Coltness as well.  But the most recent team to be hit by vandalism is Bo'ness United and their south stand of the ground.  First fears were that the cost of repairs would run into over 40,000 pounds but it is now thought that it will only cost a few thousand instead.  Two young guys were seen running from the scene of the attack and police and angry Bo'ness fans are on the look-out for the wee pricks.  We don't often hear if the attackers of grounds do get caught so it'd be nice to think that one day in the near future they'll have the absolute stuffing knocked out of them!

06/05/05

COLTNESS STAYING POSITIVE: Coltness United's manager Robert McKenna is confident that his team has shown great progress since taking over in November 2004. Sure, they've only got 3 points but as of late McKenna says their defeats have only been narrow.  He may be right, they lost 3-2 to Royal Albert on 27th April and other scores include losing 2-0 to Forth, 4-1 to St Roch's and 5-2 to Blantyre Victoria.  A positive Coltness can take is that they are scoring at least once in these games, so at least they can knock the ball in the back of the net.  Now the young and inexperienced squad need to sort out their defence and they may have a much better season in 2005/2006.  They'll be hoping that results such as a 10-0 thrashing against Ashfield back in March are long gone for now, and maybe they'll pick up another point or two before season's end.  Coltness themselves came agonisingly close to getting a draw against Royal Albert last Wednesday but a David Dickson wonder-strike kept the losing run going for the club that never gives up.

In mid-week action, Largs have won the Ayrshire District title after their monday evening victory over Ardeer.  But while they celebrate their title success, teams like Port Glasgow are still fighting for promotion even though they're outsiders to grab a place in the top three.  But their 4-1 victory away to Forth on Saturday afternoon has given them a boost in this final frantic month of football.  Joe Beckley, biggal's favourite non-Bankie, started on the bench and at half-time the scoreline stood at 1-1 after Port's lead was cancelled out thanks to a goalkeeping blunder from the Wrestling-mad Port Glasgow keeper Steven Jackson.  But Beckley came on for the second half and ran Forth ragged, setting up Port's 2nd and 3rd goal before grabbing one himself.  I can see now why biggal keeps going on about how he'd make a great Bankies player - every time he plays he's either setting up a goal, scoring one or just ripping the absolute crap out of the opposition with his style of play.

This Scottish Junior International tournament thingy ended up with Scotland retaining the title, big whoop.  I can understand that it's important for some people but damn it, some teams still have 10 games left to play this season and cancelling all fixtures so more people could be forced to watch the Isle of Man or wherever play won't do any good.  Anyway, in cup news Neilston lost to Shettleston on penalty kicks after their third round Central League Cup tie ended in a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes.  Shettleston will now face either Larkhall or Pollok in the quarter finals.  Benburb crashed out 2-0 to Ashfield, who will play Wishaw in the semi-finals as well.  Wishaw themselves haven't exactly been spectacular in the league so they only have the Central League Cup going for them so far.

It's that time when teams don't only win titles and get promoted - some teams also lose out to the threat of relegation.  Saltcoats Victoria are relegated to the Ayrshire District League already, and Cumbernauld United are also relegated into the Central First(according to Evening Times - do you trust Jim O'Donnell?), where they had just escaped from last season.  Carluke are heading back into the Central District Second Division after being officially relegated on Wednesday evening following a 3-1 defeat to fellow relegation strugglers Rutherglen Glencairn.  Lanark are officially promoted as well and need just a single point to clinch the title.  Lesmahagow slipped up a bit by drawing 1-1 away to Wishaw on Wednesday evening, meaning Port Glasgow could catch up even more to that third promotion spot if they defeat Coltness in their next match.

In the Super-League Troon got gubbed 5-1 off Kilwinning, meaning Troon are likely to drop into the Super League First Division next season and Kilwinning just about safe from the drop.  Troon sensationally sacked Chris Strain and John McColl before the defeat to Kilwinning.  They were already heading for Irvine Meadow next season but the club just got rid of them now, and the pair went to watch Irvine Meadow play their match later that evening, who won 2-1 against Hurlford.  They're not bitter about it, though, and wish the club all the best in the future.

And of course, Vale of Clyde will clinch promotion if Dunipace drop any more points this season, or if they themselves can avoid defeat to Clydebank.  In fact, any points they take from the Clydebank game would result in the Tin Pail winning the league.  Do Clydebank want that to happen?  Thought so, go kick some arse Bankies!

A final note: It's never good to see any players have a serious injury, and Stonehouse Violet's talented midfielder Andy Frame has been diagnosed with Bell's Palsy, a facial paralysis condition.  Not an actual disease in itself but it's a disorder of the facial nerve.  The club he's at wish him a speedy recovery and I for one do so too.

26/04/05

FAMILIAR FACE BETWEEN THE STICKS: I got a big shock when getting the teams last weekend for Clydebank's home match against East Kilbride Thistle - Scott Brunton was back in town!  He was in goals for Thistle as regular goalkeeper Brian McDonald had a prior engagement.  Brunton had gone to Forth, last time I heard, and then sufferend an injury.  He gave me the story on what happened:

I went up to Forth after their new manager phoned me when John Clifford had left. I was at my first training session when one of the players came through my back with his knee in a crossing exercise. I thought I was just winded, but on the way home the pain got worse. Ended up at A&E. Spent 5 days in hospital, I had torn my right kidney, off work for 9 weeks. SO ITS GOOD TO BE BACK. There was a bit of gamesmanship with the bye kicks (but who wouldn't in our position), but to be honest I was just knackered, it was my first game for months and I had only been back training for a few weeks.

His first game back was at a venue where he had previously conceded 10 in 2 games during his time with Coltness, but it was clear that whenever he has a decent defence in front of him, he's capable of keeping a clean sheet!  He is hoping to be in goals also for Vale of Clyde's visit to the Showpark, but Brian McDonald is available for selection again and I've heard he's been on good form this season.  Whoever is in goals, the important thing no Clydebank fan has mentioned yet is that Vale of Clyde will officially be promoted if they win against Thistle on Wednesday evening.  This league is damn near giving me a heart attack, I'd probably be even more anxious if Vale of Clyde DIDN'T win against Thistle as it'd mean it'd possibly go down to the Tin Pail's last match - against Clydebank.

Benburb were defeated at home 3-2 by Yoker on Monday evening, Benburb's second home defeat all season.  Yoker took the lead through Kenneth Bennet but Tony O'Neil equalised for the Chookie Hens.  Into the second half Bobby MacMillan curled a shot around a Yoker wall from an indirect free-kick to give Benburb the lead, but this was instantly cancelled out when Billy Ferguson hammered home the equaliser a minute later.  The winner came from the same Yoker player who scored with 20 minutes remaining.  The win puts Clydebank into 4th as Yoker and Dunipace are joint second.  Clydebank need to win every game, and it's certainly feasible.

Results from the weekend included Kilwinning thrashing Johnstone Burgh 7-1, Arthurlie scraping a 2-1 victory against Larkhall (both matches in Super-League Premier) and Kirkintilloch Rob Roy won against the team without a manager, Cambuslang Rangers.  The victory means Rob Roy are pretty much safe in the Super League First Division for another season.  In the Central District Second Division on Monday evening, Port Glasgow continue to chase promotion despite being well behind the leaders of the pack.  Lesmahagow won 3-2 against Forth, Port Glasgow won 3-1 against Glasgow Perthshire and Coltness were gubbed 5-2 at home to Blantyre Victoria, a defeat which has seen Coltness concede 102 goals this season.  19 games, 102 conceded.  No wonder the league's got a high scoring rate!

As well as league fixtures tomorrow evening, there is a Central League Cup tie for Benburb to play, away to Ashfield.  A place in the quarter finals are at stake, the winners taking on either Stonehouse Violet or Wishaw.

No Saturday fixtures this week for Clydebank or anyone in our division, so this weekend is going to suck.  BUT...

EAST ACES BO'NESS UNITED TO INVADE PRESTONFIELD: next Wednesday (the 4th) there is a big match in the East of Scotland, between Linlithgow Rose and Bo'ness United.  It is a fixture which can attract a few THOUSAND fans, never mind hundreds!  Kicks off in the evening, I'd assume 7-ish.  Better early than late, I say!  This is quite possibly the biggest Junior football game there is, because of the attention it attracts and the crowd that follows.  Bo'ness have ex-Bankie Simon Vella now playing for them, as well as a couple of ex-St Johnstone players George O'Boyle (ex-Northern Ireland internationlist) and Kevin Thomas (Scotland U21 star).  These were the two players involved in that sorry drugs drama which they were cleared of, still a sorry incident.

