Auchinleck Talbot win hands Meadow the title

Jun 5 2009

SCOTTISH Cup winners Auchinleck Talbot handed the Premier League crown to Irvine Meadow on Tuesday evening.

Talbot's come from behind 3-1 home win over Pollok - who needed a victory to clinch the flag - gave Meadow the title for the first time.

It means both Auchinleck and Chris Strain's big spending Irvine side will line up in next season's senior Scottish Cup.

Pollok looked on the way to their third successive championship when Derek Wingate fired them ahead early in the second-half. But a storming Talbot fightback, which included a double from David Gillies, turned the tables and sparked big celebrations among the Meadow faithful.

Talbot continue their hectic schedule tonight (Thursday) when they entertain Arthurlie in the league and then on Saturday play Meadow in the final of the Ayrshire Cup at Cumnock. Bookies William Hill make Talbot 13/8, Meadow 6/5 and the draw 5/2.

GIRVAN will clinch a home and away shoot-out against Glenafton for a place in the Premier League if they win their final two games to pip Lanark for third place in the First Division.

Billy Thomson's men head to beaten Scottish Cup finalists Clydebank on Saturday. But Bankies are out of the hunt after losing 3-0 at Port Glasgow on Tuesday evening.

Gordon Dalziel's Glens, who finished third bottom of the Premier, are facing real problems for the big deciders with a host of players, including keeper Chris Fahey, unavailable.

ANNBANK need a point from their final game at home to Renfrew on Saturday to avoid the drop. Bankies thought they had done enough when they beat promoted Kilbirnie 2-1 with goals from Jim Wilson and former Hibs man Neil McGinn.

But results elsewhere mean the relegation fight is going to the wire.