2018 Part 1: Jim O’Donnell reflects on another roller-coaster ride...
2018 will go down as one of the most momentous in Junior football’s annals but not necessarily for all the right reasons.
The game at this level is undoubtedly poorer for mass exodus of so many top East Region clubs bearing fabulous Junior histories while shameful stories of a referee being assaulted with the year coming to a close have left a stain that may never be erased.
Here goes with the first six months of 2018 happenings…
Bryan Boylan’s goal in a 1-0 victory over Auchinleck Talbot sees Kilwinning Rangers start the New Year atop the Super Premier Division table.
Arthurlie’s new manager Billy Ogilvie’s first derby match ends in a 5-0 defeat by Pollok whose manager Tony McInally dedicates the win to deceased Lok legend John “Tiger” Shaw but the Southside giants are then rocked by new signing Martin McGoldrick moving to Dubai to take up a lucrative job offer.
Beith striker Andy Reid returns at Bellsdsale Park some 18 months after announcing his retirement following the Ayrshire side’s Scottish Junior Cup final triumph over Pollok.
Irvine Meadow emerge the 6-2 Cup winners over Dunbar United in one of only two ties to beat the bog freeze, Bonnyrigg Rose beating Newtongrange Star 3-2 in the other.
Whitletts Vics appoint George Grierson as their new manager and Jamie Mckim takes up the helm at Johnstone Burgh just as James McKenna and Kevin Docherty are unveiled as the co-managers at Thorniewood United.
The Junior Cup fourth round sees Auchinleck hammer arch rivals Cumnock 5-1, Rob Roy are 6-2 winners against Kennoway Star Hearts while Gartcairn and Arthurlie play out a 2-2 deadlock.
Auchinleck’s title hopes are boosted by a 2-1 defeat of Pollok who get an early opportunity for revenge as the clubs are paired together in the Scottish Junior Cup fifth-round draw which also pits Rutherglen Glencairn with a home tie against Bo’ness United.
Wishaw Juniors sensationally axe manager John Brogan just days before their Scottish Junior Cup tie against Forth with the job entrusted to ex-Pollok gaffer Rab Sneddon while officials advertise their vacant post.
Arthurlie suffer a Scottish Cup exit away to Carnoustie Panmure, Kilbirnie Ladeside lose out to Bo’ness Utd, Hurlford United beat Sauchie and Jamie Glasgow nets twice as Auchinleck run out 4-1 winners against Pollok.
Dunipace management team Gareth Alexander and Craig Cavan tender their resignations while Wishaw install ex-Hearts and Ross County striker Derek Holmes as their new manager and Shotts Bon Accord transfer list Dominic O’Halloran.
Rob Roy land the winners of the Wishaw v Yoker Athletic delayed last-16 clash in the dream tie of Junior Cup quarter-final draw with also pits Auchinleck with a trip to Carnoustie, Beith at home to Lochee Utd and Hurlford Utd awaiting the visit of Bo’ness.
The Beast from the East forcing the cancellation of every Junior game in Scotland sees the topic of summer football raising its head again.
Wishaw overcome Yoker 3-1 in their delayed fifth-round tie to secure a home game against Rob Roy and prevail again with a stunning 2-0 success through goals from Dan Kindlan and Vinnie McGuire.
In the Junior Cup, Auchinleck beat Carnoustie and Hurlford get through against Bo’ness by the skin of their teeth but Beith are stunned by Lochee United who win 4-1 in the Ayrshire heartlands.
Auchinleck recover from a 1-0 first-leg defeat at home to Lochee to win 2-1 on aggregate thanks to Ross Harvey and Dwayne Hyslop scores up on Tayside and the victory makes the cup final yet another all-Ayrshire occasion against Hurlford who overcome a plucky Wishaw on a 2-1 aggregate scoreline.
St Roch’s move third top of the Central First Division pile with a 5-1 victory over Shotts Bon Accord while a first promotion in 81 years