AS you might expect there is West of Scotland Cup history between famous old Junior clubs Arthurlie and Kilwinning Rangers.

And that rivalry will undoubtedly be to the fore when the two sides clash in the final of the New Coin Holdings sponsored competition tomorrow afternoon.

Indeed, their locking of horns at Newlandsfield is sure to evoke many pleasant memories for older Ayrshire fans who will recall their club's last appearance in a West Final occurred in their all-conquering 1999 season.

Goals from legendary hitman Norman Montgomery and current Auchinleck Talbot boss Tommy Sloan enabled the Buffs to run out 2-1 winners...over Arthurlie.

And neither is the significance of the venue and opposition on this Junior showpiece occasion likely to be lost on Kilwinning team boss Chris Strain, who was on the scoresheet when winning the first of his three West winner's gongs in 2005 playing for unfancied Troon Juniors in a memorable 4-3 triumph over Arthurlie.

By a twist of fate, Lie's own present-day manager Robert Downs' netted a brace of goals only to finish on the losing side but earning a consolation came in the shape of the sponsors' Man-of-the-Match award.

Downsy has drawn on that losing experience in preparing his players for the big day.

Last night he said: "I've been reminding the guys that Arthurlie's higher league status counted for nothing on the day back then and I don't see it having any bearing on how things pan out tomorrow.

"This is a one-off cup final where anything can happen on the day and my players will certainly need to be near their best if they are to grab this opportunity to get hold of one of the game's big silverware prizes.

"Kilwinning Rangers are rated an up and coming side with terrific forward going players, but I'd like to think our own striking talent are no slouches in the goalscoring stakes so it promises to be a fascinating contest where we will look to test their defence as much as Kilwinning test ours."

Suspension rules out goalkeeper Mikey White and young midfielder Alan McPherson, while Craig Palmer is cup-tied and Kyle Rafferty looks a certain non-starter with a knee injury.

However, Downs reports his playing squad to be in better fettle than in recent weeks.

"Getting players back available again after injury absences is a marvellous boost not least because they are bursting a gut to get involved in the action and prove a point," he said.

"Our playing numbers had been threadbare to the extent that my No.2 Stevie Aitchison has filled in as a substitute on occasions.

"In fact, I think it was the prospect of running out at his old ground wearing an Arthurlie shirt that made him fly out on holiday earlier this week."

On a more serious note, Downsy admitted he will not consider his side's season to be a success even if they are fortunate enough to come out on top and clinch a sixth West trophy triumph.

He said: "I can hardly say otherwise given we are in the position of needing Hurlford United to beat Shotts Bon Accord on Saturday for us to avoid being involved in a play-off double-header against Rob Roy next week.

"Trying to imagine how I'll feel if things don't go our way is almost impossible, but I would think any celebrations - if the cup was won - would be muted in the extreme given that our Super Premier Division status would be at risk."

The Southside arena is a "happy hunting ground" for Kilwinning gaffer Strain, who owned up to featuring in seven cup finals there during his playing career and only finished on the losing side once - Irvine Meadow's 1-0 defeat by Ashfield in the 2012 Evening Times Cup Final.

He said: "Newlandsfield lends itself to these big-game occasions and I'm hoping my players revel in the atmosphere and do themselves proud as they have all season.

"To win the New Coin Holdings Cup would provide the icing on the cake for all their efforts and we'll certainly be having a go at Arthurlie because quite simply we don't know how to play any other way.

"Bryan Boylan, Ben Lewis and young Dean Agnew, who has notched 20 goals since arriving on loan from Stranraer, have attracted lots of headlines for their sensational form but there are other unsung heroes who are every bit as important players.

"One of them is John Bradford , a former Arthurlie player, desperate to put one over on his former club but he has picked up a calf muscle injury and must be considered extremely doubtful at this stage.

"We'll give him right up until kick-off time to prove his fitness but sentiment will not come into my thoughts when it comes to picking our team."

A hastily-arranged fixture addition to tomorrow's card has Auchinleck Talbot travelling through for an Ayrshire Cup semi-final tilt against Irvine Vics looking to secure a final place against Hurlford United.

Meanwhile, Yoker's midweek defeat of Dunipace leaves the Euroscot Eng Central League Cup semi-finals shaping up as Yoker v Blantyre Vics or Carluke Rovers and Thorniewood Utd v Vale of Clyde or Cumbernauld Utd.