norwichbobby

Calum Elliott was at the game today. Read into that what you will. He will now be fully aware of the challenges that might await…

Your striker certainly took his chances very well. That’s what we’ve been missing this year, clinical finishes….that and a manager now too

This year, apart from Summy, we are missing 5 of our top scorers from last year and the replacements just haven’t done the job. Injuries have been woeful and I can’t recall when we last picked the same team twice. I thought the winter layoff would allow players to recover but we only had 4 subs on Saturday and one of them wasn’t fit to play. We haven’t won away since early season and we’re now 2 games into a 6 game run of away games. Crowds are also down, although I note that a couple of other clubs are seeing the same thing. It’s easy to say it’s down to results but they were down at the start of the season when we were nearly top of the league. As said already, I’m not sure who you’d bring in as a new manager, or if that’s the solution . The club went for the ‘safe’ option with Stevie, so would Grant Sandison want another go? He’d certainly give youth a chance. This weekend is a big chance to turn it around at HOB as they seem to be struggling too. Lose that one and the confidence will spiral further down hill with only one inevitable consequence…..

He was good at Penicuik, his pace was always a threat. A bit unlucky with injuries whilst with us but I’ll never forget his goal in our Scottish Cup game against Stenhousemuir. Good signing.

Great to see Nicky Reid doing well for you. His goals are really missed at Penicuik this year. I hope Aiden does well for you too, he’s a terrific player with great pace and a wonderful touch.

Of course I’d love us to sign a striker to replace Aiden Walsh who can solve our current issues but they don’t grow on trees, or come cheap. We already acquired a striker signed earlier this year who’s managed about 20 mins so far due to, you guessed it, injury so no idea if he’ll be the solution. Not optimistic at all about playing Musselburgh this week. Another week of having to shuffle the pack and putting together what we can hope will be a more productive result but recent games against them have been tough and theyve been on a good run. Anyway, enough about us, what’s been going on at Jeanfield, their run is almost as bad as ours…

We’re still here don’t worry. I’d suggest it’s all about the money. The clubs that have the largest budget are doing the best. We are probably above average in that respect and so can put in a good challenge but can’t compare in the long run with the highest backed teams. In the conference playoffs we came within 10 minutes of winning them and getting to the Lowland League, as did Broxburn. In the following seasons we had a brilliant run in the Scottish but that seemed to detract from the league so we didn’t end up challenging. We lost a year to Covid but last year we were once again up there missing out on goal difference to a well financed Tranent. We recruited well in the summer but injuries and an outgoing transfer are taking their toll so we’re on a sticky patch just now but I’d hope we’ll be near the top come the end of the season. Linlithgow, who I guess have the biggest budget this year have us to thank for beating them at home last year which saw the end of Brown Ferguson and they’ve not looked back since. Clear favourites now (if they weren’t already) and will hopefully win the playoffs before the West clubs start getting their acts in order. Once that happens it’ll be hard to get out of the league for a while although it’ll be very competitive. So, please don’t write us off just yet and we do have the best media team in the League so you can watch all our goals ( and currently all those against us!) On another note, the East forum will get quieter if Linlithgow do get promoted as it seems there are very few posters from clubs out with them, Musselburgh, Penicuik and a few others. Burnieman is quiet these days too.

Chose not to travel today and just as well. The result was no surprise and playing with 10 men obviously doesn’t help. That’s one win in our last 5 league games. Too many injuries and selling one of our best players to Tranent isn’t helping. We just need to buckle down and get through this or it could be a long winter. Sadly no break for the World Cup and so it’s back along the M9 to Bo’ness next week.

What the heck happened to Jeanfield today. Was it someone’s stag do?

Good battling win against Tranent today. In doing so, doing all remaining clubs a favour in not having to put up with the Young T Bois enthusiasm in supporting their team. I’m all for encouraging younger fans but having drums and a megaphone in the middle of the main enclosure certainly cleared a space as the regulars found other places to stand away from the noise.

Well done today. Something was missing from our (Penicuik) performance today but you were the better team on the day. Great pies as always. Interesting about your comment on crowds as ours are well down on last year too. Not sure if it’s the cost of living crisis or the increase to £8 but still a worry. It’s not like we’re struggling performance wise so can’t put my finger in it. Are any other clubs seeing the same drop in crowds?

