JUBILANT KILWINNING RANGERS co-manager Chris Strain saluted his “ruthless” team as they chalked up one of their biggest ever wins on Saturday.

Now he is targeting a run in the Scottish Junior Cup after an 11-0 demolition of northerners New Elgin in an opening round tie at Abbey Park in which Michael Hart bagged a hat-trick.

The Second Round draw is being made at the Irvine Meadow Social Club on Sunday.

Strain said on Monday: “That was a ruthless display and we took our goals very well, I was also delighted we had such a good crowd at the match and the people of Kilwinning are backing us really well. The Scottish Cup is important and we want to still be involved in it after Christmas. We would like a home tie, preferably not against an Ayrshire Super League team. Ayrshire District League teams have done well in the cup in recent seasons and it shows that the standards are high.” However despite the impressive result Strain is now totally focusing on a testing trip to Kirkconnel to face a Dundee North End side who took a major scalp by defeating Dundee North End 3-2 away in another opening round tie.

He said: “We can’t look further ahead than the next game and that was a great result for Kello on Saturday which gave us a reminder of how difficult it will be on Saturday. Kello are one of those teams who are always up there challenging but we are looking to win the match.” Buffs have been an added boost with the news last week that defender Isaac Kerr, who joined from IRVINE VICTORIA last season, has signed on until 2017.

“Isaac is a quality player, he is strong and has been a regular this season, it’s great he has signed a new deal,” the co-manager added.

IRVINE MEADOW wideman Gary McCann is hoping to go all the way in the Scottish Junior Cup, following a 2-0 win at Cambuslang Rangers in which he set up the opening goal for Willie Sawyers.

He said: “We would love to go all the way to the final and win it after losing out in the semi-finals and it was a good start at Cambuslang. We have a lot to live up to after last year but it was a good result on Saturday. The squad has been strengthened and we have added some quality players.” Medda will have Anthony McParland, Grant Evans, Paul McLaughlin and Josh Flood back from injury for Saturday’s home Premier Division clash with BEITH. Mark McLennan returns from suspension and Chris Hall, who was at a wedding, also returns.

Manager Stevie Rankin said: “We deserved to win the tie although are not the finished article and want to win every competition we are in. Beith are a very good side and we know they have won their last three games. Johnny Millar has them playing well. I know quite a few of their players but we will be looking to take the three points.” Ambitious IRVINE VICTORIA have snapped up wideman Bruce McMaster from Buffs and co-boss Iain McMillan says he will be a key player.

The Westenders on Saturday drew 1-1 away to Largs Thistle and are further up the coast on Saturday, playing Greenock away.

McMillan said: “Bruce is a quality player, he is strong and direct and am sure will do well for us.” Added the manager: “Largs had the best of the first half and we were better in the second half and had we taken our chances we could have won. I’m sure a win will come. It will be tough on Saturday as Greenock know what it takes to stay in this league but we are looking to take the three points.” For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.