TT No.58: Mike Latham - Sat 18 January 2014: Scottish Junior Cup Rd 4: Kilwinning Rangers 1-3 Saunchie Juniors; Attendance: 400 (est); Admission: £5; 32pp programme: £1; Raffle ticket: £1; FGIF Match Rating: 4* 

Matchday images (16) https://picasaweb.google.com/footballgroundsinfocus/KilwinningRangersFC02

The rain is coming down in stair-rods on the journey north and Junior games are falling left, right and centre to waterlogged pitches. But this is Junior Cup day and we have reached the last 32 stage, one of the best rounds for entertainment. So it’s worth persevering, especially as there is back-up down the road at Irvine Meadow if the selected tie at Kilwinning falls to the elements.

I needn’t have worried; the home committee have been busy forking the pitch and covering the goal-mouths with tarpaulins. And as we reach Kilwinning, a historic town in North Ayrshire the skies lighten and the rain turns to a light drizzle. Kilwinning Rangers play at Abbey Park, on Dovecot Lane close to the town centre. The pitch has a history of being one of best drained around, perhaps because it has a prominent slope from side to side and also occupies an elevated position. Sure enough, the match referee gives the OK after a detailed pitch inspection an hour or so before the scheduled 1-45pm kick-off; it’s heavy for sure and the players make squelching noises as they enter the playing area for their warm-ups but it’s perfectly playable. The game goes on to be a cracker, the rain stays away, the temperature rises, on and off the pitch and the referee’s decision to play is fully justified. It is another fine afternoon’s entertainment in this marvellous competition.

Kilwinning Rangers, formed in 1899 are twice winners of the Junior Cup, in 1909 and 1999. They’ve had their ups and downs over the years and the lead-up to this game is worrying. An extended thread on the Pie and Bovril forum shows that all doesn’t appear to be well and this is compounded by an interview with their manager in the Daily Record who hints he may quit after this game due to financial problems at the club and the fall-out from the AGM held the previous Sunday.

Kilwinning is known as the Crossroads of Ayrshire and has a population of around 16,000. Football is very much part of the culture around here. There are many Junior teams within a small radius, such as Irvine Meadow and Victoria, Ardeer Thistle, Saltcoats and Ardrossan. The town has deep roots in religious activity dating back to at least the seventh century while Kilwinning Abbey was founded in the 12^th century and parts of its surviving structure are visible from the football ground.

The home side are known as the Buffs, a nickname that dates back to the early 1900s and at first sight, just as my trip to seemingly-struggling Billingham Town last week, don’t appear to be a club in crisis. A superb 32-page programme is sold at the gate and the Pie Hut is up and running long before kick-off with superb, homemade lentil soup, roll and sausage and pies from the local butcher warming the cockles on a chilly afternoon. Their goalkeeper is the well-known JC Connelly who I last saw playing for Thorniewood in this competition a year or so ago. Due to work commitments it’s his final game for the Buffs and he’s eager to finish on a winning note.

Sauchie look a decent, well organised team and have several experienced players in their ranks including the former Falkirk, Dundee United, St Johnstone and Trinidad striker Colin Samuel, who played in the 2006 World Cup. Samuel’s flowing locks almost conceal his number on the back of his shirt and he’s well contained by the home defence until suddenly bursting into the box, firing in a shot that is parried and followed up for the opening goal. Soon later, though, sadly he’s forced to quit the action after a heavy challenge.

The action is fast and furious and Sauchie are well represented on the terraces, with a good following of supporters. The home faithful gather under the only cover, behind the goal at the town end of the ground and are in good voice. There’s a terrific atmosphere and despite the battle for supremacy on the pitch no hint of aggravation off the field.

Early in the second half the visitors right-back gets a straight red for what looks at first sight to be a dreadful challenge. But they re-group and then add to their lead when their impressive no11 finishes off a fine move down the left. Within seconds, though, the Buffs are back in contention as they pull back a goal. The action is fast and furious to the end and Sauchie only seal their hard-earned win with a dubious penalty in the dying moments of the game. The scorer shakes the hand of Connelly after beating his despairing dive, a nice touch.

So Kilwinning bow out of the Junior Cup and seemingly have even more important battles to face in the coming weeks. I sincerely hope they survive because I really enjoyed my visit here and the locals were passionate football folk. Sauchie, former club of Alan Hansen and his brother John are now in the last 16 and are a team to watch- depending on the draw, to be made at Cumnock Juniors social club next Sunday it would be great to follow their progress in what I consider to be the finest cup competition I’ve had the pleasure to watch.

contributed on 18/01/14