ST ROCH'S boss John McGhee says he's delighted at the prospect of hitting the high road following yesterday's Scottish Citylink Junior Cup fourth round pairings - and that may surprise many.

A trek northwards to face either Jeanfield Swifts or Dyce can hardly be considered a dream draw for the cash-strapped Glasgow club...

Assuming of course they can overcome Third Round opponents Montrose Roselea in their three-times postponed Provanmill Park encounter this Saturday.

However, elder statesman McGhee insists his Candy Rock side have a significantly better chance of claiming a Citylink last 16 place on their travels.

He revealed: "Inconsistency goes hand in hand with a youngish playing squad and for whatever reason our home record is a shocker. You have to go back to October last year for when we last won at home.

"By comparison, our away form has been nothing short of outstanding with our only league defeat to date coming at Carluke Rovers.

"That's why, in many respects, I will back our officials if they consider switching this week's tie against Montrose to another local Junior ground if it is looking like the game might be called off for a fourth time because of pitch problems.

"Frustration is beginning to show among my players and understandably so, as it has been murder trying to keep them ticking over.

"We had a kickabout on the pitch after the referee deemed it unplayable last weekend, but training workouts and indoor five-a-side games are no substitute for the real thing."

His team's Tayside opponents have no such problems as they honed their competitive edge with a 3-1 victory over Coupar Angus in a hastily-arranged league match last weekend.

And McGhee would like West Region clubs to similarly have a "stand-by" fixture arrangement in the event of postponements.

He added: "I know there are fears of clubs using these situations to play games of convenience in order to serve out suspensions, but agreements can be put in place to cover these eventualities.

"If there are teams agreeing to play in these circumstances then every assistance should be given to help them, particularly as it would also cut down on any backlog of fixtures.

"There's no doubt Montrose Roselea have gained an advantage by cramming in 90 minutes playing action and I don't see why clubs from these parts should not be afforded the same opportunity if it helps their preparations for playing in the game's most prestigious competition."

Regardless of where the tie goes ahead, St Rochs appear to be in for a testing time against a side unbeaten in their own league and keen to take a second West Region scalp following their last round 2-0 defeat of Lesmahagow.

McGhee reflected: "If we could be a bit more Scrooge- like defensively then I would fancy our chances because we are capable of scoring goals against anyone.

"Alan Cameron, who we brought in from amateur football, is looking a terrific prospect and has netted nine of our 16 league goals to date.

"Our problem has been letting in too many at the other end and that is no slight on our young goalkeeper Willie Morrison who has taken over the jersey from Stefan McCurley in our last six games and has really looked the part.

"We are crying out for a bit more physicality in front of him and there are a couple of players training with us who might just fit the bill."

Every bit as disappointed to hear Coupar Angus were able to cram in a competitive match was James McKenna ahead of his St Anthonys side facing them on Tayside this weekend.

"The most galling thing is McKenna Park was perfectly playable last Saturday and we could have played any one of a number of our league rivals.

"Arranging stand-by games is definitely something the West Region should consider."

Jamsie was speaking after a 2-1 friendly win last night over Super Premier outfit Bellshill Athletic at the Ibrox Astroturf.

Paul Carr and Kevin Toner were on target for an Ants line-up that was missing a number of established stars like Joe Mulherron and Abu Mansare. Glenafton on a high five

ASHFIELD lost out 5-3 in a friendly affair against Glenafton last night for whom Daniel O'Donnell(2) Joe Savage (2) and Willie Howie were on the mark .

Darren O'Donnell, Mark Thomson and Paul Maxwell were the marksman for Ashfield whose manager Stevie Rankin admitted he had no complaints about the result. He said: "The Glens gave a footballing exhibition first half and were 5-1 ahead at the interval. But credit to my lads for fighting back."