St Anthonys legend James McKenna has been there and done it so often that it’s hard to think of him as anything but a Central First Division manager.

He’s never been blessed with a budget of any sort that might have allowed him to make the kind of big-money signings that could have helped him do more than just aspire to the Ants competing at Super League level however that really doesn’t matter a jot to the unassuming boss.

His mantra has always been one in which he is happy to work with the tools at his disposal and in that respect McKenna delights in his status as the longest-serving First Division gaffer around given his club’s position in the league has remained unchanged ever since they won promotion back in the 2002/03 season.

Jamesie has played for the Ants, trained them, managed them and annually rebuilds them so who better an authority to consult on First Division matters and whether the famous old Govan outfit will again be plying their trade as a First Division outfit come next May, than McKenna himself.

Speaking after striker Willie Duncan ended a barren spell (by his standards) to net a brace of goals and clinch 2-1 victory over city rivals Vale of Clyde that moved St Anthonys into the top half of the table, he revealed.

“I’d love to think our 13th season in the Central First Division could prove lucky and end in promotion but a lot of football has to be played. Nothing will be decided until the last few weeks of the season.

“There is just so little to choose between the vast majority of clubs that surprise results are commonplace each and every week and you just have to look back at Saturday when the previously unbeaten leading pair Renfrew and Thorniewood United suffered defeats as well as one of the bookmakers title favourites – Maryhill.

“I’ve said all along that the quality of newly promoted sides would only make this league more competitive than it’s ever been and my crystal ball is currently coming up trumps seeing as Rossvale now lead the table, closely followed by St Rochs and Johnstone Burgh.

He added: “Martin Lauchlan’s young side are up there on merit after winning 3-1 at Carluke but it’s interesting to note their only game on grass up to now ended in defeat so a major test of their credentials will come in away games.

“Without doubt they are set up to score goals so teams will suffer against them but it’s hard not to think that cavalier approach will also see them concede their fair share at the other end of the pitch.

“Locky will fancy his chances for back-to-back promotions but for my money St Rochs are the dark horse to be watched as Andy Cameron has put together an excellent football playing side packed with talented individuals and I say that even though we beat them 3-2 at McKenna Park earlier this month.

“But it really all depends upon how the pressure is handled because having so many teams sharing top spot at this stage of the season and with pole position changing hands on a weekly basis is an early indication that any title race is going right to the wire.

"And we might be sixth placed in the standings after Saturday’s win but reality is our position is second just two points behind the five joint leaders so don’t be surprised if St Anthonys are there or thereabouts in the home straight.”

Bringing his own side into the equation had McKenna waxing lyrical about his latest crop of playing charges.

“Too much of the scoring onus fell on Willie Duncan’s shoulders last season so we’ve recruited big Kyle Brown from Shettleston and he’s shown himself to be a more than capable striker," he gushed.

“And it could be we have unearthed a winger talent from Spain by the name of Ivan Jarramillo who was once a full-timer with Athletic Bilbao though he never played first team and eventually dropped down to play at Spanish Third Division level.

“His coming to work in Scotland was a stroke of luck for ourselves and he could prove a real find once he gets more accustomed to Juniors.

“And our other newcomers Graham Crawford, Ross Loughlan, Dean Mackay and Paul O’Brien are also showing signs of potential. Slowly but surely our playing squad is taking shape even though I’m forever on the lookout for a bit of added experience.”

The Ants gaffer's closing gambit most probably alluded to a failed signing approach for recently released Beith midfielder Stegg McKeown who is attracting the attention of several clubs as is the Ayrshire club’s transfer listed centre-back David Donnelly who was loaned out to Rossvale last season.

PLAYING THIS WEEK: SATURDAY 26th SEPTEMBER (Kick Offs 2PM unless stated): Scottish Junior Cup. Rd 1 (2.30PM). Larkhall Thistle v Haddington Utd, East Kilbride Thistle v Armadale Thistle, Inverness City v FC Stoneywood, Kilwinning Rangers v Dalry Thistle, Newmains Utd v Fraserburgh Utd, Bonnyrigg Rose v Thorniewood Utd, Ardeer Thistle v West Calder Utd, Nairn St Ninians v Oakley Utd, Crossgates Primrose, Sunnybank v Yoker, Stoneyburn v Dyce, Whitletts Vics v Lochgelly Albert, Glenafton v Newmachars,Hall Russell Utd v Vale of Clyde, Bridge of Don Thistle v Rosyth Recreation, Vale of Leven v Kennoway Star Hearts, Newtongrange Star v Edinburgh Utd, Newburgh v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Irvine Vics v Camelon, Maybole v Broxburn Athletic, Winton Rovers v Whitburn, Montrose Roselea v Forfar Albion, Lochee Harp v Tayport, Banchory St Tiernans v Aberdeen East End, Buckie Rovers v Hill O’Beath, Burghead Thistle v Kilsyth Rangers, Cumnock v Broughty Athletic, Neilston v Dufftown , Bellshill Athletic v Wishaw, Port Glasgow v Benburb.West Region Super Premier Division. Hurlford Utd v Pollok, Troon v Arthurlie, Irvine Meadow v Beith.West Region Ayrshire District League. Annbank Utd v Craigmark, Kello Rovers v Darvel, Muirkirk v Lugar Boswell, Girvan v Saltcoats Vics