PAUL MAXWELL has laid it on the line for his Irvine Meadow team-mates - it's time to put last week's abysmal Scottish Junior Cup semi-final display behind us.

Team boss Stevie Rankin read the riot act, despite Medda winning 2-1 against Hurlford in the first leg at home.

Maxi says his gaffer was spot on when he dubbed his side's performance as "a shocker".

And he has vowed to avoid another slating ahead of Medda - who haven't tasted Scottish Cup success since 1973 - making the short hop to Blair Park for the second-leg showdown.

He said: "It's not giving away secrets to say one or two of us felt the lash of the gaffer's tongue. None of us had gone out with the intention of playing poorly but it was one of those matches where we just couldn't get ourselves into gear and the harder we tried the worse we became.

"Hurlford scored and if they had added another goal, as they probably deserved, then we could have been as good as out of the cup. Thankfully we had Mark Twaddle and Mark Staunton playing out of their skins at the heart of our defence and they are owed big style for keeping our hopes of a cup final place alive.

"Best way to repay them is to play as we can tomorrow, not least because it would be soul destroying to have waited 10 years to get to this stage only to freeze and not kick a ball worth talking about."

Maxi is just one of a clutch of visiting players who know what it's like to lose out in a two leg showdown after playing with Ashfield in the Super Premier play-off contest against Largs Thistle last season.

He reckons that experience taught him that anything can, and does, happen in the topsy turvy world of Junior football.

He added: "Drawing 3-3 in the first game at Saracen Park meant there was everything to play for when we headed down for the second game and things looked to be in the bag when we stormed into a 3-0 lead.

"But Largs rallied to get back on level terms before eventually winning on penalty kicks after a 4-4 draw.

"It was a sickener but I fancy the horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach might be 10 times worse if we lose out tomorrow, particularly as our supporters will be heading to Blair Park in numbers hoping to cheer us on to a momentous victory.

"Everyone is determined to do it for them but nothing can be taken for granted, even though the feeling in the camp is we cannot be as bad again."

Maxi has been away on business this week so training has been confined to working out in a hotel gym in Manchester but he knows fellow frontman Chris Hall has put in two stiff training sessions to promote himself into selection thoughts for the cup game.

Word from the Hurlford camp points to inspirational ex-Ayr United defender Neil McGregor coming back after missing last week's contest to line up in direct opposition to Maxi.

The 30-year-old striker said: "Neil is a top quality defender whose return will give them a boost, but Franz Beckenbauer could be facing me tomorrow and it would not alter my approach to the game one iota.

"I've a job to do for the team and I hope to do it well."

Hurlford gaffer Darren Henderson is relaxed about the prospect of steering his team to their very first Scottish finale.

He said: "We outplayed Irvine last week and there is no reason why we cannot do the same again if we apply ourselves in the same way.

"They are packed with top players and are the only visiting side to win at Blair Park this season, however my guys are keen to make a bit of history."

Two top Ayrshire adversaries coming face to face promises to be an appealing spectacle and a huge holiday weekend crowd is anticipated to provide a fitting atmosphere.

JUNIORS TOMORROW

(2pm kick-offs unless stated)

Scottish Junior Cup semi-final, second leg: Hurlford Utd 1 v Irvine Meadow 2 (2.30).

Stagecoach Super Premier: Arthurlie v Pollok, Clydebank v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Largs Thistle v Cumnock.

Super First: Cumbernauld Utd v Greenock, Maybole v Ashfield, Thorniewood Utd v Kilsyth Rangers, Shotts Bon Accord v Rutherglen Glencairn, Beith v Yoker, Renfrew v Lesmahagow.

Central First Division: Neilston v Larkhall Thistle, Maryhill v Benburb, Carluke Rovers v Lanark Utd, Johnstone Burgh v Bellshill Athletic, Cambuslang Rangers v St Anthony's.

Central Second Division: Forth Wanderers v Newmains Utd, East Kilbride Thistle v Port Glasgow, Royal Albert v Vale of Leven, Blantyre Vics v St Roch's, Vale of Clyde v Wishaw.

Ayrshire District League: Annbank Utd v Irvine Vics, Craigmark v Whitletts Vics, Girvan v Winton Rovers, Kello Rovers v Muirkirk, Dalry v Ardeer.

New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup. Quarter-final: Troon v Dunipace.

Ayrshire Cup. Second round: Kilwinning v Lugar.

SUNDAY

Scottish Junior Cup semi-final, second leg: Glenafton Athletic 1 v Camelon 2 (2.30).