COLIN SPENCE last night described former club Auchinleck Talbot as the benchmark for his up-and-coming Troon side.

The flame-haired midfielder is assured of a warm welcome when he heads back to Beechwood Park tomorrow for the first time since calling time on a silverware-laden, 10-year playing spell last summer.

He is well aware Talbot haven’t dropped a point at home all season yet there wasn’t the slightest hint of trepidation as he spoke about the enormity of the task facing him in going into the lion’s den to face his old team mates.

Spenny admitted: “I know the Talbot players as well as anyone and have the utmost respect for their qualities and how they play the game but this is one 90 minutes that cannot come soon enough for me.

“I could have avoided the situation by joining Kilwinning Rangers last close season but the prospect of going back was actually one of the factors that swayed my mind on signing for Troon and it’s been a dream move up to now.

“Beechwood is sure to be buzzing as the supporters are among the most fervent around and will create a fantastic match day atmosphere while players like Steven White, James Latta and Willie Boyd will make it their business to be in our faces right from the first whistle and you can bet most of our guys will never have come up against their likes before in the Juniors.

“But I truly believe this Troon team has the ability to take them on particularly if we can match Talbot’s great will to win.

“I’m certainly looking forward to showing we can play a bit ourselves and it’s pleasing to know I’m not the only one with that view in our dressing room.

He added: “It’s a racing certainty that Tommy Sloan will change nothing as he has sets great store in his players doing their thing so we can expect them to play long balls to get us turning and we will need to be strong defensively and stay alive to their undoubted forward line threat.

“But there’s no doubt the loss of Mark Campbell to a terrible injury has hit my old team hard and hopefully we can exploit any defensive weaknesses left by his absence.”

The classy playmaker, winner of five Scottish Junior Cup medals with Talbot, insists he has nothing whatsoever to prove on his return to former pastures.

He added: “I have nothing but fond memories of my time at Auchinleck and would like to think I let nobody down during my time there.

“But once that whistle blows to start tomorrow’s game, I will be giving my all to beat them as Colin Spence of Troon Juniors in much the same way as the Talbot lads will be eager to put one over on me.

“Yes, they know my game inside out and will no doubt make it difficult for me to get on the ball and make passes, but how I perform is nowhere near as important as how Troon play as a team.

“Anyway it’s not a shoo-in that I’ll get the nod for a starting jersey after turning in a horrible display in last weekend’s defeat by Glenafton and we as players owe it to the manager Gordon Burns to play better.

“He and Tucker used to be team-mates at Kilwinning Rangers and it’s a given that he will shun away from the idea of playing things tight and will instead opt in favour of going for a win and picking up three points.

“Not many teams come to Auchinleck with that positive mindset but Troon, on their day, can beat anyone and this is our chance to prove the point.”

Spenny emerging victorious might prove a tad embarrassing as he is attending a social function in Auchinleck’s Club on Saturday night arranged as part of the testimonial celebrations being shared by him and fellow Talbot 10-year servants James Latta and Bryan Young.

He laughed: “Youngy and myself are supposed to be going back to Latta’s house after the game for a change of clothes before the function but he’s threatening to leave me out in the street if Troon come out on top.

Meanwhile, it’s been revealed that reigning Super Premier Division champions Auchinleck will be playing Kilbirnie Ladeside in a New Year curtain raiser on Sunday, January 3 (venue yet to be announced) in what is the only West Region fixture taking place.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 1.45pm)

ETHX Energy Scottish Junior Cup third round replays: Arniston Rangers v Neilston.

New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup second round: Girvan v Blantyre Vics, Johnstone Burgh v Irvine Meadow, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Glenafton, Clydebank v Whitletts Vics. First round: Annbank Utd v Vale of Clyde.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Auchinleck Talbot v Troon, Pollok v Hurlford Utd, Rob Roy v Shettleston, Petershill v Beith.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Shotts Bon Accord v Kilsyth Rangers, Bellshill Athletic v Cumbernauld Utd, Cumnock v Largs Thistle, Winton Rovers v Rutherglen Glencairn, Greenock v Yoker, Kilwinning Rangers v Maybole.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Carluke Rovers v Maryhill, Lesmahagow v Dunipace, Wishaw v St Anthony's, Larkhall Thistle v St Roch's, Renfrew v Thorniewood Utd.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: Gartcairn v Ashfield, Vale of Leven v Cambuslang Rangers, Newmains Utd v Forth, Glasgow Perthshire v Benburb, East Kilbride Thistle v Lanark Utd, Port Glasgow v Royal Albert.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Dalry Thistle v Ardeer Thistle, Irvine Vics v Lugar Boswell, Muirkirk, v Saltcoats Vics, Darvel v Kello Rovers.