Ardrossan Winton Rovers
The Perfect Start
ALL-CONQUERING Ardrossan Winton Rovers, who soared into the Second Round of the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup with another commanding performance in Fife at the weekend, have set a record in Junior Football.
Stagecoach Ayrshire District League leaders Winton and East Region North Division pacesetters Montrose Roselea are the only Junior teams with a 100 per cent record within their leagues, having won their first six games.
This week proud boss Derek Frye praised his team and was delighted to progress in the national competition with a 3-1 victory against Steelend Victoria in Dunfermline.
He said "It's nice if we are setting a record but must admit I wasn't aware of that. I must say the lads deserve all the credit going as they are working very hard. We played well on Saturday, it was a break from the league routine and all I hope for is a home draw in the next round. It would be nice if we could still be in the Scottish Cup after Christmas."
Meanwhile Frye is delighted to now have former Annbank United and Maybole boss Hugh Flynn on board as his assistant and ironically Bole, also one of the promotion favourites after being relegated from the Super First Division are the visitors to Winton Park on league business on Saturday.
The manager said "It's great to have Hugh here, he has a lot of contacts in the Junior game and also has a great knowledge and experience. He has fitted in well."
Looking ahead Frye said "I don't know much about Maybole, I haven't watched them this season. But it's all about my players. I know what they can do and if they play as well as I know that they can they will beat anyone. We are looking to pick up three points on Saturday."
"Meanwhile Frye's former number two Derek Cook has been recruited to the Arthurlie backroom team by new boss Sandy McLean, whose first match in charge on Saturday is ironically at his old Barrfields Park stamping ground as Lie take on Largs Thistle."
Cook, who left Winton earlier this season, played under MacLean during his first stint as a boss with Beith Juniors.
The 42 year old, who was also a player with Stranraer, Kilmarnock and Queen of the South said "I got a call from Sandy MacLean last week asking if I would like to help out as a coach along with Colin Lindsay. I couldn't turn down that chance. Arthurlie are a Premier team with a great set up and I look forward to working there. But it's a difficult job as they are joint top at the moment and normally people join teams when they are struggling. Hopefully Sandy won't get too much abuse at Largs. But he can take it!"
This article has been reproduced by kind permission the editor, Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.