Background

Scottish football is back. The Viaplay Cup group stage has already concluded, the SPFL begins this weekend and most importantly in my opinion, the Scottish lower leagues are well and truly underway. For me, tiers 5 and below are some of the most exciting and competitive leagues in the country. Local clubs with local fans and local players battling it out for the right to advance up the Scottish football pyramid. High scoring games, intense drama and battling performances are the norm at this level and I wish more people were able to experience it on a regular basis. I know they wouldn’t regret it.

The East of Scotland Premier Division is one of those leagues that I expect to be highly entertaining over the course of the next 10 months or so. I’ve seen a fair few teams in this division, all of which are capable of producing wonderful performances and high-skilled play. Crossgates Primrose are the next team to be visited in this weird journey of exploring Scottish football grounds, and I’m excited to see what they’re all about.

Based in the old Fife mining town of Crossgates, The Rose in their original entity were formed way back in 1926, where they competed in the Fife Junior League. Despite being a recognisable and often top three team in the area, no league title was ever brought home to Humbug Park. However, the trophy cabinets at this time did consist of a fair few Fife Cups, as well as some respectable runs in the Scottish Junior Cup. Legendary figure Jim Baxter joined the club during this period before being sold to Raith Rovers for £200 and heading towards an astronomical rise to the top of the game.

With the Fife League struggling and witling down to just 11 teams during the early parts of the 1960/61 season, Primrose become yet another casualty and folded. This left the town with no footballing representation for 22 years until the club’s reformation in 1982.

With Crossgates Primrose back in the mix, silverware has come few and far between. Humble successes have generally come in the form of top half league finishes, runners up medals in the East Coast Windows Cup and Kingdom Cup and semi-final appearances in other local cup competitions.

Despite being relatively steady on the pitch, things looked bad off it once again. A difficulty recruiting committee members left the club in a state of abeyance four months into the 2015/16 season, with the club unable to complete the rest of their fixtures. Thankfully, this was sorted, and Primrose gave their full intentions to rejoin the setup for the beginning of the 2016/17 season.

In 2018, The Rose joined a mass exodus from junior football and applied to be a part of the East of Scotland Football League, with a place at the newly redeveloped SFA pyramid at stake. This was achieved, with Crossgates qualifying for the right to play in the Premier Division after a high finish in Conference ‘B’. They have certainly been able to hold their own in this environment and will be looking to push past their highest finish of 5^th place in 2022, as well as adding more silverware after lifting the Alex Jack Cup in 2021 – their first trophy since 1956.

After two games of the season, Primrose sit with an opening day 3-1 defeat at Haddington Athletic before beating Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts 3-2 at Humbug Park. However, this weekend presents a very different challenge. Perth’s Jeanfield Swifts are highly anticipated to challenge for the league title. They have amassed an impressive two wins from two and will be hoping to maintain their 100% record moving forward. This hosts will be looking to stop them to advance their own goals. It’ll be a cracker either way.

Facilities

The superbly named Humbug Park gets its title after one of the old pits at the Cuttlehill Colliery and is pretty much the same location to where the pitch the built. It is a fairly basic yet spacious set-up with all four sides of the pitch accessible. Behind one of the goals is a small embankment which gives an elevated view of the playing surface – of which looked fantastic.

The social club is a nice wee building with plenty of space for a gab, while the food hut is always available at any time of the game. The only thing missing is a shelter or stand of some sort. It would have certainly come in handy during another downpour in this so called ‘summer.’

All in all, Crossgate’s humble home is an absolutely fine arena for football which is sat in the centre of its community. I like its simplicity and throwback feel to junior fitba’. The lack of protection from the elements probably needs addressing, but maybe that’s me just whining a bit. 2/5.

Atmosphere

According to The Roses’ Twitter X account, the attendance at Humbug Park came in at 87. It is important to note that Crossgates is a small village around 2 miles from the newly crowned city of Dunfermline. The Pars were beginning their exciting new campaign in the SPFL Championship, which may have reduced numbers heading to their local club. Nevertheless, the punters who did turn out were in good voice. In a tense game, their shouts and cheers must have pushed their team on in much-needed moments.

