Club Night 16/10/23

Subbuteo Night Celebrates 48-Year Rivalry and Exciting Matches

The GTSA witnessed a night filled with nostalgia, fierce competition, and thrilling matches as the players came together to celebrate a monumental occasion – a 48-year rivalry match between GLADMAN and FLEMING. The storied history between these two players reached its pinnacle on the club’s 50th-anniversary year.

The Historic Rivalry: GLADMAN vs. FLEMING

Extract from Scottish Table Soccer Association newsletter

Arguably one of the longest-running rivalries in the club’s history, GLADMAN and FLEMING faced off in a league match that held immense significance. Their competitive history dates back almost half a century, making it a momentous occasion for both players and the club. Both competitors entered the match unbeaten in the league, with GLADMAN proudly boasting a clean sheet, having not conceded a goal in the tournament.

While the match ended without goals, it was a spectacle of entertaining Subbuteo action. Chances came and went in both halves, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. The spirit in which the game was played was commendable, marking a fitting tribute to this long rivalry and the club’s 50th anniversary.

League Results Showcase Competitive Spirit

The night’s league matches were marked by intense competition and impressive performances:

  • FLEMING and GLADMAN finished in a goalless draw in their historic clash.
  • JACK faced a formidable FLEMING and suffered a 0-4 defeat.
  • HALPIN narrowly edged out SPOORS in a hard-fought contest, with a final score of 2-1.

Check the league table here.

Association Cup and Glasgow Cup Matches

The Association Cup witnessed a tense encounter, with JACK and GLADMAN locking horns. The match concluded with GLADMAN emerging victorious with a narrow 1-0 win.

In the Glasgow Cup group stage, HALPIN and BURNS battled it out, resulting in a 0-2 victory for BURNS.

Handicap Cup Thrills and Challenge Matches

The Handicap Cup provided its own dose of excitement:

  • GREGORY and FLEMING engaged in a thrilling match that ended in a 4-4 draw. However, FLEMING claimed victory in the shootout, prevailing 2-1 on shots.
  • WRIGHT secured a hard-fought 3-2 win over HALPIN in another Handicap Cup match.
Willie Fleming wins the shoot-out 2-1

Three challenge matches rounded off the evening’s action:

  • GREGORY faced a formidable BURNS and was met with a 0-5 defeat.
  • SPOORS took on WRIGHT, but WRIGHT proved dominant, winning 5-1.
  • In a match of flair, GLADMAN defeated GREGORY with a score of 2-1.

As the Subbuteo season continues, the spirit of camaraderie, rivalry, and sheer talent displayed by these players promises more electrifying matches and memorable moments. Stay tuned for more thrilling Subbuteo action as the club’s anniversary year unfolds.

Club Night 9/11/23

2022-23 Glasgow Cup Semi-final Thriller: BUTLER Triumphs Over BURNS

After some unavoidable delays, the highly-anticipated semi-final of last year’s Glasgow Cup finally took place.  The match pitted two of the club’s top players against each other: BUTLER and BURNS. What ensued was a breath-taking contest that ended in a 2-2 draw, leading to a nerve-wracking shootout to determine the winner.  BUTLER’s precision and composure in front of goal proved decisive, as he clinched victory 4-1 in the shootout, thus securing his spot in the final.

20222-23 Glasgow Cup Final: BUTLER Claims Victory Over Newcomer SMITH

Glasgow Cup Finalists

Fresh off his intense semifinal, BUTLER faced off against club newcomer SMITH in the Glasgow Cup final.  Despite SMITH’s remarkable journey to the final in his inaugural year at the club, BUTLER’s experience shone through.  The match ended with BUTLER emerging as the champion, winning comfortably with a scoreline of 5-0.  A hearty congratulations to both competitors for their outstanding performances.

Dave Butler lifts the cup

Glasgow Cup Group Stages Continue

This year’s Glasgow Cup group stages kicked into gear, delivering intriguing matchups and results:

  • WRIGHT narrowly defeated SMITH with a score of 2-1.
  • GREGORY and ANDREONI battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
  • FLEMING and HALPIN also ended their match in a 1-1 stalemate.
  • ANDREONI secured a convincing 2-0 victory over GLADMAN.

League Matches Unveil Surprises

The league matches provided their own share of surprises and standout performances:

  • FLEMING took on GREGORY, emerging victorious with a 3-1 scoreline.
  • GLADMAN claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win against SMITH.
  • BURNS displayed his dominance, beating WRIGHT 6-1.
Danny Gregory takes on Willie Fleming

With these results, GLADMAN now sits at the top of the league table with a perfect record of four wins out of four matches and he has yet to concede a single goal.  His impressive form has firmly established him as a force to be reckoned with this season.

