Shotts Bon Accord on the rise after important victories

May 12 2011 by David Bell, Hamilton Advertiser

TWO wins in four days kept alive Shotts Bon Accord’s promotion hopes, putting them up into fifth in the Super League First Division table going into the midweek programme.

Last Wednesday’s 4-2 win at Vale of Clyde and Saturday’s success over Kilwinning leaves Shotts three points behind the play-off slot and four off second spot.

Boss Tony McInally said: “My players have been fantastic – that’s four wins with three clean sheets in the league and a cup semi-final place over a hectic 10-day spell.

“Now that we’ve put thoughts of relegation well behind us we’re ready to push for promotion – we have three games to go and I’m looking for nine points.

“We’ve enjoyed a good start and are enjoying a fine finish in a very competitive topsy-turvy league.

“We were on great form before the winter shut-down, and now we’re back playing well and ready to push for promotion.

“But I think it’s ridiculous that we’ve been forced to play 10 games in 21 days. I’m concerned about the well-being of our players – some of them are being asked to play while carrying mild strains and knocks which could, through pressure, develop into more serious injuries.”

Four second-half goals fromStevie Barker, Paul McLaughlin, John Boyack and Brian Jack earned Shotts a comfortable win over Vale of Clyde last week but Saturday’s victory against Kilwinning was a much tighter affair.

It took a controversial last-minute penalty to seal the points, with Gary McStay grabbing the winner for a side weakened by the suspension of Tom Hanlon and a late call-off by ill goalkeeper Craig Brown.

Bellshill sat two places behind Shotts after the dust had settled, but they’re still on the outer fringes of the relegation zone.

Apart from doomed Annbank, only two points separate the next six clubs.

Bellshill boss Gerry Creaney said: “The gloves are off now as we go into our last two games at Kilwinning on Wednesday (last night) and Hurlford at home on Saturday, knowing that we need all six points to make sure of retaining our Super League First Division status.

“We go into both with a positive mentality, knowing our destiny is in our own hands with our final league game at home.”

Bellshill lost 3-1 at home to champions-elect Clydebank after a promising start.

Creaney explained: “The first half was fairly even – we had the better of the first quarter and they had the better of the second, when they took the lead.

“We lost a second goal early in the second half before Bryan Dingwall pulled one back with a clever deflection off a Brendan Crozier shot.

“While we were letting the goal sink in, Clydebank scored a third.”

Bellshill put in a sound second-half showing but had to admit defeat as they lost 2-0 at Arthurlie in the West of Scotland Cup quarter-final last Wednesday evening.