POLLOK'S bold attempt to sign star midfielder Martin McGarvey from Beith has reached a stand-off.

Transfer talks initiated just over a month ago were resurrected at the weekend when the Newlandsfield outfit tabled a bid for the highly-rated playmaker's services.

But, having Super Premier rivals Beith reject this valuation on the grounds it didn't match theirs, Lok insist that the "first offer will also be the last."

And nobody is set to suffer more from this collapse in negotiations than Scotland inter-national McGarvey, who is very much in limbo after previously indicating a desire to join the Glasgow club.

Beith gaffer Frank Lynch said: "From the club's perspective we are delighted because we have held on to one of our best players who we never wanted to lose in the first place. But, at the same time, I can sympathise with Martin's frustrations over how things have panned out.

"He was the one made unsettled by Pollok's initial approach, yet they have now apparently cooled on going after him. That said, it could be that Rab Sneddon is trying to play mind games because otherwise I find it difficult to understand his refusal to meet what is anything but an over-the-top price tag."

The Lok boss, still on the road to recovery after a bout of pleurisy, is believed to have been pulling a few transfer strings from his sick-bed in attempting to generate some extra monies.

Discussions are reportedly ongoing on a deal taking out-of-favour midfielder Mark Booth to Cumbernauld, and there is every likelihood of fifth-choice Lok striker James Tyler putting pen to paper for Kilwinning if the Super First side come up with the asking price.

Meanwhile, the draw for the early rounds of the Central League Cup has thrown up the prospect of a number of tasty confrontations, most notably a Newlandsfield showdown between Pollok and Arthurlie.

Last season's beaten finalists, Rob Roy, have a home tie against lower league Wishaw.

Ayrshire District title contenders Whitletts taking on holders Irvine Meadow is the pick of the initial Ayrshire Cup matches, while the like-lihood of an all-Super Premier showdown between Glenafton and Auchinleck is certain to whet appetites at the second round stage.

Fans should note weather-enforced venue changes to this weekend's fixture list.

The continuing unplayable state of their Craighead Park pitch leaves Lesmahagow facing yet another long trek down to Maybole for their Citylink Scottish Junior Cup replay, while storm damage to their Recreation Park dressing rooms has resulted in Darvel conceding home advantage to Whyte & Mackay Cup second round opponents Pollok.

And delays to the completion of work on New Southcroft Park means Glencairn will face landlords Cambuslang at Somervell Park.

Central League Cup. Second round

Kilsyth v Benburb, Larkhall v Maryhill, Cumbernauld v St Anthony's, Forth v Lesmahagow, Clydebank v Cambuslang or Port Glasgow, Rob Roy v Wishaw, Shotts or Neilston v Petershill, Blantyre Vics v Glencairn, Renfrew v Greenock, Ashfield v Dunipace, Johnstone Burgh v Stonehouse or Thorniewood, Shettleston v Royal Albert, Yoker v East Kilbride or St Roch's, Lanark or Carluke v Bellshill, Vale of Leven v Vale of Clyde, Pollok v Arthurlie.

Ayrshire Cup. Second round

Irvine Vics or Glenafton v Auchinleck, Whitletts or Irvine Meadow v Girvan, Dalry v Largs or Winton Rovers, Darvel or Hurlford v Saltcoats or Ardeer, Troon v Beith or Maybole, Craigmark v Lugar or Muirkirk, Kello or Cumnock v Kilbirnie, Annbank v Kilwinning.

SATURDAY'S CARD

(2pm unless stated)

Citylink Scottish Cup. Fourth round - Linlithgow Rose v Cumnock. Fourth round replays - Rob Roy v Musselburgh, Maybole v Lesmahagow (1.30).

Whyte & Mackay Cup. Second round - Glencairn v Cambuslang (at Somervell Park), Cumbernauld v Wishaw, Clydebank v Irvine Meadow, Saltcoats v Craigmark, Arthurlie v Johnstone Burgh, Carluke v Beith, Troon v Vale of Clyde, Kilwinning v Auchinleck, Shettleston v Hurlford, Girvan v Dunipace, Darvel v Pollok (at Newlandsfield), Largs v Thorniewood.

Stagecoach Super Premier - Shotts v Neilston, Petershill v Kilsyth, Bellshill v Glenafton.

Stagecoach Super First - Renfrew v East Kilbride, Maryhill v Kilbirnie.

Stagecoach Ayrshire District League - Muirkirk v Irvine Vics, Whitletts v Kello, Ardeer v Winton Rovers, Lugar v Dalry.

Stagecoach Central District First - Larkhall v Yoker, St Anthony's v Blantyre Vics, Ashfield v Port Glasgow, St Roch's v Lanark.

Stagecoach Central District Second - Stonehouse v Vale of Leven, Greenock v Royal Albert.