AUCHINLECK TALBOT'S dream of equalling an Evening Times Champions' Cup feat achieved by just three clubs in the 83- year history of the competition could be wrecked by a player availability crisis.

The Ayrshire cracks are through in Glasgow to face semi-final opponents Pollok tonight determined to earn a final date on Saturday with Blantyre Vics - and the opportunity to clinch a third Evening Times trophy triumph on the bounce.

It's a run of success only previously matched by the great Cambuslang Rangers side of the early 70s (Davie McLaggan's men actually won four on the trot 1971-74), the Dick Brock-steered Pollok in the 80s and Maryhill under Ronnie McDonald and Alan Maitland during the 90s.

But the chances of Tommy Sloan's men delivering a triple - on the back of wins against Hurlford United and Neilston - have to be considered slim at best with more than half of their starting line-up from last Sunday's 2-1 defeat of Musselburgh in the Scottish Junior Cup Final set to be posted missing at Newlandsfield.

Groom-to-be Martin McGoldrick had David Gormley, Bryan Young, Ally Park and Steven Whyte alongside him when he flew out to Spain for his pre-arranged stag on Monday, while young midfielder Willie Boyd (holiday), Willie Lyle (flu) and Mark Campbell (injured), are rated similar non-starters.

Ready to answer gaffer Sloan's call to arms - despite feeling the effects of a thigh strain - is experienced midfielder Colin Spence, who said: "Tonight's game couldn't have come at a worse time for us, and the manager will need to call in a few favours if we are to put a full complement of players out on the pitch

"Being down to the bare bones is bad enough, but having to mix and make do with guys playing out of position is not ideal in a cup-tie of this importance and against a team of Pollok's quality.

"That said, we have one or two players with a burning desire to do well which will hopefully stand us in good stead."

Harassed boss Sloan seemed to agree with his engine-room playmaker, in saying: "A lot of good Auchinleck players didn't get a jersey last Sunday and this is their chance to prove a point.

"Nevertheless, we will need to bring a few bodies in and I've already asked the former Talbot defender Derek McCulloch to help us out as his experience could be a huge asset defensively in what is sure to be a competitive clash.

"It's a gamble to play Del, but the alternative is to ask big Campbell to play through the pain barrier and run the risk of him being ruled out for next midweek's Ayrshire Cup Final showdown with Hurlford United.

"His knees and ankles did not react to taking a pounding on Rugby Park's Astro-grass surface and he needs to be rested up to have any chance of a recovery.

"A number of other guys are nursing knocks, but they will be ready come kick-off time."

Pollok boss Tony McInally was keeping his selection cards close to chest, but revealed Graeme McLaren (suspension), Guiseppe Capuano (holiday) and Paul Gallagher (injury), would not be featuring among his picks.

Macca said: "Waiting almost a month to play this game has brought its own problems in terms of keeping players ticking over and I think we might struggle to match Talbot's competitive edge.

"I am down to just 13 available players with up to five regulars ruled out for various reasons, but I have no qualms about calling on the talents coming through our Under-21 ranks.

"Auchinleck Talbot are the benchmark for everyone in Junior football - ourselves included - and I'm looking forward to seeing how we compare."

Meanwhile, the outstanding form shown by Blantyre Vics ace David Galt on Monday night in helping his side overcome Ardrossan Winton Rovers to make it into the final has earned him the chance to step up into the Senior ranks with Queen's Park, whose manager Gus MacPherson has invited the winger to pre-season training at Hampden Park.

Galt is also on the radar of a number of top-flight Junior clubs, with Beith, Irvine Meadow and his former club, Petershill, among those forming a queue to make signing overtures.

Another interested party is newly-promoted Super Premier outfit Shettleston, whose squad strengthening moves have got underway with the captures of midfielder Jordan Dalziel (Rutherglen Glencairn) and released Clyde duo Ryan Francis and Keigan Parker.

TONIGHT

Evening Times Champions Cup semi-final: Pollok v Auchinleck Talbot (7.30).