Written By Max
Ground #26
East Peffermill Playing Fields – Edinburgh University FC
Saturday 13th November 2021 – Lowland League (Scottish 5th Tier)
Edinburgh Uni 4-2 Cumbernauld Colts
Attendance: 54 (Headcount)
Entry: £6
Edinburgh University Football Club are one of the oldest Clubs in Scotland, and indeed the world, being formed in 1878! Over their History they have prided themselves on being the most successful University side in Scotland and currently find themselves playing in the Lowland League, which is the 5th tier of the Scottish Pyramid.
They have played at their current ground, East Peffermill Playing Fields, since 1978 and the pitch is alongside other sporting facilities used by the Universities multiple teams including Hockey, Rugby Union and Cricket.
Today’s game saw them come up against mid table rivals Cumbernauld Colts from the outskirts of Glasgow. The game started evenly as the teams league positions would suggest, and the first real chance came to the visitors around the half hour mark but a good save denied them. Cumbernauld then continued to dominate possession, but it was against the run of play that the Hosts would take the lead as the game suddenly sprang to life. Just minutes later it was the University side that would again come forward this time winning a penalty which was cooly slotted home for 2-0.
Just as the sun was beginning to set, and we were finally able to see properly without the sun burning our eyes out, we saw the visitors get a goal back right before the half time whistle. I must say it was no more than they deserved after looking the more composed on the ball throughout the half, but they went into the break 2-1 behind!
Into the second half we went and the visitors started where they left off on the front foot. They were putting the pressure onto their hosts and deservedly levelled as a beautiful curling Free Kick looped right into the top corner! What a goal!
The Colts continued to control the game and the small group of away supporters must have thought it was only a matter of time until the turnaround was complete. Football doesn’t often go to the script though, and in the 70th minute with their first meaningful attack of the half the Hosts were back in front after a neat finish on the counter. Not long after the University side got their 4th and sealed the 3 points with another quick counter attack.
A very strange match in the end as you don’t often see the poorer side on the day score 4 and win easily but that was what happened here today! Cumbernauld Colts will be certainly wishing they did more with their superior possession but in the end the clinical finishing from Edinburgh was enough on the day!
Now to rate our experience at East Peffermill Playing Fields:
Location: 2/10
East Peffermill Playing Fields is located to the South of Edinburgh around an hours walk from Waverly Station. We also found there were no pubs or anything else of note within close proximity of the ground which meant a rather long and cold trudge up the hill after the game before we found the warmth of a bar and a pint of Tennants to cheer us up!
Kit: 4/10
Edinburgh Universities kit for today’s game consisted of an all red shirt and shorts with white socks. A simple design but the white collar and number stood out well but the sponsor was pretty small so difficult to see on the shirt.
Facilities: 3/10
The tea bar at Edinburgh Uni’s ground was located in what looked like someone’s house! The grey building included a small counter from which you could buy refreshments and a few small tables for fans to sit at. The room itself was pretty small, but with the small crowd in attendance at today’s match there was just enough room for everyone to squeeze in and warm up during half time!
Look: 5/10
The ground at East Peffermill was very basic with the majority of the pitch surrounded by a plastic railing with no hard standing to be found. There was one small stand on the nearside with 100 seats.
What makes this ground though were the spectacular views to be had from multiple sides of the ground. Opposite the stand, when the sun wasn’t blinding you, saw great views of the hills in the distance. As we walked around the ground during the first half we were taken aback by the famous ‘Arthurs Seat’ in full view from behind where we had been sitting!
The full complex itself reminded us very much of a ground much closer to us in Melton Town. This is due to the fantastic facilities especially for the Hockey team! There were 3G pitches for 5 a side, a Rugby ground with a large seated stand, but just like at Melton, the football seems to have been an afterthought and is right on the edge of the complex with what look like the worst facilities at the place. Such a shame.
Food and Drink: 3/10
The tea bar had a limited menu of hot food with sausage rolls and Scotch pies available. There was a decent variety of Homemade cakes and sweet treats available too. We went for a Scotch Pie and a Hot Chocolate. The Pie was pretty flavourless and the hot chocolate brought Emma flashbacks to the horror at Grantham! We can’t complain too much as a Pie and a drink came to the whopping price of £2.20! Bargain!
As you may or may not know, in Scotland there is a ban on the sale of alcohol within Football grounds and therefore obviously there was no Dark Fruits available for Emma today!
TOTAL SCORE 17/50
In the end a really entertaining game made up for what was a slightly underwhelming ground in truth. We are both glad though to have finally got to our first ever game outside of England and look forward to many more trips all over the world in the coming years!
Below are some more photos from the game aswell as some bonus photos from our week in Scotland’s Capital!
If you’d like to see where this puts Edinburgh University on our leader board click here: NON LEAGUE
And if you would like to see our Football League leader board click here: THE 92
Emma’s Ground Guide 