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Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Gartcairn boss glad season is over as relegated club plan for next term
Co-boss Ryan McStay saw his side slump to a 2-1 defeat at Shotts in their final top flight game this season Gartcairn co-boss Ryan McStay admits he is glad the season is over after his relegated side let a lead slip again in their final game of the Premier Division campaign at Shotts. The Airdrie outfit, who were hit with fatal 15-point deduction earlier in the season due to them fielding an ineligible players, took the lead at Hannah Park through a stunning Adam McGowan free-kick to give them hope of ending a nightmare season on a high. But the hosts fought back to turn the game on its head with Liam Craig's second half double. And McStay, who only took the reins with Darren Barr in March after they replaced Mick Dunlop, said: 'Shotts had something to play for and we didn't, but it was a typical end of season game. 'There was a lack of quality until Gowser stepped up and put a stunning free-kick over the wall for us to take the lead. 'That is the third time we've been away from home and taken the lead, yet not held on to it. 'Shotts pegged us back and when we went for the winner, they've caught us on the counter attack. 'We were 1-0 up and their first goal comes from our mistake. The whole game Shotts were putting long throws into the box and we dealt with that well, but one time it fell for them and the boy has called it in. 'It is frustrating that we've taken leads and not been able to see it out so that is something we need to work on with the new players we will be bringing in. 'I'm glad the season is over with. The boys have given us everything over the six games we've been in for, but now it is up to me and Daz to hit the ground running with our pre-season plans, getting the right boys in and the right blend of experience and youth in. 'Getting the right characters in is a big part of a changing room now so we need to make sure they all get on well off the park as well.' This season may be over, but the work doesn't stop for McStay and Barr. They are busy preparing for the teams' return for pre-season training on Saturday, June 14 and talks have started with new and current players for the campaign in the First Division. He added: 'We are giving the boys five weeks off, but they'll have pre-season running plans that we will track. They will be sending us their progress so we can keep on top of it.' 'We've outlined our plans to the players and they know the budget has been cut, so we've made offers to the boys in the squad that we want to keep. It is up to them to come back to us now with an answer because we can't wait forever.' McStay has revealed they will hold talks with three potential new signings this week as they get to work for next season in the West of Scotland First Division. He added: 'We are meeting three players this week and it will be down to us to sell the club to them and playing in the First Division. 'We will try to sell our plans and what the committee wants to do, and hope they buy into it.'
Daily Record
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Hamilton Accies Women one win from title after hitting St Johnstone for six
Robert Watson's side could wrap up the SWPL2 crown on Sunday Hamilton Accies Women are one win away from clinching the SWPL2 title, but boss Robert Watson warned them not to underestimate Gartcairn on Sunday. Accies bounced back from a 2-1 defeat at second-placed Kilmarnock on April 20 with an emphatic 6-0 win over St Johnstone, after Boroughmuir Thistle had held their Ayrshire rivals to a 2-2 draw. That stretched Accies' lead at the top to four points with two games left, and Watson wants the silverware wrapped up as quickly as possible, while being wary of their Airdrie opponents. Watson said: 'We're now in a position where we need one more win from the two games to secure it, but it's important that we don't underestimate Gartcairn or Rossvale, because they're going to want to pick up points for their own reasons. 'We've got to use the momentum we've got now to try and bring it home as quickly as we can. 'On Sunday, if we win, we'll pick up the title. If Kilmarnock drop points we can do it as well, but I'm not really focusing on what happens over there – we'd rather win it ourselves, anyway. 'Gartcairn is a very difficult venue to go to and, from their point of view, I'm sure they won't want a team winning the league at their ground. 'I understand that motivation, so we're not going to get anything easy. If we do win the league on Sunday, it's because we've earned it, and we've prepared correctly.' A Josi Giard double and goals from Melissa Reid, Chloe Muir, Sophie Townsley and Eryn Brown got Accies back on track on Sunday. Watson said: 'It was really pleasing, especially under a little bit of pressure. 'We knew Kilmarnock's result, going into the game, and it was in our favour, but we still needed to deliver a win at the other side of it, and we managed it. 'I felt we were maybe a wee bit nervy for the first 20 minutes, but once we got the first goal we settled down, and thoroughly deserved the win, especially in the second half. 'We were back to what we're good at, and the expectation of what we've set each other as a squad and a group of coaches, and I'm really pleased for the players to bounce back so well. 'The players have been speaking. We've been able to sort of mull on it over two weeks, having that weekend off, with the cup semi-finals. 'There's a real determination between them to make sure that we got back on track and got the win.' A few milestones were set on Sunday, as Giard bagged her 25th goal of the season, Chloe Muir scored her 30th Accies goal, and Sophie Townsley her 20th of this campaign. Watson said: 'Chloe has been chasing her 30th goal for the club for a few weeks now, and it was a fairly straight-forward tap-in for her, so she was delighted. 'She re-signed for us in January and has now got, in 11 appearances, 10 goal involvements, which is brilliant. 'Josi is the top scorer in the league and Sophie is second-top as well, so having that sort of threat in attack is really important.'
