Injury headache for Hendo ahead of crucial Lie clash
No.1 FOR JUNIORS
DARREN Henderson is the first to concede the pressure is mounting on his Hurlford United side as they look to get their season back on track when Arthurlie visit Blair Park for a vital Super Premier Division contest today.
The Ayrshire outfit looked ominously strong early season but have come off the rails recently after chalking up only one victory – the 1-0 Ardagh Glass Cup quarter-final defeat of Largs Thistle – in their last five outings, much to the dismay of hard-working gaffer Hendo.
He has already put Hurlford’s latest 1-0 reverse against Glenafton in a midweek Ardagh semifinal clash to the back of his mind and is urging his players to get over their disappointment and focus on picking up their first league points of the season against the Barrhead visitors.
He said: “Losing to the Glens by a solitary goal is no indication of a dip in form and neither, it has to be said, is our Super Premier statistics up to now – showing we have nothing from a possible six points.
“Ours was always going to be a tough opener against a strong Beith side when we again went down to a single goal while our performance away to Auchinleck Talbot last Saturday was probably the best 60 minutes we’ve played as a team, even though we were reduced to 10 men with just 12 minutes gone.
“Paul McKenzie coming off with a knee problem just after the hour forced us to change our shape and we conceded two goals inside a minute before we’d reorganised ourselves properly.
“There was no way back after that and it’s galling to think Alan Jenkins was the stand-out player afield by the proverbial country mile yet he ended up on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline.”
Skilful ace McKenzie recov- ered in time to face Glenafton and should be patrolling his normal flank beat today.
However, Henderson has no shortage of injury concerns with bustling frontman Ross Robertson nursing a hamstring strain while centre-back namesake Chris Robertson is doubtful.
Hendo added: “I’m probably paying the price for attempting to get by with the smallest playing squad amongst the Super Premier clubs and I may well have to try and tie up another couple of loan signings.
“Sam Lidington, who we brought in from Stranraer, is only 20 years of age yet has been an absolute revelation so we have to be on the look out to see if there’s any more of his ilk out there.
“On the bright side, Ross Fisher is available again after serving a two-game ban and Craig Milloy is also back in the fray and their freshness will provide a welcome boost against what I’m hearing is a vastly-improved Arthurlie side.
“Our long term aim is to be challenging at the other end of the table but right now we have to think of nothing other than getting our first points on the board.”
MIDWEEK conquerors Glenafton are on Scottish Cup business today as they host far travelled Golspie Sutherland i n a Preliminary second round tie and Craig McEwan’s men are strongly fancied – as are fellow West Region side Gir van against St Cuthberts Wanderers – to secure a place in the first round proper which brings Highland League and Lowland League clubs into the mix.
Midfielder Cammy Marlow is a definite non-starter for the Glens while Ally Park and Joe Andrew face late fitness tests, however the Ayrshiremen have enough in their locker to get over this hurdle even if all three players are missing.
Auchinleck Talbot, left without a competitive game today, have arranged a Beechwood Park friendly against Annbank United (kick-off 2pm).
Elsewhere, Maryhill and Irvine Meadow have agreed to bring their Scottish Junior Cup first round clash forward to Friday, September 22, at Lochburn Park (kick-off 7pm). the Sons in today’s Irn-Bru Cup clash against Connah’s Quay Nomads at the Your Radio 103FM Stadium.
Aitken was relieved that his own side’s name came out of the hat first in the draw, avoiding a trip to Wales.
“I’m not sure of the benefits of making teams travel such distances for these games,” he said.
“If we were away on Saturday then it would have thrown up all sorts of financial and logistical challenges, not least of all for our players who would have to get time off work.
“We have a few injuries, but it’s a cup at the end of the day, and we will be going all out to win the game and get through to the next round.”