Ardrossan Winton Rovers
Magnificent
PROUD Ardrossan Winton Rovers boss Derek Frye praised his players for a magnificent start to the season as they retained top spot in the Stagecoach Ayrshire District League with a fifth straight win on Saturday.
Leaders Winton hammered bogey team Troon 4-0 at Portland Park to stay two points clear of Maybole and are many people's tips for promotion following two very near misses.
However the cautious boss, whose team also reached the Ardagh Glass Legue Cup quarter finals, is downplaying any title talk and wants to keep the players feet firmly on the ground as they prepare to host Muirkirk in another important league game on Saturday.
Frye says team spirit has been the key to their run and this was perfectly illustrated when defender Barry Jones pulled on the gloves following an injury to number one Willie Rankine and proceeded to ensure they shut out the hosts.
The winton gaffer told Sportscene "You have to be pleased if you win five games, score 21 goals and concede 3, of course it's a magnificent start to the season. We did well on Saturday as Troon have been considered our bogey team in the past few seasons."
"Of course people will make us favourites but there is a long, long way to go and we have achieved nothing yet. We have to stay totally focused. Muirkirk have ha some good results so it will be a test for us, but obviously we are looking to maintain our 100 per cent record. Everything is positive, we have a good team spirit and Barry did well when he took over in goals, making one fine save but that was his job."
Frye says Saturday may come too early for Rankine as he wants him to be fully fit for the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup first round tie away to Fifers Steelend Victoria the following weekend so he may bring in another keeper for the league match.
He said "The league game is very important to us but with the Scottish tie coming up the following week I might not risk Willie. It's possible I might sign another goalie."
The Winton boss has no other injury worries to report.
This article has been reproduced by kind permission the editor, Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.