Nailbiting run-in to end of junior season

A frustrating one-all draw away to Glasgow Perthshire last Wednesday, combined with a comfortable 2-1 win at Johnstone Burgh on Saturday, has opened a one point gap between Rangers and Thorniewood United. Kilsyth still have a game in hand.

Assistant boss Martin Mooney said: “The Perthshire game was disappointing because we lost a goal with only minutes to go and they didn’t look like scoring. Their goal was a dubious penalty and let’s just say I’ve seen them not given in the past.

“On Saturday, we had a couple of sendings off which made it more difficult than it had to be. But we dug in and got the three points we needed to keep us top. I think after two draws in a row we needed to get back to winning.”

There was disappointment for Cumbernauld United last Wednesday as they went down 2-1 at home to Vale of Clyde.

However, they took all three points at promotion-chasers Glenafton on Saturday before losing another home game on Monday night, this time to Renfrew.

That leaves them third bottom of the Super League First Division, three points from safety.

Manager Ian Currie said: “We were marvellous on Saturday, all the players were. The football they played was 100 times better than what I’ve seen at Junior level for a long time.

“They worked hard for each other off the ball. When they had it, they kept it well and they put in a disciplined performance and did what I asked them to do.”

Rangers, meanwhile, have no mid-week fixture to contend with and can instead focus on Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with third placed Neilston.

Mooney continued: “St Anthony’s have dropped a few points and so did Neilston at the weekend. It shows how quickly things can change.

Massive

“It’s a massive one for us on Saturday. Our away form seems better than our home at the moment but it’s vital we try and get the win.

“If we can beat them, that could take them out of the equation. We’re in a position where it’s in our own hands and we don’t have to rely on anyone else.

“With the experience we’ve got here and, if we play near the way we have been, we won’t be far away.”

Cumbernauld United will take on fellow relegation strugglers Hurlford United at Blair Park on Saturday.

Currie added: “I don’t know too much about them but I will be looking for maximum points, we know what we need to achieve.

“I’ve always had a desire to achieve throughout my career, I could never accept defeat. I see one or two of the players here like that.

“I gave them a bit of an ear-bashing after the Vale of Clyde game and they accepted it was deserved. They were impressed with how we set the team out against Glenafton and said to me after the game they thought it was right.

“I told them if they played like they did on Saturday every week, then they wouldn’t be in this position.”