WHITEHILL WELFARE travel to Castle Douglas tomorrow in the knowledge that a win against Threave Rovers in their Active Nation Scottish Cup second-round replay will set them up for a home tie against Highland League team, Inverurie Loco Works, in the next round.
Whitehill drew 1-1 with Rovers last weekend and manager Gary Aitchison has no doubt that the two sides are evenly matched.
"I thought that it was a very good game in which both teams played a lot of good football," said Aitchison. "We both cancel
led each other out.
"We lost a sloppy goal only a minute into the second half and that is something that has already happened to us earlier in the season so we will have to work on our concentration immediately after half-time. However, I was happy that we kept attacking and we got our just rewards when Steven McCormack was tripped and Kevin Haynes equalised from the penalty spot.
"We certainly deserved something out of the game because we played really well and I could not have asked for any more. Threave are a good side and our goalkeeper, Youssef Bejaoui, had one particularly good save to keep us in the game. There were a lot of good signs and we had Kevin and Banji Koya on the bench after returning from injury."
Aitchison, though, appreciates that Threave, on their own patch, still pose a major threat to the Rosewell club.
"We've had a good look at Threave for 90 minutes and I will watch the video of the game another couple of times before we leave tomorrow morning.
"We have had two good training sessions this week and everybody is back to full fitness. I'll sit down and discuss with my coaches as we have some difficult decisions to make regarding team selection."
Aitchison was referring particularly to Haynes and Koya, two powerful strikers who have not started recently, although Ross Allum and Daryl Devlin have scored in the absence of the duo.
"We have to decide whether to change because we are not treating Threave lightly," said Aitchison. "Both teams still have a chance and I anticipate another evenly-matched game.
"We went down and beat Wigtown & Bladnoch away from home in the first round and there is not much between Threave and them in terms of league positions. We are going to Castle Douglas with a professional attitude and it would be good for everybody connected with the club if we could get through. There is much prestige connected with making progress in the Scottish Cup.
"It would be nice to get through another round but I am trying to treat the game like a normal league fixture and not allow the players to get too carried away.
"I will be emphasising to the players that the game finishes on Saturday, whether it be extra-time or penalties – there will be no second chance. We have worked on taking penalties at training this week although that is something we do after almost every training session.
"We are not travelling down over confident although I am confident that we can do well, get a result and make the committee and supporters proud of their team."
Meanwhile, opponents Threave, who introduced former Annan Athletic, Gretna and Morton manager David Irons – aged 48 – as a substitute last Saturday, are hoping that home advantage will help them come out on top.
Dave McVitie, the Threave manager, said: "David Irons is the biggest signing in Threave's history and it could not have come at a better time.
"Last Saturday, we were well worth our draw and could have gone on to win but now we have the chance to finish Whitehill off this weekend at home. I was annoyed with the penalty we gave away last week but that's football. Dave came on and settled things down a bit at the end when we were being forced back. We have a wider park and hopefully that will suit us better than them."
Irons, the oldest player to have participated in the Scottish Cup competition in its entire history, added: "Playing certainly beats sitting in front of the television on a Saturday afternoon."
The replay kicks off at Meadow Park in Castle Douglas at 3.00pm with admission prices, adults £5 and concessions £3, while people under the age of 16 will be admitted free if accompanied by a paying adult.
