Edinburgh City 0 Edinburgh University 0

Edinburgh City 0 Edinburgh University 0
Att: Approx 35

Tyreman Premier Division - East of Scotland League
Meadowbank Stadium
14-03-07
7:30pm

Ref: George Salmond
Stand: Main Stand
Ticket: £2 concession (£4 Adult)
Programme: £1
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Ratings

Value for money ***** (student prices included!)
Grub *
Ground ***
Atmosphere (No ive not missed it out...it's a zero!)
Entertainment *
Referee **** (didn't do much wrong)

Have I missed anything out Mr Green!?

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This game was a bonus tonight. Didnt fancy another night in front of the telly and gladly made the short trip, a couple of miles, to Meadowbank Stadium. It would have been a nice walk across town to get there but I was running late and had to take the car. (Sorry ozone layer!) Parking was easy and found a space right next to the stadium. I wasnt too sure what the crowd for the match would be like as attendances for games in the east of scotland league rarely seem to be given. When I found the one turnstyle open it became apparent that I would have no problem getting a seat! £2 in after the operator mistook me for a student (should have been £4 and I did feel a bit guilty!) and had to cross the running track which was being used inside the concourse of the main stand. Found myself a good seat on the halfway line with 5 minutes to spare.

I have visited Meadowbank Stadium once before for a Hibs v Rangers reserve match last month. That was an afternoon match and tonight the ground looked even more impressive under the floodlights. The stadium was built for the 1970 Commonwealth Games and was used again in 1986. The 'old' stadium now shows it's age and Edinburgh Council are planning to demolish it and replace it with, yes you guessed it, flats. 800 of them apparently. Hopefully public anger at this proposal will block any such action.

The ground consists of a rather grand Main Stand seating around 6000 and 3 uncovered sides with wooden benches. The running track around the pitch distances the crowd from the action and also, I imagine, reduces the crowd atmosphere. I say 'I imagine' because the crowd was very poor and after the last spectators arrived around 15 minutes into the game it totalled around 35. There certainly wasn't any singing and the shouts from the players and coaches on the far side were clearly audible. I managed to get myself a programme priced £1 and it was somewhat surprisingly very good. 30 pages with team lists and some good background on the 2 clubs involved.

By coming out tonight I had passed up Sky Sports offering from Britain's 2nd Commonwealth stadium. Manchester City fans are up in arms at their clubs apparent demise and were demanding a result against the Chelsea billionaires. I wondered what they would have made of the game at Meadowbank. 50p for a bovril at half time was a bargain poured by a friendly chap from a kettle.

The game itself was poor. In such a huge stadium with a good pitch this was surely a chance for football at this level to show itself off. In reality it sorely missed a muddy pitch and close crowd. Edinburgh City came closest to winning the game with 2 glorious chances although in truth a draw seemed like the fairest result. The first came when Edinburgh University conceded a clear first half penalty after a badly timed tackle in the box. The spot kick subsequently blazed wildly high and wide. The second came from a corner kick which wasn't dealt with and the City captain somehow managed to hit the underside of the crossbar when it seemsed easier to score. Someone in the crowd muttered that it had crossed the line and raised a laugh.

The referee Mr Salmond blew up and even the players looked glad that it was all over. A point apiece for two teams stranded in midtable.

I have since signed an online petiton to try to save Meadowbank Stadium and it would be such a shame to see it go and replaced with blocks of flats. It has now closed however anybody interested in following it can find it at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Meadowbank/