David Greig believes his young Gartcairn Juniors side’s promotion hopes have been literally dealt a “kick in the teeth" from a horrific facial injury suffered by his midfield playmaker David Hepburn,

The former East Kilbride Amateurs star turn only lasted 12 minutes of the Central Sectional Cup last eight clash with Renfrew on Wednesday night before a high boot caught him full in the face.

That resulted in the 25-year-old being whisked away to hospital where he underwent late-night surgery and 30 plus stitches to repair the damage as well as a splint to hold his two front teeth in place.

Gartcairn went on to give their higher league opponents a fright before exiting the cup on a 6-5 penalty kick shoot-out reverse following a dramatic 2-2 regulation time draw.

However Greig was understandably more focused on Hepburn’s injury woes when taking time out from preparations for hosting the visit of Vale of Leven in a Central Second Division encounter tomorrow.

The team boss said: "It’s no exaggeration to say David has been a revelation since stepping up from the amateur ranks and his string of terrific performances bely the fact he is a first season Junior.

“He’s not alone as a considerable number of our playing squad fall into the same category as we only kept three guys from last season, Mark Tait, Bryan O’Donnell and Kevin Ross, while the sum total of our experienced additions during the summer months is another four players.

“Alex `Noddy`Amos, Michael Williams, big Neil Schoneville and the former Yoker Athletic striker Gary Arbuckle have all come on board with Arbuckle a real feather in our cap as he has the qualities of someone who should be playing at a higher level.

“Myself and two fantastic coaches John Petrie and Willie Kinniburgh have resorted to bringing through the best young players in the Gartcairn Academy such as Jamie Leslie, Aidan Meechan and Jamie Van Nuill while also unearthing the odd gem such as Hepburn who has been top notch since coming to the club and is getting better and better with every game he plays at this level.

“These newcomers to Junior football just enjoy playing football and they possess a great enthusiasm and willingness to learn which is blowing a wind of freshness through our dressing room and bringing out the best in the older heads.

The loss of Hepburn, whom Greig is keeping fingers crossed will only be sidelined for two or weeks, was exacerbated in the Renfrew game when his replacement off the bench, Schoneville limped off with a knee injury just ten minutes after coming on.

The affable gaffer added: “Going out of the Sectional Cup was a sore one to take at the time but on reflection it might be a blessing in disguise as the team is down to the bare bones.

"So the prospect of a semi-final away to maybe Pollok next midweek would have caused me a few sleepless nights .

“The fact that’s not going to be the case allows me to focus more on the more immediate problem of getting a team together to face Vale of Leven which may rely on us cherry-picking from the Academy again.

“The young guys have done us proud up to now with 16-year-old Meechan stepping into the breach after Schoneville’s injury the other night to play out of his skin while I cannot speak highly enough of young Jamie Leslie’s temperament .

“He put his hand up to take our penalty kick during the 90 minutes at Renfrew and his effort was saved yet he had enough about him to pounce on the rebound and take a touch before slotting the ball home to give us a 2-1 lead.

“When it then came to the shoot-out I thought his initial miss might affect him but he put himself forward once more and this time scored with some ease so I reckon he is going to have a big future in the game.”

Gartcairn finished seventh in the Second Division standings last time out however the ever optimistic Greig believes his young troops can make up the seven points deficit that would have seen them win promotion last time.

He said: "This team of ours is going to improve as the season wears on and everyone gets used to playing with team mates and the key for me right now is to make sure Gartcairn stay in the running until then.

“I’ve looked at the other teams in the league and for my money the revamped Ashfield are going to be thereabouts and I also think Bellshill Athletic have a bit about them.

“I had a fancy that Vale of Clyde would be one of the leading contenders so it was an eye opener to see them lose 2-0 against managerless Lanark United last weekend but then maybe it wasn’t such a surprise result given that Lanark only missed out on promotion last season by a single point.

“There’s a lot of jockeying for position going on and we face a tough test against Vale of Leven who kicked off their campaign with an impressive 4-1 victory over St Anthonys so they may be another team to watch .”

On the lookout for a new club is former Shettleston goalkeeper Ryan Mailey who can be contacted on 07948292251.

PLAYING TOMORROW(Kick-offs 2pm):McBookie Com.Super Premier Division. Arthurlie v Rob Roy, Auchinleck Talbot v Hurlford Utd, Beith v Glenafton, Clydebank v Kilwinning Rangers, Cumnock v Pollok, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Girvan.

McBookie Com. Super First Division: Cumbernauld Utd v Renfrew, Kell Rovers v Petershill, Kilsyth Rangers v Largs Thistle, Rutherglen Glencairn v Darvel, Larkhall Thistle v Cambuslang Rangers. Maryhill v Troon.

McBookie Com.Central First Division: Greenock v Yoker Athletic, Blantyre Vics v Glasgow Perthshire,Neilston v Forth Wanderers, Port Glasgow v Benburb, Wishaw v East Kilbride Thistle, Rossvale v Thorniewood Utd, Shotts Bon Accord v Lesmahagow.

McBookie Com.Central Second Division: Bellshill Athletic v Vale of Clyde, Carluke Rovers v Ashfield, Gartcairn v Vale of Leven, Johnstone Burgh v Dunipace, Lanark Utd v Royal Albert, St Anthony's v Newmains Utd.

McBookie Com.Ayrshire District Division: Craigmark v Muirkirk, Dalry Thistle v Annbank Utd, Maybole v Saltcoats Vics, Whitletts Vics v Ardeer Thistle