07-05-2025
Rutherglen Glencairn promotion dreams boosted with crucial win
Glens are in a good position to nab one of two available promotion slots
Rutherglen Glencairn gave their promotion hopes a major shot in the arm with a comfortable 2-0 win at Kilbirnie Ladeside on Saturday.
Goals from Ants Maguire and Boris Melingui keep Glens in fourth place in the West of Scotland First Division, but knowing that a win over Irvine Meadow, while rivals Kilwinning Rangers and Renfrew are idle, will see them leap up into second, going into the final day.
Maguire struck in four minutes, taking a pass from Ryan McManus before smashing into the net.
Melingui reacted fastest to net when his header hit a post in 28 minutes to double the visitors' lead and ultimately seal the points.
And co-boss Joe Pryce admits he enjoyed his Saturday in Ayrshire.
He said: 'It was a really good performance from us, and an excellent result.
'We got the early goal, which settled everybody down, and then got the second one just before the half-hour.
'It's a tough place to go, Kilbirnie, but we came back with three points and a clean sheet, which at this stage of the season we've got to be delighted with.'
Pryce reckons Glencairn were better than even a comfortable win suggests, but was pleased with the three points.
He said: 'The performance was more convincing than the 2-0 scoreline.
'At 2-0 they were in a position where they were always in it. Kilbirnie don't lie down, they'll go right to the last whistle, and they did.
'We could have scored a few more, but to come up the road with three points and a clean sheet at this stage of the season, we're happy with that.
'It was deserved. We were the better team for the majority of the match, and we had control of the game.
'We scored a couple of goals, hit the woodwork, their goalkeeper made a couple of good saves as well – it was a thoroughly deserved three points, I don't think anybody who was at the game would say otherwise.'
Kilbirnie in 12th are four points ahead of third-bottom Maybole with two games in hand, but Pryce said: 'It's difficult playing a team that's fighting relegation, but it's always difficult going to Kilbirnie anyway.
'They're a massive club at our level, and for whatever reason they've found themselves at the wrong end of the table.
'It's always a great place to play, the pitch is always in great nick, it's a terrific stadium, and I always enjoy my trips there – especially on Saturday, and picking up three points.'
