THE art of winning Scottish Junior Cup ties has forever been linked with the ability to play to your best on the day so with his side’s fourth-round clash with Renfrew just a matter of days away, Greenock manager Stevie Mooney has good cause to be hoping the time-honoured theory is still holding true.

He and long standing No.2 Stevie Dallas were among the New Western Park terracing throng watching on as the Frew extended their unbeaten run to five games last weekend with a 1-0 victory over Girvan and the seasoned duo came away with a greater regard of their last 32 opponents.

“Renfrew have improved by leaps and bounds since we beat them in the Sectional League Cup earlier this season and we’re going to need every player at the very top of their game to get the job done,” admitted Mooney.

“They’ve grown in confidence on the back of their good run and are playing with an aggression and workrate that makes for a very tricky tie but if our guys are in the mood then I still believe we are in with a chance of causing an upset.

“Girvan played two physically imposing strikers but got very little change out of Renfrew’s central defenders, however I’ll be most disappointed if we don’t ask a few more questions of them.

When asked to pinpoint the Renfrew players to catch his eye, Mooney said: “The former Johnstone Burgh midfielder Sean Fitzharris stood out as the guy who makes them tick when he gets on the ball.

“And the striking partnership of Chris Zok and Scott Morton posed a constant danger with Zok reminding me of Dallas with his willingness to show for the ball and win his share of head flicks while Morton’s great turn of pace allowed him to get in behind Girvan’s defenders at will and on another day he could have been on the scoresheet.

“Their quite different playing styles makes curbing their threat difficult but certainly not impossible.”

The Greenock gaffer has not fielded the same team in consecutive matches all season and he is yet again set to ring the changes for Saturday’s crunch clash with new signing Willie Easton, formerly of Pollok and Rob Roy, set for a starting jersey along with lively frontman Jasper Donnelly who has been posted missing due to offshore working commitments.

Mooney revealed: “Morton prospect John Mitchell is available as his loan deal does not expire until the end of this month and we are also hoping to have Alan Williams back in the frame to replace Barry McLaughlin who has decided to quit the Junior game.

“He’s about to undergo surgery on a hip problem and is opting to have an easier time of it playing with his mates at amateur level.”

Renfrew have selection woes of their own with Paddy O’Keefe looking a definite non-starter, however former Rob Roy and Bellshill Athletic striker Morton has declared himself fit for the fray despite taking a few heavy knocks against Girvan.

The 24-year-old said: “The team is playing well and creating plenty of openings so it’s up to Chris and myself to get on the end of things in and around the penalty area.

“We didn’t have any joy in front of goal against Girvan so hopefully our luck takes a turn for the better in the Scottish.”

Benburb, the other Central First Division survivor in the Scottish Cup last 32 have landed a tough away game of their own in heading East to face a Dunbar United side who boast an impressive home record and currently sit third top of the South Division.

Ryan McCrone was on target as the Bens drew 1-1 at home to Vale of Clyde last Saturday and one cannot help but think a vastly improved display will be required if Paul Lovering’s men are to prevail through at New Countess Park.

Not making the trip with the Govan side is 23-year-old goalkeeper Ryan Mailey who has been released at his own request and is hopeful of staying in the Junior game with interested clubs asked to contact him on 07948292251.

Meanwhile, feted ex-Senior striker Keigan Parker who had reputedly been in the frame for the vacant managerial post at Shettleston has signed as a player for Thorniewood United in the wake of his former Junior club appointing John Fallon as their new team manager.