GROUND LIST

Saturday 6 June 2015

BLANTYRE VICTORIA (Castle Park)

WEST CENTRAL LEAGUE CUP QUARTER FINAL, BLANTYRE VICTORIA 2-0 CARLUKE ROVERS, ATTENDANCE: 148 (h/c)


I once again headed north for the third Saturday in succession. 

After watching Blantyre Victoria's sensational comeback at Wishaw in the last round, where they won 5-3 after being 3-0 down, it was only right and proper that I payed them a visit as they took on Carluke Rovers in the League Cup Quarter Final.

Blantyre was the birthplace of the 19th-century explorer and missionary David Livingstone and there is a visitor centre in the town, located in the house in which he was born. Fortunately there was no getting lost on the way to the ground!




Castle Park is a ramshackle ground and it's crumbling terracing behind the goal would certainly be a health and safety issue south of the border!

On first glance, it looks like the is a large stand on one side of the pitch, but on closer inspection it is actually three bits of cover next to each other. Another Scottish gem!


The club were founded in 1890 and Celtic legends Jock Stein and Billy McNeill both played for Blantyre Vics early in their respective careers. The club are currently in the midst of a purple patch which has seen them win back to back promotions. 


They were Central District League Second Division Champions in 2014 and were confirmed as First Division Champions last weekend. The club will compete in the Super League First Division next season.



Today's game was a feisty affair which threatened to spill over on occasions, but fortunately some football did break out in between all the niggles. 

Both teams created, and wasted, numerous chances but with about 20 minutes remaining the homesters broke the deadlock through Brian Caldwell before David Galt quickly added a second.

Blantyre will now travel to Yoker Athletic in the semi-final next Thursday.






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