DARREN HENDERSON has had his share of demanding times in Junior football management.

But he’d probably agree that preparing his side for this week’s Scottish Junior Cup showdown against Wishaw takes the biscuit.

The Ayrshiremen, playing in their fourth semi-final in five seasons, are overwhelming favourites to get the better of opponents who are 24 places down the pecking order and whose last appearance at the penultimate stage of the game’s showpiece competition was back in 1935.

By his own admission, Hendo and his players are in “good order” for their trip through to The Beltane however he is wary of the togetherness and team spirit shown by Wishaw during their outstanding Cup run.

United’s seasoned gaffer insisted: “I’ve no doubt whatsoever that my good pal Derek Holmes and his players will think themselves in with a real chance of turning us over on the back of their 2-0 victory over Rob Roy in the quarter-finals.

“That was a fantastic result and their confidence is understandable given the Rabs are four places and the not insignificant matter of 10 points better off than ourselves in the Super Premier Division standings.

“By all accounts, you couldn’t tell who was the higher league team so we have to not only respect their qualities but also be aware of the lift Wishaw’s players will derive from the opportunity to take our scalps.

“I experienced something similar in the 2011 semi-finals as manager of the Dalry Thistle side that were in the Ayrshire District League yet came ever so close to knocking out big guns Musselburgh Athletic after totally outplaying them over two legs.”

Henderson acknowledged that his “spying” trip to watch Wishaw in their Central League Cup penalty shoot-out win against Port Glasgow last weekend did not exactly go according to plan.

He said: "First and foremost I wanted to see them playing at home but the likelihood of their pitch being declared unplayable led to the game being switched at the eleventh hour to the Port’s Astro-grass surface at Parklea.

“That was very disappointing but nevertheless I took in the game to get an understanding of what we are dealing with in Saturday’s first leg and I came away impressed even though Homer gave starts to a number of players who are thought unlikely to feature in the Scottish Cup ties.

“His team was well organised and had a good shape about them with Dean Kindlan and Michael Collinder in particular looking sharp and bright while they had a decent combination up front in Vinnie McGuire and the former Kilbirnie Ladeside striker Ryan Smillie that also caught the eye.

“A friend watched their previous game down at Cumnock in the West Cup when Derek fielded almost an entirely different permutation of players so he’s certainly not struggling in terms of numbers.”

Hurlford meanwhile have been boosted by the recent acquisitions of former player Ryan Caddis, Jack Whitttaker (Cowdenbeath) and Scott Ferguson (Clyde) with starting jerseys handed to the latter pair in last Saturday’s 4-1 defeat of Kello Rovers which saw Caddis come off the bench to score a goal.

Hendo added: "Ross Fisher and Glen Mitchell were both unavailable for the Kello game so Alan Jenkins and Richie McKillen formed a new central defensive partnership and there’s no doubt the squad is stronger than it’s been for some time.

“Ross Robertson is also working hard and getting back to his best while beside him Mark Roberts is looking sharp at 41 years of age and scored twice against Kello.

“It was good to come through last week without any injury mishaps other than a couple of niggling knocks which I am confident will clear up before tomorrow.”

Wishaw boss Holmes was keeping his selection plans under wraps last night however Kindlan brothers Dean and Dan (outstanding against Rob Roy) are sure to be among his first-picks alongside the core of goalkeeper Sandy Thomson, experienced stopper Dean Schoneville and midfielder Paul McGeough.

Meanwhile, one cannot help but think a number of team bosses will be tuning in to the Rocksport Radio programme Just The Juniors later tonight (8pm) to hear if Tommy Sloan will divulge the secret behind his and Auchinleck Talbot’s remarkable shared run of success in the Scottish Junior Cup of five wins and two beaten final appearances s in the past 11 years . . . and counting.

PLAYING TOMORROW (Kick Offs hear if Auchinleck Talbot 2PM unless stated ): Scottish Junior Cup. Semi-Finals First Leg(2.30PM).Auchinleck Talbot v Lochee Utd , Wishaw v Hurlford Utd. McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Girvan v Pollok , Beith v Clydebank,Glenafton v Arthurlie , Kilbirnie Ladeside v Kilwinning Rangers,Rob Roy v Cumnock.McBookie.com Super First Division. Maryhill v Renfrew, Kello Rovers v Cumbernauld Utd, Largs Thistle v Cambuslang Rangers, Larkhall Thistle v Irvine Meadow, Petershill v Darvel, Rutherglen Glencairn v Shettleston, Troon v Kilsyth Rangers. McBookie.com Central First Division. Benburb v St Rochs, East Kilbride Thistle v Port Glasgow, Forth Wanderers v Rossvale , Glasgow Perthshire v Blantyre Vics, Lesdmahagow v Greenock, Thorniewood Utd v Shotts Bon Accord, Yoker Athletic v Neilston.McBookie.com Central Second Division.

Johnstone Burgh v Bellshill Athletic , Newmains Utd v Vale of Clyde, Carluke Rovers v Gartcairn, Dunipace v Lanark Utd, St Anthonys v Royal Albert.McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Maybole v Irvine Vics, Ardeer Thistle v Whitletts Vics,Dalry Thistle v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Annbank Utd v Lugar Boswell, Muirkirk v Craigmark.