This season has brought an awakening at famous old Junior clubs Renfrew and Wishaw which looks likely to culminate in one of them being crowned Central First Division champions over the coming weeks.

To once again figure among the honours will be warmly welcomed by long- suffering Frew supporters.

They last tasted success in 2001 when their Mick Dunlop-managed side lifted the Scottish Junior Cup.

Wishaw have experienced an even longer spell in the doldrums considering their last silverware triumphs were in the mid-1960’s.

Now it should be pointed out that both high-flying sides can yet be overhauled – mathematically at least - over their end of season run-ins by chasing pack contenders Maryhill and Rossvale.

However, the smart money reckons one of the current leading pair will be sitting atop the pile when the dust finally settles

A potential moment of truth arrives later today with Renfrew hosting their Lanarkshire rivals in a top-of-the-table showdown at New Western Park which promises to prove decisive in many respects.

Home team co-boss Colin Clark said: "There’s no getting away from the fact today is a massively important game, but it won’t be a Championship decider regardless of who comes out on top.

“That said, matters will certainly be a lot clearer by next Wednesday night when we are scheduled to have completed our fixture list with games against Rossvale on Monday and St Roch's.

“ I cannot help but think that three wins would give us the title but anything less leaves everything up in the air waiting on the other clubs to play their final games and given these circumstances I cannot for the love of me fathom out why there is such a rush to get our particular league programme done and dusted.

“We have fulfilled a very demanding run of seven games in 14 days which has taken its toll on players in the shape of tiredness as well the inevitable muscle pulls and strains which threaten to leave us below strength today with both Paddy O’Keefe and Fraser Barbour struggling to be passed fit.

“But just why we need to have our league campaign finished when all our rivals have games left to play is a definite disadvantage and appears to penalise Renfrew for our pitch being playable throughout the season.”

Clarky believes tired limbs contributed to an out-of-sorts Frew display last midweek in a first league defeat in eight outings through losing 1-0 away to Maryhill.

He said: "It was Maryhill’s very own cup final and they worked hard to take the points on the night but our guys were a pale shadow of themselves so I just hope we can recover some semblance of our energy levels for facing Wishaw.

“The return of Stuart McDonald to our midfield is set to provide a timely boost and we will be looking for another big game performance from Alain Kinney to help get us over the line.

“He has enjoyed a smashing season and his line leading qualities are so vital to our playing style.”

Also looking forward to the crunch locking of First Division horns is Wishaw gaffer Chris McGroarty .

Last night he insisted: "This will be our third meeting with Renfrew in little over five weeks so we know what to expect and will come prepared to meet their challenge head on .

“Everyone in our dressing room was disappointed at dropping two points last Monday in a 1-1 draw with Vale of Clyde but the guys were then lifted by Maryhill getting the better of Renfrew and they are raring to go ahead of tomorrow’s big test even though nothing will be decided regardless of whether we win, lose or draw.

“I took in their Maryhill game myself and came away impressed by Kinney who comes across as a very intelligent striker capable of playing as a target man or dropping deep to link play.

“Curbing his threat will go a long way to us picking up the points however Renfrew have several other decent players capable of causing problems if we let our concentration drop for a second.”

In other games, third-top St Roch's will be minus suspended ace John Sweeney for taking on Larkhall Thistle at the James McGrory Stadium while a make or break contest beckons for the Jim Delaney-steered Maryhill readying themselves for the visit of promotion rivals Rossvale.

An all-out attacking approach is promised by the Bishopbriggs based outfit whose front man Fraser Team is thriving under the tutelage of Brian McGinty and is enjoying a terrific scoring streak of late.

At the other end of the table, Lesmahagow will hope to clamber clear of the drop zone by taking the spoils at home to bottom markers Dunipace who will be officially relegated if they lose out at Craighead Park while yet another basement battle is on the cards at Brig O’Lea where fifth bottom Neilston await the visit of two points worse off Vale of Clyde.

And one cannot help but think the games are fast running out for stricken St Anthony's on the road to face Johnstone Burgh , knowing anything less than a victory is unlikely to preserve their First Division status for next season.

Today's fixtures (kick-offs 2pm)

New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup.Quarter Finals.

Cumnock v Kilwinning Rangers, Beith v Bellshill Athletic, Auchinleck Talbot v Clydebank.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division.

Rob Roy v Arthurlie, Petershill v Troon, Glenafton v Kilbirnie Ladeside , Hurlford Utd v Shettleston.

McBookie.com Super First Division.

Kilsyth Rangers v Blantyre Vics, Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Shotts Bon Accord.McBookie.com Central First Division

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

McBookie.com Central Second Division.

Newmains Utd v Cambuslang Rangers, Royal Albert v Port Glasgow , Forth Wanderers v East Kilbride Thistle, Gartcairn v Benburb..McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Dalry Thistle v Girvan, Irvine Vics v Annbank Utd.

Euroscot Central League Cup. Second Round.

Greenock v Lanark Utd (at McKenna Park),Vale of Leven v Cumbernauld Utd, Carluke Rovers v Pollok.

Ayrshire Cup.First Round.

Craigmark v Largs Thistle.

Second Round. Saltcoats Vics v Maybole.