11.15am 16 March 2024
East of Scotland League, Premier Division
Luncarty 5 Crossgates Primrose 3 (att 386)
Having stayed in Cumbernauld on Friday night I had an easy journey to reach Luncarty, a few miles north of Perth, in time for the organised groundhop's Saturday morning fixture.
Luncarty was the only one of the hop's six matches on a ground I needed. Having driven past Brownlands Park several times previously it was good to finally see a game there.
Perimeter fencing along the road side makes the venue more enclosed than it was the last time I saw it. It's a three-sided ground, with the far end out of bounds for spectators.
All the facilities are behind the goal at the near end. The clubhouse, changing rooms, a food and drink kiosk and a small covered standing area are all on a plateau above the pitch.
Morning hop games, in front of larger than normal crowds, can be subdued affairs. This was anything but, with the tone set early on by Crossgates taking a second minute lead.
Luncarty equalised after 20 minutes. Then, in a bizarre spell of about five minutes, Crossgates retook the lead, the home side equalised for a second time, and then they went in front. A penalty for Luncarty extended their advantage to 4-2 by half time.
Both teams tightened up defensively in the second half, but we still had more goals. Crossgates pulled one back before conceding a late fifth which proved decisive.
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