AARON Connolly is determined to fulfil a dream by firing Glenafton to victory tomorrow afternoon to ensure this season's Scottish Junior Cup final is an all-Ayrshire affair.

That prospect might be said to be pre-ordained as the 74-year-old New Cumnock outfit make a habit of contesting Land O'Burns finales, having come up against Irvine Meadow in 1963, Auchinleck Talbot in 1992 and Largs Thistle in 1994 out of their four previous final appearances.

The Glens' top marksman - Connolly has 19 strikes against his name to date this season - looks a certain starter as he and his team-mates bid to overcome a 2-1 first leg deficit when last-four opponents Camelon come to the Ayrshire heartlands for what is sure to be an intense and atmospheric Loch Park showdown.

Nobody can deny the 22-year-old has enjoyed an impressive campaign with a revamped Glenafton team.

It was rebuilt almost from scratch by Tommy Bryce when the experienced gaffer was left with just three players as he took up the reins in the close season after the departure of gaffer Darren Henderson to Hurlford United.

Connolly was, ironically, on Hurlford's books when Hendo arrived, but quickly found himself deemed surplus to requirements as the new boss brought in released Ayr United hitman Stewart Kean and his ex-Glens strikeforce of John Dempster and Ross Robertson.

Connolly headed the other way with Scott Adam. The duo have had contrasting fortunes, Adam's season blighted by a knee injury while the Cambuslang-based goal ace has become a Bryce first pick and played more games than any other Glens player this term.

But it still rankles that he was dumped by Hurlford, whom he played for in last season's Evening Times Cup final defeat by Auchinleck Talbot, so Connolly admits he has his sights on a day of reckoning with his old club on the biggest stage of all - this season's Scottish Junior Cup final.

He revealed: "Coming to the Glens has been a great move for me so far and it would be the icing on the cake to help the club get to the final.

"And going all the way would be a fitting reward for the gaffer Tommy, who placed his faith in myself and has developed my game along with that of all the other newcomers.

"Ultimately, as long as Glenafton are there then it wouldn't really matter who is the opposition, but from a personal level I would relish the opportunity to prove a point to certain people at Hurlford.

"Getting to the final firstly requires us to get past Camelon, who will undoubtedly fancy their own chances after coming out on top in last week's first game. But I would like to think they will see a different Glens side tomorrow.

"We gave a disappointing performance, not helped by adverse weather conditions and a greasy playing surface, and I have no hesitation in saying there is much better to come from every Glens player, particularly playing at home and backed to the hilt by our own supporters.

"Semi-finals are a horrible place to be if you are on the losing side so it is vital that we play to our best on the day."

Bryce has some tough selection choices on the attacking front after leaving experienced frontman Alain Kinney on the bench last weekend and starting with Connolly partnered by ex-Auchinleck Talbot striker Michael Reilly.

T HE smart money is on Kinney to return to the fray and lend his physical presence to the lighter-weight skills of Connolly and young midfield prospect Cameron Marlow, but Bryce was not showing his hand today.

He said: "There was little to choose between the teams last week and I don't expect things to be any different this time around so giving their defence something new to handle might be the right thing."

Also hoping for the nod is versatile midfielder Stevie Miller, sidelined for the past three months through injury and suspension.

Miller said: "I came back into the picture as a substitute in our quarter-final first game against Cumnock, but Tommy plumped for other options in the replay and against Camelon last week, so I just have to bide my time and grab my chance when it comes.

"This is a big occasion for Glenafton and I'm no different to any other player in wanting to be part of it, but I need to earn the right by what I do out on the pitch."