This weekend’s travels takes The Buffs to KG Stadium as they face a Blantyre Victoria side who have found life very hard so far this season, but will no doubt be looking to score their first points as they welcome The Buffs tomorrow.
“The Vics” play their football at KG Stadium in southeast Glasgow and have done since the early 1900’s when it was formerly known as Castle Park. Blantyre Victoria enjoyed great success in the 40’s when they played in the first ever Scottish football match to be broadcasted on radio when they were defeated by Glasgow Perthshire in the Junior Cup Final at Hampden Park in front of more than 44,000 spectators. However, when The Vics next visited Hampden in 1950 they made sure to take the Junior Cup home with them when they comfortably defeated Cumnock. Like many Glasgow sides, The Vics have produced their fair share of big names with the likes of Scotland internationals Joe Jordan and Billy McNiell both spending their early years in football at the club.
Despite historically being a very successful side The Vics currently find themselves rooted to the bottom of the WOSFL First Division with 0 points from their first 5. To be fair to The Vics it has been a summer of transition and massive change for the club after manager of 8 years, John Gibson left the club to take up the managerial position at Rob Roy. The current league position of Blantyre wouldn’t have been foreseen by many after the club put in an admiral performance last season finishing only 2 points and one position behind The Buffs. So far this season the club have been on the receiving end of defeats to Vale of Clyde, Rob Roy, Renfrew, Cumbernauld and Kilbirnie whilst also being knocked out of the South Challenge Cup last week after losing on penalties at home to Lochgelly Alberts. Last season, The Buffs were victorious in both meetings with a 0-4 win at the KG Stadium and a 3-1 win when The Vics travelled to Buffs Park. Although last seasons results were positive, The Buffs and The Vics are very much both new look sides compared to those days making it very hard to read much into last seasons affairs. New manager, Ross Wilson previously of Irine Meadow , Bonnyton Thistle and Kello rovers, will no doubt be desperate to score his first win as manager of Blantyre Vics and will be hoping it will come in front of their home support against a Buffs side who have been inconsistent so far this term. Over the past few games The Buffs have really looked most dangerous when Mark Lamont is swinging balls in from corners but despite being able to create several great chances, a goal from a corner has eluded this Buffs side which will feel a headed goal from the likes of Lawrence Hendry or Jamie Ballantyne is just around the corner. So far, The Buffs have lacked a clear goal-getter under Kevin Kelly who will be hoping forward players like Bryan Boylan and Jack McMahon, amongst others, will be popping up more often on the scoresheet. Key man Dylan Mackin could feature fairly soon after his road to recovery from a bad knee injury, suffered early last season, is completed and, once up to speed, could be the answer to some of Buffs goalscoring problems.
The Buffs will feel that as long as they perform like they did in the first half last Saturday they will be in with a chance of a result against anyone but will need to ensure and prove that they have what it takes to put on a performance for the full 90, something that has escaped them thus far this campaign.