Stay tuned for updates as this season’s excitement continues to unfold.

Club Night 2/10/23

GTSA gathered once again for a thrilling evening of precision flicking and heart-pounding matches. With league matches, Glasgow Cup group stages and friendly challenges on the menu, the evening was packed with excitement and surprises.

League Matches:

BARI Falls to JACK and GLADMAN, McKENZIE Takes Down WRIGHT

The league matches set the stage for some fierce competition. In a series of closely fought contests:

  • BARI was on the front foot for most of his match against JACK but he made two catastrophic defensive errors which allowed JACK to secure a 2-0 victory.
  • BARI then had another tough outing, this time against GLADMAN, and once again he failed to find the back of the net, losing 0-2.
  • McKENZIE showcased his skills as he triumphed over WRIGHT, with a final score of 3-1.

Glasgow Cup Group Stages: BUTLER Dominates

The Glasgow Cup group stages added to the excitement, with one player making a significant impact:

  • BUTLER delivered a masterclass performance in his match against WRIGHT, netting an impressive eight goals and conceding three, resulting in an 8-3 victory for BUTLER.
  • McKENZIE also faced the formidable BUTLER, but despite his valiant effort, he couldn’t halt BUTLER’s march, and the match ended 1-3 in favour of BUTLER.
Dave Butler on the defensive!

Friendly Challenges: GREGORY Shines

The friendly challenge matches provided a different flavour to the evening’s proceedings, offering players a chance to engage in spirited, non-competitive encounters. Notable results included:

  • JACK and GREGORY engaged in a close battle, with GREGORY ultimately emerging victorious with a score of 2-1.
  • GREGORY continued to impress, securing a narrow 1-0 victory over GLADMAN.
Danny Gregory on his way to two Challenge League victories

The players demonstrated their dedication and passion for the game. The evening was filled with intense moments, showcasing the skill and sportsmanship that define Subbuteo at its finest.

As the season unfolds, fans and players can anticipate even more thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes in the world of our miniature table-top soccer.  Stay tuned for updates as the action continues to heat up on the Subbuteo pitch in Knightswood.

Club Night 25/9/23

GTSA Evening Unveils Thrilling Matches and Surprises

Club’s Second Match Night of the New Season

GTSA gathered once again for an evening of precision flicking and nail-biting moments as they embarked on the second match night of the new season. With unfinished business from the previous season lingering in the air, players took to the pitch with gusto and determination.

Handicap Cup Final: WRIGHT Triumphs Over SPOORS

The opponents, separated by referee Willie Fleming

The Handicap Cup final was the highlight of the evening, featuring a showdown between two equally matched contenders, WRIGHT and SPOORS. With both players sporting the same handicap level, a closely contested match was anticipated. As the game unfolded, however, SPOORS found himself making critical errors upon which WRIGHT masterfully capitalised. The final scoreline painted a clear picture of WRIGHT’s dominance, with the match concluding 6-0 in favour of one of the season’s newcomers.

Chad Wright receives his trophy

Glasgow Cup Semifinal Upset: SMITH Outpaces HALPIN

In a surprising twist from last season’s Glasgow Cup semifinal, the newcomer SMITH clashed with club veteran HALPIN. The result was a fiercely contested match that ended with SMITH prevailing 2-1. The victory secured SMITH’s place in the Glasgow Cup final, marking a remarkable debut season for the Subbuteo player.

League Matches Unleash Frenzied Action

League matches added to the electric atmosphere of the evening as competitors battled for supremacy. Here are the results from the heated encounters:

  • SPOORS 1-7 BURNS: A dominant performance by BURNS left SPOORS struggling to keep up.
  • GLADMAN 2-0 MCKENZIE: GLADMAN secured a comfortable win over MCKENZIE.
  • SMITH 3-0 GREGORY: SMITH displayed formidable skills, defeating GREGORY.
  • FLEMING 2-0 WRIGHT: FLEMING’s precise flicking secured him a win against WRIGHT.
  • HALPIN 1-3 BURNS: BURNS continued his winning streak, overpowering HALPIN.
  • SMITH 3-2 WRIGHT: SMITH managed to edge past WRIGHT in a thrilling match.
  • GREGORY 0-2 MCKENZIE: MCKENZIE maintained his composure, sealing a victory against GREGORY.
Tom Burns faces John Halpin

Glasgow Cup Match Group Stages Heat Up

The Glasgow Cup match group stages also saw intense competition with two exciting fixtures:

  • GLADMAN 3-0 GREGORY: GLADMAN demonstrated his prowess with a convincing win over GREGORY.
  • FLEMING 1-4 BURNS: BURNS continued his dominance, securing another win in the group stage.

