SCOTT ANSON believes Cumnock are equipped to do more than just survive on their return to the Super Premier Division this season.

The former Shettleston striker is rapidly earning acclaim among Nock supporters as the Man with the Midas Touch on the back of a quite sensational start to his second time around Townhead Park playing stint which has yielded up 10 goals in five games … four of which were netted last weekend as John McKeown’s side secured their qualification for the Ardagh Glass Cup quarter-finals with a 7-0 hammering of luckless Muirkirk.

Now 27-year-old Scott is praying his hot scoring streak can continue going into a crunch two games in four days programme … tomorrow night’s Ardagh last-eight clash at home to Kilbirnie Ladeside and this coming Saturday’s opening league clash against high flying Beith at Bellsdale Park.

Last night he insisted: “It’s great the goals are coming right now but nobody in our dressing room - myself most of all – is getting carried away with our early season form.

“Of course it’s been great to help put the smiles back on our supporters faces and particularly after hitting the equaliser in the recent 1-1 game away to derby rivals Auchinleck Talbot which people have told me was the first time in six years that Cumnock have come away with a result at Beechwood Park.

“What was even more pleasing was the way we matched up with them - the reigning champions - all over the pitch and it is a real boost to our confidence to think that producing the same level of performance in other games should see us pick up more points than we lose.

Scott went on: “On a personal level, I’m really enjoying being back at Cumnock where the passion of the fans is second to none in Junior football and their fantastic backing is a major part in the dressing room feelgood factor.

“But so too is the professional attitude of the manager and his backroom staff … believe me when I say they leave no stone unturned in preparing us for games … which is spreading to everyone connected with the club.

“The signing of Stephen McKenna (Queen of The South), an old fashioned ball-winning type has been nothing short of inspired and now we have signs of myself, Willie Auld and Calum McRobbie gelling as a forward line partnership.

“We signed another midfielder Adam Hunter ex-Ayr United just last week and his addition has allowed the manager to rest up Paul Burns and James Lundie in recent outings when they were carrying injuries.

“The playing squad is looking strong in every department and I fancy we can give any top-flight team a game.”

Cumnock are favourites to come out on top against the Blasties and reigning Cup holders Hurlford United are expected to secure a semi-final place at the expense of Girvan while Beith are tipped to prevail at home to Ardeer Thistle.

Not so easy to predict is the remaining last-eight clash pitting last season’s beaten finalists Troon against Auchinleck Talbot at Portland Park.

Troon midfielder and former Talbot playing legend Colin Spence said: “We’re playing well and scoring goals but need to cut out the silly mistakes to have any chance of overcoming Talbot.”

A victory for Auchinleck coupled with a win for Beith might present a problem for West Region officials as the semi-final draw has set up a potential head to head between the clubs next midweek - just four days before they are due to lock horns in Preliminary Round Two of the William Hill Scottish Cup proper.

Meanwhile, the disorder that occurred at Friday night’s Marymass Festival Cup head to head between Ayrshire duo Irvine Meadow and Irvine Vics is likely to be the subject of a probe by West Region beaks.

Medda won 4-3 against their derby rivals in a heated contest that saw both teams finish the game with only 10 men … Carlo Scaramuzza (Vics) and James Cuthbertson (Medda) getting their marching orders in separate incidents.

The hard-fought victory was marred by a number of unsavoury incidents involving rival fans in the near 1000 crowd that culminated in referee Callum Scott temporarily abandoning the match and taking both sets of players inside while police were called to restore order.

PLAYING TOMORROW

(Kick-offs 6.30pm)

Exsel Group Sectional League Cup. Quarter Finals: Shettleston v Greenock, Lesmahagow v Lanark Utd, Rutherglen Glencairn v Pollok, Rob Roy v Clydebank.

Ardagh Glass Cup. Quarter-finals: Hurlford Utd v Girvan, Cumnock v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Troon v Auchinleck Talbot, Beith v Ardeer Thistle.

SATURDAY

(Kick-offs 2pm)

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Glenafton v Pollok, Beith v Cumnock, Hurlford Utd v Kilwinning Rangers, Rob Roy v Largs Thistle, Troon v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Arthurlie v Auchinleck Talbot.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Blantyre Vics v Cumbernauld Utd, Irvine Meadow v Clydebank, Shotts Bon Accord v Girvan, Yoker Athletic v Irvine Vics, Kilsyth Rangers v Shettleston, Petershill v Maryhill, Rutherglen Glencairn v Renfrew.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Thorniewood Utd v Larkhall Thistle, Lesmahagow v Cambuslang Rangers, Neilston v Forth, Bellshill Athletic v Rossvale, Greenock v Wishaw, Johnstone Burgh v Benburb, St Rochs v Vale of Clyde.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: Royal Albert v Port Glasgow, Ashfield v East Kilbride Thistle, St Anthonys v Gartcairn, Dunipace v Vale of Leven, Lanark Utd v Newmains Utd, Carluke Rovers v Glasgow Perthshire.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Darvel v Whitletts Vics, Lugar Boswell v Ardeer Thistle, Annbank Utd v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Craigmark v Saltcoats Vics, Dalry Thistle v Kello Rovers, Maybole v Muirkirk.