NEW striker Liam Finnigan is hoping to win major silverware with Irvine Meadow after making a dream debut.

Just 24 hours after being snapped up by Stevie Rankin, the former striker bagged the crucial third goal in the 3-1 victory against Cumnock after coming off the bench.

The 25-year-old targetman told Sporttimes admitted he could hardly have enjoyed a better introduction and said: “It was great to score on my debut, although I also got a black eye from a challenge later in the game! It’s great to have the chance to join Meadow, I know Stevie Rankin (the manager) from playing against him with Petershill when he was at Ashfield. Meadow are a massive club and they are going to win silverware.

“We are still challenging and have five league games to go but must look to win them. all. We still have Auchinleck Talbot to play. The guys have made me feel really welcome, I know a few of them quite well.” Meanwhile fellow targetman Willie Sawyers, who bagged his second double of the season praised the team after bouncing back from a poor run.

He said: “It’s good to get on the scoresheet and take three points and bounce back after a dip. That’s me in double figures now and it was great to get 90 minutes under my belt. We will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season and will have to keep winning games. We dug in deep and were under pressure as they are fighting for their lives.” Manager Stevie Rankin was impressed with the way his team stamped their authority on the match and told Sporttimes: “ The first half was total control from us, we played well and you must remember Cumnock showed fighting spirit when they came back from 2-0 down to draw with Clydebank. We knew they had powers to do that although we gave away a sloppy goal.” However the gaffer had particular praise for both Finnigan and Saywers, commenting: The introduction of Finnigan turned the game, he has not played for six weeks but played very well. I was delighted with Willie Sawyers, who took his two goals really well and could have had a hat-trick. We took a dent a few weeks ago and it was hard to come back from that.” Rankin maintains his team are not yet out of the title race and said: “We are hanging on in there and relying on slips from other teams but if we show a desire and will to win games I will be more than happy.” The Meadow boss, meanwhile is hoping to add to his squad by signing defender/midfielder Josh Horne from Kilbirnie Ladeside in time for the weekend.

Saturday sees the Irvine side host Glenafton Athletic in the league.

Rankin added: “They gave us a really hard game down there earlier in the season and Craig McEwan has them playing well. They had a good result against Troon on Saturday and are not a bad side. But we will be looking to take three points.” Meanwhile Irvine Victoria co-manager Stevie Wilson hopes to return to action after his team’s scheduled home Super First Division clash with Largs Thistle was called off owing to a waterlogged pitch.

He said: “It was frustrating, the pitch looked fine on Friday. But we had a lot of overnight rain, The guys had been looking forward to it. We are at Cumbernauld on Saturday and look to take something from it. Our away from has been really good.” For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.