Just to get it out of the way, we were sooooo wrong about Annan Athletic. Jings, winning 4-1, away from home, who'd have thunked it? In today's early game, Cowdenbeath's Paul McQuade got proceedings off to a start in the 16th minute when he scored the first goal of the new season. The lead lasted only 10 minutes before Mike 'Jacko' Jack scored on the half hour mark, then struck again just after the break to put Annan ahead. Steven Archibald and Darren Johnstone completed the scoring. Despite managers Harry Cairney's earlier doubts about his sides baptism in Division Three, the Galabankies got off to a cracking start. One game down, thirty-five to go! More information from the BBC.
Another score we got completely wrong was the one in the game at Gayfield Park, Arbroath. Based on the Red Lichties somewhat mediocre performance last season and Alloa's storming form in the pre-season (including that win over Dundee), we had Alloa coming out on top by a slender 0-1 win, but in the end goals from Allan Rattray, Barry Sellars, Brian Scott and Andy Reilly (Andy Ferguson scored for Alloa on the hour) saw them come out 4-1 winners. Match report from the BBC.
One thing worth noting was that the opening day of the 2008/09 season was not one for the fainthearted. In total, 47 yellow cards where handed out and 6 red cards where shown in the fifteen games taking place today. Montrose's Chris Hegarty was booked after just one minute. Anyway, with that out of the way, lets go around the grounds!
Scottish Division 1
St Johnstone beat Livingston (2-0). Peter McDonald scored on fifty-five minutes. Midfielder Liam Craig was sent off just on the hour but despite being a man down, the Saints managed to add a second in extra time as Paul Sheering converted from the penalty spot. Match report from the BBC.
Ross County lost their first game back in the First Division when they entertained Dundee in Dingwall (1-2).New signing Mickael Curier scored from the penalty spot and Eric Paton added a second fifteen minutes later. Former Aberdeen player Dyron Daal scored for the Staggies. Match report from the BBC.
Partick Thistle beat Dunfermline (1-0), Stephen McKeown leaving it to three minutes from time to get the winner. Match report from the BBC.
Another team leaving it late to get the points was Clyde. Inside Left's favourite Football Manager 2008 player Neil McGregor scored in extra time to share the points. John Newby has earlier scored for Morton. The 'Ton had Brian Wake sent off jut before the end for his second bookable offence. Final score 1-1. Match report from the BBC.
The game at Palmerston Park between Queen of the South and Airdrie finished goalless. Get the match report from the BBC.
Scottish Division 2
Brechin got off to winning ways when they beat Stirling Albion (2-1). Brechin Defender David White put the ball in his own net after Gary Twig had given the Hedgemen the lead on the half hour. With five minutes to go, Darren Smith secured the points. Match report from the BBC.
Peterhead continued their good form as they beat new boys East Fife at the Bayview Stadium (0-2). Graham Sharp and Craig Gunn got the goals for the Blue Toon. Match report from the BBC.
Queens Park and Stranraer played out an exciting draw (2-2). Stranraer where two goals up (Gregory Tade and Martin McBride) and one man down (Alex White, professional foul) going into half time, but the Spiders fought back as Robert Dunn scored just after the restart and Paul Cairney scoring from the penalty spot. Match report from the BBC.
Ayr United and Raith Rovers played out the second goalless draw of the day (0-0). Match report from the BBC.
Scottish Division 3
Berwick got their first points on the board as they beat East Stirling (2-1). Darren Gribben and John Dillon got the goals for Berwick. Andy Rodgers scored for East Stirling who also had Colin Cramb sent off for his second yellow card of the game. Match report from the BBC.
Another team to be reduced to ten men was Elgin City in their defeat away to Stenhousemuir (3-0). The unlucky player was Kenny Gilbert. Andrew Brand scored twice and Steven Hampshire added the third. Match report from the BBC.
Dumbarton and Montrose fought out a draw (1-1). Ross Clark equalised from the penalty spot with seven minutes to go after he was fouled in the box. The foul meant a red card for Jay Stein. Paul Stewart had scored earlier for Montrose. Match report from the BBC.
