Harvey expects big things from Bennett
Hopes are high as U21 captain steps up to seniors
Last season’s under-21 captain Ryan Bennett will be a big player for Glencairn this year, according to his manager Willie Harvey.
The Glens midfielder was one of several members of the youth team that were called up to the senior side for the 2016/17 campaign.
He guided Glencairn to a West of Scotland U21 trophy win on the final day of last season.
And Harvey believes the youngster will be an important asset for the team after bagging his first goal of the season against Vale of Clyde last weekend.
Bennett opened the scoring against Ian Currie’s men in the second fixture of the Exsel Group Central Sectional League Cup.
“Ryan is a good player,” Harvey said following the 2-1 victory.
“He was the under-21 captain last year and we have high hopes for him this season. We expect him to be a big player of us.
“He can play up front and in midfield and has a cracking attitude on the pitch and works really hard.”
The Glens ran out winners against Vale in a game which saw both teams reduced to 10 men.
Scott McManus cancelled out Bennett’s opener after capitalising on ‘keeper Hutchison’s error as he went to collect a high cross.
But Del McNab was on hand to knock in a rebound following Fraser Team’s header that was parried by Vale stopper Lynch.
Harvey insisted the game was played in the right spirit, despite Sean McGuire and Haydn Cochrane being sent for an early bath.
“Both players made a couple of silly fouls and got two bookings but it was in no way a dirty game,” he said.
“It was a case of the referee overreacting with showing cards too early but credit it to him because he had quite a good game.
“We should have had the game dead and buried by half-time. We hit the post and the bar a couple of times. Our passing was good, our movement up front was great and we had a couple chances.
“In the second half we lost Sean McGuire right away and then they scored soon after to give them a wee lift so it put us under the cosh for 10 minutes. But after that, when we had 10 men, we looked to be the better team.”
Tony Fraser’s involvement tormented the Vale defence all afternoon and Harvey told the Reformer he hopes the side can take advantage of his set piece deliveries in the future.
He said: “Tony is senior player at the club with a great left foot so you know you’ll get a good delivery from him.
“He has been terrific the past couple of weeks and was causing Vale problems. We’ll hope to start scoring from those chances.”
Glencairn are due to play Blantyre Victoria tonight, Wednesday, before hosting East Kilbride Thistle in the final group game this Saturday.
Although The Vics lost their opening game 3-2 to Vale, they responded by beating the Jags 6-1 last Wednesday in a game watched by Willie Harvey.
He has a cracking attitude on the pitch and works really hard