Talbot ready for cup double date
Tommy Sloan will tell his Auchinleck players to put the league on the back burner and prepare for two crunch cup ties in six days.
On Sunday, Talbot bid to defend the West Sectional League Cup when they meet Lanark United in the final at Beechwood Park.
Then the following Saturday, Sloan’s men face their toughest test yet when they entertain high flying Cove Rangers in the second round of the William Hill Scottish Cup.
It’s a juicy double- header for Talbot who are playing catch- up in the league as they sit 10 points off the pace but with five games in hand.
Goals from Craig McCracken, Mark Shankland and Gordon Pope fired them 3- 0 ahead against Pollok who netted a late consolation through Del Esplin.
GLENAFTON hope to follow up a 4- 1 win over Beith by beating Rossvale at Loch Park. A double from Dan Orsi and strikes from Dale Moore and Findlay Frye were answered only by Paul Frize.
TROON head to KILWINNING hoping to catch the hosts on a downer after their humiliating Scottish Cup exit away to Bridge of Don.
Ben Lewis gave Buffs an early lead but the hosts hit back for a shock 3- 1 win despite finishing with 10 men.
CUMNOCK gave a debut to new signing Ryan Caddis from Hurlford in a 3- 2 defeat at Clydebank which leaves them looking over their shoulders.
Goals from former Glenafton midfielder Conor Lynas and on- loan Hamilton kid Kyle Munro fired Bankies 2- 0 up at the break.
Paul Burns got one back but Cammy McClair restored the two goal cushion. Bankies had Gary McMenamin sent off before Chris Campbell grabbed a second consolation.
Second top IRVINE MEADOW, who beat Rutherglen 1- 0 thanks to a Reece Pearson header, entertain leaders Pollok in the game of the day.
CRAIGMARK saw their Scottish Cup hopes end with a 2- 0 defeat to Kilsyth who struck with second- half goals from Tom Neil and Willie Sawyers. ‘ Mark now visit Neilston.
In League One, GIRVAN travel to Lesmahagow after their cup hopes were sunk by two goals in three minutes late in the second- half away to Tayport.
KELLO were 4- 1 winners at Maryhill whose management team of Alan Kelly and Kevin Lafferty quit after the game. Kello host Greenock on Saturday.
MAYBOLE scored only their third win in League Two when they beat title hopefuls MUIRKIRK 4- 3 to defy McBookie odds of 6/ 1.
‘ Bole now entertain struggling LUGAR who went down 3- 2 away to Newmains while Muirkirk attempt to get their bid back on track when they visit second top Vale of Leven.
Third placed Muirkirk trail their hosts by two points but have a game in hand.
• WHITLETTS’ reward for Saturday’s thrashing of Annbank is a trip to Beith for an all- Ayrshire tie in Round three of the Macron Scottish Junior Cup.
Other ties include: Glenafton v Thorniewood or Banks of Dee; Bridge of Don Thistle v Ardrossan Winton Rovers; Ashfield v Lugar Boswell Thistle; Shotts v Hurlford; Troon v Kilsyth; Auchinleck Talbot v Forfar WE; Dalry v Dundee NE; Kirkcaldy Dysart v Darvel; Gartcairn v Kilbirnie; Shettleston v Kello Rovers; Maud or Kirrimuir v Largs.
Ties to be played on Saturday, October 26.