Auchinleck Talbot troops can strike it hot

Feb 20 2009 by Mike Wilson

TOMMY SLOAN is facing a striking quandary as Auchinleck Talbot try again for the quarter-finals of the Citylink Scottish Cup.

Five players are vying for two starting shirts in the last 16 tie at home to Beith which was frozen off last weekend.

David Gillies, Danny McKelvie, Sean McIlroy, Stevie Mallan and Lee McCrae are all banging on the door for the crunch game, which is Talbot’s biggest so far. Boss Sloan said: “Danny and Sean have been doing well but then Danny missed out through a family illness and that gave David a chance against Bellshill. Stevie has been out with a calf injury but trained on Saturday while Lee has been showing up well.

“I’m going to have a full squad available and it’s a nice problem to have. Beith beat us 3-2 at home in the first game of the season but we’re now a better side and we’re desperate to stay in the cup.”

Sloan was bitterly disappointed when the tie was iced off last weekend. He said: “Referee Charlie Richmond was on the park for half an hour and it was touch and go. However, not all the frost had come out of the ground and the ball wasn’t bouncing properly.”

IRVINE MEADOW face a tricky replay away to Ashfield after being held to a shock 2-2 draw. The big spenders were hot 1/8 favourites but trailed 2-1 at the break and staring down the barrel of a cup exit.

Former Glenafton man Frankie Haggarty curled in a free-kick to give Meadow a 16th minute lead but goals from Mark Thomson and Alastair Martin turned the tie on its head.

Ex-Ayr United men Andy McLaren and Paul Hyslop stayed on the bench but Meadow rescued a second bite when Haggarty slammed home a 30 yard screamer. In a hot finish, Meadow were denied by the woodwork but now face an awkward second game on Ashfield’s tight park.

GIRVAN set up a third round West of Scotland Cup tie at home to Irvine Meadow when they crushed Dalry 5-1 in a tie switched to Hamilton Park with Merksworth again unplayable.

Hero was the prolific Darren Mitchell who grabbed a hat-trick, including two in the opening 23 minutes. A Kevin Biggart penalty made it 3-0.

Mark Duncan got one back six minutes after the restart but a goal from Mitchell and a super strike from Michael Moffat sealed a comprehensive win for Billy Thomson’s men.

KELLO had a double from veteran striker Sam Kerr to thank for sneaking a 2-1 win at ARDEER.

Rovers, who are five points clear at the top of the Ayrshire League, beat the same team 12-1 at Kirkconnel earlier in the season but found it much tougher.

A much changed Ardeer took a shock lead through Lee Hunter but although Kello battled back, they had to withstand some stout pressure.

WHITLETTS climbed to fourth with a 2-1 win away to IRVINE VICS but cautious boss Jim Geddes won’t talk about promotion.

Elliot Duffy nodded home a Darren Gibson cross and Sean Quinn added a second with a shot from 12 yards. Jordan White bundled home a corner right on the interval to spark an Ardeer fightback but it wasn’t enough.

Whitletts are holding a sportsman’s lunch at Pro Soccer on Sunday at 12 noon when speakers are Alan Cotton, Jim McGuire and Jim Morrison. Tickets are £17.50 from 07500 888930.