THE hugely anticipated Scottish Junior Cup clash between Dalry Thistle and holders Glenafton Athletic has been switched to Kilwinning's Abbey Park after being called off at Merksworth Park on Saturday.

Now the Garnock Valley club have unveiled plans for a new drainage system at the flood-prone park to try and bring to an end to a catalogue of weather-enforced postponements in recent years.

Manager Gavin Friels is relishing the game but is also relieved that an end to the call-offs appears to be in sight for the Ayrshire District League club.

He admits the cup tie is the biggest in his managerial career and said: "It's great we are able to play it at Abbey Park as that should make sure it goes ahead and it also means just a five-mile trip for the fans.

"Glenafton are favourites because they are Scottish Cup holders and league champions but I will ask the players to go out and do their best. If we are the top of our game and they are not there's always a chance of an upset. The good thing is some of our players, including Chris McGowan, Ian Cashmore, Barry Fleeting and Kyle Cumming have played at Kilwinning and know the park."

The manager hopes the new drainage system will help improve the club's reputation and added: "George Taggart, who is the groundsman with Kilwinning and at Ardeer Golf Club will help install the new drainage system which will go under the pitch and will require extra turf. It's a real state-of-the-art system and should mean our home games go on. This year we have played five away league games. Hopefully with improved facilities we will attract more players."

A minute's silence will be held before the game in memory of former Dalry Rovers player Cameron Russell, who died following a holiday tragedy in Bulgaria in August.

Meanwhile Ardrossan Winton Rovers manager Bryan Slavin pulled his boots back on for Saturday's Scottish Junior Cup clash with Dunbar United.

Hosts Winton lost 4-2.

Slavin said: "I felt my experience was needed on the park and I could also help with communication. We started really well and scored two good goals but let Dunbar back into it. But they are an East Super Premier Division team and we will learn lessons from this game which we can take forward."

Slavin plans to make some changes to the squad in the coming weeks and said: "We are looking at the squad and some players will come in and some will go."

Saturday sees them host derby rivals Saltcoats Victoria in District League action and the boss is taking nothing for granted.

He said: "I look forward to the game and was in the derby for Saltcoats against Winton when we beat them at Winton Park. They will get a lift from George Grierson coming in as their manager and it will be tough but hopefully we can take three points."