Martyn Campbell has experienced more than most in a footballing career encompassing fully 11 years spent with Ayr United sandwiched between playing stints at Junior level, but even by his standards the last few weeks have been pretty eventful.

The powerful stopper, nicknamed “Bobo”, is steeling himself to feature for Kilwinning Rangers when they make the short hop to face Beith in their ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup semi-final first leg.

However, his personal countdown for one of the Junior game’s showpiece occasions kicked off all of five weeks ago in a West of Scotland Cup third round clash away to Cumbernauld United

Martyn, 35, was red-carded in the closing stages of the Guys Meadow contest - the first in his distinguished career - and he took it as a personal affront and immediately launched an appeal even though his actions risked him sitting out Kilwinning’s semi-final double header as the appeal date was set for last Tuesday evening.

He said: "Accepting a two-match ban would have seen me ruled out of our quarter-final clash with Camelon, but I was very doubtful for that game anyway after damaging a calf muscle.

"However, I opted to play through the pain and ended up doing myself more harm than good and didn’t exactly cover myself in glory in a 3-3 Abbey Park draw.

“I was then a definite non-starter for the replay that thankfully the guys won by a 4-1 scoreline and ever since I’ve been battling my way back to fitness hoping to make myself available for the Beith showdown.

“But all this time in the background, my appeal was looming and the gaffer Chris Strain had warned me of the likelihood of an even greater suspension if West Region officials considered my appeal as frivolous.

“Thankfully, they gave me a very fair hearing on Tuesday when I contested a serious foul play charge for doing nothing more than jumping to win a high ball against an opponent significantly smaller than myself and the upshot was my red card was rescinded.

“Their decision not only came as a great relief but also gave me the green light to focus on pushing my recovery timetable to get to a point where Chris can consider me for this week’s game against Annbank United.

“I have felt fine in carrying out light training routines this past week, but part of me is reluctant to go full out and possibly risk aggravating the injury which has come about because my body has compensated for me continuing to play after fracturing a bone in my foot during our cup victory over Linlithgow Rose .

“ A further week of strengthening exercises might be the best option but need to prove my fitness as I don’t want to let Chris or my team mates down by declaring myself fit when it’s not the case.

The pillar of Kilwinning’s defensive set-up only came on board during January’s transfer window and has not played at Bellsdale Park since his days as an outstanding pre-2004 prospect with Irvine Meadow, firstly under the management of Robert Reilly-Robert O’Connor and then the partnership of Ross Findlay and Tony McInally Ayr United.

He recalled: "I signed on at Ayr United at the same time as Chris Strain who was someone I delighted in kicking as an opponent, but we became firm friends after travelling together to training and games.

“We’ve always kept in touch and both of us stay in Kilwinning so my reinstatement back here was something of a no-brainer despite interest from a number of other clubs upon my release by Ayr.

“And it’s been a dream move up to now not least because of our cup run as from what I’ve seen Chris has the makings of a top manager as well as an eye for a player given our dressing room is packed with really talented guys many of whom are capable of playing at Senior level.

“They only lack for experience which is hopefully where I can contribute by passing on a few pearls of wisdom here and there.”

Martyn, younger brother of Mark Campbell, ball-winning skipper of Auchinleck Talbot’s winning side in last season’s Scottish Junior Cup triumph over Musselburgh Athletic, is refusing to dream of going all the way to this season’s finale.

He added: "I’ve not came up against Beith since returning to the Juniors but I know Andy Reid and their goalkeeper Stevie Grindley from their Ayr United days and if that’s an indication of the quality in their dressing room then we are facing a tough double header that could go either way.”

On the transfer list comes word of Neilston fixing up ex-Beith frontman Stevie Dymock who was on the books with Blantyre Vics and Castle Park boss Murdie McKinnon has reunited himself with his former Ashfield midfielder Dougie Mackay after brokering a transfer deal with Shotts Bon Accord.