TONIGHT ushers in the beginning of the 2017/18 Junior season and hard not to believe diehard supporters throughout the West Region will be awaiting the big kick-off with excitement and no little anticipation.

The positivity felt after impressive pre-season friendly performances will have bred confidence ahead of an array of Sectional League Cup openers whose match-ups include a tasty head-to-head between reigning kingpins Glenafton and the team whose throne they assumed with some style last season…Auchinleck Talbot.

It’s very much a case of as you were with Craig McEwan’s men given that midfielder Daniel Orsi (now at Annan Athletic) is the only player from their memorable Scottish Junior Cup triumph over Talbot to have moved away from Loch Park during the close season.

Glens fringe pair Chris Meikle and Blair Lochhead are similarly off to pastures new, however McEwan has arguably strengthened his side with the key additions of former playmaker James McKernon (Queen's Park) and winger Dale Moore (Troon).

By way of contrast, a much-changed Talbot could take the field with as many as seven new summer signings, among them high profile recruits Craig Pettigrew and Sean McIlroy, so a healthy Beechwood Park crowd is expected to be in attendance to see if Tommy Sloan’s side can show themselves capable of wresting power back from their Ayrshire rivals.

Ardagh Glass Cup holders Kilbirnie Ladeside face a testing first defence of their trophy prize when hosting the visit of free-scoring Kilwinning Rangers, while yet another intriguing Ayrshire confrontation has Irvine Meadow, with new gaffer Ross Wilson at the helm, going up against Hurlford United whose powerful displays in back-to- back 4-0 friendly wins over Petershill and Rutherglen Glencairn has marked them as a team to be feared.

Another team to watch in the competitive Ardagh Glass Section Two are last season’s Ayrshire District champions Darvel who await the visit of Irvine Vics, suitably buoyed by the manner of their fourth victory in four pre-season outings last Saturday thanks to Mark Armour (3) and Jamie Henderson scores bringing a 4-0 defeat of Lugar Boswell.

It's understandable if a lot of focus is on the Auchinleck v Glenafton clash, however all eyes through in Central parts are likely to be trained on how Pollok fare in making the short hop to take on St Anthony's at McKenna Park.

Tony McInally’s summer transfer spree that has assembled fully a dozen new signings at Newlandsfield, inclusive of Morton striker Stefan McCluskey as well as erstwhile Auchinleck star turns Bryan Young and Martin McGoldrick, has perked up Southside fans into dreaming of a clean sweep of the Junior honours.

Pulling together one of the strongest playing squads has addressed Lok’s glaring weakness from last time out …no strength in depth and they should comfortably account for the Ants with goals to spare as a prelude to the tougher challenges lying in wait.

In other games, top-flight Clydebank will not have an easy time at Keppoch Park against a much-improved Glasgow Perthshire while the remaining Section Six contest between city rivals Ashfield and Maryhill at Saracen Park could be every bit as close to call.

Larkhall Thistle’s early season form has Dunky Sinclair’s men strongly fancied to come out on top in their opener against Lanark United while shock troops East Kilbride Thistle will be afforded every respect when they head down to take on Blantyre Vics.

Reigning trophy holders Rob Roy play tomorrow night while last season’s beaten finalists Shettleston are thought to be in a bit of disarray ahead of heading out on the road to Bellshill Athletic.

However, even the Town’s much publicised close season woes pale in comparison to that of Kilsyth Rangers, recently wounded by a fire that caused considerable damage to their pavilion and dressing rooms.

Another hammer blow came from highly-rated assistant boss Kevin McBride walking away from the Duncansfield outfit and last night club officials were dealt an eve of season coup de grace when team manager Keith Hogg tendered his resignation.

Hoggy admitted: “It was not an easy decision to make and there’s been no fall out with the people at the club but I just feel Kilsyth Rangers and the players will be better served by bringing in a new man as my heart isn’t in it.

“Losing out on promotion last season has taken a bigger toll than I thought.”

Meanwhile, supporters of Petershill and Thorniewood United heading for Springburn tonight should take heed that the Section Three clash will be played under floodlights with a 7.30pm kick-off.

TONIGHT'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 6.45pm unless stated)

Central Sectional League Cup. Section One: Forth Wanderers v Royal Albert, Lanark Utd v Larkhall Thistle.

Section Two: Carluke Rovers v Wishaw, Newmains Utd v Shotts Bon Accord.

Section Three: Bellshill Athletic v Shettleston, Petershill v Thorniewood Utd (7.30pm).

Section Four: Blantyre Vics v East Kilbride Thistle, Cambuslang Rangers v Vale of Clyde.

Section Five: Benburb v Neilston, St Anthony's v Pollok.

Section Six: Ashfield v Maryhill, Glasgow Perthshire v Clydebank.

Section Seven: Port Glasgow v Vale of Leven, Renfrew v Johnstone Burgh.

Section Eight: Cumbernauld Utd v Kilsyth Rangers.

Ardagh Glass Sectional League Cup. Section One: Dalry Thistle v Beith, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Kilwinning Rangers, Largs Thistle v Ardrossan Winton Rovers.

Section Two: Ardeer Thistle v Saltcoats Vics, Darvel v Irvine Vics, Irvine Meadow v Hurlford Utd.

Section Three: Girvan v Annbank Utd, Maybole v Troon, Whitletts Vics v Craigmark.

Section Four: Auchinleck Talbot v Glenafton, Cumnock v Kello Rovers, Lugar Boswell v Muirkirk.

TOMORROW

(Kick-off 6.45pm)

Central Sectional League Cup. Section Eight: Kirkintilloch Rob Roy v Dunipace.