Friendly Challenge: FLEMING Takes On WRIGHT

In a friendly challenge match, FLEMING faced off against WRIGHT, resulting in a 2-0 victory for FLEMING. This friendly encounter showcased the camaraderie and competitive spirit that makes Subbuteo evenings at the club so enjoyable for all.

As the Club’s season continues to unfold, we can look forward to more thrilling matches, surprises and intense competition on the miniature pitch. Stay tuned for updates as the club’s talented flickers battle for supremacy.

New Season Begins

The club’s 50th-anniversary season began with a bang. A bit of unfinished business from last season, however, still had to be completed. With two quarter-finals and two semi-finals yet to be decided from the previous season’s Handicap Cup, anticipation ran high.

In the first quarter-final, JACK and BERRY clashed in a thrilling match. JACK held a one-goal advantage, but BERRY’s resilience prevailed, securing a 5-3 victory. As a result, BERRY advanced to the first semi-final, where he would face SPOORS.

The second quarter-final featured a closely contested showdown between BUTLER and FLEMING. FLEMING started with a one-goal lead, and when regular time ended in a 1-1 draw, the game headed into an exhilarating shootout. FLEMING emerged triumphant with a 3-2 shootout victory, earning him a spot in the second semi-final against WRIGHT.

In the first semi-final, SPOORS, armed with a one-goal advantage, squared off against BERRY. SPOORS showcased his prowess, winning the match 2-0 and securing a coveted spot in the Handicap Cup final.

The second semi-final witnessed WRIGHT, starting with a two goal lead, taking on FLEMING. Although FLEMING managed to score a late goal, he couldn’t find an equaliser, and WRIGHT claimed the match 2-1, earning his spot in the final.

The Handicap Cup final, set for a later date, will be a highly anticipated battle between WRIGHT and SPOORS. With both players having the same handicap we can expect an intense showdown to determine the 2022-23 Handicap Cup champion.

Brian Spoors
Chad Wright

In addition to the Handicap Cup excitement, the season also saw four league games that showcased some thrilling action:

ANDREONI dominated GREGORY with a resounding 5-1 victory.

The defending league champion, BUTLER, maintained his strong performance, defeating Handicap Cup finalist SPOORS 5-0.

ANDREONI faced a challenging match against club stalwart GLADMAN, resulting in a 0-3 loss.

HALPIN delivered an impressive performance with a 3-0 victory over JACK.

As the season’s early fixtures unfolded, BUTLER finds himself back in familiar territory, occupying the top spot on the league table, building on his success from last season.

Last night also saw the introduction of the inaugural Friendly Challenge competition. In an exciting debut match, WRIGHT faced GREGORY. In a surprising turn of events, GREGORY emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline, beating the higher-ranked player and earning three points. This new addition of a competitive edge to friendly matches promises to add an extra layer of excitement to the club’s fixtures.

As the 50th-anniversary season unfolds, the club eagerly anticipate more exciting matches and memorable moments. Stay tuned for updates on the Handicap Cup final, Association Cup Final, Glasgow Cup Final and the league standings as the season progresses. Here’s to another remarkable season of table football!

Dave Butler

Glasgow IO Plate

Final: Martin Bellefontaine v Andy Beskaby

Barrage

M Bevilacqua 3 0 B Ashley  
G Harrington 1 3 B Bari  
C Wright 0 3 M Bellefontaine  
G Badger 0 1 F Skinner  
O Mac Eό 0 0 A Fitzpatrick 0-2 sh
D Kaliszewski 3 2 C Thom  
F McKenzie 3 0 L Watson  

Last 16

M Bevilacqua 5 0 B Spoors  
B Bari 0 1 J Halpin  
M Bellefontaine w/o   K Smith  
F Skinner 1 1 J Harrington 1-2 sh
A Fitzpatrick 1 1 C Tarry 1-3 sh
D Kaliszewski 0 4 A Beskaby  
F McKenzie 0 0 C Matthews 0-3 sh
O Micheletti 2 0 D Gregory  

Last 8

M Bevilacqua 1 1 J Halpin 2-1 sh
M Bellefontaine 2 0 J Harrington  
C Tarry 0 0 A Beskaby 1-3 sh
C Matthews 2 1 O Micheletti  