I know what people are thinking, it's a game a good bit away from the West - why should fans go?  I'll give you a few reasons, for one thing (Renfrew fans listen now) Linlithgow, if I remember correctly, bragged like mad about how their section of support filled their terraces when they visited the Frew.  For this game, there's 2000+ fans around the whole pitch, and it's likely to be mainly Bo'ness fans!  So the terraces will be bulging with fans, there's one reason.  Another reason is that there will be a police presence at the game, that's how large the crowd can be...and how volatile as well, since both clubs (even the players) hate each other to bits.  And it's a game between two of THE best teams in Scottish Junior football, both are competing for the title crown in the top division over there, as the top three (which includes Bo'ness and Linlithgow) are all tied on points.  And rather famously, most Bo'ness fans (all 2000 of them, or around about) who will spectate this match WALK the three miles to Linlithgow and back, quite a sight apparently.  If you're bored next Wednesday and want to watch a great game of football, then make your way to this unique cracker!  To find out how to get there from Glenhead Park, click here.

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22/04/05

WHISTLER KNOCKED OUT: A mid-week match on Wednesday between East Junior sides Elmwood and Dundee North End finished 1-1 thanks to a late strike in the 95th minute by Elmwood.  But the result wasn't the main talking point - the referee getting knocked out seconds after the final whistle was what made headlines all over Scotland's newspapers.

Terry Brunton, the referee in question, is said to believe that the late goal is the reason for why someone took their anger out on him.  He has no idea who hit him, how they hit him and the next thing he remembered was being treated by the Elmwood physio.  Police are investigating and the SJFA in the East, as well as the SFA, could have an enquiry as well in the matter.  The ref considered giving up after this unsavoury incident but thankfully will continue to be the man in the middle, and won't let the knockout blow stop his desire to one day officiate in the Senior SPL matches.

Andy Cunningham has been sacked by Cambuslang Rangers for not meeting their expectations.  Fans are shocked by this decision as they are sitting 3rd in the Super League First Division.  My best guess is that the beaks in charge at Cambuslang weren't happy with cup defeats off lower-league opposition, which did include Clydebank winning 1-0 against them way back in October.  St Anthony's and Glasgow Perthshire have also beaten them, and despite the strong league position the club have gotten rid of what sounds like a talented manager.  He got them promoted last season, he's won them silverware and this just doesn't add up.  Some behind-the-scenes shenanigans is another theory, because it is just mad to fire a manager when they have such a strong position in the league and are consistantly performing well.

Auchinleck Talbot say that a bunch of forged twenty pound notes were presented at the turnstiles on the 16th April at home to Kilwinning Rangers.  Investigations are set to continue.  Personally, this kind of thing is just daft - who would pay 20 quid to get in to a game that costs at MOST, a fiver, for entrance money?

EDIT: Biggal has pointed out my stupidity in not recognising that the guys who pay with a fake 20 will get a 15 pounds profit out of it, and since there was a healthy bunch of fakes then overall, there'd be a profit for the scammers.  So if they did it 20 times, they'd get 300 quid out of it.  Cheers biggal for pointing that out.

Over in the East, Linlithgow Rose manager Jimmy Creaney has been fined and banned from the dug-out for the rest of the season, due to apparently head-butting an official.  This was a controversial incident as the opposition team, Arniston, claim that he did no such thing.  Still, Creaney was now allowed to call them as witnesses and he'll now have to make do without being in his team's dug-out for the rest of the season.

The mid-week results saw some big scorelines, and the Lang scored 4 at Petershill.  Still, it was not enough for the win as Petershill had scored 6 themselves.  So Petershill keep staying in contention with Kilsyth who sit on top of the Super League First Division.  Two points seperate Petershill and Kilsyth, but the Peasy have two games on hand.  Can Kilsyth stay top for long or will Petershill eventually knock them off?  In the Super League Premier Division as well, Glenafton were gubbed 5-0 off Auchinleck Talbot while Maryhill (fresh off a Scottish Junior Cup semi-final thrashing off Lochee United) lost at home to Bellshill 3-1.

In the Central District First Division, Benburb finally picked up points away from home as they won 2-1 away to East Kilbride Thistle.  It's Thistle's fifth consecutive league defeat, a run which can not be matched by any other club in this division but as I said on my match preview, St Anthony's come close to doing just that!  Greenock's match with Yoker was controversially called off due to part of the pitch having a soft spot.  And there's doubt about Clydebank's game being on against then next Wednesday as Port Glasgow are using their ground for their games both on Saturday and then Monday.

Port Glasgow were in action against Ashfield on Wednesday evening and Biggal went along to spectate.  The 48 people in attendance were not disappointed as a thrilling 3-3 draw was the final outcome.  Ashfield, in the spruced-up surroundings of Saracen Park, scored two goals thanks to howlers from the Port Glasgow goalkeeper, who was replaced at half-time.  Port Glasgow got back into the match when Gary Stewart fired in an unstoppable free-kick which hit the roof of the net.  Into the second half the Port grabbed an equaliser and then just as Joe Beckley was preparing to come on as a substitute the referee awarded Port Glasgow a penalty kick!  The ref asked the Port management if they wanted to make the change before or after the spot kick, but they chose for the spot kick first.  Agonisingly for Port Glasgow, the penalty was smashed against the crossbar and out for a goalkick, and the guy who missed the penalty went off for Joe Beckley.  A corner kick which should've been a goal kick saw Ashfield regain their precious lead but this was cancelled out when a Port Glasgow player drilled home a shot through a ruck of players to tie the game.

One thing to point out is that both teams were deemed to be wearing strips which colour-clashed, both wearing white tops even though Port Glasgow had colour bands on theirs.  So Ashfield had a kit change and came back out wearing a yellow strip with red colours and two vertical bands running down one side.  One thing is for sure, if the football didn't impress you the Ashfield football strips did!

So the promotion race in the Central District Second Division is wide open, Lanark destroyed Stonehouse Violet 4-1 and it's now anyone's guess which teams will LIKELY join Lanark in getting promoted.  Lesmahagow, in third place, will be happy of the Ashfield-Port Glasgow result as they keep a fairly healthy 7-point lead over Ashfield and 9 points ahead of the Port.  Games in hand are still to play, though, and it'll be one hell of a finish to the season!  Coltness are still sitting on three points, a total which trebles their points tally for last season, but their goal difference isn't a pretty sight.  In 17 matches, they have scored only 9 goals (3 came in the only match they got points this season, a 3-1 win over Wishaw) and have conceded 93!

In the Ayrshire District League, the season's almost over for most teams there and Largs Thistle are slugging it out with Annbank over who gets their hands on the title.  The only team who seem to have a title in the bag is Pollok...

One final thing, once again there will be live match updates on Renfrew's clash with Tayport tonight at Love Street, home of St. Mirren.  The Official Bo'ness United website, which I have linked in my links page handily enough, is where you can keep updated on proceedings.  Who will go through to meet Lochee United in the final?  Renfrew are the last hope for the West teams, and they're the long-shots to make it.  Still, c'mon the Frew!

19/04/05

GIANT-KILLERS LANARK LOSING THEIR FORM?: Lanark's draw against Royal Albert a couple of Saturdays ago was met with some disappointment from manager Tom McDonald.  He said that after the training on the following Monday, they'd have no more problems with trying to score a goal.  That point was proven when his team scored 4 away to Ashfield.  Unfortunately for Lanark, Ashfield scored 5.  So it looks like it's now defence which needs sorted next for Lanark!  They play Stonehouse Violet at home tomorrow while Ashfield are at home to Joe Beckley's Port Glasgow side who are still gunning for promotion.

Clydebank's opponents on Saturday (East Kilbride Thistle) have appointed Jimmy Kerr as the assistant to gaffer John Brogan.  He helped take charge in the 3-2 defeat off Yoker and will be looking forward to working with Brogan again after previously being at Stirling Albion and Arbroath in the past.  Kerr is a bit rusty not being involved in the game for a few years but looks forward to trying to revive Thistle's form and attempting to save them from relegation.  First things first, though, Thistle have a mid-week match against fellow relegation candidates Benburb who won their Govan Derby match against St Anthony's thanks to an injury-time winner.

Greenock Juniors won their cup match against Cumbernauld after drawing 1-1 after 90 minutes in the Central League Cup game.  Cumbernauld blame themselves for the shoot-out, they don't have much confidence with penalty kicks it would seem.  Greenock Juniors opened the scoring through Graham Black in the first half but Cumbernauld responded when Allison lifted the ball over the Greenock keeper and into the top corner.  To penalty kicks it went, where Greenock Juniors were this time successful with the spot kick decider where the week before they lost out to Shotts Bon Accord the same way.  So their cup dreams this season will continue as they play away to Forth next, and the winners of that game will meet either Wishaw or Stonehouse Violet in the quarter-finals.  So I can see Greenock Juniors going quite far in the Central League Cup this season!  Shettleston and Benburb are also in this competition still, and have an exciting league to participate in as well.

Lochee gubbed Maryhill 4-0.  Clydebank fan Cameron kept the webmaster on the Bo'ness United website updated for live updates, so well done to both of them.  The webmaster is hoping to repeat this service for Friday's match between Renfrew and Tayport, if you are going and fancy keeping him updated then let me or him or whoever know by any means necessary!

15/04/05

BUBBA WAS THE BUTTER SAYS REF: Arthurlie's off-the-pitch saga has taken a new twist when Mark Ross, affectionately known as "Bubba" to 'Lie fans, has been targeted by referee John McKendrick as the person who head-butted him after the Auchinleck league defeat on the 5th February of this year.  Without going into too much detail, Arthurlie are up a certain creek without a paddle.

