Best 10 players in the Scottish lower leagues this week

April 28, 2016

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1. Alan Cook (Stenhousemuir)

This 3-1 defeat to Stenhousemuir may have been Cowdenbeath’s first defeat in five matches, but the paucity of their performance gave little indication that they can muster up a desperately needed win in their final league match against Stranraer. The Warriors mauling of Cowden means three teams could yet finish ninth, but it’s the Fife team who are its current residents. Alan Cook put in a man-of-the-match performance with two goals, although Grant Adam should really have done better with both. If you’ve ever been within earshot of Adam then you’ll probably know that he possibly possesses Scottish football’s pottiest mouth, although the f’s and c-bombs were emanating towards him rather than from him on Saturday. Stenny are far from safe, but a win against Albion Rovers would ensure a seventh placed finish.

2. Derek Lyle (Queen of the South)

It’s a well worn comic-book trope that radiation is constantly imbuing ordinary Joes with super-powers. Perhaps that’s what’s occurred with Derek Lyle, with his regular sunbed sessions allowing him to somehow withstand the withering affects of the ageing process. The veteran was at his best again on Saturday, wading in with a brace as Queen of the South returned to winning ways as soon as James Fowler was cast asunder, with a 3-1 win over a lacklustre Livingston. Less enamoured by the result was David Hopkin and his gang of ne’erdewells, who are now condemned to the play-offs. Considering Livingston generally dispense with managers when they’re doing quite well, never mind when they’re bunkem, Hopkin may be in some soapy bubble if they fail to negotiate them successfully.

3. Craig Moore (Ayr United)

The highlights of Peterhead 0 Ayr United 4 made for some grim viewing, and not just for those of a Peterhead disposition. The Ayr fans positioned below the camera were apparently trying to outdo each other in a big game of ‘Who Can Be The Biggest Tube?’ The Honest Men were easy victors in this surprisingly one-sided win, with the match swinging in the space of a few first-half moments. Firstly, the normally reliable Rory McAllister made a hash of his spot-kick with the scoreline blank. Then, to compound matters, he elected to smash Peter Murphy in the nose in an off-the-ball incident, leaving his team short-handed for the majority of the match. Craig Moore took full advantage, taking his goal tally to for the season to 14 with two calm finishes as Ayr moved up to second in the table. If they hold on to that position, their prize will be a midweek trip to Peterhead for the first-leg of the play-offs. Lucky them.

4. Scott Gallacher (Alloa Athletic)

If only Alloa Athletic could play Rangers every week they’d probably be nearer the top of the table rather than the bottom. The two protagonists have squared up to each other nine times in the last two seasons, with the Ibrox club only winning on three occasions. The Clackmannanshire side continued to be a thorn in Rangers paw with this 1-1 draw in Glasgow, although the point was reliant on a fine performance from goalkeeper Scott Gallacher. The former Hearts ‘keeper denied Rangers on a number of occasions, most notably with ten minutes remaining, when he made a sensational stop to deny substitute Liam Burt. Gallacher has become a fan-favourite since rocking-up at the Indodrill, although any custodian who replaced Andy McNeil was likely to be looked upon by the Alloa support as an amalgam of Lev Yashin and Gianluigi Buffon.

5. Dylan Easton (Elgin City)

Crabbit Annan Athletic manager Jim Chapman may disagree, but when he’s on-point there’s few players in League Two who can hold a candle to Dylan Easton. Chapman called him out as a bit of a cheat after the Borough Briggs maestro ‘went down easily’ during Elgin’s recent game against Annan, and the SFA agreed, handing Easton a two match ban, a retribution which had done nothing positive for Elgin’s tilt at the top-four. Easton returned at the weekend, though, reminding everyone of what he can achieve when he isn’t impersonating an injured kitten. It’s no coincidence his return coincided with Elgin clicking into gear in a 3-0 win versus East Stirlingshire, a performance that featured an assist and a volleyed goal, helping to lift Elgin up to third in the process. With three points separating the teams from second to fifth, many scenarios scan still unfold, including further meetings between Annan and Elgin. Considering their beef, we’re rooting for that one.

