Ardrossan Winton Rovers
Winton go Fourth
HIGH-FLYING Ardrossan Winton Rovers will play a Fourth Round tie in the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup for the first time in TWENTY SEVEN years on Saturday.
Club Treasurer Sam Morrison says the on form team who soared to the top of the Stagecoach Ayrshire District League on Saturday have been given a "huge incentive" to overcome Culter this weekend.
The winners of Saturday's game, which has a 2.15pm kick off will compete in the lucrative last 16 and a home tie against former winners Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic or Vale of Leven next Saturday, February 26 and Sam hopes people will turn out in force to try and roar them into the Fifth Round of the Blue Riband competition.
Sam, whose side beat Troon 1-0 to leapfrog Maybole into top spot in the District League, said on Tuesday: "The last time we were in the Fourth Round was back in 1984 and because the cup has been delayed this year it would have been even further back that we were still playing in the Scottish Cup as late as February. It was good to get another win on Saturday and we are looking forward to Saturday. I really hope we get a good crowd and people turn out in good numbers to support us."
"Culter are playing at a slightly higher level than us and are in seventh place in their league, but we have had some great results in cup competitions against teams playing at a higher level in the past couple of seasons and done really well in one off games."
"Ourselves and Culter have a huge incentive to get through this Fourth Round match as we would be at home in the last 16 and be in with a shout of progressing further. We have some excellent players in the squad, like Graham Muir, who can score goals from midfield and Graham Hamilton and Paul 'Tiny' Stewart also have a goal threat while Barry Jones gets up well for corner kicks."
Meanwhile long serving club Secretary Tom Ferrie recently stepped down from his post on health grounds and has been replaced by long serving committee member Bobby MacNamara.
Sam said "We are missing Tom as he works so hard for the club, but that is not a plea to get him back, we wish him well and he is focusing on getting better. Bobby is a good servant to the club and I am sure he will do well."
This article has been reproduced by kind permission the editor, Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.