THE local Inverclyde derby is always keenly anticipated, but perhaps even more so than usual tomorrow, given what is at stake.

For the first time in a few seasons, both Port Glasgow and Greenock have everything to play for in the final game of Group Seven in the Sectional League Cup.

Tomorrow’s match is effectively a decider to see which side tops the group and qualifies for the knock-out stages, with a quarter-final tie against Thorniewood at Uddingston next Wednesday evening awaiting the winners.

The Port sit on top of the section, just a point ahead of Greenock, so a draw would suffice for them tomorrow, whereas Greenock require to win.

So given the importance of the occasion, it’s a real shame that the match will be played some 15-20 miles away from both towns, with Keanie Park, the home of Johnstone Burgh, being the venue.

It appears that on Monday a Greenock committee member was told by an Inverclyde Council official — wrongly as it later transpired — that Port Glasgow’s ban on using council facilities also extended to whenever they were the away team, thereby ruling out the prospect of the game being switched to Ravenscraig.

And by the time the council clarified the position on Tuesday, saying Ravenscraig could in fact be used as a ‘one-off arrangement’, the Port had already made arrangements with Johnstone Burgh for the use of Keanie Park.

However, the players and management teams are now, naturally, just concentrating on the actual match.

Port Glasgow’s early season form has been impressive, with indications that the old heads signed up in the close season are having a major impact on the younger members of the squad.

But one of them, Jo Jo Connolly, will be missing tomorrow due to a pre-arranged weekend break.

Also absent will be the holidaying Scott Paterson, and there’s an injury doubt over former Greenock player Kearn Docherty.

But the Port will be boosted by the return of Paul Gordon from suspension, and by the news that influential midfielder Dean McKay has re-signed this week, while former Maryhill player but local boy Andrew Ellis has also officially joined the club.

Manager Craig Brown is adamant it would be folly to play for the draw which would see them top the group.

He said: “Everyone wants to win their derby match, so there’s no way we will be going out to get just a point.

“This game always has a bit of added edge, and it will be even more so tomorrow, with the importance of the match.

“But I am pleased with our form so far and the boys can go into tomorrow with confidence.” After a few seasons at Greenock, the Port’s summer signing Ross Kearns becomes the latest in an increasingly long line of players to have turned out for both clubs.

And he could come up against David McGarrigle, who has made the move in the opposite direction.

But Greenock will be without Sean Doherty and Brendan Gillan, both unavailable, and recent signing Colin Stevenson, who is under doctor’s orders to rest a troublesome knee injury for at least the next few months.

The Ravenscraig men were strengthened in midweek with the return after suspension of Alan Williams and Martin Orr, but Mark Downie still has one more game of his ban to serve.

It will be like old times for former Greenock skipper Thomas Docherty, back at the club for a third spell.

Docherty, whose first involvement with Greenock Juniors stretches back 15 years, still relishes derby day.

He told the Tele: “I really enjoy those occasions and look forward to tomorrow. Port Glasgow have added some experienced players to their team, so we know it will be a tough game.

“But we want to win it as much as they do, and our management team of Martin (Campbell) and John (Boyd) have also assembled a really good team, so it should be quite a match.” Kick-off at Keanie Park, Johnstone, is at 2pm.

Port Glasgow Juniors are sponsored by Regents Vehicle Sales, Greenock, and MAC HSL Ltd. Greenock Juniors are sponsored by SAVEHEAT, and the Lighthouse Bar.