Bitter rivals will play tribute for Pottsy

Aug 7 2009 by Mike Wilson

FIERCE rivals Auchinleck and Cumnock are casting their differences aside to play in a fund raising tribute game.

The two teams will get together to stage a benefit match in September for the family of Cumnock keeper Graham Potter, who died aged 30, during the club’s pre-season trip to Durham.

Talbot legend Kenny Paterson has put the cup final shirt of striker David Gillies up for auction to raise cash.

Proceeds from a race night on Friday will also go the fund while Buller and friends will put on a show at Cumnock Social Club on Sunday, August 30.

There was a huge turnout for Graham’s funeral at High Blantyre last Saturday with junior clubs from all over Scotland well represented.

Boss Steve Farrell, who spoke in tribute, said: “It has been the most difficult week in Cumnock’s history but the players have handled it with immense character.

“I think they have been a credit to themselves and the club.”

Farrell revealed there were tears as the players left the dressing room for Monday’s 2-0 win over Kello, Cumnock’s first game since the tragedy.

Graham’s number one shirt has been retired for the season with Derek Barnes wearing number 20 instead.

After a minute’s silence, Cumnock won the game with goals from Ian Cashmore and Graham Wilson.

Farrell said: “The players put on a good performance and went about their business the right way. It was an emotional night.”

AUCHINLECK have made a slow start to the Ardagh Cup, losing 2-1 at home to Glenafton who struck through Chic Connolly (penalty) and new signing Jose Quitongo. And on Saturday, they scrambled a 2-2 draw at Lugar with goals from John Boyle and Bryan Young. Lugar opened with a 2-0 win over Muirkirk.

GLENAFTON have appointed long serving former Craigmark secretary Tommy Farrell as match secretary. Tom King becomes general secretary.

Farrell spent more than 40 years at the Dalmellington club before a split in the summer.

Former secretary of many years Alex Jess returns to the committee along with fellow new additions John Stewart, Alexander Boyle and John Campbell who also join the Glenafton Trust.

Up for sale are keeper Chris Fahey and strikers Chris Zok and Craig Feroz. Glens have accepted an offer from Kilsyth for Zok but the player has still to agree.

The club hope to make a couple of signings before the weekend with the accent on youth.

They have been delighted with the impact of former Hearts and man of many clubs Quitongo and feel he can inspire their youngster.

MAYBOLE head section three, following up a 3-3 draw against Girvan with a 3-0 win over Whitletts. Alan Love got the opener right on half-time while Paul Kerr added a second-half double. Vics, who fielded former Maybole stalwart Carlo Walker, had Steven Lynch sent off.

CRAIGMARK boss Lawrie Dinwoodie is delighted with four points from their two away games with new signing Brian Kerr from Maybole making a quick impact.

Goals from Kerr, Jordan Marshall and Martin Bain gave them a 3-2 win over Annbank last Wednesday. And on Saturday, they drew 1-1 at Girvan with Kerr again on target.

Dinwoodie said: “The boys have started well and we could have won at Girvan with Gary McNeil hitting the bar when we were 1-0 ahead.”

IRVINE MEADOW have gone goal crazy in section two with 16 goals in their first two games.

They hammered Ardeer 10-0 with Emilio Jaconelli scoring a hat-trick and doubles from debutant John Dillon and Gareth Turner. Other goals came from David Hamilton (penalty), John Paul Boyle and Gary Wilde.

They followed that with a 6-1 rout of Darvel when Boyle scored four. Also on target were Jaconelli and FrankieHaggarty.

ANNBANK came from behind to win 2-1 at TROON who took the lead in two minutes through Jonathan Baillie. Player-boss Steph McMillan set up Paul McKenzie who beat two men to equaliser before the break.

Jim Wilson hit the winner with 20 minutes when he pounced on a long ball over the top and smashed a shot into the top corner.