Voice of Reason: April 8

Apr 1 2011 Ayrshire Post (main ed)

IT started out as a title fight.

Now it's a battle to hold on to a play-off spot.

Something has gone horribly wrong at Somerset Park – and we need to know why.

Last season's dreadful capitulation, which resulted in relegation, is still fresh in the mind.

Are we now embarking on a similar self destruct mission after our thirddefeat in a row on Tuesday evening?

Beaten twice this season by East Fife, Stenhousemuir and Forfar. Hardly giants of the Scottish game.

We're a town of almost 50,000 people.

We deserve far better.

DARREN Henderson was always quite the character.

Life was never dull with him in the middle of the park at Somerset.

And it seems he’s stumbled across greatness in his coaching gear.

Leading backwater Dalry Thistle to the semi finals of the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup.

A monstrous achievement.

Quite what they’re doing at this stage of the competition seems a mystery.

But credit must be given to Henderson and his troops.

Unbeaten since he took over in November – who would back against them?

GREAT to see Ronnie Coyle honoured at the weekend.

The former Ayr skipper was given a benefit game by legends of Raith and Celtic.

It’s all due to his battle with leukaemia and we can only wish him well.

Coyle, of course, was the last Ayr man to lift a league title in 1997.

That day at Berwick will live long in the memory for Honest Men and Bonnie Lassies.

It could be a long time before we enjoy such a moment again.

Good luck Ronnie, you were one of the game’s gentlemen.

OVER in betting corner, the heat is being ramped up.

Allan Haggo has nudged one point ahead and is trying to make adesperate dash for the line.

Down at the pit, Iain Ferguson continued his comically miserable run by tipping one of the country’s worst sides to lose at the weekend.

And of course they duly won.

I would say that you couldn’t make it up. But with Fergie involved, youinevitably could.

This week, Haggo heads for the winning post with Norwich 3, Scunthorpe 1.

Fergie lights the fuse under poor old Stevenage this week by taking them to beat Bradford 2-0.

And the VoR says Livingston 2, Brechin 0.