Auchinleck Talbot look for revenge win in West of Scotland Cuo

Apr 30 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AUCHINLECK insist they can end a disappointing season with a double by bagging the Premier League title and the West of Scotland Cup.

Tommy Sloan's men trail Beith by 15 points with five games in hand but have still to play the Bellsdale men.

And on Saturday, they bid to stay on course in the West when they travel to Scottish Cup finalists Largs in the third round.

Sloan said: “We gave ourselves a wee chance when we won three games in a week. The West of Scotland Cup is one we would like to win but first we must take care of Meadow in the league on Wednesday.”

Talbot will be looking to avenge their Ayrshire Cup defeat at Barrfields last Wednesday when they lost 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

Without defenders Gavin Collins and Craig Pettigrew who were on Scotland duty and with a much changed team, Talbot trailed 2-0 but hit back through Sean McIlroy and John Boyle. But they were counted out on spot-kicks.

GIRVAN narrowly missed the promotion play-offs last season...but they're going all out to go one better this time.

Brian McLuckie's men followed up a midweek goalless draw at Annbank – where Stevie O'Donnell (Girvan) and Lee Holland (Annbank) were sent off – with a super 2-1 win at title chasing Glencairn.

Goals from Neal Gilmour and Michael Moffat put Girvan in charge before Steve O'Keane got one back. But Girvan held on and even had a Darren Mitchell goal disallowed.

The win keeps the Hamilton Park in fifth place and well poised to mount a challenge.

Leaders CUMNOCK sharpened their knives with a 5-1 Ayrshire Cup rout of Kilwinning.

Buffs struck first through Mark Ferris but then had Michael Fulton sent off. Cumnock then blasted back through James Tyler, Graeme Wilson. John McMillan, Ian Cashmore (penalty) and Paul Gordon. Buffs had keeper John Dougall sent off for conceding the penalty.

On Saturday, Cumnock boosted their promotion hopes with a 1-0 win over Renfrew thanks to a late free-kick from Gary Wilde. Tyler was sent off at the death for two bookings.

Then on Monday, they beat Annbank 3-2 to go seven points clear of Glencairn who have four games in hand.

GLENAFTON hope they have turned the corner with back to back wins. A Gareth Armstrong equaliser gave them a 1-1 draw at Beith in the Ayrshire Cup before they won 5-4 on penalties.

Then on Saturday, they beat Neilston 2-0 for a first league win under boss Mark Shanks. Second-half strikes from Armstrong and Chris Merrilees clinched it.

WHITLETTS beat Dalry 2-0 in the Ayrshire Cup with goals from Steven Kerr and Matthew Santos. Keeper Martin Barclay was controversially sent off at the final whistle.

On Saturday, Vics kept up their stunning league form with a 1-1 draw at East Kilbride thanks to a Martin King headed goal.

And on Monday, they crushed Irvine Vics 5-0 in the Ayrshire Cup with goals from Raymond Buchanan (2), George Thomson, Craig Main and Santos.

MAYBOLE face a relegation fight after losing 1-0 at home to beaten Scottish Cup semi-finalists Clydebank. Chris Mackie got the only goal with a looping header just before the break.

HURLFORD clinched the Ayrshire League title on Monday when they beat CRAIGMARK 1-0 with a second-half goal from Andy Thomson.

Lugar will go second if they beat Craigmark by four goals on Wednesday but would be pipped by Winton if they beat Kello by three.

LUGAR kept on track with a 3-1 win at Kello with Andy Rae’s double being answered by Liam Fleming on the stroke of half-time.

Johnny Anderson headed home a free-kick to clinch victory with six minutes to go.