THE TITLE IS THERE TO BE WON OR LOST

DUNLOP AND GARTCAIRN HAVE IT IN THEIR GRASP ?

Two of the soon to be WoSFL Premier Division’s new members are relishing the opportunity to lay down markers for things to come when they lock horns in a wonderful climax to the First Division season tomorrow.

Promoted pair Benburb and Gartcairn meet in an intriguing clash which sees the third top of the table Bens determined to play the part of party-poopers and prevent their visitors from clinching the title honours and going on to indulge themselves with wild celebrations in and around New Tinto Park…”the very thought of it “ was how the Govan club’s gaffer Paul Lovering menacingly hinted at his feelings over the prospect.

But one seriously wonders whether Lovers and his battling charges can deny what appears to be the inevitable when one considers their table topping opponents are three points to the good along with +6 of a goals differential better off than the already confirmed runners-up St Cadocs .

Not so much a climax as an anti-climax then? Not according to Cairn team boss Michael Dunlop whose achievement in leading his side to this final day decider is all the more remarkable given the ambitious Airdrie based club had assumed the look of also-rans when losing 2-0 at home to St Cadocs way back in the run-up to Xmas.

“ Dropping further points from home draws against Blantyre Vics and Rutherglen Glencairn either side of that St Cadocs defeat left us with a an uphill task and then some and our situation only worsened when January brought back to back losses from Kilbirnie Ladeside and Neilston“ admitted the former Ayr United, Queens Park and Albion Rovers star turn.

“But we strengthened our squad around that period with the arrivals of Kevin Nicoll (Kilwinning Rangers) ,Darren Bowie(Thorniewood Utd) and Danny Burns (Stirling Albion) while also welcoming back Darren Smith and our top goalscorer Jordan Love from long term injuries.

“The difference was phenomenal helped no end by the rest of the guys rolling up their sleeves and the result has been an unbeaten run in our last 13 outings of 10 wins and 3 draws

“Jordan in particular has scored a lot of key goals to help get us over the line in matches but his return has also taken some of the weight from young Reegan Aitken’s shoulders and it’s pleasing to see him back playing at the top of his game again.”

Dunlop , previously the manager of Rossvale, has stressed the point that his troops can take nothing for granted in preparing them for their make or break contest.

He insisted, “Ours is a strong position but I certainly don’t think it’s over yet and hopefully the players will take that message on board.

“We are well aware St Cadocs’ need for a big win to wipe out our goals advantage will see them throw the kitchen sink at Bonnyton who have nothing to play for but pride however we also know the title is in our own hands if we play as we can on the day and that’s something I could never have imagined at the turn of the year.

“Recognising we face a very difficult game of our own is essential and neither am I buying into all the hype saying Benburb’s season is already over because Paul Lovering is simply not the type to allow his players to down tools .

Michael can say that again because the Bens boss whose wearing his heart on his sleeve dugout demeanour saw him suspended for 15 matches this season while his “ more in control” No 2 Marty Campbell only received a 10 game ban, is desperate to finish the season on a high .

His side’s fourth promotion in six seasons was only secured last weekend when a 4-3 victory away to Kilbirnie Ladeside was followed up by step up rivals Drumchapel United fluffing their lines in going down 5-0 against Shotts Bon Accord and the one time Airdrie signing is keen for his players to take centre stage and receive the acclaim from their own supporters.

LOVERING WANTS TO FINISH ON A HIGH

Losing out to Gartcairn would put a dampener on things for the 47 year old and his Senior football background also has him desperate to show all due respect to St Cadocs.

He reasoned, “ I’ll be one of the first to shake Michael’s hand if Gartcairn come out on top but I’ll be putting out our strongest possible line-up to try and prevent that happening .

“Last season we ended up relegated somewhat unfairly on account of teams in and around us in the table picking up points against weakened sides so I’m not going to do similar and be disrespectful to St Cadocs .

“We do have to shuffle our pack insofar as Jordan Bow is a definite non-starter and one or two others are rated in the doubtful category but we’ll look to give it our best shot and give Gartcairn anything but an easy time of it.”

For sure, Lovering’s formidable attacking trio of Declan McDonald(15 goals) , Lewis McTaggart (16), and Aaron Black (15) will certainly not be holding back , not with their club’s top goalscorer prize up for grabs?.

He added, “ Those three have been outstanding all season and the competition between them is no bad thing especially when you think Benburb could end up the First Division’s highest scorers with four goals or better against Gartcairn.

“I know it’s a tall order but I wouldn’t put it past them.”

Elsewhere, currently fifth top of the standings Kilbirnie Ladeside bringing down the curtain on their season with a trip through to face Scottish Junior Cup finalists Rutherglen Glencairn will be of particular interest to the Ayrshire club’s new manager Colin Spence.

SPENNY HOPING TO START KILBIRNIE REVIVAL

But supporters hoping to get a first dugout glimpse of the new man at the helm or for that matter his assistant Willie Lyle will need to look around them on the terracing slopes because the former Auchinleck Talbot playing duo have set their stall out to have nothing more than a watching brief at the Hamish B Allan Stadium .

Spenny revealed , “ It’s awkward to take charge of a team when there’s only two games left in the season and we also made a point of being spectators only for last Friday night’s game against Benburb.

“ Taking this approach allows us the freedom to get a look at the existing players at the club and figure out where they fit into our plans because there will be no time for such a luxury going forward.

“One Willie and I are in …we’re all in …and both of us are excited about starting away the new season with a club of Kilbirnie’s standing in the game even though we know there is a lot of work to be done.”

Asked if he had thoughts about dabbling in the transfer market brought the erstwhile Irvine Meadow gaffer to say,” It’s always the way of things that some players move on and others come in and the previous manager Shaun Dillon had already fixed up a number of the guys on new contracts so we will look to build on what he started.

“ That said ,everything has to be geared towards winning promotion this time next season which is not going to be easy to achieve when you think of the quality of sides set to be playing at this level.

“ Drumchapel will be there or thereabouts again and you have both Kilwinning Rangers and Petershill dropping down from the Premier and it would be a major gaffe to overlook Johnstone Burgh’s credentials given the big name players being linked with moves to Keanie Park.

“It’s going to be a good league and our aim is to establish Kilbirnie Ladeside as one of it’s leading players!”

WEEKEND GAMES: (2PM unless stated. PDM Buildbase First Division. Cumbernauld Utd v Rossvale, Benburb v Gartcairn, Bonnyton Thistle v St Cadocs ,Thorniewood Utd v St Rochs , Blantyre Vics v Johnstone Burgh,Neilston v Shotts Bon Accord, Rutherglen Glencairn v Kilbirnie Ladeside..PDM Buildbase Second Division. Renfrew v Maybole, Glasgow University v Craigmark, Ashfield v Muirkirk, Greenock v Wishaw,, Glasgow Utd v Yoker Athletic, Glasgow Perthshire v Glasgow Utd, Ardeer Thistle v Kilsyth Rangers, Forth Wanderers v Yoker Athletic, Maryhill v St Anthonys..PDM Buildbase Third Division. Saltcoats Vics v Carluke Rovers, Dalry Thistle v Lesmahagow, Lanark Utd v Finnart, Bellshill Athletic v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Larkhall Thistle v Kello Rovers, East Kilbride Thistle v Lugar Boswell, Vale of Clyde v Newmains Utd, Girvan v Royal Albert, Vale of Leven v Irvine Vics. South Challenge Cup Final .Spartans v Drumchapel Utd (Sunday 3PM Broadwood Stadium).

Regards

Jim O’Donnell