The next bit comes from a friend who doesn't wish to be named.  All I'll say is that they're not a Bankie!  So the paragraph below is his opinion on the situation:

According to the Evening Times Jimmy Creaney is up before the East Region Disciplinary Committee re the last Arniston game and is having to answer claims that he head-butted the standside Assistant Referee. The article goes on to say that both the Rose and Arniston officials are united in the fact that this did not happen, but - and wait for it - Creaney is not allowed to call them as witnesses. Creaney has asked for a personal hearing to try and clear his name.  If it's down to the Disciplinary folk then they will without a doubt side with the Assistant Referee.  I can understand that they would feel officials from the "offender's" camp would side with him, but surely if the opposing team's officials are prepared to back him then they should be allowed to speak!

Rutherglen gaffer Ross Anderson has said that comments made on a rival club's website has spurned the players to prove a point to those that doubt their obvious talent.  Anderson reckons that half-time against Vale of Clyde was the turning point, being 2-0 down.  He put up something for the players to see - a comment made on a website saying they were the worst Rutherglen team ever!  Apparently, it was the Vale of Clyde website - but they don't even have one properly I believe.  If they do, it's a well-kept secret!  The report is full of errors, saying that the change of form took a turn for the good ever since February 17th, playing against Vale of Clyde.  They had no game that day, as it was a Thursday!  They played Vale of Clyde on the 12th February, and Vale of Leven a week later on the 19th.  Ever since that half time, Rutherglen players have found a new desire to play, to silence the critics and prove a point.  And by golly, they certainly are proving people wrong!  Their latest match saw them draw 2-2 at Holm Park against a Yoker team who are themselves seeing their season go belly-up.  They seem to be the team to beat right now, as their recent run of form can only be matched by Dunipace for the last 5 matches.

In fact, here's a quick run-down of the form in the Central District First Division for the last five league matches; Dunipace and Rutherglen are neck and neck on 11 points out of 15, while Vale of Clyde are a point behind.  Then it's Clydebank, who have amassed 8 points out of a possible 15.  Benburb, East Kilbride Thistle and Vale of Leven are all doing terribly for current form, only 4 points out of a possible 15 and Yoker's current slump sees them only getting 5 points out of 5 matches.  And Yoker have only won once at home all season - against Clydebank.

And since I just mentioned Vale of Leven, fans may be interested to hear that their website reports that their 4-1 mauling off Carluke (absent of Chris Mackie) was marred by "supporters" throwing cans of lager at the opposition players.  The Vale have been fined and advised not to allow alcohol in the ground again.  It's a sign of fans losing their temper fuelled on booze, and I hope I never see any Clydebank fans resort to such sickening actions.  The Vale have been warned that any repeated incidents like this could lead to points reduction - they're almost inevitably going down anyway, unless they win all their remaining games and hope all their rivals slip up big.

Greenock Juniors (who have 7 points out of 15, if you're really interested) were eliminated from the West of Scotland Cup at the quarter-final stages after they took Shotts to penalty kicks at Hannah Park.  The first half was diabolical for action, as there was none.  Thankfully, the second half saw Shotts open the scoring thanks to Ian Wallace, who pounced at the back post to shoot inside the near post after a quickly-taken free-kick which caught Greenock Juniors off guard.  With around 15 minutes remaining Greenock Juniors equalised when a mazy Andy Monaghon run saw him set up Graham Black to score inside the bottom right corner.

It went to the dreaded penalty kicks, and Shotts were to hit them first.  Mark Booth had his penalty saved from Greenock Juniors keeper Meechan.  Martin Power could not give Greenock the early advantage though as his penalty was also saved by Shotts stopper Iain Banks.  Brian Crawford was up next for Shoots and Meechan again saved that penalty to keep the penalty scoreline blank.  Gordon Lappin dispatched his penalty with ease though, sending Banks the wrong way.  Shotts tied things up when Alex Keddie converted Shotts' first penalty kick in the shoot-out.  John Robertson saw Iain Banks deny him of putting Greenock back into the lead, and it was all square after three kicks each.  Shotts took the lead in the shoot-out when David Kirkwood converted his penalty but this was matched from Greenock's Andy Monaghan.  Finally, Shotts scored their fifth penalty thanks to Kevin Brown, and the final penalty was agonisingly fired past the post from Mark Bowie, and Shotts had gone through to the semi-finals by the skin of their teeth!

Meanwhile in the same competition, Arthurlie won on a shoot-out against Bellshill and Beith eliminated Maybole 1-0.  Troon saw off Renfrew to take up the final semi-final place.  Arthurlie are now certain favourites to lift the trophy but nothing is ever certain in Junior football!  In the Super League, Maryhill lost to Pollok 1-0 in Pollok's bid to lift the most prestigious league trophy in Junior football, the win putting them 6 points clear.  Johnstone Burgh continue to show their regeneration by winning 2-1 against Glenafton.  It lifts them to 9th in the table, but the teams in the relegation zone have a good handful in games over them.  Winning every game might still not be enough in the Burgh's battle for survival.

Moonaki's favourite non-Bankie Stevie Dallas score twice in Peterhill's 3-0 win over Saltcoats and that helps them to continue clipping the heels of Kilsyth, who won themselves 3-1 against Hurlford.  In the Central District Second Division, Thorniewood won 2-0 against Glasgow Perthshire while Lanark dropped points for only the second time this season, drawing 1-1 at home to Royal Albert.  Port Glasgow could've capitalised on this but they lost at home 2-1 to St Rochs.  Thorniewood and Port Glasgow do battle next Saturday, in my opinion the match of the day in that division.

08/04/05

COLTNESS JOY: Coltness have moved back to Victoria Park which kills off fears that the vandalism caused asbestos in the pavillion ceiling tiles.  The vandalised Pavilion has been repaired after the council carried out the repairs and they can continue their season at their own ground.  I would like to remind anyone in that area that if they are interested in helping out Coltness in any way, contact the club president Jim Devine on 07833 187781.  Thank you to biggal for telling me of this great news for Coltness.

The Times reports that Cumbernauld manager Gerry McLaughlin is raging at assistant ref Alex Patterson (in other words, the linesman) after an alleged poking incident.  That's right - the linesman poked the manager!  McLaughlin's team were decimated 5-1 off Beith, but the problems between manager and linesman arose when Cumbernauld midfielder Graham McCracken, who is on loan from Clyde, picked up a nasty knock from a hard challenge and had to be subbed.  The linesman, however, did not pay attention to the manager when he asked him to flag for a change.  Because the linesman ignored the manager, Beith went on to score moments later, Beith's third of the game which did have a major impact on the rest of the game.  With McCracken still injured, McLaughlin attempted to help his player off the pitch, but was blocked from the same linesman who had ignored him moments earlier from doing so!  And the manager then claims he was prodded sharply in the leg by the linesman's flag.

McLaughlin was sent off to the dressing rooms for his anger at not being allowed to help his player off the pitch, and after the game things only got more dodgy.  McLaughlin heard from the linesman himself that he may have "accidently" struck him.  Which makes McLaughlin wonder why Patterson never spoke up when the ref ordered him off during the game.  And McLaughlin brings up a valid point when he asked the ref if he would've given any player on the pitch the benefit of the doubt if they had used that lame excuse?  Expect more from this in the following weeks.

Another gaffer to put his foot in it is Gerry Collins, of Glenafton.  The new Glens boss fielded two players who were ineligible to play.  Phil Cannie of Kirkintilloch Rob Roy and Linlithgow goalkeeper John Connolly played were the two players who shouldn't have taken part in Glenafton's 3-0 defeat to Kilwinning Rangers.  The ex-Partick Thistle manager didn't know, or forgot, that no loan-deal arrangement exists at Junior level, and therefore signed players are not permitted to turn out as trialists, even with the permission of their clubs.

Speaking of Rob Roy, David Simeon's first game back for the Rabs after leaving Clydebank was a memorable one, setting up an equaliser for the Rabs against Irvine Meadow and scoring the winner with minutes remaining, a "wonder-strike" got his team the victory.  Now, Rob Roy are a division above us, and Simeon fits in seemingly easily...yet playing a division below he can't even get into the team.  Maybe he lost heart playing for Clydebank, maybe he didn't meet Budgie's requirements fitness-wise.  I'm just glad the big guy's doing well back with his old club, all the best to him and his team this season.

Greenock Juniors probably have no idea what the league actually is, seeing as they are never playing in it.  After beating Yoker 5-2 on penalty kicks in the West of Scotland Cup on Saturday, they face Shotts Bon Accord in the quarter finals this coming Saturday.  Next Saturday also sees them in cup action, away to Cumbernauld in the second round of the Central League Cup.  So after that, they will only have 6 weeks to play 11 games, which includes taking on Clydebank twice, Yoker twice, Vale of Leven twice and Rutherglen Glencairn twice!  It will be a very hectic month and a half for Greenock Juniors, my only fear is that we'll have to travel to Greenock for a mid-week game!

