Archie Traynor is a man who is loving his work at the moment.
The midfielder has been a key part of the squad this season with three goals and six assists.
Two first half assists to go alongside a second half goal in the 6-1 win at Annan Athletic on Saturday was the latest in a string of impressive performances.
He will sit out Tuesday night’s KDM Evolution Trophy tie with Kilmarnock B – unable to play against his parent club – but is already counting down to Spartans next weekend.
He said: “We were absolutely excellent on Saturday.
“To be fair, that is just how we have been playing recently.
“It has been really good in training, really coming together, and it has been brilliant.
“I was confident going into the game and already cannot wait for next weekend.
“I cannot play on Tuesday night but every game you cannot wait for.
“We are top of the league and it has been absolutely brilliant.”
Traynor made the move down the A77 from Kilmarnock and has enjoyed working under Chris Aitken, Stevie Aitken and Martin Fellowes.
The 18-year-old has featured in 17 games for Stranraer as they look to take another step in the right direction after narrowly missing out on the play-offs last term.
He said: “The management team all have their own roles and they are brilliant.
“Martin is very tactical while Stevie is good at getting you up for the game.
“Chris is a mix of both and they are really close and that reflects on the team.”
Traynor was a regular in the Kilmarnock B team in last year’s KDM Evolution Trophy.
That saw him come up against Edinburgh City, East Fife, Stenhousemuir, Alloa Athletic and Annan Athletic.
The teenager has featured for Stranraer during their run in the competition this term.
And, although he will be travelling south for the midweek cup contest, it will purely be in a spectator role.
He said: “I will be there, mainly to watch the two teams I am involved with.
“I train with both and it is a game that I am interested in.
“On a Monday, I am at Kilmarnock.
“Tuesday I will go in and do gym work and then Tuesday night with Stranraer.
“Wednesday I am off and Thursday I am with Stranraer before Friday I am in with Kilmarnock.
“I am just wanting a good game and, hopefully, lots of goals!”
Last meeting
Stranraer and Kilmarnock B will face each other for the first time on Tuesday night.
However, the Blues have, of course, played the Rugby Park first team. In the last meeting, the hosts had plenty of the ball and finally found the breakthrough eight minutes from the half time whistle. Fraser Murray slotted home from just inside the box after a clever one-two.
However, the visitors pulled level in some style early in the second half. Scott Robertson strode out of defence and the ball came to Josh Walker, who lifted a shot over the goalkeeper from outside the box.
Kilmarnock would get their winner through substitute Chris Burke, who saw his deflected shot beat Luke Scullion.
Kilmarnock: S Walker, Haunstrup, Stokes, Naismith, McGowan, McGinn (E Murray 63), Alston, Armstrong (Connell 64), F Murray, Polworth (Lyons 78), Cameron (Burke 64).
Not used: Craig, McArthur, Warnock, Smith and Hemming.
Stranraer: Scullion, Robertson, Burns, Ross, McIntosh, Millar, Gallagher, Moore (Hawkshaw 48), Yates, Josh Walker (Irving 89), Rennie (Woods 46).
Not used: Sonkur, Langan and Jamie Walker.
Last five games
Stranraer
- WIN v Annan Athletic (A): 1-6 (Healy x2, Traynor, Own goal and Cleland x2)
- DRAW v Edinburgh City (H): 0-0
- WIN v East Kilbride (H): 4-3 (Quigg, McManus and Dunne x2)
- LOSS v Berwick Rangers (A): 3-2 (Foster and Dunne)
- WIN v Elgin City (A): 1-5 (Mason x2, McManus x2 and Dobbie)
Kilmarnock B
- LOSS v Hamilton Academical (A): 3-0
- LOSS v Dumbarton (A): 3-2 (Foster and Margiotta (Pen))
- WIN v Cowdenbeath (A): 1-2 (Own goal and Simpson)
- DRAW v Cumbernauld Colts (A): 1-1 (Margiotta)
- LOSS v East Kilbride (A): 5-3 (Tiffoney and Owen x2)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Annan Athletic: Currie, Dunne, McLuckie, Nair, Coll (Gillie 75), Quigg, Healy (Plank 75), Traynor (Dolan 64), Bruce (Stuart 69), Dobbie, Mason (Cleland 69).
Not used: Lynch, Cameron, Foster and Henderson.
Kilmarnock B
Lineup v Hamilton Academical: Morrison, Leddy, Bowie, Fraser-Taljic, Spence, Bickerton, Feeney (Sweeney 64), Foster (Cumming 89), Margiotta (Frew 67), Law, Simpson (Peacock 89).
Not used: Reidford.
Five facts
- Saturday’s 6-1 triumph at Galabank was the first time Stranraer have scored six on their travels since a 6-3 win over Ayr United in November 2013. It is the club’s biggest away win since August 2011. Stuart McColm and Michael Moore both scored doubles while Chris Aitken and Craig Malcolm both found the net in a 6-0 win away to Montrose. The visiting team was: David Mitchell, Kane, Macgregor, Durnan, McKeown, Shepherd, Aitken, Gallagher (Winter 66), Danny Mitchell, McColm (Moore 56), Malcolm. Not used: Murphy, Noble and Marshall.
- Tuesday marks the 50th birthday of former Stranraer defender Jered Stirling. The full-back joined the Blues in 2002 and made 13 appearances. Meanwhile, it is the 25th birthday of former Stranraer man Tomas Brindley. He made 32 appearances for the Blues during the 2024/25 campaign.
- Doubles for Dean Cleland and Aaron Healy means 23 players have now scored twice in a game for Stranraer since the last time the club celebrated a hat-trick.
- Dean Cleland’s second goal against Annan Athletic meant Stranraer have scored 40 goals this campaign in 19 games. It took them 27 games last season (until the 3-2 win over Stirling Albion on December 6) to reach 40 goals.
- Archie Traynor’s two assists at Galabank pulled him level with Finn Ecrepont at the top of the assist chart. Both men have set up six goals for their team-mates. Traynor’s assists have come against: Alloa Athletic (Lewis Gillie), Forfar Athletic (Evan Dunne), Elgin City x2 (Daniel McManus x2) and Annan Athletic x2 (Aaron Healy x2).
Admission
Reduced admission pricing applies:
- Adult – £15
- Concession (over 65) – £10
- Youth (5 to 16) – £5
- Under 5 – FREE
Admission is ‘pay at the gate’. Season tickets are not valid for Tuesday night’s cup tie.
Away fans can enter the ground from the away turnstile opposite the main stand. This turnstile is cash only.
Merchandise
Pop into the club shop in the McLeans Taxis Stand, which is stocked with all three kits, exclusive Adidas teamwear, hats, scarves, umbrellas, pin badges, key rings, stickers and much more.
Cash and card payments are accepted.
Podcast
Check out the latest edition of club podcast Look Blues Talking for a preview of Tuesday night’s cup tie, along with a review of last week’s action.
Coverage
If you can’t make it, you can follow our live matchday updates on X (formerly Twitter).
The manager’s post-match reaction will be available on YouTube following the game.
Club 1870 subscribers get a first look at the goals, along with full match footage.
Extended highlights will be available via YouTube on Wednesday afternoon.
Photos: MadMac Photography, Bill McCandlish, Kilmarnock FC