SO how do Cumnock get the better of Auchinleck Talbot in tonight’s New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup semi-final showdown?

With great difficulty if recent clashes of the long standing rivals is anything to go by seeing as Scott Anson & Co have failed to win in three previous head to heads this season – a 1-1 Ardagh Glass Cup draw followed by home and away league defeats.

And last time out Talbot triumphed in the early season Ardagh Cup encounter and also chalked up a 3-2 victory at the exact same last four stage in the West of Scotland Cup.

It’s therefore understandable were the 28-goal hitman to be showing some sign of nerves ahead of the played to a finish Beechwood Park encounter which brings the reward of a place in Saturday’s showpiece finale against Pollok for whoever comes out on top.

And of course the chance to make history given that the West of Scotland Cup is the one Junior silverware prize to have eluded Cumnock in the 105 years of their existence.

Yet earlier today Scott was coming across as the epitome of calmness and exuding a quiet confidence about tonight’s likely outcome.

He insisted: “Derby matches against Talbot are always incredibly tough and particularly when you are playing them in their own backyard, however I’ve never felt more confident about a game against them and I know everyone in our dressing room is of the same frame of mind.

“We last met at the beginning of April at Townhead Park and Mark Shankland scored a 93rd minute free-kick goal to earn the points but the very least we deserved was a draw after being on top for large spells of the game and ever since we as a team have been wanting another crack at them.

“It’s likely to be a very tight affair again but hopefully we can get the rub of the green this time and get through to face Pollok in the final.”

Bustling former Shettleston frontman Anson took in Talbot’s 3-0 heaviest loss of the season against Beith last weekend that ended hopes of retaining their Super Premier Division crown and he owned up to wanting his club’s arch foes to come out on top.

He reasoned: “Games tend to come thick and fast at this stage of the season and I’ve been quite happy to see Talbot cramming in a lot of fixtures whereas we have alternated between resting up or being put through our paces at light training sessions.

“My hoping they would come good at Bellsdale was for purely selfish reasons as I fancied the idea of their title chances being kept alive for at least another week to force Tommy Sloan into putting out his first-pick side to face Kilwinning on Monday night.

“Losing to Beith allowed him the luxury of resting a few of regulars and putting out a team of predominantly fringe players and trialists, however I’ve no doubt all the big guns will be back to face us tonight.

“There are a lot of winners in Talbot’s team but we have no shortage of strengths ourselves and I fancy us to go one better than our last meeting when we gave them a real scare.

“Cumnock finishing sixth in the table after winning promotion makes for a decent season but beating Talbot tonight would make it a memorable one.”

Team boss John McKeown has primed his playing charges to expect a blood and thunder approach from their hosts.

Last night he said: “Tucker’s team is never more dangerous than when coming back from a defeat and probably doubly so after back to back losses against Beith and Kilwinning so I expect them to come out with all guns blazing.

“But we have played well since the turn of the year and have only lost twice…narrow 1-0 defeats to both Glenafton and Auchinleck…so my players are not approaching the game thinking we are going to be second best.

“We had enough of that last season when suffering defeat at this same stage despite being 2-1 up with just 20 minutes left to play so here’s hoping this our time to go all the way.”

A major selection boost for Cup holders Auchinleck came with the surprise return against Kilwinning Rangers of midfielder Dwayne “Pee Wee” Hyslop whose knee injury picked up in a league game against Glenafton last month was believed to have sidelined him until next season.

His lack of match fitness could consign him to a place on the substitutes bench, however pushing for a starting jersey is playmaker Bryan Young who was taken off against Beith in considerable distress after an accidental collision with team-mate Craig McCracken left him with a serious looking neck injury.

Youngy admitted: “I was in a lot of pain at the time and feared the worst when hospital doctors then put me in a restraining brace and expressed fears that I might have broken a bone in my neck.

“Thankfully my X-rays showed up clear and I was allowed to go home where a few days rest has helped my recovery and I’m now hoping to be included against Cumnock in what is a massive game for us.”

And a defining night also beckons for Super First Division basement pair Cumbernauld United and Maryhill in their fight against the drop with United knowing a Guys Meadow victory over already relegated Blantyre Vics will guarantee their safety regardless of how one point worse off Maryhill fare at home to bottom markers Irvine Vics.

TONIGHT'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 7.30pm)

New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup semi-final: Auchinleck Talbot v Cumnock.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Cumbernauld Utd v Blantyre Vics, Maryhill v Irvine Vics.

McBookie.com Central District First Division: Neilston v Thorniewood Utd.