Arthurlie boss Robert Downs has challenged his players to rediscover their trophy-winning form as they bid to get their defence of the New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup away to a winning start against Maryhill on Saturday.

Back-to-back league defeats at the hands of Hurlford United and Troon have taken the shine of a storming start to the season for the Barrhead outfit.

However, Downsy is confident his players are in the mood to get back on the rails.

He said: “In some respects the cancellation of our game with Auchinleck Talbot last Saturday has been a good thing in helping us regroup and regain our focus .

“If we’d suffered another defeat then confidence would possibly be low going into the cup tie, but we’ve put the timeout to good effect in reminding our players of the need to have a special hunger and motivation each and every time they pull on an Arthurlie shirt.

“I’ll be first to admit we are not the finished article, but by the same token we are a much improved side from before and the players deserve all the praise going for raising their game to a new level.”

The one-time Junior Scotland striker took in Maryhill’s crunch Central First Division clash with Rossvale last weekend and came away suitably impressed despite Jim Delaney’s men going down to a 1-0 defeat.

The Lie gaffer added: “We were under no illusions beforehand as to just how tough a 90 minutes awaits from this Maryhill team and that opinion was underlined by running the rule over them at Rossvale.

“There was a good balance and tempo to their game and nobody can say they lack for players with Super Premier Division nous because I counted no fewer than six familiar faces and it was pointed out that at least three regular old heads were posted missing for various reasons.

“I was taken aback by the quality in Maryhill’s ranks so they will not feel inferior coming here and could prove themselves a tough nut to crack which is why it’s been stressed to our guys that we cannot just turn up and expect to win.

”That said, we are in front of our own supporters therefore I’d like to think Maryhill will be made aware of that from first whistle to last.”

A fitness doubt hangs over busy frontman Gary Carroll whose absence would pave the way for physically powerful pairing Chris Dallas and Gary Smith to form a striking partnership.

However, Downsy was keeping his selection cards close to chest when looking ahead to the Dunterlie contest last night.

He said: “Connor McGlinchey, one of our best performers this season, is our only definite non-starter on account of his red carding against Troon landing him with a two-match suspension, but otherwise I’m hoping to be at full strength.

“We’ve lost two on the trot but nobody is feeling sorry for themselves and training this week has been hard going but highly enjoyable at the same time so I have no hesitation in saying every Arthurlie player will be giving their all on Saturday.

“And I can ask no more than for everyone to feel they have played their best when the final whistle blows.”

Hoping to figure in Downsy’s team thoughts is experienced defender Mark Blakey, who only recently returned to the Lie ranks after opting to move away during the close season to join Lowland League side East Kilbride .

He said: “ Things went swimmingly well when I initially went to E.K. and I played in 7/10 pre-season friendly matches, yet I wasn’t even stripped in our first competitive game and when matters did not improve I upped and left around the same time as Robbie Winters.

“ It was flattering to have Beith, Kilbirnie Ladeside and Neilston vying for my signature, but once Robert made his approach, I was only ever going to sign at Arthurlie.

“I played in our cup-winning side last season and would love to go all the way again which is no pipe dream given the playing squad appears to be so much stronger, particularly in the forward areas, than during my last spell here.

“Trying to establish myself in the team is a lot more difficult as a consequence, but I have never been one to shirk away from a challenge.”

Maryhill gaffer Jim Delaney, whose Central Second Division side landed another tough draw in midweek away to Tayside big guns Lochee United in the Scottish Junior Cup second round, was rueing his bad fortune.

“Yes we’ve not enjoyed much luck but my players want to test themselves against the top Juniors sides and they certainly don’t come much better than the West of Scotland Cup holders.

“Arthurlie deservedly took the honours last season so it would be a real feather in our cap to knock them out and my players are fired up by the prospect

“Our coming into the game on the back of three consecutive defeats is hardly likely to have the Arthurlie players quaking in their boots however there were a lot of positives taken from our display against Rossvale and nobody should write us off .

"The return of Paul Callander is a major boost as he is a natural on the ball with an eye for openings and don’t rule out the rest of the guys thriving on his promptings.”