THE ability to dig deep in trying times is characteristic of all top teams as Glenafton and Girvan will be going all out to prove when they lock horns at Loch Park in the Evening Times Champions Cup tonight.

Cheers and roars of appreciation are set to greet the newly-crowned Scottish Junior Cup kingpins running out in front of their own supporters for the first time since Sunday’s momentous 2-1 cup final victory over rivals Auchinleck Talbot.

And the prospect of Super Premier Division title winners Glenafton and Super First Division champions Girvan being officially presented with their league trophy prizes on the night will only add to the celebratory mood permeating through both camps.

A party atmosphere is just about guaranteed according to Girvan team boss Peter Leonard not least because his playing charges are coming into the semi-final clash on the back of a long weekend spent in Benalmadena.

He admitted: “The end of season jaunt to Spain has become an annual occurrence with the players and was arranged long before we got over the line to qualify for the Evening Times competition.

“Our entire playing squad made the trip on Friday morning while I stayed at home, however not surprisingly the guys did their best to make me feel a part of things with a number of 2am telephone calls.

“Their flying back late on Monday night means we will go straight into the game against Glenafton without preparations of any sort so I’m hoping Craig McEwan and his players have spent the last 72 hours toasting their marvellous cup win.”

Leonard insists his players will not be overawed by facing the West Region kingpins after running out 1-0 winners when the sides met in an Ayrshire Cup tie at Hamilton Park early last month.

He added: “The Glens will be an entirely different proposition playing in front of their own fans and neither do I expect them to start without a few of their star turns like they did at our place.

“But if we can raise our game again and cause them similar problems as last time then another tight game could be on the cards.”

Glens gaffer McEwan’s appetite for silverware appears not to have been sated by his side’s League and Cup double going by his determination to come out on top tonight and book a final date against Glasgow Perthshire.

He said: “Girvan winning back-to-back titles is a fantastic achievement and we will show our respect by applauding them onto the park tonight.

“But that’s when the niceties have to stop because I want my players to give their all and keep alive dreams of a trophy treble.

“We’ll hold a roll call to see what players are up for the game but there are likely to be enforced changes given that Ally Park is on holiday while Craig Menzies has earned a rest after playing as one of our walking wounded for the past few weeks.

“Those guys who didn’t feature against Auchinleck will all be given the opportunity to prove their worth and hopefully their desire and drive will do the trick.”

In other cup games taking place, Auchinleck could come up against one of their playing legends when taking to the road to face Kilwinning Rangers in an Ayrshire Cup semi-final contest.

Set to face his former club is ball winning stopper Mark Campbell who recently turned out for the Buffs in their Super Premier play-off victory over Kilsyth Rangers and he is set to be at the heart of their defence tonight instead of younger brother Martin whose picking up a knee injury against Kilsyth has led to the ex-Ayr United centre-back calling time on his playing career.

The other Ayrshire Cup semi-final clash has Cumnock hosting the visit of Beith while back in the city Benburb will seek to get the better of last four opponents Yoker Athletic at New Tinto Park to set up a Central League Cup Final tilt against Petershill this coming Sunday.

TONIGHT'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 7.30pm)

Evening Times Champions Cup semi-final: Glenafton v Girvan.

Central League Cup semi-final: Benburb v Yoker Athletic.

Ayrshire Cup semi-finals: Cumnock v Beith, Kilwinning Rangers v Auchinleck Talbot.