Sponsors can only dream of days like tomorrow when the last sixteen clubs standing the Scottish Junior Cup come together in a locking of horns to decide this season’s Quarter Finalists.
Those marketing gurus whose idea it was for Cambuslang based Clydebuilt Home Improvements to become the latest backers of the 136 year old competition must be rubbing their hands with glee over the prospect of the 4 Lanarkshire, 2 Tayside and 2 Ayrshire hosted games taking place.
And little wonder given the veritable array of meaningful contests going ahead yet nowhere is this billing seen as a better fit than way down in the Land O’Burns where it’s looking like the biggest crowd of the day is a shoo-in to converge on the Townhead Park clash of those age-old adversaries Cumnock and Auchinleck Talbot.
The simmering but never less than intense rivalry between these near neighbours is a surefire guarantee that the 90 minutes will not pass without incident while further added edge comes from Talbot’s proud status as the reigning Cup holders (they were 2-0 Rugby Park winners over Yoker Athletic last time out ) making their scalp even more sought after …than normal… by the home side.
Nock manager Brian McGinty strongly believes his playing charges are on the right track to achieve “something special” and points to their recent run of results (only Dumbarton have bested Cumnock in their last ten outings) as proof of the significant progress made since he and No 2 Stevie Aitchison assumed the reins of the fallen Ayrshire giants, a year ago to this week.
He insisted , “ Stevie and I are as confident as it’s possible to be when you are going into a Scottish Junior Cup tie against Auchinleck whose record in this competition makes them the team to beat for everyone else nursing ambitions to get hold of the silverware.
“Due recognition of their achievements is also afforded here at Cumnock however my players differ from a lot of sides about to go up against Tommy Sloan & Co insofar as we fully respect them but are not in any way running scared at the prospect.
“Some opponents of Talbot are beaten before a ball is even kicked in anger but our guys are up for tomorrow’s game and if anything are actually looking forward to it . “
Long term injury victim Owen Bell is the only definite Cumnock non-starter so having a near full strength line-up at his disposal feels like an early birthday present for the one time Rangers, Hull City and St Mirren striker who turns 46
next Saturday.
Gints recalled, “There’s only been one previous meeting between the clubs since Stevie and I were appointed and that was at Beechwood Park towards the end of last season when Cumnock ran out deserved 2-1 winners.
“The game plan for our guys back then centred around them refusing to be bullied and needing to match up with Talbot’s physicality which worked a treat in the end up so you can bet a similar message will be ringing in a few ears ahead of running out onto the pitch tomorrow.
“ Being competitive is second nature to many of our guys and none more so than the likes of Kyle McAusland, Jamie Wilson, Jordan Moore and Mark McLennan but this is a Cumnock v Talbot derby so every single player has to step up to the mark .”
Cumnock’s playing riches appear in striking contrast to that of the visiting camp where selection concerns abound even if the mood is far from subdued ,a week on from Talbot’s 3-0 `big Scottish demise` away to Raith Rovers .
Willie Boyd , yet to play 90 minutes because of injury this season, is only back in light training and is a month away at best from a playing comeback and Talbot’s midfield woes are further compounded by Kieran Healey requiring cartilage surgery along with the cup-tied status of latest signing Ali Boyle( ex-Craigmark) rendering him unavailable.
On the upside is the return of commanding stopper Neil McPherson ,suspended for the Raith Rovers game , however doubts now hang over prolific hitmen Keir Samson and Bryan Boylan ,
Ex- Cumnock front man Samson has been nursing a niggling ankle injury for several weeks and the desire to have him in a better readiness for facing his former club saw him retained as an unused substitute against Raith despite striking partner Boylan limping off just two minutes into the second half at Starks Park with a calf muscle problem.
Long in the tooth Talbot boss Tucker , never one for laying it on thick about injury issues, revealed.
“ It’s nothing new this season for us to have players standing on the sidelines that we’d rather have out there wearing strips but decrying our lot won’t get them fit so we just have to get on with it.
“We haven’t played Cumnock this season but I know plenty about their players just as Brian knows plenty about ours and I fancy the outcome will come down to which group performs best on the day…hopefully that’s us ?”
Yet another all- Premier Division showdown goes ahead at nearby Blair Park where Hurlford United entertain the visit of Troon ,one of the five sides among the last 16 survivors yet to get their hands on the coveted Holy Grail silverware , along with Dundee East Craigie, Aberdeen East End, Bellshill Athletic and Gartcairn.
2014 trophy winners and losing 2018 finalists lHurlford are rated strong favourites to prevail against opponents they ran out 2-0 top flight winners against at the same venue s in early September through goals from Marc “Squib” McKenzie and Jack Whittaker.
