Tommy Sloan is desperate for time to reflect on Auchinleck Talbot’s storming start to the season.

Someone else in his shoes might have been tempted to reach for the panic button when the Ayrshire kingpins got their Sectional League Cup campaign underway with a 2-1 defeat at home to Darvel but Tucker stayed calm as Talbot duly qualified from their Section and have since emerged unbeaten in four league games, as well as progressing into the Scottish Cup 2nd preliminary round where they host the visit of Wigtown & Bladnoch this coming Saturday.

Before 'flying the Junior flag' against the South of Scotland League minnows comes a Sectional League Cup semi-final clash at home to Kilwinning Rangers which the Talbot boss recognises as an infinitely tougher test for his troops.

He insisted: “The one downside to our decent start is the games keep coming thick and fast because I believe our demanding schedule has an effect on players at a time when they are still building up their fitness levels.

“Saturday marks six weeks into the season and also our twelfth game so I will be far happier when the darker nights are here and we can revert to two training nights.

“The guys have put a lot into our games up to now so it would be great to give some of them a rest from their exertions but it’s a big gamble if you leave out your best players when there’s a cup final place at stake.”

The record six-times Scottish Junior Cup winning boss picked out last weekend’s match-winner in the 1-0 victory over Beith, Mark Shankland, for special mention.

He added: “ I’m pleased for Shankers who has been showing real quality and doing particularly well in our recent games.

“He is establishing himself as a very important player for us but it’s vital we use his qualities sparingly and don’t burn him out before the winter is out.”

Last season’s West Region champions Beith have landed a considerably stiffer Scottish Cup test in going up against Lothian Thistle, however home advantage and the prospect of injuries clearing up has team boss Johnny Millar in upbeat mood .

Reflecting on his side’s weekend demise, he said: “It’s a huge ask to take on Auchinleck with a fully fit squad but the job becomes a whole lot harder when you have several key players missing .

“This is not a case of making excuses because we still had a good starting team down at Beechwood but we didn’t pose enough of a scoring threat and the likes of Paul Frize, Andy Reid and Archie McPherson would have made a difference .

“Frize will definitely be back for the Lothian Thistle game and it’s looking good for the other pair who are expected to train this week as is Kevin McDonald who could come into our thoughts if Kevin Green does not recover from a painful ankle knock that caused him to limp off on Saturday.”

Yet another Scottish Cup participant, Girvan , reeling from a 4-0 weekend defeat at home to Kilsyth Rangers, have reputedly suffered another hammer blow with management team Steven McReadie and Jamie McRae stepping down from their roles only a week before Burntisland Shipyard arrive at Hamilton Park.

Elsewhere on the comings and goings front comes word of Pollok fixing up Clyde striker Aaron Miller on loan, while Cambuslang Rangers goalkeeper Sandy Thomson, a close-season signing from Wishaw, has been placed on the open to transfer list at his own request.

PLAYING WEDNESDAY AUGUST 29, 2018 (Kick Offs 6.30PM) Sectional League Cup.Semi Finals. Auchinleck Talbot v Kilwinning Rangers, Lesmahagow v Petershill .

SATURDAY 25th AUGUST(Kick Offs 2PM)McBookie.com Premiership: Largs Thistle v Cumnock ,Renfrew v Petershill, Pollok v Irvine Meadow, Rob Roy v Kilwinning Rangers, Clydebank v Kilbirnie Ladeside, Cambuslang Rangers v Glenafton, Troon v Hurlford Utd.McBookie.com McBookie.com Championship: Kello Rovers v Whitletts Vics, Craigmark v Rossvale, Arthurlie v Neilston, Irvine Vics v St Rochs, Dalry Thistle v Benburb, Kilsyth Rangers v Cumbernauld Utd , Darvel v Rutherglen Glencairn . McBookie.com League One:Port Glasgow v Shettleston , Glasgow Perthshire v Blantyre Vics, Lugar Boswell v Ardrossan Winton Rovers , East Kilbride Thistle v Yoker Athletic,Greenock v Royal Albert, Shotts Bon Accord v Gartcairn, Wishaw v Bellshill Athletic , Maybole v Maryhill. McBookie.com League Two: Saltcoats Vics v Forth Wanderers, Vale of Clyde v Muirkirk, Ardeer Thistle v Annbank Utd , Lanark Utd v Carluke Rovers, Newmains Utd v Vale of Leven, Thorniewood Utd v Lesmahagow, Johnstone Burgh v Ashfield.