BACK in mid-July when the WoSFL leagues were getting underway, one could get 25/1 on Kilwinning Rangers to win the Premier title.

Those odds felt exceedingly generous at the time yet bookmakers have actually lengthened them now despite the Ayrshire cracks commendably elevating themselves to fourth top place in the standings.

Yet this deeming title success less likely to happen is understandable, seeing as the playing intensity and bravado that was so pivotal to Chris Strain’s men attaining this lofty spot has been nowhere to be seen in recent outings and Kilwinning have looked shaky at best in succumbing to back-to-back 2-0 defeats against Hurlford United and Benburb.

Fixture circumstances, they alone among the  top six Premier outfits did not have South Challenge Cup involvement last weekend, meant their losing out to the Bens did not affect the leading league positions however even the most devout of Buffs backers are of the mind their team will  be heading South at a rate of knots before too long.

Yet while admitting last Saturday’s disappointing outcome at home to their Govan visitors grated with him ,defiant team boss Strain has taken to a bit of sabre rattling over his side’s seemingly fading title dreams.

Ahead of this week’s crunch clash away to Troon he insisted: ”Look, we’ve made it a lot harder for ourselves of that there’s no doubt, but the very fact we remain only ten points behind the league leaders Auchinleck Talbot  fills me with a fair degree of optimism.

“It’s no coincidence that the worst injury crisis I’ve known in my entire footballing career has seen us hit this recent bad patch but all the other challenging teams are going to have theirs sooner or later so it’s comforting to know we are very much  in touch with them.

“Dropping any more points has to be a no-no and I do believe putting together a winning run is well within our capabilities if everybody stays fit and I can get our strongest mix out on the pitch.

“That’s not been even close to possible over the past six weeks and you only have to look at our results for proof.”

Often this season, Strainy has made the Buffs difficult to play against by choosing midfielders with a solid defensive head on while at the same time relying on his special players up front to win games by making the most of what limited opportunities come their way.

However his line-up against Benburb was bereft of just about every quality forward on the Buffs Park books, suspension ruling out Calvin Kemp on top of injuries condemning Carlo Monti , Thomas Collins, Ben Lewis and Ally McColm to a watching brief on the terracings alongside defensive regulars Ross Smith and Kieran Woods .

And full back Thomas Coutts was likewise unavailable for selection after his former Pollok team mate David Gormley persuaded him to put pen to paper for Lowland League side Broomhill last midweek.

In light of this selection adversity, Kilwinning’s  latest demise at the hands of Benburb is not altogether surprising even though the Glasgow club were themselves vastly under-strength according to their experienced centreback Ryan Docherty.

He reasoned: "The Buffs had a number of players out but we were similarly minus Kieran O’Hear, Ryan McCrone, Gospel Ocholl ,Reegan Aitken and Scott Rough which is arguably more of a kick in the teeth for  a club with a smallish playing squad like ours.

“The gaffer Paul Lovering was also posted missing on account of a virus infection and we had no choice other than to field 16 year old Willie Dawson in our starting X1.

“He had a stormer as did every single Bens player in deservedly coming out on top and the fact Kilwinning didn’t create a single scoring chance of note  speaks volumes about our performance.

“That’s us now having picked up seven points from our last three games and it’s all down to the massive confidence boost received in our comeback from 3-0 down against  Pollok  to earn a 3-3 draw.

“The aim now is to keep our run going this weekend when Cumnock are the visitors to New Tinto Park and as long as we show the same attitude and work rate then we’ll be in with a shout.

“What we must do is show every respect to Cumnock , struggling themselves of late , because recent results do not in any way reflect the quality of  their playing squad.”

Docco  bagging one of his side’s goals down at Kilwinning  had Benburb officials toying with the notion of nominating him for a place in their  history books as it was the third game on the trot his name had appeared on the scoresheet…an all too  rare feat for a central defender .

And the 35 year old’s claim to fame could have even greater merit as he modestly explained with tongue pressed firmly in cheek.

“Having also scored in big John Sheridan’s testimonial match which was played on the Sunday before we beat Kilwinning surely makes it four games in a row ?.”

The Buffs’ need for a win is all the more acute given all the other top five clubs are yet again playing Cup ties however there’s an eagerly awaited Blair Park where sixth top Hurlford United await the visit of rivals Irvine Meadow, five points  adrift of their hosts but from having played three games fewer.

Cumbernauld United can hopefully ease their drop fears by taking the spoils away to rank bottom markers Bonnyton Thistle while Kilbirnie Ladeside co-gaffers Thomas Molloy and Shaun Dillon  will be looking for the Blasties to continue their  recent upsurge in form with victory at home to the similarly doomed looking Blantyre Vics.

And putting  points on the board is undoubtedly the be all and end all for one time Auchinleck Talbot team mates Mick McCann and Bryan Young whose respective clubs, Glenafton and Beith , lock horns at Loch Park.

Meanwhile , Conference Division B promotion hopefuls Ardeer Thistle’s 7-1 thrashing by a Scott Anson inspired Cambuslang Rangers last weekend (the burly striker notched 5 goals) has sparked the Ayrshiremen into appointing  Irvine Meadow playing legend  Michael Wardrobe as manager Sean Kenney’s No 2.

The former goalkeeper, who also had a co-manager spell at the Meadow Park helm along with Gareth Turner,  will be in the Ardeer dugout for Saturday’s visit of Carluke Rovers.

PLAYING SATURDAY 27th NOVEMBER 2021 (Kick Offs 1.30PM unless stated): William Hill Scottish Cup 3rd Round (3PM) Clydebank v Clyde, Auchinleck Talbot v Hamilton Accies.

Macron Scottish Junior Cup 3rd Round.(1.45PM) Petershill v Lochee Utd, Gartcairn v Arthurlie, Largs Thistle v Dundee North End, Muirkirk v Dyce, Shotts Bon Accord v Rossvale, Yoker Athletic v Ashfield (Friday 7.30PM), Johnstone Burgh v Rob Roy.

PDM Buildbase Premier League. Bonnyton Thistle v Cumbernauld Utd, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Blantyre Vics, Glenafton v Beith, Hurlford Utd v Irvine Meadow, Troon v Kilwinning Rangers, Benburb v Cumnock.

PDM Buildbase Conference League A. Lugar Boswell v Girvan , Forth Wanderers v  Glasgow University,Whitletts Vics v Lesmahagow,Irvine Vics v Maryhill, Saltcoats Vics v Maybole.

PDM Buildbase Conference League B. Ardeer Thistle v Carluke Rovers, Port Glasgow v Newmains Utd, Thorniewood Utd v Kello Rovers, Renfrew v Glasgow Utd, Greenock v Royal Albert,Dalry Thistle v  Cambuslang Rangers.

PDM Buildbase Conference League C. St Rochs v St Anthonys, Vale of Clyde v Vale of Leven, Lanark Utd v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Glasgow Perthshire v Kilsyth Rangers, Wishaw v Larkhall Thistle.

PDM Buildbase Division Four. Campbeltown Pupils v Finnart, Glenvale v  B.S.C. Glasgow, St Peters v Kilsyth Athletic.