Troon boss reckons flag fight will be a cracker

Sep 11 2009 by Mike Wilson

TROON boss John Redmond predicts the Ayrshire League flag fight could be the closest ever.

But he reckons his Portland Parkers could put themselves in pole position if they beat runaway leaders Kello on Saturday.

Redmond believes four or five teams will be in the end of season mix and he’s backing Troon to be one of them.

He said: “This time last season we had no points so we’re now seven better off. If we can put together the same results as we did last term we will be right up there challenging.

“It’s a big game on Saturday. Kello have made the same flying start as they did last season but they then fell away. They are coming here in a rich vein of form but we’re ready for them.”

Troon made it two wins from three when they beat Saltcoats 2-1. Ryan Miller gave them an interval lead when he sidefooted home a Robert Forde cross.

Stevie Abbot doubled the lead after a 25 yard free-kick from John McDonald was parried. Graham Alexander got one back with ten minutes to go.

KELLO chalked up a fourth straight win when they beat Irvine Vics 3-2. Goals from David Jardine, David Frew and Phil Middlemiss put them in easy street. But after Paul Weir got a straight red card, Vics pulled back two late goals through Kevin Adam to almost nick a point.

LUGAR came from behind with three goals in 12 minutes to beat Darvel 3-1 after the hosts went ahead through Hyslop.

Former Ayr United midfielder Boyd Mullen equalised and Graham Wark and Johnny Anderson hit two before the break to wrap up the win.

Midfielder Mark Morrison has rejoined for a second stint after signing from Hurlford just before the kick-off. Defender Craig Muir is on the transfer list.

AUCHINLECK striker David Gillies hit a hat-trick in a 5-1 win at home to Rob Roy to take them top of the Premier League.

A Gillies double and a strike from Sean McIlroy had them cruising 3-0 at the break. John Boyle added a fourth before Gillies completed his treble with a penalty after Boyle was brought down.

Rabs got one back through Paul McQuilken and then had Jim Lennox sent off.

Champions IRVINE MEADOW suffered their third straight home defeat when they lost 2-1 to Petershill.

Trailing at the break to a Paul McBride goal, Meadow equalised when Gareth Turner smashed home a Richie Barr cross. But they were stunned when James Coulter lobbed the winner from 25 yards.

Meadow had Emilio Jaconelli and Frankie Haggarty sent off late on.

CUMNOCK are top of the First Division after beating Neilston 5-2 for their third straight win. Ian Cashmore, Graeme Wilson, Gareth Armstrong, Gareth Campbell and James Tyler got the goals.

GLENAFTON are second after a 3-0 win at home to Kilsyth despite missing top strikers Craig Feroz and Joe Savage.

Chic Connolly fired a penalty just before the break. Then new signing Pedro Serrao, formerly of Maritimo and Sporting Lisbon, came off the bench for Dougie Ramsay and crossed for Michael Hart to bullet a header.

A superb solo effort from Jose Quitongo, who ran 30 yards and rounded the keeper, sealed the win.

MAYBOLE boss Peter Leonard admitted a 4-0 win at WHITLETTS flattered them. He said: “If we aim to finish near the top, we are going to bring in another couple of players. Whitletts will feel aggrieved but the second goal killed it.”

A Stuart McGrady goal split the teams at the break with Whitletts fighting back well. But once Jordan Kerr got the second it was game over. Paul Cameron and McGrady added two more before the end.

GIRVAN, who have signed former Auchinleck striker George Wallace, slumped 2-1 at Ashfield despite Tony Murphy firing them ahead with a 25 yard cracker.

Colin Frye hit the bar and Stevie Shankland had a header ruled out. Boss Brian McLuckie claimed: “We are playing well and looked very comfortable until they scored. Individual errors are costing us.”