Home draw for Irvine Meadow in Scottish Cup

Dec 19 2008 by John Woods, Irvine Herald

A HOME game against Maryhill is Irvine Meadow’s reward for their Scottish Junior Cup victory at Cambuslang on Saturday.

And it’s one which has pleased manager Chris Strain who was just happy to see his side come out of the hat with home advantage.

“There are no easy ties at this stage but I think we have to regard this as a favourable draw,” admitted Strain.

“Maryhill always seem to feature in high-scoring games – for example they won 4-3 on Saturday – so while they score lots of goals they lose plenty too and that’s something we’ll be looking to exploit.

“Obviously it suits us to be at home and we’ll make sure we do our homework and have Maryhill well watched before the tie.”

Lochburn Park boss Kevin O'Neil was unfazed when he learned his team’s fate.

"Meadow on their own patch is a difficult a tie, but I'd like to think we can give them a game of it,” he said. "No doubt the bookies will make us outright underdogs but I know my players and they will relish going up against all their big names."

Meanwhile Strain was full of paise for his players and the fans afer the weekend win at Cambuslang.

“I was just glad to get through after a game which was played in very difficult conditions,” he added. “It was a bit of a slog in the first half but we were much, much netter after the break and missed several good chances before we scored.

“They hit us with everything in the last fine minutes but we held out and over the piece I felt we deserved to go through.

Strain was also delighted with he backing his team received on Saturday.

“The supporters were absolutely magnificent and shouted us on from first to last,” he said. “There were no negative comments at all, the players really appreciated the way the fans got behind them and I’d like to thank them all for their support.”

The full fourth round draw is. Penicuik v Lanark Utd; Kilsyth Rangers v Pollok; Carnoustie Panmure v Craigmark or Girvan; Bellshill Athletic or Whitburn v Arthurlie; Ashfield v Annbank Utd; Auchinleck Talbot v Dundee Violet; Newtongrange Star v Larkhall Thistle; Carluke Rovers v Camelon; Coupar Angus or St Anthony’s v Clydebank; Shotts Bon Accord v Petershill; Dunipace v Beith; Rob Roy v Kirkcaldy YM or Thornton Hibs; Irvine Meadow v Maryhill; Jeanfield Swifts or Dyce v St Roch’s or Montrose Roselea; Ballingry Rovers or Bonnyrigg Rose v Glenrothes; Broxburn or Thorniewood v Maybole.

Ties are due on Saturday, January 1.