Clachnacuddin Football Club 1947/48 - The Golden Season
A Journal of the season that Clachnacuddin F.C. ‘Swept the boards'
by Alex Munro
Prologue
During World War II football in Inverness was fairly fragmented with Clach and Caley playing in local cup competitions and many friendlies. Inverness Thistle’s ground at Kingsmills being taken over by the military.
Season 1945-1946 saw a restricted programme of competitive matches. There was a Scottish Victory Cup open to all non-league clubs throughout Scotland. Clach reached the Final as North Section winners to play East Stirling on a home and away basis.
After drawn games 3 – 3 at Inverness and 2 – 2 at Firs Park, Falkirk, Clach lost 5 – 2 after extra time at Muirtown Park, Perth on Wednesday afternoon the 2nd of January 1946.
On a rock hard surface East Stirling scored first through Burke after 35 minutes play. MacKenzie equalised for Clach just before half-time. In the second half MacWilliam scored for the south team with a 25 yard rocket that flew into the net off the underside of the crossbar. Shortly afterwards MacKenzie again put Clach back on level terms. The score remained 2 – 2 until the end of normal time.
In extra time Clach seemed to go all to pieces and three goals for East Stirling by Roughhead, Mauchline and Burke took the Cup back to Falkirk. Clach were not disgraced and put up a fine show over the three games.
Clach team – MacDougall; Munro; Byron (Army); Sutherland; Pett (Army); Gibson (Army); MacKenzie; McInally (RAF); Walsh (RAF); Glassey (Army); Wemyss.
In the Scottish Cup Clach were drawn at home to then First Division side Partick Thistle in the First Round. After a 2 – 2 draw (Clach scorers – Wemyss, Jessop) before over 4000 spectators at Grant Street Park, Inverness on Saturday 19th April 1946. Clach travelled to Firhill, Glasgow on the following Wednesday for the replay. Although scoring first through Baxter the Inverness team were soundly thrashed 7 – 1.
Clach team – MacDougall; Russell; Sutherland; Urquhart; Anderson; Cunning; MacKenzie; Wemyss; Baxter; Laird; Jessop (ex Preston North End).
The North of Scotland Cup was played for the first time since before the War. In the Semi-Final in the second leg after a 0 – 0 draw at Dingwall, Clach played Ross County at Grant Street Park, Inverness on Saturday 6th May 1946. The game was a close affair with Clach prevailing in extra-time. Ross County led 2 – 1 at half-time, Wemyss scoring for Clach. Baxter equalised in the second half before Sutherland missed a penalty for Clach late in the game. Baxter scored the winner for the “Lilywhites” in the second period of extra-time.
Inverness Thistle qualified for the Final on the following Saturday defeating Caledonian 5 – 4 in a rip-snorting match played at Telford Street Park, Inverness.
In the Final played on Wednesday evening, 15th May 1946 at Grant Street Park, Inverness Thistle, the holders from the last time the cup was competed for in 1939, retained the trophy defeating Clach 2 – 1.
In a match that Thistle just deserved to win, Baxter opened the scoring for Clach in 19 minutes. Pyke equalised for Thistle eight minutes later to leave the score 1 – 1 at half-time. Thistle were the better team in the second half and the winner, scored by Dennis ten minutes from time ensured that the Cup returned to Kingsmills.
Clach Team: MacDougall; Hazle; Sutherland; Robertson; Anderson; Cunning; Campbell; Roy; Baxter; Wemyss; Jessop
Thistle Team: Serafini; Main; Carr; Sinclair; Urquhart; A Jamieson; Dennis; W Jamieson; Pyke; Kay; Warburton
Referee: Mr Dougie MacKintosh, Inverness
Linesmen: Mr Tom MacLean, Inverness, Mr Tom MacNiven, Inverness