WHO WILL REACH THE FINAL FRONTIER ?

THE SILVERWARE PRIZE ON OFFER

The germ of the idea that Cumnock or Glenafton might win the Clydebuilt Homes Scottish Junior Cup this season will be a lot closer to becoming flesh for one of them tonight.

The Premier Division also rans …Cumnock sit 8^th and the Glens are 11^th in the table …go head to head at Meadow Park in the first of the 2022/23 semi-finals knowing whosoever comes out on top will have an opportunity to turn the trajectory of a disappointing season on its head.

That’s because somewhat predictably, their perceived `elitist` standing will see tonight’s winners installed as overwhelming favourites to get their hands on the 137 year old silverware given that one of the relative minnows of Rutherglen Glencairn or Dundee East Craigie ( they meet in the other semi-final on Sunday) await in the showpiece finale .

In the context of either likelihood, both sets of Ayrshire supporters have been united (ever since the penultimate pairings were made) in dubbing tonight’s clash as “the Final before the Final” while they also share the dream of coming out of the massive Holy Grail shadow cast by their East Ayrshire near neighbours and record 14 times trophy winners Auchinleck Talbot.

Such a prospect became much more of a reality for Cumnock following their Fourth Round victory over reigning cup holders Talbot (4-3 pens after a 0-0 draw) and team boss Brian McGinty believes a repeat of that performance , or better, will be needed against Glenafton.

“ On any given occasion we can beat anyone but the reverse also applies and I just hope our big players turn up on the night and theirs don’t ”he said.

Gints added “Inconsistency has been a major problem for both Glenafton and ourselves this season but I suppose you can say the same about all the Premier Division sides with the notable exception of Beith.

“ We’ve met once previously , a 3-3 draw at our place back in December, and I think tonight’s game will be every bit as close to call between two very evenly matched teams .

“Ours has been the most difficult Cup run of all the semi-finalists in having to get the better of Talbot and Hurlford United just to get to this stage but I rate Glenafton, as every bit as tough a hurdle ”

McGINTY HOPING FOR SEMI FINAL SUCCESS

Asked if he was an advocate of the semi-final being decided over one 90 minutes rather than as a two-legged affair brought the former striker to jokingly admit.

“I’m the wrong person to be asked that question because I’ve never been further than the Scottish quarter finals as a player.

“All kidding aside, it’s one of those situations where we as a club have no control so we just need to get on with it and make the most of being within touching distance of a Final appearance in a competition which even slimmed down as it is nowadays, continues to have a massive attraction for our supporters.”

The Cumnock gaffer’s No 2 Stevie Aitchison has experienced the semi-final stage in both its formats ,one and two games, but not unsurprisingly has no preference one way or the other after coming off second best in three attempts to make the Final.

Aitchy , a defensive bulwark for Pollok when beaten by Bathgate Thistle (one game) and Clydebank (two) was also on the Rutherglen Glencairn losing side in 2013 against Auchinleck Talbot (two).

“ I really don’t see any advantage for either team in the game being played to a finish tomorrow night .” the 46 year old insisted.

“And neither do I see it helping Cumnock that Meadow Park is the venue and our squad contains a number of former Irvine Meadow players because it certainly didn’t count for anything when we lost 2-1 there in our Premier League visit.

“ It’s going to come down to who wants it more on the night and if our guys give everything and it doesn’t work for us then we cannot complain.”

Aitchy was speaking ahead of a light Cumnock training session last night where he and Gints walked their playing charges through a few set plays and match situations.

He added, “Bringing the guys together definitely helps to ease the nerves and it also allows a bit of physio treatment for the bumps and knocks that players tend to be nursing at this late stage of the season.

“ As you might expect we also spoke about Glenafton and the threats posed by their twin strikers Sean McKenzie and Hugh Kerr as well as Michael Moffat who wasn’t on their books when the sides drew 3-3 back in December and has made a big difference to their team.

“That said , the man who makes them tick is Paul Paton who is very good on the ball and is able to see passes quicker than most so we’ll need to try and curb his influence.”

Hoping to inflict more damage to the Glens backline is Cumnock’s top marksman Jordan Moore , scorer of a brace of goals in the aforementioned 3-3 stalemate.

He recalled , “I was on the bench in that game but was introduced at half time when the Glens led 2-0 and if I remember right we were then 3-2 up only for them to peg us back.

