Loony Joons: Unsung bosses ready to do battle as Petershill close out title challenge

Apr 12 2012

Inside the wacky world of Junior football with Glaswegian hack and Johnstone Burgh goalkeeper Fraser Wilson

JUNIOR football doesn't do Manager of the Year awards - we're far too modest a bunch for that razzamatazz.

But if there was an equivalent to the end of season bash at the top level then there would be a few Glasgow gaffers in the running.

Step forward two prime candidates in this weekend's crucial Premier League clash between Petershill and Ashfield.

Peasy boss Willie Paterson and Field counterpart Stevie Rankin have earned their stripes at this level through no-nonsense management and would be among the runners for any manager of the year gong.

Not so long ago they were colleagues at Saracen Park, see picture above, before wee Willie broke free and moved to Glencairn where he forged the partnership he still enjoys with co-boss Scott Smith.

Now I'd hate to be the guy accused of jinxing Paterson and Petershill's Premier League title hopes but..

If they can successfully negotiate their final league game of the season against Field this Saturday, then they will be in a decent position to land a first ever Premier League championship.

Okay Ayrshire giants Irvine Meadow and Auchinleck Talbot have a list of games in hand as long as your arm but they won't find it easy to claw back a gap which currently sits at 12 and 19 points respectively.

A bumper crowd is sure to descend on New Petershill Park for the monumental occasion against their local rivals and even just to be in this position is testament to the grand job Paterson and Smith have done in less than two years with Peasy.

And don't forget the ex-Glencairn duo have already bagged some silverware this season after leading Peasy to Sectional League Cup glory in October.

In the visiting dugout on Saturday will be Rankin who has continued to work wonders with unfashionable Ashfield by not only keeping the relegation favourites in the top flight but chapping on the door of the top three all season.

Only five years ago the club were fighting away in the basement division before Rankin began his magic and he deserves all the plaudits going for the job he's done in Possil.

Speaking of awards, you'd have to go a long way to find a better goal than the one witnessed by the two men and a dog who turned out for our clash with Royal Albert on Saturday.

Honestly, Ross Perrie's 30th minute thunderbolt couldn't have been bettered by Ronaldo, Messi or even Roy of the Rovers.

That dog on the terraces was seen diving for cover as Rossco shaped to hit his howitzer from fully 35 yards. But the ripple of leather against net had our wee pack of diehards barking with delight.

It was a bittersweet moment for my team mate though because when he turned to celebrate with his old man in the crowd he realised he hadn't bothered turning up.

It was the first game he'd missed all season. Talk about timing.

Match of the day:  Petershill v Ashfield, Stagecoach Premier Division, New Petershill Park, 2pm. Although worth noting the first leg of the Scottish Junior Cup semi finals take place on Sunday with Bonnyrigg Rose hosting Auchinleck Talbot and Shotts Bon Accord welcoming Largs Thistle.

Team of the week: Has to go to Benburb after last night's round of midweek fixtures as the Govan men finally brought Glasgow Perthshire's seemingly endless unbeaten league record to an end with a 2-0 win at Tinto Park.