Shotts Bon Accord assistant manager Paul Finnigan is hoping to give his club’s supporters something to shout about following a pretty dismal finish to their Exsel Group Sectional League Cup campaign.

The Hannah Park outfit had looked a decent bet to qualify from Section 2 on the back of victories in their opening two Exsel fixtures.

However, those dreams were scuppered as a confidence-denting 8-1 thrashing by Gartcairn preceded last weekend’s 4-0 hammering at home to Wishaw.

The ultra-competitive Finny has urged the Shotts players to stop feeling sorry for themselves in favour of bouncing straight back with a three-point haul when promoted Ayrshire District champions Girvan make the long trek up to North Lanarkshire in one of tomorrow’s opening Super First Division encounters.

And he has added cause for wanting to bring back the feelgood factor, with Finny being a central organiser in a fund-raising Legends Match involving feted Shotts Bon Accord players from down through the years which Hannah Park is hosting on Sunday.

He said: "Kieran McGuinnes and myself are only too aware of the fact we’ve served up two very poor displays and we’ve been working to address various issues coming out of the games.

“I could point to a horrendous run of injuries combining with the unavailability of other players through weddings and work commitments ,but offering up excuses when you’ve lost 8-1 doesn’t wash in my book.

“What’s more important is to stop the rot and get our season back on track and that’s why nobody at Shotts, least of all Kieran, is pressing panic buttons right now.

“The guys know what we want from them and we know these same players are capable of a whole lot better than they showed against Gartcairn and Wishaw so if it doesn’t happen then changes have to be made.

”Girvan will be a real test as they face a well drilled side with top notch individuals like striker Andy Stevenston who was always a real handful to try and contain in his time as a Maybole player.”

Shotts central defender Gary Barr picked up a painful injury last weekend and was replaced by Finny, however the erstwhile Rob Roy full-back is not pencilling in his name to figure against Girvan.

He added: "I will always help out the team when Keiran thinks my experience is needed but it’s not our intention for me to be a regular pick.

“And anyway I need to rest up for Sunday when our Scottish Junior Cup-winning side are coming together along with club greats such as Dunky Sinclair, Eddie Halford, Eddie Farrell Fraser Church and Kenny Murray.

“Former managers Tony McInally and Rab Sneddon are also down to take part in a full scale game that is the centrepiece of a gala day at the club.

“Local kids teams are set to appear beforehand and a “Beat The Goalie “penalty kick competition is planned for half time.”

One of the most eagerly-awaited Super First head-to-heads is set to take place at New Petershill Park where the Peasy will be locking horns with city rivals Maryhill.

Visiting gaffer Jim Delaney is first to admit his side’s early season form has been patchy at best, but he is convinced they can mount a challenge to one of the promotion favourites now that his playing hand has been considerably strengthened.

He said: "We lost a number of key players during the summer months, including Paul Callander who is set to line up for Petershill and the hope is our inside knowledge of his many strengths can work in our favour.

“We’ve used our Exsel Cup section games to blood replacements as cover for guys away on holiday, but this past week has seen us almost restored to full strength, albeit David Green and Luke Tolland have absolutely no chance of figuring through in Springburn.

“I’m reassured to have options all over the pitch and our training sessions have been lively this past week with players looking to catch my eye with their efforts and I’m fairly sure of how I want to set out our stall.”

Delaney who has recently signed goalkeepers Jack Baker and ex-Clyde prospect Gareth Watson vying for the gloves revealed he has resigned hitman Sean Fraser as well as snapping up highly-rated Tower Hearts youngster Jordan McGrotty went on to add ,

“ It’s been a number of years since Maryhill and Petershill were playing in the same division and this is one game that cannot come soon enough.”

In other games, Kilsyth Rangers against Shettleston at Duncansfield could be another close-to-call contest while Irvine Meadow may be hard pressed to contain in-form Clydebank at Meadow Park and a much improved Yoker Athletic are tipped to take the spoils when Irvine Vics visit Holm Park.

Yet another Sunday affair for supporters is the testimonial match for ex-St Anthony's pair James McKenna and Dixie Kilcullen at McKenna Park (Kick-off 2pm) which features a raft of guest players from Senior football such as Mark Brown, Darren Barr. Frazer Wright. Stephen Aitken, Alan Waddell, Steven Farrell, Alex Rae, Mark Cameron, Jim Chapman and Darren Miller lining up against a St Anthony's XI with all proceeds going to Cash For Kids.