IT’S a New Year but nobody can say it’s looking like the same old story atop the Super Premier Division pile.

There have only ever been five champions since the former Ayrshire and Central Regions took the 2002 game-changing decision to amalgamate and it has long since become the norm for Pollok (4), Irvine Meadow (3) and Auchinleck Talbot (5)…three teams who between them account for nigh on 86% of these title successes…to have their dominance reflected by multiple title wins.

A number of different teams have come forward to challenge this stranglehold down through the years yet only Kilwinning Rangers (2003) and Beith (2009) have previously managed to stay the course, however a major boost to the format is looking on the cards this season with both current frontrunners Rob Roy and second-placed Glenafton taking on the appearance of 'real deal’ protagonists.

And it follows that a good gauge of the aspirants’ credentials is looming up fast this coming Saturday when Junior football emerges from its self-enforced winter break.

The Rabs have been pitted with a daunting trip into Ayrshire to face last season’s runners-up Hurlford United whose slide into the basement fringes has raised eyebrows and is surely going to be arrested sooner rather than later while it’s every bit as tough an ask for the Glens in making the relative short hop to take on Cumnock who always seem to raise their game against Craig McEwan’s men and remain undefeated in two meetings between the near neighbours this season.

The outcomes of these crunch games involving the leading pair are sure to be eagerly awaited yet hard not to think most West Region eyes will be trained on Newlandsfield where Super Premier powerhouses Pollok and Auchinleck Talbot will be locking horns and going all out to promote their own title hopes.

The clash is seen as a last chance saloon for Pollok, occupying fifth place in the standings and already 10 points adrift of leaders Rob Roy, and the need to have his playing squad in the best state of readiness has prompted team boss Tony McInally to play a friendly match against Rutherglen Glencairn tonight (Toryglen 8pm).

Macca revealed: “We had a run-out intended for last midweek against Ashfield but they cried off on Boxing Day leaving next to no time to fix up alternative opposition so we just crammed in another training session for the guys.

“Overall fitness levels are good but I sense a little game time would help the players hit the ground running after the break and I was also looking at possibly blooding our Pollok Juveniles goalkeeper whom we may be forced to call on because of an injury to our back-up keeper Ben Lawton .

“He injured his arm in the warm up before our last game against Largs Thistle and the initial prognosis is he will be posted missing for six weeks.”

The Lok gaffer who is thought to be on the verge of strengthening moves now that the Senior transfer window is open, went on,

“It’s a tough start back in taking on the reigning champions but I’ve maintained all along there’s no such thing as an easy game in this Division.

“That said, I firmly believe my players are capable of putting together a winning run that can push us firmly into the title reckoning and what better way to start than against the reigning champions.

“Auchinleck knocked us out of the Scottish Cup but the first game here at Newlandsfield could have gone either way so here’s hoping luck is on our side this time.”

It sounds ominous for Pollok and the other title contenders that the festive shutdown has enabled Auchinleck to get back to full strength through the return to fitness of full-backs Gordon Pope and James Latta who both featured in a 2-0 festive friendly win over Ardrossan Winton Rovers.

Bot gaffer Tommy Sloan admitted: “The game served a purpose in providing match fitness for the guys who haven’t been playing regularly as well as getting James and Popey back in action.

“My players have been warned to expect a reaction from the Pollok players for our cup victory over them but we shouldn’t lack for motivation ourselves with three points on offer for the winners.

“It’s arguably the stiffest contest we could have got starting back and only our best will get us through it.”