BACK AMONG THE GOALS

CALLUM IN HIS ASHFIELD DAYS

Whenever one talks about the current Irvine Meadow side, Callum Graham’s is the first name you think of.

He is the Ayrshire club’s top marksman in the season to date and has already notched 12 times , three more than the 9 total netted in the whole of last season’s campaign as a Pollok player, however you won’t find the level-headed 26 year old falling into the trap of thinking he’s now the finished article.

Not after his wretched experience at Newlandsfield where appearances were few and far between other than when coming off the substitutes bench towards the end of games…much to Callum’s annoyance.

The great things expected of the striker were perfectly understandable given he followed up a near 200 goals haul in five years with Motherwell Kings in the Strathclyde Churches League with another 42 strikes for Ashfield in his inaugural season at Junior level yet his consummate scoring touch all but deserted him in the top flight …until now.

He reasoned, “I wasn’t playing regularly for the first time in my footballing career and I struggled to cope as a result.

“Someone as raw as myself in what you have to remember was my first full season in the Juniors needed to get a decent run of games under my belt but it was clear from very early on that my chances to impress were at best going to be limited.

“There were no fall-outs with the manager Murdie McKinnon or anyone else at the club but what I was firmly set on doing was moving on if the opportunity arose …and it came from Irvine Meadow.

” People have said I’m much improved since coming here but it’s playing week in and week out that has made the world of difference.”

A modest Callum refuses to take it for granted that he and striking partner Connor Boyd are certain to be among the first picks on Medda boss George Grierson’s team sheet for tomorrow’s short hop through to face league leaders Darvel in arguably the Premier Division game of the day .

He added, “Connor has been playing out of his skin of late but both he and I were guilty of passing up several clear cut openings in the 2-1 victory over Troon last Saturday so George may decide to change things.

“If he doesn’t then we need to be a lot more clinical in front of goal as well as prepared to put in a hard afternoon’s running because Darvel are a team that keeps the ball for fun and make you work to get it back.

“They are the best side we’ve faced this season even if their 2-1 victory over us at Medda Park with an injury time winner suggests there is little between the teams .”

Medda gaffer Grierson admitted, “ Yes we ran them close last time but Michael Kennedy and his players are sitting top of the table for a reason and we’re kidding ourselves on if we think anything less than one of our best performances will be good enough to take them to the wire again.

“Darvel are far from unbeatable as was shown by Arthurlie turning them over but the manner of our own victory over Troon last weekend should have my players feeling confident about doing something similar

“And if we are to come up trumps then there’s no denying Callum, a lad who is a willing runner and capable of scoring great goals for the team will have a key role to play.

“He can be a right handful for any defence on the days when his turn of pace, finishing skills and great attitude come together so here’s hoping it’s tomorrow.”

Yet another couple of former Lok signings Bryan Wharton and Paul Byrne look set to feature in the Medda backline however they will doubtless be pleased at not having to contend with the physicality of Alan McKenzie due to the Darvel and one time Pollok front man incurring a one match suspension for picking up two yellow cards in the 2-0 midweek defeat of Clydebank .

MEDDA BOSS IS UP FOR THE CHALLENGE

Meanwhile ,any Darvel slip up is sure to be welcomed by their leading Premier Division title challengers Beith , two points behind in second place and steeling themselves ahead of a precarious looking journey to take on a Rob Roy side that has plummeted down to fourth from bottom spot in the standings but were resounding 3-0 winners when the teams last crossed swords.

“Outclassed, outran, outmuscled, and well beaten on the day” said Beith boss Chris Strain on reflecting back to his team’s mid-September battering.

“My guys played poorly but that’s not intended to take anything away from Rob Roy (managed by current Pollok manager Stewart Maxwell back then) because they deservedly gave us the mother of all goings over so you can rest assured my players will be warned to ignore recent form and afford them the utmost respect.”

