Festive gloom at Abbey Park

Dec 26 2008 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

IT’S not much fun being a Buffs fan these days. Out of the West, out of the Scottish and languishing in the relegation zone, Christmas looks anything but merry for the Abbey Park faithful and they can only hope and pray for a change of fortune after the turn of the year.

Buffs’ problems were compounded on Saturday when Alan Shields was sent off for headbutting an opponent and he’ll automatically miss Saturday’s trip to Kilsyth plus whatever else the beaks throw at him.

“It was a pretty stupid thing to do but I think it was born more out frustration than anything else,” said secretary Tommy Moore.

“We’re in a very precarious position now, second bottom and with the teams above us beginning to pull away – we have to start picking up points and we have to start doing it now.

“Maybe we’re a bit too young and could do with a couple of experienced players– but where do you get them and how can we afford them?”

Irvine Meadow don’t have their troubles to seek either as they watch the league championship slip away from them.

Realistically the Scottish Cup is their main target now but even so Chris Strain’s side will have to show a vast improvement if they are to see off the top teams.

“The game at Petershill is a really tough task and I felt a draw was just about right,” said general manager Iain McQueen. “I felt the artificial surface didn’t help either team but it was yet another disappointing result.

“Our league form hasn’t been great over the past six or seven games and it was disappointing to lose a goal after being ahead for so long.”

Meadow are still not turning their pressure and possession into goals and they face anther difficult task on Saturday when a resurgent Arthurlie – buoyed up by a great win over title favourites Pollok last weekend – come calling.

In contrast things couldn’t be much better at Irvine Vics who head for Kello knowing if they can keep their winning run going they must be in with a fantastic chance of promotion – if not the title itself.

The Westenders don’t normally come alive until after the turn of the year but this time round they have an impressive 20 points from nine games, and only one league defeat on their record.

Third-placed Vics are three points adrift of Kello but have two games in hand, so a win this weekend would be the perfect springboard for the second half of the season.

At the other end of the table Ardeer Thistle can put some distance between themselves and the bottom dogs if they can notch up a home win against Muirkirk.

While delighted at Dalry Thistle's victory in Saturday's long-running West of Scotland Cup tie, Merksworth manager John Garroch viewed the victory as a bit of a mixed blessing.

"It was a tremendous performance from the lads and they deserve great praise for keeping their discipline in the face of some very intimidating tackling," said Garroch.

"But while I'm delighted at the win it means we have yet anther game to play at a time when we are so far behind in our league programme – and that is our main priority.

"However you can't very well tell your players to go out there and lose. Once they cross that white line they want to win every game and they were very worthy winners on Saturday."

Daly are due to return to league business with a home game against Craigmark on Saturday, however the venue will depend on the weather AND the condition of Merksworth Park.

The injured John Rae misses out while Tony McCormack is on holidsay.