DOWN BUT NOT OUT…YET?

CURRIE FACING A DAY OF RECKONING

Hard not to think the beginning of the end beckons for Petershill or Cambuslang Rangers (or should that be both?) tomorrow.

It’s a pretty obvious conclusion to arrive at knowing defeat for either of the Premier Division’s bottom two clubs in their Springburn locking of horns will almost certainly relegate the loser.

Supporters and pundits alike (myself included) have for some time now been of the mind that `dropping down a Division` was an inexorable fate awaiting the fallen giants pair but this is not a viewpoint shared by those about to participate in a 90 minutes with so much riding on it.

One time Peasy front man Scott Anson for instance, is utterly convinced he and his Wee Gers team mates, can take a huge stride towards securing their top flight status by pushing his former club closer to a tumble in the opposite direction.

And his desire to play a part in the veritable six-pointer contest has him willing to play through the pain barrier should co-management duo Paul McColl and Billy Campbell feel the need to call on his 33 year old striker services.

“ I was told my season was over after damaging a disc in my back a few weeks ago,” revealed Scott “ But I managed to get through a stiff training session on Wednesday night without so much as a twinge of pain and I’m now declaring myself fit and ready.

“ Whether I’ll be required is another matter because the guys (without me ) were nothing short of terrific in our 2-1 victory over Hurlford United last Saturday and you couldn’t fault the gaffers if they opted for a same again line-up.

” That result has given us hope and maybe a bit more besides from being able to deliver that level of performance and it’s pleasing to know we have it in our locker but at the same time frustrating to think we’ve not shown it until now.”

Recent signing Keiran Boubekri (from Cumbernauld United) teamed up with Grant Brennan in attack against Hurlford and they are tipped to get the nod to form an attacking partnership again according to the experienced Anson who also believes his fellow former Petershill signing , Tony Stevenson ,may have to settle for a substitutes berth.

He added , “I first came across Keiran when I was at Pollok back in the day and he was the hotshot young striker in their Under 21 team.

“His career hasn’t taken off as expected but on his game he’s a proven goalscorer and Peasy centreback Ross McCabe , who played alongside Keiran at Cumbernauld, will know he cannot take his eye off him in and around the penalty area .

“ Tony will be as keen as I am to go up against Petershill but he’s on the way back from injury and is needing match fitness so the game’s coming far too early for him.”

SCOTT DESPERATETO FACE FORMER TEAM

Petershill’s miserly three points return from their last five league matches is hardly confidence inspiring stuff yet team boss Ian Currie is bullish in his insistence the famous old Glasgow club can still escape the drop.

And he believes the league table, currently showing Petershill occupying second from bottom spot, two points better off than tomorrow’s opponents Cambuslang, does not tell the full story of the Premier Division basement dogfight.

He said, “It would be easy to have thrown the towel in at the start of the season when we had just one point to our name from a possible 18 .

“But the players weren’t for giving up the ghost and neither was I which led to us putting our heads and bodies together to earn the modicum of respectability position we have earned going into our final handful of league games.

“ Look, I’m not for one minute going to give supporters false hope by saying we will definitely stay up however what we do have is an outside chance…which is something I’d have bitten your hand off for when I came through the doors back in October.

“What will it take Three wins out of five? Four? …I cannot really say in such an unpredictable league where everyone is capable of beating everyone and if proof is needed then you just have to look at the winning runs undertaken recently by the likes of Troon and Largs Thistle .

“The latest seemingly edging themselves to safety are Arthurlie, and I’ve given up on trying to predict the winners and losers in games involving the relegation threatened clubs .

“Looking after ourselves by taking one game at a time is the only thing for it.”

CURRIE HAS GIVEN UP ON GUESSING GAMES

All of three weeks have elapsed since Petershill’s last outing, a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Troon, which saw Currie field a patchwork side minus Terry Hewitt, Christian Nade, Jordan Marshall and Dean Bates through injury.

He insisted , “ Darren Miller also played when only 80% fit so the three week lay-off has been a blessing for getting him up to full speed while also allowing recovery time for the other guys though Dean (broken leg) won’t play again this season.

“There were few if any positives that day but we are in a far better position bodies wise for facing Cambuslang which hopefully will make a difference.”

