Raith Rovers 0 v 1 Queen of the South - Saturday 30th April 2011

Click here or read below for my match report of the fixture between Raith Rovers and Queen of the South this afternoon. It was published on the official Raith Rovers website.

 

Raith slump to sixth home defeat

An injury time Colin McMenamin strike was enough for Queen of the South to seal three points this afternoon at Starks Park.

The team sheet from the game

Rovers needed three points to give themselves a chance of remaining in the title race with Dunfermline Athletic, but with the Pars winning away at Greenock, a Rovers win would have been futile in any case.

The match at Kirkcaldy was a low-key affair, with the home side having most of the chances in the first half and the visitors controlling spells of the second. However, it was the Palmerston side that emerged victors, condemning Rovers to their sixth defeat at Starks Park in league business.

Rovers manager John McGlynn made five changes from last week’s defeat at East End Park, bringing David McGurn, Dougie Hill, Scott McBride, Iain Williamson and Graham Weir into the starting eleven.

Indeed, it was Weir and Williamson who were causing problems early on, both going close in the opening exchanges.

John Baird struck a shot wide for Rovers on the ninth minute, before Queens had their first real chance. A long ball was played to McMenamin who beat Hill and struck at goal, only for McGurn to divert onto the post. However, Main Stand Assistant Steve Pullar had spotted an infringement in the build up to the shot and play was brought back.

Nineteen minutes in, Raith should have taken the lead. John Baird latched onto a cross ball and smashed at goal, but Roddy McKenzie spread himself big and made a great save. The ball fell back at Baird’s feet but his second effort hit the bar and sailed away from danger.

The rest of the first half proceeded with little incident until McMenamin got the better of Hill once more and attempted an audacious lob over McGurn only for the ball to nestle on top of the Rovers goal.

Iain Davidson had a half chance at the start of the second half but his shot ended up comfortably over the bar.

Queens almost scored the opener on the 52nd minute when Mark Campbell slipped in the Raith box, followed by McGurn colliding with one of his own players, but somehow the Starks Park men managed to clear the ball to safety.

Seconds later, Queens broke quickly with Campbell again losing his footing, but a goal line block was made and once again Raith managed to sustain the pressure.

Raith hit back through McBride as he beat two men on the left and crossed a great ball to the front post with Weir connecting and sending his effort wide.

Raith kept up the offensive when Weir ran into the box, laying the ball to Williamson who saw his shot blocked and Baird’s follow up was also stopped in similar fashion.

Five minutes later Queens found themselves with a clear goal scoring opportunity. Davidson gave possession away from a short freekick and Ian McShane ran through on goal but after pulling the trigger, the ball bounced off the post and was cleared by the Raith defence.

Baird and substitute Craig Wilson both aimed efforts wide of the goal before fellow sub, Gregory Tade, tried an audacious scissor kick at goal.

The final fifteen minutes were played at a pace akin to a pre-season friendly but Queens were looking very dangerous on the break.

Two minutes into injury time, Grant Murray hauled down a Queens attacker, earning himself a yellow card but Bob Harris curled the free-kick inches wide of the post.

However, one minute later the Dumfries side claimed all three points as a vicious shot was swung across goal by Black, and McMenamin was all alone at the back post to force the ball over the line.

Falkirk suffered an injury time loss to Ross County and therefore Raith stay two points clear of the Bairns, but Rovers will be seeking to gain three points against Partick Thistle next week to cement second place.

written by Will Lyon

Date night in Kilmarnock

Click here to listen to this week's Terrace Podcast.

On this week's show we look back on the Old Firm derby at the weekend - from team selections, to star players and managerial ear-cupping. As well as the rumble in Glasgow, there were another three other matches and plenty of goals to look back on.

In the lower league round-up, we look back on the Fife derby - gun-toting mascot and all - as well as the battles at the top and bottom of SFL2 and we congratulate Arbroath on their first ever title!

There's also predictions for this week's top-flight football and plenty more. Wrap your ears around it and enjoy.

Email: theterrace@scotzine.com / Twitter: @terracepodcast

Terrace Travels #9: Dunfermline Athletic 2 - 1 Raith Rovers

Click here or read below for my experience of one of the biggest Fife derbies in living memory between Dunfermline Athletic and Raith Rovers. It was published on The Terrace Scottish Football website.

Saturday 23rd April 2011 

 

Dunfermline Athletic 2 v 1 Raith Rovers

Raith started Saturday just one point behind their table-topping rivals Dunfermline Athletic with two games still remaining, making this Fife derby a crunch match of epic proportions. East End Park was packed to the rafters and The Terrace’s very own Will Lyon was there to see it.

The Norrie McCathie Stand

Nerves had been experienced by Raith fans in the build up to their Scottish Cup semi final against Dundee United last season, but this was different. Tickets sold faster than Usain Bolt on speed and it soon emerged that East End Park would be sold out for the first time in well over a decade. During the week leading up to the match, endless hours were spent scouring youtube for previous derby-day delights and my university revision brainstorms turned into doodles of Gregory Tade lashing home thirty-yard screamers.

