Background

I’m on a mission to reach 100 grounds before the summer is over. I’ve recently accepted a teaching job over in the UAE, and I want to explore as much of the Scottish football pyramid as I can before I head over in August. Before tonight, I currently stand on 90 grounds, not leaving me a great amount of time to hit 10 more, given I’ll still be making silly trips to Easter Road on two of the Saturdays before the end of the season. Therefore, midweeks will be a staple in the next few weeks.

This evening’s trip takes me a truly historic football club. Formed as early as 1874, Arthurlie FC have been a mainstay in Scottish football in a multitude of capacities. They played as a senior side until 1929, reaching the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup three years in a row in the late 1880s. They were founding members of the Scottish Football Federation before joining the Scottish Football Alliance. In 1901, Arthurlie were accepted into the Scottish Football League and stayed in the Second Division until the beginning of the First World War. When the Great War concluded and the league restarted, the club did not re-join right away. Instead, they waited until 1923, when the Third Division was created. The club were successful during this time, winning the title at the first time of asking before 4 relatively good seasons in the Second Division. However, financial troubles hit the club, forcing them to resign from the league in 1929.

Arthurlie joined the Junior ranks soon after and found their feet very quickly. In 1937 they lifted the Scottish Junior Cup, beating Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 5-1 in front of a crowd of 23,000 at Celtic Park. It marked a superb transition from the senior to junior set-up. The club reached two more finals in the 1900s, but lost them to Fauldhouse and Pollok respectively. They would get revenge on the Glasgow southsiders in 1998 though, thrashing them 4-0 at Fir Park. The Dunterlie Park trophy cabinet is laden with silverware, but those two Junior Cup victories are by no doubt the standouts.

It feels as though Arthurlie are a giant in the Junior game but are one currently stuck in a bit of a rut. At the time of writing, the club sit second bottom of the West of Scotland Premier Division with just 4 wins to their name. However, tonight presents a good opportunity to improve their standings. They play already relegated Irvine Meadow XI at home and will be looking for a few goals and a good win to take into the final few games of the season.

Facilities

This Dunterlie Park is the third edition of Arthurlie’s home, with the club playing here since 1919. Upon arrival at the bright blue pillared entrance, you can instantly feel the history engulfing the ground. Although it is surrounded by construction work, you can tell a lot of the structures have been around for quite some time. The snack hut greets you as you enter, followed by the stairway down to the ground itself. You can tell plenty of punters have wandered this concrete jungle given its rustic, weathered look.

The main grandstand sits on the far side, and again is a blast from the past. It hangs over the terrace, bringing plenty of shelter from those who require it. Further on lies the changing rooms and an excellent wee social club filled with pints and patter. It does feel like a club with plenty of local supporters who come here week in, week out. Can’t beat it.

Overall, I really like Dunterlie Park. It is a major throwback to a classic Junior set-up, with concrete slab work a plenty. There is a range of excellent views available, allowing you to soak everything up from all angles. It really is superb.

Atmosphere

A decent crowd came out to play for this one, with chat amongst supporters mainly focussed on the club’s excellent victory over Johnstone Burgh on Saturday to reach the Junior Cup final. There was a fair mix of ages and demographics at the game, showcasing a local club that embraces its local community. I liked it, you felt part of something.

Quality of the Match

After a relatively slow start, the first big chance of the game came 10 minutes in. A good ball played through to Conor Bradley was collected well. He hit a bouncing volley from a tight angle, which was parried by young ‘keeper John Lynn. However, Bradley had time to collect the rebound and poke home the opener.

It was 2-0 5 minutes later. After some good football in the final third, Lee Roulston was slipped through on goal. His low driven finish gave Lynn no chance to double the home side’s lead. I was starting to worry for Medda’ here.

It could have been 3 soon after. After an excellent give and go, Tam McGaughy was sent through on goal. However, the Irvine stand-in goalkeeper made a good block with his legs to keep the score at 2, for now.

Irvine kept it like that until a few minutes from the half-time whistle. When a ‘Lie player was fouled in the box, Lee Roulston fired the ball into the net only for the referee to have already whistled for the penalty. Without complaints, captain Mark Docherty stepped up and smashed the ball into the roof of the net. Any hope Medda’ had was wiped in that moment.

Half Time: Arthurlie 3-0 Irvine Meadow

Arthurlie started the second half as they had the first. Once again, Lee Roulston found himself with the ball just outside the Irvine Meadow box. He comfortably rolled the ball into the corner to extend his team’s lead further.

Irvine’s first and only chance of the game came midway through the second half. Some excellent work down the left from Euan Baird saw him get to the by-line and cut the ball back. With Medda’ players lining up to finish, substitute Conor O’Donnell could only stretch and hit the bar. The ball did bobble in fairness, but it summed up the away side’s night.

To make matters worse, it was 5 soon after. Good work down the left saw the ball fall to Ciaran McPherson, whose powerful strike found its way into the net at the near post. Brutal.

With the game coming to a close, there was plenty of time for the home side to make their goal difference look a bit prettier. A ball through the middle found the feet of substitute Dylan Fletcher, who calmly slipped the ball under the body of John Lynn and into the back of the net.

By the time the 7^th went in, I reckon most Medda’ fans had boosted out of Dunterlie Park. However, it was by far the best goal of the night. Some lovely passing from back to front found a winger with plenty of space on the right. His cross to the back post was met exquisitely by Dylan Dykes, who rounded the move off with a header. It wasn’t quite Cambiasso’s goal for Argentina against Serbia in the 2006 World Cup, but it had similar vibes.

Full Time: Arthurlie 7-0 Irvine Meadow

The home side will be incredibly happy with how this game turned out. It will bring much needed confidence back to their league form, knowing that they can score goals when they need to. Although they have some excellent technical players, I was impressed by the set-up play from Scott Anson. I felt he held the ball up incredibly well and set attacks up for his team-mates in the process. He appeared to be an unsung, old-school hero in this particular game, but I imagine he must be incredibly important to his side.

The less said about Medda’ the better to be honest. There are some good players there, and I feel young goalkeeper John Lynn did well considering the final score line. They will be looking to rebuild for next season, and time will tell whether they can do that.

Pricing

Entry into Dunterlie Park costs a superb £8, with food and drink very reasonably priced too. I for one will not be complaining of spending less than a tenner to witness 7 goals in a wonderful venue. I’ve said it time and time again, but this level of football cannot be beaten on value.

Final Score

Overall, Arthurlie is a class club to visit. Its historic but humble venue is a major throwback to days gone by. The feel around the places oozes history, and I absolutely loved being a part of it. There are plenty of stories to tell down at Dunterlie, so get yourself down and have a listen. I wish the club nothing but the best in the Junior Cup final.

• Connor