WHEN you're looking to get back into winning ways - you might choose easier opposition than a team three divisions above you.
That's the challenge for Greenock Juniors, when West of Scotland Premiership side Darvel visit Ravenscraig on Saturday in the Indigo Communications West of Scotland Cup.
The East Ayrshire team have not enjoyed best first period of the season and currently sit at the bottom of the Premier league on -2 points after a three point deduction for fielding an ineligible player (Former Morton stopper Sam Ramsbottom, who's International Transfer Certificate hadn't been processed in time).
That said they still have a great deal of quality in their squad and will present a real test for 'Nock.
From Greenock’s perspective, they followed up a fine win against First division Thorniewood with largely self-inflicted defeats to Glenvale and Kilsyth Athletic.
The management and squad have been working hard to redress the issues that caused the losses and will look to play to their strengths for the full 90 minutes on Saturday.
Greenock have good reason to believe they can trouble Darvel. Last December they produced a superb performance, coming within just eight minutes of a penalty shootout against the same opposition at Recreation Park.
Notwithstanding the fact that Darvel are a big club and three divisions above Greenock the differences in levels are often more marginal than you might think - so it is not beyond Nock to pull off a surprise result.
The management team will have most of the squad available for selection.
Whilst, Jack Graham remains in recovery from his ankle injury, Tai Beckley is available and Darren Patton took a useful step towards full match fitness with minutes against Kilsyth.
Manager Gary Fleming is very much looking forward to the opportunity to play against top opposition and is determined to see a reaction from his players.
He said: “Playing against the top teams is what football is all about and we welcome the challenge.
"Darvel possess quality and experience throughout their squad, however we have got payers who can impact a game just as much as anyone at this level.
"We’ve been extremely disappointed with the last two results against opposition in our own league and the management team are looking for a massive reaction because in both games it has taken until half time before we start winning duels, running hard and being aggressive and applying the basic of fundamentals to win a game of football at this level.
"Anyone can talk about playing passing, possession based, flowing, football, but if you are not applying those fundamentals first and foremost you’ll lose more games than you will win. It is imperative players take this message on board and apply it on Saturday.”
Greenock are sponsored by Saveheat, Keystore Cowal View, Safer Group, The Lighthouse Bar, McGills, ARC and Blairs.
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