Determined to put one over on a former team mate tomorrow is St Roch's midfield dynamo John Sweeney who hopes to fire the Candy Rock to victory against Rossvale Juniors in a top of the table Central First Division clash.

Sweeney fondly recalls stepping up to the Junior ranks under Jim Sinnett and laterally Rab Sneddon at Pollok where he played in sides captained by the current Rossvale assistant boss Stevie Aitchison.

And he is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with Stevie at the James McGrory Stadium - but only when the final whistle blows.

He said: "Aitchy was as near a legend at Newlandsfield as you could get and everyone looked up to him, most of all the younger guys in the squad like myself .

“He wasn’t someone who had a bark and would shout you down for putting the slightest foot wrong out on the pitch.

"He was more the type who led by example, but make no mistake he exerted a great influence on the players around him and the Pollok team in general.

“I always felt he was managerial material so it doesn’t surprise me in the least to see Brian McGinty and him doing such a superb job with Rossvale.

"However, the last thing I want is for their promotion hopes to be given a helping hand by taking away three points at our expense.

“This is a local derby and I know to expect a tough 90 minutes is in store because Gints and Aitchy were great competitors as players and you can bet they will have Rossvale motivated by the prospect of beating us and putting themselves right back in the promotion hunt.

“By the same token a win for ourselves provides a lead of 11 points which along with two games in hand may prove too much of a gap for them to close.”

Sweeney,29, has acquired a reputation as a goalscoring midfielder since his reinstatement back into the Junior ranks from Clyde therefore it’s surprising to discover he is pleased to have only netted twice for St Roch's during the current campaign.

He revealed: “What has put a smile on my face is both goals were scored in 1-0 wins against the league leaders Cambuslang Rangers which have helped put us in the strong position we are in today .

“I’d like to think there are more to come but it follows that I’m not really bothered if I only net another couple between now and the end of the season as long as St Roch's come away with three point hauls.

“The gaffer Andy Cameron is a very positive guy and his mindset has been filtering through to the players because we are all desperate to do well for him and the Candy supporters whose backing is nothing short of magnificent .

“They will make for a great atmosphere in tomorrow’s game and hopefully we can respond with one of our better displays.”

St Roch's boss Cameron’s selection hand will receive a welcome boot with the return of defensive pair James McKnight and Mark Mathieson from injury however the meeting of the second top and fifth-placed teams may be coming too soon for comeback striking ace T.J. McLuskey who played for the closing 20 minutes of a 2-0 festive friendly win over St Anthony's but is a long way from full fitness.

Sweeney admitted: "T.J. is a terrific player whom we all want back in the team but I think Andy will gently re-introduce him with a lot of hard fitness work on the training ground along with a few substitute appearances rather than run the risk of losing him for the long term again.”

In other games, frontrunners Cambuslang head for the Tail O’The Bank and a possible testing encounter against a Greenock side who a far better side than their lowly league position suggests and Stevie Mooney’s men will be desperate for a confidence boost ahead of their forthcoming Scottish Junior Cup tie with Renfrew.

Yet another surviving Cup hopeful Benburb host the visit of third placed Larkhall Thistle and appear eminently capable of inflicting damage to the step up aspirations of seasoned Jags boss Dunky Sinclair who is patently aware that any slip up is likely to work in favour of a Wishaw side back in fourth top spot but a good bet to make up ground given they are facing bottom placed Johnstone Burgh.

Playing tomorrow: (Kick-offs 1.45pm): McBookie.com Super Premier Division.

Beith v Troon , Arthurlie v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Hurlford Utd v Rob Roy, Cumnock v Glenafton, Pollok v Auchinleck Talbot, Kilwinning Rangers v Largs Thistle.

McBookie.com Super First Division.

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

McBookie.com Central First Division

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

McBookie.com Central Second Division.

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

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.

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