Tough tests for Irvine teams

Dec 11 2009 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

IRVINE Meadow boss Chris Strain has hailed Saturdays Scottish Junior Cup win as a good, professional job well done.

“Hillhead got stuck in about us but the second goal sickened them and after that we just knocked the ball about and opened them up,” he added.

It’s back to league business now with a tricky trip to Lanark on Saturday and Strain expects his players top be in for a really tough time.

“Lanark had a great win at the weekend and new manager Tam McDonald will be desperate to haul them out of the drop zone,” he added.

“We lost there last time round so know what to expect.”

Brian McGinty and Steven Swift look like missing out but everyone else is fit and well.

Meadow will be idle over the festive period but Strain will use one of the free weekends to watch Scottish Cup opponents Hibs at Ibrox.

Irvine Vics have been building up a nice head of steam and Manager Rab Madden was disappointed to see the momentum interrupted when the game at Craigmark was called off.

“We really fancied it but unfortunately it was not to be,” said Madden.

"We now face league leaders Kello at home in what is a massive game for us as a win would bring us right into contention and we should have a full squad.

“I felt we didn’t do ourselves justice down there when we lost 3-2 but we are a better side now and I will encourage the players to go and have a go.”

There's a much brighter air around Abbey Park right now after Kilwinning Rangers quietly moved into third place with a hard-fought win over promotion rivals Winton Rovers.

Manager Billy Thomson's only complaint was that once again his side was caught on the break for Winton’s goal, but he was thrilled at what he said was “a terrific result.”

“We now travel to Hurlford on Saturday and then meet Irvine Vics the following week so that means we've still to play the bottom six while the top teams are hopefully cutting each other's throats.”

Buffs have Michael Fulton back and he should soon be up to match fitness.

They are always capable of scoring goals but have a tendency to give then away at the other end and, if Thomson can cure that, he'll have a team which will take a bit of catching.

Thomson was not naming any names but is confident of having a well-known new face in the ranks for Saturday's visit to Blair Park.

Bitterly disappointed Dalry Thistle boss John Garroch must try to rally his troops before making the difficult trip to face Clydebank on Saturday.

“We didn't get the rub of the green at Glenafton last week and that's the second time this season they've beaten us after we looked the better team,” said Garroch. “I felt we deserved at least a draw

The Merksworth manager also felt his side were the victims of some debatable refereeing decisions – and not for the first time this season.

“We simply have to pick up points against Clydebank if we don't want to be cast adrift,” added Garroch.

“It's a very difficult game, however Andy Bell is our only doubt so we'll go there and give it everything.”

Meanwhile new Ardeer Thistle boss Dougie McGuire hopes to finally get his managerial career off the ground with a visit to Troon.