Forfar Athletic beat Albion Rovers (1-3). Kevin McLeish scored from the penalty spot on fifteen minutes. Albion equalised through Bobby Barr just before half-time. Craig Winter and Stephen Manson added two more after the interval to give the Loons the three points. Match report from the BBC.
So let's see how this leaves the tables at the end of the first day. Early days yet we know, but who would have put Annan Athletic at the top of the table after their first game? Not us, that's for sure. St Johnstone, Dundee and Partick Thistle take up the same positions they held pretty much throughout last season. In the Second, newly promoted Arbroath lead the table, followed by goal-machine Peterhead.
| Divis ion 1 | Division 2 | Division 3 |
| 1. St Johnstone | 1. Arbroath | 1. Annan |
It's back in the saddle for the teams in the lower leagues on Tuesday and Wednesday when the first round of the League Cup takes place. Can Annan Athletic build on their victory today when they take on Dumbarton? Can basement boys Alloa and Elgin get some good news when they play each other, and will Peterhead finally concede a goal when they take on First Division Dunfermline? Tune in next week to find out!
Highland League
The game of the day though was at Grant Park, Lossiemouth as Fort William travelled up the road hoping to get their season under their new management team off to a good start. Sadly it was not to be their day as the Fort went down 4-1. Things started badly as former Lossiemouth player Mudi Ewere scored an own goal just before half-time. Richard Finie equalised for Fort William after the restart, before Man of the Match Sean McIntosh and then Martin McMullan scored for Lossiemouth to kill the tie. A crowd of 137 turned up to watch this game perhaps hoping to catch a glimpse of the Paul McDonald revolution at Fort William, but with no American imports to arrive this year, we fear the end to high-scoring games of last season is not in sight just yet.
Attendances
In all the games played today, a total of 21,931 people turned up to watch their teams. Top attendance was up in Dingwall where 3,444 people watched Ross County lose to Dundee. The lowest attendance was at the Albion Rovers game against Forfar where 289 people turned up. Across the divisions 13,780 watched a First Division game, 4,036 watched a Second Division game and 2,355 turned up to cheer on the games in the Third Division.
In Other News
Rangers where in action today in a friendly against Liverpool at Ibrox. Not a good day for the Gers as they lost 4-0. Fernando Torres scored for Liverpool. Concern about the performances of late are starting to surface, not least from Walter himself. It was again hinted at today that Rangers have not given up the hunt for Fulham midfielder Steven Davis. Following the acquisition of Madjid Bougherra from Charlton, there is still money left in the kitty at Ibrox and Smith believes Davis can strengthen the midfield in the absence of influential captain Barry Ferguson.
Hibernian continued their losing pre-season streak when they lost 3-2 to Middlesborough with Stephen Fletcher getting both the Hibs goals.
A brilliant goal by Francisco Sandaza helped Dundee United beat Plymouth (managed by former United player and manager Paul Sturrock) by 1-0.
Somewhat disappointingly (not to mention worryingly), the game between Aberdeen and Go Ahead Eagles was cancelled due to fears of crowd trouble following a game last Saturday involving ex- Manchester United defender Jaap Stam against former club Zwolle. There was some good news for the Dons as Tommy Wright looks set to sign for club on Monday.
Upcoming Games
Some upcoming games to keep you going: Celtic take on Feyenoord tomorrow in Rotterdam. On Tueday Rangers play the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against FB Kaunas in Lithunia. Rangers need to win this game not only to salvage their pride but also to get the large cash boost that qualification will give them. Wednesday sees Celtic in action again, this time at home to Manchester City. Celtic lost to Spurs 2-0 the other day prompting manager Gordon Strachan to respond to critics, pointing out the large difference in spending between the two sides. The two goal scorers in that game, Bent and Bently, cost a cool £32.5m, roughly six times what Strachan has been given to spend according to some reports. Still, it wont stop them winning the league again with his "threadbare" squad, which says something for the rest of the SPL, we think.
And once all that is out of the way, Saturday rolls around again as the second round of games in the Scottish Football Leagues take place, as well as the start of the Scottish Premier League. Later on this week we'll be previewing the games, but wont bother predicting the scores - we'll leave that to the professionals. Until then, see ya!
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