IT was a massive weekend for football in Ayrshire with some of the county's top sides taking a break from league action.

Instead, they were competing in one of the biggest competitions of them all - the 'senior' Scottish Cup on Saturday, September 28.

Five Ayrshire teams were in first round action with two securing their place in the next round. They will hope to still be in the hat when Ayr United and Kilmarnock enter the fray in the latter stages.


Scottish Cup


Of those celebrating a spot in the next round, perhaps the most familiar name will be Auchinleck Talbot.

Tommy Sloan's side - who have progressed as far as round five in the past - earned their place in the draw after a hard fought 2-1 win away to Lowland League outfit Albion Rovers.

Alex Nimmo and Connor Boyd scored the goals to earn their place in round two, where they will meet another Lowland League side.

Talbot have been drawn at home to Broxburn Athletic, with the tie to be played at Beechwood Park on the weekend of Saturday, October 26.

Also moving into the second round will be Irvine Meadow, who famously played Hibernian in the competition's fourth round back in 2010.

They moved a step closer to reaching that stage again with goals from Jack McDowall, Lewis Kennedy and a Greg Cree double earning them a 4-1 win away to Burntisland Shipyard.

Ben Carson's side have been rewarded with a home tie in round two, and will face Lowland League outfit Civil Service Strollers for a place in the third round.

The match will be played at Meadow Park, also on the weekend of October 26.

However, not all Ayrshire sides have a second round match to look forward to after some exited the competition in heartbreaking fashion.

Cumnock Juniors faced one of the longest journeys in the competition as they faced Highland League high-flyers Brora Rangers.

An 84th minute Joe McKee goal looked to be taking the tie to extra time with the teams locked at 1-1 but a 92nd minute winner saw Brora progress from the match at Dudgeon Park.

There was a similar bitter feeling for Darvel, who reached the fifth round stage just two years ago, as they took Musselburgh Athletic to extra time when their match was level at 0-0 after 90 minutes were up.

But it was the East of Scotland side who prevailed as they notched the game's only goal during extra-time to earn a spot in round two.

The final Ayrshire team in action was Girvan, who many wouldn't have given a chance in their match away to West of Scotland Football League (WoSFL) Premier Division table-toppers Clydebank.

But Dean Keenan's side put up a superb fight, taking the lead in the match, before the Bankies' strength showed as they went on to run out 3-1 winners.


WoSFL Premier Division


Despite the excitement of the Scottish Cup, there were also a number of vital domestic fixtures taking place across the region.

The WoSFL provided plenty of excitement, with the league table as tightly packed as ever.

One side who are pressing at the top of the table now is Largs Thistle, who moved up into second place with a 2-1 win over Glenafton Athletic.

Thistle are now just three points from first place, though Clydebank have two matches in hand.

Meanwhile, after Paul Paton's first league fixture in charge the Glens sit just two points from the relegation zone and are without a win in six Premier Division matches.

Last season's champions Beith picked up a statement win on Saturday as they travelled to face big-spending Johnstone Burgh.

Chris Strain's side won the match 2-0 at Keanie Park and have now propelled themselves back in amongst the challengers at the top of the table.

Also pushing at the right end of the table are Troon FC, who kept up their fine form this season on Saturday.

In a rollercoaster match at Portland Park, Troon fell 2-0 behind to Benburb in the first half.

A Dean Fulton strike got Troon back in it before half time and second half strikes from Sam McCloskey and Sam Jamieson meant all three points stayed in South Ayrshire - putting Troon up to fifth place in the standings.

On the other hand, Hurlford's early season struggles continued at the weekend - with the East Ayrshire outfit sitting in the relegation zone.

In a tough fixture, Pollok swept aside Darren Henderson's side to secure a 4-0 win at Newlandsfield.


WoSFL First Division


In the First Division, it was a strong weekend for sides across Ayrshire.

Ardrossan Winton Rovers looked to kick on after some early season struggles and done so in resounding fashion this weekend.

It was a magnificent seven for Gavin Friels' side who defeated Ashfield 7-3 in the fixture played at Valefield Park.

Kilbirnie faced a tough test away to Arthurlie and shared the points in Barrhead after a 1-1 draw.

Ladeside fell behind in the first half before Scott Lewis levelled the match in the second 45. Despite conceding a penalty late in the fixture, spot kick king Jamie McGowan saved the effort to ensure the match ended level.

Renfrew FC have started the season in fine form, however, they found Kilwinning Rangers a tough nut to crack on Saturday.

Despite the best efforts of both sides, there was no scoring in the match at Buffs Park which ultimately ended 0-0.

Maybole Juniors have also enjoyed a fine start to the season which continued on Saturday.

The South Ayrshire side are now in fifth place after they got another three points on the board with a 3-1 win at home to Cumbernauld United.


WoSFL Second Division


Muirkirk Juniors remain the side to catch in the Second Division after their incredible start to the season continued on Saturday.

Despite leaving it late, The Kirk came from 2-1 down to snatch all three points with a 3-2 win away to Cambuslang Rangers.

Whitletts Victoria are trying their best to catch the East Ayrshire side and their push for top spot continued.

The match also finished 3-2 with the New Voluntary Park outfit earning a hard fought victory at home to Maryhill.

Fortune did not favour Bonnyton Thistle who fell to defeat - slipping to a 2-1 loss at home to Caledonian Locomotive.

And Craigmark Burntonian are still in search of their first win this campaign. They remain in last place after their 2-0 defeat at home to Lanark United.


WoSFL Third Division


In the Third Division, Dalry Thistle are beginning to push the early pace setters hard after their 3-0 win at home to basement boys Wishaw.

The win propels Chris Wilson's side into fifth place - and only two points back from the promotion places.

Lugar Boswell Thistle have fallen off the pace after a fine start to the season.

The Jaggy Bunnets now lie firmly in mid-table after they lost 2-0 at home to league leaders Thorn Athletic on Saturday.

Irvine Victoria's early season struggles continued after they fell to a 2-0 defeat away to Finnart.

They sit in second-last place and are now four points adrift of safety at this stage.


WoSFL Fourth Division


In the Fourth Division, it was another good weekend for sides across Ayrshire.

Kilwinning's Eglinton FC have pushed themselves up into contention after a hard-fought 2-0 victory away to East Kilbride Thistle.

The win moved them ahead of their opponents in the standings and within six points of the promotion places with a game in hand.

Saltcoats Victoria were left disappointed after letting a two-goal lead slip at home to Campbeltown Pupils.

However, the point keeps them firmly in mid-table and clear of the sides battling at the lower end of the league.

While Kello Rovers became the first side to take points off Knightswood so far this season.

A 1-1 draw can be viewed as a great result - and means that Kello can enter the promotion places should they win their game in hand on the teams above.