10am 18 January 2020
Strathclyde Saturday Morning League, Premier Division
Blackthorn Rovers 2 Uddingston 2 (att 9)
After the heady heights of the new Spurs stadium in midweek I returned to more more familiar groundhopping surroundings, being part of a single figure crowd watching a game on an open park pitch.
But, no matter what the venue, every football match provides its own dramatic narrative. The story of this game was two late penalties that gave the home side a share of the spoils against the unbeaten league leaders.
For a side without a league defeat this season Uddingston underwhelmed for most of this game, although to be fair to both teams it was a heavy pitch and a chilly morning, neither conducive to great football.
I arrived at Greenock's Battery Park expecting the match to be on the caged 3G pitch, but that was busy with kids' football while the adult players were warming up and preparing to play on one of two grass pitches.
There wasn't much between the sides, but Uddingston had the edge and a goal after 30 minutes put them in front. They doubled their lead in the second half, and were on course for a comfortable if unremarkable win.
But with 77 minutes played Blackthorn were awarded a penalty for a clear foul. They scored and suddenly Uddingston had a fight on their hands. The home side's second penalty, again correctly awarded I felt, was in stoppage time.
Again they scored, and claimed an unlikely and slightly fortunate point. Blackthorn had had plenty of chances before the spot kicks, but poor finishing had let then down, yet they were deadly from 12 yards.
Strathclyde Saturday Morning League, Premier Division
Blackthorn Rovers 2 Uddingston 2 (att 9)
After the heady heights of the new Spurs stadium in midweek I returned to more more familiar groundhopping surroundings, being part of a single figure crowd watching a game on an open park pitch.
But, no matter what the venue, every football match provides its own dramatic narrative. The story of this game was two late penalties that gave the home side a share of the spoils against the unbeaten league leaders.
For a side without a league defeat this season Uddingston underwhelmed for most of this game, although to be fair to both teams it was a heavy pitch and a chilly morning, neither conducive to great football.
I arrived at Greenock's Battery Park expecting the match to be on the caged 3G pitch, but that was busy with kids' football while the adult players were warming up and preparing to play on one of two grass pitches.
There wasn't much between the sides, but Uddingston had the edge and a goal after 30 minutes put them in front. They doubled their lead in the second half, and were on course for a comfortable if unremarkable win.
But with 77 minutes played Blackthorn were awarded a penalty for a clear foul. They scored and suddenly Uddingston had a fight on their hands. The home side's second penalty, again correctly awarded I felt, was in stoppage time.
Again they scored, and claimed an unlikely and slightly fortunate point. Blackthorn had had plenty of chances before the spot kicks, but poor finishing had let then down, yet they were deadly from 12 yards.
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