Annbank United fear they may have blown it

Jan 29 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

GUTTED Steph McMillan fears Annbank United may have blown their big chance of springing an Emirates Cup shock.

But he insists they will give it a bash when moneybags Irvine Meadow head for a New Pebble Park replay on Saturday.

Bankies were on the way to the last 16 when goals from Paul McKenzie and Jim Wilson fired them ahead. And Neil McGinn headed on to the top of the net as Meadow creaked.

But late goals from former Ayr United pair, David Lowing and Chris Robertson (penalty), set up a mouthwatering replay.

Boss McMillan admitted: “A lot of people will say Annbank have had their chance and I don’t know if the boys can lift themselves again.

“I wouldn’t like to call it but we are a young team and we’ll give it our very best.”

Holders AUCHINLECK survived an early fright to hit back for a 5-1 win at home to Dundee Violet who scored first.

An OG brought Talbot level and goals from Ricky Robb, James Latta, John Boyle and Colin Spence sealed a comfortable win.

Boss Tommy Sloan, who has signed 17-year-old midfielder Kieran Paterson on a delayed transfer from Troon BC U19s, said: “We’re still in all competitions but we need to get some league games in. Beith are racking up the points and will be tough to catch.”

Former winners LARGS came from behind for a 3-1 win at Bonnyrigg thanks to goals from James Marks (2) and Willie McLure.

WHITLETTS were held 0-0 at home by east Premier League leaders Forfar West End who had Bryan Duell sent off.

The Ayr team are now heavy underdogs for Saturday's replay but refuse to be written off.

CUMNOCK boss Stevie Farrell admitted he was embarrassed by a 4-0 defeat away to Linlithgow.

Only good saves from Chris Fahey kept the score down. Cumnock have Craig Baxter up for sale.

KILBIRNIE were surprising 3-1 losers at home to Rob Roy while HURLFORD went down 3-2 at Shotts.

BEITH went seven points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win at home to Bellshill. Second placed Pollok crashed to a shock 2-1 defeat at Lanark.

GIRVAN and GLENAFTON drew 2-2 in the First Division with Girvan being hailed for their sportsmanship.

Neale Gilmour inadvertently put Girvan ahead from a bounce-up as Glens stood back. Girvan offered to re-take it but the goal stood so they offered no challenge to allow Simon Eeles to equalise from the kick-off.

Michael Moffat set up Gilmour to put Girvan back in front but David Clapperton headed the equaliser from an Eeles cross.

In the Ayrshire League, leaders KELLO slumped to fourth when they lost 2-1 at home to CRAIGMARK. Stevie Hyslop headed home a Phil Middlemiss free-kick for an early lead before Martin Bell was shown a straight red after half an hour.

‘Mark toiled until former Rangers youngster Lloyd Murphy came off the bench to grab a late double.

Kilwinning, Winton and Lugar all won to overtake them. Buffs crushed Ardeer 6-0, Winton thumped Muirkirk 4-1 while Lugar thrashed Saltcoats 5-2.

LUGAR trailed to an early penalty to Saltcoats who then missed two open goals. But strikes from Nicky Faulds, Tam McLelland, Andy Rae and Dougie Allardyce (2) swept the Rosebank men to victory.

TROON kept up their push with a 2-0 win at home to Irvine Vics despite having former Hibs youngster Jonathan Baillie sent off after half an hour.

Goals from Ricky Hanvey and the outstanding Robert Forde sealed it for the ten men and gave boss John Redmond his best performance since returning to the hot seat.

lThe draw for the last 16 of the Emirates Cup will be made at Hampden at Friday at 12 noon.