12.15pm 20 March 2022
East of Scotland League, Division One, Conference B
Oakley United 2 Easthouses Lily Miners Welfare 1 (att 365)
A Sunday lunchtime game that was the final part of the weekend's organised groundhop covering the Lowland and East of Scotland Leagues. It was the only game on the hop schedule at a ground I needed, so it was worth staying nearby overnight.
The downside of hop matches is that you don't really experience a 'normal' matchday, with a much larger than usual crowd and the detrimental effect that unusual kick off times and days can have.
Oakley United are top of the league, but may not stay there once teams below them play their games in hand. A win was therefore vital to their promotion hopes. They got it, but made hard work of seeing off Easthouses Lily.
All the goals were in the opening half. Oakley scored first, then scored an own goal to make it 1-1. The home side went ahead again, and then conceded a penalty. The spot kicked was saved, and it turned out to be the game's decisive moment.
The second half was entertaining enough, but there were few clear chances. Being a hop match, and with many familiar faces in attendance, the game was as much about catching up with people as watching the action.
Oakley United are one of the many clubs who swapped junior grade football for the senior ranks in the East of Scotland League. Their Blairwood Park is pleasant but basic, with a small covered area on one side and some banking that provides an elevated view behind the goal nearest the entrance.
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