Port Glasgow continue their quest to be in the promotion places in the Central District Second Division, as they won 1-0 against Wishaw.  Being 9 points behind 3rd place Thorniewood doesn't help matters much, but having 3 games in hand over them, and 5 games in hand over Lesmahagow on 32 points, means they will be aiming to keep on winning for their shot at promotion.  Lanark are still sitting on top, played 13, won 12 and lost 1.  Quite an amazing record, it'll be hard to see them being stopped anytime soon as their most recent result was thrashing Coltness 7-2!

Whitey Moffat's Carluke side are bottom of the table, and with only 6 matches for them to play they are setting a goal for themselves to win 4 of them.  Loch Park is still not to be used to Carluke will play this "home" match at Lesmahagow's Craighead Park.  Stuart Arnott is back from suspension to boost their scoring chances, but can they keep it together in defence?  Vale of Leven are also battling for survival and will not be easy for Carluke to overcome.  Chris Mackie is also still AWOL, as far as I know.  Meanwhile, Rutherglen gaffer Ross Anderson knows that his team are still in big danger of relegation, and a win last weekend against St Anthony's thanks to a last-ditch goal from Scott Smith's head means Rutherglen have 10 points out of 12, a great feat for a team struggling to survive relegation!  Their aim is to finish the season above East Kilbride Thistle, who are the latest team to feel threatened by the drop.  The Glens travel to Holm Park, where Yoker's form has deteriorated vastly within a month.  East Kilbride have a week off, while they see if the teams below them get closer to catching up.

EDIT: BREAKING NEWS

Once again, biggal has passed on more news about Carluke's unhappy chappy Chris Mackie.  His AGENT, yes he's good enough to have an agent, has told Carluke manager Whitey Moffat that Mackie wasn't getting enough money and wanted a transfer.  Moffat's response was to make crystal clear that Mackie's not going anywhere before returning to training sessions, and will not kick a ball for another club unless a good offer comes in.  Chris Mackie, in my opinion, might be helpful for a team but he's got a temper problem.  I feel he's getting a bit big-headed, but the situation will not die down anytime soon.

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01/04/05

EX-JAGS KEEPER ON BRINK OF QUITTING: Ex-Partick Thistle goalkeeper Kevin Budinauckas is angry about being sent off for assaulting the referee by throwing his gloves at him.  The Wishaw goalkeeper is said to have not thrown his gloves at the referee John McCrossan against Thorniewood last weekend, but threw them on the ground in frustration.  Wishaw were already down to 9 men, but the dismissal of Budinauckas could be enough to have him hang up his gloves altogether.  He's already picked up a few bookings this season, so he isn't exactly the calmest person on the pitch at times!  Staying with the Central District Second Division the fight for promotion is getting more intense, as Thorniewood have only won 1 in 4 and Ashfield are clipping their heels.  Lanark still seem unstoppable, and Lesmahagow take on Neilston in a Central League Cup match.

Pollok have snapped up full-back Chris Cruickshank from Stranraer, a target of Lok boss Rab Sneddon since November, has finally saw his persistance in signing the talented left-footer pay off and will likely start in the top versus bottom clash on Saturday against Johnstone Burgh.  And speaking of transfers, David Simeon has gone back to Kirkintilloch Rob Roy after failing to secure a regular place in the Clydebank team.  Vale of Clyde got a new player themselves, a young 19 year-old defender called Stevie Kerr from Albion Rovers.

All sorts of guesses for when the mid-week fixtures will start for this season, biggal's guess is April 18th.  Jim O'Donnell said this was something to look forward to.  Personally, I was never as excited for the mid-week fixtures, playing games in the evening when you're knackered already from the day's events of doing whatever.  So let me do some calculating...Clydebank can play 5 games this month, the last of the month falling on the 30th April.  That would leave a whole other month (last season ended at the very end of May, Evening Times Cup included) to get the other 4 games out of the way.  I don't think we would need to play mid-week football, considering that!  Unless games get postponed, that is...

Last weekend's results saw Maryhill grind out a win over high-flying Central Disctrict Division Two side Lanark.  Ex-Bankie Graham Mackay played for 70 of those minutes but wasn't happy with either his own performance, or that of his team-mates.  Still, a win's a win and the OVD Scottish Cup semi-finalists progress to the next round of the Central League Cup.  I myself, and at least 14 other Bankies fans (as well as Budgie) took in the Vale of Clyde V Dunipace match, and the Pace were by far the better team at the start of the game.  Their first goal was when veteran defender Danny Drew slipped in defence for the Tin Pail, and a Pace player took his chance and lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper to give the visitors an early lead.

Dunipace kept up the spell of pressure and were soon 2-0 up when Danny Taylor headed into his own net from a Pace free-kick.  It was the only goal he would score, as he missed THREE sitters for his own team.  Dunipace seemed content with this 2-0 scoreline - this was the mistake which would see them lose out on three points.  Moments later Danny Taylor hammered a shot right in front of goal wide of the target, and I have absolutely no idea how he missed the target.  Some good pressure from Dennis Curran's team saw a low cross almost being connected with, but a Vale player JUST missed on reaching the ball.  But finally the persistant pressure paid off, as a short pass from the right of the penalty box found a Vale player, who hit his shot past Colquhoun.  Dunipace were now on the defensive and were happy to hear the ref blow his whistle for half-time.

Vale of Clyde continued their momentum and soon equalised when Danny Drew made up for his earlier howler by setting up a team-mate to hammer the ball past a helpless Pace keeper.  Dunipace were now on the back foot from now until full-time.  And disaster struck when ex-Forth goalkeeper Alan Colquhoun was stretchered off, and replaced by Pace hero Tam Meighan.  I say "hero" as he saved his team from losing the game with some fine saves near the end of time.  Danny Taylor had a free-header off the crossbar with minutes to go, and I was happy to hear the full-time whistle blow.  Clydebank benefited the most from their two promotion rivals both dropping points.  Lesmahagow's title ambitions took a serious dent when Port Glasgow won 1-0 thanks to biggal's favourite non-Bankie, Joe Beckley, inspiring his team to take the victory.  Biggal wishes me to point out that Port Glasgow are the only team in their division to win against both Lanark and Lesmahagow, teams 1st and 2nd in the division.  In other words, he's saying "OI, Budgie!  Sign Joe Beckley!"  In the Super Premier League, Kilwinning lifted themselves off the bottom of the table and out of the relegation zone, while Renfrew drop into it.  Amazing how Renfrew are struggling in the league but are in the semi-finals of the Scottish Junior Cup.

So looking ahead to the first matches of April, I'd say the best games for a neutral fan to go is the Super Premier and watch either Johnstone Burgh V Pollok, or Maryhill V Larkhall.  If you want to watch a cup game instead, a Vale of Clyde team travel to Barrhead Park to take on Arthurlie for a place in the quarter finals of the West of Scotland Cup.  But if you do want a league match which should produce a close outcome, then Shotts Bon Accord playing at home to Petershill should be a safe bet for a nail-biting 90 minutes.

26/03/05

CHRIS MACKIE - OFFICIALLY GONE AWOL: Biggal very kindly passed on a story which will be of some interest to a few fans.  Arguably one of Carluke's best players Chris Mackie has been missing training and not turning up for matches for the past 4-5 weeks.  The news is dated March 17th, and as far as I know is still not turning up for training or any of Carluke's matches.  And Whitey Moffat has decided that Mackie is now on the open-to-transfer list.  Since it is dated 9 days ago, for all we know a club may already have Mackie as part of their team by now.  Nothing in the Evening Times about it (oh, come on, do you expect Jim O'Donnell to keep up-to-date?) and Carluke's season seems to be getting worse and worse.  And I'm very glad a match report of the Carluke V Dunipace match came with the report, as it shows a different match to what the OTHER newspaper report told.  Dunipace were awarded a goal when Andy Moffat headed off the line using the post for support - that's meant to prove that he was not behind the line when clearing the ball.  Two red cards as well, remember, which the report from the other paper forgot to mention...

25/03/05

IN WITH THE NEW: Bobby Pullen is the new manager of Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, a move which divided the committee.  He won the Scottish Amateur Cup as manager of Harestanes and was assistant at Kilsyth for a wee while before getting appointed there.  Cheers to the Bankies forum's very own "gonk" for supplying the information.

Speaking of new managers, ex-Partick Thistle gaffer Gerry Collins has quickly been brought in to take charge of wvm's Glenafton, after Stevie Mallen suddenly resigned just before last weekend's matches.  Andy Dunlop and Davy Kennedy will stay at Glenafton as well, contrary to reports that Davy Kennedy was going to New Cumnock.  Stevie Mallan is technically still a player but could be on his way out after he impressed at a trial for senior side Cowdenbeath on Tuesday.  It may mean Gerry Collins might have to start looking for new players so early in his stint as Glenafton manager as his attack is quickly deteriorating.  Mallan wants to be re-united with Cowdenbeath boss Davie Baikie when they were both together at Arbroath and the previous top-scorer for Glenafton Stuart Boyd went to Ayr United.  So Glenafton are on the look-out for a striker or two.  Aren't we all...

