Background

The Midlands League is one I have limited experience watching but is one I find very interesting. Being one of the feeders into the Highland League, it sits in the 6^th tier of Scottish football pyramid. Within the division lie a plethora of historic football clubs, plenty of whom have ambitions to rise as high as they can. I’ve only managed to see Dundee Violet in the flesh in the Midlands League, but I’m hoping to change that in the next few weeks with such an exciting title race underway.

However, today I’m here to see a team a little further north than Dundee. Situated in the small, fascinating, witchcraft accused Angus town of Kirriemuir, Kirriemuir Thistle JFC have been a mainstay in the community since 1921 after the disbandment of Kirriemuir FC in 1897. Primarily playing in the East Region of the Scottish Juniors set-up, the club’s only competition success (that I could find) came in 1974 when they won the Tayside Junior Football League.

In more recent times, Kirrie joined the senior pyramid in the newly formed Midlands League but have kept their ‘junior’ status in their name as an homage to the club’s heritage. They have been relatively successful in the division, showcasing themselves as a consistent mid-to-higher reaches in the table side. They finished 7^th in both the inaugural 2021/22 season and more recent 2022/23. Currently, they sit in 5^th place but with Dundee Downfield sitting two points below them with 6 games in hand, you’d perhaps expect them to slip down a place. Still, that is incremental improvement. Today’s opponents Lochee Harp sit in the lower half of the division but could still prove tough opponents for the home side today.

Facilities

The location of Kirriemuir is superb to start with. Surrounded by the Angus Glens, it provides a wonderful vista around Westview Park. The Raymond Dyce Stand sits with the Glens in the backdrop, allowing for a very picturesque view. The stand itself is humble, having just the one row of seats, but it certainly does the job. It looks good and provides amble shelter if it is required. All four sides of the ground are accessible with the traditional barrier around the pitch, much like all Junior clubs. On a good day for football, the playing surface also looked class.

However, the jewel in the Westview Park crown stands as the Social Club attached to the ground. Decorated in thistles and memorials, the members club is a wonderful place for a pint or 5. It is a fair size and for me, a superb throwback to family parties at the local miner’s club. Although I didn’t indulge on this occasion with having the car, I’ll be sure to blag a lift next time.

Overall, Westview Park is class for a number of reasons. The picturesque panorama, the old Junior feel and superb social club makes it a must visit if wandering around this part of the world. Give it a try.

Atmosphere

A decent crowd showed up for today’s encounter. You’d maybe expect most locals to support one of the Dundee giants full-time, so given Dundee play Celtic on the Sunday and United won the SPFL Championship the night before, I perhaps expected a larger crowd.

Nevertheless, any noise that was taken away was certainly added with the young team situated within the Raymond Dyce Stand. Throughout the game they provided the match with plenty of singing, chanting and overall good vibes. I love when kids come out to support their local side, and given Kirriemuir’s community commitment it is unsurprising to see them supplying the atmosphere to Westview Park. It was class to see.

Quality of the Match

Kirrie kicked the game off as favourites, but almost found themselves behind early on. The Harp’s No.11 linked up well with No.10, but his close range strike was blocked well by the legs of Kirriemuir ‘keeper Darren Brown.

Kirrie responded 15 minutes later. An attack brought a corner, which was whipped in to the back post. Centre-back Nathan Degernier rose highest but could only head over the bar.

However, he would get a similar chance soon after. A free kick from the Kirrie left saw Degernier get to the ball first again, and this time made no mistake by heading the ball into the back of the net. 1-0.

Lochee thought they had equalised after some good pressure. After No.8 cut inside and struck the ball goalward, it was well deflected wide. From the resulting corner, a header back into the box saw the ‘keeper blocked but the ball trundle into the net. The referee ruled it out, keeping the home side in front.

With only a few minutes left of the half, Kirrie pushed forward for a second. An excellent ball forward fell to the feet of Ben Starkey, who produced a superb lob over the Lochee ‘keeper. The striker looked delighted with his effort and rightly so. 2-0.

Lochee almost reduced the deficit with pretty much the last action of the half. A corner to the back post was met well by No.4, whose header to the front post was parried away by Darren Brown.

Half Time: Kirriemuir Thistle 2-0 Lochee Harp.

After a bit of argy-bargy heading into the changing rooms at the half-time whistle, Kirriemuir asserted their dominance. Some good play out on the right wing brought an excellent cross from Liam Duell. It allowed Ben Starkey to escape at the back post and head in Kirriemuir’s third of the afternoon.

With hope dwindling, Lochee’s No.8 brought it upon himself to bring his side back into it. After shooting just over the bar from 25 yards, he made sure his next chance would count. From Lochee’s right hand side, the central midfielder produced some excellent feet to bypass a defender before firing a left-footed strike into the far corner. A very good goal.

However, it proved too little too late. Some more good football in the middle of the park produced a chance for Tom Banyard. He managed to read the break of the ball to escape his marker and poke the ball home. A thoroughly deserved fourth goal.

Full Time: Kirriemuir Thistle 4-1 Lochee Harp.

Kirrie will be delighted in how they dominated the majority of this game. Their feisty midfield proved too much for Lochee, who couldn’t get a handle on the physicality of the game. It proved vital in the end, allowing for the more technical forward players to produce everything they needed to. I felt captain Stewart Russell was a standout, as well as quick winger Cameron Henderson. They’ve a good side in Kirriemuir, and I’m sure they’ll be looking to improve even further next season.

It is clear Lochee have some good players at this level, but they will be disappointed at how easily they lost this game. They couldn’t deal with the midfield battle and were easily shoved off the ball in the wide areas. I felt their No.8 was consistently a threat, moving forward at every opportunity. He deserved his goal. I’m not sure Lochee will be particularly happy with their league position and will be looking to fix it for next season.

Overall, I was treated to 5 good goals in a superb venue. It is certain the Midlands League has plenty to offer in terms of entertainment and quality.

Pricing

For this game, pricing stood at a mere £6 entry. With reasonable pricing and out of the social club, it proves once again that this level of Scottish football cannot be beaten on value.

Final Score

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Westview Park. I witnessed a historic club put on an excellent performance in a venue which I will not forget for a long time. This part of the world is beautiful, and so the fact that there is entertaining football on display within it is an added bonus. If you havn’t already explored anything up here, Kirriemuir is a good place to start.

• – Connor