GIVEN what we know of St Roch's manager Andy Cameron, an unassuming and articulate standard bearer for his club ever since assuming the Garngad outfit’s reins just over two years ago, for him to be talking up his side’s recent performances can be taken as a strong indication they are playing really well.

And the Central First Division standings certainly support this notion given the Candy Rock currently sit in second top spot though on the same 18 points marks as league leaders Cambuslang Rangers as a consequence of opening their league campaign with six wins and just one defeat in seven games to date.

Another testing encounter awaits today with a trip through to the Beltane to face Wishaw and last night found Andy mulling over his team selection for the crunch clash while still waxing lyrically over last weekend’s 6-2 victory over Lesmahagow, a display he enthusiastically described as “probably the best 90 minutes served up by the guys this season.”

He insisted: “We were more than a bit concerned going into the Lesmahagow game seeing as we were minus four key players looked upon as absolute cornerstones of the team … suspended pair John Sweeney and Jordan Logan as well as T.J. McLuskey (illness) and Brian McQueen (injured).

“But the other guys stepped up to the plate and then some with every goal we scored on the day better than the previous one and candidates for goal of the season awards.

“It was encouraging to get rewards for our hard work on the training ground and we were deserved winners on the day even though the scoreline read 3-2 at one point and we were fortunate to grab the crucial next goal.”

The Candy gaffer added: “Now comes an arguably tougher opponent in Wishaw whose current points total is not representative of the quality in their team and I reckon they will still emerge as one of the main title challengers.

“They have ground to make up because our decent start means we are currently 11 points better off but the respect I have for them is shown by the fact I’d quite gladly bite your hand off for that lead to still be intact after tomorrow’s game.

“ Our cause isn’t helped by the four absentees missing out again which leaves us having to make do with 14 players, however the door is now open for another of our young rising stars to show his worth.

“ A young 16-year-old lad by the name of Jack McIlveen made a sensational debut for our Under 17s team last Saturday by helping himself to six goals and I feel his performance has earned him the chance to be with the Juniors side and the hope is we can give him some game time as part of the learning process.”

Only six points separate Cambuslang in pole position from Lesmahagow down in sixth and Cameron believes other sides will come into the promotion reckoning before too long.

He said: “Cambuslang, whom we beat 1-0, are probably the best team we’ve come up against and I say that despite Benburb turning us over 3-0 in what is our only league defeat at the James McGrory Stadium.

“Rossvale are decent as are Larkhall Thistle and I truly expect Wishaw to come good while the dark horse currently slipping under everyone’s radar just now is the Thorniewood United side managed by my good friend Andy Frame.

“They will be there or thereabouts when the prizes are being dished out and if we want to be at the party then the trick is to keep piling points on the board over the coming weeks as the period up until Xmas can be defining.”

Cambuslang Rangers don’t have their problems to seek ahead of the top-of-the-table showdown with third-placed Larkhall Thistle after a flu bug swept through the Somervell Park dressing room this week.

Wee Gers boss Paul McColl admitted: “We’ve been out of sorts for the past few weeks and a raft of injuries led to a weakened side losing at home to Lochore Welfare in the Scottish Junior Cup.

“That was disappointing for a club with our cup history but the players bounced straight back with a 3-1 victory away to Wishaw last week but any thoughts of going with the same winning line up have been blown away by this flu bug.

“As things stand we have six players struggling including Robert Halliday whose symptoms were severe enough to cause him to attend hospital and I think we have to accept a few of the guys will be posted missing.

“It’s not ideal with Larkhall going along well and sitting just three points behind us but we’ll give it our best shot and see where it gets us.”

Every bit as difficult to call is the head-to-head of Thorniewood and Neilston while strong going Rossvale will not find the points easy to come by when hosting the visit of an unpredictable Benburb.

Meanwhile, on the comings and goings front comes word of Ashfield revealing a willingness to listen to offers for speedy striker Chris Moulangou and defender David Kane, while George Grierson tendering his resignation as manager of Muirkirk has led to backroom coaches Gary Russell and Kevin Deeney similarly calling time on their stint with the Ayrshire club.

TODAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm unless stated)

Scottish Junior Cup second round: Banks O’Dee v Kilbirnie Ladeside (3pm).

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Pollok v Cumnock, Kilwinning Rangers v Auchinleck Talbot, Hurlford Utd v Glenafton, Arthurlie v Troon, Rob Roy v Beith.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Shettleston v Cumbernauld Utd, Irvine Meadow v Maryhill, Renfrew v Irvine Vics, Girvan v Yoker Athletic, Clydebank v Petershill, Rutherglen Glencairn v Blantyre Vics, Shotts Bon Accord v Kilsyth Rangers.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Wishaw v St Roch's, Thorniewood Utd v Neilston, Lesmahagow v Greenock, Cambuslang Rangers v Larkhall Thistle, Rossvale v Benburb, Forth v Vale of Clyde, Johnstone Burgh v Bellshill Athletic.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: East Kilbride Thistle v Dunipace, Glasgow Perthshire v Newmains Utd, Carluke Rovers v Port Glasgow, Lanark Utd v Royal Albert, Vale of Leven v Gartcairn.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Ardeer Thistle, Craigmark v Dalry Thistle, Muirkirk v Annbank Utd, Saltcoats Vics v Kello Rovers, Lugar Boswell v Maybole Whitletts Vics v Darvel.