Author: Blair Meikle

Match Preview BSC Glasgow: Manager’s thoughts & who are tomorrow’s visitors?

Chris Anderson is expecting BSC Glasgow to be a tough opponent in tomorrow’s Lowland League clash, but his team should be ready for it after a string of fine displays.

After four matches unbeaten, including a draw with Spartans and two massive away wins at Civil Service Strollers and Cumbernauld Colts, things are looking decidedly better than when a gloomy outlook beset the club amid a run of eight games without a win over the winter months, threatening to derail the season.

However, tomorrow’s opponents managed a 2-0 win over Vale in the reverse fixture at Alloa’s Indodrill Stadium in October, at a time when form had been good.

Anderson said: “After four very impressive performances I am the first person to give credit to my players and they can all be pleased with their contribution over the last month.

“However, tomorrow we face another opponent who inflicted defeat on us last time around and it will require a lot of hard work to put that right today. We played well up there in the last game but still came away with a loss.”

The gaffer also revealed that plans are being put in place for next season, and that many of the current squad will still be around. He will be hoping Jason Stevens does the same after the forward rejected the advances of Bonnyrigg Rose during the week.

“The vast majority of the squad have signed again for next season. We have started our recruitment to add to the squad and our quietly ambitious backroom team are looking for a strong finish from this group to lead into next season.

“We were delighted Jay Stevens decided to stay with us until the end of season at least. It’s no secret that when a team does well individuals will shine and over the last dozen games Jay has excelled.”

Team Form

Vale –  LWWDW

BSC Glasgow – WDLDW

Previous meeting

BSC Glasgow 2-0 Vale (05/10/16)

Tomorrow’s visitors- BSC Glasgow

Broomhill Sports Club was founded in Broomhill, Glasgow, in June 2004 as a multi-sports club for children. By 2014 the club had grown to cater for 700 children in sports including football, karate, netball and hockey.

BSC Glasgow FC was launched in 2014 as a senior football team associated with the sports club, to provide a pathway into adult football for players from the youth teams. The club successfully applied to join the Scottish Lowland Football League for the 2014-15 season, and won the SFA South Region Challenge Cup in their first season. They are currently playing their home matches at Alloa Athletic’s Indodrill Stadium while they attempt to achieve their long term goal of having their own facility in Glasgow. They previously ground shared with Maryhill F.C juniors at Lochburn Park.

In their first season in the Lowland League they managed a tenth place finish, improving on that to come seventh last season. They are currently tenth, only a point behind Vale in the table. They had occupied a higher league position for much for the season but, like many of the teams in the league, form has been up and down. The last two results though have been decent, an away win at Gala and a draw with runaway leaders East Kilbride. The previous meeting between the clubs this season resulted in a 2-0 home win for BSC Glasgow.

Lamb out on loan while Stevens stays

In-form Jason Stevens has turned down a move to junior side Bonnyrigg Rose, while young midfielder Ross Lamb has joined Peebles Rovers on a month long loan.

Stevens was given the chance to join the Super League champions, but has opted to stay with Vale until the end of season, much to the relief of manager Chris Anderson who rates the player highly. A run of sparkling form in which he scored seven goals in four matches prompted Rose to make the move, but Anderson revealed the decision was left up to the player himself.

“We had a bid from Bonnyrigg during the week for Jay Stevens’ services. We felt it was only right to let the player decide and I was delighted he decided to stay for the remainder of the season at least.

“It’s no secret that when a team does well individuals will shine and over the last dozen games Jay has excelled. His 29 goals partnership with Blair Atkinson is something to behold”, said Anderson.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Lamb will spend the next month at his hometown team to get some game time in the East of Scotland League, joining up with his younger brother Gregor at Peebles.

Match Preview: Civil Service Strollers – Currie hoping to start

New arrival Ryan Currie is hoping his impact in the Spartans draw is enough to win him a starting spot at Civil Service Strollers tomorrow. But he has vowed to do his best for the team as a substitute if that is how he is used.

The midfielder was a trialist at Ainslie Park, coming on in the second half to impress. However, it was a third match unbeaten for the side so there will be healthy competition for places.

He said: “I’m hoping to start tomorrow, but even if I’m on the bench I’ll be ready to come on and do my best for the team and hopefully we can carry on the run and get a win. All the boys will definitely be up for a good game tomorrow.

“I played a part on Saturday in the draw against Spartans, and it just shows how good a team Vale is being disappointed coming away with a draw.”

Last weekend’s point was enough to move Vale clear of Civil in the league, and a win tomorrow would move them four points clear and potentially up to eighth depending on other results.

It would make it four unbeaten for the Innerleithen side after wins over Preston Athletic and Cumbernauld Colts and the Spartans draw.

Strollers were edged out by Gala Fairydean Rovers last Saturday but prior to that they had an impressive 5-2 win at Hawick Royal Albert.

Form

Vale LLWWD

Civil LLDWL

Previous result

Vale 1-2 Civil (3/12/16)

Ando serves up a Currie

Vale have secured the signing of Ryan Currie until the end of the season, and he has vowed to help the team continue their good run.

The midfielder was recently with East Kilbride briefly but left due to travelling issues, and he was previously with SPFL League One side Livingston where he picked up first team experience. He is out to showcase his talent while helping the team improve their league position.

“I’m delighted to sign with Vale until the end of the season. They have been on a good run lately and I’d love to play a part in keeping that going. I feel I will bring a lot going forward for the team and I will work really hard week in week out.

“I’ve heard a lot about the club and know a few boys there. It’s a good young team with great players there. I played a part on Saturday against Spartans, and it just shows how good a team Vale is being disappointed coming away with a draw.

“I’ll do my best until the end of the season for Vale and see what happens but I’m out to prove a point to a lot of people and show them what I can do”, said Currie.

The 19-year-old impressed as a trialist in last weekend’s draw at Spartans and will come into contention for a starting spot in tomorrow’strip to Civil Service Strollers