Manager's message to Auchinleck Talbot players

Mar 13 2009

DON’T make the same mistake as you did last season.

That’s Tommy Sloan’s message to Auchinleck Talbot ahead of Saturday’s Citylink Scottish Cup quarter-final at home toArthurlie.

Talbot went out at the same stage last season when they lost to bitter rivals Cumnock in a penalty shoot-out after a replay.

Boss Sloan says: “We need to keep playing the way we have been as we are on a good run and not let the occasion get to us. We didn’t play well in the two games and the hype definitely got to the players last season.”

Talbot made it nine wins on the spin as they beat Hurlford 2-0 in the Ayrshire Cup, with goals from James Latta and Bryan Young. But Talbot only got on top after Hurlford had Graeme Lawless sent off for the first time in his career just before the break. Colin Spence is a big doubt with a twisted knee.

The Beechwood men have signed Latta, David Gillies and Liam McVey on extended deals until 2011. The trio follow in the footsteps of Gavin Collins who recently penned a new contract.

IRVINE MEADOW went third in the Premier League with a 2-1 win at Bellshill as they warmed up for Saturday’s Scottish Cup visit of Pollok. Goals from Andy McLaren and Richie Barr cancelled out John Boyle’s opener.

GLENAFTON had Chic Connolly sent off in a controversial 4-2 defeat away to BEITH.

Jamie Doyle gave Glens the lead only for Andy Reid to equalise with a penalty after Gordon Moffat’s headed clearance struck Connolly’s hand. Connolly was booked and then copped a second yellow as the teams left the park at half-time.

Chris Kerr headed Beith in front early in the second-half but Moffat crashed home a Joe Savage pass to pull ten man Glens level. But goals from Reid and Brian McKeown steered Beith home.

ANNBANK gave up ground advantage for their tie against ARDEER and won 4-2 for their fourth victory on the trot.

Kevin Robison fired in a 25 yard free-kick, Jim Wilson nipped in on a short pass while Graham Colquhoun marked his first game in three months after a knee injury by tapping home the third at the break.

Bankies made changes at the break and Ardeer scored twice through Graeme Patterson and Derek Gemmell, separated by a Mick McCann strike.

LUGAR lost keeper Andy Leishman to injury in the warm-up and had to put full-back Scott Clelland in goal against KILBIRNIE.

But they put that blow behind them and were twice ahead through Andy Rae and Jamie Baird before falling 4-2 at Rosebank. Craig Muir (Lugar) and Anton Smith (Kilbirnie) were sent off at 2-2 but late goals from Jamie Longworth and Gary Davidson took Kilbirnie through.

In the First Division, GIRVAN crashed 3-0 away to second top Lanark who scored through Tom Hanlon, Craig Miller and David Middleton.

TROON boss John Redmond insists the Portland Parkers can still clinch promotion despite a 1-1 draw at home to Dalry.

The Merksworth men led at the interval through Brian Strain’s deflected 30 yard free-kick but Troon equalised in 61 minutes when Rikky Hanvey ignored strong offside claims to fire home.

Redmond said: “Dalry were the better team on the day and if I was in their camp I would be disappointed not to have won. We can play a lot better.

“However, we are still in there fighting and if we win against Irvine Vics (home), Craigmark (away) and Dalry (away) I think we’ll go up which would be a magnificent achievement.”

WHITLETTS suffered their third straight draw when they were held 1-1 at home by CRAIGMARK who could yet sneak into the promotion frame if they win their huge backlog of games.

Elliot Duffy fired Vics ahead at the break but Steph Holland headed the equaliser from a Lloyd Murphy corner.

‘Mark boss Lawrie Dinwoodie said: “Considering we were without seven players I was delighted with a draw. Steph came back from the amateur ranks to help out and did well but a draw was probably fair.”

Making his debut was left-back Chris McDonald, signed from Lugar. Midfielder Alan Middleton could miss the rest of the season with ankle ligament damage although he hopes to make the final two or three games.