CUMBERNAULD United manager John Queen has resigned his Guys Meadow post following the weekend 4-0 defeat at home to Yoker Athletic.

Scoring braces by Whe Ho pair Ryan Hynes and Richard Henry proved to be the last straw for the popular Queeny who pulled his United playing charges together in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s game to say he was bringing down the curtain on a seven-year tenure as United manager.

But earlier today was at pains to stress his quit decision was not made on the spur of the moment and had little to do with the disappointment felt over the manner of his side’s defeat at the hands of their Super First Division rivals.

He revealed: “For some time now I’ve had a major headache with trying to balance my football commitments with the working circumstances involved in trying to get my own business off the ground.

“Time constraints affect your capability to do the two jobs to the best of your abilities and I probably should have walked away at the end of last season, but George Watson persuaded me to keep going against my better judgement and on hindsight that was probably the wrong call to make .

“But if truth be told he didn’t need to twist my arm too much because everything about Guys Meadow is fantastic and I just love working here alongside so many good people.

“My time here has resulted in a modicum of success but now it feels like my shelf life has expired and I think this is the right time to go and let a fresh face come in with renewed enthusiasm to get the best out of the players.

“Calling it quits wasn’t an easy decision to make and part of me wants to phone up George and say I’’ll be back but deep down it’s best for Cumbernauld United and John Queen if we have this sad but necessary parting of the ways.”

One-time Partick Thistle and Dundee forward George Shaw (Queeny’s No.2) may l be tasked with looking after team affairs while club president Watson and his officials get on with the job of unearthing a successor for the most successful United team boss in decades.

Watson who has set the wheels in motion by inviting would be applicants to contact him on 07977497605 or by e-mail to george.watson@paper.co.uk had nothing but praise for his outgoing gaffer whose involvement on the Junior scene goes back all of 28 years to him signing for Vale of Clyde.

He insisted: “It is with deep regret that Cumbernauld United and myself in particular have accepted the resignation of Queeny whose tenure as manager achieved our first silverware success in decades as well as the Central First Division title.

“I know he is heartfelt sorry at not being able to dedicate the required time to take the team forward yet it was also abundantly clear on speaking with him at the weekend that his mind was set on walking away I would be wasting my breath trying to make him see things differently.

“He is going to be sadly missed about the place and I speak for everyone at Cumbernauld United in wishing Queeny and his family every success for the future.”

When asked for his vision of a dugout successor ,Watson admitted , “Time is undoubtedly of the essence but this is not a process that can be rushed as we as a club have to try and ensure that the appointment made will fulfil, short, and long term ambitions.”

Meanwhile, William Hill Scottish Cup adversaries Auchinleck Talbot and Beith have received a massive incentive going into next Saturday’s played to a finish Preliminary Round Two replay at Beechwood Park.

The draw for the First Round proper, made at Edinburgh College yesterday has pitted whoever comes out on top with what appears to be a very winnable tie at home to former Junior outfit Strathspey Thistle, currently occupying bottom spot in the Highland League standings on the back of six defeats in their opening seven fixtures.

At first glance the draw looks relatively kind to all the Junior participants even though Girvan were the only other club to land home advantage in going up against Huntly.

The draw as it affects Junior sides is Turriff Utd v Bonnyrigg Rose, Keith v Banks O’Dee, Auchinleck Talbot/Beith v Strathspey Thistle, Selkirk v Linlithgow Rose, Girvan v Huntly (Ties to be played on Saturday, September 24).

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm)

Scottish Cup Preliminary Round Two Replay: Auchinleck Talbot v Beith.

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Pollok v Hurlford Utd, Kilwinning Rangers v Rob Roy, Cumnock v Largs Thistle, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Glenafton, Troon v Arthurlie.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Girvan v Blantyre Vics, Cumbernauld Utd v Irvine Vics, Clydebank v Yoker Athletic, Maryhill v Shotts Bon Accord, Shettleston v Petershill, Irvine Meadow v Rutherglen Glencairn, Renfrew v Kilsyth Rangers.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Benburb v Thorniewood Utd, Forth Wanderers v Larkhall Thistle, Wishaw v Lesmahagow, Cambuslang Rangers v Bellshill Athletic, Vale of Clyde v Neilston, Johnstone Burgh v Greenock, Rossvale v St Roch's.

McBookie.com Central Second Division: Gartcairn v Lanark Utd, East Kilbride Thistle v Dunipace, Carluke Rovers v Ashfield, Vale of Leven v St Anthony's, Glasgow Perthshire v Port Glasgow, Newmains Utd v Royal Albert.

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Whitletts Vics v Dalry Thistle, Craigmark v Annbank Utd, Muirkirk v Lugar Boswell, Saltcoats Vics v Ardeer Thistle, Kello Rovers v Maybole, Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Darvel, Muirkirk v Dalry Thistle.