THE fresh and innovative format of this season’s Scottish Junior Cup - no replays with all ties played to a finish at the first time of asking - ensured there were no delays to the Third Round draw going ahead at the Stevenson offices of sponsors Macron Sportswear on Monday.

There are a couple of the competition’s Second Round ties which do remain undecided. 

Cumnock’s participation in a replay of their big Scottish Cup encounter with Formartine necessitated their scheduled clash at home to near neighbours Glenafton was held over until Wednesday, October 13 while it’s looking like the intervention of  SJFA beaks will be needed in the case of the controversially abandoned Irvine Vics v Pollok contest.

Alex McDowall & Co are doubtless following their own laid down protocol in awaiting Referee Ross Menzies’ official report on the shameful Victoria Park events however it’s alleged `player indiscipline` has been cited as the reason for the whistler  taking it upon himself to walk off the pitch with 94 minutes on the clock and the visitors leading 2-1.

The powers-that-be will have to adjudicate on what, if any, appropriate action is taken against the clubs and theirs is an all-encompassing remit as it includes ordering the tie to be played all over again or  indeed the disqualification of one or both teams from the prestigious Cup tournament.

The possibility of a walkover into the last 16 would be warmly received by  scheduled 3rd round hosts Rossvale yet so too would the prospect of taking on Pollok in a money spinning Friday night showdown, almost certain to be brought  forward because of Petershill having first claim on the Saturday afternoon kick off slot at the New Petershill Park facility for their Scottish Cup head to head against Benburb.

Two definite all-Premier League ties did emerge from the draw. The eventual winners of Cumnock v Glenafton entertaining the visit of beaten finalists last time the Cup was played for in 2019, Largs Thistle, while Irvine Meadow were awarded home advantage against Cumbernauld United whose team boss Tony Fraser lamented.

He said: “You always look for in a home tie and to face opponents from outside your immediate League so the draw has to be disappointing from both those perspectives.

“That said, there’s nothing unduly frightening about going up against Irvine Meadow on their own patch as my players have already shown themselves more than capable of competing down there.

“Medda did beat us 2-0 when the teams met at the end of July but the result disguises the fact our team captain Danny Boyle was red carded just ten minutes in and  we also had Lee Davidson sent off  which forced us to play a large chunk of the game with only 9 men.

“To only lose 2-0 is not a bad outcome given our handicap so we’ll go down there knowing this is a winnable tie however I’m pretty sure Irvine Meadow will be thinking the same.”

Elsewhere in the draw,an all-Conference League cracker is promised by two of its main protagonists Glasgow Perthshire and Arthurlie locking horns at Keppoch Park and fellow Possil outfit Ashfield’s `reward` for overcoming last round opponents St Anthonys is a another away tie against Vale of Leven, while Yoker Athletic’s meeting with East Kilbride Thistle is set to receive a few pointers from the Division C rivals coming up against each other in a league match this coming weekend.

Strongly vying for tie of the round status according to Benburb gaffer Paul Lovering is his two times trophy winning club’s trip across the Clyde to face fallen giants Petershill.

Lovers admitted: “It’s an extremely tough draw for us not least because we are going there as the higher league side and are therefore expected to get through.

“But to my mind Petershill are a Premier League side in all but name and the prospect of making headlines again by taking our scalp will act as an extra jag in the arm for Martin Lauchlan and his players.

“I’m under no illusions that we will need to be at the very top of our game if we want to go further in the Cup and our guys need to take that message on board…or else. “

The full list of 16 ties to be played over the weekend of Saturday 23rd October is as follows: Carnoustie Panmure v Rob Roy, Glasgow Perthshire v Arthurlie, Rossvale v Irvine Vics or Pollok, Newmacher United v Dundee North End, Yoker Athletic v East Kilbride Thistle, Lochee United v Banks O’Dee, Muirkirk v Ardrossan Winton Rovers, Dyce v West Calder Utd, Craigmark v Auchinleck Talbot, Irvine Meadow v  Cumbernauld Utd, Vale Of Leven v Ashfield, Gartcairn v Beith, Dundee East Craigie v Johnstone Burgh, Petershill v Benburb,  Cumnock or Glenafton v Largs Thistle, Shotts Bon Accord v Thorniewood Utd.

Benburb are one of the clubs tasked with taking part tonight in a handful of scheduled Premier League fixtures, heading out on the road to face a Darvel side whose title contending  rivals Auchinleck Talbot, Clydebank and Pollok  are also in action.

Fourth placed Kilwinning Rangers, Rutherglen Glencairn and bottom markers Bonnyton Thistle are idle despite all three clubs having floodlit pitches, an anomaly that has irked a number of team bosses.

Lok gaffer Murdie McKinnon, heading out on the road to face Irvine Meadow insisted.

“My own opinion is there’s no need to be playing midweek when we as a club are about to play our 15th league fixture of the season and it’s not yet the end of September.

“But if there is a valid argument then why not set the stall out to have everyone playing because I do believe there are ten clubs with floodlights so a full fixture list is a possibility.

“Asking just certain clubs particularly when they are not trailing behind in terms of games played doesn’t make sense and is unfair on those same clubsif they are then up against rivals on Saturday who have been able to rest up.

“Our forthcoming weekend opponents Auchinleck are in the same boat as ourselves tonight so neither of us have an advantage but that’s certainly not the case across the board so I fully understand if there are managers and players up in arms .”

PLAYING TONIGHT: (Kick Offs 7.30 PM): P.D.M Buildbase Premier League. Darvel v Benburb, Irvine Meadow v Pollok, Cumnock v Troon, Clydebank v Hurlford Utd, Rossvale v Auchinleck Talbot. PDM Buildbase Conference League B. Gartcairn v Cambuslang Rangers.

SATURDAY 2nd OCTOBER  2021(Kick Offs 2PM ): P.D.M Buildbase Premier League. Pollok v Auchinleck Talbot, Hurlford Utd v Benburb, Rossvale v Glenafton, Beith  v Rutherglen Glencairn, Clydebank v Kilwinning Rangers, Largs Thistle v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Cumnock v Blantyre Vics, Darvel v Rob Roy, Cumbernauld Utd v Bonnyton Thistle, Irvine Meadow v Troon. PDM Buildbase Conference League A.Forth Wanderers v Bellshill Athletic, Muirkirk v Maryhill, Craigmark v Whitletts Vics ,Maybole v  Arthurlie, Johnstone Burgh v  Saltcoats Vics, Lugar Boswell v Irvine Vics,  Shotts Bon Accord v Glasgow University, Lesmahagow v Girvan. PDM Buildbase Conference League B. Port Glasgow v Cambuslang Rangers, St Cadocs v Ashfield ,Carluke Rovers v Glasgow Utd, Thorniewood Utd v Dalry Thistle , Greenock v Newmains Utd, Gartcairn v Renfrew , Royal Albert v Ardeer Thistle . PDM Buildbase Conference League C. Lanark Utd v St Anthonys, Vale of Leven v Kilsyth Rangers, Neilston v Petershill, Larkhall Thistle v Drumchapel Utd, East Kilbride Thistle v Yoker Athletic,Wishaw v Glasgow Perthshire, St Rochs v Ardrossan  Winton Rovers.PDM Buildbase Division Four. Campbeltown Pupils v Finnart, BSC Glasgow v Kilsyth Athletic, Harthill Royal v Glenvale.