SIX OF THE BEST FOR POLLOK?

SOMEBODY UP THERE HAS IT IN FOR CHRIS AND BEITH ?

You might take the view that Beith’s 3-0 wide margin defeat away to Clydebank last weekend is a surefire sign of the reigning Premier Division champions hitting the skids?

Maybe so! But on the other hand, it’s unquestionably a mark of the Ayrshire outfit’s blossoming repute when their going down to a first league reverse of the season (and in its 15^th week at that) causes such an outpouring of elation and renewed aspirations among their 2023/24 title rivals even if Chris Strain and his playing charges are not exactly making a habit of losing.

Admittedly, there was a Scottish Gas Cup exit against Broomhill Sports just two weeks ago while earlier on at the start of last month, those anything but North Region powerhouses Hermes dealt them a surprise Scottish Junior Cup knockout blow but otherwise you have to go back to the very tail end of last season…,after tools were all but downed with the title race done and dusted …for when the outcome of matches with Hurlford United and Auchinleck Talbot were not to the liking of Mighty followers.

Beith finished top of the pile on the back of a quite outstanding 16 game unbeaten run (15 wins and I draw) that followed on from a last November hiccup against Arthurlie so it’s no real surprise that team boss Strainy is hoping the beating suffered at the hands of the Bankies will spark a repeat of his side’s consistent and successful ways.

It doesn’t come much tougher for starters , than a trip up to Newlandsfield to take on an in-form Pollok, nursing designs of a flag unfurling of their own after a good start to the current campaign(likewise only one defeat) has left them sitting third top of the standings, a mere point adrift of second placed Beith but fully eight points behind frontrunners Clydebank who have played three games more .

“The old adage that says somebody up there doesn’t like us comes readily to mind “lamented Beith’s charismatic gaffer last night.

“ What else can I possibly say when the fixtures have somewhat unkindly given us three consecutive away games at Clydebank , Pollok and Darvel (next Wednesday night), three clubs who just happen to be regarded as this season’s probable title challengers along with ourselves.

He went on ,“ Losing out to Clydebank was disappointing but not as catastrophic as some people are making out because we are still very much in the mix and will continue to be regardless of whether we were to come a cropper up again at Pollok.

“That said I’d much prefer if there were no more slip ups and we could grind out a result through there to get ourselves right back on the rails because the battle to be top dogs this season is shaping up as far more competitive than last time out.

Strainy reckons “ the wee dip” being experienced by his troops (that’s how he dresses it up) is only temporary and thinks the atmosphere generated by the head to head on Glasgow’s Southside could inspire his side to rediscover their best form.

He said “ Yeah, one or two guys have been below par by their own high standards but there’s nothing better for getting the juices flowing again than playing Pollok in front of a big crowd at Newlandsfield, particularly when their supporters think they have a team capable of winning silverware.

“Last season there was only a goal in it at Newlandsfield as well as at our place (both in Beith’s favour) and it’s looking like being every bit as close to call tomorrow so training this week has been all about knuckling down to try and get us back to where we were. “

Aaron Mason , recipient of a double yellow carding against Clydebank sits the contest out for the visitors who are otherwise at full strength as are Pollok despite being freshly shorn of former club captain Kyle Hutton after Stewart Maxwell agreed to the ex-Rangers midfielder moving (on loan) to Darvel in midweek.

CAN MAXI AND HIS PLAYERS EMERGE UNSCATHED?

The transfer leaves Maxi , a spectator at Holm Park last Saturday, down to just 18 players ahead of a forthcoming sequence of matches ,the likes of which brought a knowing smile to crease his face upon hearing Strainy was bemoaning Beith’s fixtures lot .

“If he thinks his team are hard done by , how do you think he would he feel at having Beith (h), Linlithgow Rose (h), St Cadocs(a), Brora Rangers (a), Auchinleck Talbot (a) and Clydebank(a) stacking up over the next month?” rued the Lok gaffer.

“It’s arguably the toughest run of games ever encountered by any Pollok team according to some of the older heads around the club and more so when you think three of the contests are in various Cup competitions( Linlithgow, Brora and Clydebank) and can seriously define your season.

He added, “Coming through this period unscathed is going to be a huge ask however being involved in big game after big game goes with the territory of playing for Pollok and I know nobody in our dressing room is running scared of what lies in store.”

Not having a fixture to fulfil last Saturday brought Maxi to arrange a friendly outing against the only other idle WoSFL outfit Royal Albert ,prior to heading for Clydebank, and he saw a much changed Pollok X1 run out 6-0 winners with Jay Nelson, Evan Maley, and Chris Duff(2) among those on the mark.

The Lok boss revealed, “ It was an exercise intended to get game time for a number of the guys like young Jay , Grant Anderson and especially Jordan Allan on his return after suspension so in that respect it worked a treat .

“One or two performances have given me food for thought which is no bad thing as the testing programme of matches we are about to face is going to require a contribution from everyone in our squad.

“We’re a bit light on numbers now that Kyle has left us but his departure has also freed up a space in what is currently an 18 man squad so we’ll maybe look to bring in a body or two over the coming weeks but only if the right players become available.”

Turning his attention to tomorrow’s opponents brought Maxi to reflect on last Saturday’s `spying trip`.,

“Beith ‘s assistant manager Kevin McDonald admitted his team were poor on the day yet despite being well beaten in the end up, I saw enough to know Beith will be there or thereabouts when the league title is decided.

