HURLFORD UNITED boss Darren Henderson laughs at the suggestion he should have been lying in a darkened room in the build-up to tonight’s showpiece Ayrshire Cup final clash against Auchinleck Talbot.

As if the worry of facing a side that has bested his own in four previous head-to-heads this season was not enough, Hendo has also been forced into a drastic reshuffling of his playing pack and admits that Hurlford will head to Meadow Park with only 14 available players ... himself included.

He said: "I had little choice other than to sign myself to help make up the numbers after Ryan Donnelly went over on an ankle while out for a weekend training run and Stevie Masterton revealed there was a strong likelihood of him being posted missing because of work commitments.

“Fully six players were already ruled out of our plans after going off on holiday, which is perfectly excusable when you think that our pre-season training gets underway in only two or three weeks’ time so maybe it’s time the powers-that-be considered a means to bring about a longer close-season break.

“As far as I’m aware, both Calum Watt and Jamie Wilson have pledged themselves to join Beith next season, yet they now find themselves being needed by Hurlford to play in tonight’s game.

“That’s an odd situation to be placed in, even though I have no fears about both guys giving their all.”

The Blair Park gaffer has himself been linked with the alleged captures of Ryan Borris (Kilbirnie Ladeside), Ian Fisher (Largs Thistle) and Ritchie McKillen (Linlithgow Rose), however he flatly refused to discuss new signings, preferring instead to focus on his team’s achievements over the past 11 months.

He insisted: "The Scottish Junior Cup is no longer sitting in our trophy cabinet and people are talking about this being a poor season for Hurlford – but is it really?

“My players posted a 52 points total in the Super Premier Division, which would have seen us crowned champions in four of the past five seasons, and we only lost two league matches in our entire campaign … both against Auchinleck, who were just four points better off than us at the final reckoning.

“We finished top scorers, but Talbot, crucially, were very much tighter defensively, and we will need to come up with some fresh ideas to open them up tonight if we are to stand any chance of getting our hands on the silverware.

“The disappointment of losing 2-0 in this final against Troon last season was glossed over by our Scottish win, but that 'consolation' is not there this time out and it would be wonderful if the players' achievements were rewarded by a trophy.”

Meanwhile, among those Junior players stepping up into the Senior ranks is highly-sought-after Rossvale striking prospect Yami Misango, who is believed to have put pen-to-paper for Albion Rovers.

The teenager was reportedly on the radar of several Senior clubs and was attracting the attention of Blantyre Vics and Glenafton, but Cliftonhill boss Darren Young won the race for his signature.

Rossvale team manager Martin Lauchlan revealed: "All manner of approaches were made to Yami since our season ended and he was in a quandary over what would be his best move, but Darren persuaded him to throw in his lot with Rovers.

“We were never going to stand in his way and he leaves with our best wishes and I’m just glad we have a quality replacement coming on board in the shape of Jay Mackay, whose energy and drive has the makings of a decent partnership alongside Fraser Team.

“But they will need to earn their spurs as we have several other irons in the fire and our aim is to have four top strikers going into the First Division."

Glenafton’s goalscoring midfielder Cameron Marlow, now back on these shores following a spell in the USA, has turned down a return to Loch Park in favour of joining Queen's Park, whose manager Gus McPherson is also hoping to run the rule over Blantyre Vics winger David Galt after inviting him in to pre-season training at Hampden Park.

And a surprise step-up opportunity has arisen for Irvine Meadow defender Mark Staunton, who has sealed a move to Stirling Albion after reportedly being on the verge of signing for Beith or Pollok.

TONIGHT

Ayrshire Cup final: Auchinleck Talbot v Hurlford Utd (7.30 Meadow Park).

TOMORROW

Euroscot Eng Central League Cup final: Blantyre Vics v Thorniewood Utd (7.30 Newlandsfield).