The Hill are set to travel to Stevenston this Saturday with at least one team destined to get off the mark in the points tally this season, as both teams have seemingly softened the blow for fans not being allowed to attend games due to covid-19 restrictions.
Both sets of fans will also be hoping some trends (albeit from a small sample size) continue from their first few games, while other trends will be gladly eschewed. For The Thistle, they’ve had better luck in their opponents half than their own, netting five times in three games while conceding an eye-watering 19 in that same span. Looking at those stats, it could be the mouths that are watering for the Maryhill attackers who are yet to hit pay dirt in competitive action so far.
If The Hill have been prone to early goals, it’s worth noting that Ardeer’s opening day trip to Craigmark Burntonians saw the away side take a 2-0 lead inside half an hour. However, we have also noticeably perked up later on in games and Thistle did end up with their first of two 7-2 defeats that day.
Much like our last opponents, Ardeer Thistle have historically had most success in local, Ayrshire-based competition, with three league titles and 14 cups added to their trophy cabinet since founding in 1900. Perhaps the most interesting story about the club is their former player, Andy Auld. The local wing half was born that same year the club was founded and played for them for three years following his service in World War I. He later emigrated to the US and almost by accident ended up being spotted by a scout from the Providence Clam Diggers in the American Soccer League, then one of the best leagues in the world. He made a good career for himself, mostly in Rhode Island, and was even part of the US team for the 1930 World Cup in Uruguay where they came third. Nine years after he passed away at the age of 77, he was inducted in to the US Soccer Hall of Fame.
Key Player: Marcus Worrall
Since it’s been nearly 100 years since Andy Auld played for the club, I’m going with Worrall as the player who might have the greatest impact on the fixture. Having been the starting Goalkeeper for The Thistle for all three games he will doubtless be hoping for a turnaround performance.