SATURDAY evening’s Scottish Junior Cup second round draw landed Arthurlie with a trip into Ayrshire to meet Kilwinning Rangers and led the astonished Barrhead outfit's manager Stevie Kerrigan’s to say: “You just couldn’t make it up.”

And his incredulity is well-founded seeing as this pairing of the Super Premier Division rivals means Kegs and his playing charges are facing up to the prospect of back-to-back Abbey Park visits … as they are also scheduled to meet the Buffs in a New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup opener just seven days previously.

The team boss revealed: “This bizarre twist of fate that has set the teams on a collision course is horrible for both clubs and I simply couldn’t believe it when our names were read out together.

“My immediate thought was to consider ways of keeping one or two players in reserve for the Scottish but both cup competitions are massive for Kilwinning and ourselves so we have to hold nothing back and go for it.

“Having our clubs facing each other is arguably the pick of the 64 ties pulled from the hat and is not one I’d have chosen for obvious reasons but it is what it is and we’ll prepare for both games accordingly when the time is right.”

“We’ve yet to face Kilwinning this season after their promotion into the top league, however they appear to be finding their feet after a slow start and we can expect a tough couple of cup contests down there.”

Arthurlie’s prelude to their cup double-header is an every bit as daunting clash away to bitter rivals Pollok on Saturday, but Kerrigan thinks the derby head-to-head is the best possible preparation for his Lie players.

He added: “If you’re an Arthurlie player and cannot get yourself up for the coming three-week programme of games then you really shouldn’t be playing football.

“There is no such thing as an easy 90 minutes in the Super Premier but to overcome Pollok would be special if it provides a massive confidence lift for all our players.

“We’ve made a decent start but nobody would have imagined Arthurlie sitting third in the table and enjoying a five-point lead over our biggest rivals at this stage of the season.

“There’s a great feeling about our club right now and we have it in us to make it continue for a longer time.”

Yet another top-rated Scottish tie has Clydebank heading through East to face Linlithgow Rose in a tie that is set to be delayed for at least a week because Linlithgow are earmarked to play Stirling Albion in a William Hill Scottish Cup tie.

Another week suits Bankies boss Budgie McGhie who is desperately hoping for an end to the shot-shy ways that has seen his side score just two goals in their last three Super First Division outings.

He said: “The goals have all but dried up recently and it’s very frustrating to be playing a whole lot better than our results are showing.

“ We even opted to go with three forwards, Jordan Shelvey, Joel Kasabundi and Nikky Little against Blantyre Vics at the weekend but still drew a blank, however there’s nothing for it other than to keep plugging away until the goals start coming again.

“Mark Burbridge missed that game with a virus but hopefully he’ll declare himself fit for facing Girvan this week.”

Among other all-West Region second round clashes to catch the eye in the draw are Central Second Division frontrunners Port Glasgow hosting the visit of Thorniewood United while Vale of Clyde will enjoy their day in the spotlight when reigning cup holders Beith come through to Fullarton Park.

Lanark United await the visit of Neilston while revenge will be in the air when Rutherglen Glencairn take to the road to meet Cumbernauld United who ran out 4-1 winners in a Super First Division encounter just 10 days ago.

SATURDAY FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm unless stated)

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

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

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

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

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

SUNDAY FIXTURE

(Kick-off 2pm)

Ardagh Glass Sectional League Cup Final: Auchinleck Talbot v Kilbirnie Ladeside (Meadow Park).