31/42 - Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld

14th September 2019
Ground Number: 31
Ground: Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernaukd
Home of: Clyde FC
Match: Clyde V Stanraer
Score: 6-1
Attendance: 753

Well what a match. Just like that Broadwood takes the "highest scoring match" crown from Sheilfield Park which, up til now, had held that particular record! We will get to this amazing match soon I promise but first let's talk about Broadwood itself.

This ground is incredibly easy to find with easy access from the M80 and is signposted clearly. You couldn't fail to find it. There is ample free parking right at the ground and that, in our opinion, is always a bonus. Once parked up we had a wander and the club were kind enough to let us inside the main entrance to get a photo by the club badge. We even bumped into Danny Lennon but surely even he couldn't have predicted the match to come!

As we were paying cash we were required to buy tickets from a small booth just to the left of the stadium entrance and this process was quick and hassle free. It was soon clear our only option would be the Main Stand as this was the only stand open today. This wasn't an issue and once inside it was off to the Club Shop. Now, again, you couldn't fail to find it as it was literally signposted around every corner you turned inside this labyrinth of a stand! Club shop this way, club shop that way! Once we found it, it very much reminded us of the Stirling Albion shop in that it seemed to be in a cupboard but it was well stocked and the guy behind the counter was friendly and helpful. I had to double check when he said pin badges were just £1 each though. Incredible value and Clyde join Raith Rovers with "cheapest badge on the tour" contenders. Will anyone beat a solitary pound?

Next up it was time for food and if I could find one criticism at Broadwood this would be it. Where are the price lists for food? Yes there are price lists for drinks but not food! I had no idea how much my pie was gonna cost me until the staff member asked me for money! So easy to fix. What of the pie though I hear you ask? Alright is what I would say. Very much a League One standard of pie. David seemed to like it more than I did though.

Off we go in search of seats then and we found two basically right on centre and around half way up the stand. They offered a perfectly acceptable view of the action. Off to our left was an impressively large stand for a club the size of Clyde. Today it housed fan flag displays. Try saying that quickly! Directly opposite was a similar, but smaller, stand with the traditional "Clyde FC" marked into the seats. To the right and behind the other goal was off limits to fans with a building closing off that side of the stadium. It was all very nice to look at though as a whole.

Once thing I noticed straight away in the build up to the game, there was no music! And I mean at all! It was very strange but David suggested perhaps more grounds should take on this stance. I'm not sure I agree. So out of nowhere, with no fanfare or music the teams appeared onto the pitch. It was a bit surreal. To be fair to the home fans they generated a bit of an atmosphere with a selection of songs.

The match itself was amazing. Clyde, literally from the first whistle, went at their opponents and if it was a boxing match it would've been stopped. They were absolutely pummeling Stranraer who really didn't turn up today. Admittedly a red card for the visitors, and some questionable refereeing resulting in umpteen penalties with numerous retakes, certainly aided Clyde but I've no doubt without those they still would've ran out handsome winners.  3-0 up at half time due a 13 minute hat trick by ex Dundee United man David Goodwillie had Clyde on easy street. 15 minutes of half time followed (as they always seem to do) and I still can't get my head around the lack of music. Is it due to complaints? Do they not have a CD player? Can't they be arsed? Put some tunes on guys!

The pattern of the match continued into the second half as yet more penalties and the free scoring Goodwillie really did put Stranraer to the sword. To their credit they managed to get a goal back just after the hour mark though. Goodwillie, by the way, finished with five goals as Clyde won the match 6-1.

I get the feeling we were pretty lucky to be here today. Matches like this don't generally happen at Broadwood and certainly not with games involving Clyde! On today's evidence they'll do well this season. Their fans were incredible too so special mention to them. For the crowd size here today they made a lot of noise. Cracking atmosphere and it was great to hear shouts of "Goodie Goodie" again.

After that incredible match we were buzzing in the car on the way up the road. We had a brilliant visit to Broadwood. It's smart, modern ground with great facilities and friendly staff. The Club Shop offered a good range, the food was decent and the view and atmosphere were great. One of the best grounds we've been to!

So with just 11 grounds to go I hear you asking for a stat update. Well here it comes! As of ground 31 we are averaging 2.77 goals per game, have driven 3452 miles, we've seen 14 home wins, 12 away wins and 5 draws of which only 2 have been goalless. Phew!

Onwards to Dumfries for ground 32.