The weekend's cup matches saw some big results, as Benburb played a thriller at Tinto Park and won out 4-3 against Vale of Leven in their second-round Central League Cup match.  Carluke won 4-0 against St Anthony's in round 1 of the CLC, while Lesmahagow produced a shock by eliminating East Kilbride Thistle, a 2-0 victory for the Gow.  Other round 2 matches in the CLC saw Pollok win on penalty kicks against Johnstone Burgh, Dunipace lose to Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 2-0, Ashfield beating Thorniewood 4-3 on penalty kicks and most shocking of all, Glasgow Perthshire winning 3-1 away to Cambuslang Rangers.

In the West of Scotland Cup games, Maryhill were defeated suprisingly by Beith 2-1.  It was a match which Graham Mackay scored, had an effort cleared off the line, and he just about done everything he could (so he says, heh) but he still ended up in the losing side.  Renfrew pipped Lanark to a 2-1 win, and Maryhill travel to play Lanark on Easter Saturday for a CLC match.  Shotts won on penalty kicks 4-3 against Auchinleck Talbot, while Troon gubbed Shettleston 5-1.

Maryhill have to travel to McDiarmid Park to play a semi-final Scottish Junior Cup match against Lochee United, on Friday 15th April with a 7:45pm kick-off.  I'll be rooting for the West teams to make the final - but sadly, don't see an all-West final, or even any West teams being able to represent.  The other semi-final between Tayport and Renfrew will be played a week after the first one, on Friday 22nd April at St Mirren's Love Street ground, 7:45pm kick-off.  Closer to home, I might take in this match!

St Roch's are thinking big for a new stadium, and are trying to turn it into something to benefit the community.  They have raised 20,000 pounds for a feasability study, and hope for an all-weather state-of-the-art synthetic pitch with floodlights, as well as a few floodlit 5-a-side pitches, a cafe, large games hall, sauna, changing facilities, a gym, a team and meeting room.  The St Roch's pitch would be useable throughout the week for people to play 7-a-side matches on, and project co-ordinater Bernard Bradley is confident that the ambitious scheme will raise the money needed through the National Lottery and Sport Scotland.  Over six millions pounds is required to turn dreams into reality.  The idea is aimed at schools as well, saying it would be accessible to all local schools to get involved with sport, instead of having youths turn to crime and vandalism when bored.  Personally, that's like wishing for World Peace as some young guys prefer damaging stuff than to pay a bit of money to have a kick-about.  All the same, good luck to St Roch's in this plan.  BUT as the forum's fonzie fallon has pointed out, nearby team Petershill already have had something similar in mind, and have the money required to start their own project.

Ex-Johnstone Burgh player Jimmy Creaney has finally landed a coaching job, but he never would've imagined his first team to help coach would be at one of the best - Linlithgow Juniors have snapped him up to be their number 2, and Creaney will experience his first taste of football management on Saturday.  And Linlithgow have been quick to sign Stevie McGovern, recently released by Queens Park, and after keeping a clean sheet in last weekend's victory over Tranent Linlithgow Rose offered the highly-rated goalkeeper a contract until the end of the season.

Finally, it's something which will not settle down in a rush - the SJFA have got off their arses and set up an enquiry over the alleged head-butt of Ayrshire ref John McKendrick in the Auchinleck V Arthurlie match back in February.  And since nothing more has been found out, John Robertson has decided to try and stick some officials in there to sort out the mess.  The referee that claimed this, is the same ref who made a blunder and through a technicality, a 'Lie player who was sent off in that game (McShane) was still allowed to play the next game and serve no ban!  At times when we are questioning if referees should get into trouble for failing to apply the laws of the game, it's interesting how John McKendrick seemed to get away with this...

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18/03/05

CARLUKE CONTROVERSY: Main story is one which was passed on to me by a Carluke committee member, about Carluke's match with Dunipace last weekend.  It was half time in that match, Carluke surprisingly 3-1 up, considering positions in the league tables.  And apparently, the referee was heard to be talking on his mobile phone at half time to someone at the Clydebank match, and was heard to say that he had a coupon on Dunipace and Clydebank to win.  The second half re-starts, Carluke get two players sent off rather early into it and Dunipace win in injury time!  I'm not saying this is fact, but this can not be dismissed either - I've only heard one side of this, but if Carluke are going to actually lodge a complaint to the SJFA about it then it'll make for an interesting few weeks.  A ref having a bet on the game he's in charge of?  How can he be trusted to be unbiased in situations like that?  Remember, this is what a Carluke committee member passed on to me, and only one side of the story's been told.  The result does seem a bit dodgy considering it, Carluke having two early second-half dismissals and losing in the last seconds of time.

The actual match itself, according to the Falkirk Herald, was that Carluke got two dodgy decisions in their favour in the first half.  Arnott had opened the scoring, nothing dodgy about that.  After Kevin Mullen equalised soon after, the report goes on to say that the second goal for Carluke was "yards offside", but the ref waved play on and Smith lofted the ball over the helpless Colquhoun in goals for the Pace.  More "controversy" followed when Weir was tackled inside the penalty box by Stuart Morrison, the paper says it was a clean fair challenge but Weir's spectacular cartwheel when challenged influenced the ref to give the penalty.  And I thought I was biased with my reports!  McArthur slotted the penalty home and the half time score was 3-1.  It was 3-2 not long after the restart when Craig McKinlay headed home from a Mullen corner.  And shortly after this, a carbon copy of that previous corner brought the equaliser!  Same guy who crossed it, same guy who nodded home.  I love this line from the paper's report: "Dunipace had the scent of victory that even a dodgy referee could not deny them".  This is so biased it's unreal!  Ross Jackson, according to the report, scored with 10 minutes remaining.  The report does not mention that TWO Carluke players were sent off, as what my source had told me before in his little report.  I trust my Carluke source more than I trust some biased newspaper report, but at the end of the day it's a defeat for Carluke, and Dunipace keep holding on to that second promotion spot.

Speaking of refs, I thought I'd comment on what was in the Clydebank match programme last week, entitled "Reid's Rant".  A day after I do a theme on the Junior Scene on refs, the rant mainly concentrates on what happened in Senior football, between Hearts and Rangers a week or two ago, and how refs should "suffer for their bad decisions".  I feel compelled to remind this person that referees DO suffer from big howlers - Andy D'Urso in the English Premiership, arguably the best footballing division in the world.  Blackburn played Southampton on 21st August 2004, and were defeated.  But the main talking point was how Blackburn's Barry Ferguson was booked twice, yet wasn't sent off for this.  Andy D'Urso admitted this mistake after the game and charged with "less than proficiently applying the Laws of the Game".  Ref made a boo-boo, and was punished for this.  The refs are the most important person in a football match, but even they have to follow the same rules they enforce every single game, otherwise they too shall be punished.

Concerning big games last weekend, Renfrew overcame the mighty Pollok and booked their place in the last 4 with a 3-2 victory, a scoreline which wasn't surprising to a few people.  While Renfrew aren't doing great in the league, they know how to handle Pollok as they've played them a few times already, including this season in the Sectional League Cup, which ended in a 2-2 draw.  Maryhill won 1-0 away to Troon, and Tayport hammered Lugar Boswell 4-1.  Arthurlie will play Lochee United thanks to an equaliser for the 'Lie late on, but Arthurlie will not be able to field a full-strength side, as certain players have other committments, be it job or personal.  If Arthurlie win the replay, it will guarantee ONE West team in the final of the Scottish Junior Cup.

Also from last weekend, Greenock Juniors seemed to kill of East Kilbride Thistle's hopes of joining the promotion race, and at the same time helped themselves away from the relegation zone.  It's looking very exciting at the bottom end of the table, as there are several teams struggling to survive.  Rutherglen have picked up 4 points from 6 matches and sit on the same level of points as Greenock Juniors, but an inferior goal difference means that they stay in the bottom 3.  Yoker got gubbed for the second week in a row, losing 3-0 to the Tin Pail.  Outside our division Lesmahagow continue to keep in contention for the Central District Division 2 title, but Lanark are a point ahead with several matches in hand.  In the Super First division, Kilsyth kept top spot but could lose out if Moonaki's favourite player Stevie Dallas and his team Petershill win games in hand.  In the Central League Cup first round, Port Glasgow JUST lost out to Larkhall Thistle, losing on penalty kicks 4-3.  Joe Beckley's magic just couldn't win it for the underdogs, unlucky to Port Glasgow.

It's cup weekend again, both West of Scotland Cup and the Central League Cup.  I'll be keeping a close eye on several games, like Yoker V Greenock Juniors, Maryhill V Beith, Renfrew V Lanark (all West of Scotland cup matches) and Arthurlie's Scottish Junior Cup replay with Lochee United, as well as Pollok V Johnstone Burgh in the Central League Cup.

