NEW ARTHURLIE TEAM BOSS COLIN
Back in July when the 2022/23 season was about to get underway, nobody but nobody would have forecast Arthurlie’s current league position …third from bottom in the standings with what fixtures are yet to be fulfilled down to single figures.
It’s a far cry from last summer when winning promotion as runaway Conference A champions, unbeaten in 40 league games (38 wins and 2 draws), had even the most `doubting Thomas` among their supporting throng firmly believing the Barrhead side would more than hold their own competing against the Premier Division elite.
They got away to a most inauspicious of beginnings after the work commitments ` enforced resignation of team boss Andy McFadyen, just two weeks shy of the big kick off , was followed by a three points deduction imposed by WoSFL beaks for fielding suspended defender Callum Shields in an opening day 1-0 defeat by Clydebank.
Yet, from being pointless five games in, assistant manager Craig Palmer who had stepped into McFadyen’s shoes , set about improving his club’s lot by overseeing a respectable run yielding up 17 points from their next 9 starts, inclusive of victories over leading title challengers Beith and Darvel.
But an unforeseen fall from mid-table grace on the back of five defeats on the spin precipitated Palmer’s departure and he was very quickly followed out the Dunterlie exit gates by his replacement (for a one game tenure) Johnny Millar.
The reins…or as some would call it the poison chalice…has now been taken up by one time Dundee United and Morton signing Colin Reilly who previously has been making a great fist of restoring the fortunes of Vale of Clyde down in the WoSFL Third Division.
Arthurlie’s fourth gaffer appointment of the season is well aware his new team’s fate is not in their own hands but is looking forward to the challenges posed by a relegation run-in which after hosting the visit of Cumnock today comprises of eight games…six at home…inclusive of daunting encounters against title hopefuls Beith and Auchinleck Talbot (twice).
The 40 year old had spent all of 13 years out of the country, initially extending his playing career in South Africa and going on to manage a Dubai All Stars side containing many ex-international players of various nationalities, prior to returning to these shores to take up a Bellshill Athletic coaching role under former boss Derek Wilson ahead of moving to Fullarton Park with the aforementioned Wilson as his No 2.
He revealed, “ Dipping my toes in the water at Bellshill served me well for taking over at Vale of Clyde where Del and I built a very strong side which hopefully will go on to win promotion if not the Third Division title .
“Not wanting to damage the Vale’s chances is the reason we will not be going after any of their players (yet?) and I’ve no intention of breaking that solemn promise to their club officials however on the other side of the coin, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to meet up with the Arthurlie people once I’d heard they had expressed an interest in talking to me.
“Staying up has to be the immediate goal and yes we face a tough battle to survive but it’s not an impossible one because I came away bemused as to why we’re down in the basement at all after seeing the quality of the players up close for the first time at Wednesday night ‘s training session.
“I can’t help but feel they will come good eventually and there’s no better time than Saturday.”
Michael McNeil, red carded in last week’s defeat by Pollok is suspended for facing a Cumnock side whose biggest threat, top scorer Jordan Moore , is well known to Reilly and Wilson from his time on Bellshill’s books.
Reilly lauded ,” Jordan is a smashing lad with a great appetite for working at his game and I spent a lot of time on the training ground with him.
“Finding Cumnock were going to be our first opponents , had both Del and I looking forward to meeting up again however hopefully the reunion will have fond memories for us and not him.”
Moore is certainly not taking a Dunterlie starting jersey for granted after he missed a penalty kick in firing a midweek blank as Cumnock overcame Troon by a 4-2 scoreline thanks to goals from Jamie Conn, Andy McLaughlin, Brendan Sharpe and Findlay Frye (pen).
Said the scorer of 23 Cumnock goals this season to date, “ Wednesday was one of those games when nothing I did was coming off and the gaffer(Brian McGinty) substituting me after an hour was a blessing in disguise.
“Whether I’ll be selected for the Arthurlie game has to be 50/50 at best but I’d love to get the nod and do my bit for the team particularly with Colin and Derek
watching on.
The 21 year old added, “ I was at Fauldhouse United but was not enjoying my football and had had yet to play a league match for them when Derek got in touch to see if I fancied a transfer to Bellshill.
“ The thought of a move closer to my home in Chapelhall appealed and my Fauldhouse manager Chris Mackie (coincidentally a former Arthurlie gaffer) didn’t stand in my way so I joined Bellshill and responded to the coaching of Colin and David Menelaws by scoring quite a few goals.
