There has been no shortage of supporters wondering if manager Stewart Maxwell has a clear idea of what his best Rob Roy team looks like

Understandably really, when one considers the near clean sweep Maxi carried out in the Kirkintilloch club's dressing room during a coronavirus-extended close season, however it's probably a given to say that for the time being at least Scott Gold is sure to be among the first names scribbled down on his team sheet.

The six foot-plus frontman, one of a host of new Rabs arrivals, earned this accolade after serving up a wonderful performance in last Saturday’s sizzling 4-1 victory over rivals Cumbernauld United.

Onlookers and team-mates alike delighted as he used his aerial prowess and physique to great effect against United's backline, however at 33 years of age Scott, older brother of Rabs midfielder Ian, reckons there could be even better to come once he adapts to the demands the WOSFL.

He revealed: "I have never played in the same team as Ian prior to this season and my only insight into the game at this level was watching him when he turned out for his former Junior sides, Clydebank, Petershill and Kilbirnie Ladeside.

"His commitment was always far greater than mine because I was content to play alongside a lot of good pals at Hillington Amateurs and I might still have been there but for Ian taking in a couple of our games and persuading me to give it a shot at Rob Roy.

"It didn't take me long to realise there’s a huge difference in standards, but I’ve really enjoyed making the step up even if I’m now more acutely aware of the many flaws in my game which need to be improved upon.

"But I fully appreciate the work put in by the gaffer and his backroom team so things coming together like they did against Cumbernauld is a form of payback for them."

Scott and his team-mates face an arguably tougher test of their new-found resolve when coming up against outright Premier Division leaders Clydebank at Guys Meadow this coming weekend and the big striker is looking forward to the clash.

He insisted: "It was frustrating to lose out to Darvel in our first competitive game when the 3-0 scoreline was harsh on us and again to Beith (1-2) when we deserved better, so to bounce back as we did against Cumbernauld has given everyone a lift.

"But the Clydebank players will themselves be on a high after posting three wins out of three so I won’t make any wild predictions other than to say this Rob Roy team can give anyone a game on our day."

Hoping for a Bankies slip up are previous joint table-toppers Darvel, determined to get back on the rails after their own 100 per cent winning record was ended by last weekend's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Kilwinning Rangers.

Michael Kennedy's men host the visit of Blantyre Vics in a head to head switched to Recreation Park due to ongoing drainage works at the Lanarkshire outfit’s Castle Park ground which have seen the Vics play all their early-season games away from home. 

One-time Hibs and St Mirren midfielder Ross Caldwell, who was only transferred from Vics to the Ayrshiremen last month, looks certain to feature against his former side but he knows first-hand about the difficulties likely to be posed by the well-organised visitors whose last league defeat occurred back in August 2019 - ironically a 2-1 loss to Darvel.

Meanwhile, hats off to WOSFL interim management officials following their decision to share an SPFL gift of 66 match balls with their member clubs this week.  

An undisclosed number of balls were put aside for use in cup finals however an innovative gesture saw a ball awarded to Neilston, whose defender Euan Clark netted the first ever goal scored in the WOSFL during a 6-0 opening-day rout of Lugar Boswell, while the rest will be awarded to any team with a player who scores a hat-trick in a league match!

Among the early recipients are Ryan Connelly (Craigmark Burntonians) and Willie Sawyers (Kilsyth Rangers) for three-goal hauls during their clubs' openers on Saturday 24th October while Nathan Marriott (Johnstone Burgh) stood alone for his treble on the following matchday, 31st October.

And last weekend brought a further trio of winning hitmen as Eddie Haley (Carluke Rovers), Ciaran Lafferty (Bellshill Athletic) and Josh Cooper (Port Glasgow) weighed in with hat-tricks to earn commemorative prizes but word on the grapevine stating these awards will only continue until the stock of balls runs out is sure to have strikers adjusting their sights going into Saturday’s round of fixtures.

SATURDAY 14th NOVEMBER (kick offs 1.45pm)
WOSFL Premier Division Beith v Troon, Largs Thistle v Cumbernauld Utd, Darvel v Blantyre Vics, Kilwinning Rangers v Rossvale, Rutherglen Glencairn v Bonnyton Thistle, Rob Roy v Clydebank, Irvine Meadow v Hurlford Utd. 
WOSFL Conference League A Ardeer Thistle v Maryhill, Annbank Utd v Kello Rovers, Glasgow University v Bellshill Athletic, Renfrew v Muirkirk, Maybole v Ashfield.
WOSFL Conference League B Forth Wanderers v  Carluke Rovers, Vale of Leven v Wishaw, Port Glasgow v Greenock, Neilston v Gartcairn, St Cadoc's v Irvine Vics, Lugar Boswell v Vale of Clyde.
WOSFL Conference League C Lanark Utd v St Anthony's, Drumchapel Utd v East Kilbride Thistle, Kilsyth Rangers v Glasgow Perthshire, Thorniewood Utd v Yoker Athletic.