The romance of the Scottish cup!

Left Edinburgh at 6.45am for our trek up to Banff on what was the wettest day of the year. Storms, heavy rainfall etc, even the Dundee Utd v Rangers game was abandoned.


But no such luck for us in Banff, just wet wet and wet.

We arrived about 10.45 met by a drumming parade going through the town, the lengths they go to make you feel welcome! We then had a wander at the harbour and went for a bite to eat to gear the boys up for the big game.

The opposition were very strong, both physically and in terms of their ability too, an excellent passing team. The pitch had held up well given the conditions so no excuses there.

We did not start well, which may be due to the long journey but if you do not close down a quality team you will be punished which was why we were 5-0 down at halftime.

We started the second half well enough and for first 20 mins they had only managed to increase their lead to 6-0, however 4 corners in a row resulting in 4 goals, and that was that.

A tired and wet bunch of boys. We cannot fault their effort however they need to press the player and not over-commit in challenges. Had we done these two simple aspects of the game, we would certainly not have lost by as many goals. A lesson in quality passing football from a team hungry to retain possession when they lost the ball.

Kind hospitality after the game where we found out 4 of their players played for Aberdeen (I presume their youth team!) last year and even one of them currently plays for the Deveronvale Under 19s!

So as we set off for home, we'd have been better hiring a boat. The roads were treacherous and driving through 1ft and 2ft depth water at times made for a slow and dangerous drive. There were rivers bursting their banks, Stonehaven (just a stones throw away) was under water, and here we were with the team embarking on almost a 200 mile trip!

The boys were oblivious to all of that and seemed to find it all very amusing; I think they thought it was like being on a fun ride!

A stop off in Aberdeen to the alleged best chippie in Britain and they boys were fed and watered and we then set off for home, to encounter many a police car, a lorry crashed into the central reservation a car overturned etc etc,

I did say to the boys you don't forget your away trips in the Scottish, how right I am about this one!!

I will conclude by wishing Deveronvale all the very best in the Scottish, and you never know if could be like 2 years ago when we can say we were knocked out by the eventual winners!