CARROLL SINGS HIS TEAM’S PRAISES

WILL GARY LEAD FROM THE FRONT?

There is no question that on their good days, Arthurlie have been something of a delight to watch but alas their good days for the most part this season, have been few and far between.

Anyone needing statistical evidence for this statement only has to take a glance at an 11 defeats in 20 league matches record to date which has left Barrhead’s finest occupying third from bottom spot in the Premier Division standings and facing a massive test of nerve and character in order to avoid what is emerging as a distinctly possible relegation fate.

And let’s not overlook the human factor, no better typified by their abrupt “parting of the ways” with erstwhile gaffer Craig Palmer just two weeks past in the aftermath of losing 2-1 at home to basement rivals Troon.

Club officials didn’t see the need to advertise their vacancy following Palmer’s departure …Why would they when no less than one of their former player greats and hugely successful ex-Beith boss Johnny Millar was available and reckoned to be both willing and waiting in the East Renfrewshire town’s wings …however his subsequent and gleefully announced appointment was to result in a quite extraordinary double-whammy.

Firstly, there was the disappointment felt last Saturday after his and backroom team allies Stevie Convery and Mark McLaughlin’s first game in charge saw them oversee yet another 2-1 defeat, this time inflicted by Largs Thistle, but even more of an unanticipated surprise came through a resignation statement released by Millar in the immediate wake of the Dunterlie contest which read as follows…

“I would like to firstly apologise to all the committee members, players and fans but I need to be honest with myself and realise that I am not the man to take Arthurlie forward.”

“ I had retired from football and to be honest I only considered returning as it was my local club and a club I held in high esteem but I let my heart rule my head when accepting the job.”

“After the game today I realise that my time in football is done as I no longer have the drive and hunger that is required. I am sorry to let people down but it has not been an easy decision.

“Lastly I would like to wish everyone at Arthurlie all the very best for the future”

Despite being caught unawares on this occasion??? Arthurlie’s beleaguered Committee have moved swiftly to invite applications for their hotseat but the getting a `new manager in the door ` process is likely to take some considerable time even though there are eminently experienced candidates out there …albeit all with a Pollok connection… such as Murdie McKinnon, Bryan Young, Tony McInally and Budgie McGhie, spending their weekends with nothing more than a watching brief from the terracings ( Davie Gormley would have been among this number but for him being appointed Thorniewood United manager).

Fevered discussions about who could and should take over are sure to ensue but in the meantime, Arthurlie must attempt to pick up points to improve their current sorry predicament therefore ardent supporters will have been heartened by the midweek 1-1 draw away to fellow strugglers Kilwinning Rangers for whom a second half Thomas Collins penalty kick score cancelled out Dale Simeon’s opener for the Barrhead outfit.

Lie skipper Gary Carroll, assisted by Senior players Callum Nolan and Lance Pearce, assumed the near eleventh hour responsibility for looking after team affairs down in the Ayrshire hotbed so to come away with a share of the spoils indicates he made a more than decent fist of it but a sure to be stiffer examination of his managerial nous awaits tomorrow in the shape of a Newlandsfield head to head against long standing foes Pollok .

The 33 year old ‘s participation at the Buffs Park was confined to the trackside after he dropped himself from the Millar selected line-up against Largs in favour of introducing Jordan Shelvey, while yet another notable change, thought to be illness enforced, saw Michael McNeil replaced by Callum Shields however it remains to be seen whether Carroll believes his should be more of a playing role in the derby contest.

Going for a same again starting X1 sets up the intriguing facet of Carroll locking dugout horns with Lok boss Stewart Maxwell, in a previous life his gaffer for three seasons at Rob Roy.

The striker revealed, “It would be putting it mildly to say the last few weeks have been different from anything I’ve ever experienced.

“I took the training after Craig left and then received a telephone call which stated Johnny Millar ,whom I met for the first time last Saturday morning, was to be our new manager.

“His walking away after the Largs game left me to take charge down at Kilwinning where I felt we played well enough to win on the night but having to settle for the one point was no disaster not least because it lifted spirits by ending our run of five consecutive league defeats.

“Now the odds are heavily stacked against us in going up against Pollok in their own backyard however I feel it’s not beyond the guys to give a good account of ourselves.

“I spotted Maxi in the crowd, `spying` on us Wednesday night so making a couple of tweaks to how we set ourselves up will maybe give him something to think about.”

GARY HOPING TO PUT ONE OVER ON HIS MENTOR

The Pollok boss who has injected fresh impetus into his team on the back of impressive victories over Cumnock and Rob Roy took time out from poring over his own problems yesterday…up to eight players could be ruled out of his selection thoughts …to speak about his Barrhead adversary.

Said Maxi, “Gary’s a great lad who was an excellent player for me at Rob Roy where he probably scored 30-40 goals so I’ve nothing but good things to say about him.

“He has what it takes to put a team together so Arthurlie could do a lot worse than give him the manager’s job and he also knows the drill going into Saturday’s game so he won’t be expecting any favours from myself .”

Callum Gow, Mark Sideserf, Chris Duff, Josh Lumsden , Evan Horne and Craig Menzies are struggling to be passed fit while Del Esplin and Fraser Mullen are both suspended however Maxi believes his dressing room contains enough strength in depth to get over the line .

He revealed ,” Fraser only picked up a one game ban for his red carding against Troon but it was extended to three games after an appeal was deemed frivolous but his absence opened the door for Craig Menzies who has been outstanding in our two outings since and has made the jersey his to lose.

“Chris Duff has been another huge plus for us recently as shown by eight goals in his last six games which considering he’s a winger is a remarkable return, so not surprisingly I’m keeping fingers crossed both he and Craig pull through.

