VENUE #110 PETERHEAD Balmoor Stadium

  BALMOOR STADIUM  

NEAREST TRAIN STATION

       The nearest railway station is in Aberdeen, which is some 32 miles away! Therefore this ground has the record of being furthest from a station than any other Professional League team in Britain.

     Bus services 60/61/63 and the X60 all run to Peterhead Interchange from Aberdeen Union Square around every 30 minutes on Saturdays. I caught the number 60 bus and it cost me £13.50 return.  Journey times vary from around 1 hour 5 minutes to 1 hour 26 minutes depending on time of day and which number bus you catch as some stop more frequently than others along the route, the number 60 bus takes 1 and a half hours. It is then a walk of just under a mile from Peterhead bus station to the ground and is fairly straight forward:   On leaving the Bus station head along Windmill Street, in the direction going away from the Harbour. Turn left onto King Street and then right onto the A982 (Queen Street). Continue along this road which becomes Balmoor Terrace and you will reach the stadium on the left hand side.

BALMOOR STADIUM                                                                                           Balmoor Stadium has two virtually identical stands that run down each side of the ground. Both these all seated stands are roughly of the same height and are covered. The seating areas are raised above pitch level, which means that supporters need to climb a small set of stairs at the front of the stand to access them. The West Stand has windshields at either side of it. Both ends of the ground are open and don't have any formal terracing.

     Peterhead, joined the Scottish Football League at the beginning of the 2000/2001 season. One of the reasons why they were invited to join the league, was certainly their move to the Balmoor Stadium, which was opened in 1997. Previously the Club played at Recreation Park, which was sold for re-development to a supermarket chain.

     The Balmoor Stadium is a friendly place where away fans are always made welcome. There is normally no segregation, so opposing fans are always able to mix with each other.

GROUND LAYOUT

 A   WEST STAND ( Main stand)

 B   EAST STAND

 C   NORTH TERRACE

 D   SOUTH TERRACE

Today's Visitors  EDINBURGH CITY  are the newest members of the Scottish football league they earned promotion to league two by beating East Stirling in the play- offs by 1-0 back in 2015. They've spent the first two seasons of their football league status tussling with Cowdenbeath against ending up in the play offs again this time as a possible relegation candidate rather than promotion.  The City started this campaign better but still find themselves just above the Blue Brazil in 9th place 8 points clear of the struggling Fife outfit who will have to battle once more against the winners of the top two teams from the Highland and Lowland leagues.
     Edinburgh City have played once before at Balmoor Stadium and that was during this season on 2nd December last year a game which Peterhead won 3-0, all the goals came in the second half, the first only two minutes into restart Chris McKee getting sent off for a foul on Rory McAllister in the penalty area the Peterhead number nine taking the spot kick himself and converting.  McAllister then completed a brace in the 72nd minute scoring from six yards assisted by Russell McLean.  One minute later the game was put to bed when Jack Leitch gave Jordon Brown an opportunity in the centre of the City box and Brown took his chance slotting the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.   

                         PETERHEAD ... 2   EDINBURGH CITY ... 1

       Not one of the best games of football that you're ever likely to see there was a lot at stake for Peterhead who could have won the league 2 title by winning this game and Montrose losing.

      Peterhead came out the traps on fire as you would expect and it didn't take long for them to take the lead, John Dunn conceded a corner the ball was whipped into the centre of the Edinburgh box there was a Mass of bodies attacking the ball but it was adjudged that Pat Scullion had put through his own net in the 4th minute.

      There wasn't a lot that happened after that in the first half apart from Mason Robertson hitting the Edinburgh crossbar in the 13th minute after a free kick won by Rory McAllister was scrambled away to the left side of the box where he was positioned.

      The second half continued in the same vain as the first with both sides winning corners which were easily cleared away and it looked as though that Peterhead were going to win the game by the single goal that was until the 82nd minute when Gareth Rodger's right foot shot from the centre of the box bulged the Blue Toon net to send despair through the hearts of the home support.

                               Things seemed to be warming up a little at the end of this game as Peterhead again showed some urgency but it wasn't until the very last minute that there efforts paid dividend, Scott Brown this time renewing belief amongst the home faithful scoring Peterhead's 2nd and eventual winner.

      The goal didn't ease the pain of the home fans as the news drifted through form Montrose that the game had finished in a draw and therefore Montrose were the league 2 champions and it was the play-offs lottery for the Toon.

