Ivo den Bieman Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 Edinburgh City dominated the Lowland League for two seasons and did just enough to edge out a very poor Shire side in the play-offs. They seem a really well run club followed by a decent fanbase. There's a long way to go yet for them and things may pick up, but I wonder if their early season struggles will penetrate the armour-plated craniums of those who insist that the non league seniors are chock-full of ambitious well run clubs who will tear up League Two, and rightfully clear it out of bed-blocking, unambitious diddy clubs who think the world owes them a living? That's what we were told about the pyramid play-offs, anyway. Next it'll be "too many wee clubs holding the National team back"...oh, wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mantis Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 6 hours ago, Ivo den Bieman said: There's a long way to go yet for them and things may pick up, but I wonder if their early season struggles will penetrate the armour-plated craniums of those who insist that the non league Juniors are chock-full of ambitious well run clubs who will tear up League Two, and rightfully clear it out of bed-blocking, unambitious diddy clubs who think the world owes them a living? FTFY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllyMonc Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 Don't fret. We've looked shite since the league campaign started and I have great faith in our ability to architect another relegation. That would be really appreciated if you could...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllyMonc Posted September 21, 2016 Share Posted September 21, 2016 Edinburgh City dominated the Lowland League for two seasons and did just enough to edge out a very poor Shire side in the play-offs. They seem a really well run club followed by a decent fanbase. There's a long way to go yet for them and things may pick up, but I wonder if their early season struggles will penetrate the armour-plated craniums of those who insist that the non league seniors are chock-full of ambitious well run clubs who will tear up League Two, and rightfully clear it out of bed-blocking, unambitious diddy clubs who think the world owes them a living? That's what we were told about the pyramid play-offs, anyway. Next it'll be "too many wee clubs holding the National team back"...oh, wait. I think there are good teams and good players below League 2 but you're absolutely right, it's nowhere near the scenario some like to paint. Maybe as the playoffs become more established the teams that go up will be better prepared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted October 1, 2016 Author Share Posted October 1, 2016 Not much change across the levels recently. Buckie dropped points today. Dalbeattie's ascent continues. Cowdenbeath 9th. With a few minutes to go today Spartans were winning 3-1 and EK (who have won every game in every competition since March) were drawing at Vale who they beat 9-1 last week... Spartans conceded thrice and EK scored on 90 minutes. For novelty's sake brief mention of the scores in tier 6, the EOS League, today. Full house of 5-10 goal thrashings the like of which you probably won't see in years or even decades:- Eyemouth Utd 10-0 Burntisland Shipyard - Heriot-Watt University 6-1 Ormiston - Leith Athletic 8-2 Coldstream - Stirling University EOS 8-0 Tweedmouth RangersSPFL2 (36 games) 6 Arbroath P8 W2 D5 L1 +2 11pts 7 Montrose P8 W2 D3 L3 -1 9pts 8 Stirling A. P8 W2 D2 L4 -6 8pts 9 Cowdenbeath P8 W2 D1 L5 -5 7pts -------------------------------------------- 10 Edinburgh C P8 W0 D3 L5 -8 3pts Highland League (34 games) 1 Buckie P11 W10 D1 L0 +41 31pts ---------------------------------------------- 2 Brora P11 W9 D1 L1 +28 28pts 3 Cove P11 W8 D2 L1 +24 26pts 4 Formartine P10 W7 D1 L2 +12 22pts 5 Fraserburgh P10 W6 D2 L2 +6 20pts 6 Wick P11 W5 D4 L2 +12 19pts Lowland League (30 games) 1 East Kilbr. P9 W9 D0 L0 +27 27pts --------------------------------------------- 2 Spartans P10 W6 D2 L2 +14 20pts 3 Dalbeattie P10 W6 D2 L2 +7 20pts 4 East Stirl. P10 W6 D1 L3 +16 19pts5 Cumbernauld P10 W6 D1 L3 +6 19pts 6 Vale of L P9 W4 D2 L3 +3 14pts 7 Uni of Stir P10 W4 D2 L4 -4 14pts8 Whitehill P10 W4 D1 L5 -5 13pts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdenbeath Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 22 minutes ago, HibeeJibee said: Not much change across the