Saturday 19th May 2012.  Kick-off 1pm.

Cumnock Juniors are playing a Friendly game against Ardrossan Winton Rovers on Saturday (19th May 2012) at Townhead Park. Kick-off is 1pm. Ardrossan will be up for the game as they are involved in much the same situation as Cumnock in the Stagecoach First Division. This League has been tight this season and Ardrossan looked as if they were going to win the League at the start of the season, after they easily won the Ayrshire League the season before. Problems with injuries saw the Club go down in a League this season when if a team found themselves losing a few games - they were in trouble.

It will be a good game.

A.P.

Stagecoach Premier Division,  Wednesday 2nd May 2012.

Another worrying game will be on Monday ((7th May 2012) when both teams chasing Cumnock are playing -  Pollok  v  Largs Thistle.

Stagecoach West of Scotland League, Super League Premier Division,

Wednesday 2nd May 2012.

Cumnock kept going from the first whistle to the final one. Both sides had chances and a draw would have been a fairer outcome. Everyone knows Tommy Sloan has a very good team and to overcome is always difficult. Two goals, first from Liam McVey and five minutes later from Kyle Faulds set a difficult task for Cumnock but they did not lie down. particularly on the second half and deserved a goal with a James Tyler  goal.  Auchinleck have battled immensely with such a large fixture list at the moment and mid-week, of course, players have their work, some physically demanding before they come to the Park. Cumnock missed Chris McKnight and Gary McMenamin due to suspension and Graham Wilson also out due to an injured foot which he received at his work.

Firstly Cumnock Auchinleck President Martin Wright snr made a presentation of a crystal rose bowl to Secretary George Morton to acknowledge Cumnock’s Centenary this year. Then there was a sad minute’s silence for formal Cumnock  manager Tom Spence who tragically died last week.

Cumnock almost got a dream start with a shot which keeper Brian McGarrity made a great save from James Tyler. Then Gavin Friels on the left set away Aaron Connolly who whacked the post. Talbot came back and Keiran Paterson looked to have a great opportunity 8 yards out but Aaron Connlly flicked the ball away from his boot.

The game looked set to be a great game as it was not ten minutes old when Cumnock had a good chance when the busy Gavin Friels slipped the ball to James Tyler leaving him to shoot with the keeper to beat but his shot was not on target.

Auchinleck came back and the ball came went end to end. The home side’s Keir Milliken charged through the Cumnock defence but a well judged save by keeper Stuart Watterson, who sprinted out and caught the ball before it went higher and over him.

With Cumnock going well, they got a tremendous blow when they went a goal down in the 23rd minute. Stuart McDonald got a yellow card for obstruction on Kyle Faulds just outside the Cumnock box. Up came Liam McVey to send a peach of a free-kick right into the top corner of the net. Auchinleck Talbot 1  Cumnock Juniors 0.

If Cumnock were dismayed it was worse five minutes later. Kyle Faulds ran past the  visitors’ defence and rounded the keeper to toe it into the net for a very well taken goal.  Auchinleck Talbot 2  Cumnock Juniors 0.

Things were certainly bad for the visitors but they kept gamely. Auchinleck got a setback when Kyle Faulds got an unfortunately injury and he had to be helped to the changing room with  Colin Spence came on.

Half-time: Auchinleck Talbot 2 Cumnock Juniors 0.

The game continued in the second-half as it did the first as straight away Aaron Connolly continued along the right wing and sent a dangerous, low cross which was well intercepted by Brian McGarrity. Then Kieran Paterson sent a  strong shot which was well blocked by Stevie Murray. Despite the two-goal deficit, Cumnock never stopped hoping to win and they were rewarded with a goal in the  59th minute. James Tyler‘s speedy play kept the Auchinleck defence on their toes and  he ran from the left to in front of the goal before unleashing a great shot from 22 yards which squeezed past the post and keeper.

Both teams continued to please everyone on the terracing as the game went from one to the other with Cumnock looking for that equaliser. James Tyler continued to speed along both flanks and in the 79th minute he out-ran his opponents but his angle was too narrow and keeper McGarrity was there in the right spot to clutch it. Cumnock pushed forward as they had nothing to lose but left themselves open and strikers at times had to man the pumps at the back. Talbot had an opportunity when Liam McVey went right to the bye-line and sent an accurate cross for Kieran Paterson at the far post.

Cumnock’s Chic Connolly saved his team by popping up to clear the cross from the head of his opponent. Similarly Aaron Connolly sprinted back to make a great tackle on Liam McVey – who had an excellent game, to stop him right in front of goal. Cumnock almost got a goal as Gavin Friels got clear on the left. His low cross was aimed at Stuart McDonald in front of goal but he was put off by defenders beside him and not on his good foot, he could not connect right.

It certainly was an exciting spectacle as Cumnock had everyone up as far as possible but still had no option but to leave spaces at the back and against such an experienced team as Auchinleck who were glad to exploit.

Right on full-time Gary Wild made an excellent tackle on sub Mick McCann in front of the Cumnock goal. It was despondency for Cumnock but they all worked hard throughout the game – especially with players unavailable. Auchinleck keeping going well after so many games is a testament to Tommy Sloan and his management colleagues and team.

Auchinleck -   McGarrity, Robb, McVey, Pettigrew, Collins, White, Paterson, Faulds, Slaven, Milliken, Sloan.

Subs -   Spence, McCann, Latta, Pope, McGoldrick, Young, Leishman.

Cumnock -   Watterson, Wild, Murray, McDonald, C. Connolly, Howie, A. Connolly, Tyler, Friels, Wallace, Kennedy.

Subs -    Miller, Quinn,  McMinn, Farrell, Lynn.

Referee -   Graeme Stewart (Paisley).

Before the Auchinleck Talbot  v  Cumnock Juniors game on Wednesday (2nd May 2012) Auchinleck President Morton Wright snr made a presentation of a beautiful crystal rose bowl to our Secretary, George Morton to commemorate Cumnock Juniors’ Centenary. This is typical of Auchinleck Talbot as we know on the park we are great rivals but outside it Auchinleck have always been so generous, thoughtful and helpful to Cumnock and we hope we do the same to Auchinleck. Thanks to hard worker Alison Scott who was at the game with her camera.