Six quid, five goals and an old newbie to the World of WoSFL
EIGHT years I’ve been part of the SFF Podcast family, initially as a a blogger then quickly getting hooked into regular podcasting. During this time, it’s been interesting in hearing some of the guys chats about football outside the SPFL setup, in particular the Junior game or as it’s now known the West of Scotland League.
Main host John is as big an Auckinleck Talbot fan as he is Aberdeen, Josh follows Irvine Meadow when he’s not at Ibrox or Hampden, Donald takes in random games across Ayrshire, and Dave has clocked up the Highland League miles. Our two newest recruits Graeme and Paul are well known for their respective experiences in attending non-league games across the country, whilst Krys who’s been with the podcast since day dot has recently delved into the non-league world in recent times with visits to Pollock, St Caddoc’s and Beith.
On Saturday, I decided to join them by chalking off my first experience of what life in Scottish Football is like outside of the SPFL setup by going to local club Lesmahagow Juniors, just three miles from my home in Blackwood, South Lanarkshire. They were playing host to Forth Wanderers at Craighead Park in the West of Scotland Second Division, a league The Gow were promoted to after finishing second in the Third Division last season. I brought along my nine year old son Callum so he too could witness what lower league football was all about, playing for the love of the game and not money.
What did I know about Lesmahagow before the game? They reached the Scottish Junior Cup Final in 1990 for the only time in their history, a period of time that resonates well with me in what was my first season following football and Aberdeen winning the Scottish Cup, that’s how long ago it was! It wasn’t to be a joyous occasion however as they went down 1-0 to Hill ‘O Beath Hawthorn. Other than that, and basic research on what league they’re in now, my knowledge of them is non-existent.
Craighead Park is a humble set up with no seating (two park benches aside) and a small hub behind the goal with just about enough room for two dressing rooms, toilets, a snack bar and a little room containing some images of Lesmahagow teams past and present. It was there I was introduced to Club Secretary Andrew Irving, who’s been following the Gow since he was six, a fifty-year affiliation with the club, and he told me a little about the club and thanked me for coming along. He was kind enough to volunteer Player/Coach Matthew Clarke for a pre-match interview, something I hadn’t requested nor was prepared for, and Matthew was good in giving his thoughts ahead of the game ten minutes before kickoff.
Onto the game and the question was how entertaining would it be? The first half alone got me good value for my six quid entry fee (Callum’s entry was free). The hosts took an early lead when Kieran McGuire swept the ball high into the net from close range and then had goalkeeper Josh McGill to thank for keeping the lead in tact with a series of fine saves. Lesmahagow then doubled their lead on the stroke of half time when Ross Marchant headed home from a corner.
During the opening period, I’d sent Callum round to get me a can of juice for me and a drink and snack of choice for him. He brought back two cans, a KitKat and £1.50 change from a fiver. You don’t get that in most SPFL grounds, even League Two! At halftime, Andrew invited Callum and I, along with other special guests, to have sandwiches and biscuits. The view in the hub was this could very easily have been 3-3, a very fair assessment.
The second half provided more drama, with the hosts passing up early opportunities to tie the game up, and it came back to bite them as Forth drew level with two quickfire goals. Firstly, a Nathan Cassidy effort bounced over the diving McGill to halve the deficit, before a mixup in the home defence led to a scrambled equaliser, with the last touch coming from a Gow defender.
Momentum seemed to be with the visitors, but Lesmahagow dug deep and a breakaway saw captain Gary Nicholson upended in the box when clean through on goal. Marchant took the spot kick and sent it high into the roof of the net with the keeper diving the wrong way. The hosts then defended their lead successfully to claim the three points and a great start to life in a higher league. Marchant also spoke to me to summarise his contribution to a compelling match.
It’s fair to say my boy loved his first non-league experience and he even helped the volunteers in clearing rubbish from the sides of the pitch. The referee gave him red and yellow cards as a memento upon learning that Callum wants to be a referee. Ah youthful naivety! From my point of view, it was enjoyable seeing 22 men playing for the love of the game and the pay packets. Sure, it may not be of the quality of elite level football, but there will be worse games in the so-called best leagues in the world. In fact, this was more entertaining than 70% of the Euro 2024 matches.
I’ll definitely come back in the more challenging climate of howling wind and rain. Next time, I’ll skip lunch and try out the rolls n sausage that smelled delicious!
