VENUE #86 PARTICK THISTLE Firhill Stadium

FIRHILL STADIUM

Venue #86

Directions by Train / Subway

     After lots of consideration this is the route I finally judged to be the best.  I caught the train to Glasgow Central station and exited onto Hope street turning left and walking down to the station underpass turning left once more passing through the underpass and crossing the road to bring me outside McDonalds.  Continuing straight on up Argyle street to the next paved pedestrian area on the right which is St. Enoch square and make my way down to the subway platform and catch the inner circle line train to St George's cross.

     Exiting St. George's station turn left down Maryhill road and continue for about 10 to 15 mins. on the right side of the road facing on coming traffic until you come to the Cooperative funeral care building and turn right into Springbank street and Firhill Stadium is straight in front of you.

Firhill Stadium

     On one side of the ground is the impressive looking, Jackie Husband Stand. This is a large, covered single tiered stand. Opposite is the older Main Stand, which has raised seating above pitch level. This stand is covered and has a fair few supporting pillars which may obstruct your view. It was originally built in 1927. The stand looks a little odd, as the lower end has been given over to what look like administrative offices. Apart from the bigger games, this stand normally remains closed.

     At the North End of the ground is the new North Stand, which replaced a former open terrace. This all seated covered stand, originally only ran for around two thirds of the width of the pitch, but has been extended during the Summer of 2003, so that it now completely fills that end of the ground. Opposite is the South End, which is now unused for spectators, being comprised of a grassy bank. It was originally an open terrace, but this was demolished in anticipation of building a new stand, however, this has not materialised. 

     Interestingly, Firhill is the closest League Football Ground to Glasgow City Centre.

Jackie Husband Stand 

Main Stand  

North Stand

Unused Area

     Today's Visitors  HAMILTON ACADEMICAL  I remember the Hamilton promotion to the premier league in the 2013/14 season when they beat Hibernian in a thrilling play-off contest.  Accies lost the home tie 2-0 and went to Easter road with everyone expecting the home side to maintain their Premiership position  but on the night the Accies matched their opponents score and took the tie to extra time and penalties winning the shoot out 4-3.
     In their first season back in the Premiership Hamilton excelled their selves looking favourites for a top two position in a two horse race with Celtic and looking like the replacement for previously demoted Rangers  but fell short at in the final stages finishing top of the bottom six on 53 points.
     The appointment of Alex Neil the Hamilton boss at the time as the new Norwich City manager may have had something to do with the Accies down-turn the 35 year old no-nonsense Scot from Bellshill was the driving force behind Hamilton's success.

     Currently, Hamilton Accies  hold the premier league play off position on 21 points with any team as high as Kilmarnock in sixth place on 25 points are liable candidates for the position.  Partick are at the time of writing holding the place just above Hamilton on 23 points.

PARTICK THISTLE ... 2   HAMILTON ACADEMICAL ... 0

     Not the best game you'll ever see by a long chalk, I saw the Jags up at Pittodrie last season in a game that finished 0-0 and I got the feeling that this would end up with the same score-line.  In the first half chances were as rare as rocking horse shit and I can't remember either keeper having to make a save as I don't think there was an attempt on target.

     Thistle boss Alan Archibald was determined to change things in the second half bringing on Kris Doolan at the start for David Amoo and Chris Erskine 12 minutes later for Adebayo Azeez.  In the 68h minute the two subs combined with Erskine getting an assist with a cross to the far post for Doolan to nod home breaking a substantial goal drought for the Jags striker.

   Eleven minutes later and Doolan made it a brace with another headed goal this time supplied by Callum Booth which the Partick number 9 flicked with his forehead beyond the reach of Gary Woods in goal for the Accies into the far top corner of the net.

     Things got pretty bad tempered in places with Hamilton applying  strong arm tactics which earned three of their players yellow cards and they where lucky that no-one saw a red.  They also used delaying measures while the game was still level typical of a team that's struggling at the                                                                       bottom end.

     Partick's win now takes them up into the top six where they hope to remain before the league splits in April.

                               MATCH DETAILS  

VENUE #85 STEVENAGE The Lamex Stadium

THE LAMEX STADIUM

Venue #85

Directions from train Station

      Stevenage station is about one mile away from the Lamex Stadium.  Leave the station booking hall and turn left towards the town. Take the stairs on the right before the bridge over the dual carriage way and head along the A602, Lytton Way. At the roundabout which has the police station on the right, take the second exit into Six Hills Way. At the next roundabout take the third exit (South) continuing along the A602, Monkswood Way, passing a large Asda store on your right. After about 3/4 mile (McDonalds/Burger King etc will be on your right) you will arrive at a roundabout and the Lamex Stadium will be opposite you on the other side of the A602.

