Buffs cup double would be right on money for Cashy...
THE Scottish Junior Cup may be without a sponsor, but a glance over tomorrow’s second round pairings would indicate it is rich in entertainment value.
And arguably topping the bill in this respect is the all-Super Premier Division clash of former trophy winners Kilwinning Rangers and Arthurlie – the second Abbey Park meeting of the clubs in seven days – following on from the home team’s 3-0 success in the New Coin Holdings Cup last weekend.
A resounding victory by the sound of it, but not if you are seasoned Buffs hitman Ian Cashmore, who comes across as confident, though not in an overstated way, about the Ayrshiremen’s chances of doing the double over their Barrhead rivals.
Indeed, Cashy, taking part in what he hopes is an anything but unlucky 13th Scottish Junior Cup campaign reckons a reversal of the scoreline is not completely out of the question.
The 33-year-old, scorer of Kilwinning’s opening goal last Saturday, said: “We roared out of the blocks last week and were rewarded by my early goal.
“But it’s no exaggeration to say Arthurlie put us under the cosh after the initial 20 minutes and on another day could have easily scored two or three goals.
“Their playmaker Ian Nimmo bossed the midfield to create a number of openings and it was to our good fortune that goalkeeper Adam Strain’s eye was in because he pulled off a string of truly incredible saves to keep them at bay and we then conjured up a sucker punch through a Calvin Kemp strike right on the stroke of half-time.
“A further boost came from Arthurlie going down to ten men early in the second half and Brian Boylan scored our third goal shortly afterwards to put the game out of their reach, but a 3-0 scoreline really flattered us.
“I’d go so far as to say it was one of the toughest home games we’ve had all season and everyone in our dressing room is expecting more of the same tomorrow.”
Having the experienced frontman holding down a regular starting place on merit has come as a surprise to Kilwinning supporters.
However, Cashy believes the credit for his new lease of life belongs to gaffer Chris Strain.
He added: “Before coming here two seasons ago, my lack of fitness saw me mainly con- signed to the substitutes’ bench at Ardrossan Winton Rovers and I knew deep down I was better than that.
“Thankfully Chris agreed and I was so appreciative of him taking a chance on me that I knuckled down and lost two stones.
“But more importantly I regained my appetite for the Junior game to the extent I’m enjoying my football as much as I did at any other time in my playing career.
“A lot of people thought I would be no more than a bit player but I intend to prove them wrong while at the same time doing my best to help Kilwinning Rangers enjoy another memorable cup run.
“Losing in the semis to Beith last season was a sore one to take for someone like myself given the clock’s ticking on my chances of a Scottish Cup medal.
“But nobody should rule us out of going one better this time. That’s if we can get over the Arthurlie hurdle of course.”
BUFFS boss Strain said: “It was a very strange 90 minutes last week and nothing can be taken from the result even if I’m happier to be going into this second game having won 3-0 instead of suffering a 3-0 defeat.
“It could have been so different as Arthurlie’s attacking game posed us problems with Nimmo pulling the strings and both Ryan Deas and Ryan McGregor getting forward to support big Gary Smith who is a focal point for crosses into the penalty area. I’ve every confidence we can acquit ourselves well again.”
One-time Morton signing Jordan Cairney misses out for Kilwinning while sparkling winger Dean Agnew is thought likely to make the subs’ bench at best as he recovers from an ankle injury.
However, a major boost has come from the availability of towering stopper Isaac Kerr after he escaped punishment for being sent off in the first round victory over St Roch’s as a result of his red card being downgraded to a yellow.