A few hardy souls plus a guest from Haddington made the trip along the M9 last night to tick off a new ground and club. I was impressed by both. It was a shame there was no catering on offer but the stand at Ochilview gives you a terrific view of the game with its steep seating arrangement and the Astro looked first class. Penicuik were a few players short but let’s not take anything away from Syngenta who were strong and fast and played nice passes to break open our defence. They were well worthy of the lead with a cracking curled effort into the top corner. Penicuik slowly grew into the game and as Syngenta tired in the second half more and more chances were created and taken. Ultimately a 2-1 win in a good cup tie. I knew Syngenta’s league position was false and was proved right. They should come up this season and will probably challenge for Div 1 next year too.

Probably a great game for the neutral. A missed penalty might have changed things but an even first half with both teams having good chances to score. The second half was all Penicuik and the penalty gave a deserved lead at the time. Jeanfield are always dangerous though and through a couple of good counter attacks scored 2 goals in 2 minutes with 10 to go. I was wondering how we could have lost this after being so dominant in the second half but the injury time equaliser was a fair reflection as i don’t think we deserved to lose. Two good teams going toe to toe. From victory to defeat to a draw in the last 10 minutes was all nail biting stuff.

East Stirling are 7-1 to beat Formartine on Skybet, 11/2 on McBookie. Am I missing something???

I fancy Jeanfield for an upset. Some really good cup ties there…

When she died I assumed all sport would be off this weekend as thats what has traditionally happened. However times change and different sports are taking different positions so when football gets cancelled it’s a bit frustrating when others are playing. I think this was a sensible stance from the youth association :

I’ve said a few times on here that I think Jeanfield are the best footballing team in the league. Dundonald are definitely improved this year too and had they had their shooting boots on against Penicuik in game 1 they may well have been the team with the 100% record. That’s a great result up in Perth.

If we’d played at the weekend like we did last night then I think we’d still be in the cup. We didn’t, so we’re not. Frustrating. In the league it’s been a really good start and when we have our first choice players available they are a real handful. A few still to return from injury who should put in a strong challenge for a start but it would be harsh on those who played last night. Crossgates next, another tough test.

Always a tough game against HOB but today we dominated for much of the game and were well deserved winners. As always, when you concede late on it leads to a nervous last few minutes but the 3 points was the fair result. A few absent today through injury, holiday and suspension so lots to look forward to in the coming weeks. I like the pace we have up front and Alex Chingwalu looks an excellent prospect who can play anywhere on the left. A strong start to the league with cup games coming up letting us get the absent back in the fold.

Good to see the new players getting the goals too. Hope the injury to Aidan isn’t too bad but at least we have a decent squad for cover.

Dundonald missed a bunch of good chances against us (Penicuik) on Saturday. Looks like they had their shooting boots on last night. This is going to be a really competitive league this year. Apart from one or two teams I think most teams are capable of beating each other on their day….

Delighted with the 2-0 victory today. 1-0 up at half time but Dundonald missed a series of chances in the second half. Then Penicuik went down to 10 men so seemed a matter of time before the equaliser came, which might well have been a fair result. Instead, we went up the park and scored a penalty which was the preverbial kick in the baws and were able to close the game out. A classic case of needing to take your chances. Both teams should do well this year…

It is a bit curious that their two matches are both being played so late in the season but there is a fantastic post on the wosl forum about how hard it is to schedule fixtures at this time of year due to previous postponements and outstanding cup ties which have to be played before you can confidently schedule games. The guy that does it deserves immense credit.

Thanks CJ. Every point now is critical and you really want your strongest eleven playing where possible. We’ve a few out just now (no centre backs yesterday) but nearly there and I’m hoping that the league cup will allow us a bit more time to get key players back. I’m worried about a trip to HOB as they are a bogey team of ours and of course the Mussy game will be a challenge. It would be amazing to get to the last game of the season against Linlithgow for a winner takes all finale but not sure my finger nails would survive! The two Rose / Tranent games will also be key. If one team were to win both I think they’d deserve the league…great to be still in it.

Jeanfield are a terrific team who play football the proper way at great speed and give you no time on the ball. They confirmed to me that they effectively gave up the first month or two of the season to Covid and getting up to speed but since then they’ve been back on form. Just as well for the rest of us as they’d be right in the mix if they’d hit the ground running.