NEW COIN HOLDINGS CUP FINAL It’d be a Belter of a tale if I won the cup onmyoldLokpatch
TODAY’S eagerlyawaited New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup Final promises to be a case of many happy returns for one of two players lining up on either side of the Arthurlie v Kilwinning Rangers divide.
Lining up between the sticks for the Barrhead men is goalkeeper Kris Robertson, back on the familiar Newlandsfield pastures where he helped win six trophies during a rewarding four-year playing stint at Pollok under Rab Sneddon.
And in the Ayrshire camp, with more recent memories of the Southside club, is veteran defender Chris McGowan, who only moved away last summer after being considered surplus to new Lok gaffer Tony McInally’s requirements.
A romance of the cup storyline beckons for 32-year-old Robertson, who only recently came out of work-enforced retirement to help out former Lok team-mate and current Arthurlie manager Robert Downs after his regular No.1 Mikey White was hit by a three-game ban for a violent conduct offence in the quarterfinal victory over Cumbernauld United.
The shotstopper, nicknamed Belter, said: “Robert stays close to me and we talk whenever we meet in the street about the Junior football scene so he had forewarned me that he might call on my services if Mikey copped a ban.
“I had no hesitation in helping him out, or indeed my first Junior club Arthurlie, even though I’m clearly a bit rusty after hanging up the boots at Kilbirnie Ladeside 12 months ago.
“That much was clear when I played in last weekend’s semifinal victory against Irvine Meadow – my kicking off the ground was dodgy to say the least and contributed in no small part to Medda’s first goal.
“The funny thing was I had not felt the slightest bit nervous beforehand, but once out on the pitch I turned very edgy in the opening 20 minutes. Thankfully I settled down and made a few saves to justify Downsy’s faith in me.
“Stepping out in front of a massive crowd for the final will have the juices flowing again but I’ll be better prepared and it also helps that I’ve a further week’s training under my belt to get to know the Arthurlie players.
“It’s a good dressing room, with one or two familiar faces in one-time Pollok midfielder Ryan McGregor and Arthurlie’s very own old stager, Mark Blakey.”
Belter has never won the New Coin Holdings Cup despite making four final appearances, the first of which was for Arthurlie in their 4-3 reverse against rank outsiders Troon in 2005.
HE insisted: “The West was never a competition I enjoyed the best of luck in, so it would be a dream come true and quite ironic if that all changed this weekend. I may be a stop-gap signing, but I’ll be celebrating every bit as much as everyone else if the day goes Arthurlie’s way.”
Grizzled defender McGowan, one of the Kilwinning mainstays this season, says he is looking forward to his New- landsfield return. He admitted: “I have more good memories than bad of the place despite things not going as well as they might on the playing front under John Richardson, the man who signed me.
“Not being part of Tony McInally’s plans is just one of those things that happen in football, but I have few complaints considering how well Kilwinning have fared this season.
“Winning promotion was superb and getting to this final is a terrific achievement for such a young side and more so for an old head like myself who thought games of this magnitude were a thing of the past.
“I won the New Coin Holdings Cup three times with Irvine Meadow but we were strong favourites on each of those occasions so it would be something special to do it as an underdog ”
McGowan scored in the win over Kilbirnie and cannot be ruled out of marking another final with a goal considering he has netted 10 times already this season.
He added: “It would be pleasing to notch, but I would take even greater satisfaction if Kilwinning could post a clean sheet because defending is my main job.
“It’s not beyond us, even against a team of Arthurlie’s attacking quality, because our two full-backs, Tommy Maitland and Barry Fleeting, in tandem with Isaac Kerr, a fabulous prospect who plays alongside me in central defence, are capable of keeping things tight, and behind us Fraser Stewart has great hands.
“Our front players have attracted rave reviews for their play this season, and rightly so, but winning finals is a team game and everyone has to contribute.”
If today’s game finishes level after 90 minutes, a penalty shoot-out will take place.
In other games today, Blantyre Vics can secure the Central First Division title with a win at Wishaw. Relegation-threatened Benburb will be looking to beat Dunipace while also hoping drop rivals Wishaw lose.
Elsewhere, newly-promoted St Roch’s will stage their AGM in the James McGrory Stadium pavilion on Monday, June 8, at 7pm.
Season tickets for their campaign in the Central First Division will be available on the night (contact president Jim Friel on 01417712401).