Latest news with #Kilsyth
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Greenock Juniors boss demands one last push as promotion battle goes to the wire
GARY FLEMING has urged his Greenock Juniors side to give it one last push to drag themselves over the line and seal promotion to the Second Division. Come full-time on Saturday, Greenock will either be celebrating promotion success or bemoaning a very near miss in a dramatic West of Scotland season finale. There are a lot of ifs, buts and maybes, but essentially the scenario is this. Firstly, and most importantly, Nock must win against Lugar Boswell on Saturday to stand any chance of gaining promotion. Fleming says it's all built up to this moment (Image: alex craig) They then need a favour either Kilsyth Athletic or Threave Rovers slip up in their final matches. Kilsyth, who are on an eight-game winning streak, will likely require only a draw on Saturday against Glasgow Perthshire to confirm their promotion. However a draw will not suffice if Greenock can don their shooting boots and win by eight goals or more, overturning Kilsyth's current goal difference advantage. Threave, who have made light of their fixture congestion with wins on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday, must win at home against the already relegated Vale of Leven to secure promotion. A draw or loss for the Castle Douglas club would open the door for Greenock. As it stands Nock are in fourth place, two points behind second placed Kilsyth and one behind Threave, who won away to Glasgow United on Monday evening and followed that up with victory on the road against another already-relegated side, Irvine Vics, just 48 hours later - with the latter result pushing Greenock out of the automatic promotion places. And Fleming insists his side have been working towards this moment since they reported for pre-season last June. He told the Tele: 'Saturday's game is the culmination of our season's efforts. With promotion on the line this is the moment we've been working towards since pre-season. "We need one final push for three points. Our performances recently have been excellent and the atmosphere in the camp is relaxed." Nock will need to have their shooting boots on (Image: Alex Craig) Greenock faced off against Lugar two weeks ago, and came away with all three points. After a difficult first hour, Nock found the quality required to record 3-1 win against difficult opponents, who appointed former Irvine Vics boss Stuart MacDuff as their new manager this week. Ideally they will want that quality to be on display from kick off as was the case last Saturday against Finnart. That performance brought home the fact that when Nock achieve the right balance between the intensity levels and the technical quality in the squad, they are as good as any team in this league - and an enjoyable watch as well. And Fleming wants his side to give it one last push to try and get his side over the line and out of the Third Division. "We need one last top performance and we'll see where we stand at the final whistle," he said. "But we can't underestimate Lugar. They have a striker who has netted over 20 goals this season and their team will get a boost from their new manager. "We need to be ready to meet and face this challenge head on." The squad will still missing Dec McCormick who is struggling to shake off a back problem and Ross Canavan who is still nursing an ankle ligaments injury. Ryan Corr, who had to be substituted on Saturday towards the end of the first half, should be fine for Saturday's squad. Kick-off at Ravenscraig is at 2pm. Greenock are sponsored by Saveheat, Keystore Cowal View, Safer Group, The Lighthouse Bar, McGills, ARC and Blairs.
Scottish Sun
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Hero cop enjoys retirement aged 20 after glittering career
One of the country's most iconic members of Police Scotland's Mounted Unit, Inverness spent 12 years with the force. Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HERO horse is enjoying retirement after quitting Police Scotland to enjoy his golden years. The Clydesdale, named Inverness, supported cops at some of the highest-profile events in the country - from the 2014 Commonwealth Games, COP26 in Glasgow, and The Open Golf Championship. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Inverness is loving retired life. 2 He settled into his new life very quickly. While he also provided a calm presence at countless Old Firm and Edinburgh derby matches as well as maintaining public order during historic moments, such as the 2016 Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park and the 2021 title celebrations in George Square following Rangers' Premiership victory. One of the country's most iconic members of Police Scotland's Mounted Unit, Inverness spent 12 years with the force. He's now enjoying a slower pace of life in the Chiltern Hills after retiring to The Horse Trust where he shares a home in Buckinghamshire with some familiar faces, including fellow Police Scotland retirees Kilsyth and Edinburgh, and is quickly becoming part of his new herd. The group also includes several Lancashire Police horses, City of London Police horse Scooby, and retired English Heritage historical reenactment cob, Bob – who Inverness has grown particularly fond of. Inverness was known for hating the rain and people always joked he was destined for sunny weather. And now he's already making the most of the warmer southern climate. He recently had a fresh clip to help him adjust to the unseasonably warm spring. Staff couldn't help but smile as he stood patiently and clearly enjoyed the extra attention from their team. Constable Claire Knowles, Instructor and Assessor with Police Scotland's Mounted Unit, reflected on his service: 'Inverness has had a full and varied career and has partnered with many riders. "As well as his front-line duties, he helped train new officers through Standard Equitation Courses – recruits will no doubt remember how he helped tone their core muscles. Watch terrified Jamie Carragher's hilarious reaction as he jumps out of skin live on Sky when POLICE HORSE walks past "He's affectionate and quirky – he'll be sorely missed, and we wish him the very best in retirement.' Steven Grice, Equine Care Officer at The Horse Trust, added: 'At 17.2hh, he's certainly the tallest member of the group, and the others are still getting used to his towering presence. "Sociable and curious, Inverness often strolls over during field checks and has even been lending a hoof to Groom Ed as he cleaned out the water trough. "We're thrilled to have him here and look forward to seeing how he continues to settle in over time.'
