MAN of many clubs Danny Diver is hoping another OVD Junior Cup final triumph for Pollok will take away the bitter disappointment of having his season punctuated by suspension.
The 31-year-old, whose senior career has taken him to St Mirren, Ayr United, Alloa, and Arbroath among others, has only recently finished serving a six-game ban for what was deemed by the Junior FA to have been a wreckless challenge during a hotly contested match with rivals Petershill.
''I just feel it has been blown out of all proportion,'' said Diver. ''I was sent off for something that wasn't even a bookable offence yet received a six-game suspension. Players before me only received three-match bans for throwing punches and the report sounded as if the player's leg was hanging by a thread, which it wasn't because he was back playing the following week.
''I have to admit that it has spoiled my season no matter what happens in the final. I will, though, be using it to motivate me for it and the rest of the team will as well.''
Diver - a rather unfortunate surname for a striker, it has to be said - was instrumental in Pollok's cup success last year, scoring a double in their 3-1 defeat of Tayport, and the player admits that the victory was sweeter than any he had experienced at senior level.
''It was the biggest occasion of my career. It really was a great game to play in and now, with the build up almost over, we're getting towards the big day again and I'm feeling good. I honestly don't care if I score another two goals as long as we win again.''
These sentiments were echoed by manager Jim O'Donnell, who said: ''Ideally, a repeat of last year would be good.
''However, Arthurlie are our biggest rivals and they have already beaten us twice this season.''
O'Donnell added that both teams were keen to use the match as a platform to promote the junior game, in light of the previous bad-tempered finals which tarnished the image.
''We both want to take away the image of past cup finals which have spoilt the junior game and we hope to put on a spectacle.''
The defending champions will be missing Ian McLaughlan and George Redmond, with Shaun Bonnar and John Barret fighting to be fit.
For Arthurlie, a cup-final appearance brings to an end the jibes of being ''nearly men'' in the competition and it is a moment their manager, Jim McQuade, hopes the fans will savour.
''It really should be a great day for the whole town and I'm sure we will have a terrific following.''
McQuade praised the team spirit which saw them defeat Kilwinning Rangers in the semi-final 4-2 on penalties after the game ended 2-2. ''We all have a good laugh and that's exactly how we'll approach the final,'' he said.
''I hope the lads enjoy it because sometimes that gets lost in a big final.''
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