VENUE #112 GILLINGHAM Mems Priestfield Stadium

MEMS PRIESTFIELD STADIUM

    Priestfield Stadium has been virtually re-built since the current Chairman Paul Scally took over in 1995. On one side of the ground is the impressive looking Medway Stand. Opened in 2000, it is two-tiered, with a large lower tier and a small upper tier. In-between these tiers are a row of executive boxes, which also have seating outside. Opposite is the Gordon Road Stand. Opened in 1997, this is a much smaller single tiered stand, which is partly covered (to the rear). It contains a number of supporting pillars running across the back of it, plus it also has an unusual looking TV gantry perched on its roof. The Rainham End was opened in 1999. It is a single tier cantilevered stand, which replaced a former terrace. Opposite is the Brian Moore Stand. This is, in fact, a temporary seated stand that has been situated on top of an existing terrace. When I say temporary (considering that it has been there since 2003) I mean that the stand can be easily dismantled and re-assembled. This is the only open area at the stadium. This stand is named in memory of the legendary commentator and lifelong Gills fan, Brian Moore.

LAYOUT

 A   MEDWAY STAND

 B   GORDON ROAD STAND

 C   THE RAINHAM END

 D   BRIAN MOORE STAND

     Gillingham are hoping to improve on there league position this season after only finishing in 17th place in the last campaign.  The Gills boss Steve Lovell has secured a number of loanees and signings to strengthen the squad for the coming season.
     The Gills season got off to a great start with a visit to newly promoted Accrington Stanley last Saturday, Gillingham ran out 2-0 winners with goals from Brandon Hanlan and Josh Parker spoiling Stanley's return to the third tier of English football after a 50 year absence.

     Burton return to league one after a two season spell in the Championship, Albion narrowly avoided the drop in the first season but succumbed to their fate last season after being predominantly at the bottom end of the table.  It's safe to say that the brewers were punching above their weight in that league and should find it a little more comfortable this season.
     Saying that they hosted Rochdale at the pirelli last Saturday and ended up losing 2-1.  The Dale took a 2-0 lead after only 22 minutes of the first half, a brace from Bradden Inman (10,22) with Liam Boyce getting a consolation goal in the 71st minute.
     Being virtual new-comers to the football league Burton have not played many games at the Priestfield stadium in fact there have been only five occasions that this fixture has taken place, Gillingham winning four and Burton just the one which was the last encounter on the 12th of December 2015 the Brewers with a 3-0 victory goals from Damien McCrory, Lucas Akins and Anthony O'Connor, all were scored in the second half with the last two in the 90th plus minute.     

GILLINGHAM ... 3   BURTON ALBION ... 1

     Substitute Tom Eaves came off the bench after 33 minutes to replace injured Dean Parrett.  The 26 year old Gillingham striker was only on the pitch for 2 minutes before scoring the equalising goal for the Gills timing his run to perfection before slotting the ball past Burton keeper Stephen Bywater.

     Earlier Liam Boyce had given the visitors the lead when Kyle McFadzean's header was poorly dealt with by the Gillingham defence and Boyce picked up pieces to net for the second time this season.  Gills should have took a lead into the second half but Brandon Hanlan's shot after getting clear of the Burton defence rattled off the bar and over.

     Six minutes into the half and Gillingham did have their deserved lead when defender Luke O'Neill's free kick left Bywater with no chance from 25 yards. Burton tried hard to come back into the game especially when Scott Fraser was denied by Gills keeper Tom Holy.

     But the points were bagged when super-sub Eaves completed a brace when he pounced on a loose ball in the Burton penalty area and finished with aplomb putting his side in 4th place behind Barnsley, Doncaster and Peterborough all on the same points winning the first two games of the season.

     Priestfield stadium is a lovely little ground one of the better ones I've come across in it's size category everything just seems to gel and is very pleasing to the eye.  Fans are very pleasant and friendly and stewards are helpful.  The row markings are missing from some seats and steps so can be very confusing but apart from that it's good.

     Fans in the Rainham End could think of a better chant when winning the game than "we are the right side" and "we are the middle", the football wasn't that bad it was quite entertaining in places.

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VENUE #111 HAMILTON ACADEMICAL The HopeCBD Stadium

Hamilton Crushed At Home On Opening Day Of The Season              
               NEW DOUGLAS STADIUM

                      (THE HOPECBD STADIUM)        

     

NEW DOUGLAS PARK (HopeCBD Stadium)

     The HopeCBD Stadium was opened in 2001 and is not far from the site of their former Douglas Park ground from which they left in 1994 (the club ground shared in the intervening years). Alas, nothing remains of the old ground to be seen, in fact, the site is now occupied by a Sainsburys supermarket.

