It’s the second installment of a Buffs-Thorniewood double header as Kevin Kelly’s side welcome The Wood for the second time in 2 weeks after last week’s dismal performance which seen the visitors knock Buffs out of the West of Scotland League Cup 1-2.
Last week’s result leaves The Buffs with 2 defeats on the bounce after going unbeaten in 9 games before the loss to Shotts in the South region Challenge Cup a fortnight ago. This time around however, its league action and despite The Buffs’ recent sticky patch, the club have only lost 1 out of their previous 8 league fixtures which will provide Kevin Kelly with some hope for the upcoming game against The Wood. The Buffs will have to turn around their fortunes in front of goal in the league if they want to rebuild their form as they are only averaging 1.6 goals scored per game, one of the lowest averages in the division. Thorniewood, on the other hand, will be looking for more of the same from last week’s comfortable victory as The Wood look to make it 4 wins in a row and carry their seven-match unbeaten run on.
Last week’s Buffs performance was bleak offensively and defensively which was epitomized by the two goals The Buffs conceded on the day. The first came around the 24th minute when Ross Forbes swung a corner in for the visitors. Young goalkeeper Dylan brown came out to punch the ball away but missed it entirely leaving the ball to curve directly into the back of the net. The second wasn’t any better of a look for The Buffs defensively as straight from the second half kick-off The Wood strolled up the right-hand side of the pitch, unchallenged, before squaring to the middle of the box where there were Thorniewood players queuing up to finish into the empty net. It was such a frustrating day all round for The Buffs, which was highlighted when both Conor McLaughlin were shown a red card late on after both players received two yellow cards.
Kevin Kelly will not have it easy picking a side for this weekend with senior players Blair MacIntyre and Adam Caldwell both sidelined with injuries however returns to the squad for the likes of Campbell McLean will be seen as a positive. The Buffs have a chance to reduce the gap between the sides to just 2 points, whilst also holding a game in hand, this weekend, in their hunt for a promotion spot.
