Greenock Telegraph | Sport | Title in the bag but Port still want win

Thursday, 16th October, 2008

Published: Friday, 23rd May, 2008 12:00

Title in the bag but Port still want win

By Gary Pews

Image related to story, see caption or article text

Reach Up: Paul Temporal and Port Glasgow will be looking to rise to the challenge tonight when they face Blantyre in the cup.

Pic by: George Umnro

PORT Glasgow might be forgiven for taking it easy tonight, as they return to action less than a week after clinching the league championship.

The Port head to Blantyre for a third-round tie in the Central League Cup, a competition not high on the list of many a junior manager’s priorities. But try telling that to David Hopkin, who is looking after the team in the absence of the holidaying Brian Heron.

There is about as much chance of that singing binman winning the Eurovision Song Contest for the ‘Royaume-Uni’ as there is of Blantyre winning the League Cup, but former Morton star Hopkin insists he will be fielding as strong a line-up as possible, and is taking the match very seriously.

He said: “I don’t like to get beat, even in friendly games, so I will be stressing to the lads that they must give 100 per cent against Blantyre.”

Victory tonight would set the Port up for a tasty quarter-final clash at Ravenscraig on Monday against Premier Division Arthurlie, one of the junior game’s leading lights.

Hopkin insists this should act as an added incentive, and said: “As well as the chance to compete against a top-drawer team, the revenue from such a game would give us a great cash boost.

“We were down to the bare bones a few weeks ago against Larkhall, so some extra funds might help us make a few new signings to strengthen the squad for the new season.”

The honeymooning Stephen Flynn is unavailable for tonight, and Alan McIntyre has been ruled out with a leg knock. Forward Jim Brown is also a doubt, and he faces a late fitness test after suffering a hamstring injury.

Kick-off at Blantyre tonight is at 7.30pm.

l Port Glasgow Juniors are sponsored by Renfrewshire Electronics and the Senit Group. Kit sponsored by Swordfish Signs and Remax Gourock

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