In the remaining ties ,Larkhall Thistle will look for home advantage to work in their favour against an Aberdeen East End side holding down nothing more than a mid-table spot in the North Region but considerably tougher “on the road” obstacles await St Rochs and Glenafton in travelling up to Tayside to face East Craigie and Carnoustie Panmure respectively.
Gartcairn’s lack of an attacking threat (if Jordan Love is still out injured ) could see Michael Dunlop’s young side come undone against fellow First Division outfit Rutherglen Glencairn while another close fought affair is promised at Rockburn Park where Bellshill Athletic await the visit of two leagues higher up Kilbirnie Ladeside whose manager Thomas Molloy’s determination to avoid being on the wrong end of a Cup upset has led to him having his team’s opponents watched on no fewer than three occasions.
He said, “ Bellshill’s results have been a bit up and down but I always found them to be very tough opponents in their own backyard when I was Greenock manager so they are getting bucketfuls of respect .
Molloy is delighted his Blasties side are coming into their Cup tester in the finest possible mettle after posting their highest win of the season against Rossvale last Saturday a resounding 7-2 victory in which his much vaunted strikeforce of James”Slick” Marks, Chris Dallas and Jon Scullion were all on the scoresheet .
He added, “ Slick bagged a hat trick last week giving him 10 goals for the season to date and it’s amazing to think he’s about to turn 40 years of age in the run up to Xmas.
“ He has the energy levels of an 18 year old and is playing out of his skin as indeed is Scully who has now notched 8 goals in his last 8 appearances and we’re certainly looking better equipped for a Cup run as long as the pair of them can avoid injuries.”
Meanwhile, the likelihood of a Cup shock is arguably highest through in North Lanarkshire where only one of former trophy winners Shotts Bon Accord and Arthurlie will get the opportunity to emulate last season’s feat in securing last eight places …Shotts lost 2-1 in their Quarter Final joust with Auchinleck while Rob Roy inflicted a 4-1 beating to Arthurle at the same stage.
One might think the pace and width supplied by Dale Simeon and Queens Park bound Aaron Healey will have the higher league Barrhead men playing with an up-tempo style eminently suited to Hannah Park’s wide open spaces however John McKeown’s side, unbeaten in their last eight outings also appear to have what it takes , having only lost once at home all season… an opening day 1-0 reverse against St Cadocs.
An added incentive for the 16 participants tomorrow is knowing (if successful) their next up opponents after SJFA officials confirmed the Quarter Final draw will be held later today.
PLAYING TOMORROW( Kick Offs 1.30 PM unless stated): Clydebuilt Home Improvements Scottish Junior Cup.Fourth Round.Cumnock v Auchinleck Talbot (1.45PM), Bellshill Athletic v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Larkhall Thistle v Aberdeen East End, Shotts Bon Accord v Arthurlie, Hurlford Utd v Troon, Gartcairn v Rutherglen Glencairn, Carnoustie Panmure v Glenafton,
Dundee East Craigie v St Rochs. Strathclyde Demolition Cup.Semi-Finals. St Cadocs v Renfrew, Thorn Athletic v Whitletts Vics.P.D.M Buildbase Premier Division. Petershill v Rob Roy, Beith v Largs Thistle, Cambuslang Rangers v Pollok, Irvine Meadow v Darvel (Tonight 7.30PM), Clydebank v Kilwinning Rangers. PDM Buildbase First Division. Cumbernauld Utd v Blantyre Vics,Bonnyton Thistle v Neilston , Thorniewood Utd v Johnstone Burgh, Rossvale v Drumchapel Utd(Tonight 8PM).PDM Buildbase Second Division.Greenock v Glasgow Utd, Wishaw v Kilsyth Rangers, Glasgow Perthshire v Maryhill, Forth Wanderers v Craigmark, Ashfield v Yoker Athletic, Maybole v Glasgow University Ardeer Thistle v Muirkirk..PDM Buildbase Third Division. Lesmahagow v Kello Rovers , Irvine Vics v Dalry Thistle, Finnart v Vale of Leven (3PM), Royal Albert v East Kilbride Thistle, Saltcoats Vics v Port Glasgow, Carluke Rovers v Girvan, Newmains Utd v Lanark Utd, Lugar Boswell v Vale of Clyde.PDM Buildbase Fourth Division. Easterhouse FA v Glenvale,West Park Utd v Campbeltown Pupils, Threave Rovers v Rossvale Academy, BSC Glasgow v Harmony Row, Eglinton v Kilsyth Athletic.
Regards
Jim O’Donnell
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