Auchinleck Talbot face title crunch against Beiths

Apr 9 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

TOMMY SLOAN admits it's win or bust for Auchinleck who put their flickering Premier League title hopes on the line on Saturday.

Talbot must beat Beith at Beechwood Park to have any hope of clawing back the runaway leaders.

The unbeaten Blasties head Talbot by a mammoth 18 points but have played five games more.

But they have still to play Auchinleck home and away and that gives the Beechwood boys a glimmer of a hope.

Talbot have lost their way in recent weeks, have failed to win in their last three league outings and are coming off the back of a shock 2-1 home defeat by Petershill.

Sloan said: “We’ve hit a sticky patch and have to get out of it. Winning the title is a tall order but we won’t give it up.

“We’re not scoring the goals we did before and two draws and a defeat in our last three is hardly title winning form.

“But if we win on Saturday, it gives us something to go for.”

David Gillies misses out with a knee injury but Rikki Robb returns.

CUMNOCK hope to bounce back away to Maybole after their First Division promotion hopes took a bashing with a 4-1 home defeat by Glencairn,

That leaves 'Nock only two points ahead of the leaders who have four games in hand.

Stevie Farrell's men were given a first-half run around as Glencairn raced 3-0 ahead through goals from Ryan McCardle, Tony Fraser and Paul McLaughlin while Stephen McGladrigan hit the bar.

Graeme Wilson sparked hope two minutes after the interval with a terrific strike from 18 yards. But despite pressing for a spell, they were killed off when Stevie Murray turned a McCardle shot into his own net.

MAYBOLE went down fighting when they lost 2-1 away to Emirates Scottish Cup semi-finalists Clydebank.

Stevie Dallas slammed a shot past Martin McCauley to put Bankies ahead in 21 minutes.

Barry Crawford beat two men in a great run for a solo equaliser. But Bankies battled back and Dallas set up Stevie Dymock for the winner.

Boss Peter Leonard claimed: “We deserved at least a point. Clydebank were hanging on at the end.”

In the Ayrshire League, LUGAR face a crunch at home to promotion rivals HURLFORD with both teams still in title contention.

The Rosebank men moved to within a point of leaders Kilwinning with a game in hand when they crushed Muirkirk 8-0.

Only a Johnny Anderson goal split the teams at the break but the tide turned when Muirkirk had a man sent off for handling and Michael Hart converted the penalty.

Andy Rae then grabbed a hat-trick with Alan Orr, Graham Wark and Michael Rutherford also on the mark.

WHITLETTS had Mark Cameron to thank as they beat ANNBANK 1-0 in an Ayrshire Cup tie switched from New Pebble Park to Ayr.

A dour affair looked destined for penalties until Bankies had Jim Wilson harshly sent off. Vics took command and former Hurlford striker Cameron raced past two defenders to strike the winner into the bottom corner.

IRVINE MEADOW beat HURLFORD2-0 with goals from Brian McGinty and David Hamilton. Meadow’s Chris Strain is interesting Auchinleck and ArthurlieDALRY hit back to beat KELLO 2-1 after the Kirkconnel men snatched the lead seconds after the interval.David Jardine’s shot was only parried and Martin Shaw followed up.Chris McKnight fired through a ruck of players to equalise before Jason Stewart bagged the winner with a penalty.WINTON beat CRAIGMARK 4-1 while DARVEL hit eight without reply against toiling ARDEER.LARGS warmed up for their Emirates Scottish Cup semi-final against Clydebank with a 2-2 draw against Arthurlie.Sandy MacLean's men fell behind to a John McLay goal but inched ahead through an Eddie Walton double. But Sean Winter's shot deflected in off sub John Bradford for a lucky equaliser.Largs have home advantage for the semi first leg with the return at Yoker's Home Park a week later.2-0 with goals from Brian McGinty and David Hamilton. Meadow’s Chris Strain is interesting Auchinleck and Arthurlie

DALRY hit back to beat KELLO 2-1 after the Kirkconnel men snatched the lead seconds after the interval.

David Jardine’s shot was only parried and Martin Shaw followed up.

Chris McKnight fired through a ruck of players to equalise before Jason Stewart bagged the winner with a penalty.

WINTON beat CRAIGMARK 4-1 while DARVEL hit eight without reply against toiling ARDEER.

LARGS warmed up for their Emirates Scottish Cup semi-final against Clydebank with a 2-2 draw against Arthurlie.

Sandy MacLean's men fell behind to a John McLay goal but inched ahead through an Eddie Walton double. But Sean Winter's shot deflected in off sub John Bradford for a lucky equaliser.

Largs have home advantage for the semi first leg with the return at Yoker's Home Park a week later.