Third Lanark v Milngavie Wanderers

11am 5 August 2023

Saturday Morning Amateur League, Division 1B
Third Lanark 1 Milngavie Wanderers 4 (att 9)

Third Lanark were stalwart members of the Scottish League until their demise in the 1960s. The name has been revived in the amateur ranks for a few years now, and this season the club has switched to Saturday morning football.

Venues in the Saturday Morning Amateur League tend to be fluid, depending on weather and the availability of pitch bookings. Third Lanark are Glasgow based, with a regular home at Toryglen, close to the original club's Cathkin Park ground. However, this fixture was at a pitch in Lanark.

In fact it was at another relic of Scotland's sporting history. Lanark Racecourse closed in 1977, but sport continues there on football and rugby pitches, including a 3G that staged this match.

The game got underway just a few minutes after the final whistle of another Saturday Morning Amateur League match. Milngavie, who also have a Saturday afternoon team making this, in effect, their reserves, were the better side from the off.

But they spurned chances to score, before a well-taken goal gave Third Lanark a lead that was very much against the run of of play. They held the lead into half-time, but their luck ran out in the second period.

Once the visitors equalised they soon took control. Much of the second half was played on torrential rain, making playing and watching a challenge. Milngavie's winning margin of 4-1 was deserved, if a a little harsh on the hosts.