levels recently. Buckie dropped points today. Dalbeattie's ascent continues. Cowdenbeath 9th. With a few minutes to go today Spartans were winning 3-1 and EK (who have won every game in every competition since March) were drawing at Vale who they beat 9-1 last week... Spartans conceded thrice and EK scored on 90 minutes. For novelty's sake brief mention of the scores in tier 6, the EOS League, today. Full house of 5-10 goal thrashings the like of which you probably won't see in years or even decades:- Eyemouth Utd 10-0 Burntisland Shipyard - Heriot-Watt University 6-1 Ormiston - Leith Athletic 8-2 Coldstream - Stirling University EOS 8-0 Tweedmouth RangersSPFL2 (36 games) 6 Arbroath P8 W2 D5 L1 +2 11pts 7 Montrose P8 W2 D3 L3 -1 9pts 8 Stirling A. P8 W2 D2 L4 -6 8pts 9 Cowdenbeath P8 W2 D1 L5 -5 7pts -------------------------------------------- 10 Edinburgh C P8 W0 D3 L5 -8 3pts Highland League (34 games) 1 Buckie P11 W10 D1 L0 +41 31pts ---------------------------------------------- 2 Brora P11 W9 D1 L1 +28 28pts 3 Cove P11 W8 D2 L1 +24 26pts 4 Formartine P10 W7 D1 L2 +12 22pts 5 Fraserburgh P10 W6 D2 L2 +6 20pts 6 Wick P11 W5 D4 L2 +12 19pts Lowland League (30 games) 1 East Kilbr. P9 W9 D0 L0 +27 27pts --------------------------------------------- 2 Spartans P10 W6 D2 L2 +14 20pts 3 Dalbeattie P10 W6 D2 L2 +7 20pts 4 East Stirl. P10 W6 D1 L3 +16 19pts5 Cumbernauld P10 W6 D1 L3 +6 19pts 6 Vale of L P9 W4 D2 L3 +3 14pts 7 Uni of Stir P10 W4 D2 L4 -4 14pts8 Whitehill P10 W4 D1 L5 -5 13pts Most interesting thing out of all that is what a farce of a level 6 the EOSL has become. Shippy getting pumped by double figures for the 2nd time this season (they really should be in the juniors where they would probably find it easier to attract players), while the English import that is Tweedmouth Rangers seem to add little to the party getting thrashed by Stirling Uni reserves who can't be that great themselves as the Uni first team seems poorer than in recent seasons from what i've seen of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted October 1, 2016 Author Share Posted October 1, 2016 Not sure what happened to Tweedmouth today. Have had a few tough losses but they've also recorded some decent results: won away at Tynecastle, beat Heriot-Watt, and only lost 2-0 v LTHV. Unfair to generalise already, IMO. Things have turned desperate for Shippy, but I think the proposition it'd be all so different if only they were in the Juniors is naive. Results to date:Sat 30 Jul ... EOS QL ... game v Ormiston (A) postponed, couldn't raise a team Wed 03 Aug ... EOS QL ... lost 7-0 v LTHV (A) Sat 06 Aug ... EOS QL ... won 2-1 v Coldstream (H) Sat 13 Aug ... EOSQC ... lost 3-2 v Preston (A) Sat 20 Aug ... EOS QL ... lost 4-0 v Eyemouth (H) Sat 27 Aug ... EOS QL ... lost 1-0 v Peebles (H) Sat 03 Sep ... Scot Cup ... lost 14-0 v Bonnyrigg (A) Sat 10 Sep ... EOS QL ... lost 7-3 v Ormiston (A) Sat 17 Sep ... South CC ... lost 6-1 v Glasgow Uni (H) Sat 24 Sep ... EOS Lge ... lost 2-1 v Peebles (H) Tue 27 Sep ... Fife Cup ... lost 7-0 v East FIfe (A) Sat 01 Oct ... EOS Lge ... lost 10-0 v Eyemouth (A) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdenbeath Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 1 minute ago, HibeeJibee said: Not sure what happened to Tweedmouth today. Have had a few tough losses but they've also recorded some decent results: won away at Tynecastle, beat Heriot-Watt, and only lost 2-0 v LTHV. Things have turned desperate for Shippy, but I think the proposition it'd be all so different if only they were in the Juniors is naive. Results to date:Sat 30 July ... EOS QL ... game v Ormiston (A) postponed, couldn't raise a team Wed 03 Aug ... EOS QL ... lost 7-0 v LTHV (A) Sat 06 Aug ... EOS QL ... won 2-1 v Coldstream (H) Sat 13 Aug ... EOSQC ... lost 3-2 v Preston (A) Sat 20 Aug ... EOS QL ... lost 4-0 v Eyemouth (H) Sat 27 Aug ... EOS QL ... lost 1-0 v Peebles (H) Sat 03 Sep ... Scot Cup ... lost 14-0 v Bonnyrigg (A) Sat 10 Sep ... EOS QL ... lost 7-3 v Ormiston (A) Sat 17 Sep ... South CC ... lost 6-1 v Glasgow Uni (H) Sat 24 Sep ... EOS Lge ... lost 2-1 v Peebles (H) Tue 27 Sep ... Fife Cup ... lost 7-0 v East FIfe (A) Sat 01 Oct ... EOS Lge ... lost 10-0 v Eyemouth (A) I honestly think that Shippy would find it easier to get better players playing more locally HJ. If your an amateur player from Fife its hardly ideal having to travel down to the Borders every second Saturday. They would still have some travelling to do in the south league but not as much as present. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CowdenConvert Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 2 minutes ago, cowdenbeath said: I honestly think that Shippy would find it easier to get better players playing more locally HJ. If your an amateur player from Fife its hardly ideal having to travel down to the Borders every second Saturday. They would still have some travelling to do in the south league but not as much as present. Don't give them advice. We'll be competing with Shippy for players next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted October 1, 2016 Author Share Posted October 1, 2016 I can see the argument but as I say it's a bit naive IMO. Only 4 of their opponents are from the Borders anyway - and of those Peebles is as close as plenty South District clubs would be in the Juniors. I can't believe 3 trips a season to Coldstream, Eyemouth and Tweedmouth is proving an insurmountable problem to recruitment... You could as easily postulate that being the only Senior non-league team in the county gives them a USP. Also it assumes that the standard is lower in the Juniors - and that moving across coupled with some of these new players would make them competitive. Plenty Junior fans would dispute that. They also chose to join EOSL from the Amateurs not long ago, and were reported as having applied for LL at least once, so they must have (or have had) pyramid ambitions. Finally the big unanswered question which clouds the whole topic before you even get to those points is exactly their senior status. SFA have allowed existing member clubs to obtain licenses outwith the pyramid - but no-one has yet obtained a license within the pyramid then left while claiming to retain it. Unless it's clear that the famous "clause" won't be enforced then leaving could put their SFA membership at risk and with it Scottish Cup entry and thousands of £ of licensing-linked payments. I don't imagine the Fife FA would be obliged to keep them either, although the prestige and money benefits of the Fife Cup will be far smaller in comparison to the Scottish Cup. So I see both sides, but it isn't clear-cut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowdenbeath Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 22 minutes ago, HibeeJibee said: I can see the argument but as I say it's a bit naive IMO. Only 4 of their opponents are from the Borders anyway - and of those Peebles is as close as plenty South District clubs would be in the Juniors. I can't believe 3 trips a season to Coldstream, Eyemouth and Tweedmouth is proving an insurmountable problem to recruitment... You could as easily postulate that being the only Senior non-league team in the county gives them a USP. Also it assumes that the standard is lower in the Juniors - and that moving across coupled with some of these new players would make them competitive. Plenty Junior fans would dispute that. They also chose to join EOSL from the Amateurs not long ago, and were reported as having applied for LL at least once, so they must have (or have had) pyramid ambitions. Finally the big unanswered question which clouds the whole topic before you even get to those points is exactly their senior status. SFA have allowed existing member clubs to obtain licenses outwith the pyramid - but no-one has yet obtained a license within the pyramid then left while claiming to retain it. Unless it's clear that the famous "clause" won't be enforced then leaving could put their SFA membership at risk and with it Scottish Cup entry and thousands of £ of licensing-linked payments. I don't imagine the Fife FA would be obliged to keep them either, although the prestige and money benefits of the Fife Cup will be far smaller in comparison to the Scottish Cup. So I see both sides, but it isn't clear-cut. On the other side of the coin they would have plenty of derby games playing in the South League - Crossgates, Kirkcaldy, Lochgelly, Oakley and Rosyth. There must be some good reason for better quality players not going to them or leaving at the end of last season and I still think its down to travelling, some of the Fife junior sides have the same problem playing in the north league. Re the SFA licensing given that the Highland League don't seem to want a licensed club who are desperate to join them in , I don't see how the SFA would be able to justify a member club leaving a "pyramid league". Anyway at