      As far as I could see there wasn't much between these two teams even though Peterhead were second in the table and Edinburgh were one place above the relegation play-off spot and if the Blue Toon do get promoted in the play-offs then they will have to improve or they will be visiting league 2 again in the near future. 

      And so another season comes to a close for me also, not the best game to end a season on but it was a bad experience for me this season anyway with all the match cancellations through the weather (snow) and re-arranged games in Scotland cause of cup matches and internationals.  I'm hoping to come back to it next season with even more games and hopefully with a renewed passion for what I'm doing after three months rest.  Thanks for reading my blogs folks without you it wouldn't be worth while and with that I'll sign off and see you in season 2018/19.

                             MATCH DETAILS

 WWW   S5

VENUE #109 DUNDEE Dens Park

  DENS PARK  

NEAREST RAILWAY STATION

     Dundee Railway Station is over two miles away from Dens Park and is quite a walk away (25-30mins). Best to jump in a taxi. Leave the station and cross the road at the pedestrian crossing. Take the exit to the right before the Nethergate centre, this exit has steps  leading down to Union Street. Walk up to the top of Union Street and turn right onto the High Street, after a couple of hundred yards veer left into the pedestrianised Murraygate and proceed to the Wellgate centre. Go via the escalators in the Wellgate centre to the top floor of the centre and exit onto Victoria Road. (If Wellgate is closed, turn left along Panmure Street, right up Meadowside and right onto Victoria Road to rear of Wellgate Shopping Centre). 

     Here you have two choices, via the Hilltown (Shorter distance but like climbing the north face of the Eiger) or via Dens Road (much longer but far less likely to induce a heart attack):                                                                            Option 1 (for those fit enough) cross Victoria Road to the foot of the Hilltown walk up this for approx 1/3 mile (it feels like 3) till you reach the junction of Main St & Strathmartine Road this is easily recognisable by the ornamental clock near the junction. Turn right onto Main St and proceed until you reach the junction with Isla St (Church on the corner opposite the excellent Snug Bar). Turn left into Isla Street (at Clepington Church). Continue across Dens Road into North Isla Street and turn left at Tannadice, Dens Park is just up the road.               
     Option 2 Turn right onto Victoria Road proceed about 1/4 mile, veer left at the Eagle Mills into Dens Road. Pass Dura Street, Alexander Street and Dens Road Market then right into Arklay Street. Once you reach Tannadice Street turn left past Tannadice, Dens Park is just up the road.

DENS PARK STADIUM                                                                                         The overall look of Dens Park was greatly improved with the re-development of both ends in the late 1990's. The Bobby Cox & Bob Shankly Stands are similar looking, both being single tiered and roughly of the same height. Both sides are quite old looking stands that date back to the 1920's. The Main (North) Stand is a covered seated stand, unusual in that it is oval in shape, meaning that those sitting on the half way line are furthest away from the playing action. In fact at one time the whole ground was oval. It also has only a small amount of seats in the lower portion of the stand, with the bulk of the seating in the upper part. On the other side is a more conventional single tiered stand, that only runs for about two thirds of the length of the pitch. Both these stands have many supporting pillars that may hinder your view. Dens Park is completed with a set of four tall old fashioned looking floodlights.

     Away fans are housed in the Bob Shankly Stand at one end of the ground, where up to 3,000 supporters can be accommodated. If required then a further 1,000 seats can be allocated in the Main (North) Stand towards the Bob Shankly End. The facilities within the Bob Shankly Stand are quite good and the view of the playing action excellent. The great thing about this stand is that even a relatively small number of away fans can really generate some noise.

GROUND LAYOUT

 A   MAIN STAND

 B   SOUTH STAND - COVERED AND OPEN TERRACE

 C   BOBBY COX STAND

 D   BOB SHANKLY STAND (AWAY)

Today's Visitors  ST. JOHNSTONE  are lying in eighth place in the league table with nothing to play for, they're on 38 points and quite safe from any relegation trauma.  I saw the reverse fixture on the 30th of December last year at McDiarmid park a game which Dundee won 2-0, it looked as though St. Johnstone had been celebrating the coming of the new year a little too early, they were all over the place at times and their shoddy mentality cost them the game.

