In my latest “A day out” column Coldstream’s Home Park was my away day in the absence of a Hibernian filled weekend, the border side boast an “illustrious and historic existence to date”.
What can they bring to the party today with a home match against Edinburgh College in the East of Scotland League Division Two.
Just minutes from the English border The Streamers lie 12th out of 15 in the league at the minute with the relatively new College team 4 points ahead of them in 4th.
This will be the 4th meeting of the sides with honours split evenly in the previous three:
17/09/22 Coldstream 3 Edinburgh College 1
29/07/23 Coldstream 2 Edinburgh College 2
24/02/24 Edinburgh College 3 Coldstream 0
Home Park is a breathtaking venue with the Cheviot Hills looming in the distance, a grass pitch which sits perfectly in the middle of the town and a brilliant clubhouse. Coldstream FC has always had a deep connection with its local community.
Coldstream Football Club holds the distinction of being one of Scotland’s oldest football clubs. Formed in 1895, the club has a long and storied history deeply intertwined with the development of the game in the region. Over the years, Coldstream FC has become a staple of the Borders' football scene, competing in the East of Scotland Football League and participating in the Scottish Cup, making a name for itself in both local and national competitions.
Coldstream FC was founded on October 2, 1895, by a group of local football enthusiasts eager to promote the game in the town of Coldstream. In these early years, Scottish football was rapidly growing in popularity, with many small towns and villages forming their own teams. Coldstream was no exception. The club quickly became part of the competitive football landscape in the Scottish Borders, competing against other local sides in various competitions.
The first few decades of the club's existence saw it solidify its place in regional football. Coldstream FC, like many small clubs, operated on a tight budget, relying heavily on the support of the local community. Despite these challenges, the club managed to establish a foothold in the competitive football scene, thanks to a mix of local talent and a dedicated management team.
Coldstream FC’s involvement in the Scottish Cup is a key aspect of the club’s history. The Scottish Cup, founded in 1873, is the oldest national trophy in the world and holds significant prestige within Scottish football. Coldstream’s first appearance in the Scottish Cup dates back to the early 20th century, a major milestone for the club. Though Coldstream FC has not won the competition, participating in it has been a source of pride and a testament to the club’s long-standing commitment to the sport.
In 1954, Coldstream reached the Scottish Cup proper for the first time, and although they faced stiff opposition from much larger clubs, their qualification alone was a significant achievement. Over the years, Coldstream FC has had multiple stints in the tournament, and each entry has boosted the club's profile beyond the borders of their hometown.
In the 1920s, Coldstream FC became a founding member of the East of Scotland Football League (EoSFL), which remains their main competitive arena.
The support of the local fanbase has been crucial to the club’s survival and success, especially during lean years when financial pressures have made it difficult to compete at the highest level.
In a new trophy - the Centenary Cup - Coldstream play Vale of Leithen each year as a reminder of the inaugural EoSFL match. They won the first year “2-0 at home” and the second this season “4-2 in Innerleithen” as told to me by chairman Dave Lauder who proudly showed me around.
The small grandstand and adjacent shed, the wonderfully maintained pitch and an energetic buzz around all the committee members.
A wonderful reception and a ground not to be missed.
In addition to senior football, Coldstream FC has been involved in youth development, helping to nurture local talent and give young players a pathway into the game. This focus on community and development reflects the club's ethos of serving as a focal point for football in Coldstream and the surrounding area whilst playing an integral role in the local community the club also contributes to the rich tapestry of Scottish football.
Dreich conditions met the two teams as they emerged before kick off - not quite a pea souper type - but autumnal none the less which blended in well with the tasty pea and ham soup and mince pie offering pre match in the aptly named Jim Patterson pavilion.
Patterson was influential in all things Coldstream FC and he would have enjoyed the opening proceedings of this encounter with plenty of wholehearted football being played.
Coldstream in their change red strip, playing away from the pavilion against College’s blue with white shorts.
Streamers number 11 twisted inside from the left flank and had the first chance of note which was beaten away for a corner by the visiting keeper.
The home side would go close from the corner with a shot going wide of the near post.
Seconds later (4 mins) and the hosts were one nil to the good with their striker picking up the ball and rifling home from the right of penalty area.
The visitors number nine had a shot saved comfortably as they looked for an instant response.
The rain began to fall as a modest crowd watched on with the college management team contesting much of the early refereeing decisions.
Coldstream number 5 gave the ball away cheaply in the midfield and the College nearly capitalised with their number 10 meeting the ball at the back post with a sweet volley which hit the side netting.
Twenty minutes in and the opportunities had dried up but no lack of enterprising football especially in the middle of the park with the tall, rangy number 8 pulling the strings for the hosts and the commanding centre half and captain (6) holding fort to maintain their early lead.
Number 11 collected a delicious ball from his midfielder (5) on the right and dipped his shoulder before letting fly with his left foot but his shot went just wide.
The away team’s keeper saved well at the feet of the aforementioned number 11 as Coldstream began to up the tempo again.
The big midfielder (5) had a towering header at the back post which cleared the crossbar as the half hour mark approached.
With ten to go in the first half a long ball from the keeper was flicked on to the full back in the area who returned the favour for the hosts number 15 to poke home to double their advantage. A well ‘worked’ goal from back to front. Good old fashioned senior football.
Five minutes later and the College centre half (18) dilly dallied on the ball, losing possession allowing the energetic number 11 to stroll in for his second of the game with an well taken finish low to the the keepers left.
The College gaffer was then sent to the stands for being a wee bit too vociferous towards the referee despite being given ample time to calm down. A sending off that was coming from the early stages of the game.
College were all over the place with their midfield not providing enough protection and leaving several runners to attack a beleaguered back line.
Half time: 3-0
A fantastic run forward from College’s number 5 was equalled by a great ball out to their number 10 who tried to curl one in at the far post but to no avail.
However any college momentum was killed by a second yellow for their left back with a poor challenge in the midfield. (50)
A loss of discipline much like their manager in the first half.
The Streamers were beginning to put on a show with their number 8 playing some lovely one touch football before advancing and having a shot diverted for a corner.
They scored from said set piece with their formidable number six heading home from close range.
An opportunity with half an hour to go was presented to College but the striker lashed high, wide and over the fence without troubling the previously unhindered Coldstream goalkeeper.
There would be no hat trick for the wily number 11 who was substituted not long after as Coldstream shuffled the park.
Number 9 was next to go through on goal with the College defence parting at the seems but his effort was weak and wide.
College’s number 9 raced clear but his feeble attempt was even worse than his opposite number for the home side.
Some neat play between an instrumental number 8 and 10 seen the latter have a shot which almost squirmed under the away keepers body.
From that College went straight up the park and pulled one back, surely only a consolation.
And so it was proved to be when the substitute winger for the home side (19) collected a great switch of play to side foot home past the despairing keeper from just inside the box.
Soon after and it was six with a delightful free kick floated into the back post and the hosts full back (3) powered home a free header.
Home sides substitute striker squandered a great chance to hit seven with ten mins to go as his effort went wide of the keepers left post.
College almost made it 6-2 with a looping header from a precise long ball forward but it crashed off the bar and cleared from danger with minutes left.
Number 6, 8, 11 and 15 impressed for the home side in what turned out to be an extremely comfortable victory belying their early season lowly position with a tremendous performance.
College on the other hand were disjointed, ragged and ill disciplined a mirror image of their senior statesmen on the bench and they suffered majorly.
Full time: 6-1
To end a fantastic day it was in to the bar for a juice and to watch the final scores with the wonderful chairman Dave gifting me a pin badge for my travels.