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Benburb win is a huge step towards Premier Division safety for Shotts
Benburb win is a huge step towards Premier Division safety for Shotts Boss John McKeown watched his side move three points clear of Bens Shotts bagged a last-gasp goal to secure a vital win over Benburb that gives them a great chance of staying up (Image: Gavin Campbell ) Shotts took a huge step towards safety with a dramatic late 3-2 win over fellow strugglers Benburb and boss John McKeown admitted watching his side recently has not been good for the old ticker. The Bonny have been guilty of conceding late equalisers in three of their last four games, but struck in stoppage time themselves on Saturday through Taylor Evans to get what would prove to be the winner. However, they still made their gaffer sweat on the victory, conceding in the 93rd minute to make for some nervy final seconds. The victory, which was also aided by goals from Robbie Torrance and Ally Small, put Shotts three points clear of Bens in the last relegation slot, going into the final two games this week. 'We just like to keep things interesting and give me heart problems,' said McKeown. 'But I think it was a deserved three points. In the second half we were magnificent and their goalkeeper has made some fantastic saves to keep them in it. McKeown (centre) was delighted with the win, but knows there is still a lot of work to be done (Image: Gavin Campbell ) Article continues below 'It would have been very harsh if we'd conceded again, but the boys were excellent and I am over the moon for them. Conceding late again was on my mind so there is no doubt it was on the players' minds as well. That's what happens in football, sometimes you can overthink things. Motherwell star wants solid end to the season as he eyes new contract READ MORE: 'But over the piece we were great and we'll just concentrate on the positives. Our finishing was really good at the goals and I thought we looked a threat throughout the game. 'But I still think there is work to be done. Obviously that is Gartcairn and Darvel relegated, but us and Benburb are still alive. 'We've both got two massive cup finals to come now so we can't take anything for granted.' Gartcairn hope to be celebrating as they host Auchinleck Talbot tonight (Wednesday) and Gartcairn on Saturday (Image: Gavin Campbell ) Shotts have two bites at the cherry to get the win they need and have the added advantage of a vastly superior goal difference over Benburb, sitting 23 goals better off. They host Auchinleck Talbot tonight [Wednesday] at 7.15pm, before welcoming Gartcairn to Hannah Park on Saturday, kick-off 2pm. Article continues below McKeown added: 'We just need to concentrate on ourselves and we know that one more win would be enough because of our goal difference, so we need to dig deep to get that win. 'That is six undefeated and that is very difficult in this league. We've had two wins from our last three so the form is good.'
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Gartcairn relegation confirmed, despite emphatic win over Troon
The Airdrie club couldn't avoid the drop despite clocking up a 4-1 win Gartcairn co-boss Ryan McStay admits his side put in their best performance of his tenure so far to down high-flying Troon – but it wasn't enough to prevent them being relegated from the West of Scotland Premier Division. In a season that included a 15-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player, the Airdrie outfit knew they had to win to keep their slim survival hopes alive. Although they did their part with a 4-1 win, a 3-2 victory for near rivals Shotts over Benburb ensured their relegation to the First Division. Gartcairn - who only have one game remaining, against Shotts this Saturday - claimed all three points thanks to a Dale Simeon double and strikes from Adam McGowan and Jordan Moore. And McStay said: 'It was probably the best performance we've had so far. The disappointment was conceding the goal, but if we had scored six or seven goals it wouldn't have flattered us. 'But, sadly, it wasn't enough. 'It has been hard for us, taking over with six games left. 'Saturday was the first time we've had a full squad. We had 17 fit players out of 18, whereas the last two games we've only had two under-20s on the bench. 'We were able to bring on the likes of Andy Stirling and Jordan Moore, who came on and scored a good goal. 'We have been unlucky in the depth of the squad. I feel as if we had that squad today over the last three games, we would still be in with a shot of staying up. 'But we kind of knew relegation would be the outcome. We were the favourites to go down when we took over because the teams around us had so many games in hand, but it is at least done and dusted now.' McStay and co-boss Darren Barr are determined to come straight back up next season, but know it won't be easy. McStay added: 'I was the a player/assistant manager in the First Division during my time at St Roch's so I know the league well. It is going to be a very tough league to get out of. 'Our ambition is to go and win the league next season. 'We are meeting a few players this week and see what we can do to bring in the right blend of players to kick the club on.' Attention now turns to Saturday's final game of the campaign and McStay hopes the side can produce another big performance to take into pre-season. 'This week we could maybe give a few of the younger players a go,' McStay admitted. But I think I will give most of the team from the Troon game to try and go out on a high.' Saturday's clash at Hannah Park is a 2pm kick-off.
