Greenock Juniors set to host Glenvale in the Junior Cup

The two teams are meeiting for the third time in a little over a month; the Nock, so far, have won both previous games, firstly 3-1 in the South Challenge Cup at Ravenscraig and subsequently 6-1 in the league at McKenna Park.

On the face of it Greenock will go into the match as justifiable favourites; however the scorelines don’t tell the whole story.

In the first match the Nock did not play well, particularly in the first half, and had to come from behind to win the match, while at McKenna Park the 6-1 score was rather embellished by three late goals after the Paisley team had gone down to 10 men.

Glenvale started the season well, being tipped to secure back-to-back promotions, and while their results to date have been disappointing, there is a perception of them being a good team who are having a bad run of form – and if you can go to Castle Douglas and beat Threave Rovers 3-0, as Glenvale did just a few weeks ago, you can’t be too bad.

Greenock, for their part, will be aiming to reproduce the form of last Saturday when they beat First Division Thorniewood with an excellent mix of technical football and an intelligent work rate.

It was undoubtedly the Nock’s best performance of the season, and if they replicate that form, it will go a long way to securing progression into the next round.

One of the key elements of the Thorniewood result was the fact that it was a full 90-minute performance, with no dips in the level of focus, and the management team will be at pains to ensure the group maintain that standard.

Greenock have pretty much a full squad that is available for the tie; goalkeeper Craig Beaton is back after missing last Saturday, though one notable absentee is Tai Beckley, who had a superb match against Thorniewood but is out for the next two games.

Striker Darren Patton returned to training last week and is also available.

Assistant Manager Stephen Docherty is mindful that the squad must show the right attitude tonight.

“‘Standards must be maintained’ is the message that must be absorbed by the players,” he said.

“We have spoken regularly about that amongst the squad. The competition for places is very strong, which should continue to drive the quality of performance.

“If the players take this challenge lightly after two good wins against Glenvale we could come unstuck.

Greenock Juniors will be looking to follow up their South Challenge Cup win over Thorniewood with another victory against Glenvale in the Junior Cup. (Image: alex craig) “I am confident that the mental strength we have seen the squad display won’t allow this.

"Glenvale have proved how dangerous this year by beating an excellent Threave team who, otherwise, have had an excellent start to the season.

“We also have to guard against becoming a victim of the law of averages when it comes to Friday night. This is the third game in five weeks against them so we have to be careful.

“We have to play to our strengths matching ability with work rate. We must win our personal battles and keep our positive of results going.”

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

* Meanwhile, ‘win some, lose some, draw some’ was the story for the Greenock pathway teams last weekend.

The development team opened their league campaign with a 2-2 draw against Thorn Athletic. These two teams played out some great matches last season and this is likely to the same this season.

Scorers for Greenock were O’Brien and McCauley and man of the match was Chris Lepick.

The team are away to Vale of Leven on Friday night and will be hopeful of securing all three points.

The 2007s produced another fine performance to win 4-2 away to a traditionally strong Harmony Row team; the squad now has four wins from five matches and sit third in Division 2.

The scorers were Woods (2), McKenzie and Blair, and man of the match was Aiden Blair. The 2007s are away again this weekend, this time to Renfrew Victoria.

The 2008s exited the Scottish Cup, going down 3-1 to Kilwinning Rangers Madrid (yes, really). Sam Keys scored the Nock’s goal with Jayden Kane picking up the man of the match award.

The team play Renfrew at home on Saturday in what is only their second league match of the season. Currently they are one win from one, so they will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent record.

The 2009s came back to form with a real bang; last Wednesday they won 2-1 in a fiercely contested local derby against Greenock High School. The game attracted several hundred spectators, which was great to see; the scorers were Cameron Davis and Jack Carrick, with Davis also being man of the match.

They followed that up with a very impressive 6-0 victory in the Scottish Cup against Irvine Victoria. Scorers were Skilling, O’Donnell (2), Deveney, Paul and Porter, and man of the match was Ethan Deveney.

This weekend the 2009s are again playing Greenock High School in the league.