The Buffs are back in action after last week’s late postponement at Arthurlie FC as they welcome Maybole Juniors FC to Buffs Park for the Buffs’ 24th league match of the season. It’s the first home game in 3 weeks for The Buffs after a defeat at Renfrew FC, and then the debacle at Dunterlie Park has seen them drop off of top spot in the WOSFL First Division for the first time in over a month.
After a respectable start to the season, ‘The Bole’ have found it difficult in recent months, with only 1 win in 13, leaving them in 13th place and in the midst of a relegation battle with 6 of the top 8 still to play as they look to beat the drop in their 7 remaining games. Ironically, that 1 win in 13 league matches came at the home of title challengers Rutherglen Glencairn as Maybole ran out 0-1 winners back in late February, but poor results against fellow relegation battlers has really dragged The Bole right into the scrap around the foot of the table. It was a 6 goal thriller when the sides met earlier in the season, as The Buffs left Maybole with just a point after throwing away the victory with some pretty calamitous mistakes at the back. Since the 3-3 draw with The Buffs, 13 games ago, Maybole have only managed to pick up 6 points, with financial issues and the resignation of the management back in January clearly impacting the on-field performance of The Bole. Buffs fans do have a familiar face to look out for this weekend in the shape of cult hero Tommy Maitland. Maitland spent many years playing in the blue and white hoops at Abbey Park and will be making his return to the Maybole squad against The Buffs after serving a suspension which saw the defender miss 3 games. Striker Gerard Clark tops the goalscoring chart for The Bole on 10 goals, including a double against The Buffs. Unfortunately for Maybole, Clark ended up leaving the club in November last year whilst sat as top scorer of the division, with nobody having the ability to replicate the prolific forward’s early season record for The Bole. The Buffs boast the strongest home record in the league this season and are currently on a very strong run of form at home with only 1 defeat in their previous 8 games at Buffs Park.
Kevin Kelly will be hoping that last week’s postponement has provided the amount of rest required for his side, who now head into the last 7 games of their season with aspirations of finishing in one of the 3 promotion spots, which would see them back into the WOSFL Premier Division next campaign. The Buffs now sit in second place in the division, joint on points with leaders Renfrew whilst also holding 2 games in hand on the table-toppers.
Elsewhere in the division there are some massive games this weekend as Renfrew host Arthurlie in a monumental game in the title race. Petershill also visit Valefield Park in a tricky encounter with Kilbirnie Ladeside. 5th placed St Roch’s have already played this weekend, as they won away at Rob Roy in some Friday night football.
