Storm Bella – Camelon Juniors

Boxing Day 2020. The day when Camelon Juniors FC would make their first ever appearance in the first round of the Scottish Cup. The stage was set for an exciting tie at Carmuirs Park against Highland League Champions Brora Rangers.

Early in the morning, some of the clubs’ volunteers arrived at the Park to get the pitch ready. All looked good and an inspection passed it fit for playing so Brora set off on their journey.

A couple of hours later, Storm Bella made its presence known and, with the help of a few extra volunteers, a mix of sponge rolling, forking, sand spreading and scarifying took place to try to keep the pitch playable.

By the time Brora arrived we seemed to be fighting a losing battle as the rain was relentless. But the referee deemed it playable and both teams made their final preparations.

Just before kick off, the ref spoke again with both managers to discuss options. Both were happy to start the match but the ref made it clear he would abandon the game should there be a player safety issue. Regardless of the score at that time, he would bring it to a premature end and we would go again another day. This was agreed to and the match began.

Both teams started well and from the pace of the game, it seemed the players might have believed if they played fast then the match would be over quicker! There were chances at both ends with great saves from both ‘keepers.

However the rain kept falling and it became clear this match wasn’t going to go the distance. As the half time whistle was blown with the score still level at 0-0, the ref once again called both managers together and the collective decision was made to abandon the match due to the persistent rain and strong winds.

The rescheduled tie is currently set for this Wednesday, 30 December, at Carmuirs Park with a 7.30pm kick off. This is of course subject to the festive weather! It will once again be live streamed for £5 via www.camelonjuniors.co.uk/ppv but anyone who paid on Saturday for the first attempt at the tie will automatically get access to the match without having to pay again. Thanks to everyone for sticking with us and lending your support in many different ways.

Before that, the draw for the second round of The Scottish Cup takes place on their YouTube channel and Facebook page this Monday, 28 December, at 7.15pm. Because of the rescheduling of our tie, this means we’re in that draw! Together with Brora, we are number 9. The full draw info is below:

1 Airdrieonians
2 Alloa Athletic
3 Annan Athletic
4 Arbroath
5 Ayr United
6 Banks O’Dee
7 Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic or Bo’ness United
8 Buckie Thistle
9 Camelon or Brora Rangers
10 Clyde
11 Cove Rangers
12 Cowdenbeath
13 Dumbarton
14 Dundee
15 Dundonald Bluebell or Queen’s Park
16 Dunfermline Athletic
17 East Fife
18 Edinburgh City
19 Elgin City
20 Falkirk
21 Forfar Athletic
22 Formartine United
23 Fraserburgh
24 Greenock Morton
25 Heart of Midlothian
26 Huntly
27 Inverness Caledonian Thistle
28 Keith
29 Kelty Hearts
30 Linlithgow Rose
31 Montrose
32 Nairn County
33 Partick Thistle
34 Peterhead
35 Queen of the South
36 Raith Rovers
37 Stenhousemuir
38 Stirling Albion
39 Stranraer
40 Tranent Juniors