THE journeys taken by Pollok and Cumnock to today’s New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup Final at Newlandsfield have been widely contrasting to say the very least.

It can be said the Southsiders have walked in the veritable foothills of Junior football, low down enough for Tony McInally’s men to stay under the radar until now, given the hurdles put in their way by the luck of the draw number Dalry Thistle, Irvine Meadow, Neilston, St Roch's and Kilsyth Rangers (not a top-flight side amongst them).

Meanwhile, the fact their Ayrshire opponents by comparison have been forced to negotiate a considerably tougher path in skipping past Clydebank, Kilbirnie Ladeside, Blantyre Vics, Rob Roy and not forgetting, of course, the reigning cup holders Auchinleck Talbot, is not lost on Nock team boss John McKeown.

“Nobody can ever point a finger and say Cumnock don’t deserve their place in this season’s final when you look at our cup draws,” he insisted.

“But to be fair the same applies to Pollok because let’s face it you can only beat what teams come out of the hat alongside you.

“And yes it’s unquestionable that my players have had it far tougher, however the history books don’t dole out any extra credit for how a team gets to a cup final and the only thing that will matter with the passage of time is whether your name is in the record books as a trophy winner or beaten finalist on the day.

“I wouldn’t dare predict the outcome between two such evenly matched sides but what I will say is my players have never let me down in terms of effort this season and I don’t expect that to change tomorrow afternoon.”

McKeown reflected back on his side’s momentous semi-final defeat of arch foes Auchinleck on Wednesday night in saying: “Defences were on top for the most part but we probably deserved our narrow victory seeing as goalkeeper Darren Johnston wasn’t called upon to make a save of note during the 90 minutes.

“Don’t get the wrong end of the stick and think I’m suggesting it was easy because Talbot are battlers and even after going down to 10 men, came right back at us over the closing stages and there were a few nervy moments – in fact, make that a lot of them given the referee found it necessary to play a 51-minute second half.

“I was looking through the cracks in my fingers when their forward Mark Shankland, someone who habitually scores in these derby games – stood over a 22-yard free-kick deep into injury-time but thankfully our wall did the job asked of them in blocking his shot and we were able to see the game out.

”We came good thanks to a well-taken goal from Scott Anson who received a tongue lashing from myself at half-time because I felt he wasn’t doing enough and to give credit where credit’s due, the big lad went out and made the difference by snatching the only goal of the game after pouncing on a rare mistake by Talbot centre-back Martin McGoldrick to run through on goal.

“I was screaming for Scott to shoot but he opted to round their goalkeeper Andy Leishman and at first I thought he had taken the ball too wide but he managed to slip the ball home.

“Scott’s a great professional who has benefited from the change of scenery in coming to Cumnock this season as his 29 goals to date testify.

“Wouldn’t it be nice if he could get himself into the 30’s tomorrow?”

The Rutherglen-based gaffer openly admits his delight at racking up a win over Talbot will be surpassed several times over if he can become the first-ever Cumnock manager to get hands on the West of Scotland Cup silverware.

He added: “Every season without fail our long in the tooth club official George Morton reminds me of Cumnock’s poor New Coin Holdings Cup record so it would be a dream come true to put that right.

“The game promises to be a great occasion for the club and the town of Cumnock as I understand a lot of people will be be making the trek through to Newlandsfield to lend their support so here’s hoping the players can do them proud.

“Our preparations could have been better had the semi-final been arranged for an earlier date to allow us more rest and a chance for bumps and bruises to heal, however the squad is in decent fettle all things considered.

“Our only selection poser surrounds McRobbie who is just back from holiday and we’ll see how he is shaping up before naming a team.”

In other games taking place, Super Premier Division champions Glenafton are tipped to receive their trophy prize when playing their final league game of the season at home to a Rob Roy side determined to come out on top and secure runners-up spot.

And there’s no lack of intrigue at Super First Division level where Girvan can be crowned champions if they take at least a point away from their Holm Park contest with Yoker Athletic for whom a share of the spoils would guarantee their Super First survival and relegate Maryhill by default.

Lochburn Park gaffer John Hughes said: “I cannot fathom why we had to face Irvine Vics in midweek and leave Yoker knowing what needs to be done to achieve safety?

“It would have been much fairer for both basement teams to be playing their final games at the same time and it’s even more galling to think even a Yoker defeat tomorrow will leave them with a further fall-back game to play against Petershill whom they could have faced last midweek but didn’t.

“And to get a fully motivated Peasy lining up against Yoker will require Kilsyth Rangers to do no better than draw their final league game tomorrow against Irvine Vics so there are all manner of ifs and buts scenarios that may yet have to be played out.”

TODAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm unless stated)

New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup Final: Pollok v Cumnock (Newlandsfield 1pm).

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Glenafton v Rob Roy.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Kilsyth Rangers v Irvine Vics, Yoker Athletic v Girvan.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Rossvale v Forth Wanderers.