Annbank boss calls for fixture shake-up

Jan 16 2009

STEPH McMILLAN hailed Annbank’s first league draw in two years and then called on junior bosses to mount a fixtures shake-up.

The Bankies boss wants the Ardagh Cup shunted to the end of the campaign and reckons the league should kick off with a flurry of league games in August.

McMillan spoke out after Annbank twice came from behind to rescue a point in a see-saw 3-3 draw at home to Shotts.

He said: “I’m very proud of the players. It was only our second game in nine weeks and the point gets us out the mire and helps us aim for mid-table which is our target.

“We’ve only played eight league games which means we’re going to be playing catch up. We could end up playing three times a week which is hopeless for players on shift work. It’s a real problem.

“It would surely make sense to put back the Ardagh Cup and play five league games in the opening three weeks. That would get the league off to a good start and I reckon that should always be the priority.”

Jim Wilson gave Bankies an eighth minute flier after Mick McCann beat the keeper to set him up. But two goals in three minutes from Kevin Barr and John McQuade turned the tables.

Bankies were level at the break when a Paul McKenzie corner was turned into his own net by Darren Ferguson for an OG.

Barr put Shotts back in front midway through the second-half but a Jim Wilson penalty with eight minutes to go saved a point. It came after Wilson was pulled down by a defender who was shown two red cards for disputing the decision.

Annbank now head to Ashfield in the Citylink Scottish Cup on Saturday and McMillan says: “We’re good on the road and this is a winnable tie.”

AUCHINLECK host Dundee Violet but without match practice after their game at Cumnock was frozen off. Talbot winger Kris Doolan has completed his move to Partick Thistle, a transfer first revealed by the Post.

GLENAFTON are licking their wounds after their third successive defeat to surely end their title hopes.

But Gordon Dalziel’s men felt hard done by after dominating the first-half only to have Andy Gow sent off a minute before the break.

Beith cashed in with strikes from Andy Reid, John Craig and Steve McGregor OG. Glens pulled back a late consolation through Craig Feroz after good work by sub John McMillan.

GIRVAN fancy themselves for a First Division promotion push after beating East Kilbride 2-1 to go fifth but with games in hand on the top four.

However, boss Billy Thomson fears a huge backlog and said: “I just hope our Scottish Cup tie away to Carnoustie on Saturday goes ahead as we can’t afford any more postponements. It’s going to be a long summer.”

Girvan fell behind to a wind assisted 30 yard free-kick but levelled at the break when Kris Mitchell toe poked the ball home after Steve O’Donnell’s header was saved. The winner came from Michael Moffat after a good run by David McVittie.

Thomson, who has transfer listed Jim Leitch, said: “The only goals we are conceding are coming from set plays so we must stop giving away silly free-kicks.”

In the Ayrshire League, leaders KELLO went four points clear after crushing fellow title hopefuls Irvine Vics.

Martin Shaw nodded home a Fraser McGarva cross and then sub Kevin McKie came off the bench for Stuart Bell to score with his first touch via the post.

Wind assisted Vics pressed hard in the second-half and Brian Smith headed home a corner. But sub Gary Crosbie restored the two goal cushion after keeper Scott Murray dropped a corner.

The win was sealed when Crosbie exchanged passes with David Jardine to ram home his second.

LUGAR, who have signed Hurlford striker Michael Hart, missed a great chance to turn up the heat when they were held to a goalless draw at struggling Saltcoats.

WHITLETTS stayed in touch with a 3-1 win at home to Dalry. In a whirlwind start, they raced 3-0 in 12 minutes with goals from Elliot Duffy, David Cunningham and Stevie McKissock. Nicky Cusack hit the post for Dalry before Neil Sanderson got one back with five minutes to go.

Former Lugar and Muirkirk boss Willie McMahon has joined the Vics backroom team and will be scouting and looking at future opposition.

Hard to please TROON boss John Redmond hailed a 2-1 win over Ardeer as three good points but nothing else. He said: “Ardeer played the better football in the conditions and merited at least a draw. We scored two cracking goals but that’s all we can take out of it.”

Trailing at the break to a glancing header by manager’s son Gregg Kean, Troon equalised with a Ricky Hanvey 25 yarder. With two minutes to go, Stevie Abbott crashed a 30 yarder into the top corner.

Troon have signed former Kello and Girvan midfielder Mark Gardner, who was a free agent.