IT takes something very special indeed for a substitution…and particularly one when a side is winning 4-0…to steal away the thunder from teammates as Martin McGoldrick did in a cameo appearance for Beith against Largs Thistle last Wednesday night.

But few would argue that 34 year old Goldie is not someone justifiably deserving of the 'special' tag given his previous multi-silverware winning exploits as an Auchinleck Talbot defensive cornerstone inclusive of three Scottish Junior Cup triumphs.

He and current Beith gaffer Bryan Young formed a close friendship in their  Beechwood Park dressing room that continued when they both signed on the dotted line for Pollok in the summer of 2017, albeit McGoldrick’s playing stint at Newlandsfield ultimately proved short-lived in the extreme (a mere eight starts) before work commitments led to him emigrating to the United Arab Emirates.

Little has been seen or heard of him in a footballing sense ever since until his coming off the bench for the final half hour of the midweek 5-0 thumping of Largs which could yet see him handed a starting jersey today when the Mighty make the short hop to face an Irvine Meadow side coincidentally managed by  another two former Talbot players James Latta and Colin Spence.

A burning desire to gain the upper hand, both sides having made  identical WoSFL starts with a defeat followed by a victory apiece, might render McGoldrick’s inclusion as something of a gamble but not according to sound thinking Beith boss Young.

He admitted: “Martin and I have kept in touch with each other since he moved abroad so I was well aware he was coming back for a six weeks stay and had invited him to come along and train with us.

“He’s kept himself in decent physical condition so it was an obvious conclusion to broach the subject of him figuring in our early season matches at a time when we have several players self-isolating as well as others yet to serve out suspensions.

“And to be fair, he took to his first playing action at this level after a near three  year absence in the same way as someone getting the opportunity to ride a bike all over again because  you’d honestly have thought he has never been away from the game.

“He absolutely strolled it but whether he showed enough to merit a start against the Medda in their own backyard is something I will think long and hard about before coming to any decision.

"What  I can  say is there will  be no favouritism on my part when it comes to  our team selection because picking  up three points  is the be all and end all as far as I’m concerned.

"The younger guys in our squad undoubtedly took a lift from playing alongside someone of Martin’s  vast experience and standing in the game however I have to weigh this up  against the Largs game being over as a contest  before  his late  appearance.”

Notching a nap  hand of goals, with  Kenny McLean, Jordan Duffy, Callum Imrie , Calum Watt and Josh Fowler  on target, delighted Youngy not least because his side’s showing  was in stark contrast to the blank  sheet posted last weekend in going down 1-0 to Cumnock.

He added: “Our tentative and some might say nervy approach in  last Saturday’s game was  all  wrong and  we paid a heavy price but what a difference on Wednesday when the guys  were at their clinical best and probably  deserved more goals than the five we scored.

“Chalking  up a clean sheet  into the bargain is a manager’s dream but the players have  drawn their own line in the sand and I’ll be looking for more of the same now.”

Cumnock are one  of only three teams, Kilwinning Rangers and Darvel are  the others, to post back-to-back wins but Tony  McInally’s men may find the full  quota of  points hard to come by today even with  home advantage against a much improved Cumbernauld United side.

Frontrunners Kilwinning  will not expect to falter when injury ravaged Blantyre Vics come through to Buffs Park and hard to see by Darvel coming up trumps against visitors Rutherglen Glencairn  in a contest switched to Portland Park  in Troon because of ongoing  pitch  works at Recreation Park.

Bottom  markers Largs Thistle hosting  the visit of similarly pointless Rossvale had taken on added intrigue by events this week surrounding the Bishopbriggs based club’s attempts to appoint a replacement for erstwhile gaffer David Gormley following  his departure to take up the reins  at Lowland League outfit Broomhill F.C.

It was strongly rumoured that  Vale officials have chosen their new man, thought to be former Pollok ,Kilbirnie Ladeside and Kilsyth Rangers striker Iain  Diack, who has  been team manager at East Kilbride for just over18  months.

Yet while credence to these circulating whispers had been received by 40 year old Dyers resigning his Jags post  at the  start of last week ,  it would appear his  club’s officials did not allegedly take too well to word of his departure and  they had  issued  a terse statement that read

“The club regrets to confirm that Iain Diack has offered his resignation from his post as East Kilbride Thistle  manager.

"We have fought hard to keep Iain at East  Kilbride Thistle and have  not accepted his resignation   while discussions with  another  club are taking place.

"However whatever happens we wish to place on record our sincere gratitude for everything Iain has done for the club over the last 18 months.

"Gary O’Hanlon will be placed in temporary charge until the matter is resolved.

"The club will not be commenting any further at this time.”

Contractual compensation might well  have  been  the thorny issue behind Thistle’s instrangent position  however an agreement  reached on Thursday night has  Diack taking what promises to  be a baptism of fire in his first game in charge down at  Barrfields.

PLAYING TODAY: (Kick Offs 2PM):P.D.M Buildbase Premier League. Irvine Meadow v Beith, Auchinleck Talbot v Troon, Rob Roy v Clydebank, Cumnock v Cumbernauld Utd, Largs Thistle v Rossvale, Darvel v Rutherglen Glencairn (Portland Park, Troon), Kilwinning Rangers v Blantyre Vics, Hurlford Utd v Bonnyton Thistle, Benburb v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Pollok v Glenafton.PDM Buildbase Conference League A. Bellshill Athletic v Maybole, Lesmahagow  v Johnstone Burgh, Irvine Vics v Glasgow University, Muirkirk v  Whitletts Vics, Saltcoats Vics v Craigmark, Maryhill v Lugar Boswell, Arthurlie v Forth Wanderers, Girvan v Shotts Bon Accord. PDM Buildbase Conference League B. Cambuslang Rangers v Ashfield ,Greenock v Glasgow Utd, Dalry Thistle v St Cadocs, Renfrew v  Kello Rovers, Carluke Rovers v Royal Albert, Ardeer Thistle v Port Glasgow, Newmains Utd  v Thorniewood Utd. PDM Buildbase Conference League C. Lanark Utd v Wishaw, Petershill v Larkhall Thistle , East Kilbride Thistle v St Rochs, Vale  of Clyde v Ardrossan  Winton Rovers, St Anthonys v Glasgow Perthshire, Yoker Athletic v Kilsyth Rangers, Neilston  v Vale of Leven.PDM Buildbase Division Four.Glenvale v Kilsyth Athletic,  Finnart v Harmony Row, Campbeltown Pupils v BSC Glasgow..