It’s the 4th Cup match in 7 games for The Buffs as they host, WOSFL Third Division side, Glasgow United in the 2nd round of the Indigo Comms West of Scotland Cup. Last season The Buffs bowed out of the competition at this stage after a humiliating, 1-4, defeat to Ardrossan Winton Rovers.
Since being founded in 1903, the club, previously named Shettleston Juniors (until 2021), has seen several cup successes including the West of Scotland cup which they have won 3 times, most recently in 1995. Former Scotland defender and manager Tommy Docherty began his senior career with ‘The Town’ before going on to play for Celtic, Arsenal and Chelsea whilst also managing clubs the size of Manchester United, Porto and Aston Villa. Ex Rangers midfielder Bobby Russell also played for the club before making the move to Ibrox where he would go on to play over 350 games for the Govan side, winning many honours with them along the way.
Glasgow United currently lie in 9th place, out of 16, in the WOSFL Third Division after an indifferent start to the season. Despite their difficult league start, Glasgow United have already put in some impressive cup performances including wins against Stirling Uni, Edinburgh United, Forth Wanderers and Bridge of Don and also a penalty defeat away at, Premier Division, Troon Juniors after the game finished 1-1. Although results haven’t quite gone to plan so far for this weekend’s visitors, goals have not been amiss as after just the opening 14 matches of the season there has been 69 goals, including those for and against the east end side. The Town also carry a massive goal threat wherever they go in the form of prolific striker David Goodwillie, who will be one of The Buffs defence’s toughest tests of the season. Goodwillie scored an insurmountable 46 goals during his debut season for the club in 2023/24 and has started this season in a similar vein of form with 11 goals already in the campaign, only 6 goals less than The Buffs’ total in the league this season. The Buffs will be looking to make it 6 games unbeaten and will be hoping that their impressive cup form from the last few years can carry on for a while longer. Fraser Malcolm hit the ground running with a screamer on his debut and will be hoping he can build on his debut goal with more at the weekend and eventually cement himself as The Buffs’ main source of goals for this season. Important player Mark Lamont and Blair MacIntyre will also now be looking to kick on following the positive news of their contracts being extended until the end of next season which should provide a sense of stability for both the club and the players.
Regardless of the competition maybe not holding the same importance as the league, the fixture does offer Kevin Kelly the chance of building some momentum that he will be hoping his side can carry into the vital period that lies ahead.