The Lamex Stadium 

   To be honest, the Lamex Stadium doesn't look much from the roads running past it, as most of the stadium is obscured behind trees. Inside though, you will find a nice tidy stadium that although generally modern, still has a bit of character about it. Also those trees give the ground a pleasant green 'leafy' surround. 

     On one side is the all seated covered Main Stand that looks quite impressive and is single tiered. It is unusual in so much that at the back of the stand on either side of it, there are large gaps between the back of the roof and the stand below. Whilst in the middle of the stand at the back, there are a number of glass fronted areas to various Club offices. Opposite is the fair sized East Terrace, which is covered and  quite steep. Even though like the rest ground, the stand is relatively new, it does have a gable with a clock sitting on its roof above the half way line, which gives it a touch of character. Oddly though it has a sizeable service tunnel located towards the centre of the stand with the terracing extending around it.

     At one end is the South Stand, which is another single tiered, all seated, covered stand.
This stand which was opened in 2001 is given to away supporters. There is an electric scoreboard on the roof of this stand. Opposite at the North End of the ground, is a small covered terrace. This terrace is mostly covered (around 3/4's) with a portion of open terrace to one side. A set of four new floodlights (one pylon in each corner) were installed for the start of the 2007/08 season.

     On promotion to the Football League, the Club changed its name from Stevenage Borough FC, to Stevenage FC, which was its original name when founded in 1976. The ground for many years was called Broadhall Way, but was renamed the Lamex Stadium in a corporate sponsorship deal.

Main Stand (West)

East Stand / Covered Terrace

North Stand / Covered Terrace

South Stand (Away)

     Today's Visitors WYCOMBE WANDERERS are currently at the time of writing clutching a play off position in sixth place in the league table, wycombe are no strangers to the play-offs narrowly losing 7-6 on penalties in the 2014/15 season to Southend United.
     I watched the Chairboys on Tuesday night on TV against Coventry City at the Ricoh in the semi-final of the checkatrade trophy on a pitch, well, I've not seen a worse one since visiting Airbus in the Welsh Premier league five years ago but then again they do share with a rugby league side.
     City looked comfortable in the first half cruising to a two goal lead and looking dead cert finalists but then came the second half and the introduction of Adebayo Akinfenwa to the Wycombe line-up and what a difference.  Carrying an injury Akinfenwa put himself about bullying the Coventry defence winning every ball in the air and just being an absolute nuisance to the City back line who were struggling to contain "the beast" and in the 55th minute his persistence paid off when Coventry keeper Charles Cook spilled the ball after an Areal challenge from a set-piece which dropped to Ankinfenwa who drilled the ball into the roof of the net to narrow the deficit.

     I think the big man gave his all in those first ten minutes and couldn't keep up the momentum and even the introduction of top goal scorer Scott Kashket couldn't break down a resilient Coventry City defence who had their work cut out for the majority of the second half but hold on they did and booked their place in the final on the 2nd April.
     The big question though is Akinfenwa fit enough to to take part in today's game at some point and if he is ....... look out Stevenage.

STEVENAGE ... 3   WYCOMBE WANDERERS ... 0

     Wasn't really expecting a scoreline like this before the start of this game, Wycombe never turned up to play maybe they were exhausted from Tuesday night's cup exit. the beast was he tamed or knackered one things for sure Stevenage aren't too bothered scoring three goals and earning three points as a consequence at home, it doesn't get much better than that.

     The first came in the 25th minute when a cross by Jobi McAnuff was flicked on by Matt Godden to Steven Schumacher who was waiting at the far post to tap in from close range.

     In the first minute of injury time of the half Boro were awarded a penalty Tom Pett racing across the Wanderers box with the ball was sent sprawling by Dominic Gape and the referee, Dean Whitestone had no hesitation to point to the spot.  Up stepped Matt Godden and sent Jamal Blackman in goal the wrong way to make it  eight goals in eight games for himself and double the Stevenage advantage.

     Four minutes into the second half and it was game over and what a farcical goal it was from a Wycombe point of view.  Jamal Blackman threw the ball to Aaron Pierre who was 7 yards outside his own penalty area central but the 23 year old Wycombe defender surrounded by Boro players was caught in several different minds and hung on to the ball far too long and eventually got dispossessed by Tom Pett who went on to round the keeper and deepen Wycombe's woes with                                                   the third and final goal.

     As I said earlier it wasn't a good match to watch despite the three goals Wycombe were most probably thinking about what might have been if they could have beat Coventry in the Checkatrade semi-final instead of concentrating on the now and their fight for promotion to league one.

