Juniors aim to continue streak
TIME really does fly: we’re already on matchday 6 of the West of Scotland Football League season, with Greenock aiming for a fourth win in a row when they travel down the coast to face Girvan on Saturday.
The Nock last visited South Ayrshire in April last year, playing out a 2-2 draw with the home side. The management team were disappointed that the players did not implement the pre-determined game plan until the second half and consequently they will look for a more disciplined and attentive approach this weekend.
Girvan currently sit on seven points, one behind Gary Fleming’s men, having played six games to Greenock’s five. Aer a dicult start to the season, Girvan have picked up four points in their last two matches:a 2-1 win at Irvine Victoria and a 3-3 draw at home to Glenvale FC.
While Greenock have played and beaten both teams in recent weeks, this league is not one where form is a reliable guide to forthcoming matches. On their day most teams are capable of beating each other so consistency and maintaining high concentration levels will be key to progressing up the league.
For the first time this season injury and absence will have a real impact on Greenock’s match day squad: defensively Greenock have been excellent this year, but two of the regular starters, Cammy McPhee and Scott Paterson, are out injured.
Thankfully for the Juniors, it is an area of the team where there is real strength in depth. In previous matches defensive alterations have been made quite seamlessly so the absences should not be too problematic.
Currently the Juniors share, with Ardeer Thistle, the second best defensive record in the league, having conceded fivegoals in the campaign; onlyThreave Rovers boast a better record,albeit they have played one fewer game.
Wing back Ryan Sinnamon has an achilles niggle and missed training on Tuesday as a precautionary measure, though he is expected to be fine for the weekend; attacking midfielder Craig Brown, however,is unavailable on Saturday, and his guile and scoring threat will be missed.
In addition Darren Patton is in light training aer his knee operation though there’s still a little way to go before he can be considered for selection.
Girvan will be a sti challenge for Greenock: they will be well organised and dicult to play against. The Nock will have to be switched on from the o, and really need to use the ball rather more eectively than they did in the first half against Glenvale.
The weather and state of the playing surface will be a determinant in the tactical approach; the squad are perfectly capable of implementing a variable game plan so extending the winning sequence is a perfectly reasonable expectation for a group that has set itself high standards.
Manager Gary Fleming is expecting a very tough examination on Saturday.
He said:“With players missing through injury it will give others who have been waiting patiently and quietly working hard in the background the opportunity to get into the match day squad and starting line-up.
“Last week we decided to stick with practically the same team for the third week in succession, and in hindsight a bit of rotation to keep things fresh may have produced a better performance.
“In saying that, if we won every game between now and the end of the season without playing great, then I’d take that. Points get you promoted, not performances.
“There are teams and venues in this league that require you to get the business done by any means, and Girvan away falls into that category.
“We’re still considering our team, assessing boys performances in training, before selecting a line-up to go and get the job done.
“Girvan have a top coach in Dean Keenan who has experience at senior and top level junior. He has recruited well and his teams come with an identity that first and foremost they will be hard to beat. We must be ready to match this before executing our game plan.”
Greenock are sponsored by Saveheat, Keystore Cowal View, Safer Group, The Lighthouse Bar, McGills, ARC and Blairs.