S.J.F.A. North Region

League Cup Group 7

Tuesday 1st August 2023

Kick Off 19.30 Actual 19.31

New Elgin 1 Burghead Thistle 2, attendance 58

59’ 0-1 (pen)

74’ 1-1

90’ + 4, 1-2

@ Nicol Togneri Park

Perimeter Road

off Pinefield Parade

Elgin

IV3 6AE

£6 Admission

No Programme.

The S.J.F.A. North Region League Cup begins with 7 groups of 4 teams and one group of 3 to determine who goes through to the knockout stages. Tonight’s teams are joined by Lossiemouth United and Dufftown to complete Group 7.

New Elgin had finished bottom of the North Region Championship Division last season, which is the lowest position in this region, whilst Burghead Thistle had finished six places above them in tenth place. New Elgin certainly didn’t look as bad as their league finish last season suggested they’d be. It took Burghead until just before the hour mark to break the deadlock, converting from the penalty spot. New Elgin deservedly drew level with sixteen minutes left, clipping the ball over the ‘keeper having been played through on goal. Burghead had a chance to regain the lead when they were awarded a second penalty with seven minutes left, but the kick was tipped over the crossbar as the ‘keeper dived high to his right. They were not to be thwarted though, as four minutes into stoppage time a free kick from the edge of the D was hammered high into the top corner to win it. The full time whistle blew immediately after the game was restarted.

The ground here is basic to say the least. The pitch is railed off with a wooden barrier, with mesh fencing around the perimeter, with the changing rooms about 50 yards behind the goal nearest the road. The crowd of 58 included 27 who watched the entire match from outside the fence, to avoid paying the club any admission money. They looked to be ‘regulars’ as well. Surely the club could put temporary covers up in strategically placed spots to make watching from outside pointless. Or perhaps losing £150 per game is something they simply accept.