BLANTYRE Vics face-off against their Irvine counterparts today determined to wipe out the memory of a 5-0 thrashing the last time the sides clashed at Victoria Park.

Gaffer Davie Greig was left reeling by the Evening Times Champions Cup mauling in last May's battle of the Vics.

And the result has been a festering wound ever since for Greggy and No.2 Scott Mills, who celebrated two years at the Castle Park helm last weekend.

Both men are adamant the scoreline flattered the Ayrshire side.

Now Davie has revealed the last words he will say to his players before they run out on to the pitch today will be: "Prove me right."

He declared: "It's no exaggeration to say we played with a lot of confidence on our last trip to Irvine and looked the more likely of the two teams for fully 25 minutes.

"But we came undone at the seams when a defensive blunder led to their opening goal and Irvine Vics then punished us with some finishing of the highest order.

"The display was unacceptable and so unlike us. If the real Blantyre Vics turn up this time then I feel confident in predicting we will show ourselves to be better than 5-0 losers."

Greig is considering freshening up things on the team front ahead of a defining few weeks for him and his players.

Next weekend they face a trip to West Lothian to face Bathgate Thistle in a Scottish Junior Cup second-round tie, followed by the showpiece

Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup Final against Cumbernauld United.

Kyle Lochhead and Billy Davies - son of the former Motherwell, Derby and

Nottingham Forest manager - are in line for starting places after impressive performances in a 1-0 midweek friendly defeat by Clydebank.

However, today's game comes too early for Graeme Goodall, who is still battling back to full fitness from a hamstring strain.

One of Greig's counterparts in the Irvine camp, Ian McMillan, reckons his players need a rub of the green to avoid becoming the fall guys. He said: "We are playing well both individually and as a team, yet results have just not been going our way recently.

"There's no panic on the part of Stevie Wilson or myself, and the players themselves are not downbeat. The trick is to keep playing to the levels we have been and see if things turn around.

"The Blantyre game is one we are looking forward to as it gives everyone a break from chasing league points and we are anticipating a much tighter scoreline this time around, although hopefully still in our favour."

Yet another attractive tie sees last season's beaten New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup finalists Neilston heading through to try and take the scalp of higher-league Shotts Bon

Accord, themselves desperate to halt a run of three league defeats on the spin.

Teenage striker Salim Kouider, on loan from Queen of the South, could figure as a Shotts starter. However, injury doubts hang over the availability of both Anton McDowell and Dougie Mackay.

Also looking to take a morale boost from a West Cup triumph are another Super Premier struggler, Clydebank, who are on the road to meet Craigmark - thrashed 10-0 by Kilwinning Rangers as recently as last weekend.

Bankies supporters have had little to cheer about of late, with only one win in their last seven outings.

However, Budgie McGhie's side, which may include a new signing in the shape of Kilbirnie Ladeside's transfer-listed midfielder Matty Bennett, are looking a good bet to pick up another win bonus.

A tougher test awaits Cumbernauld United, looking to get back on the rails after a disappointing 3-1 Super First Division reverse at home to Yoker last weekend.

United host a resurgent Lesmahagow, and one cannot help but feel John Queen's men will need to rediscover the form that has taken them into the forthcoming Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup Final if they want to keep alive dreams of West Cup glory.

However, their cause is not helped by injuries ruling out Chris Zok, Simon Eeles and Gary Gibson, although there is every chance of James Steele retuning to the fray.

SATURDAY'S FIXTURES

(Kick-offs 2pm)

New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup. First round: Benburb v Girvan, Johnstone Burgh v Dunipace, St Anthony's v Vale of Clyde, Beith v Carluke, East Kilbride v Vale of Leven, Muirkirk v Hurlford, Craigmark v Clydebank, Lanark v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Saltcoats v Largs, Annbank v Rossvale, Irvine Vics v Blantyre Vics, Troon v Kilsyth, Dalry v Shettleston, Royal Albert v Maryhill, Perthshire v Glencairn, Wishaw v Forth, Ardeer v Rob Roy, Ardrossan v Lugar, Petershill v Cambuslang, Shotts v Neilston, Arthurlie v Newmains, Auchinleck v Cumnock, Kello v Whitletts, Irvine Meadow v Port Glasgow, Cumbernauld v Lesmahagow, Darvel v Kilwinning, St Roch's v Glenafton, Yoker v Bellshill, Pollok v Thorniewood, Maybole v Ashfield, Greenock v Renfrew.