AUCHINLECK Talbot assistant boss Allan McLuckie has called for an end to fixture "nonsense" in the West of Scotland Football League (WoSFL).

McLuckie made his plea despite watching Talbot chalk up an impressive 6-3 win over Pollok in their final home game of the season on Saturday, May 4.

In a rollercoaster match, a Michael Wardrope hat-trick and goals from Jamie Glasgow, Ross Smith and Connor Boyd was enough to hand Tommy Sloan's side victory - and some measure of consolation after the defeat on penalties to the Glasgow club last month that ended Talbot's hold on the West of Scotland Cup.

The match was Talbot's sixth in the space of 17 days, and the result wasn't enough to keep their faint title hopes alive, as Beith Juniors confirmed their second successive title with a 2-0 win at home to Troon.

“Congratulations to Beith," McLuckie told Talbot's own social media team. "They are worthy winners. Two years in a row – that’s a tough feat so all credit to them.

“We just need to look after ourselves in the remaining games."

While Saturday was Auchinleck's final home match, they still have three fixtures to play away from home between now and May 11 - against Darvel tonight (Monday), Largs Thistle on Wednesday, May 8, and Benburb on the final day.

Cumnock Chronicle: Auchinleck won 6-3 against Pollok on Saturday in what was their final home match of the season.Credit: Craig McGhee

McLuckie thanked the club's supporters for their backing in a season which started with fears of a relegation battle and has ended with a title charge.

"The fans have stuck behind us," he continued. "We’ve had some difficult moments but they’ve turned up week in, week out.

“The players and the rest of us appreciate that.”

But the assistant boss still held some frustrations with the fixture pile up Talbot have faced to conclude their season.

The final match of the season will bring to an end a run of nine matches in 25 days for Tommy Sloan's side - something McLuckie described as "nonsense".

He continued: “Overall, the guys in the committee who organise the fixtures need to seriously look at the load they are putting on not just us, but other teams as well.

“It’s not practical to play four games a week. It’s happened three years in a row.

“If you asked professional teams to do that, they’d be like ‘no chance’.

“It’s for the spectators too. How are we meant to get more people through the gates when guys are playing three and four times a week and they’re fatigued?

“It’s not the same quality. It’s not helping generate crowds. The travelling three or four times a week – it’s a nonsense.”

Monday night's game at Darvel kicks off at 7.30pm, while Wednesday's fixture at Largs gets under way at 7pm.

 

Saturday's season-ending game away to Benburb on May 11 has a 1pm kick-off.