Maryhill's promising start to the season has been clouded by a shock transfer request from goalkeeper Jack Baker.

The Liverpool-born 24-year-old - who previously played for Rob Roy - has been regularly touted by Hill team boss Brian Heron as one of the best shotstoppers in the Junior game, yet he could be heading for the Lochburn Park exit gates after club officials agreed to listen to offers for him.

Heron, who is preparing for tomorrow's journey to meet Dunipace in what is arguably the Central First Division's game of the day, said: "Jack and I had a disagreement after he was sent off in our Sectional League Cup defeat by Glasgow Perthshire and the upshot is he wants away.

"It's disappointing. Initially I was not keen on losing him but the suspension that ruled him out of our opening league match against Bellshill Athletic last weekend opened the door for Grant Hay, formerly of East Stirling, to put in a confident display.

"Grant has put pen to paper and we are not struggling for cover, so the likelihood is Jack will be moving on - although I would have much preferred to keep both lads on board and vying for the jersey."

Towering No.1 Baker said: "Maryhill and Brian have been good for me but I now need a new challenge."

Andy Monaghan and Max Asante goals helped Maryhill get their league campaign away to a dream start with a 2-1 victory over Bellshill and Heron believes only another top display will suffice if his players are to glean anything out of their visit to Denny.

He said: "Dunipace are one of the better First Division sides and have an experienced hitman in Gary Espener who just keeps banging in the goals. We will need to keep tabs on him."

Elsewhere, Arthurlie have reacted with dignity to the furore caused by the postponement of last Wednesday's Euroscot Eng semi-final clash between Wishaw and Blantyre Vics by confirming they had erred in submitting a protest over their 2-1 quarter-final defeat by Vics.

A club statement said: "After the game our secretary identified that one of the substitutes listed by Blantyre Victoria was not signed and it was believed at the time that he had come on as a substitute during the second half of the game so a decision was taken to submit a protest to the West Region of the SJFA.

"It was subsequently discovered the player did not come on during the match and, as soon as this was identified, immediate contact was made with West Region officials

informing them of our wish to withdraw the protest.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and Arthurlie would like to wish Blantyre Victoria all the best for their semi-final tie and for the season ahead."

Their candour and show of contrition is unlikely to let the Barrhead club off the hook when West Region officials convene on Tuesday to discuss a monthly meeting agenda which is set to include the protest which has disrupted the Euroscot Eng sponsored early-season competition.

The onset of darker nights precludes the possibility of Wishaw hosting the visit of Blantyre on a midweek date so the likelihood is West Region secretary Scott Robertson will set aside a Saturday for the last-four contest to decide who faces Cumbernauld United in this season's final.

Both semi-finalists are in Central First Division league action tomorrow with Blantyre given a shot in the arm by the return to playing action of experienced quartet Davie Green, Fraser Malcolm, Ryan McGarry and Davie Kirkwood for the short hop to meet

another of their Lanarkshire rivals, Larkhall Thistle.

Vics gaffer David Greig said: "All this protest stuff going on in the background has made it difficult for the players to focus on tomorrow's game. I hope we don't suffer any reaction.

"Having the guys back to strengthen our playing hand is a timely boost as it allows

another week for Craig Smith to rest up the niggling hamstring strain which has beset his season up to now.

"He is desperate to play but we'll let our physios have the last word."

Wishaw await the visit of Benburb to the Beltane and manager John

McKeown looks certain to

reinstate Ryan Kennedy, Mark Daly and Craig Crawford to his starting line-up.

The team may also include burly striker Chris Fauld after he came off the substitutes' bench to net a well-taken brace of goals in last weekend's 3-2 defeat of Lanark United. The remaining promoted outfit from last time out, Vale of Clyde, will be every bit as determined to build on their winning start when heading out to Moor Park to take on Lanark while an intriguing clash is in the offing back at Fullarton Park where two of the fancied pre-season title hopefuls, Bellshill Athletic and Carluke Rovers, will be going all out to recover from opening-day defeats.

St Anthony's are similarly keen to get back on the rails when surprise packets Renfrew visit McKenna Park while, across the city, a depleted

Ashfield are hoping home

advantage will work in their favour when Lesmahagow are the visitors to Saracen Park.

SATURDAY 2pm kick-offs

Stagecoach Super Premier: Shotts v Auchinleck Talbot, Glenafton Athletic v Hurlford United, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Petershill, Beith v Arthurlie, Irvine Meadow v Troon, Cumnock v Clydebank.

Super First: Shettleston v Largs, Rutherglen Glencairn v Kilsyth Rangers, Yoker v Greenock, Pollok v Irvine Vics, Ardeer v Cumbernauld, Maybole v Neilston, Rob Roy v Thorniewood.

Central First: Dunipace v Maryhill, Bellshill Athletic v Carluke Rovers, Lanark v Vale of Clyde, Ashfield v Lesmahagow, Larkhall v Blantyre Vics, Wishaw v Benburb, St Anthony's v Renfrew.

Central Second Division: Rossvale v Royal Albert, St Roch's v East Kilbride, Newmains v Perthshire, Johnstone Burgh v Vale of Leven.

Ayrshire District: Kilwinning Rangers v Girvan, Kello Rovers v Saltcoats Vics, Lugar v Dalry, Craigmark v Darvel, Muirkirk v Whitletts, Annbank v Winton Rovers.