WEATHER permitting, Greenock travel to face Neilston tomorrow for a match which could throw up anything, if both sides’ league form this season is anything to go by.
The Brig O’Lea men came to Ravenscraig in late November on the back of a dismal run which had seen them lose their previous four games.
A home victory looked on the cards when Martin McGowan put Greenock ahead in their very first attack.
But before an hour had been played, Neilston had romped to a 5-1 lead, before Craig Brown and Sean Doherty gave Greenock a glimmer of hope, which was then snuffed out by a sixth Neilston goal near the end.
It was a game ‘Nock boss Martin Campbell remembers with some shock, so he will be hoping to avoid a repeat, and notch a win which would see his side rack up four victories in succession.
He said: “We were chatting about that last Neilston game this week, and we definitely shot ourselves in the foot that day.
“We would love the chance to put that right tomorrow, but the game must be in doubt.
“If Brig O’Lea park is anything like Ravenscraig was on Wednesday night, soft on top but rock solid underneath, I can’t see the game going ahead, but here’s hoping.” But Neilston will be no pushover, having beaten Glencairn and Kilsyth Rangers at home, and drawn at Ardeer, in their last three league outings.
The points picked up have moved the Renfrewshire club out of the dreaded relegation zone, albeit only on goal difference above Yoker.
Meanwhile, Greenock sit loftily in fifth place, but gaffer Campbell knows that a few bad results can see his side just as easily plummet back down the table.
The manager has been busy on the transfer front again, signing left-sided midfielder-cum-striker Jamie Cunning, main picture, from Dunoon Amateurs.
Campbell said: “Jamie was recommended to us by our former striker Kenny MacKay, inset, who was also brought up in Dunoon.
“Jamie was looking to make the step up from the amateurs and play at a higher level, so we brought him in to have a look at him.
“We have been impressed by Jamie, so decided to sign him, and I am sure he will make a good addition to the squad.’’ The paperwork has now also been completed for Kenny Munro to join the club, but young midfielder Grant Beattie has been released.
Beattie looked promising in his first few games, until injury struck and forced him out of the picture. And despite initially indicating that the regular travel from East Kilbride would not be an issue, it appears to have taken its toll on him and prompted a move to look for a club nearer to home.
For tomorrow’s match, manager Campbell reports a clean bill of health, the only definite absentee being the suspended Martin Dow, who is having to wait longer than he had hoped to complete the three-match suspension incurred for his red card at Largs in early January.
Fans should note that kick-offs have now reverted to the slightly later time of 2pm.
Greenock Juniors are sponsored by SAVEHEAT, and the Lighthouse Bar.
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