JUNIOR FOOTBALL
Mark Roberts is in no hurry to hang up his boots – despite being only a month short of his 45th birthday.
The former Ayr and Queen’s Park manager came off the bench for Troon in a 2- 1 win at Maybole.
Roberts joined fellow golden oldies Ryan Stevenson, 36, Christian Nade, 36 and Dean Keenan, 34, as the Seasiders retained the Stuart McGrady Trophy.
‘ Bole also relied on experience – 42- year- old Andy Stevenson got their consolation penalty.
Roberts quipped: “It was like Dad’s Army but it was great to just be kicking a ball again. I’ve trained with Troon for a couple of weeks but I won’t rush into anything and will wait to see how I feel.”
Roberts is pessimistic at the season surviving a brutal winter with players travelling to games in their kit and unable to shower in the dressing rooms under current restrictions.
He insisted: “There is no way that can last. Players won’t do it in the winter
months when there is blood, muddy pitches and they are getting soaked. The season might start but I will be surprised if it finishes.”
AUCHINLECK looked well set when goals from Dwayne Hyslop and Bryan Boylan put them ahead away to Irvine Meadow.
But strikes from Michael Reilly and Dylan Pooler turned the tables before Liam Miller fired a penalty winner for the hosts.
GLENAFTON trailed 2- 0 at the interval away to ANNBANK who led through a Craig Pettigrew OG and a Stephen McLelland finish. Second- half goals from Mick McCann, Ross Cameron and Dale Moore won it for Glens.
CUMNOCK fought back from 2- 0 down to beat Cumnock Ams 3- 2 with goals from Jamie Conn, Ryan Caddis ( penalty) and Owen Bell.
WHITLETTS sub Jordan Boyd fired a 20 minute hat- trick in a 7- 0 rout of Newton Stewart with former Bonnyton striker Marc Walker grabbing a debut double. Louis Kerr and Ross George were also on the mark.
The revamped season hopes to get underway next month with clubs asked to vote for a start date of either October 10 or 31.
Opening day fixtures: Premier Div, group one: Auchinleck v Irvine Meadow; Blantyre v Bonnyton; Clydebank v Kilbirnie; Glenafton v Largs; Rob Roy v Benburb. Group 2: Pollok v Beith; Kilwinning v Cumbernauld; Rossvale v Cumnock; Rutherglen v Hurlford; Troon v Darvel.
Conference A, group one: Craigmark v Maryhill; Forth v Irvine Vics; Glasgow Uni v Shotts; Maybole v Girvan; group two: Arthurlie v Lugar; Bellshill v