Cove Rangers will be viewed as an even bigger scalp this year for Scottish Cup opponents Auchinleck Talbot, according to Jordon Brown.
The junior side knocked them out of the competition last year with a 2-1 win at Beechwood Park, a game in which Brown played.
Since then, Cove have won the Highland League again and been promoted to the Scottish leagues for the first time. They sit top of League 2 with just one defeat from their opening nine games.
Auchinleck’s run last year took them to the fifth round before they were beaten 4-0 by Hearts at Tynecastle. Brown hopes they can avoid taking Cove’s scalp again 12 months on.
He said: “It’ll be a competitive, physical game and my memories from last year are that it was a really intense place to play.
“We were a big scalp then and we are even more so now. With the manager coming in and the quality we have in the squad, they will see it as a big opportunity to take a scalp.
“We should have beaten them at our place last year. I hit the post and Jamie Masson missed a great chance. In the second game down there we got a penalty but should have had one more.
“They are winning every week and when you’re used to winning, you don’t like losing. It’s just like us in that respect.”
Brown is hoping for an opportunity of his own this weekend, after what he admits has been a frustrating campaign to date.
The former Peterhead midfielder came off the bench against Edinburgh City in the opening game of the season and scored but has not featured in the league since. He played in all their Betfred Cup games and appeared twice in the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup.
However, the 26-year-old is prepared to bide his time for his opportunity and knows he has what it takes to make the most of it when it arises.
Brown added: “I picked up a knock five or six weeks ago and it’s been massively frustrating. I’ll keep working hard and I know I can contribute at this level.
“With the quality of squad we have and the way we’re playing, it is difficult for the manager to make changes. But I’ll bide my time and wait for my chance to come.
“I have won this league before, playing and scoring against these teams, so I know I can contribute. It’s all about taking my chance and I’m confident I would be able to.”