IRVINE MEADOW'S achievements this season have raised more than a few eyebrows amongst the Junior fraternity.

A Scottish Junior Cup semi-final showdown against Hurlford United is looming while tomorrow Stevie Rankin's men will go all out to overcome Clydebank at Meadow Park and maintain their Super Premier Division title challenge.

People are sitting up and taking notice of the Ayrshire club but their impressive run of results has also come as something of a surprise inside the dressing room according to goalkeeper Steven Hall, who is hoping to rack up a third successive shut-out when facing the Bankies.

He said: "There were no expectations of trophy success whatsoever at the start of this season when Stevie started putting a new squad together.

"Consolidation was a word mentioned several times, not least because the many changes included the arrival of seven players from our Ashfield side that had just been relegated the season before.

"The gaffer has worked wonders in putting pieces to the jigsaw and it's astonishing how well the players have gelled in such a short space of time.

"Confidence has grown and a terrific dressing room spirit has evolved, though Murdie McKinnon's patter is a cross we have to bear for him being a top class coach."

"To win one of the game's top prizes in only my second season at Junior level would be a dream come true."

Medda's semi-final opponents Hurlford are likewise not in the position of being able to rest up any of their star turns for the visit of Cumnock in New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup encounter where the prize is a quarter-final joust away to Cumbernauld United.

Darren Henderson and five of his Blair Park playing charges helped Glenafton to the silverware last season and they have their sights firmly set on going all the way again in this season's competition.

But standing in the way are a fired-up Cumnock - one of Darren's former clubs - who are every bit as determined to get hands on a trophy they have never won in their 102-year existence.

The Hurlford boss said: "We could not have asked for a tougher game ahead of our semi-final than to go up against a Cumnock still smarting from their Scottish exit at the hands of Glenafton.

"Their players will see the West Cup as a chance to make amends so my guys will need to be up for the challenge or we will end up with a bloody nose."

Yet another of the Junior Cup last four, Glenafton will be holding nothing back when taking on Rob Roy in a vital Super Premier Division clash down at Loch Park.

Tommy Bryce rested a number of players including striking duo Aaron Connolly and Alain Kinney in last weekend's 3-2 Ayrshire Cup defeat by Maybole, however he is set to roll out all his big guns in seeking to pick up three league points against the Rabs.

Their Scottish Cup involvement has led to the Glens sliding down the standings to sit in a three-way tie for bottom spot with Largs Thistle and Arthurlie though they do have a number of games in hand over all their basement rivals.

Victory would undoubtedly ease their relegation pressure while also acting to boost morale ahead of their forthcoming double-header against Camelon which both clubs have agreed to play on Sunday, April 12/19.

Glens boss Stewart Maxwell said: "The only way we can guarantee our own safety is by continuing to put points on the board so nothing will be taken for granted until it is mathematically impossible for us to go down."

JUNIORS TOMORROW

(2pm kick-offs)

Stagecoach Super Premier: Arthurlie v Pollok, Irvine Meadow v Clydebank, Auchinleck v Largs, Glenafton v Rob Roy

Super First Division: Greenock v Ashfield, Thorniewood v Kilsyth, Shotts v Kilwinning, Troon v Beith, Maybole v Yoker.

Central First: Neilston v Shettleston, Maryhill v Larkhall, Lanark v Benburb, Bellshill v St Anthony's, Cambuslang, v Dunipace.

Central Second: St Roch's v Newmains, Forth v East Kilbride, Wishaw v Port Glasgow, Vale of Leven v Blantyre Vics, Rossvale v Vale of Clyde.

Ayrshire District: Annbank v Craigmark, Darvel v Winton Rovers, Kello v Dalry, Irvine Vics v Ardeer

Thistle.

New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup. Third round: Johnstone Burgh v Lesmahagow, Hurlford v Cumnock.

Euroscot Eng Central League Cup. Second round: Carluke v Cumbernauld, Perthshire v Glencairn.

Ayrshire Cup. Second round: Muirkirk v Girvan. First round: Lugar v Whitletts.