Hurlford boss insists they face tough semi- final task

Lochlin Highet

Former Ayr United midfielder Darren Henderson is looking to send his Hurlford United into their second Junior Cup final in four years.

Ford will head to Wishaw for the first leg of their semi- finals on Saturday, with the return leg at Blair Park the following week.

Former Ayr United manager Mark Roberts helped send the Blair Parkers into the hat with a stoppage- time penalty at home to Bo’ness in a quarterfinal replay.

Ford are heading into the game after three cup wins in as many weeks, including the Bo’ness game, a 3- 1 win over Lesmahagow in the West of Scotland Cup and the defeat of Kello Rovers 4- 1 in the Ayrshire Cup.

It will be Henderson’s third Junior Cup semi- final with Hurlford since he joined in 2013.

The Ford manager said: “It doesn’t matter who you get in this competition, you’ve got to go out and beat them.

“I was really keen to have the second leg at home because when we got to the final in 2014 against Irvine Meadow, we lost 2- 1 away and then managed to beat them 3- 1 at home.

“Whereas when we got knocked out at the semi- final stage we had the home leg first. So that could play a part.

“But we’re looking forward to it, they are a good team and have beaten Kikintilloch Rob Roy in the last round, a team we have failed to beat this season.”

AUCHINLECK will compete in the other semi- final against Lochee United.

They will look to build on their 2- 0 win against Whitletts. But Lochee have already conquered two Ayrshire sides in the competition, taking the scalps of Beith and Irvine Meadow.

GIRVAN got their name in the second round hat of the Ayrshire Cup after beating Lugar 4- 3. Laurie Dinwoodie’s men will take on Pollok as they push for Premier Division safety.

GLENAFTON defeated Annbank 6- 0 in the Ayrshire Cup – and they can go fourth in the league with a win over Arthurlie.

CUMNOCK will head to Kirkintilloch Rob Roy after beating Saltcoats 5- 0 in the Ayrshire Cup.

TROON fell to Premier Division juggernaut Kilwinning 2- 1 in the Ayrshire Cup as a Danny McKay equaliser wasn’t enough for the Portland Parkers. They will look to recover by continuing their promotion hunt at home to Kilsyth.

ANNBANK look to get away from the bottom- end of the table at home to LUGAR.

WHITLETTS travel to Ayrshire league strugglers ARDEER.

WINTON look to cement their promotion spot as they take on DALRY.

MAYBOLE moved into the promotion spots with a 5- 0 win over Ardeer and will look to stay there as they host top of the table IRVINE VICS.

Bottom of the table MUIRKIRK will host title challengers CRAIGMARK.