It’s derby day at Buffs Park as Kilwinning Rangers welcome Irvine Meadow XI FC in a game which has so much riding on it for both clubs. Irvine Meadow are currently enjoying a great spell of form under new manager Jamie McKim as they attempt to fight off what would be back-to-back relegations for the Irvine side, who will be hoping that they can leave Buffs Park with a positive result to help them in the relegation scrap. At the opposite end of the table, a win for The Buffs could see them reclaim top spot but would, at the very least, strengthen their position in the promotion race.
‘The Medda’ sit in 11th place in the division with 32 points to their name, only 3 points out of the final relegation place, which is currently occupied by Maybole Juniors, who recently came to Buffs Park and won. Tomorrow’s visitors are currently on their best run of the season, with only league leaders Renfrew FC accumulating more points than McKim’s team over the last 7 games, following an upturn in form since Jamie McKim was given the job in mid-January. The Irvine side have earned 15 points in their last 7 games, a total which is matched by The Buffs however, Kevin Kelly’s side have suffered 2 defeats in that period, 2 more than The Medda. During their recent run, The Medda have secured crucial points against fellow relegation battlers such as Blantyre, Kilbirnie, Rob Roy and Vale of Clyde however, The Medda’s most impressive result in recent months came just a couple of weeks ago when they welcomed and beat St Roch’s 3-2. Club captain and ex-Buffs man David Anderson has been a key player for The Medda this season, with the midfielder possessing the ability to really control games whilst also clearly having an eye for goal, with the midfielder topping Irvine Meadow’s scoring charts for the season on 8 league goals. The Buffs have had the edge in recent battles between the clubs, with the last 3 derbies ending in Buffs victories. The most recent derby came earlier in the season when The Buffs went to Meadow Park and won 3-4 after strolling the majority of the contest before letting the Irvine side back into the game late on. The Medda have shown that they do have the ability to cause an upset against top sides this season, with victories coming against WOSFL Premier Division side Pollok FC, Thorniewood United and two wins against table-toppers Renfrew, along with the previously mentioned victory against St Roch’s. Bryan Boylan has proved to be Buffs’ biggest danger so far this season, with the forward leading the way for The Buffs in front of goal, with 12 league goals this season. Boylan did manage to bag a goal in the previous derby alongside Mark Lamont however, it was Jack McMahon who stole the show on the day, with the homegrown hero netting a brace in the contest.
There is never a meaningless Eglinton Derby, but the stakes do just seem that bit higher this time around, as a victory would go a long way in both clubs’ seasons, with The Medda scrapping for survival and The Buffs battling for promotion. You don’t want to miss what promises to be a very tasty tie which could have massive repercussions on the seasons of the 2 North Ayrshire sides.
Elsewhere in the division Renfrew FC host Maybole, St Roch’s make the journey to Cumbernauld, Thorniewood Utd travel to Kilbirnie, and finally Arthurlie FC host Petershill FC in the pick of the bunch
