Troon Juniors snap up golden oldie Carlo

Aug 8 2008

TROON hope the signing of Maybole veteran Carlo Walker will bring valuable experience to their young team.

Walker, 39, has quit Ladywell after a remarkable 18 seasons to step down to the District League but he insists it’s a move up.

He said: “It’s a shame not to be part of Maybole considering I played through times when they were really struggling and on the brink of folding. But now they are on the up with a big squad and players who are on long term deals and turning down moves to Premier clubs.

“I want to try and play for as long as I can and while Troon are not as good a team as Maybole at present, they are a bigger club off the park.”

Boss Michael O’Neil said: “We will have eight or nine players aged 21 or under. Our captain Gordon Burns is only 29 and Chris Friels is 30 so Carlo will help us on the park.”

Troon have also signed Annbank midfielder Craig Main and centre back Scott Chapman from Crosshouse under 21s.

AUCHINLECK warmed up for the big kick-off by crushing Penicuik 6-0 all with second-half goals.

New signing Sean McIlroy hit four with Stuart Davidson and Ian Cashmore also on target.

That earned them the Barony Colliery Memorial Trophy which was donated by Penicuik provost Adam Montgomery, who was born and bred in Auchinleck. The trophy also commemorated four miners who were killed in 1962 and was dedicated to Adam’s father who was the NUM secretary at the time.

Boss Tommy Sloan said: “I thought we were excellent in the first-half despite all the goals coming after the interval.”

CUMNOCK are set to sign former Rangers youths and Ross County raider Lloyd Murphy who had been on trial at Ayr United.

It will be second time lucky for boss Campbell Money who failed to sign him when he was in charge of Ayr youths.

Money said: “At the time Llloyd opted for Rangers so I’m pleased to get him this time. He is extremely talented and I see him operating off the front.”

Cumnock have also signed 19-year-old keeper Scott Johnstone from Stenhousemuir and have taken centre-half Rhys Galloway on loan from Stenny.

Stevie Murray is a long term injury but fellow knee crock Gareth Armstrong has resumed light training.

GLENAFTON were given a fright as they beat Winton Rovers 4-3 to retain the Joe Meldrum Trophy.

They raced 3-0 up with goals from trialist Craig Seenan, Paul McMullan and Dougie Ramsay.

Winton got one back but a Ramsay header made it 4-1 at the break.

However, when Glens fell asleep in the second-half, Winton pulled back two goals and were denied the equaliser by the woodwork and a good save from Chris Fahey.

Earlier, Glens crushed Maxwellton Thistle 9-0 with goals from John Paul Grant (two, including a penalty), Chris Merrilees, Steven McGregor, Willie Howie, trialist Stuart Tullis (2), Jamie Doyle and Ramsay.

MAYBOLE could sign Joe Flannigan for a second time after he impressed in pre-season games and scored in a 4-0 win over Saltcoats. Also on target were Andy Stevenson, Martin Reilly and trialist Chris Gilhooley from Kilwinning under 21s.

Boss Peter Leonard has signed former Montrose and Deveronvale midfielder Martin Barr who spent last season with Westerlands. And he is running the rule over 17-year-old Ayr lad Robbie Morton.

ANNBANK are still chasing Kilwinning veteran Derek McCulloch who was outstanding as a trialist in a 4-1 challenge defeat at home to Glencairn. Goals came from Darwin Johnstone and Bruce McMaster.

Skipper Mick McCann, who missed the end of last saason with a groin injury, came off the bench for the last 20 minutes.

Busy LUGAR boss Alan Cotton has raided Kello for Andy Rae, Sean Lawrie, Scott McNeil, John Anderson and Graham Wark. Another new face is Saltcoats striker Tom McLelland. Lugar lost 2-1 at home to East Kilbride in their final warm-up.

CRAIGMARK have signed former Ayr United striker Stephen Whalen for the second time. The ex Morton and Livingston hit man has also had spells at Morton and Livingston but is happy to rejoin his home town team.

Boss Lawrie Dinwoodie hopes Whalen’s experience will benefit his young crop of players.