     In their last ten visits to Dens park honours are level with St. Johnstone and Dundee both winning 4 games with two draws.  Saints biggest win out of the ten came just over a month ago on the 10th of March beating Dundee 4-0, Jordan Piggott had only been on the pitch 5 minutes when he put through his own net to give Saints the lead.  Chris Kane scored 13 minutes later to take Saints to the half time break leading 2-0.  Seventeen minutes into the second half and Blair Alston put the game out of the reach of the Dee with Chris Kane making completely sure with his brace and Saints fourth goal of the afternoon two minutes later.
     With Saints having nothing to play for you would have to favour Dundee in this one with them only 4 points above the relegation play-off position and one more point off the drop, it's a must win for Dundee but let's not forget that this is a derby game and Saints would love to give their fans local bragging rights.   

DUNDEE ... 2    ST. JOHNSTONE ... 1

       A goal by Soften Moussa in the very first minute looked as if it was going to be the only goal of the game but St Johnstone had other ideas and kept plugging away until they found an equaliser in the 85th minute.  Liam Craig fouled Mousse about ten yards outside the Saints penalty area, the free kick was taken a simple affair which Saints failed to deal with, Kevin Holt missed his attempt at the far post but the ball came to Mousse who was never going to miss from virtually on the goal line.

     Missed chances by George Williams and Scott Tanser seemed to sum up Saints day although Dundee had their fair whack of opportunities that also went begging, none more significant than Simon Murray's in the last minute of the first half which flashed wide across the face of the goal.

    St. Johnstone started the second half better and looked to make a game of it but couldn't find a clear path to the Dundee goal.  The closest they came thus far was when Joe Shaughnessy hit the bar with a rasping shot in the 64th minute.  This saw Dundee spring back into life again but they always seemed vulnerable down the left with Williams causing havoc twisting and turning and more times than not reaching the by line but with no finess when putting the ball into the box.


     Saints got their reward though with five minutes of normal time remaining when Steven MacLean found himself with ball on the right hand side of the Dundee six yard box and buried it into the far corner of the net.  You could sense the tension amongst the home fans seeing another victory being ripped from their hands at the death but this time fête had something else in mind for three minutes later as Cammy Kerr is fouled by David Wotherspoon on the right.  Kerr takes the set piece himself and finds the head of Sofien Moussa and the Dundee number nine again puts the Dee in front but this time the dark blues hold on for the three points.

MATCH DETAILS

    
     

VENUE #108 SOUTHAMPTON St. Mary's Stadium

 ST MARY'S  STADIUM 

               Home Of:  Southampton
   Ground Opened:  2001
Previous Grounds:  Antelope Ground,

                      County Ground &

                                  The Dell

         Other Uses:  Film Premiers
                                  Concerts

VENUE #108

NEAREST RAILWAY STATION

     The stadium is located around one and a half miles away from Southampton Central Railway Station (where there is also quite a large car park), which should take about 30 minutes to walk. There is also a shuttle bus in operation taking fans from the station to the ground. This operates from the Blechynden Terrace bus stop outside the station.

If you prefer to walk then turn left out of the station' s southern entrance and walk up Western Esplanade, which becomes Civic Centre Road. Remain on the Civic Centre Road and walk between the Civic Centre and the Marlands Shopping Centre. Eventually a crossroads is reached with the Nationwide Building Society on one corner and Lloyds Bank on another. Cross into New Road and follow this road across a park and past a college. Eventually you will reach a complex road junction with a number of traffic lights. Cross Kings Way into Northam Road and follow this road for quarter of a mile until you reach the ground on your right. There are signs provided by the local council, which direct fans from the station to the ground.

ST MARY'S STADIUM                                                                                                        The Club moved from The Dell to the new St Mary's Stadium in 2001. In some ways this saw the Club returning to its roots as it was originally founded as 'Southampton St Marys', hence the club nickname 'The Saints'. To be truthful the stadium looks, quite simply, superb. The stadium is completely enclosed, with all corners being filled with seating. There are also two great looking screens sitting on the roofs at each end. Running around three sides of the stadium, just below the roof, is a transparent perspex strip allows more light and facilitates pitch growth. On the remaining side there is a row of executive boxes. The crowd are set well back from the playing action, as firstly there is a cinder track surrounding the playing surface and secondly the pitch itself must be the largest in the League (although the playing area does not use all of it). Outside the stadium behind the Itchen Stand is a statue of former Southampton legend Ted Bates.