“Our full back Matty Grant went to Pollok and spoke nothing but good things about them so I jumped at the opportunity to go there when Murdie McKinnon offered me a contract but as it turned out my playing opportunities were almost non-existent so within a couple of months I was off to Cumnock.
“Playing regularly has made the world of difference and I ‘m a lot more confident nowadays but as you might expect, there’s a healthy competition for places at a club of Cumnock’s size so I need to continue scoring If I’m to hold onto my jersey. “
JORDAN WAS AT POLLOK (BRIEFLY)
Elsewhere, a relegation six pointer contest is in prospect at Loch Park where Glenafton, a mere three points better off than Arthurlie , await the visit of rank bottom markers Cambuslang Rangers, while another not for the faint-hearted affairs is the Barrfields meeting of Largs Thistle v Rob Roy.
Five wins in their last seven league matches has enabled the home side (now 5th top) to clamber clear of the drop zone however the Kevin McGoldrick steered Rabs remain on the basement fringes in sixth from bottom spot.
In other games, second top Darvel head for Troon, seeking to close the gap on league leaders Beith to just four points while third placed Pollok are at Irvine Meadow intent on avenging their 2-0 reverse when the sides met at Newlandsfield .
The visiting line-up is shorn of suspended pair Del Esplin and Fraser Mullen as well as injured defenders Mark Sideserf , Evan Horne and Callum Gow however strongly tipped to make a playing comeback is in-form winger Chris Duff after sitting out last weekend’s 2-0 triumph over Arthurlie .
Medda stopper Neil Slooves , rumoured to be a signing target for both Pollok and Auchinleck Talbot ,looks set to line up alongside ex-Lok stalwart Bryan Wharton in central defence in the continuing absence of the injured Jamie Whyte while another of the Glasgow club’s former players, hitman Callum Graham will partner Connor Boyd in attack as the Ayrshiremen attempt to avoid a third consecutive defeat.
Said Kevin Deeney , tasked with looking after playing matters( at least until the end of season) in the wake of George Grierson’s resignation.
“We’ve allowed our standards to drop in the last couple of outings so now’s as a good a time as any to get ourselves back on track.
“Pollok coming here is always a massive game and tomorrow promises to be no different . “
Meanwhile the potential for upsets in the Indigo Comms West of Scotland League Cup quarter final ties taking place is highest at the Donald Dewar Stadium where strong going First Division title challengers Drumchapel United are up against Premier Division strugglers Kilwinning Rangers.
Auchinleck Talbot, in front of their own fervent followers , appear to have too much in their locker for Gartcairn ,while playing in their own backyard may not prove enough of an advantage for another First Division side Neilston to get the better of Clydebank.
WEEKEND GAMES: (Kick Offs 2 PM): P.D.M Buildbase Premier Division. Rob Roy v Largs Thistle, Glenafton v Cambuslang Rangers, Irvine Meadow v Pollok Arthurlie v Cumnock, Darvel v Troon. PDM Buildbase First Division. Shotts Bon Accord, v Cumbernauld Utd, Johnstone Burgh v Thorniewood Utd, Rossvale v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Blantyre Vics v Rutherglen Glencairn, St Cadocs v Whitletts Vics.PDM Buildbase Second Division. Greenock v Maryhill, Glasgow Utd v Renfrew, Ardeer Thistle v St Anthonys, Wishaw v Yoker Athletic, Glasgow Perthshire v Ashfield, Muirkirk v Glasgow University, Kilsyth Rangers v Maybole. PDM Buildbase Third Division. Finnart v Lanark Utd , Irvine Vics v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Larkhall Thistle v Dalry Thistle, Kello Rovers v Vale of Leven, Bellshill Athletic v Newmains Utd, Lesmahagow v Vale of Clyde, Girvan v Carluke Rovers, Lugar Boswell v Saltcoats Vics.PDM Buildbase Fourth Division. Threave Rovers v BSC Glasgow, St Peters v West Park Utd, Rossvale Academy v Glenvale, Easterhouse F.A. v Eglinton, Campbeltown Pupils v Thorn Athletic. Indigo Comms.West of Scotland League Cup.Quarter Finals.Craigmark v St Rochs.Auchinleck Talbot v Gartcairn, Drumchapel Utd v Kilwinning Rangers, Neilston v Clydebank.
Regards
Jim O’Donnell
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