Voice of Reason, 4th February

Feb 4 2011 Ayrshire Post (main ed)

SO the big stage awaits once more.

TV may have shunned us this time, but we don’t need the cameras to show Scotland what we’re made of.

There’s been a certain Roy of the Rovers quality to this season so far.

A small band of merry squad members battling their way through the campaign.

The hero striker who can’t stop scoring.

The Hulk defender blasting clear everything in his path.

The midfielder who would run through a brick wall for the team.

Even the youth product at full back who will clearly be sold on to stardom.

There is indeed a buzz about the place.

And come this Saturday, a packed Somerset Park will be bouncing.

The sooner we ascend to this level on a weekly basis, the better.

Get there in numbers – the quarter-finals are calling.

A DAY of old faces at Somerset this weekend. Some older than others.

Gareth Wardlaw and Craig Samson will be back at their former stamping ground.

Although neither will play right enough.

And off the field, top administrator Brian Caldwell will return to grace the great corridors.

Caldwell was top notch at running operations during the heady days of Bill Barr.

But quickly let down by a receding hairline as the stress of the post caught up with him.

Looking forward to seeing all the old boys.

THE majesty of Mark Roberts grows with each passing week.

His wonderful second goal against Stenhousemuir was vintage stuff from the veteran.

And as Brian Reid said, we’d have seen it replayed 100 times if Lionel Messi was the scorer.

Bit worried about Mr Reid, though.

He was understandably raging at full time on Saturday, given certain decisions from referee Neil Watters.

And the after match press conference was quality entertainment.

But Reid claimed he was going to calm down by heading home to watch the X Factor.

Good luck, Brian, it only finished two months ago.

THE VoR has finally submitted and joined the Twitter age.

It strikes me that everyone and their granny is tweeting like little birdies these days.

So a personality like myself has got to be part of this revolution.

To stay in touch with my latest views on all things Ayr United and the sporting world, why not follow me?

Yes that’s right, you can now find me on Twitter @VoiceAyr.

Let the good times roll.

OVER in betting corner, order has been restored.

Allan Haggo’s short lived lead was exactly that.

And now he’s locked with the VoR in what looks like being a thrilling fight to the finish.

For those wondering, Iain Ferguson IS still competing.

But rather like the Monster Raving Loony Party, he’s only there to complete the ballot paper.

This week, Haggo goes Chesterfield 3, Aldershot 1.

Fergie plunders on with Yeovil 0, Charlton 2.

And champion in waiting, the VoR, plumps for Alloa 2, Dumbarton 0.