Irvine Meadow won’t be easy

Nov 27 2009 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

NEW Arbroath manager Jim Weir has already tasted Scottish Cup defeat this season at the hands of Irvine Meadow and he doesn't want a repeat on Saturday.

The 40-year-old turned out in an emergency when a Chris Strain goal gave Meadow a 1-0 win over Bankfoot in the first round of the Emirates Scottish Junior Cup last month.

And now, by a strange twist of fate, Weir will be at the helm when the Red Lichties visit Meadow Park on ACTIVE NATION Scottish Cup duty on Saturday.

“Obviously people will think I've got first hand knowledge of Meadow but they were playing on a very poor surface that day and I'm sure I didn't see the best of them,” said Weir who had turned out to help out a pal for the tie.

“But I still think we were robbed,” he added. “We had one which crossed the line in the last minute and the ref didn't give it – but to be fair the score flattered us.”

Weir, who had to give up playing in 2004 because of injury after spells with Hamilton, Hearts and St Johnstone, stresses he's not out for revenge, but he fully recognises the importance of Saturday's cup clash.

“It's a big, big game for both clubs,” admitted Weir.

“Irvine Meadow's players will be really up for this one. They'll be out to claim the scalp of a Senior team and I have to prepare my players to handle it.”

The Arbroath boss, whose side are a mix of youngsters and players with a bit of Senior experience, has had a win and draw since taking over at Gayfield at the start of this month – and that was enough to lift his side off the foot of the Second Division.

He has had Meadow watched since the draw was made and admits they're not a typical Junior side.

“They've got a lot of players with Senior experience and we can't just expect to go there and roll over them,” he said.

“I've inherited a good squad and my players know they have a tough 90 minutes on their hands, but cup ties are cup ties and you can never tell which way they'll go.

“However it's a massive occasion for both clubs and there could be a pot of gold awaiting the winners.

“Irvine Meadow will be desperate to get their hands on it – but so will Arbroath.”