Beith supporters will be heartened by the return of defensive cornerstone Danny O’Neil following a one match ban however a fresh suspension hammer blow has top scorer Josh Fowler ruled out of the Guys Meadow contest.

His enforced absence along with this week’s decision to allow busy front man Jay Mackay to join Petershill on loan could well result in a starting jersey being thrown in the direction of Kit Cummins .

In other top flight contests, Arthurlie report a clean bill of health ahead of their Somervell Park clash with bottom markers Cambuslang Rangers but a hamstring injury has Mark Sideserf looking a definite non-starter for Pollok’s head to head away to Hurlford United which may pose something of a defensive headache for gaffer Stewart Maxwell if stopper pair Callum Gow and Scott Rumsby are again posted missing through injury.

In the round of South Challenge Cup ties taking place, reigning trophy holders Auchinleck Talbot are strongly fancied to get the better of Beechwood Park visitors Broxburn Athletic however hard not to believe top billing belongs to the nearby showdown between Premier Division pair Cumnock v Troon or indeed the Loch Park meeting of Glenafton v Drumchapel United which ever since the Fourth Round draw was made has given rise to hopes of a major Cup upset .

On the comings and goings front, Glenafton have completed the loan signing of feted 37 year old Ayr United marksman Michael Moffat while Ryan Sinnamon , newly released by Pollok at his own request , is reputedly in training with Auchinleck Talbot .

And no definite word as yet from Kilwinning Rangers with regard to their managerial vacancy though one hears the names of out of work quartet Chris Aitken, Colin Spence, Craig Potter, Murdie McKinnon as well as current Largs Thistle boss Stuart Davidson are among those being touted to fill the sought after post.

WEEKEND GAMES: ( Kick Offs 1.30 PM unless stated): South Challenge Cup.Gartcairn v Bo’ness Athletic, Auchinleck Talbot v Broxburn Athletic ,Tranent v Linlithgow Rose, Spartans v Dunipace, Newton Stewart v Stirling University, Lochar Thistle v Maryhill, Glenafton v Drumchapel Utd, Kilwinning Rangers v Lothian Thistle, Vale of Clyde v Thornton Hibs, Cumnock v Troon, Maybole v Clydebank, Threave Rovers v Whitletts Vics, Fauldhouse Utd v Sauchie, Dundonald Bluebell v Shotts Bon Accord, Caledonian Braves v Bo’ness Utd, Rossvale v East Kilbride F.C. P.D.M Buildbase Premier Division. Petershill v Largs Thistle (Tonight 7.30PM),Cambuslang Rangers v Arthurlie, Rob Roy v Beith, Hurlford Utd v Pollok, Darvel v Irvine Meadow.PDM Buildbase First Division. Whitletts Vics v Shotts Bon Accord, Thorniewood Utd v Cumbernauld Utd, Benburb v Rutherglen Glencairn, Bonnyton Thistle v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Johnstone Burgh v St Rochs, Blantyre Vics v Neilston.PDM Buildbase Second Division. Craigmark v Muirkirk, Glasgow Utd v Kilsyth Rangers, Ashfield v Wishaw, Forth Wanderers v Renfrew,Yoker Athletic v Glasgow University. PDM Buildbase Third Division. Finnart v Irvine Vics, Royal Albert v Bellshill Athletic, Kello Rovers v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, East Kilbride Thistle v Lanark Utd, Dalry Thistle v Vale of Leven, Girvan v Saltcoats Vics, Larkhall Thistle v Newmains Utd, Carluke Rovers v Lugar Boswell, Port Glasgow v Lesmahagow. PDM Buildbase Fourth Division. Glenvale v St Peters, Harmony Row v Campbeltown Pupils,.Threave Rovers v West Park Utd, Rossvale Academy v Thorn Athletic, Kilsyth Athletic v BSC Glasgow, Eglinton v Easterhouse F.A.

Regards

Jim O’Donnell