Birkmyre relishing chanceto reachfinal
Birkmyre take on Irvine this Saturday in a keenly-awaited West Bowl semi-final.
The third-placed Kilmacolm outfit have been given a tough away draw against the side who currently sit above them in top spot in the West Region League Division Three table.
The clubs have met twice already this season in the league with honours even so this is sure to be a closelyfought contest.
Oddly enough, the victories have gone to the away team on both occasions.
Birkmyre captain Ross Moglia commented: “We are really looking forward to this contest with a place in the final on the line.
“We have a strong squad available to play in this match and we are confident we can return a victory for our supporters.”
Kick-off is at 3pm at Marress in North Ayrshire. The other semi sees Lochaber host Glasgow University Medics.
Elsewhere this weekend and in West Region League Division Two, Bishopton resume their bid for promotion with a trip to North Lanarkshire to face Cumbernauld.
At the other end of the table, rock-bottom Paisley look for their first win of the season at home to Clydebank.
Toyosi Olusanya insists points win prizes after his strike maintained St Mirren’s push for Europe.
The 26-year-old forward climbed off the bench to earn his Buddies a 1-1 draw at Ross County on Tuesday night.
Saints are rock-solid in fifth place and were a point behind Kilmarnock in fourth ahead of the East Ayrshire side’s Premiership visit of Rangers last night.
Olusanya knows an exciting end to the season lies ahead which is why he was happy Saints made the trip down the A9 with a point in the kit hamper.
“We’re buzzing to come here and get something out of the game,” he said.
“I think we deserved more than a point but we didn’t lose and that’s the most important thing we can take from the game.
“The gaffer [Stephen Robinson] said be positive, go on and attack and make it hard for them to defend. All the subs coming on made an impact in the game.
“I’m always happy to help the squad and happy to get a goal personally. We’re playing for top six and hopefully Europe and every point counts.
“We are looking to widen the gap to the teams below us in the table but at the same time we’re also looking up and seeing if we can push those above us.
“We are worrying about what is in front of us, not behind us.
“Credit to the gaffer and the squad, we’ve shown that we can be a top-six side and it shows the aspirations in the squad that we are pushing for Europe.”
There was VAR controversy in the
Highlands when TV official Greg Aitken apparently failed to check for a handball against Ryan Leak when assessing whether he had pulled James Bolton’s jersey in the box.
“I’ve not seen it back and the official has said it was not a penalty,” Olusanya added. “You can only do what you can do. You are going to face adversity in football all the time.
“Even with that decision, we didn’t let it affect us and we did what we could to get back into the game.
“I’m sure it’s hard for everyone; the officials that are on it and the referees. Everybody is trying their best at the end of the day.
“You can only hope that if the decision goes your way, it is a positive and if it doesn’t, you just have to move on.
“It’s out of our control.”