Callous_Pint

I had the questionable pleasure of attending this 'best of the rest' tie as a neutral on Saturday. It must be said that Bonnyrigg were outstanding, particularly one Lee Currie who controlled the tempo from his midfield berth. However, if this truly was a 'best of the rest' fixture, then not much can be said about 'the rest' if Cowdenbeath constitute one half of 'the best'. The first leg's inevitable conclusion was hastened as it approached the half-time mark, with Cowdenbeath's Harvey Swann sealing the deal. After a vicious hatchet-job on the aforementioned Currie (which he was fortunate not to see red for), Harvey then Swanned into another rash challenge, which earned him a second yellow and proved to be his Swannsong. It came as no surprise thereafter that Cowden were unable to weather the Bonnyrigg storm, with the first goal coming mere minutes later through an excellent piece of opportunism from the big blonde(?) striker McGachie. Then came the incident which has, as I've bizarrely just read, caused some considerable consternation among commentators. It's nothing new that most armchair football pundits form hard-set opinions on officiating with little knowledge of the game's laws. but the nature of the discussion orbiting Bonnyrigg's penalty award since the event has really stuck in my craw. Having become greatly disillusioned with the prima donna nature of the nationalised leagues, in recent seasons I’ve been a great champion of the Highland, Lowland and now West of Scotland leagues. The matchday experience is, I find, absolutely superb – the ability to watch games from various vantage points in terracing is a particular boon. I made good on my ability to do so at the weekend, too; I constantly analyse games to identify the key action areas of the pitch, or 'danger nodes', as I call them. With the sending-off of The Blue Brazil’s left wing-back, I identified one such node as being situated between the intersections of the six-yard and penalty boxes with the bye-line, beyond Cammy Gill’s left post. Not long after that first goal, a hush fell around me as Bonnyrigg's man charged into the inside channel of the box, pursuing a long ball like a runaway hound. With he and his marker jostling, the defender - as limp as his side on the day - collapsed to the ground under modest pressure. Desperately trying to maintain his balance and prevent another clear chance, the stopper's outstretched arm clearly extended outwards, wrapping around the attacker and hauling him to the ground. It was unquestionably a penalty. Unfortunately, an unpleasant end to the game soured what had been an otherwise enjoyable day at New Dundas Park. While this was undoubtedly an emotional day for Cowdenbeath supporters, there is absolutely no place in the sport for the kind of behaviour that occurred. Call me a woke snowflake, but I can't stand idly by and condone such actions, which need to be called out. I won’t say any more on the matter.

I had the displeasure of attending this one as a neutral today. What I had expected to be an exciting clash between the two sides turned out to be a very bitter, boring affair. Recollecting the game presently, large periods of it have been consigned to the mire of monotony in my mind, including both the goals (and excluding one celebration, which I shall come back to later). I was however impressed with the set up of the Montrose side today. Although not particularly easy on the eye at times, it was highly effective against a sluggish Clyde side. Reminiscent of John Coughlin's famous Berwick team of the 2016/17 season, it is a brand of football which I have come to thoroughly admire if used correctly. Montrose's number 8 Paul Watson dominated the midfield and successfully broke up play time and time again. One of few men on the field who got pass marks today, I was disheartened to see him subbed early in the second half after tactically acquiring a yellow card to halt a Clyde attack. As for Clyde, the whole team appeared to have trouble right from kick-off. Marred by a widespread inability to run, any early attempts to move into the opposition half with possession were easily snuffed out by Montose's able-bodied players. One standout performer was Darren Smith - Clyde's number 9. Offside on no less than five occasions by my own count, perhaps Danny Lennon should consider hiring him his very own positioning coach. Much of the game was highly forgettable but there are a few incidents which stick in the head for all the wrong reasons. One such incident was Montrose's number 7, Graham Webster, masquerading as one of the game's pivotal players. After converting a penalty (his only contribution to the game other than a horror tackle) he attempted to rile up the home side support in a totally unprovoked display which was as shameful as it was embarrassing. As for the tackle itself, a straight red would surely have been a suitable punishment. Rash, reckless and on the opposition goalkeeper of all players, I thought his time was surely up. Instead of the red, the referee only booked the offender, with a yellow also inexplicably brandished to the victim for good measure. As the game was nearing its conclusion, play somehow continued to deteriorate and challenges became nastier and nastier. A very ugly atmosphere had started to develop. Fearing for my own safety, I left Broadwood with 10 minutes or so still remaining and shan't be returning anytime soon. Suffice to say, I was not surprised in the slightest to hear of the late Montrose red card. 2/10.

