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Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Albion Rovers 3 Cumbernauld Colts 3: Clark tells Rovers to show no fear this season after battling derby draw
The sides fought out a six-goal thriller at Cliftonhill in their Lowland League opener Albion Rovers boss Sandy Clark has told his side to show no fear and just go out and play this season in the Lowland League. Rovers kicked off their Lowland League campaign with a 3-3 draw at home to Cumbernauld Colts, in what was a ding-dong battle at Cliftonhill. Liam Allison put Colts ahead in 26 minutes, but Lancelot Pollard levelled on the stroke of half-time. Aiden McLaughlin restored Colts' lead in 72 minutes, with Tony Garth cancelling that out eight minutes later. Jack Devlin thought he had won it for the visitors in 88 minutes, only for on-loan Kilmarnock kid Grant Marchant to pop up with a last-gasp equaliser. Clark said: 'I think probably at the end of the day a draw was fair. It was great spirit from us to come back three times and showed great character. 'One thing about being young and inexperienced is that you shouldn't have any fear, just go and play, do the best you can, and the lads did that. 'When you look back at the game and the summer that we've had – a good example is Cumbernauld Colts took three of our better players from last season – and we're dealing with a very low budget, that makes them big-time favourites to win the game. 'But that wasn't our approach to the game. The lads we've brought in are very young, but they've worked really hard, and played well in the game. 'We certainly deserved to get the points, that's for sure. Could it have been all three? Maybe, but I think Cumbernauld Colts will be disappointed that they scored with two minutes to go and we managed to get the point. 'I'm disappointed with the goals we lost, because they're cheap, but that's what happens. 'The goals we scored were good quality, and good play from us, and that pleases me enormously. 'It's credit to the lads, coming back three times against an experienced team speaks volumes for their character, and hopefully that's a good sign.' Rovers continue their campaign with a trip to East Stirlingshire tonight and visit Tranent on Saturday. Clark said: 'I don't know why the Lowland League do this, but they batter games in early in the season and finish in the middle of April, but that's nothing to do with me, that's the way it works. 'When you haven't got a big squad, playing midweek games becomes challenging, but every game we play is going to be exceptionally difficult this year. 'But we showed enough on Saturday to know that if we work hard we'll get lucky at the right times, and we'll need to do the same against East Stirling and Tranent.' Clark is still looking to add to his squad, having only had four outfield players available on Saturday. He said: 'Tylar Denholm wasn't available and Alan Reid was suspended, so we have another two back in, and that helps. 'Grant Marchant is on loan from Kilmarnock and only trained with us once or twice. 'The collaboration agreement we have with Kilmarnock means we can still bring in at least one other player from them, so we have room to manoeuvre a little bit. 'But it's important not to dive in, and to sign the right players. 'The collaborative agreement could be useful for both sides, but the fact we don't have to pay for the players is a huge bonus for us. 'To be fair to Kilmarnock, we've dealt with them for the last couple of years with loans, and they've been very helpful, financially, with us. The agreement suits us, and hopefully it will suit them.'
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Motherwell goalkeeper a target for Airdrie ahead of season opener
The Diamonds are looking to strengthen between the sticks Airdrieonians are targeting the signing of Motherwell goalkeeper Matty Connelly on loan. Lanarkshire Live Sport understands the Fir Park shot-stopper, who was handed his first team debut for the Steelmen earlier this month in a 2-1 win over Peterhead in the Premier Sports Cup, is being pursued by the Diamonds ahead of Saturday's Championship opener at home to Ross County. Rhys McCabe's side are currently light in the goalkeeping department with goalie coach David Hutton named on the bench for Saturday's cup defeat to Alloa, while 20-year-old Cade Melrose started between the sticks. Hutton has been a substitute in all of the club's cup matches, with Melrose taking the gloves. So the Diamonds are keen to strengthen in that department and the answer could lie with Connelly, who played regularly on loan at East Kilbride last season on their way to the Lowland League title and promotion to League Two. Connelly - who signed a new one year deal with Motherwell last month - had been expected to return to Kilby this season, but an injury to Fir Park No.1 Aston Oxborough in pre-season meant the Steelmen held on to their youth academy product for their Premier Sports Cup games, which concluded last midweek. However, with Oxborough returning in Friday night's friendly against Hertha Berlin off the bench and second choice Calum Ward starting that game ahead of Saturday's Premiership opener with Rangers, it is understood 22-year-old Connelly could be looking to go out on loan again. Connelly recently said in an interview with Motherwell's club media: 'The loans have been absolutely pivotal. 'I've always said I'd rather go out and play instead of just being a number two or a three. The excitement of playing games is the most important thing and especially getting the experience. 'My first loan at Gretna, which was brilliant, it was only a short period I was there before I got the facial injury, it was so benefical. What a place it is, great place to start. Moving to Stranraer, that was cut short but East Kilbride was so good. 'That's where I played the majority of my games, I think I played just under 50 games there last year. I've been there twice and had the chance to go back there which was a no brainer. 'Getting those games and experience is vital. It moulds you and gets you one step closer to playing first-team football here.'
