1.45pm 18 January 2020
SJFA West Region, League Two
Vale of Leven 1 Maybole 3 (att 76)
I'm getting towards the final few grounds I've got left to visit in Scottish Junior football. Whether I'll complete the full set while the grade is intact remains to be seen, although so far the West Region hasn't suffered the exodus that's hit the East.
If the west of Scotland gets a pyramid league of its own, and Scottish FA licensing becomes sought-after by junior clubs, then Vale of Leven's historic Millburn Park, in Alexandria, might become a millstone for the club.
The ground hosted Scottish League football until the 1920s. Almost a century later it's a wonderfully atmospheric, if crumbling, football venue. Ground-graders in England wouldn't be happy, but fingers crossed any Scottish equivalents would take a lenient view.
For now though, and maybe for years to come, it's a classic junior football ground. Three-quarters of the pitch are surrounded by steep terracing, although you have to watch your step if walking around it.
Part of the far side is covered, and the neatest steps of terracing are under the roof. There's one open end with just flat grass standing, but there's no pitchside barrier and effectively it's just a shortcut to get from the entrance and snack bar to the covered side.
Vale of Leven are having a good season, but this defeat will have been a blow to their hopes of promotion from the fourth - and lowest - tier of West Region junior football.
Maybole, from Ayrshire, scored the first half's only goal. Vale of Leven soon levelled once the second half got under way, but a penalty for the visitors was decisive. Not only did they score it, but the home side had a player sent off.
What was an uphill battle for Vale of Leven became a mountainous one when they conceded a third goal, and then lost a second player to a red card ahead of the restart. With a two goal and a two man advantage Maybole ended comfortable winners.
SJFA West Region, League Two
Vale of Leven 1 Maybole 3 (att 76)
I'm getting towards the final few grounds I've got left to visit in Scottish Junior football. Whether I'll complete the full set while the grade is intact remains to be seen, although so far the West Region hasn't suffered the exodus that's hit the East.
If the west of Scotland gets a pyramid league of its own, and Scottish FA licensing becomes sought-after by junior clubs, then Vale of Leven's historic Millburn Park, in Alexandria, might become a millstone for the club.
The ground hosted Scottish League football until the 1920s. Almost a century later it's a wonderfully atmospheric, if crumbling, football venue. Ground-graders in England wouldn't be happy, but fingers crossed any Scottish equivalents would take a lenient view.
For now though, and maybe for years to come, it's a classic junior football ground. Three-quarters of the pitch are surrounded by steep terracing, although you have to watch your step if walking around it.
Part of the far side is covered, and the neatest steps of terracing are under the roof. There's one open end with just flat grass standing, but there's no pitchside barrier and effectively it's just a shortcut to get from the entrance and snack bar to the covered side.
Vale of Leven are having a good season, but this defeat will have been a blow to their hopes of promotion from the fourth - and lowest - tier of West Region junior football.
Maybole, from Ayrshire, scored the first half's only goal. Vale of Leven soon levelled once the second half got under way, but a penalty for the visitors was decisive. Not only did they score it, but the home side had a player sent off.
What was an uphill battle for Vale of Leven became a mountainous one when they conceded a third goal, and then lost a second player to a red card ahead of the restart. With a two goal and a two man advantage Maybole ended comfortable winners.
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