Player/assistant manager Darryl Duffy has called on Stranraer not to underestimate Darvel when they visit in the Scottish Cup on Saturday.
Stranraer players and fans will be hoping to avoid a cup shock when the West of Scotland Football League side make the journey to Stair Park.
The visitors have a squad packed full of experience at the Scottish Professional Football League level and a squad which includes four former Blues in Lyle Avci, Jordan Allan, Ryan Thomson and Andy Stirling.
Duffy was keen to ensure though it was his side that was in the draw for the third round of the competition.
He said: “We went and watched them the last weekend when we had no fixture.
“Myself, the gaffer and Scott Robertson went and watched them and they have got League One and League Two standard players playing in their team.
“They are a bit of a similar prospect to the Kelty Hearts game last season in the Scottish Cup.
“We went and watched them, we know all about them and we know a lot of their players anyway because a lot of their players come from League One and League Two clubs.
“It’s going to be a really tough fixture.
“It is one we are looking forward to and one we are desperate to win and progress to the next round of the cup.
“We will need to take the same attitude, workrate and application that we put into a League Two game.
“We need to apply that to this cup game as well or we will not get the result we want.”
Stranraer come into the Scottish Cup contest after a 1-1 draw away to promotion-chasing Stirling Albion last weekend.
Matty Yates opened the scoring for the Blues but a familiar face in Adam Cummins quickly levelled things up.
Duffy said: “Overall, at the start of the game, if you had offered us a point we probably would have taken it.
“We’ve got to be pleased with a point.”
Duffy’s role will be one that is confined to the dugout as he continues to make his way back from a nasty injury suffered at Forfar Athletic in August.
The striker had the wires and cast removed from his hand last week and is working on getting the range back in his fingers and wrist.
He has to stay away from any contact for a further six weeks, which means it will be well into the New Year before he could even be considered for a return to playing.
He said: “Unless the gaffer is desperate for me to get involved then I am probably quite happy to stay on the side and really focus on the assistant role.
“As long as we keep playing the way we are, then I don’t think there will be any real need for me either.”
Darvel’s Scottish Cup so far
Darvel began their Scottish Cup journey last month when they made the long journey north to face Keith.
Darren Miller fired home after his penalty kick was saved and Allan McKenzie put the Ayrshire side on top in the first half. Przemek Nawrocki pulled one back for the hosts after the break but Darvel held on.
Last five games
Stranraer
- DRAW v Stirling Albion (A): 1-1 (Yates)
- WIN v Albion Rovers (H): 1-0 (Woods)
- LOSS v Kelty Hearts (A): 1-0
- WIN v Stenhousemuir (H): 2-0 (Yates and Watson)
- LOSS v Edinburgh City (H): 0-1
Darvel
- WIN v Auchinleck Talbot (A): 1-2 (Marr and Ferguson)
- WIN v Troon (A): 0-2 (Meggatt and Marr)
- WIN v Benburb (H): 3-1 (McShane, Miller and Reid)
- WIN v Kilbirnie Ladeside (H): 2-1
- LOSS v Cumnock Juniors (H): 0-1
Last time out
Stranraer v Stirling Albion: Scullion, Ross, Robertson, Sonkur, Burns, Brady, Gallagher (N’Goy 89), Watson (Walker 79), Smith, Woods (Muir 61), Yates (Langan 89).
Not used: Ellis, Moore, Irving, Rennie and Baker.
Darvel: Truesdale, Meggatt, Marr, Reid, Allan, Miller, McShane, Monaghan, Stirling, Kirkpatrick, Ferguson.
Not used: Avci, Black, Mitchell, Boland, Walker, Little, Thomson.
Show Racism the Red Card
We are proud once again to show our support for Show Racism the Red Card, and our players and staff will take part in activity throughout the afternoon to highlight this.
Admission
Admission prices are reduced as follows:
- Adults – £10
- Concessions (over 65s and 12-16) – £5
- Under 12s – free with paying adult
