The New Faces are primed for Talbot
Sloan’s men are well poised on twin fronts
Tommy Sloan’s New Faces are gearing up for a crunch treble as Auchinleck chase a fifth successive Premier League title.
Talbot kick off the New Year with a tough trip to Pollok on Saturday before hosting leaders Rob Roy at Beechwood Park on January 14.
That’s followed by the Scottish Cup tie of the last 32 – a trip to holders Beith.
Auchinleck trail Rabs by eight points but with two games in hand so are well placed to get a flag challenge back on course.
Talbot have taken time to gel, not surprising since gaffer Sloan brought in five new faces and saw some old ones move on in the summer.
But his nap hand of signings are now finding their feet and the team are looking every inch challengers.
Sloan said: “Pollok will be very tough as I would imagine they will be looking for revenge after we knocked them out of the Scottish Cup.
“It’s three huge games to look forward to but we will take them one at a time.”
Former Rangers youth player Ross Harvey was snapped up after he returned from a spell in Australia with WA State Premier League side Inglewood United.
Midfielder Dylan Stevenson was released by Morton while former Scottish U15, U16 and U17 youth player Dylan Pooler was a one- time development player with Kilmarnock and St Mirren.
Defenders Danny Boyle and Neil McPherson were plucked from the junior ranks – with Rob Roy and Darvel respectively.
Sloan added: “Harvey and Boyle have got themselves into the team while Stevenson has been coming off the bench.
“They are all talented players but some have found it tougher than others to break into the team.”
Talbot kept in trim during the festive break with a 2- 0 win away to Winton Rovers. Gordon Pope and Craig McCracken got the goals.
Second top GLENAFTON, who have lost only one league game in 10, are four points behind Rob Roy with a game less played.
They open 2017 with a derby trip to Townhead Park to face CUMNOCK.
TROON, who have plunged into relegation trouble with four defeats on the spin, have a tough opener away to Beith.
In the Super First Division, GIRVAN are motoring along nicely under Peter Leonard.
They would go top if they won their games in hand on the leading four. But before that, they can leapfrog Petershill with a win at Adamswell on Saturday.
In the Ayrshire League, the top game locally is at New Pebble Park where
ANNBANK, who include a raft of Ayr United youngsters, take on MAYBOLE.
The Ladywell men are reeling from two fires at their Ladywell Stadium over the festive break. They will play away from home until repairs are carried out.
Second top WHITLETTS head to Dalry, knowing they can’t afford any slips if they are to overhaul leaders Winton who head them by four points.
Third place KELLO, who trail Whitletts by two points, face a tricky trip to DARVEL who have lost only once in 10 games.
CRAIGMARK entertain MUIRKIRK while LUGAR host SALTCOATS.