VETERAN striker Brian Johnston has owned up to quitting Thorniewood United with more than a touch of regret ahead of their biggest game of the season.

But it’s a huge weight off the 39-year-old’s mind that he is leaving after playing his part in the Wood making it into their first cup final in over 50 years … tonight’s Euroscot Eng League Cup showdown against Blantyre Vics.

Because when Charlie Grant & Co run out on to the lush Newlandsfield pitch, Brian will be over in Northern Ireland after moving there on Monday to take up a new job offer with a provider of leading computer technology.

His last appearance came in the semi-final defeat of Vale of Clyde (Thorniewood won 5-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw) and Brian says he will be looking for a winner's medal in the post if his former team-mates come out on top.

He revealed: “We have enjoyed a rub of the green in the cup draws but nobody can deny Thorniewood are in the final on merit and now the guys are only 90 minutes away from a famous victory.

“All along I’ve been keeping fingers crossed that the final would give me the opportunity to bow out of Junior football on a high, however I knew my chances of playing had gone for a burton once the final date was set.

“It’s disappointing but I’ll be there in spirit if not in person roaring on The Wood.”

Team boss Andy Frame insists there is nothing bitter sweet about the Lanarkshire outfit appearing in the showpiece cup final in the same season as they were relegated from the Super First Division.

He said: “To be in with a chance of getting our hands on silverware just about sums our entire season up.

“The players have showed themselves capable of getting results against higher league opponents like Rob Roy and Cumbernauld United as well as giving the Super First champions Pollok a run for their money in our league meetings.

“Consistency has been a problem but it’s only natural that we should take great heart from those better displays ahead of facing a Blantyre Vics team who must arguably be the success story of the Junior season and will go into tonight’s final as firm favourites.

“My old mate David Greig has put together a committed and very well organised side so he deserves every credit for their successes up to now.

“Vics certainly don’t lack for height and physicality so we will look to Alan Fleming and Davie Hamilton … back on his old Newlandsfield stomping ground … to match up and combat this threat at set-pieces.

“And you can bet Grant will roll up his sleeves and relish a midfield battle while further forward, Chris Lennon, who is interesting a number of higher league clubs, will not flinch away from trying to get the better of their big centre-backs.”

Johnston apart, Thorniewood are at full strength for the clash though it remains to be seen whether Frame opts for experienced shot-stopper Chris Fitzpatrick to go between the posts in preference to 17-year-old goalkeeping prospect Mark Creechan, hero of the penalty-kick shoot-out win over Vale of Clyde.

A major worry on the Blantyre team front hangs over winger David Galt who was forced to come off early in the weekend Evening Times Champions Cup final defeat by Pollok with a muscle problem.

But the 24-year-old’s determination to figure in his side’s final game of a momentous campaign will see him wait until close to kick-off time before declaring himself fit to play or not.

He said: “A lot of praise has come our way but the facts show we are playing our third cup final of the season and have lost the previous two so getting our hands on silverware is a must.”

PLAYING TONIGHT

(Kick-off 7.30pm)

Euroscot Eng Central League Cup final: Blantyre Vics v Thorniewood Utd.