Shotts on the rise
Shotts saw a rise in fortunes in the second half of the year with the appointment of John Mckeown making a huge difference at Hannah Park.
The formerwishaw Juniors gaffer had a big job on his hands to turn the side’s fortunes around.
Firstly he persuaded goalkeeper Johnny Murdoch, strikers Danny Burns and Steve Aitken and midfielder Dean Sutherland to remain at the club.
He also brought in a raft of new players such as Junior Smith, Gerrywatt, Jordan Halsman and Craig Crawford at the back, midfielders Adam Hunter, Jordan Craig andtaylor Evans, as well as Michael Collinder and Jordan Love to help out up front. Later additions included Nicky Moore and Jamie Pollock.
There was an immediate improvement when the team qualified for the play-off round of the Sectional League Cup for the first time in five seasons, although they went out on penalties to Lesmahagow.
Despite setbacks against Greenock and Gartcairn, it has been in the league real progress has been made with the team winning 12 and drawing four so far to start 2019 in the promotion places.
They also boast the toughest defence in the division, with the gaffer’s defensive nous proving pivotal. But no matter how much success is achieved this season, it will be totally overshadowed by the injury to Nicky Moore in November that looks set to keep him out of football for around a year.