DARREN HENDERSON is the first to concede the pressure is mounting on his Hurlford United side as they look to get their season back on track when Arthurlie visit Blair Park for a vital Super Premier Division contest today.

The Ayrshire outfit had looked ominously strong early season but have come crashing off the rails recently on the back of chalking up only one victory (the 1-0 Ardagh Glass Cup quarter-final defeat of Largs Thistle) in their last five outings much to the dismay of hard-working gaffer Hendo.

He has already put Hurlford’s latest reverse in going down 1-0 against Glenafton in a midweek Ardagh semi-final clash to the back of his mind and is urging his players to get over their disappointment and train their sights on picking up their first league points of the season against the Barrhead visitors.

Last night he insisted: “Losing to the Glens by a solitary goal is no indication of a dip in form and neither it has to be said is our Super Premier statistics up to now showing we have nothing from a possible six points to date.

“Ours was always going to be a tough opener against a strong Beith side when we again went down to a single goal while our performance away to Auchinleck Talbot last Saturday was probably the best 60 minutes we’ve played as a team…even though we had the handicap of being reduced to 10 men with just 12 minutes on the clock.

“Paul McKenzie coming off with a knee problem just after the hour mark forced us to change our shape and we duly conceded two goals inside a minute before we’d reorganised ourselves properly.

“There was no way back after that and it’s galling to think Alan Jenkins was the stand-out player afield by the proverbial country mile yet he ended up on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline.”

Skilful ace McKenzie recovered in time to face Glenafton and should be patrolling his normal flank beat today, however Henderson has no shortage of injury concerns with bustling frontman Ross Robertson nursing a hamstring strain while centre-back namesake Chris Robertson is rated doubtful at best.

Hendo admitted: “I’m probably paying the price for attempting to get by with the smallest playing squad amongst the Super Premier clubs and I may well have to try and tie up another couple of loan signings.

“Sam Lidington whom we brought in from Stranraer is only 20 years of age yet has been an absolute revelation so we have to be on the look out to see if there’s any more of his ilk out there.

“On the bright side, Ross Fisher is available again after serving a two-game ban and Craig Milloy is also back in the fray and their freshness will provide a welcome boost against what I’m hearing is a vastly-improved Arthurlie side.

“Our long term aim is to be challenging at the other end of the table but right now we have to think of nothing other than getting our first points on the board.”

Midweek conquerors Glenafton are on big Scottish Cup business today in hosting the visit of far travelled Golspie Sutherland in a Preliminary second round tie and Craig McEwan’s men are strongly fancied – as are fellow West Region representatives Girvan against St Cuthberts Wanderers to secure their places in the First Round proper which brings Highland League and Lowland League clubs into the mix.

Midfielder Cammy Marlow is a definite non-starter for the Glens while Ally Park and Joe Andrew will face late fitness tests, however the Ayrshiremen have enough in their locker to get over this hurdle even if all three players are posted missing.

In other news, Auchinleck Talbot, left without a competitive game today, have arranged a Beechwood Park friendly match against Annbank United (kick-off 2pm).

Further ahead comes word of Maryhill and Irvine Meadow agreeing to bring their Scottish Junior Cup first round clash forward to Friday, September 22, with the intention of playing the tie under the Lochburn Park floodlights (kick-off 7pm).

TODAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm)

McBookie.com Super Premier Division: Hurlford Utd v Arthurlie, Clydebank v Beith, Kilwinning Rangers v Pollok, Rob Roy v Kilbirnie Ladeside.

McBookie.com Super First Division: Darvel v Cumbernauld Utd, Shettleston v Maryhill, Renfrew v Kello Rovers, Petershill v Irvine Meadow, Kilsyth Rangers v Larkhall Thistle, Cambuslang Rangers v Rutherglen Glencairn, Largs Thistle v Troon.

McBookie.com Central First Division: Neilston v Yoker Athletic, St Roch's v Blantyre Vics, East Kilbride Thistle v Greenock, Glasgow Perthshire v Rossvale, Thorniewood Utd v Port Glasgow, Shotts Bon Accord v Benburb, Lesmahagow v Wishaw.

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

McBookie.com Ayrshire District Division: Ardeer Thistle v Craigmark, Ardrossan Winton Rovers v Lugar Boswell, Muirkirk v Dalry Thistle, Irvine Vics v Maybole, Saltcoats Vics v Whitletts Vics.