                          MATCH DETAILS

  

VENUE #84 NEWCASTLE UNITED St. James' Park

SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP

Saturday 21st January 2017

St. James' Park Stadium

Ground Capacity:-  52,401

Kick Off:-  15:00

Entry Fee:-  £29 

Programme:-  30p

Venue #84

    Directions To The Ground From Railway Station

      Come out of the station, across the two zebra crossings and then head up the pedestrianised Pink Lane. Then cross Westgate Road at the top. Then up pedestrianised Bath Lane with the old city walls on your right. Turn right on to Stowell Street (Chinatown). At the end of Stowell Street bear left up St Andrews Street by Rosie’s Bar, under the ornate Chinese arch. Then left up Gallowgate. St James' is on your right.

     St. James Park

     The ground was largely rebuilt in the 1990's and is now unrecognisable from the St James' Park of old. On approaching the ground, it looks absolutely huge, as it appears to have been built on raised ground. I particularly like St James' Park as it is totally enclosed and has a great atmosphere. With the completion of the additional tier to the Milburn & Leazes (Sir John Hall) Stands in 2000, the capacity has been increased to over 52,000. These stands have a huge lower tier, with a row of executive boxes and a smaller tier above. This development has created the largest cantilever structure in Europe and has a spectacular looking roof, which allows natural light to penetrate through it (and hence is good for the pitch). However the ground now looks

somewhat imbalanced with one half of the ground being significantly larger than the other two sides. These remaining two sides the Gallowgate End and East Stand are both of the same height and are two-tired. The stadium is also totally enclosed with all four corners being filled with seating. In October 2014 a large video screen was installed on the upper side of the Sir John Hall Stand, which looks rather odd, in terms of its position. Outside the stadium is a statue of former manager Sir Bobby Robson. 

Milburn Stand

East Stand

Sir John Hall Stand

South Stand

     Today's Opponents  ROTHERHAM UNITED as Newcastle are at the top of the league at the time of writing Rotherham find themselves at the total opposite end propping all the other teams up.  Millers find themselves in another relegation battle as they did last season finishing in 21st position in the table nine points clear of the drop.  Things look considerably worse this year as we're now in the second half of the campaign and Rotherham are at the foot of the table with sixteen points and nine points adrift of Burton Albion and safety.

     Last weekend saw the Millers beat Norwich City 2-1 at the Aesseal New York Stadium and with only 20 games left till the end of the season they will be looking to get something out of their visit to St. James' Park.

      Caretaker manager Paul Warne who took over from Kenny Jacket at the end of November will be hoping to maintain a run of form not only to improve the club's league position but also to boost his chances of taking on his roll full time.  The club were to announce a new manager at the beginning of the month but are content with sticking with Warne at the moment who is being assisted by former Rotherham player John Breckin.

NEWCASTLE UNITED ... 4   ROTHERHAM UNITED ... 0

     No surprise with the final scoreline of this game although things did get off to a slow start with Newcastle content with ball possession passing along the back line and midfield and occasionally threading the ball forward or down the flanks trying to get in behind the Rotherham defence without success. 

     In fact it was Rotherham who had the first real chance of breaking the deadlock when in the 38th minute a slip from Karl Darlow let in Anthony Forde who teed up fellow forward Jerry Yates who fired a tremendous shot toward Darlow's left hand corner but the Toon keeper redeemed himself with a spectacular save at full stretch to palm the ball away from danger.  If that had of gone in then things could have been rather different for Newcastle.

     But things started to go the way of form and Daryl Murphy's goal in the third minute of injury time was rough justice on Rotherham who at least deserved to go in at half time level.  Richard Smallwood was booked for a bad foul and from the following free kick which was taken by Jonjo Shelvey to find DeAndre Yedlin who cut the ball back to Murphy to turn and hit his third goal of the season.

     Rotherham's resistance caved in as in the fourth minute of the second half the deficit doubled when a shot from Yoan Gouffran was saved by Millers keeper Richard O'Donnell but the rebound fell to Matt Ritchie to score his first of the afternoon from six yards.

     Ten minutes later and the contest was confirmed over when a cross to the near post by Yedlin was headed home by Ayoze Perez for his seventh of the season and Newcastle's third of the afternoon.

     Ritchie finished off the scoring grabbing a brace in the 77th minute Slotting home from close range and equalling Newcastle's biggest win of the season and sending the Magpies flying high at the top once more with a comfortable goal difference tally.   