Semi-Finals

M Bevilacqua 0 1 M Bellefontaine  
A Beskaby 1 1 C Matthews 3-1 sh

Final

M Bellefontaine 0 0 A Beskaby 3-1 sh
Plate Winner: Martin Bellefontaine
Baver Bari v John Halpin
Danny Gregory v Oriano Micheletti
Colin Tarry v Andy Fitzpatrick
Brian Spoors v Marco Bevilacqua

Glasgow IO: a personal perspective

Chad Wright gives his impressions of his first FISTF tournament:

My first experience playing in an International Open came at the Glasgow IO in mid February. Having only started playing in the Glasgow Club the previous summer it was an event I had been really looking forward to and it didn’t fail to excite and entertain.

I was impressed with how well the event was organised and run and even more impressed with the level of skill in the players present: watching guys like Chris Thomas and Chris Short who make the game look so easy and up and coming stars like under 16’s Ruby Matthews who left a trail of very good players in her wake as she progressed to the team finals with Wobbly Hobby A team.

My own personal highlight, however, was playing in my first game on the Saturday in the individuals against Lawrence Watson from Derry City. For those who don’t know, Lawrence has a youtube channel (Watsies Subbuteo Art) promoting entertaining off-the-cuff videos on our beautiful miniature game and the players involved.  

I came off the better in the game managing to keep a clean sheet in the process. But Lawrence was full of anticipation for the coming matches and was excited for the rest of the event. Our paths met again, however, as I was drawn to referee his last match in the Sunday team event Derry City V Edinburgh’s Golazzo. He was a near broken man, exclaiming he had played so badly and hadn’t even managed to score a single goal. Things weren’t getting any better! By half time he was 4-0 down to Marco Bevilacqua. His mood dropped further, intimating that he was going to give up the game as he was so bad (Obviously Lawrence’s words were a bit more colourful!). I said in passing to just keep trying, get a goal before he goes, a highlight to take away!! His team were shouting over encouragement too.

10 minutes into the second half Lawrence was now 6-0 down. It was looking like he was leaving Glasgow goalless! But a missed flick by Marco with 3 minutes to go gave Lawrence possession just on the halfway line. He worked it up the pitch and passed the ball through Marco’s defence to the 18-yard line. Marco got a great blocking flick from a wide player, goal side of the ball. Lawrence measured the shot and executed the flick… The ball hit the defender and lifted into the air, over the keeper and under the crossbar…. YESSSSSSSSSSS!!!! Even as the referee I let out a cheer, Marco too, high fives all round. Just that one goal is all it takes to keep you coming back!!!’

GTSA Cup Draws

The draws have been made for the Association and Handicap Cups

Association Cup

Bye: R McKenzie

FlemingvG McKenzie
JackvButler
S McKenzievSpoors
SmithvBurns
GregoryvHouston
BerryvGladman
WrightvHalpin

Handicap Cup

Bye: Gregory

R McKenzievSmith
BurnsvWright
HoustonvBerry
HalpinvButler
SpoorsvGladman
S McKenzievJack
FlemingvG McKenzie

Club Night 3/10/22

A good turnout of 10 players saw 11 league matches played. Two wins apiece for Tom Burns and Dave Butler consolidated their positions at the top of the league. Both have the same goal difference but Burns has scored two more goals. Butler, however, has a game in hand. Butler almost had a fright against the quickly improving Kevin Smith but but just managed to edge out the newcomer by 3-2. Burns too had to work hard to overcome Ronnie McKenzie, the latter playing his season opener.

Elsewhere Dave Gladman moved up to third with two victories and Danny Gregory recorded his first points by defeating David Jack.

Check out the scores and league table here.

McKenzie lines up……..
McKenzie scores!
Gregory gets his first win
A busy night at the club

New Season Begins

The new season kicked off on the 22nd August with 10 players attending. It was a busy night with 10 league matches played.

A random draw of fixtures resulted in last year’s title contenders, Tom Burns and Dave Butler pitched against one another. It was Butler who came out on top and with a second victory over Brian Spoors he moves to the top of the table. Also on six points but behind on goal difference is Malcolm Lees who returns to the league after a six year gap.

It was a good night for newcomers Kevin Smith and Chad Wright who both won their first match and then played out a thrilling 3-3 draw against each other.

Gladman02Lees
Gregory14Smith
Burns13Butler
Spoors01Wright
Jack03Halpin
Lees30Halpin
Spoors05Butler
Jack05Burns
Wright33Smith
Gregory04Gladman

Check out the league table here.