Following a week of procrastination, derby day finally dawned. After the last fixture at East End Park was delayed by twenty minutes due to crowd congestion, Rovers fans this time made their way into the East Stand with plenty of time to spare. My dad and I found ourselves standing by our seats a full hour before kickoff and much to our amazement, so were another thousand Raith fans, already in full song.

Across to our right in the North East stand were some youngsters dressed in full tracksuits, some complemented by black and white scarves, who were only too happy to remind us that “we f*cking hate you, you're just a wee team.” The large choir of Raith fans hit back, informing the young team that we do not particularly like their team either.

The 'Cage' at East End Park

The atmosphere continued to simmer quite nicely for the next fifteen minutes. The teams emerged for their warm up and the songs continued to flow, with the visiting fans exchanging applause with their players who ventured near the stand from time to time. Meanwhile the young team in the North East stand decided to do the 'Poznan', turning their backs to the pitch and jumping in unison whilst singing “Ole, ole, ole, ole, the Pars, the Pars”. Raith fans once again retaliated, changing the lyrics rather intelligently to “Ole, ole, ole, ole, f*ck the Pars, f*ck the Pars”. Yes, we football fans are among the best thinkers of the world.

The players strode off the pitch with about ten minutes to kickoff and on came the rather strangely dressed 'Sammy the Tammy' – the Pars mascot. Sammy appeared to be wearing some sort of cardboard box, sporting – as one fan gleefully turned around and claimed - “a cardboard cock!” Sammy sat down at the halfway line, aiming his “cardboard cock” at the away end. It was only when he started swaying from side-to-side accompanied by the sound of machine gun fire over the tannoy, we realised that Sammy the Tammy had become 'Sammy, Tank Commander' and was pretending to shoot the Raith fans. One wonders what sort of uproar this would have instigated had the same activity unfolded at an Old Firm derby...

Raith fans in the away end

Scotland's “number one mascot” soon departed the pitch as the teams entered the arena from the dressing rooms, taking up their positions. Rain had pounded down onto the pitch before the match and it was no surprise that along with nerves, there were numerous miscontrolled passes and awful touches in the opening stages.

However, Dunfermline began to master the conditions far better than the visitors and should have taken the lead early on when player-of-the-year candidate Andy Kirk smashed a shot off the bar. Despite the Pars complete control of the game, they went in at the break a goal down. Goalkeeper Chris Smith failed to grasp a fairly innocuous looking shot and John Baird (another player-of-the-year candidate) pounced on the mistake and smashed the ball into the net.

The second half was actually a more tightly-contested affair, but Dunfermline equalised ten minutes after the restart with 'Big, Bad, Mental,' Martin Hardie heading in from close range following a corner.

The Pars scored the winning goal twelve minutes from time. Hibs loanee Kevin McBride needlessly conceded a freekick on the edge of the Raith box and Hardie took advantage, stepping up and curling the ball into the top corner of the Rovers goal.

The Main Stand at East End Park

Some of the away fans began to filter out of the stadium as the final minutes ticked by, simply unable to bear watching the Pars effectively clinching the title.

At the full time whistle there appeared to be some sort of altercation between Dunfermline's David Graham and Raith's Allan Walker, but they were separated before either player could land a blow.

The Pars fans sang their hearts out as their heroes proudly strutted off the park and before the remaining Raith fans fled the ground, they gave a standing ovation to their players, recognising just how far the club have come since sitting second bottom of the Second Division just over four years ago.

Looking back, the build up to the match was utterly fantastic and with the nerves and emotion during the game, it was possibly the quickest ninety minutes of my life. It is now ninety minutes that I hope to forget.

written by Will Lyon

Foo Fighters - "Wasting Light" [Album Review]

Click here or read below for my review of the latest album by Foo Fighters. It was published on Pure Grain Audio.

Rating: 7.5 / 10

Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

Foo Fighters are back once more, with their seventh album, Wasting Light. Lead singer Dave Grohl has been quick to boast that the band have steered away from modern technology and instead gone back to basics with analogue equipment. The question is, has the now-ageing band been able to re-light their creative fires by travelling back in time?

On first glance, it appears they have formed a loud and powerful effort, indeed, the Foo's intentions are quickly made clear in opener "Bridge Burning" which bursts into life with Grohl snarling: "these are my famous last words."

The massive hit single "Rope" follows and this song is vintage Foos, possessing an absolutely massive chorus akin to "The Pretender" on preceding album Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace. The next notable song is "White Limo" which is almost a carbon copy of debut album track, "Weenie Beenie". This, another reminder that the band are trying to travel back in time.

The rest of the record continues at a high pace with classic Foo Fighter pop hooks coming at your ears from all angles. "These Days" is another stellar song and the sombre "I Should Have Known" - which builds up to a climatic finale - is the type of emotion-building song that Grohl has an incredible capability of writing time and time again.