“Losing in the manner they did is so unlike them and you can bet Chris will have his players fired up to bounce back against ourselves so we’ll need all our star turns at the very top of their game.”

DAZ IS PLAYING OUT OF HIS SKIN BEFORE FACING FORMER TEAM

Maxi didn’t reveal names but any straw poll among the Newlandsfield terracings faithful would point to striker Adam Forde and midfielder Ryan McGregor as their aces in the pack along with one time Beith winger Darren Christie whose displays of late have belied his 36 years and it’s doubtful if anyone will be more determined to put his former team to the sword tomorrow than Daz.

An every bit as attractive top of the table clash is promised at Holm Park where leading lights Clydebank await the visit of fifth top Darvel whose holding two games in hand over the hosts has the Ayrshiremen feeling confident of bridging the current yawning nine points gap between the clubs.

Bankies manager Gordon Moffat acknowledges the fact his side playing more league games than the chasing pack is a factor in their occupying pole position but doesn’t think it has any title deciding relevance…yet.

Said Moff, “ The age old question of whether it’s better to have points in the bag or games in hand comes to mind when looking at the state of play as things stand.

“But just how the fixtures come out is beyond our control so we’ve stressed the message to the guys that they need to concentrate on chalking up the wins and see where it gets us at the final reckoning.

“We played really well in getting the better of Beith last week but now have another tough nut to crack in Darvel who deservedly came out on top in both our league clashes last season

“They no longer have the same way of playing and don’t appear to be the same team under Tony McInally’s management but that’s not to say the points will be easier to come by.”

A calf muscle problem continues to affect full back Danny McKenzie and he looks likely to be posted missing through injury while niggling hamstring issues look set to sideline key midfielder Nikky Lowe.

DARVEL NEWCOMER KYLE FACES TOUGH BAPTISM

Yet another crowd pulling affair takes place at Townhead Park where long standing rivals Cumnock and Auchinleck Talbot are in opposition just five weeks on from Talbot narrowly winning 3-2 (at the same venue) in a Scottish Junior Cup second round tie. Talbot’s winning form in the intervening four weeks ( they’ve not tasted defeat) has Tommy Sloan and his players rated firm favourites to come out on top again but the absence of centreback Neil McPherson (injured) could work in favour of a Cumnock side boasting a considerably more potent attacking threat since the return to playing action of of Jamie Conn.

Elsewhere, the pick of the remaining seven Scottish Junior Cup 3^rd Round ties to be played to a conclusion tomorrow sees last season’s beaten finalists Rutherglen Glencairn awaiting the visit of higher league Arthurlie to the Hamish B Allan Stadium.

Premier Division pair Gartcairn and Largs Thistle lock horns in what has all the makings of another potential cracker while a lot of eyes will be on Keanie Park where interest will be centred on whether big spending Johnstone Burgh can account for top flight bottom markers Irvine Meadow.

Finally , back in the Junior fold after a couple of years in the wilderness is none other than former Arthurlie and Larkhall Thistle team manager Dunky Sinclair who has taken up the reins at one of the clubs Lesmahagow where he formerly came to playing prominence before going on to turn out for Pollok ,Cumnock, Blantyre Vics and not forgetting Junior Scotland

The Gow vacancy came about after their previous hotseat incumbent Neil Schoneville tendered his resignation in the immediate aftermath of last Saturday’s 3-1 Junior Cup demise against near neighbours Bellshill Athletic.

PLAYING TOMORROW: (Kick Offs 2 PM):CLYDEBUILT HOME IMPROVEMENTS Scottish Junior Cup.Third Round. Gartcairn v Largs Thistle, Rutherglen Glencairn v Arthurlie, Dundee Downfield v Dalry Thistle, Hermes v Hurlford Utd, Dundee Violet v St Cadocs Rothie Rovers v Shotts Bon Accord, Johnstone Burgh v Irvine Meadow,P.D.M HUWS GRAY Premier Division. Pollok v Beith, Cumnock v Auchinleck Talbot, Clydebank v Darvel, Benburb v Glenafton.P.D.M HUWS GRAYFirst Division. Drumchapel Utd v Blantyre Vics, Ashfield v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Renfrew v Cambuslang Rangers, Maybole v Petershill.PDM HUWS GRAY Second Division. Bonnyton Thistle v Glasgow Perthshire, Craigmark v Wishaw, Maryhill v Vale of Clyde, Kilsyth Rangers v Cumbernauld Utd, Ardrossan Winton Rovers v St Anthonys, ,Caledonian Locomotives v Muirkirk, Larkhall Thistle v Yoker Athletic. PDM HUWS GRAYThird Division. Vale of Leven v Kilsyth Athletic, Glasgow Utd v Irvine Vics , Lanark Utd v Port Glasgow, Lesmahagow v Threave Rovers, Finnart v Greenock, Girvan v Bellshill Athletic.PDM HUWS GRAYFourth Division. Eglinton v Royal Albert, Glenvale v Giffnock SC, Carluke Rovers v Campbeltown Pupils, BSC Glasgow v Knightswood , Lugar Boswell v St Peters, Saltcoats Vics v Easterhouse. Strathclyde Demolition Cup.Neilston v Thorn Athletic, West Park Utd v Forth Wanderers.

Regards Jim O’Donnell