Trapdoorwatch 2016-17

[Ivo den Bieman]

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.

 

[The Mantis]

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

[AllyMonc]

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......

[AllyMonc]

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.

[HibeeJibee]

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 Rangers


SPFL2 (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    19pts
5    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    14pts
8    Whitehill      P10 W4 D1 L5  -5    13pts

[cowdenbeath]

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 Rangers


SPFL2 (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    19pts
5    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    14pts
8    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.

[HibeeJibee]

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)  

[cowdenbeath]

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.

[CowdenConvert]

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.

[HibeeJibee]

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.

[cowdenbeath]

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.

[big al]

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. 

[Eye Valley]

HL Result tonight:

Buckie 5-0 Brora

Be'Jesus.

[HibeeJibee]

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    22pts
5    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    17pts
8    Uni of Stir    P12  W5 D2 L5  -5    17pts

[HibeeJibee]

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    25pts
5    Cumbernauld    P12  W6 D2 L4  +4    20pts

6    Vale of L      P14  W6 D2 L6   0    20pts
7    Whitehill      P13  W6 D1 L6  -7    19pts
8    Gretna         P14  W6 D1 L7 -12    19pts

[LongTimeLurker]

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.

[HibeeJibee]

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    29pts
5    Cumbernauld    P14  W6 D4 L4  +4    22pts

6    BSC Glasgow    P17  W6 D4 L7  +3    22pts

[1320Lichtie]

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.

[The Mantis]

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. 

[Jute]

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.