KEEN to show that taking a step back is a means to taking two forward is experienced midfielder John Johnston of Ardrossan Winton Rovers.

The one-time Rangers starlet featured in a highly-unaccustomed right-back role in his side’s 3-3 stalemate with Benburb last Saturday, though his positional sense and clever use of the ball breaking forward from the back made it appear to most onlookers that he had played there throughout his entire career.

“I think it’s just as well that Benburb played without a left-winger and didn’t ask any serious questions of my defensive abilities or else we might have been turned over big style,” laughed the 28-year-old whose sights are set on winning promotion into the top flight with the Ayrshire outfit this season after previously featuring among the Super Premier Division elite with Cumnock and Arthurlie.

He continued: “We still had a number of regular defenders like Robbie Cochrane unavailable because of holidays and were struggling to cobble together a backline. so I was quite happy to fill in as a stop-gap measure.

“The game was essentially all about achieving a level of fitness and it was pleasing to think we were still going strong in the closing stages despite having only started pre-season training on the pre- vious Saturday morning

“The 90 minutes at full-back were enjoyable for the most part, however I’d like to think when everyone’s fit and ready that I can revert to my preferred central midfield role where I figured for most of last season alongside Ben Carson.

“Holding down a regular midfield slot has just become a whole lot tougher after the gaffer Chris Strain signed up experienced old head Gareth Turner and Bobby Colligan from Irvine Vics as well as the one-time Celtic and Kilmarnock signing Craig Connell during the summer months but, that said, I’m certainly up for the challenge not least because a bit of competition for places can only be good for the team.

“Chris has also made the terrific acquisition of John Bradford, who was a previous team-mate of mine at Cumnock. He turned out last season with our Ayrshire Dist- rict title rivals Kilwinning Rangers and I’m pretty sure his outstanding display against us in a 2-2 Abbey Park draw is the reason Chris chased long and hard after his signature.

“Brad’s target man qualities and ability to hold the ball up under pressure can make him a hugely influential player and it’s exciting to think of a three-pronged attacking force of him, Jarred Willet and Ryan Caddis, who scored a lot of goals last time and will surely benefit from having someone to take the weight of his shoulders

“And that’s not forgetting our trialist in the Benburb game, big Andy Cripps, who showed he can win his share of aerial exchanges on more than a few occasions and was unlucky not to get his name on the scoresheet.

“For sure, I can see Super First Division defences having their work cut out trying to put the hems on that lot.”

Ardrossan followers have bemoaned a veritable plethora of close-season departures from their Winton Park dressing room, with Lawrence McMahon moving to Largs Thistle, Morton teenage loan signing and fans’ favourite Jordan Cairney returning to the Cappielow fold and ex-Thorniewood United midfielder Matty Bennett opting to sign for his pre-vious club, Kilbirnie Ladeside, on top of Billy Gilmour announcing his retirement from the Junior game.

And last Saturday saw versatile defender Darren Miller, reportedly wanted by Cumnock, appear as an Auchinleck Talbot trialist in a 5-0 defeat of Newtongrange Star.

Johnston added: “Yes, we’ve lost a few bodies and others might yet be going, but some replacements are already on board and I know Chris is working away behind the scenes to bring in a few more new faces and get us up to a squad of 18 or 19 players.

“He’s not someone for revealing names until pen is put to paper, but if he manages to reel in just some of his alleged targets then we may well have the capability to make people sit up and take notice of us.”

Elsewhere on the transfer front, comes word of Beith landing Ayr United teenage centre-back Josh McArthur, while Troon’s long pursuit of Cumnock goalkeeper Ally Semple has finally paid off with the highly-rated shotstopper moving to Portland Park for a sizeable fee as well as Troon No.1 Darren Johnstone going in the opposite direction.

And a venue change to note has Newmains United’s friendly match with Thorniewood United tomorrow night taking place at Dalziel Park (kick-off 8pm).

LAST NIGHT

St Roch's 6 Dennistoun Vale 0, Hamilton XI 4 Rob Roy 0.

Clydesdale Cup semi-final: Forth v Lanark Utd (postponed due to a waterlogged pitch).

TONIGHT

Friendlies: Arthurlie v Dumbarton XI, Glenafton v Annbank Utd, Beith v Maybole, Ashfield v EK Amateurs.

Clydesdale Cup semi-final: Carluke Rovers v Lesmahagow.

TOMORROW

Friendlies: Vale of Clyde v Dalziel HSFP, Blackburn Utd v Larkhall Thistle, Ardeer Thistle v Westkirk Ams, Kilsyth Rangers v Linlithgow Rose, Rutherglen Glencairn v Fauldhouse Utd, Dunipace v Stirling City, Stirling Albion XI v Rossvale, Irvine Meadow v Clark Drive, Darvel v Bellshill Athletic, Johnstone Burgh v Alba Thistle, Wishaw v Royal Albert, Cumbernauld Colts v Petershill, Hurlford Utd v Cumnock, Vale of Leven v Blantyre Vics, Shettleston v Hearts XI, Glencairn Under 21s v Port Glasgow, Newmains Utd v Thorniewood Utd, Queen’s Park XI v Neilston, St Anthony’s v Airdrie XI.

THURSDAY

Friendlies: Hamilton XI v Clydebank, St Roch’s v Broomhill S.C.

Clydesdale Cup semi-final: Forth v Lanark Utd.

FRIDAY

Friendlies: Gartcairn v Rossvale, Sauchie v Beith.

SATURDAY

Friendlies: Rutherglen Glencairn v Whitletts Vics, Vale of Clyde v Celtic XI, Carluke Rovers v Forfar West End, Blantyre Vics v Whitburn, Fauldhouse Utd v Shotts Bon Accord, Wishaw v Port Glasgow, Ardeer Thistle v Harmony Row, Greenock v Harmony Row, Craigmark v Newmains Utd, Pollok v Newtongrange Star, Clydebank v Girvan, Largs Thistle v Petershill, Haddington Athletic v Rob Roy, Winton Rovers v Thorniewood Utd, Forest Hall v St Anthony’s, Larkhall Thistle v Darvel, Spartans XI v Maryhill, Arthurlie v Kilwinning Rangers, Bathgate Thistle v Kilsyth Rangers, St Roch’s v Vale of Leven, Hill O’Beath v Lesmahagow, Blantyre Vics v Whitburn, St Andrews Utd v Shettleston, Bo’ness Utd v Auchinleck Talbot, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Cumnock, Livingston Utd v Forth, Kilwinning Rangers v Annbank Utd, Downfield v Bellshill Athletic, Kennoway Star v Dunipace, Linlithgow Rose v Hurlford Utd, Irvine Meadow v Musselburgh Athletic.

Neilston Hugh Blair Tournament: Neilston v Dalry Thistle, Irvine Vics v Dalry Thistle, Neilston v Irvine Vics.

Johnstone Burgh Tournament: Johnstone Burgh v Thorn Utd, Benburb v East Kilbride Thistle.