Ryan Caddis insists Craigmark’s run to the quarter-finals of the West of Scotland League Cup is no big surprise.
The Dalmellington side continued their fine season to beat Scottish Cup semi-finalists Rutherglen 3-2 on their own patch and book a home tie against Ashfield or St Roch’s.
The Division Two promotion chasers can climb into the top three if they win at Kilsyth Rangers on Saturday.
Boss Caddis said: “Everyone would no doubt have Rutherglen on their coupon but I was quietly confident we would do well. I didn’t see it as an upset and we deserved our win.
“It’s done now and we look forward to Kilsyth on Saturday and continuing our promotion bid.”
Liam Caddis was the hero with two penalties while Jordan Ryan was also on the goal trail in a see-saw tie which saw Rutherglen twice ahead. The hosts had Anthony Maguire sent off with 12 minutes to go and Caddis cashed in with a late winner.
Ryan claimed: “Our front three gave them a torrid time. That’s Liam scored six in two games while Scott Sherrie has been superb since coming in for the injured Ryan Connolly.”
AUCHINLECK hailed hero keeper Marc Fisher for a debut to remember in their West Cup win over GLENAFTON which earned a home clash against Gartcairn.
Fisher, signed on loan from Troon with Andy Leishman injured, kept a clean sheet and then saved from Michael Moffat, Michael McMullin and Paul Paton in the penalty shoot-out which Talbot won 2-0.
On Saturday, Talbot continue their defence of the South Challenge Cup when they entertain East Kilbride in the last 16 while Glens are in league action at home to leaders Beith.
Tommy Sloan’s men are playing catch-up in the Premier title race but will climb from fourth to top spot if they win their games in hand.
CUMNOCK entertain Sauchie in the Challenge Cup with selection problems after a 3-0 defeat away to Pollok.
Boss Brian McGinty claimed: “We were by far the better team in the first-half and dominated the game but after the break we made basic mistakes and got punished. You can’t just play for 45 minutes.”
DARVEL will look to the visit of basement team Cambuslang as the chance to get their faltering title challenge back on track. Successive defeats, 1-0 at home to Hurlford and 2-0 away to Beith, leave them seven points behind the leaders with a game in hand.
TROON are looking to make it three wins on the spin when they entertain HURLFORD buoyed by new signings David Syme (on loan from Darvel) and Jamie McKernon (Glenafton).
Dean Fulton’s goal downed Pollok in midweek and they followed that with a 2-1 victory at Arthurlie thanks to strikes from Syme and Ben Black to climb into mid-table.
WHITLETTS welcome Thorniewood in the First Division and need to turn their backlog into points as they try to escape bottom spot.
Dean McColm gave them a second minute flier away to Johnstone Burgh but the hosts struck back for a 2-1 win through goals from Aaron Millar and Ross Cameron.
MAYBOLE head to Greenock in the Second Division after beating the same team 2-0 at Ladywell on Saturday with goals from Rab Paterson (penalty) and Mick McCann.
Boss Carlo Walker said: “It was a bonus getting Ross Robertson on the park for the last few minutes after his injury.”
MUIRKIRK head to Glasgow Uni after coming from behind to beat Maryhill 3-2 at Burnside. Loan player Ryan McLean was among the goals but has now been recalled by Cumnock.
GIRVAN take on Larkhall at Hamilton Park in the Third Division off the back of a 4-2 defeat at Larkhall where Mitchell Ewing scored twice.
LUGAR travel to Bellshill after crashing 3-1 at home to Irvine Vics who scored through Callum Irvine, James Maxwell and Jordan Hay.
KELLO, who lost 3-0 away to Vale of Clyde, bid to return to winning ways at home to Carluke.
