It’s a return to league duties for The Buffs as they head south to Blair Park to face Hurlford United, following last week’s Scottish Cup exploits. It marks the first time The Buffs have visited Blair Park in over two years, with today’s test expected to be a tough one considering “The Ford’s” strong start to the season.
Formed as a club in 1912, Hurlford United FC have been a staple of the West of Scotland football scene for many years, with the club sustaining long periods of time at the top level of non-league Scottish football as well as winning their fair share of silverware throughout their history. Despite plenty of success in the 1960s and 70s, the club had to wait over 100 years for the Scottish Junior Cup to find its way to Blair Park when The Ford defeated Glenafton 3-0 in front of nearly 6000 people at Rugby Park to win the cup for he first and only time in the club’s history. Hurlford’s most recent cup success came in 2022 when they defeated the Buffs on penalties at Townhead Park to win the WoSFL Cup after the game finished 1-1 through 90 minutes.
Unlike many other clubs in the division, it’s been a fairly quiet summer for The Ford with only a few new faces being added to the squad. Midfielder, Dean Hawkshaw moved to Hurlford from Stranraer after spending numerous seasons in the SPFL with the likes of Kilmarnock and Airdrieonians, alongside Ryan Kennedy, who makes the switch for Auchinleck and adds more cover in midfield. Finally, young fullback/midfielder Matt Turner joined the club following a spell in the St Mirren youth setup and won man of the match on his debut for The Ford against Coldstream. Defender, Matt McLean, also transferred to the club from Formantine United however, was soon released by Hurlford as the centre back looked to move back north. Despite little transfer movement, it’s been an impressive start to the season for Hurlford, with wins against Johnstone Burgh, Largs, Rutherglen, and Glenafton earning them 12 points from their opening 6 games, which sees the club occupy 4th place in the division. The Ford have only been beaten twice, so far, this season, when they faced Auchenleck and Renfrew, with both results finishing in 4-0 losses for Darren Henderson’s side. Tricky forward, Lewis Morrison, has had a great start to the season for Hurlford with 6 league goals already this season, including a hat-trick against Johnstone Burgh. Morrison is one of the most threatening forwards in the whole division and will have to be marshalled well by the Buffs’ defence if he is to be stopped from doing any damage to Kevin Kelly’s side today. The last time the sides met, it was a nine-goal thriller at Blair Park as The Ford edged out Chris Aitken’s Buffs side 5-4 with Morrison grabbing 4 goals on the night as he tore the Buffs’ defence to shreds. You have to look back to December 2020 to find the last time The Buffs defeated Hurlford, with a 3-1 win coming at Buffs Park for Chris Strain’s side.
Kevin Kelly will be hoping his side can carry the momentum built up in recent weeks into today’s match as his side look to extend their four-game unbeaten streak against a high-flying Hurlford team. The Buffs currently sit in 10th place in the division however, are level on points with both Arthurlie and Rutherglen above them, making every point count even as early in the season as this.
