IT is Scottish Cup weekend for Annan Athletic and Gretna 2008. Tomorrow afternoon the two teams face difficult away ties in the second round of the coveted competition. The Black and Golds head to New Douglas Park to take on League Two rivals Clyde, while the Anvils make the journey to Beechwood Park in East Ayrshire to face West of Scotland outfit Auchinleck Talbot. Victory would not only result in a financial boost but a chance for the clubs to pit their wits against top teams from League One and the Championship.
Gibson on Clyde revenge mission
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OUT FOR REVENGE . . . Annan manager Wullie Gibson[/caption] WULLIE Gibson admits he is still hurting after being on the wrong end of a 6-0 trouncing when Athletic played the Bully Wee in the league last month. His Annan side are heading into the cup clash desperate to make up for that performance. And they are in a great position to do so, having put together a five game unbeaten run in all competitions. Looking ahead to the trip, Gibson said: “We’ve got to be positive and we’ve got be happy with where we are at the moment, it looks like we’ve turned a corner. “We’ve got to go up there and make up for our really poor performance (at Galabank) where we got beat 6-0, that still hurts me and hopefully the boys are still hurting as well. Hopefully we can go up there and get another positive result.” He added: “They play their games an hour up the road, so fingers crossed we’ll get a few fans up there. “The game’s massive for the club, in terms of the finances. We had a poor Scottish Cup last season when we went up to Fraserburgh, we let the fans down there."
Parker excited for Talbot test
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CHALLENGE . . . Gretna boss Vinnie Parker[/caption] GRETNA gaffer Vinnie Parker is excited to face one of Scottish football’s non-league giants. It will certainly be no easy test for the Anvils who are going up against the table topping West of Scotland Premier League side – Talbot have won all seven of their opening games in the division. The Black and Whites, meanwhile, occupy bottom spot in the Lowland League, but they will be hoping, as is often the case, that league form will become irrelevant come 3 pm tomorrow afternoon. Parker said: “It’s a huge game for everybody, not only the players but for the club as well. “It’s the showcase trophy in the country and it’s great to still be involved. “ To play Auchinleck Talbot, it is going to be a really exciting tie. They’re a big side with a lot of history and a big fanbase. “It’ll be an exciting game."
