Ryan Caddis insists Auchinleck have got themselves a star after they snapped up goal-scoring midfielder Ali Boyle from Craigmark.
Now the Dalmellington club are planning transfer moves of their own after landing Hurlford pair Ross Fisher and Ryan Walker on loan until December.
Highly rated Boyle made the move to Beechwood last week with praise from boss Caddis ringing in his ears.
Caddis revealed: “Since I came to the club, Ali has been excellent. As soon as Tommy Sloan phoned me about him it was all about getting the right deal for Craigmark.
“Ali will be a big player for Talbot and everyone at Craigmark wishes him all the best. There has also been interest in two or three of our other players so we’re doing something right.
“I have a couple of moves in the pipeline for new faces while I would like to extend the loans for Ross and Ryan if possible.”
Craigmark head to Wishaw in the Second Division on Saturday after fighting back from 2-0 down at half-time to scramble a 2-2 draw at home to Kilsyth Rangers. And they did it with 10 men after James Lamont was sent off early in the second-half.
Ryan Connelly led the fightback before Stevie Tan salvaged a point with a 94th minute equaliser.
Caddis admitted: “Kilsyth were better than us all over the park in the first-half but we changed things and were transformed after the interval. One thing I never doubt is the character of my players.”
CUMNOCK boss Brian McGinty insists good cup runs and a top end of the league challenge are the minimum requirements he demands from his squad.
And he is chasing another trophy challenge when ‘Nock head to Renfrew in the South Challenge Cup on Saturday.
McGinty’s men stayed on the silverware trail with a 1-0 win away to Irvine Meadow in the West League Cup. Meadow had been on a rich run of form under new boss George Grierson but were floored when Graham Boyd struck a second-half winner.
McGinty felt his team deserved to go through despite being below par against a Meadow side that lost Calum Gow to a red card.
He revealed: “We want to be a club that is competing at the top end of the league and later stages of tournaments. That’s the minimum expectation for a club this size – anything less than that and we are not doing our job properly.”
In midweek, Cumnock were twice ahead against Pollok through Ryan Carnwath and Greg Gerry but the visitors battled for a 2-2 draw.
AUCHINLECK entertain Neilston after scoring 10 goals in 72 hours to fire a warning to their rivals.
They crushed Kilwinning 6-0 last Wednesday with goals from Mark Shankland (2), Keir Samson (2), Michael Wardrope and Ross Taylor. On Saturday, Neil McPherson grabbed a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Muirkirk with Samson also on target. Davie Collins gave ‘Kirk brief hope when he made it 1-1.
GLENAFTON welcome Kinnoull in the Challenge Cup after beating Glenvale 2-1 in the West Cup with goals from Dylan O’Kane and Paul Paton. Hugh Kerr equalised in a 1-1 midweek draw at home to Hurlford who took the lead through Paul McKenzie.
TROON play host to St Cuthbert Wanderers after coming from behind to beat Glasgow Perthshire 4-2 with Ben Black, Ray Montgomerie and Josh Black among the goals.
WHITLETTS, who have signed Jamie Wylie from Lugar, visit Lesmahagow in desperate need of a pick-me-up. Jordan Boyd fired them ahead against Blantyre but the visitors struck back through Ross Smith and Andrew Gallagher for a 2-1 win.
MAYBOLE entertain Glenrothes in the Challenge Cup but found Beith too hot in a 4-1 West Cup defeat. The Premier side raced ahead through Carlo Monti, Danny O’Neill, Nicky Docherty and Paul Frize before Mick McCann scored a consolation penalty.
GIRVAN get it tough at home to leaders Winton Rovers in the Third Division but can take heart from a battling performance in a 1-0 West Cup defeat at home to First Division strugglers Rossvale.
LUGAR entertain Lanark after a 4-1 defeat away to Second Division title chasers Ashfield where Mitchell Ewing was on target.
