After their crucial win last week, it’s a short turnaround for The Buffs as they enter their final five games of the season. They start with a midweek matchup against Arthurlie FC in a game that is of paramount importance to both teams’ chances of winning the league title and promotion.
Despite a recent management change and a busy schedule, it has been more of the same for ‘The Lie’ in terms of results, with 10 points in their last 4 games, with new manager Kevin Rutkiewicz earning 7 of them. Rutkiewicz has had an impressive start to his reign after kicking his term off with a 3-3 draw with league leaders Renfrew before managing away wins against both Ashfield and Maybole. The new appointment has also been busy in the transfer market, making 3 signings to try and improve his side’s chances of promotion this season, which were already high. The ‘Lie currently sit in 4th place but have an abundance of games in hand on all 3 sides above them in the division, including The Buffs. The ‘Lie sit only a point behind Rutherglen, 6 points behind The Buffs and 7 points off leaders Renfrew whilst holding 4, 5 and 7 games in hand on the sides, respectively. Bryan Boylan netted the winner when the clubs met last month in a game which The Buffs reduced Arthurlie to barely any forward action whilst also missing a few chances to win the game by a larger difference on the night. The away side has failed to win in any of the last 3 contests between the clubs, but, at the same time, The ‘Lie have lost their last 4 games in a row and have to go back to the first of February for their last home win, which came in a cup tie against WOSFL Premier Division champions Clydebank FC. Forwards Aaron Healy and Mark Taylor have the most league goals for The Lie this season, with 10 each, with ex-Buffs man Conor Bolger also contributing 2 goals to Arthurlie’s season so far.
New manager Kevin Rutkiewicz couldn’t have asked for a bigger game than this for his first match at Dunterlie Park as manager of Arthurlie FC and will undoubtedly be looking for a pivotal victory against Kevin Kelly’s Buffs side. Kelly will be hoping to spoil Rutkiewicz’s party as his side attempt to build on their victory at Petershill Park last week, which ended their 2-game losing run.
