Allan McLuckie warns Auchinleck will need to up their game for the visit of champions Darvel tomorrow.
The mouth-watering clash is the West of Scotland League’s game of the day with a big crowd set to descend on Beechwood Park.
Talbot go into the acid test on the back of a 2-1 win at Troon while Darvel’s title defence got off to a rocky start with a 2-1 defeat by Cumnock.
New boy Ross Taylor scored Talbot’s opener at Portland Park and then set up the winner for Graham Wilson. That came after Kyle Gilroy scored a wonder equaliser for the Seasiders who head to Kilwinning Rangers tomorrow.
But No 2 McLuckie reckons Auchinleck will have to play even better if they are to open a six-point lead over the visitors on day two of the season.
He said: “Darvel will be another big test as they are a quality side and we will need to be better than we were at Troon who played extremely well.
“We were a bit ragged at times but it’s early doors. Everyone takes time to settle in and get their fitness up.
“Young Ross was exceptional. His energy, his goal and he then set the second one up. He’s been a great addition who can play anywhere.”
Darvel fell behind early on against CUMNOCK to a goal from Graham Boyd. Scott Ferguson levelled but the home side then had Lewis Morrison red-carded before Trialist grabbed an 88th-minute winner.
‘Nock entertain Cambuslang Rangers on Saturday but boss Brian McGinty warned: “We’ve set a bar and we need to replicate that. We’ve got to back up the Darvel result.”
GLENAFTON ATHLETIC entertain Arthurlie after a 1-1 draw at Largs Thistle who finished with 10 men. Michael McMullin headed Glens into an interval lead but Craig Forbes equalised late-on.
New faces are former Stranraer defender Jordan Ross and 19-year-old striker Cameron McKenzie, who has followed his elder brother Sean from Nithsdale.
WHITLETTS VICTORIA head to Blantyre Vics in the First Division following a 2-0 win over St Roch’s.
But the club could be in hot water after fielding skipper Jordan Boyd – who scored in the game – despite him being suspended from last season. Vics have signed former Dailly, Girvan and Bonnyton defender Kris Brown.
MAYBOLE entertain Maryhill in the Second Division after a 1-0 win away to Forth where Robert Patterson pounced after good work by Gavin Brown and debutant Craig Harvey.
CRAIGMARK BURNTONIANS host Glasgow United after beating Ashfield 3-2 thanks to a Ryan Connelly hat-trick despite having Fraser Smith sent-off for conceding a penalty.
That allowed the hosts to lead 2-1 early in the second-half but Connelly quickly equalised before grabbing the winner with a superb finish.
MUIRKIRK are at home to Ashfield after starting with a 4-0 win over Maryhill, courtesy of doubles by John Hetherton and Jamie Gray.
GIRVAN head to Bellshill Athletic off the back of a crushing 5-1 defeat away to Finnart, where Dylan Pooler scored a consolation, and a 3-0 home loss against Irvine Vics on Wednesday night.
LUGAR BOSWELL THISTLE had a Mitchell Ewing penalty to thank for a 1-1 draw with East Kilbride Thistle. They lost 1-0 at Kello Rovers on Wednesday and entertain Larkhall Thistle on tomorrow.
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