Clash of the titans is the best way to sum up today's Beechwood Park showdown between Auchinleck Talbot and Pollok.

There will be plenty of spice on the menu, not least because Pollok are looking to claim Talbot's mantle as reigning Scottish Cup kingpins.

And factored into the mix is the Ayrshire side's bid to maintain their Super Premier Division supremacy - and the opportunity to impose a dent in the challenge of their fourth-placed Glasgow rivals.

It all adds to the intense rivalry that exists between the clubs - dating back 30 years to the Junior Cup Centenary Final - with Lok bidding to chalk up a particularly unique hat-trick of wins over the Ayrshiremen on the back of their Evening Times Champions Cup semi-final success last June and the 1-0 league win earned by Carlo Monti’s goal at Newlandsfield earlier this season.

Diehards of a Glasgow Southside design have even been heard to say it’s a meeting of the Old King and the Heir Apparent to the throne.

However, more than willing to pick up that verbal gauntlet is Talbot skipper James Latta, someone who has been there, seen it and who owns several of the sweat-stained jerseys that have retained the sweet smell of success over a remarkable 12-year playing stint with Auchinleck.

Battle-scarred James, classy midfield playmaker Bryan Young and Colin Spence (now with Troon) are set to be rewarded for their unstinting Talbot service down the years with a testimonial match against Partick Thistle tomorrow (Kick-off 2pm) however the Bot skipper only has thoughts on turning Pollok over.

And his determination to lead from the front has Latta prepared to play today despite the pain from a slight fracture of his fibia which has resulted in him being in and out of his side’s line-ups in recent months (he’s missed eight games in all).

James said: "I’ve just not given myself sufficient recovery time because we have had a spate of injuries to defenders at various times .

“ Craig McCracken was out for a spell that included our Scottish Cup defeat by Hurlford and in more recent times, both Willie Lyle and Martin McGoldrick have been sidelined with hamstring injuries.

“In fact, both of them are likely to be posted missing against Pollok so I’m definitely putting myself forward for a jersey as we really need to be looking to pick up points to get us a fourth title win.

“Pollok are not entirely out of contention, but the bigger dangers are Kilbirnie and Hurlford who would delight in us opening the door for them with a slip-up at this stage.

“Despite our injury worries, we are in with a genuine chance of being crowned Super Premier champions for a fourth successive season as well as having the New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup Final against Hurlford next weekend .

“Most teams would bite your hand off to be in our position yet there appears to be a swell of opinion that Auchinleck are on the wane. We’ll see.”

Pollok gaffer Tony McInally exuded confidence in saying he has no fears ahead of his team’s trip into the Ayrshire heartlands.

He said: "I’m in the pleasant position of having a full squad to choose from and everyone is in contention for a jersey though we’ll probably keep Finlay Frye in reserve rather than risk him picking up a yellow card which would see him incurring an automatic two game suspension and possibly miss the Scottish Cup finale against Beith.

“Liam Rowan has stepped into his shoes in recent outings and has looked a real find at only 20 years of age so I’ve no hesitation on giving him the nod or for that matter Chris Walker and Tam Hanlon who needed a bit of nursing to get over knocks and are now fresh and champing at the bit.

“Another plus is Alan McKenzie proving himself ready for a return to the fray after a month out with a hamstring injury picked up in our Scottish semi-final first leg meeting with Hurlford and it’s encouraging to have his power and pace to call on again.

“Best part of all is knowing the younger guys in the squad have been able to step up to the plate and part of me thinks their enthusiasm and desire to play their way into our cup final thoughts could be a huge factor in going up against Auchinleck who will not hold anything back with title points at stake.

“Tommy Sloan’s teams have been the benchmark for Junior football for as long as I can remember and it’s pleasing to know Pollok are at long last being spoken about as a team capable of giving them a run for their money.

He added: "It’s good for this club and our supporters to be rated as one of the top sides again when you consider how Pollok have not been in a good place for the past five or six years.

“Our journey back to respectability has been enjoyable and we may not win the Super Premier Division but nobody can deny we have enhanced the top flight this season and brought something to the party.

“Auchinleck in their own backyard is quite a test but when my players are on the money performance wise then I fancy we can match up against anyone .”

In other games, Rob Roy host the visit of the other ETHXenergy Scottish Cup finalists Beith still mathematically needing a point to be safe from relegation while title challenging Hurlford cannot afford to drop any points at home to Arthurlie.

Playing today (Kick-offs 2pm): McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Rob Roy v Beith, Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok, Hurlford Utd v Arthurlie.

McBookie.com Super First Division.

Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Blantyre Vics, Kilwinning Rangers v Clydebank, Bellshill Athletic v Cumnock, Largs Thistle v Greenock, Maybole v Shotts Bon Accord.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.

Muirkirk v Girvan , Craigmark v Irvine Vics, Dalry Thistle v Saltcoats Vics, Whitletts Vics v Darvel.

McBookie.com Central First Division

Johnstone Burgh v Maryhill, Lesmahagow v Neilston, Carluke Rovers v Vale of Clyde, Rossvale v St Anthony's, Larkhall Thistle v Thorniewood Utd.

McBookie.com Central Second Division.

Benburb v Newmains Utd, Lanark Utd v Cambuslang Rangers, Royal Albert v Vale of Leven, East Kilbride Thistle v Gartcairn.