ANY kind of win will do this Saturday as Greenock Wanderers look to retain their National Division four status, writes John Dyer.
The Fort Matilda side are quickly running out of matches in their battle to avoid the drop from National Division Four into the regional leagues - and they are hoping that a win at home could be the inspiration they need to get themselves over the line.
The visitors this Saturday at Fort Matilda are one place above Wanderers and six points better off, so the stakes are high, and a big win could well have a huge impact on the remaining fixtures of the league.
In the previous league fixture against Stewartry, Wanderers lost out 31-12 to a side who should have been there for the taking, but the Fort Matilda side lost the forward battle and the match.
However, there are points of encouragement for the Wanderers coaching staff to take from some of their matches since then - most notably a win over Hamilton Bulls in what turned out to be their final home league fixture of 2024.
Wanderers could narrow the gap between themselves and Stewartry (Image: Sean Mallon) Unfortunately, a number of players have been slow to come back after the festive break, so selection is difficult to assess for the coaching staff.
Amongst the club, it is hoped that the elder statesmen make themselves available, which could prove to have a desired effect.
The visitors do not normally have as strong a travelling side, so this could work in favour of Wanderers.
Elsewhere, the second team travel to the west end of Glasgow to face GU Hills.
They hope to keep up their good form of last week, when they thumped Lanarkshire side Dalziel by 50 points, and will make the trip up the M8 in high spirits.
The remainder of Saturday will see the Under 18s side go to battle at home against East Kilbride, whilst the Under 13s are also on home turf, facing Lanark at 11am.
For the remainder of the weekend, the action takes place on Sunday morning.
It all kicks off with micros training at Clydeview Academy, starting at 11am, whilst the minis (P4-P6) face Birkmyre at Parklea, with kick off to be confirmed.
Rounding off the action will be the Under 15 side, who have training at Battery Park from 11am.
Greenock Wanderers are grateful to club sponsor, MMSearch and ladies section sponsor, Straps of Gourock and Brow House Cosmetics.