the end of the day I just hope Shippy turn things around eventually not nice to see them struggle like they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big al Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 Shippy were an average amateur side, nothing more. They always acted like they were better than the other amateur teams with their SFA membership. The best amateur players in Fife don't want to sign for them to play in the EOS league, they would rather play in Fife so they are always going to struggle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eye Valley Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 HL Result tonight: Buckie 5-0 Brora Be'Jesus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted October 29, 2016 Author Share Posted October 29, 2016 Faltering progress over recent weeks due to cup competitions. Much as you were afoot SPFL2 with Edinburgh City still accumulating points, but still looking for their first win. Buckie's lead atop HL has evaporated. East Kilbride now 13pts clear in LL after only 12 games.SPFL2 (36 games) 6 Annan P9 W3 D4 L2 +1 13pts 7 Stirling A. P10 W2 D4 L4 -6 10pts 8 Montrose P9 W2 D3 L4 -6 9pts 9 Cowdenbeath P10 W2 D2 L6 -7 8pts ---------------------------------------------- 10 Edinburgh C P11 W0 D4 L7 -10 4pts Highland League (34 games) 1 Buckie P14 W11 D2 L0 +53 38pts ---------------------------------------------- 2 Cove P15 W12 D2 L1 +39 38pts 3 Brora P15 W12 D1 L2 +38 37pts 4 Formartine P14 W10 D1 L3 +20 22pts 5 Fraserburgh P15 W8 D3 L4 +7 27pts 6 Wick P14 W6 D4 L4 +7 22pts Lowland League (30 games) 1 East Kilbr. P12 W12 D0 L0 +35 36pts ---------------------------------------------- 2 Spartans P12 W7 D2 L3 +21 23pts 3 Dalbeattie P13 W7 D2 L4 +6 23pts 4 East Stirl. P11 W7 D1 L3 +19 22pts5 Cumbernauld P11 W6 D1 L4 +4 19pts 6 BSC Glasgow P13 W5 D3 L5 +1 18pts 7 Vale of L P12 W5 D2 L5 0 17pts8 Uni of Stir P12 W5 D2 L5 -5 17pts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted November 16, 2016 Author Share Posted November 16, 2016 Bump. Things now bunching up considerably at the bottom of SPFL2. Buckie lost for the first time at Keith this evening, but still many in the hunt. EK are now 16pts clear at the head of LL. SPFL2 (36 games) 6 Annan P12 W3 D4 L5 -2 13pts 7 Stirling A. P12 W3 D4 L5 -8 13pts 8 Cowdenbeath P12 W3 D3 L6 -5 12pts 9 Montrose P12 W3 D3 L6 -8 12pts ---------------------------------------------- 10 Edinburgh C P13 W2 D4 L7 -8 10pts Highland League (34 games) 1 Brora P17 W14 D1 L2 +51 43pts ---------------------------------------------- 2 Buckie P16 W13 D2 L1 +54 41pts 3 Cove P15 W12 D2 L1 +39 38pts 4 Formartine P17 W12 D1 L4 +23 37pts 5 Wick P16 W8 D4 L4 +18 28pts 6 Turriff P17 W9 D1 L7 +5 28pts Lowland League (30 games) 1 East Kilbr. P14 W14 D0 L0 +41 42pts ---------------------------------------------- 2 Spartans P14 W8 D2 L4 +21 26pts 3 Dalbeattie P15 W8 D2 L5 +6 26pts 4 East Stirl. P12 W8 D1 L3 +20 25pts5 Cumbernauld P12 W6 D2 L4 +4 20pts 6 Vale of L P14 W6 D2 L6 0 20pts 7 Whitehill P13 W6 D1 L6 -7 19pts8 Gretna P14 W6 D1 L7 -12 19pts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongTimeLurker Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 So Edinburgh City finally managed to move off the bottom of the table and Formartine just dismantled Annan in the cup. Guess it's time to dust off this beauty of a quote: On 2016/09/21 at 12:13, Ivo den Bieman said: There's a long way to go yet for them and things may pick up, but I wonder if their early season struggles will penetrate the armour-plated craniums of those who insist that the non league seniors are chock-full of ambitious well run clubs who will tear up League Two, and rightfully clear it out of bed-blocking, unambitious diddy clubs who think the world owes them a living? Would have thought actually having something to play for makes for a more interesting season for the bottom six and if any support deserves the chance to watch their team rattle ten past an opponent its the guys that watched the Shire through season after season of struggles at the foot of the SFL/SPFL, so relegation isn't the end of the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted December 3, 2016 Author Share Posted December 3, 2016 There were people back in September who already had Edinburgh City written-off as 10th. Doubt anyone is going to be saying that now... If charted, their impressive run over the last couple of months would probably match the trajectory of orders for