ARDROSSAN Accies have their sights set on making history as they look ahead to two vital fixtures this month.

It all begins this weekend, Saturday March 23, when head coach Andrew Duncan will take the club's men's first XV north to face Moray in the quarter-final of the National Shield.

Victory would take the Accies into the final four of the competition, putting them just one game away from a trip to Murrayfield for Silver Saturday - Scottish Rugby Union's finals day - on April 27.

Accies are unbeaten so far this season, with 14 league wins adding to victories over Bishopton and Lenzie that have taken them to the last eight of the Shield - but Duncan says they'll have to overcome plenty of challenges if they're to make it to Edinburgh next month.

He said: “The problem has been trying to keep the momentum going.

“Since the turn of the year we have played one game every three weeks. In terms of keeping the continuity going, it’s been tough.

“However, the numbers have still been pretty good, and the training has been competitive, which helps.

“We are just missing that match sharpness which probably showed in a couple of our recent games.”

Accies have been doing all they can to ensure that they have the best possible chance on Saturday against their Elgin-based opponents, who finished their campaign in the Caledonia Region's North Conference earlier this month top of the table, with 12 wins from their 14 matches.

Those preparations will include making most of the 220-mile journey north on Friday, March 22, to ensure they're as fresh as possible for the big game the following day.

Duncan hopes this will give them as good a chance as possible to earn a semi-final spot against what he expects to be tough opposition.

He added: “We don’t really know what to expect other than that they will be pretty confident.

“They have been winning a majority of their games this year, so they will be a confident team, and that is always dangerous.”

Duncan is also hoping that the potential of a cup and league double will help drive his players on to victory.

The Accies face a short trip to Ayrshire rivals Kilmarnock on March 30, knowing that a bonus point win will put them within touching distance of the West Division One title - and that the championship could even be confirmed at Bellsland, depending on results elsewhere.

Duncan commented: “It’s an exciting time because we’re on track for a possible double. I’m not sure if the club have ever done it before.

“There’s a chance for the guys to be history makers – it’s great for helping them focus.

“If we win that [Kilmarnock game] with a bonus point, that should be the league title secured, which would be nice.

“We would know exactly where we stand, and it would be a lot of hard work paying off.

“We want to win every game we’re in, but it takes the pressure off if there is less games we need to win.”