However, while there is not a weak song within Wasting Light there is no timeless "Times Like These" or "Everlong" brilliance, but just a bunch of really good rock songs. This album is not going to blow anyone's mind away, but there is no doubt it is a great effort and probably the best since The Colour and the Shape.

written by Will Lyon

The Terrace Scottish Football Podcast - "Following the Fast Food Rockers…"

Click here to listen to this week's Terrace Podcast.

 After a little week's hiatus, welcome to a brand spanking new episode of The Terrace.

On this week's show we will talk about the weekend's Scottish Cup semi-finals, which saw Motherwell and Celtic both claim comfortable victories which ensured they will meet each other in the May 21st showpiece.

There's also SPL action to look back on, with Rangers ascending (temporarily?) to the top of the SPL and Hibs somehow contriving to lose at home to relegation victims-elect Hamilton Accies. There was also a fairly entertaining draw up in Inverness...so they say...none of us saw the match.

In the lower leagues we congratulate the champions of SFL2 Livingston, and look ahead to the match which may go a long way to deciding the champions of SFL1 - the mouth-watering Fife Derby between Dunfermline and Raith Rovers.

There's even an in-depth look at all of those names who could land a PFA award come May 1st and a full prediction of the SPL action to come in the next week - including Rangers vs Celtic VII.

Email: theterrace@scotzine.com / Twitter: @terracepodcast

Enjoy the Show!

Saturday 16th April 2011 - Stirling Albion 1 v 2 Raith Rovers

Please click here or read below for my match report from this afternoon's fixture between Stirling Albion and Raith Rovers. It was published on the official Raith Rovers website.

Baird Keeps Rovers Challenge On Course For Derby Day Showdown

An 80th minute John Baird header clinched a vital three points over already-relegated Stirling Albion this afternoon at the Doubletree Dunblane Stadium.

 

The winning goal sets up next week’s Fife derby between Raith Rovers and Dunfermline Athletic perfectly, but when Josh Flood cancelled out Allan Walker’s 15th minute free-kick, mid-way through the second half, it looked like Raith’s title challenge was close to capitulation. 

Despite the equaliser from the home side, the large travelling support roared their team on and paid tribute to the recently departed Ronnie Coyle, chanting “One Ronnie Coyle” throughout the match.

The captains lead the teams out

Indeed, all at the ground observed a minute silence for Ronnie prior to kick-off.

Rovers started the first half as the better side, with Grant Murray heading wide from an early corner.

Albion hit back through Paul McHale whose 18 yard strike was tipped wide by Andrew McNeil.

After 13 minutes Raith should have taken the lead. Gregory Tade flicked the ball to Walker at the back post and his pass was diverted to Stephen Simmons who, with keeper’ Calum Reidford nowhere in sight, somehow managed to blaze his effort over the bar.

Just 3 minutes later, Raith were able to take the lead. Walker was brought down on the edge of the box and the midfielder picked himself up to curl the free-kick past the helpless Reidford.

Stirling were determined to keep fighting and shortly after falling behind, had a chance through Gordon Smith. The young striker received the ball in the box and shot for the bottom corner, only to be denied by the sprawling McNeil.

Rovers fans in the away stand

Craig Wilson and Baird both had shots at goal before Mark Campbell forced a strong header at Reidford from a Walker corner and before half time, Campbell had another decent headed effort, this time from a Walker free-kick. 

The second half started in a slightly subdued atmosphere as Stirling tried to impose themselves on the game, with Tom Brighton and McHale striking weak efforts towards goal.

Just 4 minutes after the break Campbell managed to haul himself onto another free-kick smashing a firm header at goal and Reidford did well to stop the ball crossing the line. 

Raith kept up the pressure and although Kevin McBride is not known for his attacking prowess, after latching onto a Baird flick, he half-volleyed the ball at goal, only to see it creep inches past the post.

The teams get ready to line up

Rovers would regret their missed chances on the 63rd minute when a Walker freekick was cleared to Mark Ferry, who conceded possession. Stirling pounced on the mistake and winger Flood, ran the length of the pitch, slotting past McNeil with ease to bring the hosts level.

The Rovers fans urged their players on and many felt their luck was out when Reidford pulled off a fantastic save with his foot to deny Baird on the 70th minute. 

Five minutes later, Raith suffered a scare when Flood tried to double his tally, but McNeil was able to tip wide for a corner and from the set piece, Sean Welsh could only head into the keeper’s arms.

However, with 10 minutes remaining, the roof of the away stand was raised. A Walker free-kick was cleared to Simmons who headed the ball back towards goal and Baird nipped in, ahead of Reidford and dinked a header into the back of the net for what turned out to be the crucial winning goal.

Raith began to slow down play, but they were still able to force another chance right at the end when Baird set up Walker at the edge of the box. The midfielder connected first time and looked up to the heavens in disbelief when the ball rattled the crossbar and came back into play.

To the Rovers fans’ delight, referee Frank McDermott blew the full time whistle and the result means Raith stay just 1 point behind Dunfermline, with the two sides set to meet in a crunch tie at East End Park next Saturday.

written by Will Lyon

Saturday 9th April 2011 - Raith Rovers 2 v 2 Cowdenbeath

Please click here or read below for my match report from this afternoon's fixture between Raith Rovers and Cowdenbeath. It was published on the official Raith Rovers website.