“But if they don’t then I’m more than happy to give a few more of our so-called fringe players the opportunity to stake a claim for a regular starting place and why wouldn’t I ? “

Rivalling the Glasgow Southside showdown for `game of the day` status is the latest meeting of those arch rivals Cumnock and Auchinleck Talbot down at Townhead Park where the incentive for the mid-table home team (as if any were needed ) is to put a dent in Talbot’s title hopes.

Cumnock’s confidence will be suitably boosted after Brian McGinty’s side won their first league outing in four starts on Wednesday night , goals from midfield pair Jamie Wilson(pen) and Findlay Frye earning a 2-1 Holm Park success against Clydebank for whom a late in the day Nikky Little penalty kick conversion only served to make the scoreline look better .

Talbot’s chance to avenge their Scottish Junior Cup 3^rd Round elimination at the hands of their bitter nemesis back in early December (via penalty kicks) comes at the end of a quite turbulent week for Tommy Sloan and his playing charges.

Their eagerly awaited midweek contest against Premier Division frontrunners Beith disappointingly fell victim to the weather while an even more damaging judgement hangs over their heads following on from last Saturday’s 1-0 South Challenge Cup triumph over East Kilbride F.C.

It has subsequently emerged that the Ayrshire club’s emergency loan signing goalkeeper Joshua Bradley-Hurst (from Clyde), ironically he only played because Bot’s hitherto No 1 replacement Marc Fisher (for the injured Andy Leishman) had been cup tied , was himself ineligible on account of turning out for Clydebank in a previous round clash with Pollok.

The competition’s beaks are allegedly meeting on Sunday when it’s confidently anticipated they will rubber stamp East Kilbride’s reinstatement at Auchinleck’s expense and set up a Quarter Final contest for the Kilby away to fellow Lowland League outfit Caledonian Braves on Saturday 1^st April.

The remaining last eight ties to go ahead on that date are

Kilwinning Rangers v Gartcairn

Spartans v Stirling University

Sauchie v Drumchapel Utd

No doubt , seasoned Talbot gaffer Sloan will be demanding his players only concentrate on the job in hand against Cumnock and he has the luxury of being able to recall Chris Stafford, Ally Park, Kier Samson, Ross Taylor , Ali Boyle, and Michael Wardrope who were all rested up against East Kilbride while latest signing Ryan Sinnamon(Pollok) is thought likely to figure at best on the substitutes bench.

TUCKER HAS PLENTY TO THINK ABOUT

Elsewhere in the top flight , Petershill will look to rack up their fourth win in six matches when hosting the visit of a similarly much improved Troon while Premier bottom markers Cambuslang Rangers will be hoping to drag Glenafton (no wins in four league matches) further into the relegation mire.

Largs Thistle comeback striker Will Sewell will hope to follow up his goal against Arthurlie last weekend with more of the same when fourth top Irvine Meadow visit Barrfields while a better outcome has to be the aim at Guys Meadow where demoralised pair Rob Roy and Clydebank come together.

And finally, an idle Saturday for second top of the standings Darvel provides an opportunity for league leaders Beith to extend their points lead atop the standings into double figures if Chris Strain’s men can take the spoils when his former team Kilwinning Rangers are the visitors at Bellsdale.

In the First Division stakes, Drumchapel United’s 6-1 hammering of Rossvale last Monday night , through scores by Ryan Deas(2), Kyle Munro, Dan Finnigan, Dom McLaren and an own goal , lifted the Adam Stokes steered Drum to second in the title race behind Kilbirnie Ladeside.

But hard not to think their stay in these dizzy heights is set to be of a temporary nature as their participation tomorrow in the Indigo Comms West of Scotland League Cup (against Hurlford United) could see rival challengers St Cadocs, Benburb and even Gartcairn, down in fifth place, overtake them in the standings with wins over Johnstone Burgh, Cumbernauld Utd and Blantyre Vics respectively.

WEEKEND GAMES: (Kick Offs 2 PM): P.D.M Buildbase Premier Division. Largs Thistle v Irvine Meadow, Cambuslang Rangers v Glenafton, Pollok v Arthurlie , Petershill v Troon, Cumnock v Auchinleck Talbot ,Beith v Kilwinning Rangers, Rob Roy v Clydebank.PDM Buildbase First Division. Blantyre Vics v Gartcairn, Benburb v Cumbernauld Utd, Thorniewood Utd v Bonnyton Thistle, Neilston v Shotts Bon Accord, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Rutherglen Glencairn,Johnstone Burgh v St Cadocs, Whitletts Vics v Rossvale.PDM Buildbase Second Division. Maryhill v Greenock, Maybole v Forth Wanderers, Glasgow Utd v Ardeer Thistle, Craigmark v Wishaw, Yoker Athletic v Renfrew, Glasgow Perthshire v St Anthonys, Muirkirk v Kilsyth Rangers. PDM Buildbase Third Division. Lanark Utd v Ardrossan Winton Rovers , Carluke Rovers v Larkhall Thistle, Vale of Clyde v Girvan, Dalry Thistle v Kello Rovers, East Kilbride Thistle v Vale of Leven, Saltcoats Vics v Bellshill Athletic, Lesmahagow v Lugar Boswell , Newmains Utd v Irvine Vics, Royal Albert v Finnart.PDM Buildbase Fourth Division. BSC Glasgow v St Peters, West Park Utd v Kilsyth Athletic , Thorn Athletic v Rossvale Academy,Eglinton v Campbeltown Pupils, Harmony Row v Threave Rovers. Indigo Comms West of Scotland League Cup.3^rd Round. Hurlford Utd v Drumchapel Utd, Ashfield v St Rochs.

Regards

Jim O’Donnell