Cumnock can beat the drop

Apr 3 2009

STEVIE FARRELL insists Cumnock can beat the drop after a 3-2 win at Arthurlie brings them back into the mix.

And he hailed new signing Stevie Crawford from Maybole for an outstanding debut after fighting off interest from Irvine Meadow.

‘Nock now trail Arthurlie by one point with a game more played. But they also have three games in hand on Vale of Clyde who lead by five points.

Boss Farrell said: “When I took over, I said we had to win six games and now we’ve beaten Bellshill and Arthurlie for six massive points. But that’s all they are so we have to keep that mindsight and not get carried away.”

A Graham Wilson penalty gave ‘Nock the lead before Arthurlie had Stevie Gallagher sent off. Ian Cashmore doubled the advantage before Stevie Anderson got one back. Gareth Armstrong lobbed Cumnock’s third but Joe Andrew headed a late consolation.

Cumnock head to Glenafton on Saturday in the quarter-finals of the West with a number of players, including Farrell himself, cup tied.

AUCHINLECK stretched their unbeaten run to 13 games with a 4-1 win over Neilston thanks to goals from Danny McKelvie, David Gillies, Bryan Slavin and Stevie Mallan.

Boss Tommy Sloan described it as ‘nonsense’ that Talbot weren’t cast a fixture for Easter Saturday when there is only a curtailed card.

But he hopes Cumnock will agree to a request for a game at Townhead Park.

IRVINE MEADOW moved up to second with a 3-0 win at Vale of Clyde but trail leaders Beith by two points with a game more played.

GLENAFTON’S slide continued with a 2-1 defeat at home to Petershill.

Stephen McGowan and Jamie McCarroll (penalty) fired Peasies ahead before Michael Keenan was dismissed for two yellow cards. Craig Feroz prodded home a Paul McMullan cross for a last minute consolation.

In the First Division, ten man MAYBOLE lifted themselves out of the bottom four with a 2-0 win over doomed Kilwinning.

Andy Stevenson fired home a left foot volley but then was sent off in 25 minutes for retaliation. Despite being a man short, ‘Bole sealed it with ten minutes to go through Paul Cameron.

Maybole have signed keeper Scott Johnstone who has been released by Cumnock.

ANNBANK are looking nervously over their shoulders after losing 2-0 away to unbeaten Lanark despite a battling display.

GIRVAN dropped to fourth bottom with a 3-1 defeat at home to leaders Largs. They were three adrift to goals from Gary Davidson, Alan McCabe and John Paul Dow before Kris Mitchell scored a last minute consolation.

TROON went top of the Ayrshire League with a 2-1 win at CRAIGMARK but had to withstand a late onslaught.

Troon now have only one game left – against Dalry at Portland Park – but still can be caught by a raft of teams who have matches in hand. However, boss John Redmond insists three points will be enough for promotion.

A Gordon Inglis double put them in the driving seat but Scott Caldwell got one back with five minutes to go to spark an all out assault for the equaliser.

LUGAR sent leaders KELLO tumbling to third with a 3-2 win in a game of four red cards at Kirkconnel.

Steven Hislop fired Kello ahead only for ex-Rover John Anderson to tap home the equaliser. Martin Shaw put Kello back in front with a penalty but Lugar levelled in first-half stoppage time with a Tam McLelland penalty after Hislop was sent off bringing down David Clapperton.

Lugar’s top scorer Andy Rae then downed his old team with the winner before the red mist descended. Kello’s Paul Weir and Stuart Bell were sent off along with Lugar’s Scott McNeil while home boss Russell Weir is set to be reported by referee Richard Gough after scenes at the end.

Lugar have signed former Cumnock defender Rhys Galloway.