West of Scotland League

Premier Division

Saturday 10th August 2024

Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.01

Johnstone Burgh 3 Troon 0, attendance 350

52’ 1-0

77’ 2-0

85’ 3-0

@ Keanie Park

56 Auchenlodment Road

Johnstone

PA5 9PE

£9 Admission

No Programme.

I rounded off the two week trip north, by visiting the last of the traditional big old skool grounds of the Scottish Juniors I’d never seen a game at, Keanie Park, home of Johnstone Burgh, twice winners of the Scottish F.A. Junior Cup back in the 1960’s, during which a record attendance at the ground saw a reported 13,000 for a game versus Greenock. The ground is still impressive today. It is set in a bowl, with grass banking around the sides. There is an old covered stand on the far side, oddly offset from centre, whilst a small ‘homemade’ cover is on the changing room side, where there is also a small section of concrete terrace on the corner nearest the entrance. As with most grounds at this level, a tea bar selling hot pies and drinks doing a brisk trade. Even the old ‘gents’ is still in use….a wall that you go behind to do your business! The warm weather will have helped with a good sized crowd, including a small group of Burgh ultras, complete with flags and drum and the occasional chanting. No doubt pleased to meet up with their mates during the school holidays.

The game was 7th versus 4th in the league table, both teams having played three games so far, Burgh with a win and two draws and Troon two wins and one loss. A very disappointing first half, with little of note at either end, not surprisingly finished goalless. Burgh broke the deadlock seven minutes into the second half, when a cross in from the left was met with a stooping header that found the bottom corner from eight yards. They had a first time shot come back off the crossbar, before finally getting their second goal with thirteen minutes left, when a cut back from the right was controlled and finished into the bottom corner and they rounded off the scoring when they curled one in off the far post with five minutes left.

So, another successful trip north was complete. As well as the two English grounds visited during the first couple of days, another dozen were managed in Scotland. The new season is well and truly under way……As you can tell by the number of photos taken, I liked this ground! Even better, the 438 mile drive back from Renfrewshire was trouble free (apart from a diversion off the M25 between J11 and J10) arriving home just before 11pm.