     Away fans are located in the Northam Stand at one end of the stadium, where normally up to 3,300 fans can sit. For cup games this allocation can be increased to 4,750. The view of the playing action and the facilities within this stand are excellent. Leg room is good, although the width of the seating seemed to be a bit narrower than other grounds. The sizeable concourse behind the stand features a Ladbrokes, has TV's which show the game as it is played and a number of eating and drinking outlets. There are plenty of staff and the queues never seemed to get particularly long, which was a pleasant surprise. There is also a 'Pie & Pint' outlet, that as the name suggests, only serves beer and pies. 

GROUND LAYOUT

 A   ITCHEN / EAST STAND

 B   KINGSLAND / WEST STAND

 C   CHAPEL / SOUTH STAND

 D   NORTHAM / NORTH STAND

Today's Visitors  CHELSEA  Haven't quite reached the heights achieved last season when they won the Barclays Premiership in Antonio Conte's first season as manager, the Italian conceded that after Sunday's draw with Premiership strugglers West Ham that Chelsea's chances of a top four place and with it Champions league football next season are a forgone conclusion, there is also speculation that Conte's interests may be elsewhere next season as a move to pastures new is very much on the cards.

     Chelsea have made just ten visits to St. Mary's since the ground opened in 2001 and have a great record there winning 7, drawing 2 with only 1 defeat which came on the 30th of March 2013 when Jay Rodriguez opened the scoring for Saints after 23 minutes, John Terry equalised ten minutes later only for Rickie Lambert to score the winner for Saints on 35 minutes.

     Chelsea's biggest win at St. Mary's was in the third round of the F.A. cup January 5th 2013 when Blues came away 5-1 winners and with a trip to Griffin Park against Brentford in the fourth round.  Jay Rodriguez opened the scoring once again for Saints this time in the 22nd minute, Demba Ba equalised on 35 minutes with Victor Moses putting Blues ahead on half time.  Branislav Ivanović  made it 3-1 seven minutes into the second half then Demba Ba completed a brace on 61 minutes, Frank Lampard finished the scoring 7 minutes from normal time with a penalty.

SOUTHAMPTON ... 2   CHELSEA ... 3

     

     This game was important to both teams, Southampton needed to win for the chance of getting out of the bottom three and for Chelsea a win would keep the slim hopes of Champions league football for next season alive.

     The fixture had also been dubbed as a dress rehearsal for the FA cup semi-final at Wembley next weekend between these two teams and it seemed as though the home side were going to have the edge on their London rivals.

     Southampton came out the traps the brighter and by the 21st minute were leading by a Dusan Tadic goal which had the home supporters in raptures and believing in the miracle, Ryan Bertrand out runs Cesar Azpilicueta into the Chelsea box and pulls the ball back into the path of Tadic who side foots the ball into the back of the Chelsea net.

   It looked all over for the visitors on the hour when a James Ward-Prowse free kick to the far post was volleyed home by debutante Jan Bednarek which sent the home faithful even wilder with delight as it looked as though the three points were coming their way.

     But then Antonio Conte made the substitution of a lifetime bringing off Davide Zappacosta to bring on ex Arsenal favourite Olivier Giroud, he also changed Alvara Morata and brought on Pedro at the same time.  The pair had only been on the pitch nine minutes when Giroud struck to bring about one of the most dramatic collapses I've ever witnessed. Marcos Alonso on his own on the left curls a cross into the Saints six yard box for Giroud to get the better of the two Southampton centre backs and head the ball past Alex McCarthy.

     Five minutes later and things get worse for the Saints, after the Giroud opener you could feel the tension amongst the Saints supporters they've been here before were their team has been in the lead and been pegged back by the opposition.  Letting teams back into the game has become an occupational Hazard for Southampton and unfortunately it was the occupational goal scoring Eden Hazard who levelled things for the Blues, Willian was forced out wide on the left but spotted Hazard in the centre of the Southampton box his cross was brought down sublimely by the Chelsea number ten who then bent the ball into the top corner of the net.

     The turn around was complete in the 78th minute, Southampton had let a 2-0 lead turn into a 2-3 deficit within the matter of eight minutes, the fans were stunned and shell-shocked although many weren't surprised as Olivier Giroud completed his brace by scoring the third Chelsea goal and the eventual winner of the match.  Again the problem for Southampton came from the left side when a short free kick finds Eden Hazard who crosses the ball into the Saints penalty area, Cahill and Azpilicueta keep the ball alive in the box before Giroud fires home through a crowd of players and this time it's the Chelsea fans making all the noise, unbelievable!!!

MATCH DETAILS