Vics goal machine Kieran running riot
Boss Grierson hails McLaughlin’s eight goal show
George Grierson claims the sky’s the limit for Whitletts goal machine Kieran McLaughlin who has scored EIGHT in five games.
Back to back hat-tricks against Girvan and Bellshill feature in the hot striker’s stunning haul which has lifted the Ayr side to fourth in the West of Scotland League’s Conference ‘A’.
Summer signing McLaughlin was on the mark again as Vics blew a two goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Maybole in midweek.
Boss Grierson said: “Kieran is a confidence player who just needs that to go and play.
“We are working hard with him and trying to add more to his game. If we can then the sky’s the limit.
“There is no doubt he’s a talent who just needs a proper run of games. His goals are a combination of penalties and free-kicks but there are a couple of good ones in there as well.”
McLaughlin, 23, started out with Ayr United youths and had spells with Dalry, Cumnock, Kilwinning and Largs before switching to Dam Park.
Vics went 2-0 up through goals from McLaughlin (penalty) and Cammy Ross despite ‘Bole being the better team in the first-half.
Carlo Walker’s men dug in and battled back for a deserved point through Euan Smith’s 25 yarder and a Robert Patterson penalty.
Grierson admitted: “We were poor and I’m not happy at losing a 2-0 lead. Maybole will think they deserved to win.”
Whitletts now host a first ever clash with Glasgow University on Saturday.
AUCHINLECK welcomed back old favourite Dwayne Hyslop who celebrated signing a new deal by scoring a double in a 3-1 win over Montrose Roselea.
Keir Samson was also on the mark as holders Talbot launched their bid for a 14th Scottish Junior Cup and an eighth under boss Tommy Sloan. They head to Carluke in round two.
Jamie Glasgow’s equaliser in midweek earned a 1-1 draw with Beith after Josh Fowler fired the Bellsdale men ahead.
Talbot were handed a favour by arch rivals CUMNOCK who beat third placed Kilwinning 1-0 with a goal from Buffs old boy Finlay Frye. They now lead Clydebank by one point and Kilwinning by two but have a game in hand on both.
Cumnock defender Nathan Baird broke his ankle and suffered ligament damage in a 1-0 midweek defeat by Hurlford.
On Saturday, Auchinleck entertain Cumbernauld while Cumnock travel to Benburb.
TROON introduced new keeper Chris Murchie, formerly of Hurlford, in a 4-0 midweek win over GLENAFTON with doubles from Ben Black and Sam Jamieson.
Glens recovered on Saturday to crush Lochee Harp 9-2 in the Scottish Cup – Sean Bennie, Leon Murphy and Sam McKee all hit braces – and book a second round trip to Cumnock.
There was agony for Troon who took an early lead against Benburb through Dean Fulton only to be pegged back by a late equaliser from Ryan Livingston. Bens then won the penalty shoot-out 10-9.
Troon will bid to bounce back at home to Beith on Saturday while Glens travel to Blantyre.
LUGAR must be sick of the sight of CRAIGMARK after leaking 14 goals to them in back to back games at Rosebank.
‘Mark won 7-4 in the league in midweek after being six goals up with 10 minutes to go and then romped to a 7-1 win in the Scottish Cup on Saturday with goals from Kevin Adam (2), Stevie Tan, Jamie Newton, Mitchell Ewing, Ryan Caddis and an OG.
On Saturday, the third top Dalmellington men entertain MAYBOLE who are off the back of a 7-0 Scottish Cup defeat away to Pollok.
Boss Caddis claimed: “We are punching above our weight as we have one of the smallest budgets. Maybole are a good side who are full of seasoned juniors who know the game.”
GIRVAN are feeling sore after back to back 3-2 defeats. A Grant Richmond penalty gave them the lead away to MUIRKIRK in midweek but the hosts struck back through Christian Nade and John Hetherton (2) to take a two goal advantage. Kieran Balfour pulled back a last minute consolation.
Skipper Craig Harvey’s missed penalty cost them dearly against Maryhill on Saturday after goals from Balfour and Ross Clark had wiped out the visitors’ two goal start. Darren Kennedy then won it for ‘Hill.
Muirkirk stayed on the winning trail in the Scottish Cup with a thumping 7-0 rout away to Forfar United where Jason McCuaig bagged a hat-trick. Hetherton added a double with Scott Steedman and Niall Carslaw also on the mark.
On Saturday, Muirkirk are at home to Saltcoats while Girvan travel to Tynecastle in the prelim round of the senior Scottish Cup.