Whatever any reason, fair play to the supporters who come week in, week out. This includes a small section of youngers with a ‘Crossgates Ultras’ flag hung behind the goal. I always find it amazing to see the younger generation coming out to cheer on their local team. It builds the connections that run deep in football. Long may it continue. 2.5/5.

Quality of the Match

I’ve a confession to make. I missed the first ten minutes of this game thanks to underestimated traffic heading across the bridge to Fife. A forty-minute drive took around an hour and a half, leaving me to miss The Roses’ opening goal of the game. I was assured by a supporter that it was a decent finish from Gregor MacDonald. 1-0 Crossgates.

We begin our report from the 10^th minute, where annoyingly not much happened for a wee while. It took another fifteen minutes of action before I witnessed the first opportunity. Some excellent build up play down Jeanfield’s left-hand side resulted in an inch perfect cross to the centre of the box. Striker Chris Dodd met it with a low diving header but put it just wide. Unchallenged, he probably should have equalised.

The visitors seemed to have a better feel of the game but were not troubling Primrose ‘keeper Miko Komocki too much. That was until a misplaced pass in the centre of midfield sent Swifts winger Hamilton down the right. His back-post cross beat the Crossgates defence and was nodded back towards goal by Chris McLeish. A good finish, and a deserved goal.

Then, strangely, it almost felt as though their hard work counted for nothing. The game was becoming a bit hot-headed. The wet weather led to poor touches, a slippery surface and more space for hard challenges. Both teams were going at it, and an obvious pull of the shirt by a Crossgates midfielder on Jeanfield’s Fraser Smith resulted in a swift kick-out by the visitor. Needless, silly and sent off. Jeanfield were down to ten.

Half Time: Crossgates Primrose 1-1 Jeanfield Swifts

Despite a man advantage and a new belief they could go on to win the match, it was unfortunate that Crossgates were unable to push any momentum onto the visiting defence. Instead, Jeanfield controlled possession for the most part without creating many chances of their own. Both teams attempted some long rangers, with neither ‘keeper really having to produce a big save.

The visitors did go close with a long-ranger. Chris Scott beat his man, cut inside from around 30 yards before firing his strike just over the home goal. Inches.

The Rose should have been ahead with ten minutes to go. Some excellent midfield play sent striker Cammy Muirhead through on goal with just Swifts ‘keeper Mark Mitchell to beat. Muirhead successfully rounded the stopper but found the angle too tight and slipped in the process. Still in space, he squared the ball to the onrushing Alex Chingwalu who side-footed the ball wide of the post with the majority of the goal to aim at. A wasted opportunity.

The miss would go punished. With five minutes on the clock, Crossgate’s defence had a lap in concentration. It allowed Swifts right-back Jamie Reid the ability to steal the ball, head to the by-line and cut the ball back across goal. It made its way to an unmarked Chris Scott who had the simple job of tapping it into the net. The visitors would run away with the three points.

Crossgates Primrose 1-2 Jeanfield Swifts

Naturally, Crossgates will be mightily disappointed not to have come away with anything. After leading for the most of the first half and spending the entire second one with an extra man, it will be a difficult defeat to take. Perhaps the conditions hampered their style of play, perhaps they fell to the pressure. Regardless, they have some superb fight, grit and individual talent to tell me they’ll be absolutely fine this season.

Jeanfield leave Fife with all three points. Their performance with ten men was admirable and continued to push even with the player disadvantage. They certainly added to a fiery contest and on the face of things, probably deserved the victory. It is not difficult to see why they are amongst the favourites to win the division. I hope to be up at a game in Perth soon.

Overall, I was treated to some excellently worked goals, a battling performance from two proper teams and a red card. The narrative writes itself, and its easy to give this game a 3.5/5.

Pricing

£8 was the entry fee to this EoS Premier Division game, a usual price for this level. For me, there is always excellent value for money at prices like this and I can never have any complaints. The food and drink prices also appeared to be reasonable, with punters often lining up to get a pie or hot drink. 5/5 every time.

Final Score

Crossgates Primrose end the day with a solid 13/20. They are a club which have had their fair share of ups and down but have always remained a steady figure in the community. It’s filled with friendly people, a committed squad of players and a sense of real, rustic fitba’. Humbug Park is definitely worth a visit with its open space and throwback feel. Fife is good of hidden gems, and Crossgates Primrose are one of them. Give them a visit.

– Connor