GREENOCK Juniors' assistant manager says his team are ready for any test as they prepare to welcome Third Division rivals Glenvale to Ravenscraig in the South Challenge Cup.

Stephen Docherty was speaking after watching the Nock secure back-to-back wins in the league, with Saturday's success away to Wishaw followed up by a 2-1 victory at home to Irvine Vics on Tuesday night.

This weekend's visitors were promoted from the bottom tier at the end of last season, and despite a difficult start to the new campaign, with just one win from their first five games they remain strongly fancied to achieve back-to-back promotions.

This is the first of three encounters with the Paisley side in the space of a month or so, with Gary Fleming's side set to travel to Ferguslie Sports Centre in the league early next month before the two teams meet again at Ravenscraig in the Junior Cup on September 21.

Despite their deserved win on Tuesday, Greenock's performance was arguably their least convincing of the league campaign so far, though they started the game in excellent form, playing some fine passing football, and looked set to overrun their North Ayrshire visitors.

However, as the game progressed, Greenock became anxious and hurried in their play as passes went astray, players were over-playing and the quality of decision making was well below standard, with very little composure, particularly in the middle of the park.

Nock's opener came via the spot 12 minutes into the second half, when Cammy Barclay sent Tai Beckley through on the Vics goal and keeper McNichol barged unneccesarily into the striker, with Craig Brown slotting home the resulting penalty.

But the hosts were made to work for it with little over 15-minutes to play as Irvine broke down the right hand side and a low cross into the box found Kyro Crawford unmarked and with plenty of time to pick his spot to equalise.

To great relief in the Greenock camp, it only took the home side three minutes to restore their lead, when a clearance by Barclay found Beckley outpacing the Irvine defence, and his exquisite first time lob from outside the box hit the net.

Reflecting on Tuesday night's win, Docherty said: “We are delighted with the performance. The tempo and desire against an extremely physical team was super pleasing.

"We dominated the game throughout and felt slightly frustrated to have conceded at all.

"What is pleasing is that the players’ ability to self-critique and learn this year has been great. They are open to feedback, and that will only help them to continue to improve.

"We could do with a little more calmness in the final third, but that will come. At no point did we feel nervous, and we wanted to concentrate on believing things would come.

"Tai’s winner was a stunning goal and it capped a great night for him as he had also won the penalty.

"However it is important to focus on the team performance as it is the full collective that deserves credit."

Looking ahead to Saturday's clash, assistant boss Stephen Docherty said: "Glenvale had a great season last year and an impressive pre-season with good results against tough opposition.

"We expect an extremely challenging game, however we believe the squad is well placed to compete with anyone this year.”

Greenock are sponsored by Saveheat, Keystore Cowal View, Safer Group, The Lighthouse Bar, McGills, ARC and Blairs.