It's hard not to think these are heady times indeed for Pollok supporters.

After a fairly uneventful start to the new season - Lok failed to qualify for the Euroscot Eng Sectional League Cup's later stages and suffered an early league reverse away to Shettleston - all appears to be clicking into place.

The 3-0 scoreline in the New Coin Holdings Cup victory over Thorniewood United last weekend barely reflected the Newlandsfield outfit's dominance on the day.

It extended the team's unbeaten run of games to five and the result also enabled Jamie Darroch and co to rack up the welcome statistic of back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season.

When you throw in the Southsiders sitting at the summit of the Super First Division and a striker apparently scoring at will in Davie Winters, diehards wearing black-and-white scarves can be excused for thinking things could hardly be better going into tomorrow's Scottish Junior Cup second round contest at home to Whitletts Vics.

But team boss Tony McInally, who sampled the feeling of getting hold of the game's Holy Grail prize when steering Shotts Bon Accord to 2012 Scottish Junior Cup glory, is urging fans to keep their feet on the ground.

He reckons early-season outcomes have been nothing more than a sign of progress and insists his Newlandsfield playing charges are only now being put to the test.

Macca said: "Putting together a whole new playing squad was always going to bring its share of ups and downs in terms of performances but all told the players have done well coming out of the starting blocks.

"I firmly believe our supporters are happy with what they are seeing at this moment in time, but it's vital they don't get carried away and weigh the players down with over-the-top-expectations.

"That's particularly true in the Scottish Junior Cup where this club's proud history of doing well should not disguise the fact that to go from relegation to winning the biggest prize in the game is nothing short of a fairy-tale.

"Our dressing-room sights are set on giving them something to cheer about with a decent Cup run but even that is not a given when you consider we are going up against a Whitletts Vics side containing most of the players who went all the way to the quarter-finals last season.

"Just getting past them tomorrow would constitute a real feather in our cap, if you ask me!"

Commanding centre-back Paul Gallacher looks certain to return to Pollok's defensive set-up after being rested against Thorniewood to help with his recovery from a back strain

But concerns over the fitness of midfield pair Kevin Bradley and John Sweeney will see Macca delaynaming his starting line-up until closer to kick-off time.

He added: "We had Whitletts watched last week and they are sprinkled with potential match-winners just like ourselves, so it will be fascinating to see who can rise to the occasion on the day.

"They will miss their big ball-winning defender Euan Blair through suspension, but we are similarly handicapped by Alan McKenzie's appeal against his red-carding in the game with Neilston being turned down and his two-game ban being doubled.

"He'll be a loss but the guys have coped without him before and will have to do it again."

Casting his experienced eye over Pollok last weekend was veteran defender Derek McCulloch who retired from playing after being one of the mainstays of Ayr-based Vic's outstanding Cup run

last time out.

Del Boy is back in the fold assisting close friend and team manager Steph McMillan in the wake of previous No.2 Jonathan Baillie being enticed away by the prospect of pulling on the boots again for Troon.

Del admitted: "I don't have any designs on becoming assistant manager and all I'm hoping to do is help out Steph. However it has been really

enjoyable mixing with the players again and the mood in our camp is good for the trip to Newlandsfield.

"Pollok looked a better-than-average side and I was impressed by their industry in midfield where Sweeney, Bradley and Finlay Frye were very dominant, while up front Winters showed himself to be a real class act with his finishing abilities.

"He will need careful watching but we have experienced guys at the back in Craig

Buchanan and George Wallace who will relish the task."

Del believes it will take every one of the visiting squad to be on their toes if Whitletts are to pull off a Cup shock.

He insisted: "Our front pair of Tony Balfour and Michael O'Connor can be unplayable at times but they have still to catch fire this season and it would be perfect timing if they did it tomorrow.

"I noticed in the programme that the Cup tie is Pollok's 13th game of the season and I don't see why we can't make it an unlucky one for them."

SATURDAY FIXTURES

2.30pm kick-offs

Scottish Junior Cup. Second round: Livingston Utd v Shotts, Carluke v Troon, Greenock v Newtongrange, Armadale v Fauldhouse, Blackburn Utd v Musselburgh, St Anthony's v Dunipace, Larkhall v Darvel, Kello v Glenrothes, Grantown v Bellshill, West Calder v Carnoustie, Arthurlie v Dunbar, Clydebank v Lossiemouth, Saltcoats v Maud, Largs v Sauchie, Dalry v Hermes, Pumpherston v Rob Roy, Bathgate v Blantyre Vics, Edinburgh Utd v Crossgates, Thorniewood v Kirrie Thistle, Buckie Rovers v St Andrews Utd, Rosyth v Hurlford, Newmains v Lochee Utd, Kennoway v Craigmark, Haddington v Linlithgow, Glenafton v Broxburn, Luncarty v Forfar Albion, Fraserburgh Utd v Rossvale, Whitburn v St Roch's, Cumnock v Newmachar, Aberdeen University v Dundonald, Forfar West End v Kelty, Dundee Violet v Maryhill, Portgordon v Banchory St Ternans, Port Glasgow v Ballingry, Burghead v Lugar, Longside v Yoker, Tayport or Cruden Bay v Bonnyrigg, Beith v Cumbernauld, Spey Valley v Aberdeen East End, Lesmahagow v Lochore, Kinnoull v Arbroath Vics, Downfield v Lochee Harp, Perthshire v Kilbirnie, Girvan v Neilston, Jeanfield v Bridge of Don, Pollok v Whitletts, Royal Albert v Shettleston, Newburgh v Camelon, Stoneywood v Deveronside, Nairn St Ninian's v Lewis Utd, Aniston v Vale of Clyde, Culter v Glencairn, Montrose Roselea v Irvine Vics, Penicuik v Maybole, Dyce v Forth, Girvan v Neilston, Bo'ness v Stoneyburn, Dalkeith v Kilwinning, Forres Thistle v East Craigie, Broughty Athletic v Stonehaven, Irvine Meadow v Benburb, Falkirk Juniors v Buchanhaven Hearts, Banks O'Dee v Auchinleck Talbot, Thornton Hibs v Kilsyth, Johnstone Burgh v Brechin Vics.

Stagecoach Central First: Ashfield v Lanark, Wishaw v Renfrew.

Central Second: Cambuslang Rangers v Vale of Leven.

Ayrshire District: Muirkirk v Winton Rovers (league games 2.0).