Aberdeenwell ahead but taking nothing for granted

Aberdeen AAC’s Andrew Ferguson claims his side will not be taking anything for granted in the final ScottishMen’s Athletics League First Division match of the season at Grangemouth tomorrow, despite holding a significant lead at the top of the table.

Aberdeen won the title for the first time in 20 years last season and are poised to hold on to the trophy for a second season after opening up a significant gap on their rivals in the opening three fixtures of this campaign.

It would take a calamitous Aberdeen collapse for secondplaced Central AC to overhaul the champions and Ferguson does not believe that is likely to happen.

He said: “We have a very strong team available again for this match and we are very keen to win it. We have won each of the three other fixtures and it would be great to complete a clean sweep. “No one will be taking it easy. “It was fantastic to win it last year after such a long time and I guess it will feel a little different doing it again, but it will still be a good feeling to retain the title.”

Ferguson also revealed he and co-manager Ewan Calder are handing debut appearances to two athletes in the match.

He said: “Rory Stewart will be making his first appearance for us in the javelin, while Desmond Ojei will partner Gavin Irvine in the 100metres and 4x100m relay.”

A number of the Aberdeen squad are also in line for individual league honours, with special awards going to the leading track and field competitors.

Athletes are ranked according to the number of points they have scored for their clubs throughout the campaign.

Aberdeen’s Ryan Oswald headsthe trackcompetitionwith 16.5 points but he is unavailable this weekend, leaving clubmate Daniel Rees with an opportunity to move to the top.

Central AC’s Dale Colley is tied with Rees in second position on 14.5, while another Aberdeen athlete, Rory Muir, is not far behind on 12.

Aberdeen’s Sam Lyon is second in the field events table, sitting on 15.5 points, just 0.5 behind Commonwealth Games discus thrower Gus McInroy (Shettleston Harriers).