Beith double header a double headache for Buffs boss Strain
A BLOCKBUSTER month of September has just got a whole lot tougher for Kilwinning Rangers after the first and second-round draws for the Macron Scottish Junior Cup were made at Hampden Park yesterday.
The Buffs were already scheduled to face a trio of anticipated title rivals Beith (h), Auchinleck Talbot (a) and Pollok (h) in successive weeks and they will now see out the month with another Abbey Park head-to-head against reigning West Region champions Beith in what is the undoubted tie of the round .
Holders Talbot await the visit of Fofar West End while Dufftown will travel down to face last season’s beaten finalists Hurlford United, but 2016 winners Glenafton did not land it quite so easy in heading to Guys Meadow to take on Cumbernauld United.
And a cracker of a Glasgow derby is promised at Keppoch Park where Glasgow Perthshire will take on St Roch’s.
This season’s exodus to the East of Scotland League by a host of former East Region clubs left 129 names to go into the hat and the need for a solitary first-round tie which came out as a meeting between Aberdeenshire-based Colony Park and Kirriemuir Thistle .
The prospect of a large number of far-flung North Region sides going into the second-round draw had raised fears of costly long-distance journeys having to be undertaken by clubs from these parts however the luck of the draw brought only 14 such pairings and only Vale of Leven, Forth Wanderers, Carluke Rovers and Ardrossan Winton Rovers were landed with away ties.
No travel concerns for Beith supporters in making the short hop to Abbey Park where Buffs boss Chris Strain alluded to the “crystal ball” qualities of Mighty gaffer Johnny Millar when giving his thoughts on the all-Premiership clash.
Strain said: “I can only think Johnny had a premonition that Beith would draw us in the Cup because he took in our game against Johnstone Burgh last Monday night. All joking aside, I’m not chuffed about landing them and I’m pretty sure neither will Johnny but I’m willing to bet a lot of other Premiership managers will be as one of us will be going out.
“Our attention is on nothing other than Clydebank, who we go up against tomorrow.
“They are sure to provide a stiff test and we then hit a daunting September schedule where the old adage of taking one game at a time has to be our the mantra.
“Playing Beith in the league just a few weeks before the Scottish tie is a bit of a distraction but we need to accept it and prepare as we see best for each game.
“Beith are adept at churning out results on their own Bellsdale pitch so I’m delighted to have home advantage.
“Nobody can ever win the Cup in September but it can be lost.” Scottish Junior Cup first round Colony Park v Kirriemuir Thistle (to be played Saturday Sept 15). Second round Kinnoul v Saltcoats Vics, Cambuslang Rangers v Fraserburgh Utd, Troon v Lochee Harp, Blantyre Vics v Vale of Clyde, Auchinleck Talbot v Forfar West End, Cumnock v Coupar Angus, Cumbernauld Utd v Glenafton, Ellon Utd v Forth Wanderers, Girvan v Culter, Bellshill Athletic v Burghead Thistle, Islavale v Vale of Leven, Lochore Welfare v Fauldhouse Utd, Pollok v Buchanhaven Hearts, Dundee Violet v Maryhill, Aberdeen East End v Lochgelly Albert, New Elgin v Whitehills, Rosyth v Newmains Utd, Kirkcaldy YM v Renfrew, Muirkirk v Yoker Athletic, Gartcairn v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Arthurlie v Forres Thistle, Tayport v Port Glasgow, Rutherglen Glencairn v Deveronside, Bridge of Don v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Maybole v Aberdeen University, Kilwinning Rangers v Beith, Benburb v Broughty Athletic, Banks O’Dee v Dyce, Scone Thistle v Neilston, Hurlford Utd v Dufftown, Spey Valley Utd v Harthill Royal, Livingston Utd v Kilsyth Rangers, Glenrothes v Irvine Vics, Wishaw v West Calder Utd, Hermes v Newburgh Athletic, Lochee Utd v Dalry Thistle, Glasgow Perthshire v St Roch’s, St Anthony’s v Irvine Meadow, Irvine Vics v Rob Roy, Petershill v Darvel, Royal Albert v Lugar Boswell, Annbank Utd v Ardeer Thistle, Halll Russell Utd v Kennoway Star Hearts , Glentanar v Carluke Rovers, Ashfield v Banchory St Tiernan’s, Nairn St Ninian’s v Buckie Rovers, Clydebank v Armadale Thistle, Thornton Hibs v Stoneywood Parkvale, East Kilbride Thistle v Montrose Roselea, Arbroath Vics v Largs Thistle, Bathgate Thistle v Craigmark, Newmachar Utd v Whitburn, Kello Rovers v Blairgowrie, Shettleston v Dundee North End, Whitletts Vics v Lanark Utd, Thorniewood Utd v East Craigie, Shotts Bon Accord v Maud, Greenock v Rossvale, Stoneyburn v Luncarty, Sunnybank v Lesmahagow , Downfield v Larkhall Thistle, Pumpherston v Forfar Albion (to be played Saturday Sept 29).