QUARTER-FINAL day in the Scottish Junior Cup is one to be circled in the calendar and this season’s competition is no different – albeit the fifth-round meeting of Yoker Athletic and Wishaw is putting the last-eight date with Rob Roy on hold for now.

But the excitement continues to build ahead of Saturday's clash of three clubs from the Land O’Burns –Auchinleck Talbot, Beith and Hurlford United – flying the flag for the West Region against East Region opposition.

Eleven-time winners Auchinleck will continue their pursuit of a record sixth success for gaffer Tommy Sloan by heading up to Tayside to face Carnoustie Panmure and the form book – despite a month without playing a competitive game – points to the Bot progressing into the semi-finals.

An arguably more testing encounter is promised for Super Premier Division strugglers Hurlford away to a Bo’ness United side looking for a third Ayrshire scalp following knockout blows to Kilwinning Rangers and Kilbirnie Ladeside in earlier rounds.

But having a core of his 2014 Cup-winning side on the Blair Park books allows United gaffer Darren Henderson to set out his stall to play things tight and nobody should bet against his charges running out winners at Newtown Park for the second time this season after Hurlford triumphed 2-0 in a pre-season friendly.

Meanwhile, expectations are weighing heavily on the shoulders of Beith’s players, rated strong favourites by bookmakers to make home advantage tell and edge closer to a second Junior Cup success in three seasons when hosting Lochee United.

Concern over his side’s lack of game time led to Mighty gaffer Johnny Millar arranging a friendly outing against Ardrossan Winton Rovers last weekend and he was pleased to come away injury-free and with a 4-2 victory thanks to goals from Keir Milliken, Ross McPherson, Darren Christie and skipper John Sheridan.

He said: “We are like every other West Region team in struggling to get any competitive games played so cramming in a few friendly games was our best option to keep the players ticking over. We had faced Irvine Meadow, Renfrew and Cumbernauld United prior to the Winton game.

“The guys are looking good in terms of match fitness and the major bonus is that everyone is available.

“I have every faith in my players being able to mix it with any of the big boys especially here at Bellsdale but the trick is making sure we turn up on the day, play to our abilities and give ourselves the best possible chance of getting through.”

The recent return to Beith of feted striking duo Kenny McLean and Andy Reid gives Millar a veritable array of attacking riches and he readily admits that he is spoilt for choice.

He added: “Milky, Archie and Thomas Collins are playing well and scoring goals into the bargain but I don’t think it is a bad thing for Kenny and Andy to be adding a bit of extra competition for the jerseys.

“We are going to have a lot of fixtures piling up this season if our aim is to stay challenging on every front, and having five strikers of their quality can only be a major boost to our chances.”

PLAYING SATURDAY 17th MARCH 2018: (Kick Offs 2PM unless stated): Scottish Junior Cup Quarter Finals.(2.30PM) Beith v Lochee Utd, Carnoustie Panmure v Auchinleck Talbot, Bo’ness Utd v Hurlford Utd..4th Round.(2.30PM) Yoker Athletic v Wishaw. McBookie.com Super Premier Division.Girvan v Clydebank, Glenafton v Kilwinning Rangers, Arthurlie v Pollok, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Cumnock. McBookie.com Super First Division. Shettleston v Irvine Meadow , Troon v Largs Thistle , Petershill v Larkhall Thistle, Cambuslang Rangers v Maryhill, Kilsyth Rangers v Renfrew, Cumbernauld Utd v Kello Rovers, Darvel v Rutherglen Glencairn.McBookie.com Central First Division. Rossvale v Benburb , Port Glasgow v Forth Wanderers , Blantyre Vics v St Rochs ,East Kilbride Thistle v Lesmahagow, Thorniewood Utd v Greenock, Shotts Bon Accord v Neilston.McBookie.com Central Second Division. Ashfield v Lanark Utd, Royal Albert v St Anthonys, Vale of Clyde v Carluke Rovers, Bellshill Athletic v Dunipace ,Johnstone Burgh v Vale of Leven, ,Gartcairn v Newmains Utd. McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Annbank Utd v Ardeer Thistle, Irvine Vics v Dalry Thistle, Lugar Boswell v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Craigmark v Whitletts Vics, Muirkirk v Saltcoats Vics .