Michael Kennedy insists Darvel are still key players in the title race as his side prepares for their first game in almost a month.
Wicked weather throughout February has left ‘Vale stuck on the sidelines.
Not since the 2-1 West of Scotland League Premier Division win over Glenafton Athletic have Kennedy’s troops kicked a ball in anger.
Darvel have four games in hand on second-placed Auchinleck Talbot – and eight on leaders Pollok.
The club will attempt to make inroads when Bryan Young’s Beith visit Recreation Park this evening.
Should Darvel win their games in hand on Talbot, they will be four points behind going into the final stages of the season.
And boss Kennedy feels there is still everything to play for despite the unscheduled winter break.
He told Ayrshire Football News: “It’s started to get a little bit ridiculous but it’s part and parcel of being successful – good runs in the cup mean league games get put to one side.
“It’s one of those things we just need to accept it. The park is in really good condition.
“The training is the most difficult thing to work with but in terms of the squad, we’re pretty fortunate that we’ve got one of the strongest squads in the league. It’s going to be a massive ask.
“I think we see ourselves as part of the three who could go on and win the league, without a shadow of a doubt.
“We just need to win the games in hand but I certainly see ourselves alongside Auchinleck and Pollok competing for the league at the end of the season.”
Darvel face a Beith side fresh from a hard-fought 0-0 derby-day draw at Kilbirnie Ladeside on Saturday and Kennedy expects a tough test.
“Beith are a young side and have been inconsistent but you get that with young players,” he added.
“Bryan has gone in there and done really well. We played them at the start of the season down there and won 2-1, but I thought we were fortunate. It will be a good, competitive game.”
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