NO prizes for naming the club tipped to emerge atop the WOSFL’s Conference B league standings this season.

Step forward new boys on the block St Cadoc's Y.C. whose current share of third top spot in the standings on the back of chalking up two wins and a defeat from their opening three fixtures, makes it easy to forget how the Newton Mearns based outfit have overcome a distinctly troubled start to this inaugural campaign, most notably their parting of the ways with new manager Johnny Millar …before a ball was kicked in anger.

Nobody could ever accuse club officials of dilly-dallying in their search for a suitable replacement as highly regarded ex-Glenafton boss Craig McEwan was unveiled as the new man at the helm less than two weeks after Millar’s departure and ever since, he along with long-standing and loyal lieutenants Craig Potter and Billy Peacock, have set about the task of trying to re-enact the wonderful successes enjoyed with the Ayrshiremen….Glenafton won the treble of Scottish Junior Cup, Premier Division title and Evening Times Champions Cup as recently as 2017.

It would appear a tall order and then some, even though 43 year old Southy, who previously managed Arthurlie before his move to New Cumnock, has already ticked a few boxes by enticing no fewer than 11 of his former Glens playing charges , inclusive of those defensive bedrocks Craig Menzies, Craig Pettigrew and Alan Cairns ( scorer of the Cup Final winning goal in the 2-1 triumph over Auchinleck Talbot) to drop down and join him at Conference level.

Glenafton’s release of their entire playing squad , after withdrawing from the WOSFL, undoubtedly helped the St Cadocs gaffer ‘s teambuilding plans however his persuasive powers were needed to clinch a drawn out transfer deal to land his former Glens striker Chris Dallas from Pollok last week.

Southy admitted , “The pairing of Chris with Joe Andrew and Mick McCann played a huge part in Glenafton’s successes so the opportunity to bring them all together again at St Cadics was uppermost in my thoughts when taking the manager’s job.

“ Talks were a bit protracted because Pollok , another of the clubs to have opted not to take part this season, were reluctant to let Chris go out on loan however his determination to get back playing football helped to broker a permanent deal and I’m absolutely delighted to get him on board.

“We now have a tried and trusted striking force that will complement more creative types suc h as Dale “Gunner” e Moore, Tony McParland , Euan Maley and not forgetting Dylan Dykes , a home grown St Cadocs boy ,previously on the books of Rangers and Ross County, who has all the makings of a terrific talent .

Sandwiched in between a narrow 3-2 opening day victory for St Cadocs over Forth Wanderers and last weekend’s 3-0 beating dished out to Gartcairn was a 2-0 home defeat inflicted by Neilston that Southy regards as a painful reminder of Conference League playing standards.

The team boss cautioned ,” It’s all very well having and supposed top drawer signings but that’s no guarantee of success in this league where just about every team has players capable of playing at a much higher level.

“And a clear dwnside is St Cadocs putting out a team sheet boasting well-known names is we become a `feather in the cap` “target with the result that opposing sides tend to raise their game as we’ve already found to our cost.

”Losing to Neilston is a case in point as they played with an impressive energy and real pace to their game which proved too much for us to handle and we can have no complaints about the outcome.

“Neilston will be there or thereabouts on that showing and you can also throw in what is an all too obvious threat posed by the current frontrunners Port Glasgow as well as the similarly unbeaten pair of Greenock and Johnstone Burgh so allI can see there being as many as half a dozen title challenging clubs .

“Our challenge is to ensure St Cadocs are in to act as a launch-pad for the ambitious and ongoing plans for this club which promise to make for an exciting journey over the coming years .

“The fact over 900 kids are playing across various levels every week is an indication of the potential fan base to be generated and I don’t say it lightly that this club can be as big as the likes of Pollok and Auchinleck Talbot.”

St Cadioics look a good bet for the spoils when hosting Irvine Vics today however not so easy to call is the Brig O’Lea contest between Neilston and ambitious Gartcairn whose ranks may be boosted by the return of brothers Gary and Paul Harkins after both were posted missing last Saturday.

And game of the day status surely belongs to the Tail O’The Bank derby clash of league leaders Port Glasgow against second placed Greenock which is given added lashings of spice bythe prospect of respective managers and former team mates and workmates Paul Coyle and Thomas Molloy, locking dugout horns.

Meanwhile, tonight (8PM) marks the final deadline for clubs wishing to withdraw from the WOSFL league season without the harmful imposition of a 12 points penalty deduction, for the start of next season, and the forfeiture of a £250 bond.

One can imagine there being plenty of discussion taking place within various clubs today over whether to continue playing in these virus-hit times or join the growing list of withdrawees which now numbers 19 in total after club officials of renowned 135 year old Govan outfit Benburb issued the following statement on Thursday night .

CLUB STATEMENT

After much consideration we have decided to take advantage of the 14th of November deadline and withdraw from the West of Scotland League for the remainder of the 20/21 season.

It’s not a decision that we as a club have taken lightly but we feel in light of the current ongoing situation with Covid and the numerous challenges that brings, that it’s the right decision for the wellbeing of our players which is paramount and also to ensure the future of our club.

We would like to thank all our supporters and sponsors for their continued support and assure them that we will be back next season and ready to go.

We would also like to extend our best wishes to all clubs for the remainder of this season and look forward to meeting you again next season

Benburb Football Club

Playing Today(Kick Offs 1.45PM):WOSFL Premier Division. Beith v Troon, Largs Thistle v Cumbernauld Utd , Blantyre Vics v Darvel, 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 Cadocs v Irvine Vics, Lugar Boswell v Vale of Clyde.WOSFL Conference League C. Lanark Utd v St Anthonys , Drumchapel Utd v East Kilbride Thistle, Kilsyth Rangers v Glasgow Perthshire,Thorniewood Utd v Yoker Athletic.