Following a trip to Dunfermline last night, it was onto the Scottish groundhop for me today. As I mentioned last night, we were mainly following the groundhop games, but we decided to do Thornton Hibs instead of the second game at Crossgate Primrose. Both Raith Rovers and Cowdenbeath were tempting as they’re Football League grounds, but it would have meant doing three games rather than four. In the end, we (me and my dad) decided to do the four games at four new venues rather than three games with one being in the Football League. I can remember back in 2016 when I did four games in a day for the first time. By the last game (at Edinburgh City) I was absolutely knackered! I was obviously a novice as doing four games in a day back then as it’s no problem now! I’ve said it numerous times in the past, but I do prefer to visit a club on a normal matchday rather than a groundhop day. You get a more real sense of the club I think, but these groundhop days are still a great opportunity to get a few new grounds done.

The first of the four games on the groundhop today was at Glenrothes, who play at the Warout Stadium in Glenrothes. It looks like a former athletics stadium, with an old athletics track now not very visible. I got a bit of a sense of Billingham Synthonia’s old ground from it, but it also gave a feel of a German Regionalliga ground. The stand itself is an impressive 700-seater covered stand, and there are a few rooms at the back of it for hospitality etc. The rest of the ground consists of grass banks. It’s the sort of place which would have been able to host quite a crowd back in the day when safety certificates weren’t a thing!

Match report:

Glenrothes pick up three points against Kinnoull

Glenrothes claimed three further points towards promotion with a 3-0 win at home to Kinnoull on Saturday morning.

In an 11am kick-off, goals from Lea Schiavone, Kyle Bell and Stuart Cargill helped Glenrothes to a comfortable victory.

Upon kick-off, it was Glenrothes who started the brighter, and in the fourth minute, a long throw in picked out Connor Schiavone on the edge of the penalty area. He quickly turned before shooting, but Lukasz Osinski was able to save.

Less than a minute later, Glenrothes broke the deadlock. Dylan Honeyman whipped a deep cross into the penalty area to find Lea Schiavone at the back post, and his first time volley put the hosts ahead.

Kinnoull thought they had equalised in the 14th minute when Rob Kinnaird tidily finished Mark Smith’s flick on, but it was ruled out for offside.

Kinnaird’s lovely touch and shot gave him another chance a few minutes later, but Glenrothes goalkeeper Adam Shaw was equal to it.

Kinnoull were just getting themselves back in the game and creating chances at this point, but they were dealt with a real sucker punch when Glenrothes doubled their lead in the 25th minute. Bell rose to meet a corner and his initial header came back off the crossbar, but he was quickest to react to convert the rebound.

Cargill then went close for Glenrothes, before another good turn from Kinnaird created a chance for Kinnoull, but he couldn’t find the target.

Following the break, Glenrothes’ Honeyman had an early header saved right on the line, before Ryan McInnes hit the outside of the post with a powerful effort for the hosts.

Following a quiet spell, Glenrothes scored their third and final goal in the 64th minute. A ball over the top found Connor Schiavone whose effort bounced back off the post, but Cargill was there to convert the rebound.

A Kinnoull substitute then forced a save from Shaw, before Lea Schiavone forced a save from Osinski at the other end.

With 12 minutes to play, Cargill’s lovely flick on created an opportunity for Glenrothes, but a drilled shot was held by Osinski.

Three-nil was probably harsh on Kinnoull, and I thought they deserved a goal. It almost came in the 89th minute. Liam Woolley went for goal with a high effort from 18 yards, but it crashed back off the bar with the ‘keeper beaten.

That proved to be that, and it was Glenrothes who took the points.

Full-time: Glenrothes 3-0 Kinnoull

Next up for me at the time of writing is Oakley United vs Easthouses Lily MW tomorrow.

Glenrothes: Shaw, Kinness, Collins, Smart, Gibb, McInnes, Lea Schiavone, Bell, Connor Schiavone, Cargill, Honeyman

Subs: Coutts, Witten, McAllan, Martin, Mcleod-Kay

Kinnoull: Osinski, Kyle Woolley, Scott, Frydrychowicz, Liam Wooley, Robertson, Holt, Davies, Kinnaird, Brown, Smith

There were no subs listed for Kinnoull when I took a picture of the teams. And I didn’t know the numbers of the subs so didn’t take note of who came on.

Admission: £6

Programme: £2

Attendance: 410

Referee: Craig Wilson