The warning signs are there for all the leading West Region clubs after ­Irvine Meadow striker Paul Maxwell claimed he and his team-mates are shaping up as if they can improve on last season's heroics.

The Ayrshire big guns earned the tag of Junior football's "nearly men" after their heartbreaking defeat in the Scottish Junior Cup semi-­finals by eventual winners Hurlford United was followed by Stevie Rankin's men finishing runners-up to the Super Premier Division title winners Auchinleck Talbot.

It makes for a hard act to follow this time around. But seasoned campaigner Maxi is adamant it can be done - and more besides.

Speaking last night, the 30 year old front man insisted the hurt of last season has spurred Rankin into assembling a squad capable of mounting even more of a challenge on the major trophy fronts .

"We started last season with a strong core of former Ashfield players that the gaffer then supplemented by bringing in a handful of guys who had been around the block - such as Marc Twaddle, Mark Sideserf and Mark Staunton," Maxi said.

"He also, typically, unearthed a number of up and coming youngsters to boost numbers and we went on to have a fair degree of success with this blend of youth and experience - albeit we came up just short. Why that is can be put down to a number of factors but without doubt we lacked real strength in depth when suspensions, loss of form and injuries kicked in.

"Nevertheless, expectations are high that Medda can do even better this season.

"Most of us were of the mind that Stevie would build upon last term's achievements and go with more or less the same group of players again - other than bringing in Jordan Murch and Michael Keenan as replacements when Darren Miller and Shaun Fraser left during the summer months to join Queens Park.

"But he has gone on adding quality signings throughout the close season - seven in total are now on board - in putting together the strongest playing squad I have known in my 11 years in the Juniors."

Rankin's impressive array of recruits includes ex-Airdrie pair Willie McLachlan and Grant Evans as well as highly regarded Junior strikers Willie Sawyers and Paul McLaughlin.

"However, the newcomer attracting the moist plaudits in pre-season friendly matches is former Rob Roy and Pollok midfielder Ryan Deas.

Maxi said: "Ryan has always come across as a decent player in games against him but it's only now that he's a team-mate that I fully appreciate his abilities.

"He has an eye for a pass, possesses great energy and is always likely to come up with a pop or two at goal during games - so I can see him emerging as a key player in our midfield - even though the competition for jerseys is intense.

"That said, it's the same throughout the team and no more so than up front where I find myself vying for a place with Willie, Paul and Chris Hall who are all tried and trusted Junior front men

"Willie in particular could be a real asset.

"He is a penalty box predator who has shown himself to be capable of banging home 30 or 40 goals a season and his worth was clearly shown in Monday's 1-0 friendly win against Cambuslang Rangers.

"He was in the right place at the right time - the last minute of the game - to net a tap-in and I'm willing to bet that will not be the only time he comes up trumps for us."

Maxi was one of the key cogs for Irvine Meadow last season and is not fazed by the prospect of spending time on the sidelines if the fired up newcomers hit the ground running.

He said: "Preparations have not gone as well as I would have liked because of work commitments taking me out to the Philippines for more than a month.

"Missing a fair chunk of our pre-season has left me playing catch-up even though I was putting myself through work-outs every day in my hotel.

"But I'm slowly getting there in terms of match fitness levels and it's pleasing to have bagged goals in our games against Glencairn and Sauchie despite not being 100% fit.

"Stevie is going to have a tough job on his hands in trying to keep everyone happy but right now all our focus is on making sure we make the best possible start to our league season. Various hiccups occurred last time, allowing Auchinleck to pull away, so it's vital we remain consistent and prevent them gaining a similarly dominant position.

"We have as many potential matchwinners as anyone to make sure that happens ."

Medda are back in friendly action tonight when Maxi and Co line up for a third game in five days with Greenock visiting Meadow Park.

PLAYING TONIGHT: (Various Kick Offs): Auchinleck Talbot v Shettleston, Pollok v Vale of Clyde, Kilsyth Rangers v Linlithgow Rose, Ashfield v Largs Thistle , Wishaw v Mill Utd, Maybole v Ayr Utd X1, Darvel v Larkhall Thistle, Irvine Meadow v Greenock, Beith v Kilmarnock X1, Harthill Royal v Bellshill Athletic, Ardeer Thistle v Kilwinning Rangers, Whitletts Vics v Glenafton, Cumbernauld Utd v East Stirling, Winton Rovers v Hurlford Utd, Neilston v Morton X1.