League business up and running in Ayrshire

League business is now underway for Ayrshire teams across the divisions, and one of them emerged victorious in their first-ever tie in a national competition.

The first preliminary round of the Men’s Scottish Cup saw an “unforgettable” 1-0 victory for Whitletts Victoria against East of Scotland side Sauchie Juniors, in what was new boss Kevin Kelly’s debut at New Voluntary Park.

The Vics were the only team in the region to make it through to the second round draw, where they meet Camelon Juniors, as Glenafton and amateur side Shortlees exited at the first hurdle.

The New Cumnock side were defeated 3-2 on penalties following a goalless draw against Stonehaven at Loch Park as Colin Smith’s Shortlees were edged out 3-2 after extra time by Dundee North End.

Ties for the second preliminary round are scheduled for Saturday 22 August.

Higher up the pyramid, Ayr United were up first in opening their league campaign with a 2-0 victory over last season’s promotion chasers Arbroath at Somerset Park.

Goals from Ben Summers and Ross Taylor in either half were enough for Gary Naysmith’s men, who have now recorded five straight competitive wins, including their Premier Sports Cup group campaign.

Speaking to Now Ayrshire, Naysmith believes the positives are to be taken from getting the league off to a winning start despite being up against it at times.

He said: “It’s great to get a clean sheet, and more so getting that first league win, although not playing at our best.

“There are bits that we’ve done well and areas that we need to improve in these last few games. I think we’re still trying to learn more about each other, but the important thing for me while we are still learning is continuing to win.”

Looking ahead to next week’s trip to Dunfermline, Naysmith added: “Although it may be tough, it’s exciting, and it’s exactly what we want. We don’t fear them, and we’ll go into it with confidence.

“Neil (Lennon) has done really well there getting in a good squad of players, and the club have backed him to make it with a lot more options, whereas we are still trying to knit a few more things together.”

The other side of Ayrshire saw Kilmarnock fall to a dramatic 4-3 defeat against newly promoted St Johnstone in Perth in their Premiership opener on Sunday.

Neil McCann’s side managed to get themselves 3-2 in front with nearly an hour gone thanks to strikes from Greg Kiltie, Joe Hugill and a Jason Holt own goal.

A Michael Schjønning-Larsen own goal at the other end and a Kai Fotheringham strike 10 minutes before the end sealed the victory for Simo Valakari’s men to consign Killie to an opening-day loss.

Following the defeat, Killie boss McCann said: “We didn’t deserve anything from the game and St Johnstone deserved to win, simple as that.

“When you go 3-2 up, you shouldn’t lose the game away from home, and the football that we played didn’t merit that. We let ourselves, the fans, and the club down today after what was a poor afternoon.

“St Johnstone have shown they are a capable side under Simo coming up from the Championship and deserved to win the game.”

Killie welcome Celtic to Rugby Park next Sunday in yet another televised fixture, and the first played on their newly laid all-grass pitch.

Other results in the region saw Auchinleck Talbot continue their impressive start to the season with a resounding 9-0 victory away at Newton Stewart as rivals Cumnock succumbed to a 6-3 away defeat at Caledonian Braves in the Lowland League West.

Jamie McKim’s Irvine Meadow suffered their second defeat in a matter of days in the West of Scotland Premier Division to North Ayrshire rivals Kilbirnie Ladeside, as did newly promoted Annbank in the Fourth Division, losing out 6-3 to Wishaw.