Milky refuses to give up chase in bid to retain title
THE prospects of Beith winning back-to-back league titles may be considered slim but not according to Mighty ace Keir Milliken.
He and his team-mates occupy fourth place in the table, 16 points adrift of front-runners Hurlford United. However a defiant Milky is refusing to give up the chase.
The 30-year-old Scotland Juniors internationalist, who has recently been reinstated to his more accustomed forward line role after being deployed in Beith’s midfield and defence, believes there is everything to play for ahead of tomorrow’s trip to face Cambuslang Rangers.
“Of course 16 points makes for a sizable gap but we were 12 points behind last season and still came through to finish top of the pile,” he said.
“Bookmakers make no secret of the fact they are writing everyone off barring Hurlford and Auchinleck which could work in our favour if we can put together a winning run.
“Right now we are unbeaten in our last six outings yet truth is we could be doing even better if you think how poor we were in dropping a couple of points in our recent 1-1 draw with Irvine Meadow.
“Taking one game at a time has to be our approach starting away to a Cambuslang side that we only beat 2-1 at Bellsdale in a hard fought encounter and will not be any pushovers.”
Milky, a league title winner with Irvine Meadow and Auchinleck Talbot before playing his part in Beith’s triumph, is hoping his side’s array of attacking riches can make the difference.
“The injury picked up by Ross McPherson has allowed myself and Thomas Collins to form a decent partnership but we also carry a goal threat coming from deeper in the shape of Joe Bradley and Darren Christie who are terrific ballplayers while there is also the pace and drive of young Peter Heggarty,” he said.
“We are aware of the danger posed by their front man John Gemmell and a fascinating battle is in prospect between him and Shez [John Sheridan] and I’ll make sure I’m not the meat in the sandwich when those two come together.