Rovers Bounce Back Twice To Claim Point 

Raith Rovers failed to knock Dunfermline Athletic off the top of the table this afternoon after a 2-2 draw with relegation strugglers Cowdenbeath, but in truth, the situation could have been worse.

The teams

Greg Stewart opened the scoring for Cowdenbeath on the 55th minute, only for Rovers centre-half, Grant Murray to slam in an equaliser four minutes later.

However, on the 70th minute, a mistake by Raith keeper’ Andrew McNeil led to Stewart nipping in and scoring his second, into an empty net.

With the clock ticking down, it looked like all three points would be heading to Cowdenbeath, until Mark Campbell scrambled the ball over the line for a last minute leveller.

The game was frantic from the word go, with play thundering from end to end and it was remarkable that both teams were unable to score before the break.

Last week’s hero, Allan Walker, was first to strike at the Cowdenbeath goal and Stewart was quick to reply for the visitors, but neither could find a way past the opposing keepers’.

On the twelfth minute, Raith had a fantastic opportunity to open the scoring when Gregory Tade won a header and laid the ball off to John Baird who snatched at his shot, which failed to even find the target.

The teams warm up

Four minutes later, Cowdenbeath had just as good a chance when a suspiciously offside-looking Stewart latched onto a long ball and cut inside, only to be thwarted by McNeil. The ball landed at the feet of Scott Linton who had the goal at his mercy, but Craig Wilson made the all-important block and the danger was cleared.

Any neutrals at Starks Park would have been delighted with the excitement on show, which incidentally, was showing no signs of ebbing.

Cowdenbeath’s next great opportunity came to fruition 29 minutes in, when a cross into the Raith box was unable to be cleared by Campbell and former Rover, Stevie Crawford, nipped in, but McNeil pulled off a wonderful save to deny the thirty-seven-year-old.

Three minutes later, Tade and Baird linked again, with the latter outpacing another former Rover, Craig Winter, and he looked set to score, but Cowdenbeath keeper’ Ludovic Roy had other ideas, making a quality stop with his legs.

Tade lobbed a shot wide of the goal, before Roy made a second crucial save in the dying embers of the first half. Former Blue Brazil winger, Scott McBride, crossed a flush ball into the box, Baird connected very well and Roy made just as good an effort to save the shot.

The teams went back into their respective dressing rooms for a half-time refreshment and reflected on what might have been. With better composure and a bit of luck, the scoreline could have been 3-3 at this stage.

Some warm up music from Kirkcaldy High School

Thankfully, the second half started no differently. Both sides were intent on gaining the three points and it was Cowdenbeath who took the initiative on the 55th minute.

Stewart had been causing problems all game and he had Murray twisting and turning once more, deep in the Rovers half. With Murray left in tangles, the striker ran in on goal and beat McNeil on his near post to send the small band of travelling fans ballistic.

Two minutes later, Cowdenbeath had a strong penalty appeal turned down and sixty seconds later, their lead had vanished. McBride curled a corner right onto the head of Murray whose effort was so powerful that Roy’s right hand was unable to stop the ball crossing the line.

The home fans were now roaring and believing their side could go on to clinch the three points, but they almost found themselves pegged back immediately when Stewart got himself on the end of a cross only to be denied by a fantastic fingertip save by McNeil.

Raith fans in the South Stand

On the 66th minute, Baird missed yet another brilliant opportunity when he connected first-time to a Walker cross and he watched in agony as his shot dribbled past the post, with Roy rooted to the spot.

Two minutes later, Murray was beaten again, this time by Crawford who rolled the years back and turned the defender cleverly. However, McNeil looked in the form of his life, rushing out and pulling off a phenomenal block with his chest.

Almost before the Rovers fans had finished sounding their appreciation of their keeper’, McNeil went from hero to zero. A long ball over the top was left by Campbell for McNeil to clear, but he hit the ball straight at Stewart and it looped towards the Raith goal and the striker, with the goal lying empty, made no mistake from six yards out.

Graham Weir replaced winger McBride as Rovers pushed everybody up front. However, the long balls were not working, the chances were drying up and Cowdenbeath looked dangerous on the break.

With Raith fans about to start their exodus out of Starks Park, they were soon halted when a long ball into the box was not dealt with by the Cowdenbeath defence and somehow Campbell managed to scrape the ball over the line from 8 yards.

Cowdenbeath fans in the McDermid Stand

Unbelievably, Raith could have secured all the points three minutes into injury time when a Baird cross was met by Tade but the Frenchman could only head the ball into the ground and just wide of the post.

With both sides contributing to such a fantastic open game it was only fair that both came away with a point, but Rovers, particularly John Baird, may regret their missed chances.

The result means Raith are now one point behind Dunfermline with four games to play. Next week Rovers face Stirling Albion at the Doubletree Dunblane Stadium, the same location where Stevie Hislop fired Rovers top of the Second Division two seasons ago. Will history repeat itself?

written by Will Lyon

The Vaccines - What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? - Album Review

Click here or read below for my album review of What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? by indie band, The Vaccines. It was published on the Pure Grain Audio website.

