Junior boss Chris Strain believes the team that conquers their nerves best will emerge victorious from today’s ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup semi-final between his Kilwinning Rangers side and Beith.

"Both sets of players will be tense because they are entering unfamiliar territory and there will undoubtedly be added pressure as a result of the occasion being something of a local derby clash so the atmosphere on the terracings is likely to be incredible into the bargain," said the 36-year-old gaffer.

"But I’m hoarse from preaching the message to my players of the need to play the team in front of us instead of the occasion.

"If we follow that mantra then I’m fairly confident of doing no worse than keeping the tie alive until we have the advantage of playing at home in next weekend’s second leg.

“Both ourselves and Beith possess top-notch players who have served up some wonderful ETHX Cup performances this season so once the early nerves settle down, I reckon spectators could be in for a classic Cup tie."

Strain never played in a Scottish Junior Cup semi-final during his own otherwise trophy-laden playing career.

However, Beith counterpart Johnny Millar has experienced the penultimate stage on numerous occasions most notably when going on to emerge as a cup winner with Glenafton (1992) and Arthurlie (1998)

The Buffs chief admitted: "Johnny has the edge in that respect for sure, but I've been fortunate to figure in a lot of big games.

"So you can take it as read that my players will be told how I managed my nerves psychologically to see if it helps them measure up.

“What I do know for certain is the form book goes out the window in these occasions so our good record against Beith in recent seasons won’t mean a thing once the referee blows his whistle to get proceedings underway and there’s also the not insignificant factor of the tie being decided over two legs to take into account.

“This scenario is new to both teams, but I don’t imagine it will alter our approach given that we are both attack-minded sides by the very nature of our great strengths in the forward going areas so any neutrals planning to take in the game could be in for a treat.

“My players have taken part in 31 games this season and have scored three or more goals in 21 of them so why should I change things tactically?”

”That said, neither ourselves or Beith will be dominant in all four quarters of the double header and the key is to try and make the most of your time on top.”

Powerful stopper Martyn Campbell and strong running frontman Brian Boylan were both posted missing when Kilwinning ran out 3-0 winners over Ardrossan Winton Rovers last Saturday.

However, Strain revealed their omissions were purely for precautionary reasons.

He said: "Martyn and Bryan could have figured at a push, but we thought it best to give them a further week’s recovery time and I will not hesitate to reinstate them to our starting line-up if I believe it’s the right thing to do.

“But nobody should take their inclusion as a given because I have the very welcome headache of knowing the team played really well against Ardrossan and demonstrated a lot of maturity in the overall display.

“I have a team in mind for today’s game but one or two factors are still running through my head so I won’t be putting names against numbers until much closer to kick off time.”

Looking forward to his first ever Junior semi-final appearance is outstanding Beith winger Darren Christie who pointed out a quirk of coincidence insofar as his direct opponent will be Buffs full back Barry Fleeting .

Christie said: "The furthest I’ve ever went in the Scottish Cup was in 2011 when my Neilston side lost out in the fifth round to Dalry Thistle for whom Barry was at left back so it would be nice to get my own back.

“You can sense everyone connected with Beith is looking forward to the game and the chance to test ourselves against what is a very good Kilwinning team who knocked us out of both cup competitions last season.

“Our dressing room is stronger this time around and now comes the opportunity to prove it by hopefully earning ourselves a lead to take through to Abbey Park next week.”

Bellsdale Park gaffer Millar is delighting to have a full squad to choose from after centre-backs John Sheridan and Kevin McDonald declared themselves fit and ready for the fray.

He said: "Shez and Kev were a bit of a concern this time last week, but thankfully they have both responded to rest and treatment and look like being in their usual places.

“We are expecting a tough time of it as Kilwinning are the only blemish on our home record all season when winning here in the Ardagh Glass Cup.

"However they won’t find my players quite as easy to turn over if we go about our business in the right manner.

“Chris Strain has built a side who play a very high pressing game and I like their good energy about the pitch but I’d like to think we have players capable of hurting them defensively when we are on the ball.

“ A cracking game is in prospect with both teams liking to get the ball forward quickly and having so many quality front men on show indicates there will be goals to whet the appetites of supporters though I just hope our fans are given the most to cheer about.”

Playing today: (Kick-offs 2pm unless stated): ETHXenergy Scottish Junior Cup Semi-Finals.First Leg (2.30pm).

Beith v Kilwinning Rangers, Hurlford Utd v Pollok.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division.

Irvine Meadow v Kilbirnie Ladeside,Auchinleck Talbot v Petershill, Rob Roy v Shettleston, Glenafton v Arthurlie.

McBookie.com Super First Division.

Bellshill Athletic v Shotts Bon Accord , Yoker Athletic v Largs Thistle, Blantyre Vics v Cumnock, Rutherglen Glencairn v Clydebank, Maybole v Kisyth Rangers , Cumbernauld Utd v v Ardrossan Winton Rovers. McBookie.com Central First Division

St Roch's v Dunipace, Vale of Clyde v St Anthony's, Larkhall Thistle v Maryhill, Johnstone Burgh v Rossvale, Thorniewood Utd v Wishaw, Lesmahagow v Carluke Rovers, Neilston v Renfrew.

McBookie.com Central Second Division.

Newmains Utd v Glasgow Perthshire, Ashfield v Lanark Utd, Port Glasgow v Royal Albert, Forth Wanderers v East Kilbride Thistle, Gartcairn v Vale of Leven, Cambuslang Rangers v Benburb.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League.

Whitletts Vics v Craigmark, Lugar Boswell v Ardeer Thistle, Darvel v Muirkirk , Kello Rovers v Annbank Utd, Dalry Thistle v Saltcoats Vics, Irvine Vics v Girvan.