It’s a top of the table clash this weekend as The Buffs make the journey to New Western Park, where they face, second placed, Renfrew FC in what is probably the biggest game in the Buffs’ season so far. “The Frew” currently sit 6 points behind The Buffs, with Kevin Kelly’s side also holding a game in hand on this weekend’s hosts.
No matter what happens come the end of the season, manager Jimmy Quigley will be very proud of the improvements his side have made from last season. The club have gone from only surviving by 6 points last campaign to being in with a great shot at promotion this time around thanks to a great mid-season run which seen The Frew only lose 1 out of 13 games, winning 7 along the way. It did seem like Quigley’s team were beginning to run out of steam after only winning one game in six around the turn of the year, losing to Thorniewood United and Irvine Meadow and drawing with relegation-threatened Blantyre, Rob Roy, and Vale of Clyde. However, the team has done a fantastic job of turning their poor form around in recent months, with impressive results against The Winton, St Roch’s and Cumbernauld firing The Frew right back into the promotion mix with not long to go. The Frew have enjoyed a great record against the division’s top sides this season, with only 1 of Renfrew’s 6 league losses coming at the hands of teams who sit in the top 8. The honours were split evenly when Renfrew travelled to Buffs Park earlier in the season, as the game ended 0-0 with neither team being able to score, the only 0-0 The Buffs have experienced this campaign. Joseph Gillespie has been the main man in front of goal for The Frew this season. Gillespie has 12 league goals and currently sits second in the league scoring charts behind Ryan Wilson on 15 and only 1 goal above Buffs’ top scorer Bryan Boylan, who now has 11 league goals for the season. The last time The Buffs went to New Western Park was under the leadership of previous manager Chris Aitken, with The Buffs losing the game 2-1 thanks to a brace from Cammy Kerr, who would move to Buffs Park the following summer.
With just 8 games remaining in the Buffs’ season, it is imperative they keep their slip-ups to a minimum, especially in games against title challengers like the Renfrew side they will face this weekend. A win for The Buffs would be massive and would extend their lead atop the table to at least 8 points, but on the other hand, a loss would drag them right back into the grasp of the chasing pack led by The Frew, who would be just the 3 points behind Kevin Kelly’s side. A 5 game winning streak has given The Buffs a great platform to really push on until the end of the season but will still need to get the job done, starting this weekend.
Other games of importance to The Buffs include Blantyre versus 4th placed Petershill and Arthurlie away to Kilbirnie Ladeside. In form Thorniewood United also visit Vale of Clyde, and finally 3rd placed Rutherglen Glencairn welcome 5th placed St Roch’s in another pivotal match in the race for promotion.
