Doc can cure Irvine Meadow's ills

Jan 9 2009 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

IRVINE Meadow have called in the Doc in a bid to solve their growing injury crisis. And a three-month chase ended on Saturday when manager Chris Strain finally snapped up midfielder Stephen Docherty from Bathgate.

The Irvine outfit have been looking at the 32-year-old since November and, while he may not have arrived in time to save their league campaign, there’s no doubt he has been signed with the Scottish Cup in mind.

“Doc”, pictured, started his career with Pollok and, ironically could make his Meadow debut at Newlandsfield in the crucial league clash with the Glasgow giants on Saturday.

The classy midfielder also had spells with Partick Thistle, twice, Clydebank and Airdrie, and scored Airdrie United’s first ever goal, in a 1–0 win over Forfar Athletic at New Broomfield in their inaugural Scottish League match.

He also captained the club and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2007.

Scotland star Docherty, 32, then returned to the Junior ranks with Bathgate Thistle and played a vital role in their 2-1 win over Cumnock in last season’s Scottish Cup Final.

He didn’t play for the Creamery Park outfit in this season’s 3-2 Scottish Cup defeat at defeat at Meadow Park because he was recovering from a knee operation and that is an added bonus for his new club.

“Stevie was out injured when we beat Bathgate and the fact that he isn’t cup-tied was a major factor in us going for him,” said Meadow secretary Iain McQueen.

“We looked at him some time ago but put it on the back burner for a while.

“However, Mark Crilly and Davie Hamilton – who are basically our engine room – are both likely to be out for a few weeks, and Zander Ryan, Gavin Friels, Stephen Swift and Kevin McBride are all in the doubtful category for the trip to Pollok on this weekend.

“So, in the end, Chris decided to make the move on Friday and Stephen signed after passing a medical on Saturday morning.”

The new boy arrives just in time for Meadow’s last chance to haul themselves back into the title race.

Pollok are currently six points ahead of the Irvine outfit with two games in hand so Meadow really have to win against a side which has been their bogey team over the years.

“It’s pretty much make or break on Saturday and we simply must peg them back,” added McQueen.

“Chris has major personnel problems but it’s a chance for the fringe players to make an impact and it will also be interesting to see if Docherty and Frankie Haggarty, who’s coming back to hs best after a lengthy lay-off, can strike up a midfield partnership.”

It’s a must-win scenario for Kilwinning Rangers too as the Abbey Park outfit entertain bottom dogs Hurlford.

Buffs’ league form has been absolutely wretched so far with just one win and six points from nine games.

Victory on Saturday would se them open up a gap on John Crawford’s side, however if Hurlford claim the points they will leave Gary Faulds’ men rooted to the bottom of the table. Buffs don’t have the wherewithal to buy themselves out of trouble but Faulds managed to strengthen his side this week by re-instating defender John McStay from Albion Rovers.

There’s a crunch clash in the Ayrshire League too where Irvine Vics entertain league leaders Kello Rovers in a game which, even at this stage of the season, could go a long way to deciding who goes up.

Third-placed Vics are just five points behind the leaders but have two games in hand so a win on Saturday would be a huge boost to their championship hopes. The Westenders in excellent form as the year drew to a close and hope to pick up where they left off before the break.

Ironically the enforced break allowed most of Vics’ injury problems to clear up and they go into the game stronger than ever.

Striker Tam Cunningham has been suffering from flu but is expected to be available, while keeper Chris McCue is still recovering from a broken arm.

Elsewhere in the division Dalry Thistle are still without injured midfielder John Rae as they bid to get their league campaign back on the rails at Whitletts, while second-bottom Ardeer Thistle meet a rejuvenated Troon at Portland Park.