CAMBUSLANG co-boss John Doyle has warned his players to beware of the scoring threat of Willie Sawyers in the Junior Cup clash with Irvine Meadow.

He knows his qualities better than most, having mentored the striker in Harmony Row's back-to- back Scottish Juvenile Cup winning sides of 2007 and 2008. Indeed, Doyle describe Sawyers as "the best penalty box predator I've ever come across".

His assessment of the 27-year-old frontman was reinforced in July when a friendly between the clubs ended 1-0 to Medda thanks to his late goal.

Doyle said: "Willie is at his most dangerous when he's done nothing of any consequence in a game and seems uninterested and out of sorts.

"He doesn't have great movement, so he is not everyone's cup of tea, but when defenders make the mistake of relaxing with him around he'll punish them by scoring.

"I would always have Willie as first name on my teamsheet. The key is to keep faith in him. Past experience shows he will rarely let you down."

Doyle's dugout partner Paddy Flannery might be forced into donning his own striking boots again tomorrow to help the Wee Gers deal with a horrific injury crisis ahead of the intimidating cup tie.

Summer recruit Stevie Dymock has had an op on an Achilles problem and is ruled out until the end of the year, while the same injury has forced former Linlithgow Rose frontman Gordon Herd to hang up his boots.

The ex-Pollok winger Willie Easton is extremely doubtful with a thigh strain while the speedy Chris Hamilton has no better than a 50/50 hope of facing Meadow.

Lang boss Doyle said: "Our preparations have not exactly gone to plan. We're not best placed now to do ourselves justice against a team joint-top of the Super Premier.

"Gerry Ward is suspended while both Willie Whiteford and Steven Gaffney are also definite non-starters on account of work commitments.

"We have gone from having a very capable squad with lots of options to struggling to cobble a team together for what is our biggest game of the season to date.

"David Dimilta, who has been training with us, could be thrown in at the deep end to partner our only other available forward, Paddy Cullen.

"But it's going to take a monumental effort from whatever players wear the Cambuslang jerseys for us to come out on top."

The first-round tie is a far cry from when the clubs met in an epic 1973 final at Hampden, won 1-0 by the Ayrshiremen at the third time of asking following memorable 2-2 and 3-3 drawn matches.

Back then the Wee Gers - under legendary boss Davie McLaggan and with a team that included Jackie Mordue, Russell Craig, Billy Patterson and Willie McCallum - were going for a third Junior Cup win in a row.

Eric Morris inspired the Medda before moving on to Rangers, then Ayr.

In 1974, Cambuslang reached their fourth final in a row, a 3-1 defeat of Linlithgow Rose taking the cup back to Somervell Park for the fifth and, so far, last time.

It may not be Doyle and Flannery's time to bring back those glory years but Sawyers is hopeful the Irvine club's 41-year wait for Scottish success is coming to an end.

The prolific marksman said: "This is by far the strongest squad I've been involved with. Every player is top class and the professionalism and team spirit is second to none.

"I fancy we can do very well in the Scottish. That will be a pleasant change as it has not been my happiest competition.

"John Doyle and I have kept in touch down the years and I owe him a lot.

"But he knows I'll not hesitate to stick the ball in Cambuslang's net if any chances come my way tomorrow.

"If I don't do it then Paul McLaughlin or Chris Hall will gladly do the honours as the battle for forward places at this club is intense."

Elsewhere, Arthurlie will try to recover from the shock resignation of boss Gavin Duncan by beating North Region's Hall Russell at Dunterlie Park tomorrow. Mark Cameron and Billy Peacock will look after team.

Renfrew's cup clash with Ballingry Rovers is being staged at Keanie Park in Johnstone.

JUNIORS

(Cup kick-offs 2.30pm)

Scottish Junior Cup. First Round: Forth Wanderers v Dufftown, Ellon United v Carluke Rovers, Thornton Hibs v Ashfield, Oakley United v Jeanfield Swifts, Glentanar v Kelty Hearts, Wishaw v Sauchie, Aberdeen University v Kirkcaldy YMCA, Tranent v Edinburgh United, Kilsyth Rangers v Blairgowrie, Kilwinning Rangers v New Elgin, Whitehills v Lochee Harp, Harthill Royal v Darvel, Arthurlie v Hall Russell United, Annbank United v FC Stoneywood, Scone Thistle v Newtongrange Star, Bonnyrigg Rose v Inverness City, Sunnybank v Glenrothes, Renfrew v Ballingry Rovers, Dundee North End v Kello Rovers, St Roch's v Lochgelly Albert, East Kilbride Thistle v Johnstone Burgh, Falkirk Juniors v Islavale, Cruden Bay v Tayport, Downfield v Vale of Leven, Dundee East Craigie v Hill of Beath Hawthorn, Shettleston v Ardeer Thistle, St Anthony's v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Colony Park v Clydebank, Cambuslang Rangers v Irvine Meadow, Lanark United v Penicuik Athletic, Lochee United v Muirkirk Juniors, Parkvale v Rosyth, Hermes v Petershill.

(League kick-offs 2pm)

Stagecoach Leagues. Super Premier Division: Shotts Bon Accord v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Beith v Glenafton, Troon v Hurlford Utd, Auchinleck Talbot v Cumnock.

Stagecoach Leagues. Super First Division: Largs Thistle v Irvine Vics, Maybole v Pollok.

Stagecoach Leagues. Ayrshire District: Dalry Thistle v Saltcoats Vics, Lugar Boswell v Craigmark, Whitletts Vics v Girvan.