Also battling for their Premier Division lives are a Rob Roy side whose 2-0 defeat in midweek by basement rivals Kilwinning Rangers , for whom Mark Miller(pen) and Kieron Wood were on target, incurred a further couple of hammer blows through the second half red cardings of goalkeeper Kyle Aitken and defensive cornerstone Danny O’Halloran who are automatically suspended for tomorrow’s visit to Guys Meadow of Irvine Meadow.

Two sides , possibly feeling uncomfortable on the fringes of the dropzone, Hurlford United and Glenafton, go head to head in what promises to be a `not for the faint-hearted` clash at Blair Park while safe as houses Largs Thistle can go for it when playing host to title challenging Darvel at Barrfields.

No doubt Mick Kennedy and his playing charges will show more than a passing interest in developments at nearby Bellsdale where league leaders Beith ,currently seven points to the good , have an intriguing showdown on their hands against fourth from bottom Arthurlie ,seeking to chalk up a third win on the spin under new gaffer Colin Reilly , and coincidentally the last team to inflict a league defeat on Chris Strain’s men , all of an anything but unlucky 13 games ago.

Beith’s remarkable winning run should ensure their selections are on similar lines while the attack-minded Reilly , who offloaded defender Alan Dunsmore to Rutherglen Glencairn this week, is set to again go with a forward line pairing of Gary Carroll and Jordan Shelvey supported in-behind by Dale Simeon.

In other games, Clydebank, fresh from running out 2-1 winners away to Auchinleck Talbot in midweek, Creag and Nikky Little were their marksmen , will try for a second on the road East Ayrshire scalp when facing Cumnock at Townhead Park while suspension woes are leaving Pollok and Troon depleted for their coming together at Newlandsfield .

Last Monday night’s red carding of Dean Fulton in losing 2-1 to Largs Thistle renders him sidelined for the trip through to Glasgow while teenager Jay Nelson somewhat bizarrely misses out for the home team following his recent dismissal in a Holm Park encounter with Clydebank.

Picking up an automatic one game ban for a mistimed challenge was never going to be disputed however the youngster demonstrating self-control by merely showing `two fingers` to an irate supporter challenging him to a fight as he walked to the dressing rooms did not merit the imposition of an additional two matches and one would have thought both clubs might have jointly put forward a case justifying his actions ?

Meanwhile, hearing St Anthonys are hosting a “Legends Night” on Saturday 15^th April to commemorate the famous old Govan club’s winning of the Central District Second Division title in 2002/03 which was their first trophy success in 50 years.

Players and management from that memorable season , coincidentally the Ants centenary, are special guests at the event (don’t let Cotter speak!) which is being held at the David Lloyd Centre in Renfrew and is fast heading towards a sell-out.

WEEKEND GAMES (2PM unless stated): P.D.M.Buildbase Premier Division. Petershill v Cambuslang Rangers, Rob Roy v Irvine Meadow, Pollok v Troon, Largs Thistle v Darvel, Beith v Arthurlie, Cumnock v Clydebank, Hurlford Utd v Glenafton. PDM Buildbase First Division. Blantyre Vics v St Cadocs, Rutherglen Glencairn v Johnstone Burgh, Benburb v Thorniewood Utd, St Rochs v Shotts Bon Accord, Bonnyton Thistle v Rossvale, Kilbirnie Ladeside, v Whitletts Vics.PDM Buildbase Second Division. Ashfield v Greenock, Maybole v Wishaw, ,Craigmark v Renfrew, Muirkirk v Ardeer Thistle, Glasgow Utd v Maryhill, Glasgow Perthshire v St Anthonys.Yoker Athletic v Forth Wanderers, GlasgowUniversity v Kilsyth Rangers . PDM Buildbase Third Division. Lugar Boswell v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Royal Albert v Carluke Rovers , Finnart v Vale of Clyde, Lesmahagow v Dalry Thistle, Bellshill Athletic v Lanark Utd, Kello Rovers v Larkhall Thistle ,Girvan v Vale of Leven, Irvine Vics v Port Glasgow, Saltcoats Vics v Newmains Utd.PDM Buildbase Fourth Division. Harmony Row v Easterhouse, Campbeltown Pupils v Glenvale, BSC Glasgow v Eglinton, Threave Rovers v Thorn Athletic. South Challenge Cup.Quarter Finals. Kilwinning Rangers v Gartcairn, Sauchie v Drumchapel Utd( 2.30PM), Caledonian Braves v Auchinleck Talbot( 3PM), Spartans v Stirling University(3PM).

Regards

Jim O’Donnell