Tucker asks fans to see Talbot through
Boss Sloan gets set for huge semi- final second leg
Auchinleck ...... 0 Lochee Utd ....... 1
Auchinleck Talbot boss Tommy Sloan reckons his side’s fans could be the difference in their Junior Cup second leg.
The Beechwood Parkers trail Lochee United after a shock 1- 0 loss in the home tie.
Sloan said: “Our fans will be noisy up in Lochee, no doubt about that.
“It will be a good atmosphere as there is a lot to play for, and a big prize to play for at the end.
“But it will be difficult going there behind, so it’s important we find our shooting boots this weekend.
“We have been free scoring all season.”
Talbot fell to a stoppage time winner from Connor Birse, and will head to Thompson Park on Saturday chasing the tie.
Sloan added: “We were disappointed with the result but we can’t feel sorry for ourselves.
“I thought we were unfortunate not to get a victory never mind a draw.
“We dominated most of the second half but just couldn’t score.
“We then lost a goal on the counter attack which was sloppy.
“But the tie isn’t over so we have to go again.”
Lochee goalkeeper Mark Fotheringham played a key role in their win, including a penalty save from Stephen Wilson.
Sloan said: “The keeper had a great game, he made some good saves.
“Obviously if we scored the penalty the game could have been a lot different.”
He added: “The first half was a bit of a non- event and nothing much happened of note.
“Lochee defended well and managed to get their goal, so we have to try and do the business on Saturday.”
CUMNOCK will head to BEITH tonight ( Wednesday) before squaring off against
GLENAFTON who face KILBIRNIE tonight as they look to chase front- runners Kilwinning.
Their third match in a week will come against Hurlford, who will be coming off the back of their Junior Cup semi- final.
TROON look to bounce back from their 4- 1 defeat to Kilsyth, with an 88th minute consolation coming from Evan Maley, and get their promotion hunt back on track as they travel to Kello tonight.
They will then travel to the side who occupy the fourth promotion spot - Cambuslang - on Saturday. CRAIGMARK can make up ground on league leaders Irvine Vics with their game in hand as they host WHITLETTS tonight in the first game of a home triple header in six days. They will then host strugglers
ARDEER before welcoming LUGAR on Monday night. Bottom of the table
MUIRKIRK can lift off from the foot of the league as they host Lugar tonight.
Muirkirk have no game on Saturday, but they will host Ardeer on Monday night.
Lugar’s three game week run in is complete by hosting Whitletts on Saturday.
HURLFORD take on Wishaw in their Junior Cup semi- final before heading to Townhead Park to take on Cumnock.
GIRVAN will host Rob Roy as Laurie Dinwoodie’s men fight for Premier Division survival after they suffered a 5- 0 loss at home to Pollok last week.