Fans turn out to pay tribute to club legend

Jul 23 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

Fans turn out to pay tribute to club legend

THE Junior Scottish Cup sat proudly in front of the main stand at Murrayfield Park on Saturday but all eyes were firmly on the man of the moment — Mark Campbell.

Campbell has served Blackburn loyally as both a player and as boss and as the club welcomed Junior Scottish Cup holders Auchinleck Talbot for a well earned testimonial the spotlight was firmly on the popular figure.

The action on the pitch exploded into action almost from the off and Ryan Donnelly almost gave the hosts a dream start when he danced past several Talbot challenges on the left before drilling the ball just past the far post.

At the other end Auchinleck rattled the bar and then the post in quick succession.

Campbell subbed himself from the heat of the battle on the quarter hour mark and a few minutes later the heavens opened with torrential rain battering the players.

Several switches in succession of the personnel can undermine the cohesion of the team and so it proved as following a host of second-half changes Blackburn conceded three swift goals.

Boyle started the goal rush on 71 minutes before Mallan doubled the Ayrshire side’s lead a minute later. Then on 74 minutes Slavin steered a penalty kick past Carlin in the Blackburn goal after being brought down by Gary Crooks.

Man of the hour Mark Campbell brought himself back on for the final 15 minutes of the match where lined up alongside his son Danny, top scorer with the treble winning under 16 side last season, in a moment he will cherish.

The teenager looked the part and caused the Talbot rearguard a host of problems with his movement and trickery.

In the final minute the visitors scored their fourth and final goal after Carlin spilled a speculative long shot which allowed Talbot player manager Sloan the chance to bundle the ball into the net.

The result was the least important thing on a day when everything was about Blackburn legend Mark Campbell who fully deserved his moment.

And the man himself admitted he was delighted with the response from the supporters.

He said: “Auchinleck could have played anyone in junior or indeed senior circles but they accepted our invitation and for that I’m very grateful.

“I thoroughly enjoyed myself today even playing with my son up front. I would like to thank Auchinleck and the supporters who turned out in good numbers.

“We played well until tiring a bit late on and the Cup winners took advantage. But I’m really pleased with everyone’s help and kindness on the day.”

Blackburn United: Hunter (Carlin 45), Spence (Baxter 59), Keir, Miller, Sneddon (Gilhooley 65), Greig Crooks (Trialist - Gary Crooks 45), Williamson (McCardie 55), Brown (Fowler 65), McQuillan (Keenan 45) (Trialist - D.Campbell 75), M.Campbell (Peebles 15) (M.Campbell 75), Donnelly (Gillespie 13) (Stewart 45).