6. Michael Dunlop (Albion Rovers)

It was just a little over a year ago that Forfar Athletic appeared to be Championship bound. Sitting two goals to the good against a struggling Alloa side in the second leg of of the Championship play-off final, promotion appeared to be in their clutches. However, eleven months after a Michael Chopra inspired Wasps side roared back in that game, the Loons are now confirmed as a League Two side from next season. That bleak fact, which was confirmed by Saturday’s 3-2 loss to Albion Rovers, means Gary Bollan has now managed to enrage Forfar fans, every bit as much as he infuriated the Airdrieonians support. Michael Dunlop did more than anyone to condemn Athletic to their fate, contributing at both ends with a steady performance in defence coupled with a headed winner with 15 minutes remaining. Improbably, Albion can still qualify for the play-offs with a win next week, but for Forfar, this interminable season is thankfully almost done.

7. Craig Barr (Raith Rovers)

These two teams may meet each other again in the play-offs in a few weeks, and if they do, judging by this match, it’ll be a tight, evenly-contested affair. It had appeared at one stage that Rovers would be grabbing their first win over Falkirk since 2014 as they led 2-1 going into the closing stages, only for Bob ‘supersub’ McHugh to nip in for an equaliser. Rovers rotated their squad with the play-offs approaching, but Craig Barr retained his place at centre-half and the drop-dead-handsome beardy continued his imperious form which he’s produced since returning from injury. As recently as February, one Raith fan labelled Barr online as “NOTHING BUT A WAGE THIEF,” a statement that all seems a bit silly now, especially when it’s battered into the keyboard in block capitals.

8. Gregor Buchanan (Dumbarton)

It hasn’t been the prettiest of seasons for Dumbarton, but their excellent 2-1 win over St. Mirren means they’ll be playing second-tier football once more next term. The result seemed unlikely after an opening half-hour in which the Buddies dominated, but a lackadaisical second-period showing gave Dumbarton an opportunity which they couldn’t pass up. Garry Fleming smashed in a beauty to swing the game in the Sons favour, but this fixture was won at the back by Dumbarton, with Gregor Buchanan managing to repel most of what St. Mirren could muster. Steve Aitken hasn’t always impressed the Dumbarton fans since taking over last summer, but it’s now very much job done for the former Stranraer boss.

9. Nicky Cadden (Airdrieonians)

The Dunfermline players who featured in their latest match against Airdrieonians couldn’t have looked more ready for the beach if they’d turned up wearing sand shoes, three-quarter length breeks and the item of clothing which is the sole preserve of an arsehole: a vest. Admittedly that’s understandable. The league was long since won, meaning thoughts could drift to Magaluf and neck-tattoos, but the ease of Airdrie’s 3-0 win would still be a cause of some umbrage for Allan Johnston. The victory, which was sealed in part thanks to two assists from Nicky Cadden means that the home side still have slim hopes of making the play-offs if they win against Ayr United and other results go their way.

10. Allan Walker (Berwick Rangers)

As is often the case, the hottest stories in Scottish football have very little to do with an actual game of football. This week it was generated by the East Fife Marching Band, who apparently secured a sailing vessel to take them to the away match against Berwick Rangers, but ended up in North Berwick instead. Now, colour us as sceptics if you like, but we’re struggling to believe that 20-odd grown adults could crowbar themselves plus their instruments into a small boat, and be oblivious that the Wee Rangers reside in Berwick Upon Tweed. Whether it was a geographical oversight, or just some grade-A, platinum laced banter from the old soaks, they missed a fine performance from Berwick’s Allan Walker, who fair enjoyed bending it right up the club who released him in January. His two assists were instrumental in Berwick’s 2-0 win, and the side’s end to the campaign suggests John Coughlin’s team may just be worth keeping an eye on next season.

 

Written by Shaughan McGuigan


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