Ardagh Glass Cup sections go to the wire

Aug 22 2008

THE fight for the Ardagh Glass Cup quarter-finals will go to the wire with all four sections being decided on Wednesday evening this week.

Holders Auchinleck are bound for the last eight but Glenafton and Lugar are vying for second place going into the final games.

Talbot shipped their first goal and their first points when they drew 1-1 with Cumnock at Beechwood on Saturday.

But Cumnock striker Richie Barr claimed they should have been staring defeat after blowing golden chances for a hat-trick.

The Scotland hit man struck the bar twice and had another effort saved by keeper James Evans.

Stevie Mallan fired Talbot ahead in 16 minutes but Michael Hughes equalised midway through the second-half.

In midweek, Talbot beat Lugar 1-0 with a goal from former Ayr United defender Craig Pettigrew who also hit the bar twice. Lugar’s Gary Grossart had a goal chalked off.

GLENAFTON crushed Muirkirk 5-0 with Craig Feroz scoring four and setting up John Paul Grant for a fifth.

Gordon Dalziel’s men beat Cumnock 1-0 last Wednesday thanks to a strike from Simon Eeles. But they rose their luck in the second-half when ‘Nock had a goal disallowed while Barr headed wide.

Glens have signed striker Joe Savage who spent last season with East Stirling and appointed former Maryhill coach Stevie Brown as club scout.

LUGAR have released Sean Lawrie after a change to his working patterns didn’t allow him to train. Kris McDonald will be out for a month with a groin injury.

GIRVAN head section three with four straight wins but could still be pipped for pole spot if Maybole go on a goal spree at home to Annbank.

They followed a midweek 4-0 win at Craigmark by edging out Annbank 1-0 at New Pebble Park. Stevie Shankland got the early winner, three minutes after Michael Moffat failed with a penalty.

MAYBOLE boss Peter Leonard is resigned to playing for second spot and says Girvan won’t be caught.

‘Bole followed a 2-2 midweek draw with Whitletts by crushing Troon 5-0 with doubles from Paul Kerr and Kilwinning under 21 trialist Kris Gilhooley. Andy Stevenson was also on the mark.

Barry Crawford, who spent last season with Hurlford, has rejoined the club for a second stint. Joe Flannigan, Gilhooley and former Irvine amateur player Liam Wyllie are also in Maybole’s signing sights.

CRAIGMARK edged out WHITLETTS 1-0 with a goal from Mark Openshaw. ‘Mark had Gavin Gosling sent off after three minutes but Steven Douglas saved Sean Quinn’s penalty.