The ground is largely comprised of two fair sized stands at one side and at one end of the ground. Both are covered and all seated. They are unusual, in terms of modern stands, in that they are both raised above pitch level, which means that spectators have to climb a set of stairs, to reach the seated area. These have been supplemented by a small covered temporary stand on the East side of the ground. This area has a capacity of 700 seats. There are also four striking floodlight pylons in each corner of the ground. During 2013 the Club installed a 3G artificial playing surface.                                                                                Away fans are normally housed in the North (Spice Of Life) Stand where the view of the action is good. In addition the temporary East Stand can also be made available. The views from this area are not great as there is a row of supporting pillars running across the front of it. There is plenty of legroom in the North Stand, but wrap up well in winter as being as the ground is largely open, the wind blows right through it.                                                                  The ground was known as New Douglas Park, but in 2018 was renamed the HopeCBD Stadium in a corporate sponsorship deal.

GROUND LAYOUT

 A   MAIN STAND

 B   NORTH STAND  (AWAY)

 C   TEMPORARY STAND

    This is like a re-visit for me for I came up here on the 27th of December to see the Accies play Kilmarnock but with all the cold weather we were having at the time the game was called off a hour before kick off through a frozen pitch.  It was a bit of a bummer in more ways than one as it took us 8 hours to get to Hamilton because of the weather and the large amount of people who were travelling to and from Scotland over the Christmas holidays and, of course, Cross Country trains were in the midst of industrial action and cancelling trains right left and centre. 

    HEARTS Have a good record here at HopeCBD out of their last ten visits they have won 5, losing 3 and drawing 2.  Last season they won both league games here 0-3 and 1-2 finishing 4 places above Accies in sixth place 16 points clear of Hamilton in tenth.

    Manager Craig Levein has strengthened his team during closed season adding

2 new goalkeepers, Zdenek Zlamal joins the Jam Tarts from Czech side Fastav Zlin and Republic of Ireland keeper Colin Doyle who was released by Bradford City at the end of last season. Levein has also loaned back Steven Naismith for the 2018/19 season from Norwich City the Hearts head coach says he's thrilled to have the 31 year old attacking midfielder back at Tynecastle.  

HAMILTON ACADEMICAL ... 1   HEARTS ... 4

     A nice warm, sunny afternoon just the thing to bring out some decent football and the game started to that effect with Hamilton looking the most likely and indeed they took a justifiable lead after 17 minutes, Aaron Hughes hesitated in front of his own goal and allowed Mikel Miller to stab home the ball from ten yards.

     But that was as good as it got for the Accies for three minutes later Hearts were level, Christophe Berra head a header turned onto the crossbar by Accies keeper Gary Woods only for the corresponding corner taken by Steven Naismith causing havoc in the Hamilton six yard area and resulting with a looping header from Peter Haring to find the back of the net.

     The team from Edinburgh had responded well to going a goal down and should have taken the lead before the break Callum Morrison and Naismith both coming close but the home side managed to stay with Hearts until half time.

     In the second period though Hamilton's frailties showed in the light of some wonderful attacking play from Hearts and you could see the home side starting to collapse under some intense pressure.  It took only four minutes for the visitors to take the lead and turn things around, Naismith was making headway through the Hamilton defence in the eighteen yard area only for Alex Penny to bring him down from behind with a clumsy challenge.  The Norwich loanee took the spot kick himself leaving Woods no chance after he'd guessed the right way but the ball was struck superbly into the left hand corner of the net.

     Haring added another for his brace in the 58th minute with a beautifully taken side footed shot that left Woods with no chance.  The Hearts fans who filled the North stand and the temporary stand were in raptures while the home support were starting to find the exits.

     Things got worse for Hamilton when in the 62nd minute Steven MacLean hammered the final nail into the Accies coffin with a wonderful curling shot from the left which found the far side roof of the Hamilton net and extending Hearts marvellous record at Hamilton in fine fashion. 

     Accies have to come back quick from this defeat for last season Ross County found themselves bottom of the league from the start and couldn't manage to stop their relegation from the top flight for at the end the season will claim it's victim and from what I've saw today my money's on the team in red and white hoops.       

   

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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.

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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.

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