A POTENTIAL head to head between bitter rivals Cumnock and Auchinleck Talbot was the pick of the fourth-round ties pulled from the hat when SportTimes hosted the Scottish Junior Cup draw yesterday afternoon.

Beaten finalists last time out Talbot have yet to negotiate the not inconsiderable hurdle of a third round trip into the Kingdom of Fife to face former Cup winners Hill O’ Beath but if Tommy Sloan’s men come good (as expected) then a massive derby clash at Townhead Park awaits them in the last 32.

Tucker admitted upon hearing his side’s fate: “It would be wrong for me to be talking about a game against Cumnock when we are not even through to the fourth round stage but the prospect is one that is sure to excite supporters of both clubs.

“First and foremost we have to try and beat Hill O’Beath which is not a given as reports back on them indicate they are nobody’s pushovers and we are preparing for a tough 90 minutes if Saturday’s tie gets played at the fifth time of asking."

Not quite as guarded over his thoughts on the Ayrshire giants being paired together was Cumnock striking ace Scott Anson who reckons he and his team mates have nothing to fear from facing their near neighbours.

The feared goalscorer insisted: "I spoke with our manager Peter Leonard before the draw and we both agreed it would be preferable to avoid the big guns at this stage of the Cup so it’s sod’s law to be then landed with the probable tie of the round.

“I would be pleasantly shocked if Auchinleck were to go out against Hill O’ Beath but I’m not going to be over concerned if they do get through as we showed ourselves capable of giving them a game of it in our last meeting which was Peter’s first game in charge …..and we are a much improved team nowadays.”

In other pairings Rob Roy’s s reward for knocking out holders Glenafton in the last round is another home tie…their fourth on the spin … against Kennnoway Star Hearts while their Guys Meadow landlords Cumbernauld landed a fourth away tie and a daunting one at that (assuming they get the better of third round opponents Newrongrange Star) against last season’s beaten semi-finalists Bonnyrigg Rose.

His side’s apparent good fortune in coming out of the hat alongside one of the competition’s lesser lights was scoffed at by Rabs boss Stewart Maxwell.

Maxi said: “Kennoway are not one of your Junior big names as such but they put our Clydebank in an earlier round and I cannot help but think they must have something about them to eliminate a Super Premier Division side.”

For that reason alone so we simply cannot afford to have any complacency thoughts in our approach to the tie.”

Glasgow’s big two hopefuls Pollok and Petershill are also on the road …strongly fancied Pollok contemplating a relatively short hop over to Bishopbriggs to meet Central First Division leading lights Rossvale while the incentive for Petershill in their still to be played third round tie up at Carnoustie Panmure is an away game at Scone Thistle or Kilsyth Rangers.

A tasty Benburb v Yoker Athletic contest is on the cards if the Bens overcome Whirburn and Ashfield can look forward to having home advantage against either Sauchie and Camelon but only if Paul Maxwell & Co come out on top against Bellshill Athletic .

Fourth Round ties are to be played on Saturday 20th January (1.45PM Kick Offs).