Ayrshire teams are preparing for the first round of the Senior Scottish Cup this weekend, with local rivalries and the chance of making history all on the agenda.
The action gets underway tonight (Friday 2 October), with arguably the standout Ayrshire fixture as Cumnock welcome fierce rivals Auchinleck Talbot to Townhead Park.
The sides’ meet just week after Talbot ran out 4-0 winners against Cumnock at Beechwood in the Lowland League West. Tommy Sloan’s men now make the short trip across to Townhead looking to repeat this latest result and progress to the second round.
Cumnock boss Stephen Swift hopes his side “dust themselves down” and quickly put last weeks defeat behind them
Speaking to club media following the defeat at Beechwood, he said: “It’s a sore scoreline, but I thought we were worthy of going in at half-time with a lead, but we never took our chances.
“There were no complaints about the second half. Talbot completely ran over the top of us, knowing how dangerous they are in attack and how they hem you in, and we never stood up to it.
“They have a physicality about them, but we have an idea of what we are coming up against come Friday night.”
Looking to build on the victory, Talbot assistant Allan McLuckie said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better performance for the players. As a group, we owed the supporters and the committee a response, and we truly did that with an excellent effort all over the pitch.
“This game is done and dusted and this next one is a completely different game. It’s in front of the BBC, of course, which we will be prepared for, and we need to put in performances as we did there.”
Cumnock have not beaten Auchinleck Talbot in a competitive fixture since March 2022, when they won 2-1 away at Beechwood in the West of Scotland Premier Division.
The two sides have also made contrasting starts to the Lowland League West campaign. Talbot currently sit fourth in the table, five points behind leaders Kilwinning, as the Nock occupy ninth after 10 games.
RIVALS: Cumnock and Auchinleck Talbot lock horns in the Senior Scottish Cup for the second year running (Image: Auchinleck Talbot)
LOOKING TO MAKE HISTORY
Bonnyton Thistle have their sights set on making club history when they welcome East Stirlingshire to the Chilton Flooring Arena in Kilmarnock on Saturday.
The West of Scotland First Division side are looking to reach second round of the Scottish Cup for the first time
Speaking to Now Ayrshire, Thistle assistant Eoin Waite believes positivity is running through the squad ahead of the cup tie following their latest league win at Neilston.
He said: “The boys were buzzing after winning 4-1 at Neilston, but they know that they’ve to be on top of it for the cup game coming this Saturday.
“It’s one of these games when it’s a team coming from a few leagues above, there’s no denying that. We will set up the way we have always done this season and hope we can go out there an get the result.”
With Thistle grabbing 20 goals already this campaign, striker Jordan Baird added that statistics such as this is an added positive to many already at the club.
He said: “To get lots of opportunities in front of goal, that’s something that you want in the team. We’re hungry to get goals and get on top of teams.
“It’s a family-orientated club here and everybody is working towards the same thing. From the players to what is going on behind the scenes, everybody is working towards the same goal.”
Bonnyton host the Shire at the Chilton Flooring Arena on Saturday at 3pm.
This fixture marks the Kilmarnock-based club’s second consecutive appearance in the first round. Last year’s encounter saw Thistle fall short to East of Scotland League side Musselburgh Athletic, losing 2-0 in September 2025.
EYEING HISTORY: Bonnyton Thistle celebrate making the Scottish Cup first round (Image: Bonnyton Thistle)
AROUND THE GROUNDS
Largs Thistle and Troon will mark their debuts in the Senior Scottish Cup this Saturday.
Stuart Davidson’s Theesel head for the Borders as they face Gala Fairydean Rovers at Netherdale following their 1-1 draw away at North Ayrshire rivals Beith as Jimmy Kirkwood’s Troon make the long trip north to face Deveronvale of the Highland League.
Chris Strain’s Kilwinning Rangers will hope to build on their impressive start to the Lowland League West season as they travel to Penicuik Athletic, marking the Buffs’ fifth appearance in the Scottish Cup.
West of Scotland Premier Division leaders Irvine Meadow also head east to face Bo’ness United as John Hughes’ Beith welcome Highland League outfit Huntly to Bellsdale Park.
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Ayrshire businesses are being asked whether a direct air service between Prestwick Airport and London would support their work. Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce is working with Prestwick Airport to gather views from companies, including how often they travel to London and what a direct route could mean for their businesses. […]
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