Another away game for The Buffs this weekend as they look to bounce back from a disappointing exit from The Scottish Cup as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at Bo’ness Athletic. This time around it’s a much shorter journey for The Buffs as they travel across North Ayrshire to Valefield Park to face Kilbirnie Ladeside.
“The Blasties” were founded just after The Buffs in 1901 and have been stalwarts of the junior football scene for many years now. Ladeside are 2-time champions of the Scottish Junior Cup most recently winning the competition in 1977 after earning their maiden victory in 1952 in front of 69000 fans at Hampden Park. The Blasties have spent one more season in the WOSFL First Division after being relegated the season prior to The Buffs joining them.
Similar to The Buffs, Ladeside have had a varied start to the season with 10 points from the first 7 and sit 1 point and a place below The Buffs in the early standings. Kilbirnie have so far seen wins against Blantyre, Ashfield and Vale of Clyde with a draw against Rob Roy and 3 losses to Cumbernauld, Renfrew and Rutherglen. Managed by Colin Spence, The Blasties have finished 6th and 11th in the previous 2 seasons and will be hoping that this could be the season that sees them return to the top division of the WOSFL. It was Kilbirnie that took 3 points the last time the sides faced at Buffs Park before The Buffs went away and won on the last game of the season. This summer seen Kilbirnie sign 2 ex-Buffs men in the shape of, defender, Jamie Whyte and striker, Graham Boyd. “Boydy” was last season’s top goal scorer for The Buffs and will no doubt be desperate to net against his former side this weekend. In the opposite direction Jamie Ballantyne signed for The Buffs after spending a part of last season at Valefield Park.
The Buffs will be hoping that they can extend their 1-point gap to Kilbirnie and continue their rise up the table but as always, this tie will likely be a real battle as the sides go head-to-head in a North Ayrshire derby. Kick-Off is 2PM at Valefield Park, Kilbirnie.
