Auchinleck Talbot not in the final yet

Apr 24 2009

ONE big home performance and we’re in the Scottish Cup final.

That’s the big prize for Auchinleck Talbot when they take on Rob Roy in the second leg of their Citylink semi-final on Saturday.

A goalless draw at Kirkintilloch has made Talbot everyone’s favourites but cautious Beechwood boss Tommy Sloan is having none of it.

He warned: “While it’s a great position to be in, it’s far from over. Rob Roy are a good counter attacking team who play the same way at home as they do away.

“They have gone to Pollok and Irvine Meadow and won so that tells you a wee bit. They are a tough tackling dour side who are quick on the break so we will need to be wary.”

James Latta could shake off an ankle knock but Danny McKelvie and Stuart Davidson, who also missed the first leg, are both struggling.

CUMNOCK head to leaders Irvine Meadow on Saturday desperate for points after suffering a hammer blow in their battle against the drop.

Stevie Farrell’s men missed a chance to leapfrog Arthurlie when they crashed 2-1 at home to the Barrhead side. Ian Cashmore headed them in front from a John McMillan corner at the break but second-half goals from Frank McKeown and Joe Andrews turned the tables.

MAYBOLE boss Peter Leonard reckons the First Division batting order will be a lot clearer after Saturday.

‘Bole climbed to fifth with a super 3-1 win at Shotts while the top three all slipped up. Leonard said: “We are looking upwards but mindful that fourth bottom have 22 points. We go to Largs on Wednesday and Kilbirnie on Saturday and these are huge matches.”

An Andy Stevenson 30 yard volley was cancelled out early in the second-half. But two goals in the last ten minutes from Brian Kerr gave Leonard’s men victory.

ANNBANK boss Steph McMillan claimed a 1-1 draw at home to GIRVAN felt like a defeat. But they were looking to bounce back away to bottom dogs Hurlford on Wednesday.

McMillan said: “We’ve got the players to pull away from the danger area and I reckon five wins from ten games will be enough.”

A Jim Wilson penalty after trialist Stevie Agnew was pulled down put Bankies ahead in 15 minutes. Stevie O’Donnell headed the equaliser from a corner but there was fury at the end when Mick McCann had a goal disallowed for what would have been the winner.

Bankies made five changes on Monday when they beat Craigmark 2-1 in the Ayrshire Cup with goals from Colin Roach and Dwayne Hyslop (penalty).

TROON boss John Redmond reckons promotion will be theirs if they beat Dalry in their final league game at Portland Park on Saturday.

It will cap an amazing season for Troon who were without a point when Redmond returned for a second stint at the helm in October.

Redmond said: “I have said all along that if we beat Dalry if will be enough for a top two place. Dalry have a tough schedule with a lot of games in hand but have lost their skipper Jason Stewart with a broken jaw while Winton are going well.

“This is a big week for a lot of teams but we can do ourselves a power of good by beating Dalry.”

Troon cruised to a 3-0 Ayrshire Cup win over Saltcoats thanks to goals from Rikki Hanvey, John McDonald and Robert Forde with a penalty. The reward is a third round trip to Irvine Meadow.

Redmond quipped: “It was Robert’s 20th birthday so we let him take the penalty as a present.”

One time leaders LUGAR crashed 2-1 at home to Darvel and close away to Muirkirk on Saturday.

CRAIGMARK left their off field troubles behind to crush Ardeer 6-0 with doubles from Scott Dinwoodie and Scott Caldwell. Also on the mark were Lloyd Murphy and Scott Dempster.

Boss Lawrie Dinwoodie said: “Things are looking a bit brighter with former player Jim Marshall coming on the committee. He is full of enthusiasm so hopefully we can kick on and start planning.”

The Dalmellington club have dropped their appeal at the loss of three points.

WHITLETTS caused a real upset with a 2-0 win away to Kilbirnie in the Ayrshire Cup on Monday evening. Mark Cameron and Elliot Duffy got the goals.

Vics will be in the promotion frame if they beat Craigmark (away), Muirkirk (home), Saltcoats (away) and Dalry (away).

Boss Jim Geddes said: “If we’ve a chance with a game to go we’ll talk about it then.”