Tall order for Courier Country pair in cup

Lochee United and Carnoustie Panmure carry Courier Country hopes in the quarter-finals of the national competition, but face two of Ayrshire’s finest.

Carnoustie Panmure may have home advantage, but face tournament favourites Auchinleck Talbot in the club’s biggest game in years.

In Petershill, Kilsyth Rangers and Arthurlie, the Gowfers have taken illustrious scalps but to beat the club which has won the competition a record 11 times will take something special.

Having hammered Forres Thistle 8-0 at home, the Ayrshire side came through a tricky tie, beating Hill of Beath 2-0 at Keirs Park.

Local rivals Cumnock, were dismissed 5-1, then Pollok were downed 4-1.

So Alan McSkimming’s side will have to pull out all the stops to progress.

Other than Luke McGeehan, out with an ankle injury, everyone is fit.

Due to the torrential rain there was a precautionary pitch inspection at Laing Park yesterday afternoon and the pitch was in excellent condition and looking good to go.

Meanwhile, Lochee United are Beith bound and if their hosts can’t match Talbot’s incredible history in this competition – they won it for the first and only time two years ago – on current form they are equally as formidable.

After a 12-0 thumping of Inverness City they then ran out 6-2 winners at Jeanfield.

Crossgates suffered a 5-1 defeat at home before the Bellsdale Park outfit were 2-1 winners over East Region

They travelled to Fife in the next round where they comfortably beat Crossgates 5-1.

They edged a very tricky tie against Bonnyrigg by the odd goal in three after a dramatic finish.

Clearly the Bluebells are underdogs, but showed their mettle by defeating Irvine Meadow away in the last round, with goals from Grant Lawson and Scott McComiskie posting a notable 2-0 victory.

More of the same will be required to complete an Ayrshire double.

Apart from long-term injury victims Kevin Buchan and Paddy Deane, manager George Shields has everyone available.