STRIKER Jared Willet and co-boss Michael Wardrope have high hopes that Irvine Meadow can power into the last 16 of the Scottish Junior Cup.

Meadow warmed up for Saturday's fourth round clash away to Carluke Rovers with a comfortable 3-0 home win against Cumbernauld United. This left them three points behind second-placed Shettleston, who have a game in hand.

Willet, who joined from Ardrossan Winton Rovers in the summer was impressed with the display and said: "If we had the second goal earlier we could have had a few more. But I felt it was just a matter of time before we got the goals which decided it. We have good players like Ben Black, who has still a lot to learn but has bags of ability and more experienced players like Mark McLennan, Graham Muir and Graham Boyd. A lot of the results come down to fitness, we are a really fit team and are very fast. "

The striker, who netted his sixth goal on Saturday is not ruling out a promotion challenge and said: "The management team have set a target of points and once we reach that we will see how we are. If we were in a good situation we could go for promotion."

He is looking forward to the cup tie and said: "Anything can happen in the Scottish Cup, you can't take form into account. It's an important game and hopefully we can go through. Cup runs are always good for a squad. It would be a good achievement if we could reach the last 16, considering we are a totally new team."

Wardrope was encouraged by the weekend performance and said: "In the second half we dominated and could and should have won by more. But it was a great three points. We are just taking it a game at a time as it's a very hard league. Ben Black played really well and was winning headers and tackles."

Looking ahead to the weekend he said: "The Scottish Cup is always massive for Irvine Meadow. I have reached semi-finals and quarter-finals with a player and was in the team who beat Carluke 1-0 in the cup a few years ago. I think we have a good chance of going through but we will take nothing for granted. If we got to the last 16 and had a home draw you are laughing but we're not there yet."

Meanwhile Irvine Victoria boss Stevie Wilson is optimistic ahead of Saturday's Super First Division clash with Clydebank at Holm Park.

He said: "We have beaten Yoker there twice this season and drew 1-1 at home with Clydebank early in the season so we will go there looking to take something from the game."

Meadow have a full squad for the game.