Rating: 7 / 10

So, here we have it, yet another indie rock band with bouncy, melody-ridden tunes, but are they adding anything new to an already saturated market? The Vaccines have only been around for a short period, in fact just two months short of a year. The London-based band consist of Justin Young, Árni Hjörvar, Pete Robertson and Freddie Cowan - brother of Tom from British alt-rock sensations, The Horrors.

Ok, so they have a link with the current world of music, but again, does this alone prove their worthiness upon our ears? Of course not. It does not help their cause when in amongst their début album What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? are throw away pop-junk songs such as opener “Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)” and the painfully irrelevant 'Wetsuit' in which lead singer Young demands the listener to “put a wetsuit on” five times in total.

However, after picking out the few weak numbers, there are some fantastic indie anthems which are the defining factors for their relative hype and indeed a place on the BBC sound of 2011 poll. "If You Wanna" and the wonderfully accurate story of "Post Break-Up Sex" will be bounced up and down to at many a festival this summer, while the epic "All In White", by far the most mature song, will leave hundreds in anticipation for more substance from The Vaccines in the near future.

So all-in-all, not bad, and well worth a spin or two on the old CD player, if yours is actually still working and not gathering dust somewhere in the attic. To describe The Vaccines in one sentence it would be: think of White Lies, without all the gloom and murkiness whilst throwing in a bit of teenage joy.

written by Will Lyon

Track Listing:

01. Wreckin' Bar (Ra Ra Ra)
02. If You Wanna
03. A Lack of Understanding
04. Blow It Up
05. Wetsuit
06. Nørgaard
07. Post Break-Up Sex
08. Under Your Thumb0
09. All In White
10. Wolf Pack
11. Family Friend

Run Time: 35:59
Release Date: 03.14.2011

Letchworth Garden City Eagles with Tony Eden

Please read below for my interview with Letchworth Garden City Eagles chairman Tony Eden. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Queens Park Rangers, Chester and many more football clubs.

Letchworth Garden City Eagles

Letchworth Garden City Eagles

Herts Senior County League (HSCL) side Letchworth Garden City Eagles may well be a relatively new club, but they have had sizeable success already. Despite only having adult sides formed as recently as the 2008/9 season, one is already topping the HSCL Premier Division and chairman Tony Eden has applied for the club to join the Spartan South Midland League (SSML) next season.

Football Focus Magazine caught up with Tony this month to learn about the history and the projected future of the Hertfordshire club. “The club was formed in 1978/9 to provide a football outlet for boys who lived on the Westbury estate. It was originally called Westbury Eagles but later changed its name to LGC Eagles as number of teams increased. I have been involved with Eagles since the early 1990s when my son started to play football, and became chairman in 1995/6. There are now over 450 registered players at mini soccer and junior level and the two adult teams were formed in order to provide an exit route for our youth players, so youth football is very important to the club.”

Indeed, you do not need to look far to see how much young talent comes through the club and as Tony explains, there is one up and coming star in particular, who is a former Letchworth graduate. “Every season we lose players to the academies of professional clubs in London and locally. We have former boys at Spurs, Arsenal. Chelsea, Watford, Luton, Southend and MK Dons amongst others. I suppose our most famous current professional player is Jack Wilshere of Arsenal but others have enjoyed careers in professional football in the Football League.”

The old dugouts at Pixmore

With the footballing aspect of the club running smoothly and recently, some newly improved facilities for the players, Tony's attention is now focused on bringing the club forward to one that can host a higher level of adult football. “Our new changing rooms and clubroom were built in 2006 with the aid of a Football Foundation grant, and provide probably the best facilities for youth football in this part of the county. The facilities are however not yet of the required standard for adult football. We hope to erect a new spectator stand next to our senior pitch very shortly, and over the next two-to-three years we want to relay the playing surface, extend the clubhouse to provide a lounge and bar, and erect floodlights on the senior pitch.”

Whilst there is an exciting future ahead for the club, Tony is quick to point out that the current Letchworth teams, both male and female, are currently doing very well. “It has been a great season so far. Our under thirteen blues have reached the final of the Herts FA Challenge Cup for the third year running and a number of our youth sides are in contention for league honours. The first team adult side has reached the final of the Herts FA Senior Centenary Trophy, remain in two other cup competitions and currently are top of the Premier division of the HSCL, so there is still a lot to play for! We have 2 girls sides at the moment at u13 and u15. Last year one of the girls sides reached the County Final for their age group. We have no adult ladies teams at the moment but plan to do in the future.”

New dugouts at Pixmore

Tony is very grateful for all the local support that the club receives and firmly believes their contribution will be as important as ever over the next few years as the club chases it's lofty ambitions. “We are part of the local community and rely very much on its support and participation both for players, adult volunteers and financial support. We want to continue expanding our youth section, extend provision for girls and ladies, and for our adult first team to progress to the Premier Division of the SSML. Our biggest challenge over the next 5 years is to improve our facilities so that our adult teams can progress to playing at a higher level. As numbers of mini soccer and youth teams continue to grow, our playing facilities at our home ground are becoming increasingly stretched so we need more land to expand. In the longer term; the sky is the limit!”

written by Will Lyon

The Terrace Scottish Football Podcast - "Accents"

Click here to listen to this week's Terrace Podcast.