JORDAN THOUGHT HIS CUP DREAM WAS OVER

Moore, hoping to make a first ever Scottish Junior Cup semi-final appearance thought he had blown his chances when he was the recipient of a straight red card during last weekend’s 2-1 defeat by Rob Roy.

“ I turned onto a ball played into the box and hit the Rob Roy goalkeeper plumb in his face only because I hadn’t realized he was so close to me “admitted the 21 year old hitman .

“ When the red card was shown , I immediately thought my chances of playing in the semi- final were gubbed so it was a great relief to learn my automatic suspension didn’t apply in the Junior Cup.

“ I’ve been going about on tenterhooks ever since in case anything else might go wrong but now the game is almost on us , I cannot wait to get out there and give it my best shot…if selected of course.

” Jamie Conn is fit and ready so the gaffer is not short of options up front however I’m hoping to get the nod.”

A crowd topping 2000 is tipped to be in attendance tonight and SJFA chiefs are hopeful Sunday’s encounter between Glencairn and East Craigie will prove a similar attraction given 48 years have elapsed since the Glens last made it into the Final (beaten 1-0 by Glenrothes) while the Shipbuilders as they are nicknamed have never reached this stage of the competition in their 143 year history.

The Ru’Glonians are strongly fancied to prevail despite having only one win to their name from the seven matches played since beating Larkhall Thistle 2-1 in the last eight .

Nevertheless it would come as a major shock if Mick O’Byrne & Co did not come good though complacency is unlikely to be a factor as gaffer Willie Harvey will be at pains to remind his troops that East Craigie have already taken three WoSFL scalps Cambuslang Rangers, St Rochs and Shotts Bon Accord during their fairytale Cup run.

Meanwhile, the simmering row over what Rossvale , currently at the foot of the P.D.M. Buildbase First Division , can call themselves is set to be decided by a meeting of the S.F A.

Fourth Division outfit Rossvale Academy’s claim that they alone have the rights to the Rossvale F.C name has been upheld and the Bishopbriggs outfit will be so called as from next season therefore Rossvale , having played out of Petershill Park for the past eight seasons, have now given notice of switching their identity to that of Caledonian Thistle.

A slim parochial connection is thought to come from their club crest being a Thistle along with Springburn having formerly housed the Caledonian Railway Company…vis a vis Caledonian Thistle.

But up in arms over the very suggestion are Inverness Caley Thistle from the lofty heights of the Scottish Championship Division and their appeal against the name change is to go before the game’s governing body

PLAYING TOMORROW( Kick Offs 2 PM unless stated): Clydebuilt Home Improvements Scottish Junior Cup. Semi Finals. Glenafton v Cumnock(Tonight 7.30PM at Meadow Park) Rutherglen Glencairn v Dundee East Craigie (Sunday 2PM at Volunteer Park, Armadale.) P.D.M.Buildbase Premier Division. Clydebank v Auchinleck Talbot, Arthurlie v Kilwinning Rangers, Hurlford Utd v Petershill, Cambuslang Rangers v Rob Roy, Darvel v Pollok.PDM Buildbase First Division. St Cadocs v Gartcairn, Thorniewood Utd v Neilston, Cumbernauld Utd v St Rochs, Johnstone Burgh v Drumchapel Utd, Shotts Bon Accord v Blantyre Vics, Whitletts Vics v Benburb, Kilbirnie Ladeside.PDM Buildbase Second Division. Maryhill v Glasgow Utd, Wishaw v Glasgow University, Ardeer Thistle v Craigmark, Forth Wanderers v Glasgow Perthshire, Maybole v St Anthonys, Renfrew v Muirkirk. PDM Buildbase Third Division. Newmains Utd v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Saltcoats Vics v Lanark Utd, Irvine Vics v Carluke Rovers, Girvan v Kello Rovers, Royal Albert v Vale of Leven, Finnart v Dalry Thistle, Larkhall Thistle v Lugar Boswell, Lesmahagow v East Kilbride Thistle, Bellshill Athletic v Vale of Clyde.PDM Buildbase Fourth Division. Harmony Row v Threave Rovers Easterhouse v Thorn Athletic , BSC Glasgow v West Park Utd.

Regards

Jim O’Donnell