Clydebank v

Ayr United

IT IS funny how nuggets of gold are unearthed from the most unlikely places.

Take our very own Billy

Connolly, for example. One-time welder on the Govan shipyards and now regarded as arguably the most laughed-at man in the world. Except, of course, one William Jefferson Clinton.

Emley, even by its very name, is not the most glamourous place in the football world. Far from it, in fact, but from this little non-league Yorkshire side did Ayr United not plot the steal of last year?

While others around him have contributed largely to the Ayr United revival this term, Glynn Hurst has shone like a beacon; his lightning pace and blindingly accurate shooting ability making a mockery of his #30,000 transfer fee.

The 23-year-old, who endured less successful spells with Tottenham Hotspur and Barnsley before Emley, was signed as a midfielder back in March, but his scoring prowess was soon recognised and now, with 16 goals in 24 games, he is arguably the most feared striker in the first division.

Such has been the impact he has made that clubs from the Premier League, most notably Motherwell and Dundee United, have been keeping a close eye on his movements.

However, he is just glad to be back earning his corn in league football, along with his old Emley team-mate Mickey Reynolds, and is only three goals away from setting a personal record for goals.

Last season it was his 19 strikes for Emley in the Unibond League that prompted Gordon Dalziel to pull out the cheque-book, and, after scoring twice in the 4-0 defeat of Stranraer last week, a hat trick against Clydebank at Boghead today would see him equal that tally after only 25 games.

Being the superstitious type, as most footballers - especially the strikers - appear to be, he refused to discuss the prospect, but he was happy to credit his team-mates for the feat

''The scoring is mainly down to the rest of the team for giving me such good service. It always helps when the team are creating a lot of chances and it gives the strikers the chance to rack up a few goals.

''My best before that was 19 with Emley, so hopefully I'm well on the way to breaking that.''

Ayr lie in third position in the league, 11 points behind the seemingly unstoppable Hibs. However, Hurst believes that his side, with nine goals in their last two home matches, are approaching their best form after enduring a period punctuated by injuries.

''Hibs have to blow-up if anyone is to have a chance of catching them,'' he offered honestly. ''They have too much quality for the rest of the teams.

''We have had our injuries, but we've managed to get over them now, while Hibs have enjoyed a settled side for most of the season. Anyway, I think we are more than a match for them on our day.''

They are strong favourites to prove more than a match for Clydebank today and as the scottish cup tie with Ayrshire rivals Kilmarnock looms ahead, Hurst believes it is important to keep the momentum going.

He missed the 2-0 triumph over their local rivals in the fourth round last season, but the memory of playing in the FA Cup against West Ham United, and almost causing one of the biggest upsets in many a year, gets the taste buds going again.

Emley lost 2-1 to the Hammers at Upton Park, a goal by John Hartson in the dying moments killing off any replay hopes, but it was an occasion which proved an eye-opener.

''That was an absolutely wonderful experience - one of those that you will never forget. When you look at the scoreboard and see the score reading West Ham 1, Emley 1, with 74 minutes gone, you think 'what the hell, is going on here.' That stood me in good stead to try to get back into full-time football and experience occasions such as that a little more frequently.''

However, today it is Boghead and the threat of trench-feet.

''We always try to play football, but we might need to change our tactics a bit,'' suggested manager Dalziel, who will possibly be without an entire midfield - John Davies and Andy Lyons are both suspended, while Billy Findlay hobbled out of training yesterday and is doubtful.

''After about 10 to 15 minutes the pitch will cut up terribly, but we will just have to get on with it.

''We have come off a really good result last week and we are very much looking forward to the game. It is going to be a difficult one, in which we have to give a battling performance and try to pick up the three points.''

''We went through a sticky patch a wee while ago, but we are not the finished article.

''What we did do was get off to a great start and set ourselves very high standards. We went 11 games unbeaten and then lost a game or two, but everyone knows you have to experience good times and bad.

''What's important is how you respond to the bad times, and we have responded by scoring nine goals in two games at home, so I cannot ask for anything better.''

Bad times are normal times for Clydebank manager, Ian McCall.

The club's financial frailties worsen almost daily, but his players have worked tirelessly and sometimes unfashionably to ensure their stay in the first division would not be a short one.

However, McCall's frustration boiled over last week, after Tom Smith joined Hibs, despite repeated calls from the manager to the board to tie him up on a new deal.

''That's all in the past now and we've got to get on with it,'' said McCall, who welcomes back Colin MacDonald after injury.

''It will be a difficult game, but we managed a draw with them last time we played here, which I think was a fair-enough result, because we controlled the game for the first half.

''The pitch will not be in great nick, but it won't help us much either, because we like to play good football, too.''

The odds

BOOKIES' VIEW: Clydebank 7-4, Ayr United 5-4, draw 12-5.