We talk about the SPL action at the weekend including the Edinburgh derby and give our two pennies worth on the ICT v Celtic postponement where a gruff sounding Craig takes on the nonsensical role of the hard-nosed, old timer.

It wasn't just football that was worth discussing in the SPL as the Rangers takeover and Neil Doncaster proposal also took centre stage on this week's topics.

In the lower leagues: Falkirk are all but out of it, Livi have all but secured it and things get interesting if you are a Airdrie United fan... or is that Alloa... or is that Arbroath?

There is a jam-packed predictions section that includes midweek and weekend SPL fixtures, as well as the Challenge Cup Final between Queen of the South and Ross County. Who will want it more?

There is also our usual favourites in Where Are They Now? and Punt of the Week.

As usual, enjoy the show!

Calne Town with John Rumming

Please read below for my interview with Calne Town vice chairman John Rumming. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Queens Park Rangers, Chester and many more football clubs.

Calne Town

Calne Town FC

Calne Town Vice Chairman, John Rumming believes the best way to run a lower league club is to have a “hands on” approach. The Western Division One side - otherwise known as “The Lilywhites” - have numerous volunteers to thank for all their hard work to help keep the club running, despite financial constraints.

John is quick to admit that despite the side suffering relegation recently, the major challenge is keeping on top of the club's finances. “After relegation last season we wanted to get straight back up, but football's not always like that. It’s about beg, steal and borrow for us at the moment. We are a close knit club and have to be. Finance will be a major challenge for us into the next five years. We have work to do to keep costs down. Even marker paint for the pitches is going up!”

However, the financial constraints have not stopped John and the directors improving the club. “We have possibly been able to get a freebie via donations and are putting a new shower into the referee’s room.”

It is not only the referee's room that the club would like improved, but also the playing side. John though, is trying to breed some stability on the pitch and watch the players develop together in what is a historic year for the club. “This year is our 125^th anniversary and we want to be able to maintain our position and push on into the future. I’m keen to keep the squad and managerial team together for next season and see them grow and develop together. We want to grow gradually; they are a young bunch and we hope we can build for the future with them involved.”

With the season drawing to a close, Calne have recently announced the End of Season Presentation Night on 7 May at Bremhill View Social Club and it is sure to be an enjoyable night with DJ Drew providing the music.

written by Will Lyon

Portsmouth University with Bruce Suraci

Please read below for my interview with Portsmouth University football development officer Bruce Suraci. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Queens Park Rangers, Chester and many more football clubs.

Portsmouth University

Portsmouth University are a club who pride themselves on being completely run by the students, for the students. The philosophy surrounding the club is one of providing a stepping stone for the University's students, to guide them towards being increasingly well-rounded; as players and people, when they they graduate.

Indeed, using the club's impressive facilities, the development of players' talents is something Football Development Officer, Bruce Suraci, is very proud of and admirably, regards developing players' skills higher than simply grinding out favourable results for the competing sides. “We have excellent, state of the art changing rooms and it is generally commented that our facility has an excellent playing surface that is not only very wide and long, but also flat and well cared for. This allows for ‘good football’ being played, where it is more feasible to look to pass the ball on the floor over shorter distances to pull opponents out of positions and look to use clever and inventive bits of play to score goals. This fits in directly with our club philosophy where we put performances and playing excellent football before results.”

Most satisfying for Bruce, is that the club have numerous success stories to prove their hard work is not in vain. “There are a number of excelling players who have pushed onto higher levels. Kieron Lewis, James Potton and Dan Cox were selected from a squad of eighteen that ventured over to Chicago, Illinois in June 2010 to play for Chicago Fire Under 23’s on a Club Scholarship. Kieron and James were also selected for Chicago Fire’s National Squad, competing and winning a National Cup in Kansas.”

While nurturing young talent is a priority, there is no doubt that domestic success with the University's Hampshire Premier Football League (HPFL) men's side (which Bruce also manages) is also extremely important to the club. With the current season nearing it's climax, it means that every point is a prisoner right now and although Bruce clearly believes that player's technical skills are important; gaining a mental toughness to win consistently is another vital attribute. “Without a doubt, we are looking to challenge for the title this season. We currently have a few games in hand on teams above us, and are also due to play all of these teams at home over the coming months. Although we do not pertain to obsess solely over results - given the developmental stage of the players we are working with - we do look to bring in an element of learning to win, where players are given information in order to gain specific outcomes of specific games.”

However, it is not just the men's game that is succeeding at Portsmouth University, so too is the women's. “We have an extremely strong ladies football section of the club. Currently, our Wednesday women’s team compete in the BUCS Premier League in the country and our Sunday women’s team compete in tier three of the national system, a mere three leagues off the Premier League in the country.”