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Spartans hit for four as Bonnyrigg go down in league opener
Spartans midfielder Jamie DIshington battles against Dylan Tait. Picture: Mark Brown Spartans have failed to qualify for the Premier Sports Cup knockout stages after a 4-0 defeat to Premiership newboys Falkirk. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Dougie Samuel's men had the chance to qualify from Group A as winners had they achieved a positive result at the Falkirk Stadium. However, they were beaten comfortably and will now turn their attentions towards Saturday's SPFL League Two opener against East Kilbride at K-Park. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Dylan Tait opened the scoring for John McGlynn's side midway through the first half with Sean Welsh also suffing a nasty cut to his head. The well-organised hosts doubled their advantage through Scott Arfield seven minutes after the restart before a Calvin Miller brace ensured the Bairns progress as group winners. Meanwhile, Bonnyrigg Rose got their Lowland League campaign off to the worst possible start after losing 2-1 to Gretna 2008 at Ferguson Park. Iain Anderson and Liam Short were on the scoresheet for the visitors with Alassan Jones netting a stunning consolation for Rose.
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Ayr United in pole position to land promising Celtic kid Kyle Ure
The Honest Men are making further moves to strengthen their squad ahead of the new Championship season. Ayr United have moved into pole position to land highly rated Celtic kid Kyle Ure. The midfielder, 19, is set to follow Parkhead teammate Jude Bonnar in completing a loan move to Somerset Park. Ure, the Celtic 'B' captain, had also been wanted by Championship rivals Partick Thistle. But Ayr, who are negotiating an official cooperation agreement with the Hoops, look to have beaten them to the punch. Shaun Maloney, the new Player Pathway chief at Celtic, has been at Somerset for Ayr's last two games to watch Bonnar make his bow. And he's been impressed with the setup at United under Celts legend Scott Brown. Ambitious Ayr have made a pitch for Ure, who is highly regarded by Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers, to develop in the heart of their midfield. He has skippered Stephen McManus' development side in the Lowland League during the past 18 months and been part of Celtic's first team squad during their recent pre-season campaign. Fellow youngster Bonnar has made a flying start to his Somerset stay and, speaking last week, told of his desire to prove himself playing regular football. He said: "Celtic have told me that I need professional games under my belt as I've not had that to this stage of my career. "I'm dying to see what the challenge is like here - I'm at that age now where I need to be exposed to this level of football. "The team plays in an attacking style, so it's going to benefit me." Ayr have kicked off their League Cup section with three wins from three, hitting 13 goals in the process. They head to St Mirren on Sunday, in a game televised live on Premier Sports.
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Celtic B is toughest opener, says Broxburn Athletic's Lewis Turner as he takes reins for Lowland clash
The player turned coach will be in the dugout for the Albyn Park side's Lowland curtain-raiser tonight Lewis Turner admits Broxburn Athletic couldn't have been handed a tougher start to the Lowland League and has warned his players that they must hit the ground running if they have designs on the title this season. Brox travel to Airdrie to face Celtic B tonight in the fifth tier curtain-raiser and the young hosts will be favourites. Turner has retired from playing to take on the role of first team coach this season and has unexpectedly found himself at the helm with Stephen McIlhone, after boss Stevie Pittman had to take a temporary step back due to family reasons. Turner helped Brox to a seventh place finish last term but with last season's big spending champions East Kilbride out of the division, it is an open contest this term and the 32-year-old knows they need to make a fast start. He told the Courier: 'It doesn't get much tougher than Celtic B but if we are going to do something in the league this season, you need to beat these teams and we'll be going out every single game this season to win, regardless of who we are playing at home or away. It is a really good test for us. 'I've said to the boys that we really need to pick up a good amount of points from our first few fixtures because, from my past experience at Bonnyrigg and Kelty Hearts, they stole a march on everybody and then nobody could catch up with them. 'I think it is a very hard league to be behind in. The team that starts best, usually finds themselves up there. 'At Christmastime the league tells the real story and it is not usually far away from the final standings. 'But I feel it is anybody's league this season. There's six teams who could win the league this year: us, Bonnyrigg, Tranent, Caledonian Braves, Linlithgow, Clydebank. 'They will have the objective to win the league, which is mad. I think it will be a really exciting league and the best league to watch in Scotland this season.' He added: 'The proof will be in the pudding on Friday night against Celtic. 'You never know what team is going to turn up when you play Celtic. 'They have such a big squad and one week we could play them with all their best players and then the following week they play Linlithgow or someone with 16 year-olds playing. 'That isn't very fair and they shouldn't be in the league anyway, in my opinion, but we just need to get on with it.' Brox warmed up with a local derby friendly against Premiership side Livingston on Tuesday night, with the Lions running out winners. Turner said: 'Livingston was a good game to have ahead of Celtic B. They have more of the ball and are full-time so playing Livingston was the perfect preparation. That should stand us in good stead.' Being in the dugout this term will be a new experience for Turner, but admits he is relishing the opportunity to lead the team after hanging up his boots. He said: 'I am really looking forward to it and this is probably the most I've looked forward to a new season for ages - and I am not even playing. 'It's absolutely mad, but because I have been doing the coaching and helping the manager quite a bit it has made it even better. 'We've made some really good signings and getting [striker] Errol Douglas signed up again for another season - when there were teams interested in him - is massive for us.'
