Auchinleck Talbot looking a good Coll

Feb 27 2009

STOPPER Gavin Collins grabbed the first major double of hiscareer but laughed: “I only score once in a blue moon.”

His goalden touch swept Auchinleck to a come from behind 3-1 win over Beith and sent them into the last eight of the Citylink Scottish Cup.

Now Collins, who has signed a deal to the summer of 2011, reckons Talbot can crank up the heat for a league and cup double.

Gavin, 25, said: “We’ve won seven in a row and are hitting form at the right time. We have recovered from a bad start to the league season and have still to play the top teams. I reckon we have good enough players to challenge on both fronts.”

Beith struck first through a John Craig header but Collins equalised right on the break. Sean McIlroy slammed home a James Latta cross to put Talbot ahead while Collins wrapped it up with three minutes to go, nodding home a Liam McVey corner.

IRVINE MEADOW boss Chris Strain hailed new big money signing Richie Barr from Cumnock as they sneaked an injury time 3-2 replay win over Ashfield.

Strain said: “Richie slotted in well and worked so hard for the whole game. It was his persistence that won the corner and big Chris McGowan smashed it home superbly.”

A Brian McGinty penalty gave Meadow the lead but goals from Paul Maxwell and Craig Smith turned the tables. A Frankie Haggarty free-kick sparked the fightback which McGowne finished off.

CUMNOCK boss Campbell Money said he had no option to sell Barr to Meadow after the unsettled player asked for a move.

Money claimed: “Richie, at his best, is the top striker in the west region but unfortunately he didn’t play a lot this season. We had a queue of clubs asking about him but Meadow came up with the best deal.

“Gareth Armstrong will hopefully be back soon from injury while we have other attacking options. But I’m not saying I won’t look elsewhere.”

Goals from Ian Cashmore and David McInally put ‘Nock 2-1 up away to Vale of Clyde but they leaked a late equaliser. Money admitted: “We are deep in relegation trouble. We have to target the likes of Vale, Rob Roy and Bellshill because Arthurlie will be safe.”

GLENAFTON defender Andy Gow had to fill in as an emergency keeper when Chris Fahey was crocked midway through their 5-0 defeat at Arthurlie

ANNBANK hit back from 2-0 down after 15 minutes to romp to a 5-2 win over MAYBOLE, their first at Ladywell in two years.

Paul Kerr and Andy Stevenson fired ‘Bole in front but goals either side of the break from Tommy Sloan and Dwayne Hyslop pulled Bankies level. Stevenson then had a penalty saved by Brian McGarrity and Annbank cashed in three times through Jim Wilson, Mick McCann and Hyslop.

Boss Steph McMillan said: “I was embarrassed by our first-half performance when we were all over the place but after the break we were brilliant.”

GIRVAN new boy Scott Houston, signed from Winton Rovers, made a quick impression in a 1-1 draw at Renfrew. The full-back set up the equaliser with a cross which Michael Holden nodded into the top corner.

Boss Billy Thomson said: “We wanted to walk the ball into the net and often took the wrong option.”

In the Ayrshire League, leaders KELLO suffered a shock 7-1 rout at home to Dalry. Trailing early on, Kello equalised through Martin Shaw before they fell apart.

LUGAR closed the gap to two points with a 6-0 canter at Ardeer. Andy Rae led the show with a hat-trick afterMichael Hart opened the scoring. John Anderson marked his second stint at the club with a goal on his return while Tam McLelland netted a penalty after the Ardeer keeper was sent off for bringing down Rae.

TROON stay third after a 5-0 cruise away to Muirkirk whose co-boss Lawrie Coughtrie will quit at the end of the season to leave Keith Stewart in sole charge. Gordon Inglis (2), Mark Gardner (2) and Graham Muir got the goals.

Boss John Redmond said: “If we can win at leaders Kello, we’ll be only a point behind so it’s a cup final.”

CRAIGMARK boss Lawrie Dinwoodie hailed former Rangers youngster Lloyd Murphy for a double in a 4-0 win at home to Saltcoats. He said: “Lloyd is sticking out a mile and he’ll cause problems along with Stephen Whalen who also scored.”

Manager’s son Scott Dinwoodie hit the fourth before Martin Lawrie was dismissed for a double booking.

WHITLETTS striker Sean Quinn had a penalty saved in a dour 0-0 draw at home to Darvel.