Andy Frame believes consistency is the key for Thorniewood United as their defence of the Euroscot Eng Central League Cup gets underway on Saturday when they host Central First Division rivals Rossvale.

The Robertson Park head-to-head promises to be an extremely tough first hurdle for Frame who delighted in steering the famous old Lanarkshire club to their first cup triumph in 50 years through last season’s penalty shoot-out victory over Blantyre Vics.

That memorable success guaranteed that the names of Frame and his players will be forever remembered in their club’s history archives books.

However, the one-time Partick Thistle signing reckons the prospect of his side embarking on another successful cup run is not a mere pipe dream.

He said: "I’m the first to admit our results have been a bit up and down this season but on our day my players are capable of beating the best.

"Unfortunately they are just as liable to come a cropper when you least expect it.

“Why that is can be explained in part by the conscious decision to break up our cup -inning team in order to bring in hungrier and younger players that we see as the future of Thorniewood United.

“It’s not been a total makeover because the vast experience of Davie Hamilton has been retained along with the likes of Craig Forbes, Brendan Smith and Chris Lennon.

"But there’s no escaping the fact our average age has come down significantly.

“That is no bad thing however going down the road of youth typically brings about an inconsistency in terms of performance levels and that has tended to be our Achilles heel more often than not.

“Last season, I had a confidence in the players and felt they were capable of winning every game they played whereas this time out I largely don’t know what to expect once the referee blows his whistle.”

A major boost for Frame and loyal No.2 John Paul McBride has come from the reinstatement from Queen's Park of classy midfielder Stefan Law, playmaker in the Euroscot League Cup triumph last June.

The team boss added: "Stefan’s displays last season caught the eye of a number of Senior clubs and he deservedly stepped up to Queen's during the summer months.

"But he has never really settled into his Hampden Park surroundings and we’re delighted to have him back in the fold.

“Yet another plus has been the development of a decent striking partnership in Lennon and young Anthony Higgins, who arrived on a loan deal from Clyde along with another smashing talent in Billy Robb and both guys are coming on in leaps and bounds.

”They are among a whole raft of changes made since we played Rossvale at the start of the season and ran out 3-1 winners, so I cannot wait to match up with them again to see if we have made progress or not.

“Rossvale have clearly made changes of their own not least of all the recent appointment of a new management team in Brian McGinty and Stevie Aitchison, guys I know well and whom I wish nothing but the very best …but only after Saturday’s game.”

New gaffer McGinty was staying silent on the team front, however hard not to think he may elect to ring the changes and find starting places for Jay Mackay and Kirk Forbes whose twin introductions off the substitutes bench galvanised the Bishopbriggs side into a storming finish to last weekend’s 1-0 Central First Division defeat at home to Renfrew.

In the other Euroscot Eng first round contests taking place, shock troops Bellshill Athletic -fresh from handing out a 4-0 West of Scotland Cup beating to trophy holders Arthurlie - entertain the visit of another Renfrewshire-based opponent in Neilston.

Bellshill No.2 Bryan Dingwall said: "Raising our game against the big names has not been a problem for our players and we need more of the same tempo and desire that we showed against Arthurlie to have a chance of getting the better of Neilston.”

Clydebank take on Kilsyth Rangers at Holm Park in a tasty encounter that could see the debut of new Bankies centre-back signing - Calum Gow from Clyde – who previously played with Goldenhill Boys Club Under 21’s.

Elsewhere, one hears of a terrific ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup boost for Kilwinning Rangers after experienced stopper Martyn Campbell, sent off in a recent game against Cumbernauld United, had his appeal against the red card upheld at last night’s meeting of West Region beaks.