CRAIG McEWAN is confident his Glenafton side can continue to silence their doubters today despite going up against the team he calls “the benchmark for Junior football.”

The New Cumnock outfit sitting second top of the Super Premier Division pile on the back of cobbling together an impressive unbeaten run in three league starts to date are preparing to host the visit of reigning champions Auchinleck Talbot in what has the makings of an anything but neighbourly affair.

The rivalry between the clubs is never less than intense and former full-back Southy is urging his playing charges to dish up a few more lashings of despair to a Talbot side no longer with an involvement in the lucrative William Hill Scottish Cup after being soundly beaten 3-0 by Beith last weekend.

But even though the Glens are flying after an emphatic 3-0 victory of their own…away to Kilbirnie Ladeside…Southy knows to expect a testing examination of his side’s early season title credentials from their fired up visitors.

He insisted: “Talbot will be akin to a wounded animal and will be at their most dangerous in looking to atone for the cup upset so we need to be strong and committed as a team to meet their challenge.

“Even when not hurting, Talbot are what they are because Tommy Sloan demands that his players never give opponents a moment’s peace and we can expect them to be in our faces from the first whistle trying to prevent us playing our normal game.

“That tactical ploy has been highly successful for as long as I can remember and has achieved silverware rewards down through the years which has Talbot envied by each and every club in the Junior game.

“Some people have questioned whether the Beith defeat is a sign of Tucker’s team being on the wane but to my mind that can only be answered next May when the trophies are being handed out.

“Performances up to now have shown my players can play to a decent standard but we have been found wanting when it comes to playing ugly tomorrow’s game is a case in point as I cannot see it being one for the purists.

“If it’s anything like the Ardagh Glass Cup tie with Auchinleck then the 90 minutes is going to be highly competitive and this is our chance to show we have that quality in abundance.”

The Glens gaffer’s delight with his side’s defensive organisation...only one goal conceded in 270 minutes…has him believing the foundation is there to kick on.

He added: “If you don’t lose goals then you don’t lose games and Talbot are the masters of eking out 1-0 wins when not playing well and we must strive to emulate their ways.

“Being tight as a drum defensively has contributed in no small way to our good start and there’s no doubt we have given ourselves a template that is sure to stand us in good stead for our Super Premier campaign where what you might term ‘easy games’ are nowhere to be seen.

“We also face tough Scottish Junior Cup tester away to Broxburn Athletic but on the upside I have to report the mood in the camp and the spirit of the players is as good as I have known in my time here and that’s a sign of the players being confident.

“Ryan Borris has looked the part since arriving from Hurlford United while Connor Lynas, ex-Clyde and Petershill, has also shown himself to be a very skilful winger type and a special mention is due to youngster Andy Hunter who hasn’t put a foot wrong since arriving from Bonnyton Boys Under 21s.

Disappointed at being unable to take part in the Loch Park showdown is Talbot skipper James Latta, currently sidelined with a damaged shoulder ligament which even at this early stage bis threatening his participation in next month’s Ardagh Glass Cup Final tilt against Kilbirnie.

The Bot skipper insisted: “Glenafton always make it hard for us down at New Cumnock but our record is good in head to heads and I fancy the guys can do what’s necessary to pick up the points.

“It was an evenly matched game in the 1-1 Ardagh Glass meeting but we had a number of new signings just finding their feet that day who should be better prepared now that that have acquired some game time.”

In other top flight matches, Hurlford United welcome back towering striker John Gemmell from suspension for the Blair Park clash with Kilbirnie…the opponents when he picked up a three-game ban for an alleged stamping offence.

Top-scoring hitman Gemmell’s return could see Ryan Donnelly shunted out wide as cover for the injured Stuart McColm.

Arthurlie defensive cornerstone Gavin Rushford has copped an automatic ban for last weekend’s sending off against Kilwinning Rangers and will be posted missing (most likely replaced by Mark Blakey) for the visit of a Cumnock side boosted by the return from suspension of top scorer Scott Anson and seeking a morale-boosting victory ahead of their stiff Scottish Junior Cup first round tie against manager John McKeown’s former team Wishaw.

TODAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm)

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

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

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

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

McBookie.com Ayrshire District League: Maybole v Whitletts Vics, Annbank Utd v Saltcoats Vics, Dalry Thistle v Ardrossan Winton Rovers.