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11/03/05

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE: I've decided on a theme for this Junior Scene, on how controversial referees often are during matches.  And Clydebank have had their fair share of dodgy officials, which have at times turned games on their head.  We've had referees acting like they're the 12th man for the Bankies (but that's been rare) and we've also had ones which are seemingly a fan of the opposition.  But generally in Junior football, from what I've gathered from other fans at matches, the referee is not everyone's favourite person and it's not just Clydebank matches which the ref has been controversial - reports I've gathered makes it abundantly clear that the ref rarely gets any praise for their actions, and most recently was last week's match, between Vale of Leven and East Kilbride Thistle.

Thistle's match report on their official website at times goes into a rant at ref for their league clash with Leven, David McIntosh.  The report referred to his refereeing performance as a special "Comic Relief" performance, and it says his decisions at times enraged both sides.  From Vale of Leven's point of view, I can't see on their own take on the game how they weren't happy with the ref - only angry that so much injury time was allocated.  But Thistle aren't happy one bit, having a player sent off for back-chat and the Thistle boss sent off from the dug-out for over-reacting to the ref.  Brownlie was booked when he complained that Leven were taking too long to take a throw-in.  It ended in a 2-1 win for Leven, but Arthurlie only know too well how much a dodgy official can cause a mass brawl...

It was an away match to Auchinleck Talbot, for title-chasers Arthurlie.  And you can forget what happened in the first 85 minutes, because the last 5 minutes saw a penalty conversion for Auchinleck, an Arthurlie goal chalked off a few minutes after it was scored and a mass brawl between all players and those on the benches, for a stonewall penalty claim for Arthurlie being denied, I've already explained what happened before.  It's just another example of the ref and officials causing scenes of violence due to their controversial decisions.  The ref for this match was John McKendrick, an Ayrshire ref so don't worry Bankies fans - it ain't likely we'll be getting him this season!  Frank Lynch has been fined 100 quid for "bringing the game into disrepute".  The bloody ref did that, though!

When Kilsyth beat Shotts in the chase for the Super First title a fortnight ago, again the referee was the target for Kilsyth boss John Richardson.  He was on the winning side, a 4-2 scoreline, but the victorious manager still ripped into official for that tie Pat Rafferty.  The claims are the same as what Frank Lynch of Arthurlie was saying - the ref was making himself the most important figure on the pitch.  Well...isn't he meant to be?  Anyway, Clydebank's own tales of dodgy refereeing has been every other game.  I remember a match last season, both teams were constantly hand-balling throughout, and everyone was amazed when the referee finally penalised a player for hand-ball in the second half.  More recently, we've seen two stone-wall penalty kicks turned down last week, which would've costed us three points if not for Waddell's quick-thinking free kick.  In every match, throughout Junior football, every weekend there will be ONE referee who makes a big mistake, and will be moaned at for it.  In turn, this can cause anger from players, management and especially the fans.  But even though the man in the middle is often the person we all target for our anger, perhaps showing some consideration for refs is in order.  They only get summit like twenty quid, and often do not have linesmen to depend on.  Sure, some of them do deserve at times a slagging off, but they do not have eyes everywhere.  I believe that most match officials will do their best to officiate every football match they are in charge of.

Anyway, in other news John McClelland could be set to keep his role as manager of Kirkintilloch Rob Roy.  A great start last weekend with a 2-0 win over Neilston, so the role might now be permanent soon.  But he's a former Airdrie player, so let's quickly move on.  The Sectional League Cup could be given a major re-shuffle and a big old kick up the arse, as it looks like it's at least heading in the right direction.  Budgie seems happy with it, as it'd be more local teams we'd be playing such as Yoker, Maryhill, Glasgow Perthshire and Ashfield.  Some would rather see the cup just scrapped, as it interferes with the opening league fixtures.  Still, it's progress and it would mean we'd have the chance to gubb Yoker every season, and welcome back Graham Mackay to Glenhead Park with his Maryhill team-mates.

It's Scottish Junior Cup weekend, and the big matches will be Troon hosting Maryhill and Arthurlie's big visit to take on Lochee United.  Renfrew are having a poor season in the league, but will hope their Scottish Cup run continues as they face the favourites (to many I've spoken to anyway) Pollok and Lugar Boswell take on Tayport.  Good luck to all the West teams!  And Neilston V Beith kicks off at 2pm as Beith have their own race night on Saturday, just like the Bankies!

04/03/05

SCOTTISH CUP SHOCKS - LOOKING GOOD FOR THE WEST: Pollok, Maryhill and Renfrew booked their places in the quarter finals of the Scottish Junior Cup, meaning there's a strong chance that the biggest prize in Junior football is westbound this season.  There's a guarantee of two West teams making it into the semi finals, and here's hoping it comes to the West this year around.

Concerning our division, Greenock Juniors have sacked manager Danny Gault and his assistant Sandy McLean because of a run of supposedly poor results.  I think it's quite harsh, seeing as they've only played ten league games and could easily escape the relegation zone and be in the top half of the table if they win games in hand.  A good run in the Scottish Cup as well, so the manager was just as confused as most people about the sacking.  Elsewhere, Carluke will not play at their ground this season due to the council not wanting anyone to play on it this early.  My Carluke source Garry had this to say:

"The council have said that if they open the park for us then they have to let everyone on so by the end of the season the park will be destroyed again and we won't have a park for the start of next season,it will also give them more time to try to improve the park so this years problems don't happen again."

And some breaking news as I write this, their match against Greenock Juniors is off tomorrow due to not being able to attain a venue for this league meeting.  Forth, who were the other possible candidate, is buried in about a few feet of snow...

The Sectional League Cup could be given a good re-shuffling, and if this happens we'd likely play more local teams instead of Shettleston, St Roch's and Vale of Clyde.  Instead it would likely consist, so says Stevie Latimer, of us, Ashfield, Perthshire, Yoker and Maryhill.  It'd mean only playing each time once, instead of home and away.  We'd get to gubb Yoker every year!  Better yet, ex-Bankie Graham Mackay would be facing against us each season when we play Maryhill!

Apologies for the lack of updates on this section, but if it's any consolation feck all has happened.  Oh, and Kello are rolling in money thanks to chatting to Gretna millionaire chairman person, he likes them so they're gonna get ten grand a year or summit.  Anyways, I should be keeping this section updated weekly once again, sorry once more for not doing so.

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11/02/05

BRAWL AT BEECHWOOD PARK: Auchinleck Talbot played their first home league match in ages, and won 1-0 against title contenders (and potential Scottish Junior Cup finalists) Arthurlie.  Arthurlie went angry with the defeat, though - it was how the last 5 minutes of the match played out.

It is a complicated situation, but it was a game which saw four 'Lie players sent off, and the police called in after full time for assault on the ref.  And the Bankies think they get the bad referees?  Started when Auchinleck scored with a few minutes to go, from a penalty.  Arthurlie fought back and were denied a penalty themselves.  A 'Lie player knocked the ball out of play for a throw-in, and John Miller, second to Arthurlie gaffer Frank Lynch, who was also mad as hell at the ref.  Anyway, the ref stupidly gave the throw-in to Arthurlie, even though it was a 'Lie player who kicked the ball out of play.  The linesman did not flag to tell the referee of this error as well, so play went on - and Arthurlie scored from it.  But the celebrations were short lived, as the linesman did bring attention to how John Miller had APPARENTLY kicked the ball up into the air BEFORE it was out of play.  So he was sent off.  As this happened, a fight ensued between all the players, and management as well.  For Clydebank fans, think Broxburn times 5, except ON the pitch.  And after that little brawl, a further three players were sent off, all for Arthurlie.  Frank Lynch thought that the incident was missed from officials, and considered it to have been too late to have brought play back.  In fact, he thought a full three minutes had passed between it going out of play and both sides going back to kick off after the "goal" before the linesman DID raise his flag.  I love Lynch's honesty to back this up - he said "I know this because, while not proud of my own actions, I ran down the touchline and shouted an insult at the Talbot dug-out when we scored."  And he says he didn't see the linesman trying to attract the ref's attention because if he would have noticed.

That's not the end of the madness - afterwards, the ref claimed to have been assaulted by an Arthurlie player, and the police were brought in.  The ref is John McKendrick, and he could not point out his alleged attacker in the Arthurlie dressing-room.  Police are still apparently investigating this, but I hope the SJFA get involved soon.  Because it's not even over there - Mark McShane, one of those sent off during the match, will be eligible to continue playing as normal thanks to a technicality.  In other words, the referee fecked up - AGAIN!  If we ever get him, we have reason to fear the worst.  Anyway, Auchinleck won against Arthurlie, this won't be the last of it though.

Elsewhere, several players have swallowed their pride and are playing for Shettleston again - including John Jack.  His brother, Alan Jack, is still defiant in his stand.  The term "sibling rivalry" has a new meaning here.  And Shettleston's opponents last Saturday, Benburb, saw their first match programme in five years sell out!  And I received a complimentary copy from the guy responsible for it (thank you David Graham) because I helped.  You can find pictures of the cover and three of the pages inside it on the main page of this website.  It had few adverts, lots of information and I feel you'll enjoy it whether you're a stat freak, or just want something to read at half time while waiting for the second half to resume.

