Arthurlie boss Downsy in confident mood despite depleted squad

So says Lie boss Robert Downs, who is patently aware that the Ayrshiremen's management team of Johnny Millar and Stevie Convery, as well as three of their playing charges - Darren Christie, Joe Bradley and Stephen McKeown - are all residents of the Renfrewshire town.

And, for good measure, the visiting ranks also include ex-Arthurlie players Zander Ryan, Marc McShane, Chris Kerr and Gary Wilson.

And the close links continue with Downsy himself having spent two seasons of his playing career with Beith, however he admitted: "It's probably true to say there are going to be a few more well-kent faces in the visiting dressing room, but nothing would give me greater pleasure than to wipe the smiles from those same faces.

"Johnny has already been on the phone trying to wind me up by saying his dugout will get more cheers than mine, but we'll see who gets the biggest acclaim if Arthurlie walk off the park as winners tomorrow afternoon.

"It's only fit and proper if he and the other guys receive respectful acknowledgement for their past playing exploits, but I'll be urging my players to make it anything but a happy return to home soil."

Downsy is hoping his players can rack up a second league win on the spin following last week's last-gasp 2-1 triumph over Cumnock, which boosted the Barrhead side's chances of climbing clear of the relegation basement battle.

He insisted: "This club survived by the skin of its teeth last season by scraping together 24 points and I want to avoid a similar nervy run-in by getting points on the board as early as possible.

"We are under no illusions as points won't be easy to come by against Beith, who are a decent if somewhat inconsistent side, but my players are going into the game in confident mood after last week's result, even though we played a lot worse against Cumnock than we did the previous Saturday when losing out to Penicuik in the Scottish Cup."

The Dunterlie gaffer was remaining upbeat despite owning up to a playing hand weakened by suspension ruling out Gavin Rushford, and striker Chris Dallas looking a non-starter with a debilitating groin strain, while doubts remain over the availability of injured pair Alan Muir and Danny Burns.

He added: "Yes it would be great to have a full squad to choose from, but the demands of the modern game mean very few team managers have that luxury nowadays.

"What pleases me is the training sessions put in by the rest of the squad this past week - probably the best since Stevie Aitchison and I came on board - and I would like the players to derive a reward for their hard work."

Elsewhere in the Super Premier stakes, table-toppers Irvine Meadow, ominously being closed down with every passing week by the chasing pack, can expect a tough encounter away to Troon, themselves desperate for points to all but nail their safety from the relegation dogfight.

Reigning champions and current second-top Auchinleck Talbot are also on the road, heading to Springburn to face third-placed Petershill in what has all the makings of a youthful locking of horns.

BOT gaffer Tommy Sloan is unlikely to make too many changes to his line-up that ran out impressive 4-1 Dyslexia Scotland Junior Cup winners over Shettleston last week, so same again starting places for Willie Boyd and Lee Cochrane could see them pitted against Peasy's very own midfield starlets Kieran Daw and Jordan Kennedy.

And another intriguing sideshow has the Glasgow club's new striking sensation Michael Daly looking to continue his hot scoring streak against the Super Premier's meanest backline.

Relegation-threatened Cumnock await the visit to Townhead Park of currently two points better off Kilbirnie Ladeside in what has the makings of a "must-win" clash for both clubs.

Points are every bit as vital for the Tam McDonald-steered Shotts Bon Accord, who have set their sights on winning back-to-back league games for the first time this season when taking on Glenafton Athletic at Hannah Park.