Marko aims to roll back years
Former Ayr boss back on pitch for crack at Talbot
Mark Roberts is itching to get his boots dirty at 44 and help make Scottish Junior Cup headlines.
Holders Auchinleck and Hurlford clash in Saturday’s plum quarter- final, a re- run of the 2017- 18 final when Talbot clawed a 3- 2 victory from the jaws of defeat with two stoppage time goals.
Former Ayr United boss Roberts has joined Hurlford for a second time as a player after being cruelly dumped as Queen’s Park manager just days after Christmas.
Roberts recalls: “I was injured on that horrible day at Rugby Park two years ago when Hurlford were 2- 1 up and cruising.
“Even now we are still wondering how we ended up losing.
“My fitness is good and I am desperate to be involved but I very much doubt I will start.
“I played 25 minutes off the bench in a hurricane against Clydebank so it was a wonderful way to get back playing again.
“Hurlford will never forget the pain of losing the final the way we did but I don’t think it gives any more incentive for Saturday.
“Someone has to knock Talbot off their perch which is a difficult thing to do as they find ways to win football games.
“But we know that if we beat them we would have a right good chance of winning the cup.”
Hurlford are the only team to have plundered a point from Beechwood Park this season. But Tommy Sloan’s 13 times winners are in relentless form and have lost only once in 15 league games as they close on another Premiership title.
BEITH take on KELLO in an intriguing last eight tie at Bellsdale. New Mighty boss Bryan Young got off to a flier with a 4- 2 win over Rossvale thanks to doubles from Kenny McLean and Darren Christie.
Kello, who caused the shock of the cup by dumping Irvine Meadow with nine men in the last round, warmed up with a 4- 0 win over East Kilbride to ease their League One safety fears.
DARVEL , who head the Championship by six points, will fancy their chances with home advantage against Broughty to guarantee three Ayrshire teams in the semi- finals.
CUMNOCK head to Benburb in the Premiership, knowing a win would almost certainly banish any lingering relegation worries.
Leaders KILWINNING entertain basement strugglers Rob Roy while GLENAFTON head to Largs.
WHITLETTS have signed youngster Ross George on loan from Largs ahead of their Championship trip to Shotts.
CRAIGMARK, who are battling to avoid the drop, could jump out of the bottom three with a win at home to Gartcairn.
Three Ardagh West of Scotland Cup ties, involving TROON, GIRVAN and MAYBOLE which were washed out, try again this weekend.
Troon head to Winton, Girvan entertain Newmains while Maybole, on the back of seven straight wins, bid to spring a surprise away to Championship toilers Cambuslang. The opening of ‘ Bole’s hospitality suite, which was originally set for Saturday, has now been put back to March 7 when Vale of Clyde visit Ladywell.
MUIRKIRK, who have signed two Frenchmen, suffered a third defeat in four when they crashed 5- 2 away to Blantyre in the West Cup. Calum Bryan and Aidan Ferris got the consolations.
New faces are Cedric Phileas and Morgan Oulagnon who have both played in the Lowland League while old favourite Jason McCuaig has rejoined the club. ‘ Kirk, who have released Owen McCallum, now entertain Vale of Clyde.
ANNBANK drew 2- 2 with Saltcoats at Cambusdoon thanks to goals from Liam Fitzsimmons and Gavin Todd.
LUGAR head to Johnstone Burgh in Friday night’s only fixture.