Ayrshire Post

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- MIKE WILSON

Rampant Auchinleck can fire themselves into the Premier Division’s top two as they face two crunch games within 72 hours.

Tonight (Wednesday), they travel to Darvel in a dress rehearsal for their two leg Scottish Junior Cup semi-final next month.

Then on Saturday, they entertain second top Beith in an eagerly awaited Beechwood Park showdown.

Two wins would push Talbot four points clear in second place and breathing down the necks of long-time leaders Clydebank, a remarkable turnaround after winning only one of their opening eight games of the season.

Jamie Glasgow’s injury time stunner dumped St Cadoc’s 4-3 and gave Tommy Sloan’s men their NINTH win on the spin to keep their belated title challenge on course.

Assistant boss Allan McLuckie joked:“I don’t think Tucker and I can take much more of that, the age we’re at.”

Two goals in two minutes from Connor Boyd and Kyle McAvoy gave Talbot an interval cushion but Lewis McTaggart got one back despite there being TWO balls on the pitch at the time.

Neil McLaughlin then headed the equaliser only for Ewan Thomson to restore the lead from the spot. Bob McHugh levelled to seemingly grab a share of the spoils before Glasgow pinched victory in the 91st minute.

McLuckie told Talbot media:“It was a fantastic game of football. In the first-half they could have gone down to 10 men after what looked like a two footed challenge.

“Two balls on the park I have never seen before when the ref hasn’t stopped the play. It’s a demanding week and we’ll need to utilise the full pool.”

CUMNOCK are looking for a new management team after Murdo MacKinnon quit following a 2-1 home defeat by GLENAFTON.

The former Pollok boss said he was stepping down with deep regret but felt he had taken the club as far as he could.

He added:“Cumnock Juniors is a great club with great people involved behind the scenes. It has been an honour to have managed a club of such stature and standing at our level of the game.

“After detailed discussion­s with the club over the last month, I have come to the conclusion that I have taken the club as far as I can. This is a decision that has not been taken lightly or been easy to make.

“Having taken the club to a position of relative safety and having met the key objectives for this season, I feel it is best to give someone else the opportunit­y to rebuild the team for next season.

“I informed the club that I was happy to complete the season with the team to allow for some continuity and planning to take place. Understand­ably, the club wish to pursue new leadership immediatel­y.

“I wish the club, committee, players and supporters every success and thank them for their support during my time.

“Finally, I would like to thank my colleagues Stevie Aitchison and Greig Mitchell for their efforts and hard work. They have been amazing to work with and given their all for the club.

“I look forward to coming back to Townhead Park in the future to watch the team and see some familiar faces. Away the‘Nock.”

A club statement said:“We would like to thank Murdo, Stevie Aitchison and Greig Mitchell for their time at Townhead Park and wish them well for the future.”

‘Nock, who entertain Darvel on Saturday, sit ninth in the league with five games to go. Shortly after the defeat it was revealed that Greg Ferry had been placed on the transfer list.

Glens’win lifted them out of the bottom two and set them up for a vital two games in their battle against the drop. They were due to host Arthurlie on Tuesday before travelling to bottom team Irvine Meadow on Saturday.

Skipper Craig Pettigrew’s powerful header was cancelled out by Findlay Frye at the break but Sam McKee conjured up a late winner.

Glens have brought back old favourite Hugh Kerr from Pollok and added former Queen of the South midfielder Cammy Crooks from Johnstone Burgh.

TROON, who have signed Ayr United’s teenage midfielder Dario Viviani on loan after spells with Gretna and Glenafton, head to St Cadoc’s tonight and entertain Clydebank on Saturday.

They inched closer to safety with a 2-0 win at Irvine Meadow thanks to a well taken double from Jaime Gallagher. Keeper Marc Fisher has joined Second Division leaders Winton on loan.

MAYBOLE head to bottom team Neilston in the First Division desperatel­y trying to snap a four game losing run which has dragged them into drop danger.

CRAIGMARK, who have signed Auchinleck midfielder Nathan Lennox on loan, welcome St Anthony’s in the Second Division off the back of a 4-0 defeat by Caledonian Loco.

MUIRKIRK, beaten 4-2 by Winton Rovers, hope to bounce back at home to third top Vale of Clyde.

GIRVAN, who have slipped to third bottom in the Third Division, entertain promotion chasing Finnart.

LUGAR, who have taken 16 points from their last six games, bid to step up their Fourth Division promotion challenge at home to Royal Albert.

RESULTS: Wednesday, March 20: Premier: Darvel 2, Arthurlie 2.

Saturday, March 23: WoS League Cup, quarter-final: Beith 2, Darvel 2 (4-5 pens); Premier: Clydebank 3, Arthurlie 2; Cumnock 1, Glenafton 2; Irvine Meadow 0, Troon 2; Largs 1, Rob Roy 0; Pollok 3, Hurlford 1; St Cadoc’s 3, Auchinleck 4; First Div: Johnstone 2, Kilwinning 3; Renfrew 0, Neilston 0; Shotts 5, Cambuslang 0; St Roch’s 0, Kilbirnie 0; Ashfield 0, Rutherglen 1; Second Div: Winton 4, Muirkirk 2; Bonnyton 3, Cumbernaul­d 2; Cal Loco 4, Craigmark 0; Glasg Uni 3, Wishaw 0; Third Div: Glasg Utd 2, Lesmahagow 3; Threave 1, Port Glasg 2; West Park 1, Kilsyth Ath 2; Fourth Div: Easterhous­e 3, Saltcoats 2; Campbeltow­n 3, BSC 3; Glenvale 4, Knightswoo­d 2; Royal Albert 3, St Peter’s 2.

FIXTURES: Wednesday, March 27: Premier: Darvel v Auchinleck (7.30pm); St Cadoc’s v Troon (8pm); First Div: Johnstone v Thorniewoo­d (7.45pm).

Saturday, March 30: WoS League cup, quarter-final: Hurlford v Pollok; Premier: Auchinleck v Beith; Benburb v Arthurlie; Cumnock v Darvel; Irvine Meadow v Glenafton; Troon v Clydebank; First Div: Blantyre v St Roch’s; Johnstone v Petershill; Kilbirnie v Drumchapel; Kilwinning v Rutherglen; Neilston v Maybole; Shotts v Ashfield; Second Div: Craigmark v St Anthony’s; Cumbernaul­d v Forth; Glasg Uni v Kilsyth Rgrs; Larkhall v Winton; Muirkirk v Vale of Clyde; Wishaw v Cal Loco; Third Div: Bellshill v Greenock; Dalry v West Park; Girvan v Finnart; Lanark v Glasg Utd; Lesmagahow v Irvine Vics; Kilsyth Ath v Threave; Fourth Div: BSC v Rossvale; Glenvale v Easterhous­e; Knightswoo­d v Campbeltow­n; Lugar v Royal Albert; Newmains v Carluke; Thorn v Eglinton; South Challenge Cup, semi-finals (3pm): Cumbernaul­d Colts v Rob Roy; Tranent v EK.

Tuesday, April 2: Premier: Glenafton v Auchinleck (7.30pm); Second Div: Threave v Lesmahagow (8pm).

Wednesday, April 3: Premier: St Cadoc’s v Irvine Meadow (8pm); First Div: Johnstone v Cambuslang (7.45pm).

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