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Blackburn United v Preston Athletic

5.15pm  30 March 2019

East of Scotland League, Conference C
Blackburn United 4 Preston Athletic 1 (att 328)

Blackburn versus Preston might sound like a Lancashire derby, but when United meet Athletic it's West Lothian against East Lothian in the East of Scotland League.

Blackburn United were among a number of junior clubs who switched to senior football last summer, swelling the ranks of the East of Scotland League. Preston Athletic, from Prestonpans, made the same move more than 20 years ago.

The unusual kick off time was thanks to the fixture being included as part of this year's East of Scotland League groundhop, the third of four games in a single day for those dedicated enough to attend them all.

Groundhop matches often have a strange atmosphere, with a large crowd of neutrals who aren't always wholly engaged with what's happening on the pitch in front of them. Blackburn did their bit to grab people's attention though, a second minute penalty put them ahead and they doubled their lead soon after.

It took until the second half for more goals, United extended their lead before Preston got one back, but it was to no avail when Blackburn scored a fourth to complete a comfortable win.

I never visited Blackburn United's former Murrayfield Park ground, but it was right next door to New Murrayfield Park and the club even moved the covered enclosure from the old ground to the new one. The pitch is artificial, the ground is fully enclosed and it's a neat and tidy venue.










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