Clearly, this could be a highly successful campaign for Portsmouth University Football Club, but Bruce is adamant there is still a lot of hard work to be done in what is a challenging economic climate. “Due to the recession all facets of life have been affected, and non-league football is no exception. We hope to overcome these adversities and achieve our goals, despite the challenges we face.”

Although times are hard, Bruce predicts a bright future for the football club. “In line with our 2010-2015 Football Development Programme, we aim to work closely with the Soccerette Academy to establish a complete pathway; recruiting players from the age of 4, progressing to Portsmouth College and the University of Portsmouth with the aim to finish the programme as part of the Soccerette Academy’s Annual Chicago Tour. The players who develop the greatest, gaining a Club Scholarship and hopefully being drafted into the MLS at the end of the process – with a degree to fall back on.”

Looking closer to home, Bruce desires even better facilities for the players and improved success in the domestic leagues. “For the men’s HPFL squad we aim to gain promotion to the Wessex League and aim for the Men’s BUCS Wednesdays first team to be competing in the BUCS Premier League. We are also extremely keen to improve our current facilities. Ideally, we would like to ascertain the ground requirements to gain promotion to the Wessex League. To do so, we need to find funding for small stands, floodlights, hard standing and a pitch barrier. This is something we are looking into as part of our 4 year development plan until 2015. ”

written by Will Lyon

Hitchin Town with Neil Jensen

Please read below for my interview with Hitchin Town media officer Neil Jensen. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Queens Park Rangers, Chester and many more football clubs.

 Hitchin Town

Hitchin Town Football Club

Southern League Division One Central side Hitchin Town, otherwise known as 'The Canaries' – due to their yellow and green strip – were actually formed under the original name of Hitchin FC almost 150 years ago, in 1865. Despite the club initially struggling as a professional outfit, they remarkably reached the quarter finals of the first ever FA Cup in 1871-2.

Hitchin's luck took a turn for the worst after a devastating fire at ground Top Field in 1911. However, the club reformed in 1928 and as club Media Officer Neil Jensen informs us, the immediately following years would be a time of unprecedented success for the Hertfordshire club, only for a certain Adolf Hitler to upset the apple cart. “The 1930s were halcyon days for Hitchin Town. With players like Reg Smith, who later played for Millwall and England, Wally Odell and Les Clarke, there is little doubt that this was a golden age for Hitchin Town. The club won the FA Senior Cup in 1932 and in 1935, won the Spartan League Premier Division. The club entered the Athenian League in 1939, but after two league games and a Herts Charity Cup tie, all of which saw Hitchin score seven goals, Hitler intervened!”

With Hitler now firmly in the past and a tough economic climate in the present, Neil believes the emergence of youth is more important than ever. “We have an affiliated youth section in the form of Hitchin Town Youth which runs football from very young ages to under-18. In this 'age of austerity', we could see youth football become even more important – we certainly believe that a successful youth scheme is vital to a progressive non-league club.”

While the development of future talent is important, Hitchin's current squad are competing well and in the driving seat for promotion to Southern League Premier League. “We have a young side and we are on target to win promotion – after 26 games, we were unbeaten in the league.”

Off the pitch, Hitchin Town work hard to keep the local community involved with a host of different programs. “In the past few years” explains Neil, “we have launched a series of initiatives aimed at embracing all areas of the local community. As well as a 'ladies day' and 'forces day' we also held a 'community day' last season where we invited special guests, youth football clubs and local politicians and councillors.”

Top Field - The home of Hitchin Town

Although the local community is important, Neil is also adamant that Hitchin Town must improve their ageing ground if they are to continue progressing, although breaking the bank to do so, is not an option. “Our ground is very old – a 1920s period piece. The club recognizes the need to develop, as there is a limited time frame in respect to how long the facilities can last. But we are well run, prudent with money and will not put the club in jeopardy in any way.”

In fact, Neil will be sad to see the old lady go when she eventually meets the end. “The ground is much-loved by regulars as it has a charm of its own. But nostalgia aside, the club has to move on!”

Indeed, with a sizeable home support, Neil says Hitchin are aiming for glory as soon as possible. “We are a well supported club - averaging close to 350 people per game. We feel we can realistically win promotion and then to challenge for Blue Square South.”

In fact, the club has recently been commemorating “The Boys Of '61” who fifty years ago, ran out to meet Walthamstow Avenue in the FA Amateur Cup semi-finals. Although the 30's are regarded as the most successful decade of the club's history, this 1961 side are believed by many, to be Hitchin Town's finest ever side. During the same season, Hitchin also faced Crystal Palace in the FA Cup before an incredible 21,000 spectators. The club will be hoping that the current group of players can take inspiration from those Canary heroes.

written by Will Lyon

Walker Wonder Strike Keeps Rovers In The Hunt

Click here or read below for my match report of this afternoon's fixture between Raith Rovers and Dundee. It was published on the official Raith Rovers website.

Raith Rovers 2 v 1 Dundee

Raith Rovers managed to keep themselves just two points behind league leaders Dunfermline Athletic after a last minute 25-yard Allan Walker strike at Starks Park this afternoon.