Annan 1-3 Albion Rovers. Murphy’s Marauders have endured a mixed start to the season, while Harper’s Hasslers have carried over their magnificently busy, harrying and whole-hearted style of play into the new campaign. Annan will come good eventually, but this Galabank clash will belong to the Cliftonhill side. Brechin 2-0 Queen’s Park. Queen’s start to the season has been a promising one, but a bit of a misnomer; with the loss of cultured centre half Gerry McLauchlan, The Spiders’ baldy beacon at the back will prove to be an enormous miss throughout the season. Paul McManus and Jordan Tapping with the goals as the Glebe men get their season going. Cove 6-0 Cowdenbeath. It has been a very, very poor start to the campaign for Cowdenbeath - will Gary Bollan ever learn and utilise his most talented players in tandem? - and it’s hard to imagine a very impressive Cove side will struggle to roll them over with consummate ease on their home patch. Cove will be the champions this season, you can bet your bottom-est dollar on that. Edinburgh City 1-0 Stirling Albion. The Binos are extremely goalshy, and this theme will play out again in this fixture. Blair Henderson to notch in this one, with Kevin Rutkiewicz’s peg growing ever-shooglier. He will be dismissed by October. Elgin City 3-1 Stenhousemuir. Elgin have been hugely impressive in their early season dealings; Stenny not so much. Both sides will be in the play-off reckoning, but on current form this tie is Elgin’s.

Oh, look! Another member of the Gilligan brigade! Spare me.

What?

To my knowledge Barry Norman is now deceased. Am I to take this as a threat against me? In any case, he was an extremely respected and revered film critic, two reputations which I certainly do not appear to hold on this forum. I appear to be more a figure worthy of disdain and ridicule. Then again I am surrounded by fans of Better Call Saul, which says more than I ever could. For less cultured minds, I can understand how being part of an echo chamber such as this one can bring feelings of inclusion and gratification. However, true enlightenment can only be obtained when one opens one's mind up to opposing and seemingly controversial views. Having previously been beset by arrogance regarding such opposing views, I can say for all here that I sincerely hope that personal growth comes swiftly. Then perhaps one day we can converse on this forum as opposites, but equals.

Yet more down-voting. Is there any alternative to the imbecilic and infantile behaviour which this forum purveys?

Now is not the time to pussyfoot around. Coughlin would appreciate the initiative and assertive nature such an action would demonstrate.

If I really was John Coughlin, why would I be posting on a football forum for fans? I know for a fact he is a very busy man and has far more important matters to attend to. Perhaps in football great work can go unnoticed, but not in the home repairs industry. I actually feel sorry for you that you are incapable of realising his superior managerial ability.

Harvey was going to sink Berwick, I've said it all along. Terrible manager, terrible philosophy and now as a result in charge of a terrible team. In my opinion, only one man would've been right for the job and that is of course John Coughlin, as I see now some of you are beginning to realise. Having met the man a few times in real life, I know that he is an extremely shrewd operator. I actually had the pleasure of having Coughlin fix my leaky roof a few years ago and I think some comparisons can be drawn between it and the current Berwick side. Both left in a pitiful state after a combination of under-investment (by my house's previous owners, of course) and shoddy work performed by a procession of Cowboys. Needless to say that the roof has not been breached since Coughlin shored it up. The board's best bet would be to sack Harvey NOW, approach Coughlin and hope that the man is sympathetic enough to take up this less than desirable task. If he accepts, I know that an accomplished administrator such as himself would salvage this season for Berwick and allow the players and fans alike to put this nightmare behind them.

Children.

To all of you down-voting and mocking my earlier critique on Better Call Saul, would you care to discuss it like men or just continue to leave sneering comments and sniping red dots?

Shove it up your arse

Not related to the boy, I just know a great defender when I see one. And please tell me, what level of football have you played at to justify making these outrageous claims?