Hendo hopes to go ‘under radar’ despite high-flying Hurlford’s start
THERE’S no hiding place when a team is sitting at the top of the table, so it is difficult to take Darren Henderson seriously when he says he wants Hurlford United to remain “under the radar”.
Not when his team has strung together seven straight wins from seven league starts – and certainly not when they are about to grab the spotlight again on Saturday when taking to the road to face nearest challengers Clydebank at Lochburn Park.
The Bankies – in Hendo’s own words – have “added well” in recruiting ex-Pollok trio Nikky Little, Del Hepburn and Liam Rowan along with experienced Senior campaigners Sean Higgins and Michael McIndoe, so he has warned his own charges to expect their most testing 90 minutes to date.
Hendo said: “Every game we have played in the Premiership this season has been hard going, even last weekend’s 4-0 win over Cambuslang Rangers.
“The scoreline flattered us and we can count ourselves fortunate that a few breaks went our way.
“That said, there’s a real belief and confidence oozing through the squad that I believe comes from sitting top of the pile instead of having to play catch up as in previous seasons.
“And the difference from this time last year is we only picked up a total of 28 points in the whole of last season yet already we have 21 in the bag.
“I’ve no doubt Clydebank will be out to prevent us putting any more on the board on Saturday but my players are desperate to keep our winning run going so we won’t be holding back.”
Ross Fisher is a definite non-starter for the Ford after undergoing surgery on an elbow problem which is set to sideline him for six weeks and Hendo’s only other selection headache is over Jack Whittaker who suffered concussion and a broken nose when setting up Ross Robertson for the opening goal against Cambuslang.
Henderson added: “It was a particularly sore one for Jack – not least because Saturday was also his 21st birthday – but it says everything about the impact he has made this season that we are prepared to wait and see if he gets the all-clear from a visit to his doctor on Friday to play against Clydebank.
“He’s been a livewire and along with our Ayr United loan youngsters Nathan Baird and James Hilton is helping to make up for the six-week absence of Alex McWaters who arrived in the summer from Largs Thistle and is seeing a specialist this week to see if he can return to training.
“So we have not had our troubles to seek despite our very good start; however, on the upside another couple of our close-season acquisitions, David Barron (Stranraer) and Liam Caddis (Stirling Albion) have emerged as very inspirational figures.
“I don’t put it down to coincidence that both players have been ever-presents during our winning run.
“The newcomers have certainly caught the eye but no more than our seasoned types Ross Robertson, Calum Watt and Paul McKenzie who are similarly playing out of their skins.
“Our league position is down to a team collective rather than individuals.”