County’s magnificent seven are ready to give their all to progress in the Scottish Junior Cup

Nov 27 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

SEVEN county clubs set out in search of Citylink Scottish Cup glory on Saturday, with five of them taking to the road in the third-round.

Of the seven, only Bellshill Athletic and Shotts Bon Accord have been handed a home draw.

Looking ahead to the tie against Whitburn Athletic Bellshill boss Tam McDonald said: “Whitburn are going well in the league and beat Linlithgow Rose in the previous round.

“If the right Bellshill team turns up we’ll be fine. If not, it will be the end of the story.”

Shotts go in as favourites against Maud, who are lying fifth in the North Region Super League.

Manager Duncan Sinclair has done his homework and said: “We know Maud are a strong, physical team, and we’ll need to match them.”

Sinclair hopes sweeper-coach Stephen McInulty will shrug off flu to make his starting line-up.

Lanark had Blackburn United watched on Saturday when the East of Scotland South Division side lost 2-1 to Bathgate Thistle in the East of Scotland Cup.

Manager Tony McInally said: “Blackburn are doing reasonably well but we’re starting to get players back as Tom Hanlon and Kieron Downs are getting match-fit, and I’m hoping that Darren Jaffrey will return on Saturday.”

Thorniewood United head along the M8 to Broxburn, who are ninth in the East Region South Division, having won three of their five league games.

Co-boss John Fallon said: “Through a friend we have got to know quite a bit about them, and we’re under no illusions what we’ve got to do – but we’ll set out to enjoy the experience.”

Mark Daly returns from holiday, while James Strain has recovered from flu and will be back in the squad, having both missed the weekend win at Benburb.

Larkhall Thistle are away to Neilston, who are currently propping up the West Region Super League with eight defeats in nine starts.

Manager Bobby Crilly hopes to have Stephen Marshall, Steve Donaghy, Andy Dorrans, Brian Eadie and possibly David Crilly available for a starting slot.

Blantyre Vics are away to Kilsyth Rangers, currently third in the Super First Division, who watched the weekend win over Greenock.

But Willie Harvey said he never had any intention to watch his opponents, saying: “We’ll take them as we see them.”

Carluke travel to Edinburgh United, with boss Whitey Moffat taking a similar stance to Harvey, saying: “When you watch a team there’s a tendency to alter your tactics to combat their style.

“I feel we’re an attacking team, we’ll play our normal game, and see what happens.”

Defender Adam Moffat is a doubt after suffering a bad ankle injury on Saturday.