SCOTT ANSON is acutely aware of the cruel side of football after playing in the Cumnock side that was beaten by Pollok in last season’s showpiece New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup Final.

Conceding an injury time equaliser to bring about a 2-2 scoreline was cruel on the Ayrshiremen who had been the better side throughout the Newlandsfield staged finale and it was crueller still when they went on to lose out 5-4 in the ensuing penalty kick shoot-out.

But most of all it was cruel on bustling striker Anson who was by far his team’s outstanding player on the day yet a cruelly ironic twist saw him miss the spot kick that ultimately handed victory to the Glasgow Southsiders.

He and his team mates …with newly installed team manager Peter Leonard at the helm …are back in West of Scotland Cup action today against another Glasgow based opponent in Glasgow Perthshire from the North side of the city and big Scott is determined not to fall short again.

Last night he revealed,” I bumped into the Shire’s long serving manager Billy Adams just the other week and it came across loud and clear that he is looking forward to the game and thinks an upset could be on the cards.

“If the tie had been at their own Keppoch Park then he’d have been even more confident but make no mistake, his players will be up for it coming down to Cumnock and I’ve played against their experienced centre backs Davie Kirkwood and Mark Thomson often enough to expect a few bumps and bruises given they are both very competitive types .

“But memories of our sickening defeat in last season’s Final has everyone in our dressing room determined to go one better this time out so I imagine we will be in the right frame of mind going into tomorrow’s contest.”

“Taking on the Shire is the start of a run of seven home games and we need to be looking to lay down a marker.”

Cumnock’s preparations for the First Round clash included a 5-1 midweek friendly win over Annbank which saw Anson and Craig Hastings form an attacking spearhead however the 28 year old is not taking a West Cup place for granted.

He added, “The gaffer is still at the stage where he’s trying out various combinations and he’s also had Sean McKenzie figuring up front and indeed he played all three of us in the game against Auchinleck .

“Another change has seen Sean McKenna promoted into a midfield role and now we have both Sean Fitzharris and Andy Muir back in the scheme of things so nobody is able to second guess what our line-up is likely to be .

“It’s a ploy that is keeping all the players on their toes and I’ve no doubt our results will soon be taking a turn for the better with everybody…myself included …having to fight for a place in the team.”

Cumnock’s erstwhile boss John McKeown’s recent appointment onto the coaching team at Cambuslang Rangers is already paying dividends according to Lang boss Paul McColl whose Super First Division side are hosting the visit of lowly Muirkirk today.

McColl said ,”Muirkirk have been leaking goals and a lot of people are expecting us to run up a cricket score but we will be affording them every respect and I won’t tolerate any complacency out on the pitch.

“We lost out in the Scottish at home to Stonehaven when strongly fancied to win and must avoid a repeat .

Seasoned front man John Gemmell and midfielder Craig Molloy are ruled out through injury for the home side however supporters will get a first look at latest signing David Green whose debut in last weekend’s 4-0 away victory over Renfrew was praised by McColl.

He said,” David strolled through the Renfrew game even though we asked him to figure at the heart of our defence rather than his preferred midfield position and he could prove a key addition to our playing squad.”

In other West ties, Rossvale’s new team manager Gordon Moffat will be keen to chalk up a winning start to his reign when the Bishopbriggs club make the short hop to face Shettleston while another intriguing clash has Ashfield hopeful of causing a Cup shock by knocking out higher league Rutherglen Glencairn.

Renfrew host the visit of Larkhall Thistle whom they are scheduled to meet in a Super First Division encounter next week and in-form Central First Division pair Shotts Bon Accord and East Kilbride Thistle lock horns in a difficult to call Hannah Park affair even though the Jags ran out comfortable 4-1 Show Park winners when the sides last met on the opening day of their league season.

PLAYING TODAY(Kick Offs 2PM):Scottish Junior Cup 2nd Round.Forth Wanderers v Irvine Vics, Annbank Utd v Colony Park, Replays Penicuik Athletic v Kilbirnie Ladeside , Arthurlie v Lesmahagow.McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Hurlford Utd v Rob Roy. McBookie.com Central Second Division. Johnstone Burgh v St Anthonys. New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup 1st Round Petershill v Whitletts Vics, Blantyre Vics v Beith, Shettleston v Rossvale , Cambuslang Rangers v Muirkirk,Largs Thistle v Bellshill Athletic, Lugar Boswell v Clydebank, Neilston v Port Glasgow , Renfrew v Larkhall Thistle , Dalry Thistle v Darvel, Glenafton v Girvan , Benburb v Lanark Utd, Maryhill v Ardrossan Winton Rovers , Shotts Bon Accord v East Kilbride Thistle , Kello Rovers v Troon, Auchinleck Talbot v Carluke Rovers, Cumnock v Glasgow Perthshire , Vale of Clyde v Wishaw, Kilwinning Rangers v Irvine Meadow , Yoker Athletic v Maybole , Craigmark v Cumbernauld Utd, Royal Albert v Pollok , Ashfield v Rutherglen Glencairn, Dunipace v Gartcairn , St Rochs v Newmains Utd, Kilsyth Rangers v Vale of Leven , Ardeer Thistle v Greenock.