Raith dominated the majority of the game and deservedly went in at the break a goal to the good thanks to a fabulous Gregory Tade volley.

However, Dundee hit back on the 71st minute when Stephen O'Donnell squeezed the ball home from the tightest of angles.

The teams

The Dees looked to have stolen a point until Walker stepped up and drilled home in unstoppable fashion.

The first half was almost entirely dominated by the home side, but it was not until the 13th minute that they managed an attempt on goal. A Scott McBride long throw found Tade who managed to loop a header over Rab Douglas, only to see the ball land on top of the goal.

Two minutes later Rovers should have taken the lead. An Allan Walker corner was flicked on to Iain Davidson at the back post and with Douglas floored, the midfielder somehow managed to blaze over the bar.

Dundee were sitting deep and the Kirkcaldy side were struggling to break through as Douglas mopped up long range attempts by Walker and John Baird.

However, with just a minute remaining in the first period, Raith broke through. Baird knocked a freekick into the path of Tade who volleyed home from the edge of the box superbly.

Despite having little to do in the first half, Raith goalkeeper Andy McNeil was forced off at the break with a back problem and gave way to David McGurn.

Dundee managed their first shot on goal almost immediately after the interval when Davidson brought down Gary Harkins at the edge of the box, but McGurn was more than equal to the playmaker's effort.

Despite their early pressure, Dundee were forced back again and Baird went close with a scissor kick after Kevin McBride curled a shot just wide of the target.

Action in front of the South Stand

On the 60th minute Kevin McBride was causing more problems as he had a strike deflected wide for a corner. From the set piece Dougie Hill just failed to convert at the back post.

Dundee however, were not going to go down quietly and started to fight harder to keep their unbeaten run going. Raith manager, John McGlynn sensed the change and replaced Davidson with Mark Ferry.

Despite the substitution, disaster struck five minutes later for the Starks Park side. Connor Rennie filtered a ball through to O'Donnell who brushed off Hill and stroked the ball past McGurn at the tightest of angles.

McGlynn responded by changing from a 4-4-2 system to 4-3-3, taking off Scott McBride for Graham Weir.

Dundee were struggling to keep possession and on the 84th minute were in more trouble as Craig McKeown brought down Baird and earned himself a second yellow card.

The visitors were now camped in their own half and Raith should have re-taken the lead on the 84th minute. Walker swung a corner into the box which was flicked on by Grant Murray but somehow Baird couldn't find the net at the back post.

With Dunfermline winning away at Cowdenbeath it looked as if Rovers would end the day four points behind their closest rivals, however, they were not done yet.

A freekick was cleared by the Dundee defence only as far as Walker who, from 25 yards out, smashed a ball at goal with it dipping just at the right time, clipping off the underside of the bar and into the back of the net, leaving Douglas helpless and Dundee's unbeaten run in tatters.

It was a thoroughly merited three points for Raith but credit must be given to the heavily weakened Dundee team for a phenomenal 23 game unbeaten streak.

Rovers next match is a Fife Derby against Cowdenbeath at Starks Park next Saturday and a win against Jimmy Nicholl's men would take them back to the top of the league due to Dunfermline's spare weekend.

written by Will Lyon

Warrington Town with Gary Skentelbery

Please read below for my interview with Warrington Town chairman Gary Skentelbery. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Queens Park Rangers, Chester and many more football clubs.

Warrington Town

Last month, Football Focus caught up with Warrington Town Chairman Gary Skentelbery. Gary and his colleagues have admirably guided the Evo-Stik First Divison North side out of severe financial problems and now look set for a bright future. Gary was kind enough to explain how the situation has progressed. “The club was in a dire financial situation with dwindling crowds of less than 100. But, we’ve been able to organise some good sponsorship deals and get key partners in the community involved in the football team. We all believe that a town of our size should have a football team able to ply its trade at a higher level.”

Indeed, branching out into the community seems to have played a vital role in the resurgence of Warrington Town. Gary says the club “work hard to get their support. We’ve been able to secure a £50,000 grant from land recycling group, Wren, to create an all-weather pitch which will give us an all year round income and profile.”

With the newly installed pitch in place, Gary is hoping that it will attract more youngsters to come to Warrington, firstly enjoy themselves and then to become part of the club. “We’ve teamed up with Active Soccer, who will bring kids down to the club during the summer holidays and let them know what’s available for them in Warrington - it’s a vibrant place to be at the moment.”

The future of the club looks fantastic, but Gary believes the biggest challenge is the one facing them on the pitch right now. “We feel as though we have the infrastructure in place to compete at the next level up. We are on the fringe of the North Division playoffs but it is a very competitive league to get out of. I’d love to see us playing the Conference North and once the club is properly on the map at that higher division I believe anything is possible.”

Warrington have actually made a new signing recently; the much travelled Andy Heald. He joins from fellow Evo-Stik First Division North side, Leigh Genesis. The experienced midfielder has played at Conference North and Conference National level in the past and will no doubt be a vital addition to Warrington's playoff push.

Written by Will Lyon