TABLE-topping ARDEER THISTLE are cranking up the pressure on Whitletts Victoria ahead of Saturday’s promotion showdown at Dam Park Stadium.

Manager Derek Cook says it’s a must-win game for the high-flying Ayr team, who have reached the quarter-finals of the Scottish Junior Cup.

Whitletts are five points behind leaders Ardeer with five games remaining and one adrift of IRVINE VICTORIA, who have two games in hand over them.

Cook said: “Whitletts have done brilliantly reaching the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup and I think they have every chance of beating Camelon or Sauchie and make the semi-finals, I really wish them well.

“Every game from now until the end of the season is like a cup final for us, it doesn’t matter who we play. But I would say this is a massive game for Whitletts and one they can’t afford to lose to have a chance of going up.

“We could afford to lose it and still have a chance although we don’t want to. I think some people think we are the Ardeer of old and will collapse. But the players want to prove people wrong. They have put themselves in this position and are really up for the game, we are looking forward to it.” Defender Neil Shearer (achilles problem) is ruled out although Del Gemmell is back in contention after recovering from a knee injury.

Meanwhile ARDROSSAN WINTON ROVERS manager Derek Frye is tipping Hurlford United to win the Scottish Cup and West of Scotland Cup after losing out 6-0 to the East Ayrshire side in an Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup tie at Winton Park.

But the manager is hopeful that his side can bounce straight back from the loss as they host Kello Rovers in a District League match on Saturday. However he maintains his side are not favourites for promotion.

He said: “Hurlford have quality in every single area of the pitch and are very well organised by the manager Darren Henderson who is a good football man.I really think they are capable of winning the Scottish Cup and the West of Scotland Cup.

“That game was a learning curve for us, especially some of the younger players. We have a big match at home to Kello Rovers and we must aim to win and keep winning and see what happens to the teams around us. Ardeer and Irvine Vics are the favourites to go up and can only throw it away.” KILWINNING RANGERS have added striker Mark Armour (21) on loan from Auchinleck Talbot for the rest of the season as they gear up for a home Super First Division clash with leaders Troon. The game will be the first competitive one for the new management team of Colin Stewart and Chris Strain.

Buffs on Saturday defeated Girvan 3-1 away in a bounce match.

Stewart said: “Mark is a good prospect who should do well for us. I would like to add a defender to the squad before the weekend.

“What better way to start than with a game against the leaders. Troon have been doing well but it’s all about what Kilwinning do if we want to stay in this division and we must look to get off to a winning start.” Buffs hope soon to strike a deal for midfielder Craig Potter, who is on the transfer list.

Proud IRVINE MEADOW manager Stevie Rankin hailed his team’s weekend display as one of their best of the season as they toppled longtime rivals Auchinleck Talbot in convincing fashion.

The 3-2 win took them into the quarter-finals of the Ayrshire Weekly Press Cup and the Irvine side are on the crest of a wave, having lost just once in the last 17 games.

Rankin told Sportscene: “We scored three cracking goals and that has to be one of our best performances of the season. Talbot are such a quality side and we knew they would come back strongly in the second half. One of their goals was down to a defensive error. But I am delighted with how are doing, we have lost just once in 17 games and that’s good going.” For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.