Renfrew co-bosses have sights set on top-of-the-table spot

The ambitious pair have their sights set on regaining the leadership with a victory at home to Thorniewood United this coming Saturday and are urging their Frew players to share in this vision.

Ferry said: “Rossvale have led the way for months, but the players have hung in there and now have the opportunity to strike a psychological blow by taking over as leaders going into the New Year.

“Last time we topped the table was back in November last season when we were ground sharing Keanie Park with Johnstone Burgh.

“Unfortunately, going top of the table coincided with us sitting idle for 12 weeks because of waterlogged pitches which along with our training sessions being limited due to a lack of facilities totally scuppered our season.

“The guys have done well to stay in contention this time, but the biggest positive this time out is the wonderful surface at New Western Park and we just have to take full advantage of our games going ahead.

“Thorniewood are a bit of an unknown quantity but they deserve our highest regard given they remain the only team to beat Rossvale on league duty.

“We had very close contests against them back when we were both Super First Division clubs and we are preparing for another tough scrap despite a lot of personnel changes having taken place.

“Giving that extra effort will go a long way towards us picking up three points.”

Midfield playmaker Chris Cameron, awaiting an exploratory operation to establish whether he has cartilage damage, is a definite non-starter for the Frew as is ex-Rangers full-back Ian Nicholson who is laid low with a recurring calf muscle strain.

Four consecutive weeks of postponements has made it difficult to keep players focused according to United gaffer Andy Frame who owned up to running the rule over his side’s opponents in their 3-2 defeat of St Roch’s last weekend.

He insisted: “Clarky and Martin have their team playing excellent stuff at a very high tempo and we will need to be on our guard from the very first whistle.

“Containing them will be far from easy but we’ll try to give it our best shot and look to pinch a goal or two at the other end where Kevin Harper is back in the picture and looking sharp after recovering from a muscle strain.

“We have to strive to giving ourselves a shot in the arm going into 2016 and this game against Renfrew provides a perfect opportunity.

“I cannot help but think their set-up and facilities are geared for going up a Division and I’d like to be hanging onto their coat tails next May.”

Thorniewood are thought to be one of the clubs interested in near neighbours Bellshill Athletic putting striker Mark Duffy on the open to transfer list, however getting him on board will be far from easy as the former Shotts Bon Accord frontman has a decent pedigree and will not be short of offers.

Meanwhile, a surprise development in Ayrshire circles has seen highly-regarded Troon assistant manager Neil Duffy leave to take up the reins at Whitletts Vics.

The feted ex-Senior defender who had playing stints with Falkirk, Dundee and Dundee United during his playing career only moved to the Portland Park outfit last summer, but he has been hugely influential as No.2 to gaffer Gordon Burns and is believed to be popular with supporters and players alike.

But the lure of taking over at the helm of his home town club proved too difficult to resist even though it was rumoured he previously turned down the post.

Close friend Burns admitted: “The Vics job undoubtedly ticks a lot of boxes for Neil.

“Another plus is their chairman John Dalton’s previous involvement with Neil in helping to establish Ayr United’s Youth Academy and I wouldn’t be surprised if they now want to put a similar set-up in place at Whitletts.

“Their current Ayrshire District League status may not be the case for much longer once Neil gets working behind the scenes and it goes without saying that everyone at Troon Juniors wishes him every success.”