BEITH boss Johnny Millar insists he has never been one to put much store on pre-season friendly results but even he admits to being swept away by the form shown by his side over the past month.

Twin victories this week – a 1-0 defeat of Linlithgow Rose and 7-2 mauling of Stranraer Under 20s – have allowed supporters of the Scottish Junior Cup holders to boast six wins from six encounters … and all away from home into the bargain.

These very impressive stats give understandable rise to hopes of the Mighty hitting the ground running when they make the short hop to face long-standing rivals Kilbirnie Ladeside in their Ardagh Glass Cup opener on Saturday, however Millar has been at pains to play down expectations.

Last night he insisted: “I can trace the feelgood factor in our dressing room back to Christmas time last season when we tweaked things on the team front and went on a bit of an unbeaten run.

“Our form remained good and actually gained momentum until the end of season and quite honestly the guys have continued on a similar vein since starting back even though we’ve been like so many other teams in having to cope at various times with the unavailability of key players.

“But the guys have manfully overcome all difficulties up to now and I put that down to the playing squad being infinitely stronger than last time with our four new signings, Mark McLaughlin, Connor McGlinchey, Archie McPherson and young goalkeeper Calum McBain making telling impacts.

“The atmosphere about the place is terrific and you can detect a confidence in everyone connected with the club but the real stuff is now upon us come Saturday and that’s where we’ll be judged.”

Though pleased as punch at Beith winning all six friendly games on the road while work has been carried out on their Bellsdale Park pitch, seasoned gaffer Millar refuses to accept his side are firm favourites going into the Valefield showdown with Kilbirnie.

He reasoned: “We lost only one league match at home last season but were dodgy on our travels to say the least so it’s satisfying to think we have found a bit of steel.

“But what has been totally transparent in every friendly match is the desire shown by opponents in wanting to have our scalp hanging from their belts, but that goes with the territory of being Scottish Junior Cup holders.

“The players have been warned that there’s no such thing as an easy game and particularly in a derby clash against Kilbirnie who don’t need any extra motivation in wanting to turn us over.

“It’s a blow that Kenny McLean, David McGowan and Darren Christie will be posted missing, however I believe Kilbirnie have a couple of suspensions on their plate so both teams will need to rely on players stepping up to the mark.

“A good start is vital as our Ardagh Cup section is arguably the toughest of them all with four Super Premier Division outfits competing for the two qualifying places and we will need to be at our best to get into the latter stages.

“That’s our aim but first and foremost we will use the section games to get everyone in a state of readiness for the bigger challenges of our Scottish Cup tie against Newton Stewart and the start of the Super Premier League."

Meanwhile, in friendly encounters last night, Irvine Meadow's new striker signing Greg Vernon stole the spotlight by helping himself to five goals … P.J. Dolan also netted … as the Medda ran out 6-1 winners against Maybole.

Paddy O’Keefe and Darren Jones were on target as Renfrew chalked up a 2-1 defeat of Rossvale whose second half counter was netted by Colin Preston, while Maryhill came from behind to overcome Whitletts Vics 3-2 at Lochburn Park.

Second half substitute Liam Rowan bagged the only goal of the game to secure a 1-0 success for Pollok at home to Shotts Bon Accord and Neilston came out on top 3-1 against Queen's Park Under 20s through goals from Keiron Magenniss, Alan Diack and Robert Storrie.