ARDROSSAN Winton Rovers boss Gavin Friels says that a Scottish Junior Cup run could provide a perfect 'homecoming' for his side.

Winton secured progress in the tournament on Saturday, September 21, after defeating Kirriemuir Thistle 3-2 in a home fixture.

However the match was not played at their usual home, with the fixture instead taking place at Beith's Bellsdale Park while improvement work remains ongoing at Winton Park.

In light of the result, Friels is eyeing up a run in the competition - and hopes that this could coincide with their return to the Anderson Terrace ground.

Winton have been handed a tough third round fixture away to Bo'ness United or Kilsyth Rangers, but Friels remains confident his side can produce.

He said: “We are always wanting to do well in the league and get as far in the cup as we can.

“We’ve been kind of unlucky with draws, I’ve always been unlucky with them, playing the finalists or semi-finalists in the early stages.

“We’re looking forward to the next round now, our aim now is to get through the next couple of rounds and then hopefully get a home tie.

“That would then be at the new ground, with a good crowd, that’s my aim for the Scottish this year then we’ll take it from there.”

Looking back at the game, Friels is also hopeful that the result can provide a catalyst for a turnaround in Winton's fortunes.

“It was good to get a win and get through," he commented, "especially just off the back of a couple of bad, unfair results and a week without a game.

“It had been a while since we could get our teeth into something.”

The return of some key players to his squad has also provided a welcome boost, after some tough luck with injuries so far this season.

Amongst those returning to action has been top marksman Aidan Ferris who notched two goals in the cup fixture - with Mark Curragh scoring Winton's other - to see Winton through.

Friels added: “We’ve been really unlucky with injuries, work issues and weddings – hopefully we’re through the back of that.

“I had a stronger squad on Saturday and hopefully we’ll have an even stronger one this weekend.

“Hopefully that gets us up and running and we get a few wins over the next couple weeks.”

Next up for Ardrossan is a home league match against Ashfield which will be played at Valefield Park in Kilbirnie on Saturday, September 28 - with kick off at 2pm.