Gray backs boys from the stands
Cup-tied Bo’ness player says side too strong for Hurlford
DAVID GRAY’S was the hard luck story of last season’s Scottish Junior Cup Final and he might be needing more sympathy to be doled out if Bo’ness United can upset the odds and take the Holy Grail honours this time out.
The one-time Dundee United and Kilmarnock midfielder played an integral part in Glenafton’s triumphant Cup run last season and figured in both semi-finals against Bonnyrigg Rose so it was something of a selection surprise when he then found himself omitted from the Ayrshire outfit’s starting line-up for the Final when they ran out 2-1 winners over rivals Auchinleck Talbot.
His substitute’s role earned him a winners’ gong at his former Rugby Park home, but even that consolation will be denied him if East Region cracks Bo’ness go on to get their hands on the coveted silverware for only the fourth time in their history.
The 29-year-old obtained his release from Glenafton early last month that sparked a signing approach from United boss Stevie Kerrigan, who had previously managed Arthurlie, and Gray was only too happy to make the move East along with feted Pollok pair Alan McKenzie and Nicky Prentice as Keggs strengthened his Newtown Park playing hand.
An unfortunate aspect is the East Kilbride-based ace is cuptied after featuring as a Glens substitute in their 5-1 secondround defeat of Dalry Thistle so he is resigned to being on the outside looking in when his new Bo’ness team-mates go toe-to-toe with 2014 Cup winners Hurlford United in a quarter-final clash tomorrow afternoon.
He said: “I won’t be short of company at the game because Nicky played for Pollok in the competition and is also ruled out. However big Alan is looking a definite starter and I think he will pose problems for Hurlford’s defence.
“I played against them earlier this season when the Glens won 1-0 in the Ardagh Glass Cup semi-finals and they are typically big and strong as Hurlford teams have been in recent years. But I happen to think Bo’ness will have too much for them on the day.
“Our performance in beating Kilbirnie 3-0 away from home in the last round was really impressive and though only playing once since coming here, last Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Newtongrange Star, I’ve seen enough to know Bo’ness shouldn’t be running scared at the prospect of taking on any of the teams left in the Cup.
“The gaffer and his No 2 Keith Hogg are not ones to leave any stones unturned and they have quizzed me at length over what I feel are Hurlford’s strengths, but they also had someone watching their game against Pollok last weekend and I have to say their preparations have been first class.”
Hard-working playmaker Gray, a goalscorer in last season’s Evening Times Cup final, denied he had left Glenafton under a cloud but did admit to a difference of opinion with erstwhile Loch Park boss Craig McEwan.
Gray said: “It can be difficult at any club when you are not playing as regularly as you would like and it would be lying to say I was content to just sit on the bench most weeks.”