THERE were no favours shown to city clubs Petershill and Pollok when Glasgow City Council hosted the ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup fifth-round draw in the City Chambers yesterday afternoon.

Both teams were landed with tough away draws with the Peasy heading into Ayrshire to face Super Premier Division rivals Beith, while Pollok were paired with current East Region Superleague frontrunners Bonnyrigg Rose in what is undoubtedly a tie-of-the-round contender.

Calton councillor George Redmond and former Scotland and Partick Thistle goalkeeper Alan Rough were tasked with pulling the names from the hat held by ETHXenergy managing director James Montgomery and Redmond.

And ex-Pollok midfielder Redmond pitted another of his former clubs, Irvine Meadow, with an equally demanding assignment away to long-standing rivals Kilwinning Rangers, assuming, of course, the Medda can prevail in their fourth-round replay joust at home to Linlithgow Rose on Saturday.

The Ayrshire side’s team boss David Greig insisted: “ I cannot possibly comment on the prospect of facing Kilwinning when we have yet to show we can overcome what is a very good Linlithgow Rose side.

“They impressed me a lot in our first game last week and had us on the rack for spells, but the guys defended well and more than earned another crack at them.

“Hopefully, home advantage and the backing of our supporters will help tilt the balance our way in what should be a cracking cup tie.”

Pollok boss Tony McInally reflected on his side’s luck of the draw in saying: “Bonnyrigg are topping the East Superleague for a very obvious reason and we have a very tough task on our plate through there.

“But by the same token, I’m pretty sure they will not be turning cartwheels at the prospect of going up against ourselves.

“My players have grown into the season and we are far better equipped for a game of this magnitude than we were earlier in the season and my players will be looking forward to the game.”

Reigning trophy holders Auchinleck Talbot are also on the road to meet Carnoustie Panmure, while beaten semi-finalists last time out and 2014 trophy winners Hurlford United are at home to Central First Division shock troops Rossvale.

And newly-installed Arthurlie boss Stevie Kerrigan will not be fazed at the thought of a trip into Ayrshire to meet Ayrshire District League minnows Darvel.

Set to be in the Auchinleck travelling party heading up to Tayside is injured centre-back Mark Campbell who is coming to realise that just as time flies when you’re having fun…it drags when you’re not...

It’s no exaggeration to say Sparky’s ball-winning qualities were pivotal to the Ayrshire outfit racking up an eleventh Scottish Junior Cup triumph last season, capped by a 2-1 Rugby Park victory over Musselburgh Athletic in the final.

And despite his advancing years – he turns 38 next week – Mark was again looking like he could play an integral part in Tommy Sloan’s side this time out until horrific knee ligament damage sustained in an early November clash against Hurlford United put paid to his dream of helping retain the Holy Grail silverware.

The veteran’s physical agony was further compounded by medical opinion considering the complicated surgical procedure required to put right his knee would bring the curtain down on his chequered playing career however Sparky appeared to take the devastating news in his stride .

But he has cut something of a frustrated figure ever since and only last Saturday his strong competitive streak had him kicking and heading every ball from the sidelines watching his team-mates ran out 3-0 winners over arch foes Cumnock.

Supporters had resigned themselves to believe Sparky would only ever pull on a Talbot jersey in a staged benefit game, but his sights are set higher and last night he owned up to harbouring hopes of making a playing comeback.

He is set to go under the surgeon’s knife at Ross Hall next week for an operation to repair the knee damage that has hampered his movements ever since.

Sparky revealed: “It seems like an eternity since the Hurlford game but it’s only 12 weeks this coming Saturday.

“The specialist carrying out the procedure has examined all the scans and said the joint will be infinitely stronger afterwards and he doesn’t see why I cannot make a full recovery even though he questions why I would ever want to get back playing at my age.

“But that’s the target which will drive me on through a lengthy recuperation period of some nine months and you can bet I will put in the necessary hard work and endure any discomfort if it means I get back sooner.”

ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup fifth-round draw:

Beith v Petershill

Bonnyrigg Rose v Pollok

Glenrothes/Hermes v Kilbirnie Ladeside

Kilwinning Rangers v Linlithgow Rose/Irvine Meadow

Camelon/Dundee NE v Kelty Hearts

Carnoustie Panmure v Auchinleck Talbot

Hurlford v Rossvale

Darvel v Arthurlie

(Ties to be played February 13, 2.15pm kick-offs)