Cup duo want a bunch of Roses

Talbot and Glens are hoping to avoid each other

Give us a Rose in the semi- final so that an all- Ayrshire final can be on.

That’s the wish of Auchinleck and Glenafton fans after both teams booked their places in the last four of the Scottish Junior Cup.

With Linlithgow Rose and Bonnyrigg Rose joining them in the hat, the hope is that the Ayrshire pair can be kept apart.

Brothers Graham and Stevie Wilson fired the goals that gave Talbot a 2- 0 win over Kilwinning while Chris Dallas was the hero for Glenafton in their 1- 0 victory over Sauchie.

Beechwood boss Tommy Sloan admitted: “An Ayrshire final would be great but there are four big names in the hat.

“My only worry was getting to the semis and it doesn’t matter to me who we get.

“We were well deserved winners against Kilwinning and were the stronger team on the day. We couldn’t get a second goal and if Kilwinning had scored it could have been a nervous finish.”

Graham headed home a Gordon Pope free- kick after only two minutes and Stevie followed up 15 minutes later to beat former Talbot keeper Adam Strain.

On Saturday, Talbot bid to ramp up their chase for a fifth Premier Division title when they entertain Rob Roy, knowing a win will take level on points with their visitors.

With league leaders Glenafton hosting Kilbirnie in the Ayrshire Cup, it’s a chance to steal a march.

Meanwhile, Talbot central defender Danny Boyle is set to rejoin Rob Roy but not in time for Saturday.

WHITLETTS need to win their three games – a double header against Kello and away to Maybole to guarantee promotion from the Ayrshire League.

The Dam Park men kept alive their hopes with a 2- 1 win at home to Winton and now trail the leaders by two points with a game in hand.

Josh Sloan headed home a corner for a flying start before Winton’s Ryan Caddis had a penalty saved by the feet of Ally McInnes.

Jordan Cairnie nodded the equaliser before the break but Vics won it when Craig Harvey was fouled for a penalty which he put away himself.

TROON still face a wait to resume their Premier Division safety bid. Their tough run- in sees them host Beith while there are trips to Rob Roy, Auchinleck and Glenafton.

They kept in trim with a 4- 1 friendly win over Craigmark thanks to goals from Scott Chatham, Ross Barbour, Colin Spence and Dale Moore but face another weekend without a competitive game.

West of Scotland Cup, third round: Largs v Rob Roy; Royal Albert or Maybole v Auchinleck; Craigmark v Kilsyth; St Rochs v Annbank or Maryhill; Pollok v Neilston; Thorniewood or Darvel v Kilwinning; Troon v Gartcairn; Cumnock v Blantyre.

Quarter- finals: 6 v2; 3 v 7; 5 v 4; 8 v 1.