JUBILANT Ardrossan Winton Rovers boss Sandy MacLean this week praised skipper Ryan Caddis, who was a one-man wrecking crew in a thumping derby victory.

Caddis weighed in with a hat-trick as Winton defeated Saltcoats Victoria 5-0 at Campbell Park to further boost their promotion hopes.

Victory keeps them five points clear of Whitletts Victoria, ahead of their visit to Dam Park Stadium on Saturday, although the weekend hosts have a game in hand.

MacLean said: "It was a really good performance from us in the first half and we dominated the game. It was good to see Ryan score three goals - I was winding him up that he was only joint top scorer with his brother Liam, who has left the club. He will hopefully overtake him.

"I have never had any problem with Ryan since I came to the club. He has so much experience and is really good working with the younger players at the club. Saturday now becomes the biggest game of the season for us. Whitletts beat us at Winton Park earlier in the season and we will be looking to set the record straight and take three points. I would say the winner of this match will get a really big lift although it won't decide anything as Darvel are going well and Kello are in contention."

Saltcoats Victoria interim manager Tam McClelland was not too despondent despite the result and said: "We couldn't handle Ryan Caddis. Winton are a very good side but we played better in the second half and Dale Clark hit the post. I haven't been able to play a settled back four since taking over owing to players being injured or unavailable.

The Seasiders on Saturday head to Darvel with midfielder Paul Weaver returning after missing the derby match through family commitments.

McClelland added: "Hopefully we can cause an upset and put the cat among the pigeons by taking the three points.

Meanwhile Kilbirnie Ladeside manager Mark Bradley this week hit out at fixture scheduling after his side were left without a game until April 1 when they host Beith in the Super Premier Division.

Ladeside went down 3-1 at Glenafton Athletic on Saturday and are still not totally safe.

Bradley said: "It's ridiculous, we have no games the next two Saturdays then we have to wait around to play the last game at Kirkintilloch Rob Roy as they still have nine games to play. It's possible we may have to take something from both of those to stay up. The fixtures are a joke, we have had about one home game in the last eight weeks, how can clubs cope without money coming in? I think there should be an advance fixture list so you know who you are playing at the start of the season. The senior leagues do it. why can't the juniors?

Meanwhile Kilwinning Rangers manager Chris Strain is confident his their side can upset the odds and topple the mighty Auchinleck Talbot.

Buffs head to Beechwood Park for a testing Scottish Junior Cup quarter-final on Saturday against the trophy favourites.

Strain added: "Talbot have not lost a home Scottish Cup tie in seven years and we are going there as underdogs but we don't mind. I am hopeful we can get through."