                       MATCH DETAILS

     

VENUE #83 SWANSEA CITY The Liberty Stadium

BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP

Saturday 31st December 2016

Liberty Stadium

Ground Capacity:-  20,972

Kick Off:-  15:00

Entry Fee:-  £35

Programme:-  £3

Venue #83

     The Club moved to the Liberty Stadium in 2005, after spending 93 years at their former Vetch Field home. Built by Interserve for a cost of around £30m, it is located near to the former site of the Morfa Athletics Stadium on the West side of the River Tawe. The stadium was christened White Rock by the Swansea residents, but was renamed the Liberty Stadium under a 10 year corporate sponsorship deal.

Although fairly conservative in its design, the stadium is still impressive. It is completely enclosed with all four corners filled with seating. Each of the four stands is two tiered and three are of the same height.

     The West Stand at one side of the pitch is slightly taller, having a row of 28 corporate hospitality boxes, situated above the upper tier. The Club's offices are also located behind this stand. An unusual feature is the great use of transparent roofing towards the South End of the stadium. This allows more natural light into this area, making for an interesting effect. Both ends have an electric scoreboard situated on the front of their roofs, although for some reason the scoreboard at the North End is larger than the one at the South End. Outside the stadium at the South West corner, by the club shop and ticket office, is a statue of former Swansea legend Ivor Allchurch. The stadium is shared with Ospreys Rugby Union Club.

     Away fans are housed in the North Stand at one end of the stadium. Up to 2,000 fans
can be accommodated in this area, although this allocation can be reduced to 1,000 for teams with a smaller following. The views of the playing action from this area are excellent as there is a good height between rows and the leg room is probably one of the most generous of any stadium that I have visited. The concourses are spacious, with food and beverage outlets, plus a number of television sets, for pre-match and half time entertainment. As you would expect from a new stadium the facilities are good. Away fans are separated from home fans by two metal barriers, with a line of stewards and Police in-between. Interestingly, the main singing contingent of home fans, have, in the traditions of the Vetch Field, situated themselves

along one side of the pitch in the East Stand, rather than at the South end of the stadium. Out of the station turn right and go up the High Street. At the traffic lights turn right into Neath Road. Proceed straight along Neath Road and you will eventually reach the stadium on your right.

     Swansea Railway Station is on the main line route from London Paddington. It is about two miles from the Liberty Stadium. Regular local bus services (every ten minutes: routes 4, 4a, 120, 122, 125, 132) and taxis (around £6) are available from the train station to the stadium. Otherwise if you have time on your hands and wish to embark on the 25-30 minute walk, then as you come

     After the match has ended the Club provide a bus service to take away fans back to Swansea Railway Station. Shown with the destination 'Town Centre' it costs £1.50 per person.

Today's Visitors                BOURNEMOUTH before this game were in twelfth place in the league table seven points clear of the relegation places and twelve points short of the battle for Europe next season.  Now in their second season in the Premiership and looking as though they intend to stay.  It's the second time I've seen manager Eddie Howe take the reins since I started my continuation of ground hopping in 2012, then he was manager of Burnley who I saw play at Pride Park and the Clarets run out 2-1 winners thanks to two Charlie Austin goals one in each half.  Players to watch out for if in squad Callum Wilson (top Goal Scorer 5), Nathan Ake, Junior Stanislas, Steve Cook and on loan Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere are the main men of danger in the Bournemouth squad this season. 

SWANSEA CITY ... 0   BOURNEMOUTH ... 3

     Another well drilled performance from Bournemouth saw them always in control of this game with Eddie Howe at the reins it seemed a formality from the start for as in contrast Swansea look resigned to their fate on and off the pitch suffering from bad management, lack of and bad investment into the club.  They remind me of Aston Villa last season and look as though they will suffer the same consequences, in dire need of good leadership as the Villa have now acquired this may sound crazy but Swansea need to be relegated to rebuild their squad and as a result be reborn into the team they were a couple of seasons ago.

     Two first half strikes for Bournemouth the first coming in the 25th minute when a poor defensive error by Jordi Amat saw Lukasz Fabianski make a fine reflex save but Benik Afobe was there to turn in the rebound and mark his return to the starting eleven with a simple goal.

     The next came in injury time when the impressive Jack Wilshere played a fine ball through to Junior Stanislas who was one on one with Fabianski but squared the ball across to Ryan fraser who had the easy task of slotting the ball into an empty net from the six yard box.

     After the break Bournemouth looked to keep what they had although Swansea did make chances but lacked that killer punch in front of goal.

     In the 88th minute while pushing to get back into the game the Swans left themselves open to the counter attack and a Charlie Daniels pass saw substitute Josh King race through to slot home the final nail in the Swansea coffin leaving the Swans to start the new year bottom of the table 4 points from safety.   

                          MATCH DETAILS