Buffs boss Strain urges his side to reproduce cup form
KILWINNING RANGERS manager Chris Strain reckons he will have no problem getting his players back down to earth for today’s home game against Cumnock following last Saturday’s memorable 2-1 Scottish Junior Cup victory over Kelty Hearts.
The Buffs pulled off the biggest fifth round upset by heading up to Fife and knocking out the runaway East Region league leaders in their own New Central Park stronghold to secure a place in this coming Tuesday’s quarter-final draw.
His side’s incredible againstall-odds display should see a bumper Abbey Park crowd in attendance to salute their heroes ahead of the vital Super Premier Division clash against Cumnock, however Strain would prefer it if payback came in the shape of three precious league points.
“Taking a look at the league table indicates the reality of our situation far better than any words that could come from my mouth,” insisted the Ayrshire gaffer.
“It’s not pleasant to be sitting in bottom spot and I could quite easily put forward an argument to say this Kilwinning Rangers team is in a false position but the simple truth is the league table doesn’t lie and we have not put enough points on the board.
“Last weekend I was proud as punch when the guys proved they have it in them to mix with the best teams in Junior football but the outstanding attitude shown against Kelty has not always been there this season.
“I can look back on many occasions when we have not been up for the battle and have paid a heavy price because there is no getting away from the fact that the Super Premier Division is a totally unforgiving arena.”
Strain’s selection hand for the visit of third top Cumnock is severely weakened by suspensions ruling out Joe Coleman, Findlay Frye and now Carlo Monti who has incurred an automatic two-match ban for his red carding against Kelty.
Their enforced absences could lead to an involvement for former Ross County and Livingston defender Darren Moffat who joined from top flight rivals Hurlford United as part of the pre-Xmas transfer deal that saw erstwhile Buffs winger Dean Agnew move in the opposite direction.
Last night Strain added: “Darren will come into our thoughts for tomorrow’s game though Stevie Swift and Isaac Kerr teamed up excellently against Kelty to form a terrific partnership.
“Swifty used his experience to great effect in talking nonstop to Isaac and the big man took confidence from knowing he had cover in behind him to go and attack the ball and serve up his best game in months.
“His physical presence could prove an asset to help cope with big Scott Anson who has been a regular goalscorer since returning to Cumnock who were promoted alongside ourselves from the Super First Division last season.
“Back then our head-to-heads were very evenly matched and I’m expecting another close contest even though they’ve clearly settled much better than ourselves in the big boys playground and have been on a good run of late.”
An every bit as intriguing allAyrshire clash takes place at Bellsdale Park where title challenging rivals Beith and Auchinleck Talbot lock horns for an astonishing sixth time this season.
TALBOT hold the upper hand with two wins against the solitary success enjoyed by their hosts who have not won a game in their four outings since the clubs last met in a Scottish Junior Cup fourth round showdown at Bellsdale…won 1-0 by Talbot… in mid-January.
So did the morale denting Scottish Cup exit of the trophy holders bring about their apparent form slump?
“Not as much as the following week’s 2-2 draw against Kilbirnie Ladeside where we were 2-0 up going into injury time “insisted Beith boss Johnny Millar yesterday.
“That must go down as one of our most frustrating results ever as we had the points in the bag and cruising until those late kicks to the teeth and there’s no doubt we have struggled to get back to our best since.
“Dropping six points has damaged our league position and we are looking nowhere near as strong a title contender as we were a few weeks ago and we simply cannot afford to lose more ground.
“I can think of no better game to reinstate our title claims than against Auchinleck but that will be easier said than done considering they will doubtless see tomorrow’s game as a must-win affair for their own hopes.
“There has never been a lot between the teams in our previous meetings and I don’t see that changing.”