energyzone

I don't even think Syme played in that match? Was he not out long term through injury?

Are they a sleeping giant though?

Are the semi finals still two-legged?

What teams out of the remaining promotion contenders have Rutherglen still to play? Kilwinning away obviously. Still a lot of teams to play each other in that group of 7/8. Kilwinning have still to play Ashfield twice. Haven't played Kilbirnie at all yet either.

Out of curiosity, what was it about Abbey Park that you liked so much? Was it the death trap railway sleepers? Or the portacabin dressing rooms with a single shared toilet for 22 players plus officials? Or the frequent sewage leaks into the neighbours gardens? Maybe you just like to piss into a gutter? Abbey Park was traditional but it was a terrible ground in terms of facilities and an embarrassment for a town the size of Kilwinning, especially compared to some of the other clubs at this level. It wasn't fit for purpose in the end. The new ground is far from perfect but it would have saved the club a fortune. The stand is great for watching the game from, but does impede the view along that side of the pitch. Fortunately the new pitch is a rectangle and good viewing points can be found not just behind the goals...

A couple of points - part of the reason for wanting to be part of a pyramid system was so that clubs could rise and fall through the league system depending on performance. The fact that both Kilwinning and Rutherglen have been relegated in recent years is just part of the risk you take. It would be naive to think that joining the pyramid would be non stop glory and promotion. Secondly, joining the WOSFL and gaining a licence has brought Cowdenbeath, Albion Rovers and Forfar Athletic to Kilwinning, along with increased attendances, revenue and community interest in the club, not to mention the media coverage. With more ties against bigger and established clubs surely to follow in the years ahead, as well as retaining the local aspect of the WOS league, it's been a great move for Kilwinning, even despite last season's setback.

I don't think the drop off in quality will be as drastic as you fear. There are plenty of players in the WOS league who could play at a higher level but don't because the travel/time commitments are too much. A look at how competitive the First Division is this year shows a queue of clubs who all have legitimate expectations of playing at premier league level and would probably add just as much to the set-up as some of the teams in the bottom half of the premier. It would take a long time for any noticeable drop in quality and there will be a limit on how far up the leagues existing WOS clubs can realistically rise.

What's happened with Rutherglen's recent poor form? Injuries or something else?

Boylan was ill today. The concerning thing was that after we scored our two goals (and after the Whitletts goalkeeper made two really good saves) we ceded total control of the match and at no point until the last 15 minutes, when Whitletts naturally dropped back, did we look like we had any idea how to regain the momentum. We constantly seemed to be outnumbered in midfield and attack and I'm not sure we won a single header all match. We desperately needed someone to take control but there didn't seem to be much in the way of a change in formation or tactics to deal with the situation. The "goal" by Graham Boyd may well have been over the line which would have put a brighter note on the scoreline, but I thought we were outfought for the majority of the match and didn't really have a clue how to break down a well organised and committed opponent. As an aside, the Whitletts support was one of the best I've seen at Buffs Park in a long time.

How does that compare with other clubs at this level, any ideas? Do any other clubs release season ticket numbers? Great effort nonetheless

I think that's the first time we've been in the top 3 all season. But Drumchapel, Rutherglen, Ashfield, Johnstone and Shotts all have games in hand and could overtake us if they win them (obviously some will take points off each other). It must be one of the most competitive leagues in the country. We could have done with Gavin Millar last night when it was clear Graham Boyd was exhausted., his suspension could have cost us. But it was a great team performance and a great return from Boylan.

Did the proposal to include B Teams for another two seasons only include Celtic and Hearts, or did it leave the door open for the return of Rangers after their hissy fit? I'm amazed both Celtic and Hearts want to continue with this considering the vote a few months ago not to allow them promotion if they won the league. They get almost nothing out of this present situation. Unless something has been promised in terms of another vote in the future...

I'm not sure they do. The Clydebank fans made no secret of the fact that they were grateful for the opportunity to resurrect/keep the club going at Junior level but were also clear that they didn't see themselves there long term. And a couple of years ago they finally had the opportunity to do something about it. And the SJFA was/is a mickey mouse organisation.

To be fair about 95% of clubs at this level rarely challenge for anything. Even if you look at Premier league level over the last 20 years - Auchinleck have swallowed a huge percentage of trophies and the rest of the cubs occasionally pick up a cup or the odd league. Beith have probably been the best of the rest but other clubs rarely sustain success and others have majorly underachieved.

Which other ex-Buffs players played for Ardrossan yesterday?

It's a dog fight in the First Division though. It's harder to attract players, the gate receipts plummet and you don't get assistant referees so the referees decisions aren't as accurate. I'm not saying you wouldn't be able to do it, but it's certainly not an easy league and there isn't much separating the top 7 or 8 at this point in time. The Lowland League definitely attracts players who would have been playing at West Premier level 10 years ago and that filters down the divisions. You also have Broomhill, Caley Braves and a host of new clubs who are paying premium prices and distorting the whole market.

They haven't had much in the way of money for the last ten years. It's a shame as they could be one of the best supported clubs in the region, if not further considering the size of their home town, but I don't know how they would achieve that.

It certainly wasn't the impression I got and I was chatting to quite a few fans and board members before, during and afterwards. Most of the Kilwinning fans who were there were more than happy to be competing against you at this level and it was a great occasion, despite the result. The goal and final whistle celebrations were loud and long but it was a deserved win if I'm honest, and if you can't celebrate an away day win in the Scottish Cup then I'm not sure football is the sport for you.

Where are you getting that from?

I'm not too fussed about the f##king off part, I just think it's time that a team from the West got promoted and this season should (on paper) be easier than previous ones when considering the potential playoff opponents. Nothing against Beith at all but I'd like to see some movement from the West. The Lowland League could easily be the most exciting league in the country in 5 years time. As for the arrogant part, there's a couple of fanbases in the West Premier who are way worse in my experience!

Don't feel bad. I only got the Paul Bearer thing about 5 years ago. When I was 35.

It seems at odds with previous moves from Bonnyton (although it made perfect geographical sense) and Threave to move to the WOSFL, albeit they weren't via relegation. I suppose it protects the SOS in the meantime, if that's the aim. Selfishly I hope Clydebank do the business this season and become the first West club to be promoted.

If Gretna were to get relegated could they opt to drop into the WOSFL as opposed to the East or South? Just wondering about the situation if the above happens and Beith (for example) win the league.

There was definitely an element of 'know your place' associated with the reaction to Darvel's spending. Had this been one of the established premier league teams who had come into money and spent hugely there would still have been the catcalling but probably not the outrage and frothing at the mouth that we've seen over the past 3 years.

It sounds like a great business model and no doubt a lot of hard work has been done, but it all seems quite soulless and the antithesis of what football is all about.