Shannon

This season is the worse Meadow team I can remember to have so many big losses. Can see another relegation next season if we don't manage to build a far better squad together. Been far too many of our best players been sold to our league rivals on the cheap and replacements been of a far poorer standard. Need some clever investment in playing squad & big changes at the club or we will languish in 1st - 2nd Divisions...

If Broomhill do eventually go down will they even want to kick about the West of Scotland Leagues?

Article in the Scottish Daily Mail today on game at Keanie Park. Hugh MacDonald always does some really good coverage on a Monday - seen him at a few games in recent years.

I am sure they have been looking at potential locations to relocate to in the future going by posts I have seen on here and Twitter. Plus they own their ground so can do what they want to it or sell it then move elsewhere if they wish to and don't need councils permission to allow them to upgrade their ground. Their Junior Cup Final run will give them some cash to spend if needed plus will get some locals back watching them. Gartcairn really don't take criticism well at all.

It's a shame that potentially whoever finishes 3rd bottom whether it is Glenafton or Arthurlie or Kirkintilloch Rob Roy will lose their place in the league to a Gartcairn who don't think twice about spending £15-20,000 on a player or two but won't install permanent toilets or won't spent that to have decent catering facilities. Dunterlie may have seen better days but you can get a pie and a refreshment and a really good view of the game & shelter from the elements. All should be normal at our level. The 4g cage grounds are just brutal and I know plenty supporters will just avoid going if Gartcairn/ Benburb / Drumchapel away.

If a ref gave two penalties like that against my team I'd be absolutely furious. The first one the Shotts defender clearly has his hand close into his body and in a natural position then second one the goalkeeper doesn't even make contact with the Thorniewood striker who clearly dives. Should really be linesman in midweek games on First Division though to help out ref as only a few games on in the West midweek?

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy 1 v 1 Cumnock Juniors Troon 1 v 3 Glenafton Athletic Whitletts Victoria 1 v 3 Shotts Bon Accord Glasgow Perthshire 1 v 2 Kilsyth Rangers Bellshill Athletic 2 v 1 Threave Rovers Glenvale 5 v 1 Saltcoats Victoria

Hurlford away and St Cadocs at home now are massive games for Beith. Any more dropped points here will give Talbot and others hope although I feel 6 points in these two games will have Beith nearly there...

They finish their season on 8th June - providing no further postponments! Bridge of Don Thistle (scottishjuniorfa.com)

I see the only 2 teams to apparently apply to East of Scotland League is Livingston Reserves and Gala Fairydean Rovers reserves. Maybe the East of Scotland League should be trying to make the application process for them easier and the league more attractive . If West has 80 clubs the East should match up so it is a balanced pyramid before West accept more new teams? Seriously I do think bottom 2 divisions could increase to 18 teams as less likely to go to later stages of cups if Newmains and a couple of others can sort their pitch issues out. If a good candidate like Annbank with a more than suitable facility then happy to see them back but less so if another caged 4g ground.

The crowds doesn't include anyone who doesn't pay eg under 12s, club officials or others who get in for free. Although I think Darvel Legend may be hinting at some Talbot fans in hospitality or perhaps elsewhere not getting a ticket so not counting in the official crowd but still paying £10/5.

Two Scottish Junior Cup semi final ties with well over 1000 at each first leg shows that despite the moans on here about it fans still enjoy the competition and brings out a lot of fair weather supporters, neutrals to give clubs their biggest or if not one of biggest gates of the season. You won't get another competition at our level that can bring out as many supporters as the Scottish Junior Cup when you get to the later rounds. Unfortunately the South Challenge Cup and West of Scotland Cup doesn't capture the imagination and attention of the average supporter as much as Scottish Junior Cup and The Scottish Cup too as such well known competitions with great histories.

Both teams had Meadow well beaten this season at Meadow Park and was more noise from the players than the fans & committee who were lucky to get into double figures despite scoring some great goals. We will have far bigger away supporters from almost all teams in the First Division next season unless Caledonian Locos get promotion. They may get some more home fans but very few travel compared to teams like Hurlford, Darvel and others that are slagged on here for having no fans when they actually bring at least 50 or even much more depending on time of year / how they are doing.

Interesting point in the Podcast I picked up was that Drumchapel lost money from South Challenge Cup despite winning it. Scottish Junior Cup Finalists should earn at least £20,000 plus not including home games / hospitality etc. Sounds like may do 50/50 split next season for Junior Cup semi finals for SJFA / clubs if voted through.

With rumours of South Challenge Cup being optional perhaps the thinking is 18 team leagues. 2 more home games for clubs but make that Cup optional for teams like Talbot etc who already have enough games and cups they are involved in. Then opens up more spots for 4th Division for likes of Annbank to come back if they want. Would need more midweek games at start of season and an earlier start date to league. But perhaps one of ideas to get more money to the clubs as I know the reason Cowdenbeath voted for B teams that 15 home league games wasn't enough and wanted 17/18 guaranteed home league games as they had in SPFL Two? Just a thought?