Damage in the Box!: IRVINE MEADOW XI (Meadow Park)

Nae programme, pal.

The very kind offer of a lift to Scotland was too tempting to refuse because, with most of the competitive action South of the Border now concluded, the only games with things riding on them were North of the Border.

Destination today was Meadow Park, the home of Irvine Meadow XI, and their West Super League Premier Division clash with struggling Largs Thistle. A big day was in prospect as a point or three would see 'Medda' retain the championship flag.

Formed in 1897, Irvine Meadow are one of the oldest Junior clubs still playing. They have won the Scottish Junior cup on 3 occasions and have enjoyed plenty of success in the last few years, winning the League title in 2009 and 2011.

At one stage they were asked to turn senior and join the Scottish League, but they decided to remain a Junior club. On 28 November 2009 Irvine Meadow became the first junior club to defeat a senior club in a competitive fixture when they beat Arbroath 1-0 in the third round of the Scottish Cup.

It was a glorious sunny day in Irvine and the pitch, reputed to be one of the best in Scotland, looked in immaculate condition.

The game though was a tight affair. After they hit the crossbar early on, Frank Gibson gave 'medda' the lead after 15 minutes. However from then on Largs looked quite capable of bagging an equaliser. You would never have guessed it was top v bottom.

A Richie Barr goal in stoppage time finally sealed the victory, and the championship, for the homesters whilst Largs, who probably felt they should have got something out of the game, will have to regroup in the First Division.

The ground was another Scottish gem and well worth the trek North.