Martin McVey has signed for a team in a lower division, Blantyre Victoria, for around 500-600 quid.  Meanwhile, his old team Thistle won 3-1 against Rutherglen Glencairn.  James Fay, David Menelaws and Stephen Brogan scored Thistle's goals, and even a Rutherglen fan is sure that Glencairn are going down.  Biggalsuperbankie provided some great information from his sources, including bad news about Scott Brunton.  Biggal had this to say:

Bobby went to see Forth who got beat 3-1 by Ashfield who are back playing at their own ground again. Forth played their first game in 8 weeks and went ahead in 15 minutes when Neil Rowatt their centre half nodded them in front. Five minutes later Craig Tomlinson flies across the goal and  punches away a netbound Ashfield shot, unfortunately Tomlinson is a defender, red card, penalty and Ashfield score 1-1. Three more Forth boys get booked for back chat, Ashfield take the lead with the move of the game, Ashfield No5 gets booked and then another Forth player gets booked. Half Time 2-1 Ashfield.

Kris Jarvie the Forth centre forward gets caught offside, moans to ref receives second yellow card and he is off and Forth are down to 9 men. Ashfield score to go 3-1 up. Neil Rowatt gets booked for the second time but ref doesn't show him the red. Final crime count 2reds(should have been 3) and 7 yellows . As one of the Forth committee members is walking across the pitch at the end he picks up an object from the park, its the refs notebook with the yellow and red card details which he will need for his report.The two Forth boys who were shown the red cards were telling him to rip it up but Bobby thinks it will be handed in. Attendance 75

Bobby also tells me that Scott Brunton returned to the Forth got crocked in training on Wednesday and will possibly miss the rest of the season. Their other young goalie who played against us in the last game of the season has been trialling with Stranraer.

Alistair attended the Pollok v Renfrew game which was watched by between 600-700 fans. Al thought that Renfrew deserved a draw but in the end they went down 2-1 to the Super Premier League Leaders and now Renfrew could become involved in the relegation dogfight after Auchinleck Talbot managed to take all three points in their game with Arthurlie which stirred up a lot of controversy.

The great Joe Beckley scored for Port Glasgow who managed a respectable 1-1 draw away to Thorniewood who will be in Scottish Cup action this week away to Arthurlie. And Stevie Dallas notched up goal 100 and goal 101 in his Petershill career, only the ninth player in the history of Petershill to achieve this feat.

Yes, I was too lazy to put it in my own words.  Another valuable contribution from biggalsuperbankie.  And speaking of which, it's because of him I'm not talking on the Bankies forum right now.  Biggalsuperbankie has not uttered a word on the forum since the defeat to Dunipace in the Scottish Junior Cup, and even Budgie has noticed biggal not talking anymore!  And I'm making a stand, to not talk on the forum myself until biggalsuperbankie does!  The only times I WILL talk publicly is when I am passed on information that is vital for all to know, such as bus information.  Biggalsuperbankie's contribution to the forum has been one reason it is so popular to all Junior fans, getting involved in lively debates and having his say.  But seeing him not even respond to such topics as "players over-celebrating" decided this for me, to shut myself up!  And it's OVD Cup weekend coming up, so expect some big stories about that in next week's Junior Scene.

04/02/05

VANDALS SINK COLTNESS LOWER THAN EVER BEFORE: Coltness are one of the newest Junior teams to have been targeted by vandals, and the resulting damage means that the Pavillion may have asbestos ceiling tiles, which is being tested on.  If the worst does indeed come to the worst, then it could cost Coltness tens of thousands of pounds.  Club president Jim Devine said: “The worst part is that the tiles would have been all right if the place hadn’t been damaged. The council have to check it properly, but if it’s asbestos, it’s going to be an awful lot of work because it’s some size of hall and it could run into tens of thousands of pounds.

“We hope we’ll be back before the end of the season but we need to wait and see how the whole situation will work out.”  Jim said: “We signed 14 boys last week, all teenagers who have a background in amateur football.  Our assistant manager, who’s 42, has also signed as a player, and we’ve signed a 40-year-old goalkeeper called Norrie Smith, who used to be with Hamilton FPs.  Running the club is costing money all the time, and we need somebody to come in and give us a hand.”  Jim can be contacted on 07833 187781.

Last Saturday, several games failed to go ahead.  But some games survived, and the big news from Saturday was Thorniewood United, shocking Aniston Rangers by winning the Scottish cup game, to book a place in the last 16 against Arthurlie.  Arthurlie fans were hoping to get a chance for revenge against Arniston Rangers in the Scottish Cup.  But instead they are to face surpise under-dogs Thorniewood United.  The game at Dunterlie Park will certainly be buzzing as the 'Lie are more than likely to outnumber the Thorniewood faithful.  But don't let the fact that three divisions separate both sides - that fact is put aside on cup ties, as it's really anyone's game.  Arthurlie are getting fired up for it, Thorniewood are quietly optimistic and the bookies will be hoping a shock Thorniewood win won't occur again, as they already lost a good bit in the previous round thanks to them.  Elsewhere, Lanark's cup dreams were ended, losing away to Lochee United 2-1.  And Arthurlie themselves gubbed Musselburgh 3-0.  In league action, Rutherglen drew 3-3 at home to St Anthony's, and Vale of Leven got a point at home to Yoker, but deserved more for their hard graft.  No games survived in the Super-league, but in the Super first division Kirkintilloch Rob Roy gubbed Saltcoats 6-0 away from home.

Speaking of Rob Roy, the Rabs general secretary Alan Cairns assured the Adamslie Park faithful this week that the club will not be rushed into appointing a replacement for manager Mick Oliver.  He has stressed it may be week or months before a new manager is found.  And speaking of new managers, George Walker of Johnstone Burgh will soon find out if his influence can bring life back into the Burgh as they travel to take on Maryhill, who have won all their home league games so far this season.  And speaking of Maryhill, they won 7-1 in a friendly during the week, ex-Bankie Graham Mackay grabbing two of those goals.  Glad to see he's doing with his new team.

Speaking of ex-Bankies, Xander MacMillan is doing not too bad for himself at Alloa Athletic.  Three starts and nine substitute appearances this season, and he's got a goal and two yellow cards an all.  But he has not appeared since the end of November, though.  And staying in the Scottish senior divisions, Albion Rovers have signed 22 year old striker Lee Wilson from Dunipace Juniors. Former Rovers manager Tom Spence was his boss at the Denny based club and apparently rated him very highly.  And there's been a whole lot of transfer news during the week.  Kinnoull, in the Tayside Region, have signed Jimmy McPhee, a striker from Cumbernauld United.  The ex Pollok, Linlithgow Rose, Johnstone Burgh and Lesmahagow man was sought by a number of Clubs but has decided to try to help Kinnoull to cup glory this season.

Jimmy Creaney, who recently left Johnstone Burgh, is still a popular target for clubs.  He's been linked with a role at Shettleston, as a player/coach, but a strong possibility (according to Jim O'Donnell) is Kilbirnie Ladeside.  Wherever he ends up, good luck to him, except at Shettleston as they deserve what they get.  Yes, I'm biased, so what?  Elsewhere, Henry Smith is  set for a shock return to the Junior ranks with former club Glenafton.  He's playing football in the east of Scotland right now, but Glenafton's current keeper will be out for a few months at least, needing a hernia operation.  Meanwhile, Shettleston made a few major signings, according to the Times.  But do we trust what Jim O'Donnell spouts out?  Here's what he said:

"Speculation is rife that Town boss Hugh Kelly is about to set the wheels in motion to raise extra funds by selling off his seven remaining transfer-listed players.  The names of midfielders John and Alan Jack figure prominently, and although the transfer window is closed, it's understood special SFA dispensation will be afforded in the cases of those players involved in the Greenfield pay dispute, which remains unresolved.  Skilful winger John Dickson could be bound for Cumbernauld, while Tommy Martin's defensive versatility is much admired by Vale of Clyde.  And the situation with both Jacks and centre-back John Crooks continues to be closely monitored by Cumnock.  But Ayrshire gaffer Bobby Dickson faces stiff competition from Super Premier rivals Bellshill, where Tommy Coyne is interested in Crooks and the older Jack brother, John.  Despite so many stars imminently departing, long-suffering Shettleston fans will be heartened by the sheer quality of their club's signings.  Boris McLaughlin and commanding stopper Tom Currie are both Junior Scotland caps and former Greenfield players."

Tom Currie is an ex-Bankie, they seem to be everywhere!  Fans of Central District promotion challengers Vale of Clyde will be stunned to hear their club is willing to listen to offers for top scorer of the past three seasons Danny Taylor. The often controversial hitman, formerly with St Anthony's, is a proven goalscorer, so his availability is certain to attract a lot of interest.  Again, this is according to the Evening Times, so it's a case of whether you trust them to be accurate or not.  And something NOT from the Times, Carluke signed Lloyd Haddow from Whitburn.  Carluke are fully expecting to win against Yoker after previously drawing with them.  A Carluke spokesperson said "The players have been training really hard through the 3 weeks and are looking really fit and prepared".  He expects a win for Carluke, and if that does happen then they'll be the first to beat the Whe Ho in the league all season.

