Ross McPherson has marked his return from Junior football’s wilderness by helping himself to three of the five goals notched up by high-flying Beith in their last two outings.

That in itself doesn’t stretch to a decent yarn until you take into consideration ex-Clydebank and Queens Park hitman Archie's year-long battle to recover from a troublesome broken foot injury.

He sustained the injury while playing for previous club Irvine Meadow in a Super Premier Division opener against Arthurlie.

He said: "I was still bedding myself in at the Medda where the presence of Stevie Rankin and Murdie McKinnon had been a big factor in persuading me to move there following my release by Queen's Park.

“Things might have turned out so different because among clubs to have shown a signing interest were Beith where Johnny Millar tried his best to get me down to Bellsdale.

"But my decision was influenced by a long association with Stevie and Murdie, whom I’d known since my juvenile days.

“I still remember vividly getting injured in the Arthurlie game which was played towards the end of August and it’s arguable what hurt most - my foot or our 1-0 defeat that day.

“ A visit to hospital confirmed a broken bone, but being told there was an expected recovery period of four to six weeks softened the blow and I set my sights on making a comeback.”

That initial prognosis made to Archie in good faith was never realised as he went on to endure a number of false dawns in making various attempts to get back to action and he racked up only six starting appearances by the following April.

The 28-year-old said: "My foot just never healed properly and I was constantly breaking down.

"That was doubly frustrating given Irvine Meadow were deep in relegation bother and I couldn’t do anything to help my team mates.

“Things came to a head in a talk with new manager Davie Greig and it was felt best if I took a complete break away from football to see if total rest could help the healing process and get me on the road back to full fitness.”

It was only natural for thoughts of what might have been to enter Archie’s head as hitherto suitors Beith went on to lift the Scottish Junior Cup.

However, he was to be pleasantly surprised during the close season when Ayrshire gaffer Millar got back in touch to invite him to take part in pre-season training and prove himself worthy of a contract offer.

Having earned his spurs, Archie has delighted in the competition offered up by team mates , Kenny McLean, Thomas Collins and Darren Christie for the Mighty striking jerseys.

He said: "You can easily understand why Beith did so well last season when you see the quality of these guys close up.

“It’s all good natured stuff that also keeps everyone on their toes from knowing you have to be doing the business or risk dropping down the pecking order.”

Beith’s unbeaten league record is set for a severe examination tomorrow when Archie and Co head down to face reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot in what is already a fourth meeting of the clubs following a win apiece and a drawn encounter earlier his season.

The striking ace admitted: "During my time in the Juniors, Auchinleck have been the undoubted kingpins of the game and they probably remain as the benchmark for every other team, however Beith are definitely closing the gap.

“One of our best performances this season was to win 3-0 at Beechwood in the Scottish Senior Cup and nobody should rule out a repeat if we can go there with the same attitude and commitment.

“Talbot ask questions of you and the key is to be strong defensively and we have that in spades with big Mark McLaughlin, John Sheridan and Kevin McDonald.”

Beith warmed up for the Super Premier “game of the day” with a 3-1 midweek friendly win over Clydebank in which Kenny McLean (2) and Calum Watt were on the scoresheet.

However, a notable absentee was team skipper Sheridan who is hoping to recover from a hamstring strain.

Meanwhile, high on the agenda for this week’s meeting of West Region officials was making the second round draw for the New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup and a number of intriguing head to heads ensued most notably a hat trick all-Super Premier Division clashes in Largs Thistle v Beith, Glenafton v Troon and Cumnock v Kilbirnie Ladeside.

The luck of the draw favoured cup holders Auchinleck Talbot in landing Tommy Sloan’s men with a very winnable tie at home to Whitletts Vics while four of Glasgow’s six remaining clubs in the competition were also first out of the hat.

The exceptions are Maryhill, who are tasked with a trek into the Ayrshire heartlands to face Annbank United.

However, Petershill have nothing more than a short hop to take for their meeting with St Roch's at the James McGrory Stadium.

The full draw is Thorniewood Utd v Darvel, St Roch's v Petershill, Largs Thistle v Beith, Cumnock v Kilbirnie Ladeside ,Larkhall Thistle v Craigmark, Gartcairn v Dunipace or Lanark Utd, Annbank Utd v Maryhill, Royal Albert v Maybole, Glenafton v Troon, Auchinleck Talbot v Whitletts Vics, Benburb v Kilwinning Rangers, Shettleston v Blantyre Vics, Rob Roy v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Rossvale v Neilston, Pollok v Irvine Meadow, Saltcoats Vics v Kilsyth Rangers (Dates To Be Arranged) .

Playing tomorrow (Kick Offs 2pm ): McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Pollok v Glenafton, Largs Thistle v Arthurlie, Auchinleck Talbot v Beith, Cumnock v Hurlford Utd, Troon v Kilwinning Rangers, Rob Roy v Kilbirnie Ladeside.

McBookie.com Super First Division.

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

McBookie.com Central First Division

Forth Wanderers v Lesmahagow, Greenock v Rossvale, Cambuslang Rangers v Thorniewood Utd, Wishaw v Larkhall Thistle, Benburb v Vale of Clyde, Neilston v Johnstone Burgh, Bellshill Athletic v St Roch's.

McBookie.com Central Second Division.

Royal Albert v East Kilbride Thistle, Dunipace v Glasgow Perthshire, Carluke Rovers v Vale of Leven, Ashfield v Port Glasgow, St Anthony's v Lanark Utd, Gartcairn v Newmains Utd.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.

Muirkirk v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Ardeer Thistle v Darvel, Annbank Utd v Lugar Boswell, Saltcoats Vics v Maybole, Kello Rovers v Dalry Thistle, Whitletts Vics v Craigmark.