In my weekly blog looking at Clyde, Dumbarton and Albion Rovers this season I have been reflecting on the each of their Novembers as well as my visit to Cliftonhill during the week.
Thrills at Cliftonhill…
You might not believe this but I have always wanted to go to Cliftonhill. I have lost count of the number of times that I have passed it and thought that looks like a real footballing place. Tuesday last I was able to attend the Rovers v Cowdenbeath game that finally went ahead and I was not disappointed.
Football for me has always been an activity and pastime that is about a long forgotten and honest period where toil made the headlines and endeavour made you salivate. Honest pros were the norm and flashy boots were unfashionable. I was brought up on a diet of Somerset Park – so nae wonder…
Tuesday fulfilled my impressions as I parked the car on the street outside, with two wheels on the pavement – there was nae car park; brilliant. Going through a wee side gate and into the stadium was more than just a step back in time. The evening was clouded with the floodlights and expectation as the team the Wee Rovers faced had lost 7-0 nothing last time out – surely they could beat this mob. You could feel that in the air.
I was then bowled over by the press box. Aye there is a press box! With windows and seats and wooden tables fixed to the box, too wee for my laptop but it was an actual real press BOX! I contained my excitement long enough to witness an Albion Rovers 2-1 win.
At half time there was even pies and coffee in a wee room down the stairs to which I gained entry after flashing my pass to this delightful steward who was all apologetic for asking to see it but it was entry into another forgotten time – catering for the visitors.
One wee glitch or observation was the ball boys. There was one behind the Cowdenbeath nets in the first half who didn’t move for large parts of the first period. This was not because he was not called upon for service – a couple of times the ball went out. I had noticed a couple of other ball boys in front of the stands who seemed to be engrossed in talking to each other and between the three I saw there seemed to be a casual approach to not doing much but entertain themselves. I couldn’t blame them, this was hardly el classico. I began to wonder if perhaps Albion Rovers had taken a leaf out of the police’s book and got cardboard cut outs for behind the nets, making it clear to the forwards that they should think twice about missing but then he moved at half time – maybe he too was making his way to those pies in the wee room…
As for November it has been a decent run for the Wee Rovers. A loss to Ayr was followed by a decent draw against Dunfermline whilst their 3 points from the Cowdenbeath game sets them up nicely for a Cup tie on Saturday the 28th against Greenock Morton. Pressure is more on Morton so we can expect a decent tie I think. There is a 10 am precautionary pitch inspection so fingers crossed those pies get heated for the game…
Bully Wee day aff…
Whilst everyone else is preparing for the cup on Saturday the 28th the Bully Wee are idle. Of course Barry could have worked in an extra training session – these ambitious managers can do that but they have no game thanks to being dumped out the cup by Formartine United in the last round.
They shall not be weeping too much after a November when they played 3 and won 3. They have scored 3 against Montrose, struck 4 past Elgin City and then went nap at Berwick with 5; David Gormley being the first Clyde player in over 30 years to score 4 in one game. It has Clyde firmly in the title hunt as they sit second and any doubters over Ferguson’s credentials as a boss seem to have gone in the wind.
December though looks like a tough run. There are two games against struggling clubs – East Stirlingshire and Arbroath – whilst they have fellow promotion contenders East Fife and table topping Annan Athletic on Boxing Day. Of course winning all 4 would be tremendous and put them top but realistically can they achieve that? I reckon Ferguson shall think so.; who needs the Cup after all?
Respite at the Rock?
Today I had a chance to go back to the Cheaper Direct Insurance Stadium to have a look at the one club of my three who are struggling in the league. They were due to face an Alloa Athletic team who have the distinction of doing much worse than they are. It would have piled a bit of pressure on you but at least a loss would not have meant further relegation worries. due to a waterlogged pitch though Steven Aitken and the lads have a day aff… just like Clyde…
November only provided two games for the Sons and neither were won. Their single goal loss against Queen of the South did give hope as they performed well that day apparently. The game against Raith Rovers saw them go into the final 10 minutes 3-0 down. That they managed a 3-3 draw was remarkable; even more so remarkable was the fact that many believed they should have won it; they had a chance to do so but just failed.
It gives people great hope that they can mount a serious rescue package and get away from where they are now – 9th in the league. Facing 10th placed Alloa on Saturday the 28th may not feel like respite but surely it is.
December is a critical month for them and they need to win the majority of the games or at least take some points. Rangers, Alloa, St Mirren and Livingston. Three games with teams sharing the foot of the table with them – this is a mini league they need to win and I thought that today’s display, had it been a win the confidence from that would have put them in with a shout…
