THE scenario could be perfect for scriptwriters of that Aussie soap
opera, Home and Away. Douglas Park, home of Hamilton Academical and digs
of Clyde FC, is the stage.
The two meet today, but because of convention, or other such daft
reasons, Clyde will have the home dressing room because they are the
home team. Hamilton will be in the away quarters. Managers Alex Smith
and Iain Munro have similar situations out on the edge of the park, with
Smith in the home bothy, and Munro as part of the visiting delegation
just down the track.
Clyde's leader Smith reckons his club's move to Cumbernauld will make
a difference purely from the training point of view. They have been
nomads for seven seasons and, while the manager appreciates the help
they have received from Firhill and Douglas Park since their Shawfield
days, he said yesterday: ''What a difference having our own ground will
make.'' Being at the foot of the first division, that situation cannot
come quickly enough.
On the playing front, Munro will have new signing Paul Fitzpatrick as
sweeper, with Crawford Baptie at the heart of his defence, while leg
injuries to Steve Clarke and Danny McGill delay Smith's line-up.
Clydebank are enjoying leadership of the division, but know that
Morton also enjoy football in the way of the purists. That's what makes
today's clash at Kilbowie intriguing. And with Scott Murdoch possibly
back for Clydebank, and Morton bringing midfielder Alex McEwan into
their squad, who would bet against Clydebank making it six straight
wins?
Dunfermline's hopes of continuing their recent success after a bad
start to the season may depend on whether or not forward George O'Boyle
is fit for the trip to meet Stirling Albion at Forthbank.
John Brogan's Albion have surprised a few folk so far this season --
possibly even himself. Mungo McCallum, Ian McInnes, and Willie Watters
are back in the squad.
Falkirk, just down the road, face a vital match against Airdrie after
last week's 4-0 home defeat by Clydebank.
Alex MacDonald reports an all-fit Airdrie squad, while Jim Jefferies
has an injury worry about Tommy McQueen, while Joe McLaughlin, Kevin
Drinkell, and Scott Sloan come into the reckoning.
St Mirren manager Jimmy Bone still refuses to panic, despite not
having won a League game so far this season, and also having a long list
of injuries, particularly two experienced players. ''Some team will be
given a severe hiding soon,'' he said, adding that fitness tests today
would decide his final line-up against Dumbarton at Love Street.
And Ayr United, despite injury problems, have made an excellent start
to the season, but must travel to the other end of the country to face
Ian Redford's Brechin side.
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