new underwear at the teams above. Off bottom for the first time, up to 8th and now only 3pts separate 5th and last. Meanwhile developments elsewhere. In the Highland League it's been an iffy few weeks for Brora who drew at home to Nairn then lost at home to Cove Rangers today. Cove made a big announcement during the week confirming their new ground will be called "The Balmoral Stadium" and maintaining that it should open during the summer. Buckie remains on top. Finally to the Lowland League: here a quiet but resolute run of wins by East Stirlingshire has seen them cut EK's lead to 8pts and almost eliminate GD gap. Still a race to be run here.SPFL2 (36 games) 5 Annan P13 W4 D4 L5 -1 16pts 6 Cowdenbeath P14 W4 D4 L6 -4 16pts 7 Berwick P13 W3 D6 L4 -1 15pts 8 Edinburgh C P15 W3 D5 L7 -7 14pts 9 Stirling Al P13 W3 D5 L5 -8 14pts ---------------------------------------------- 10 Montrose P14 W3 D4 L7 -11 13pts Highland League (34 games) 1 Buckie P18 W15 D2 L1 +61 47pts ---------------------------------------------- 2 Brora P20 W15 D2 L3 +51 47pts 3 Cove P17 W14 D2 L1 +43 44pts 4 Formartine P17 W12 D1 L4 +23 37pts 5 Turriff P19 W11 D1 L7 +9 34pts 6 Fraserburgh P19 W10 D4 L5 +6 34pts Lowland League (30 games) 1 East Kilbr. P15 W14 D0 L1 +40 42pts ---------------------------------------------- 2 East Stirl. P15 W11 D1 L3 +38 34pts 3 Dalbeattie P17 W9 D3 L5 +8 30pts 4 Spartans P15 W9 D2 L4 +22 29pts5 Cumbernauld P14 W6 D4 L4 +4 22pts 6 BSC Glasgow P17 W6 D4 L7 +3 22pts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1320Lichtie Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 Know this will sound bitter and petty but EC are absolute murder... HOWEVER they're extremely stuffy, they made us look like a shadow of ourselves today and had me absolutely seething the full 90. They frustrate, they are very organised, they work hard, the guy upfront wins a lot of soft free kicks and the guy upfront is also a very decent footballer who scores. Standout in their side. One of them tiday. Where if we'd got a goal I think we would've won by 2 or 3 as they would have to change their plan. If the guy uptop got injured I would be worried for them but if he stays fit then I think they've got more grit about them to stay up and grind out results than the likes of Montrose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mantis Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 42 minutes ago, 1320Lichtie said: Know this will sound bitter and petty but EC are absolute murder... HOWEVER they're extremely stuffy, they made us look like a shadow of ourselves today and had me absolutely seething the full 90. They frustrate, they are very organised, they work hard, the guy upfront wins a lot of soft free kicks and the guy upfront is also a very decent footballer who scores. Standout in their side. One of them tiday. Where if we'd got a goal I think we would've won by 2 or 3 as they would have to change their plan. If the guy uptop got injured I would be worried for them but if he stays fit then I think they've got more grit about them to stay up and grind out results than the likes of Montrose. When you hear somebody describe a team as 'murder' or 'brutal' or 'a gang' you start wondering if they only ever go to home games. I've seen City at Meadowbank a couple of times and they've played some nice stuff. You also wonder if they were missing any important players today. I saw ICT at Perth today and they had Draper, a midfielder, at CH they were so thin on players. On that showing you couldn't blame the home fans for thinking they shouldn't be anywhere near the Premiership. The guy up front was probably Ross Allum btw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jute Posted December 3, 2016 Share Posted December 3, 2016 20 minutes ago, The Mantis said: When you hear somebody describe a team as 'murder' or 'brutal' or 'a gang' you start wondering if they only ever go to home games. I've seen City at Meadowbank a couple of times and they've played some nice stuff. You also wonder if they were missing any important players today. I saw ICT at Perth today and they had Draper, a midfielder, at CH they were so thin on players. On that showing you couldn't blame the home fans for thinking they shouldn't be anywhere near the Premiership. The guy up front was probably Ross Allum btw. It was See up front today. Allum was on the bench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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