Sauchie Juniors 1-1 Tynecastle

Sauchie Juniors 1-1 Tynecastle

East Of Scotland League

Tuesday 26th April 2022

It doesn't seem two minutes since I was last in Clackmannanshire - watching on at a freezing cold Recreation Park as Ross McCausland made a really good impression and Rangers' B Team triumphed over Broomhill in the Lowland League.

Last night, I was back in Alloa again - this time dropping down a level to the East Of Scotland League and moving just a few miles up the road to see Sauchie Juniors' clash against Tynecastle.

Beechwood Park is one of the better grounds in the EOSL and one I've been wanting to tick off for some time. It's just about within walking distance from Alloa Railway Station (25 minutes) with connections to and from Edinburgh and Glasgow even for a night game and with the weather being reasonably good for Scottish standards, there seemed no better time to get it done.

On the pitch, Sauchie have had a reasonably good year. They competed in the Scottish Cup for the first time at the start of the season and, although the title has long since been beyond them, their good league form has meant a place in the Premier Division for 2022/23 has been pretty much guaranteed for weeks.

What makes Beechwood Park worth visiting is that it's so unique and picturesque - offering views of the Clackmannanshire Hills from one side of the ground whilst the modern Jimmy Millar Stand towers above everything on the other side. It's the biggest ground in the EOSFL (with Tynecastle's Meggetland Complex being the second largest) and well worth a visit.

The game itself lacked quality in many ways and Sauchie will feel disappointed that they weren't able to snatch maximum points considering they were the better team, established an early lead and created a whole host of other opportunities before half-time that they couldn't put away.

Ross Kavanagh led the celebrations with a birthday goal inside five minutes with a shot which Tynecastle's 'keeper could have done better with but the visitors hauled themselves back level just past the quarter-hour mark with a swift and sweeping counter-attack that was ruthlessly finished.

Sauchie then created a plethora of openings during a dominant period on top around the half-hour mark with three gilt-edged chances being put wide and when they did get one on target, Tynecastle's 'keeper was there to make the save. The visitors could have even snatched a goal themselves with an effort which clipped the upright but it remained 1-1 at the interval.

Things after the re-starter were much tighter as Tynecastle tightened up and gave little away and, in truth, it was a difficult watch for long periods. Too many things were too predictable and goalmouth action was at a premium.

Sauchie turned to their substitutes in an effort to freshen things up and get a winner and having built up a head of steam, they carved out a few chances during a more bearable final quarter-hour. One attempt drew a deflection and from the resulting corner, Tynecastle's 'keeper was forced into a decent save from a curling effort.

The visitors also had a few chances; notably when a speculative cross became a shot and required full-stretch fingertip action from Sauchie's 'keeper to tip the ball over. He also made another save deep into the dying stages but in truth, neither team did enough in the second period to fully deserve all three points.