Girvan battle with Kilwinning for mystery midfielder

Jul 25 2008 by Mike Wilson

NEWLY promoted Girvan are battling with Kilwinning for a mystery Premier Division midfielder believed to be Auchinleck Talbot’s Neal Gilmour.

And boss Billy Thomson vows his new Hamilton Parkers will be a match for anyone in the Super First Division.

Thomson has already signed former Maybole midfielder Tony Murphy from Hurlford and keeper Stuart Leavy from Kello Rovers. And he says if he can add his latest target, Girvan will be the real deal.

He said: “The man I am after is very experienced and can play on the left and in the middle. He is on holiday at present but he’s a smashing player and I am very hopeful I can get him.

“I reckon if we can cut out conceding silly goals and make ourselves hard to beat, we will do every well because we have players like Darren Mitchell and Michael Moffat who will always score.

“The First Division doesn’t scare me. I know a lot of the teams and we acquited ourselves well against Maybole and Largs last season.”

Defender Michael Holden is back after an ankle break and Thomson reckons his depth of squad gives him many options.

Girvan open at home to Stranraer on Wednesday July 23 and head to Johnstone Burgh on Saturday.

AUCHINLECK boss Tommy Sloan admitted his men were ‘disjointed and disappointing’ when they lost 1-0 away to St Anthony’s in their opening friendly. Several new faces were on show but it was an old boy who came closest when veteran Stevie Mallan rattled the bar.

On trial were former Morton youngster Gary Phillips and ex-Maryhill man Paul Gordon. Former Glenafton midfielder Paul Deeney was helping out the threadbare squad, but won’t be signing, while youngsters Scott Cowan and Ged McLean were on the bench.

John Boyle has been sold to Bellshill while Colin Spence and Adam Strain have still to re-sign.

Talbot head to Camelon on Saturday (2pm) and travel to play Irvine Vics on Wednesday July 30.

GLENAFTON have signed former Hearts and Berwick player of the year Peter McMullan and ex-Ayr United man Dougie Ramsay from Irvine Meadow.

They ran Stirling Albion close before losing 2-1 in the East Kilbride tournament with a John Paul Grant penalty and then lost 3-2 to Preston Athletic with a weakened squad.

On Saturday, Glens entertain Thorn Ams in a friendly.

MAYBOLE were due to play Bonnyton on the Carrick Academy astroturf of Wednesday and then head to the Lugar tournament this weekend. Lugar play Lesmahagow at 1pm with Maybole against Shotts at 3.15pm. The final and third/fourth place play-off is on Sunday.

TROON have been boosted by the return of striker Stevie Crichton who has signed a new deal after missing the final quarter of last season.

The Portland Parkers were due to host Hurlford Ams on Wednesday, Shettleston Juniors on Saturday, Glenburn MW on Monday and head to Hurlford United on Wednesday. And they are looking for a lunchtime friendly fixture on Saturday August 2.

ANNBANK are set to sign former Troon striker Tommy Sloan junior. They have home friendlies against Arthurlie Ams tonight (Thursday), Kello on Saturday and Glencairn on August 2.

IRVINE MEADOW retained the Kelburn Cup in the annual pre-season tournament at Neilston. They beat Beith 3-0 courtesy of a great Chris Robertson header, a Brian McGinty penalty and a tremendous finish by Emilio Jaconelli.

In the final, Meadow beat a young St Mirren side 2-1 with a Gareth Turner looping shot and a Jaconelli volley.

lFormer Cumnock and Kilwinning midfielder Stevie McCulloch has made a surprise move to Carrick Amateurs where his dad George is assistant boss.