Darren Henderson reckons his side have a “free hit” in their crucial derby this weekend.
Hurlford United will battle Irvine Valley rivals Darvel in the South Challenge Cup for a spot in the next round.
And Henderson, who has been impressed by ‘Vale this season, knows his side will be up against it – but says there’s no pressure on his team.
He told the Standard: “I went and watched Darvel on Friday night, they are growing, they are even better than last season which is not good for the rest of us.
“But it’s a cup tie, it takes the pressure of the league off of you.
“It’s a free hit for us, we had a good result up there last year so we will go and do our best.
“We are in good order, it’s a great place to go and it will be a big challenge.”
“Our draws in the cups haven’t been kind to us, but if you’re going to win a cup you need to beat Darvel anyway.
“We’d probably have met them at some point by going far, but we will just go there, relax and enjoy it.”
‘Vale boss Michael Kennedy told Doon the Brae TV: “I am looking forward to it, I have a lot of time for Hurlford as a club.
“The management team are cracking guys, and they have really good players.
“There’s not much rivalry in that game for me because I have so many friends there, but we want to win and get into the next round of the cup.
“It’ll be a very difficult game, we haven’t had an easy game against them in my time here.
“They will come here organised, they have an exceptionally gifted management team.”
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