And finally, a little bit on Auchinlech Talbot.  People think we don't play at home often?  Well, what about poor Talbot, they haven't been at home in the league for 21 weeks!  They haven't played in the league at home since 11th September 2004, in a 6-goal thriller against Troon.  It ended 3-3, and I believe Auchinleck fans were miffed how they threw away three points.  And Benburb are hoping to finally re-introduce their match programmes against Shettleston, the first to be produced since 5 years.  They have a tough test, as Shettleston will likely be feeling more confident with the big signings that has been made.  It's going to be a good weekend's worth of football - IF the weather is kind to us, that is!

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27/01/05

IT'S A FUNNY OLD GAME: Main story for this week's Junior Scene comes from the familiar Scott Brunton, who's had a hectic week.  Originally, on Friday evening on the 21st he was called by Coltness manager to join up there temporarily, but the game got postponed so it mattered not.  And just yesterday, I received a message from Scott saying that the new Forth manager is wanting Scott to go back to Forth, which is another of Scott's previous clubs, and the quick change of plan has left Coltness seething, and Scott Brunton is one of the newest additions to Forth Wanderers.  And he is still the goalkeeping coach at East Kilbride, but for now Forth is his best option, and he'll be hoping to keep a clean sheet against high-flying Lesmahagow.  Good luck Scott!

Elsewhere, Yoker FINALLY got their game with Benburb in the West of Scotland cup played, and the Whe Ho won 3-0.  A comfortable win, but Benburb can still keep high spirits as they showed signs of promise, and will entertain Dunipace at Tinto Park.  Better yet, a match programme will be produced for the game, which is good news for Benburb as they'll hopefully make a lot when Clydebank come to town.  But I was asked to give some information on the Pace for the programme, and for that I'm getting a complimentary copy of it, so I'll let the Bankies fans know if it's worth buying (several programmes have hardly anything, and most pages are adverts - let's hope Benburb will produce a quality match programme to similar standards like our very own programmes.

Our game was off due to frost, as was most other games but Pollok still thrashed Vale of Clyde 2-0 in a friendly.  Neilston won 2-1 up north in Glentanar for a vital Scottish Junior Cup win which puts them a step closer to the final.  The full cup draw has pitted east versus west, as Pollok were drawn home to Hill O'Beath, last year's semi-finalists while Neilston could face either the unbeatable underdogs Lanark United, or favourites to be finalists Lochee United.  Linlithgow Rose are home to Renfrew; Tayport can gain some revenge on wvm's Glenafton and Arthurlie, if they overcome Musselburgh, could face Arniston if they defeat Thorniewood United.  It'd be a game which Arthurlie will want revenge for, as last season Arniston thumped Arthurlie 4-0 in the first round, and that itself should be encouragement to defeat Musselburgh for a chance to get their own back.

Mick Oliver has "had enough" at Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, and can't juggle his managerial role there and his sports consultancy business much longer, according to the Evening Times.  But they often get things muddled up so don't blame me if Jim O'Donnell has fecked up once again.  But it seems that Mick Oliver has decided to quit now, and Rob Roy are looking for a new manager.  And on some news you could consider not interesting, the Bankies forum has been rated as many fans' favourite choice of websites, concerning Junior football anyway.  This isn't an official statistic, but is still nice to see the Bankies forum is being enjoyed by other fans.  On the transfer front, Stevie Miller has left Arthurlie for Johnstone Burgh, who might feature for the Burgh when they play St Roch's in a friendly on Saturday.  Johnstone Burgh are certainly busy with attaining new players, the presence of George Walker being manager must be a strong influence for a player to sign for them.  I just hope he keeps his eyes aff oor Clydebank players...

20/01/05

INJURIES, TRANSFERS AND HOPE: There's a lot to tell, so try to keep up.  Scottish Junior Cup ties were being played, and Petershill eliminated an unlucky Bo'ness United side, who had three goal-line clearances denying them of a come-back.  Elsewhere, the wonderful giant-killing streak from Lanark United was on hold for one week, as they drew with Lochee United 1-1.  They played most of the game with 10 men, and missed a penalty in the second half which could've kept their amazing run going.  Pollok won 5-0 against Whitburn at Newlandsfield, and Lok fan Jamie Wire is hoping he'll see the Bankies visit there soon, disposing of Johnstone Burgh on the way.  I admit it'd make for a memorable match, but Johnstone Burgh are a different team - a new manager, and a MAJOR signing.

Jazz Jutla, an ex-Rangers player, has signed for the Burgh but won't be able to play every week, as his job requires him to work some weekends here and there.  He is said to be one of the best defenders in the Junior game.  George Walker is, remember, temp manager until the end of the season.  But it's obvious he's there to rescue them from being relegated, and also to gain some revenge over Clydebank in the cup.  Other transfer news includes Lee McShane moving from Petershill to Rutherglen Glencairn, and Shettleston gaffer Hugh Kelly looking to bring in several new faces to replace the rebellious old faces.  Tom Currie has a soft spot for his very first Junior Club, and he'd seem to fancy a move back to Greenfield Park.  But Kilwinning are asking a high price, so Hugh is set to do a swap deal, getting out the troublesome John Jack and offloading him to Kilwinning instead.  It's going to be a hectic fortnight for Shettleston, with the transfer window closing faster and faster they'll have to move fast to get the players they feel will take them all the way to promotion.

Meanwhile, St Anthony's goalkeeper David Turner needed 14 stitches after suffering a nasty head gash when colliding with East Kilbride's David Menelaws, which meant Ants midfielder Paul Ferris had to take his place between the sticks for the rest of the match.  He didn't concede any goals, but it's still a tough defeat for the Ants to swallow after such an impressive run to the end of last year.  Ex-Clydebank legend Graham Mackay is now a Maryhill player, and came off the bench last weekend to assist team-mate Billy Jones scoring the vital goal for Maryhill to ensure their win against a team Mackay was strongly linked to at the start of the season, and Maryhill are through to the last 16 of the Scottish Cup.

Finally, I've received word of why Lesmahagow were deducted points earlier this season.  My Lesmahagow contact had this to say:

"We got 3 points deducted as our manager came to me at 2pm on the saturday before the Wishaw game with an amateur player Kevin Barr. He said to me he had played the previous week with Overtown Hearts afc, on his return from playing in Iceland.  I assumed he had international clearance from their FA but that was not the case.  I never had time to check and it was a costly mistake but it could cost the mamager his job at the end of the season for telling me he had international clearance when obviously not. That is the reason we have 3 points off.  The more bitter bit about that was Wishaw had no idea of it whatsoever.  It was the Overtown Hearts manager who put us in for taking a player of them.  And not only that, he was the players/boss who then sacked him from his day job.  Never mind though, he has scored 14 goals since October. ain't too bad let's hope!"

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12/01/05

COMINGS AND GOINGS: A good bit to get through, so straight to the point.  Graham Mackay has signed for Maryhill, while David Fisher has come from Maryhill to Clydebank.  Part of a switch deal, as Mackay was still technically a Bankie.  But a Bankie no more, he's now achieved what was his goal of playing in the top flight, with one of the top teams.  Good luck to him.  Elsewhere, Shettleston gaffer Hugh Kelly has transfer listed 8 players, including William Shand.  7 were listed due to their involvement in the bonus dispute, but Kelly added Shand after he was sent off in the 4-0 thrashing to Carluke the previous Saturday.  Those that are listed are brothers John and Alan Jack, George Shaw, John Crooks, Ian Stoddart, Tommy Martin and John Dickson.  And of course, the afore-mentioned git known as William Shand.  The civil war in Shettleston continues.

Last weekend was a complete washout, with only 2 games on.  One of them was the afore-mentioned Carluke V Shettleton match, where Kelly had to sign 5 amateur players just to fill the numbers.  Carluke were 2-0 up within 20 minutes, Chris Mackie starting the rout.  The only other game on Saturday was Arthurlie's trip to face Bellshill, and the 'Lie are now only 5 points behind Pollok thanks to a Mark Travers volley on the hour mark, a vital win in their hunt for the most prized posession in the Super League.  Although it was a big win, Arthurlie striker Robert Downs is very doubtful to participate in their Scottish Junior Cup tie against Musselburgh this Saturday.

On the injury front, the Times reports that Mitchell and Soutar are recovering really well and could be back sooner than expected, which is great.  And Derek Watson, Clydebank's official bench warmer (only kidding, Del) has been declared fit to play again.  I thought he needed surgery or something, but apparently he can play again, so I ain't complaining!

Finally, Clydebank hero Stephen Mehigan has left Clydebank, to those that haven't figured it out.  I heard he's playing for a top amateur side, but wherever he is the best of luck to him.  I only wish he showed the maturity to stay and fight for his place.  I felt a bit sad when I heard a few of the young lads chant "Scotland's number 1" at Halpin, and thinking that chant had belonged to Meghi.  And so, out with the old, and in with the new, Clydebank are already looking at new goalkeepers so keep your eyes peeled...hopefully things might work out this time around for him.  DANG, it's cold!  Worst weather in 40 damn years...and they say Saturday's games should be on, lol.