Kilwinning Rangers face a huge relegation showdown at home to Arthurlie tonight.
Chris Aitken’s men are second-bottom of the West of Scotland League Premier Division table but have multiple games in hand on everyone around them.
Arthurlie are also in the relegation zone – three points clear of the Buffs, who are five points from safety.
And while the prospect of two cup quarter-finals in the latter part of the season is exciting, Kilwinning go into this evening’s clash desperate for points.
Boss Aitken told KRTV: “There is no getting away from where we are in the league.
“Wednesday is going to be a massive game and I’ve told the players to rest up and prepare.
“We will be playing against a tough Arthurlie team. The games are going to come thick and fast and I’m going to need everyone in the squad.”
Meanwhile, on the personnel front, Buffs have confirmed the departure of experienced defender Kevin Nicoll to First Division Gartcairn.
Replacing him in the squad will be Jak MacCalman who had left at the end of his short-term deal in December.
Buffs continue their league campaign this Saturday with a trip to leaders Beith – bossed by ex-Kilwinning manager Chris Strain.
Meanwhile, Aitken reflected on a job well done as Kilwinning Rangers marched into the quarter-finals of another cup competition.
After progressing to the last eight of the West of Scotland League Cup with a penalty shoot-out win at home to St Cadoc’s, Buffs headed to Lochburn Park to face Second Division Maryhill in the South Challenge Cup.
A goal in the opening minute from Ally McColm set Buffs on their way with a second-half penalty from Thomas Collins sealing a 2-0 success on Saturday.
Delighted boss Aitken said after the game: “It was scrappy but as I said last week, the main objective was to get into the quarter-finals.
“It was never going to be nice, pretty football on the park so we had to dust ourselves down and play in a way we wouldn’t normally play.”
Aitken made six changes to the team which started the victory over St Cadoc’s and told how the players had earned an opportunity to perform.
“The boys have been working extremely hard and everyone deserves a shot to play and stake their chance for a place in the team,” he added. “I just thought it was the right thing to do to give guys who don’t have a lot of minutes in the legs a chance.”
McColm struck with a lovely turn and finish into the top corner from the edge of the box. After the break, Collins emphatically converted from the spot to put the tie beyond doubt.
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