LESMAHAGOW skipper Jordan Whitefield doesn’t do regrets and tonight he will urge his team-mates to have a similar mindset when they meet for the first time since last Sunday’s 6-1 defeat in the Sectional League Cup final.

Being put to the sword by Auchinleck Talbot was a humbling experience but now a determined Whitefield wants the Gow to do to other teams what the Premiership big guns did to them, starting when Muirkirk make the trip to Craighead Park on Saturday.

Whitefield & Co were given Monday night off by boss Robert Irving but the players will converge for a training session in Wishaw tonight to prepare them for what is shaping up as a crucial League Two clash.

The full-back insisted: “We went toe to toe with Auchinleck and most neutrals would have been pushed to pick out the lower league team in the opening 20 minutes.

“But they got a much needed boost from grabbing the game’s first goal and their greater quality was all too apparent even though I felt we matched them for fitness.

“Going in 2-0 down at half time meant the next goal was vital but unfortunately Talbot were the ones to score again and we were left chasing shadows.

“But we can take heart from the way we competed right to the final whistle and I’d like to think we can bounce back against Muirkirk and give ourselves a confidence lift ahead of facing Talbot again in next week’s Macron Scottish Junior Cup tie.”

Lesmahagow lost more than the cup final last weekend because they also ceded pole position in the League Two standings to Lanark United.

“Unless I’m very much mistaken, this is the first of many times when the league leaders’ mantle will be passed around,” the 25-year-old Whitefield said.

“We drew 2-2 with Lanark earlier in the season and there is no doubt we regard them as one of the main challengers but Carluke Rovers and Vale of Leven are another pair of decent sides who will be there at the final reckoning, as will Vale of Clyde if they can turn their games in hand into points.

“And the winning run being put together by Thorniewood United of late makes me think they could be there or thereabouts.

“It looks like a number of clubs will be in the promotion mix but we have to stay focused on our own results and performances so it’s no bad thing to have our playing squad champing at the bit to face Muirkirk on Saturday.

“Picking up the three points as well as putting in a good performance will be a way of saying thanks to our supporters who turned up in such great numbers at Newlandsfield to roar the team on.

“Our aim all along this season has been to get out of this League Two Division and nothing has changed.”

Also looking to get back to winning ways after a heavy beating are Vale of Clyde, hosting Saltcoats Vics at Fullarton Park where they were on the wrong end of a 7-0 thumping on their last outing against Macron Junior Cup conquerors Blantyre Vics.

Tin Pail gaffer Mark McKay said: “The Scottish Cup defeat brought us back down to earth with a jolt after some good displays and I’ll be looking for a massive reaction from the guys against Saltcoats.”

Meanwhile, Forth Wanderers have unveiled Carlo Girasoli, formerly assistant to Martin Lauchlan at Rossvale and East Kilbride Lowland League, as their new team manager and he will be in the Kingshill Park dugout for the visit of managerless Ardeer Thistle.