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TT No.11: Dean McClean - Sat 11th August 2007. East of Scotland League Cup: Peebles v Edinburgh City; Res: 2-1; no admission or programme; Att: 50est; FGIF Rating: 4* |
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One of the many pleasures of this fine hobby is the almost frequent journey into the unknown. The day's plan was to arrive early in Peebles, as I was assured it was worth doing so by my travelling companion, and then take in their league cup fixture at home to last season's league champions, Edinburgh City.
However, unbeknown to us the kick-off time had been changed to 12:00, so that cricket could take place immediately after the match. Thankfully, the ground is visible on entering the town and it was only due to this and seeing the game in progress from the main road, disaster was avoided. Fifteen minutes and two goals had been missed but it was decided to watch the remainder of the game and then head off to another fixture for a totally unexpected double-header!
Whitstone Park is a venue I have wanted to visit for a long time now, due mainly to its historical value. Paul and Shirley Smith's Ultimate Directory of English and Scottish Football League Grounds, is a perfect reference book for such ventures. Founder members of the, ill-fated, Scottish Football League Division Three in 1923, the venue hosted SFL fixtures until the division's demise towards the end of the 1925/26 season. Referring to the aforementioned book, it is almost certain that Whitstone Park is in the exact position today, as it was in 1906, when it was first used.
The ground is basically a public park ground, but don't let that deter you from visiting, as it is terrific. Entering from the adjoining sports centre, a large wooden, green painted grandstand, which has clearly seen better days, straddles the half-way line ot the right. To the right of the stand, is a small section of about 5 rows of terracing. The rest of the ground is open, making way for two further pitches and a cricket pitch. Even though it is very open, it still has a good feel to it and the surrounding countryside offers an impressive backdrop. Even on dreary day like today.
With two small divisions and club's struggling ot fill up their saturdays sufficiently, the league has decided to play the league cup on a group basis. Four groups of six will play five matches each and battle it out over the next five weeks, until the league campaign kicks-off. League cup in a group format can often be wholly unpopular, but quite honestly, I think the EoSL needs it.
Two-nil down inside the opening 15 minutes to a team from a lower division, the champions pulled a goal back midway through the first half, and virtually dominated the rest of the match, with the home side solid in defence and unable to finish their visitors off on the counter-attck, which lead to an exciting match as City tried and tried to grab an equaliser. Perhaps the result was a little harsh on the Edinburgh side, but credit should be given to Peebles for beating last season's league champions.
The only blight (apart from the foul weather) was the 'no programme' situation.
A trip to Peebles comes recommended.
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contributed on 12/08/07 |
