'Gow going for three in a row

Lesmahagow Juniors manager Robert Irving is hoping his troops can make it three Clydesdale Cup wins in a row.
Lesmahagow Juniors manager Robert Irving (Pic by Sarah Peters)Lesmahagow Juniors manager Robert Irving (Pic by Sarah Peters)
Lesmahagow Juniors manager Robert Irving (Pic by Sarah Peters)

Lesmahagow Juniors manager Robert Irving is hoping his troops can make it three Clydesdale Cup wins in a row.

Irving’s side begin the annual competition with a semi-final at Central Division 1 rivals Forth Wanderers next Tuesday night, kick-off 7.15pm.

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The ’Gow gaffer said: “It would be nice to win the Clydesdale Cup for a third year running but it won’t be easy.

“The way we won it last year was a bit like Portugal at Euro 2016, as we drew both games before winning penalty shoot-outs.

“I enjoy the Clydesdale Cup. It brings out the local fans to watch their teams and there is a bit of banter.”

Irving said his players had displayed a lack of match sharpness in last weekend’s 4-4 draw at amateur outfit Motherwell Thistle, which saw ’Gow goals scored by Jack Currie, John McStay, Ross Hastie and Darren Johnstone.

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“We were a bit rusty but it is more or less a brand new team we are building here,” he said. “I was pleased with the workout and the effort the boys put in but we definitely need to put in a bit more work before the start of the competitive season.”

Irving, who is currently assessing two trialist goalkeepers, will take his team to Newcastle this weekend for a friendly against a local side.

After that it’ll be the Clydesdale Cup tie against Forth, whose manager Jamie McKenzie said: “The Clydesdale Cup and the Sectional League Cup are not high on my priority list.

“We will just be using them as an extension of pre-season. I want to win but it is about getting players game time and getting them to the fitness and mental levels required.”

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Jamie’s side endured a 4-0 friendly defeat at Ashfield last Saturday, a match in which Forth fielded an experimental side featuring 11 trialists.

The Forth gaffer has 17 signed players following the recent acquisitions of forward Jason Corbett from Thorniewood and goalkeeper Martyn Meek from Gartcairn.

“Jason was on loan to us in the latter part of last season and he did well, including scoring the winning goal against East Kilbride which guaranteed our promotion.

“He wanted to sign for us, which was good,” he said.

“Martyn has come in because our keeper David Cherrie is going to be working in Aberdeen long term.”

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