AUCHINLECK Talbot boss Tommy Sloan says his side will be eyeing progress in every cup competition they compete in.

The Beechwood boss rang the changes for his side's first round South Challenge Cup tie against Hutchison Vale on Saturday.

Despite a number of players making their first competitive start for the club, the East Ayrshire outfit continued in their fine early season form, with a Kyle McAvoy goal on 19 minutes proving enough to see off their East of Scotland Premier Division opponents.

McAvoy's strike sees Talbot through to a second round tie on September 14 away to Bo'ness Athletic, conquerors of Beith Juniors in the senior Scottish Cup a few weeks ago.

 

Sloan said: “We got there. We won the game. I think the opposition did really well and their goalkeeper had a good day.

“There are a lot of positives there. We well deserved our win; we dominated a lot of the match.

“The first half hour I thought we were pretty decent, and we scored in that period. It maybe wasn’t the cutting edge we’d expect, but that will come, I’m sure.

“For three or four players it was their first start, so that bodes well, I was certainly pleased with them.

“It’s about getting through and into the next round, that’s what counts.”

(Image: Craig McGhee)

After a hectic start to the league campaign, cup fixtures are coming thick and fast for Talbot now.

After their next league match, away to high-flying Drumchapel United on August 24, Sloan's side travel to East Lothian to face Haddington Athletic in the second preliminary round of the senior Scottish Cup on August 31.

They then welcome Lossiemouth United to Beechwood Park on September 7 in the second round of the Junior Cup, before their next Challenge Cup test against Bo'ness.

Sloan added: “There’s quite a number of cup competitions in the next few weeks.

“It doesn’t matter what cup it is, we’ll certainly be trying to progress in them.

“The junior cup and senior cup are the biggest two at our level, so maybe special attention will go to them, but we want to progress in every cup.

“We’ve managed to make a number of changes on Saturday and still get through and I thought they did really well overall.”

Drumchapel made a lightning-quick start to their debut season in the West of Scotland top flight, winning their first four matches, but came unstuck in their last league outing, a 2-0 midweek loss at Largs Thistle.

With Talbot yet to lose a match themselves, this Saturday's is a test the Beechwood boss is relishing.

"Drumchapel will be a tough game," he said." They’ve been doing pretty well.

“They’ve got a lot of senior experience in their team, mixed with a bit of youth. They’ve got quality players there and we’re expecting a tough match.

“But we’re doing all right ourselves, and I’m looking forward to the match and seeing how we can compete.”

(Image: Craig McGhee)

However, Sloan admits he is still some way off knowing his best 11 heading into the game, with Saturday's cup win only adding to his selection headache.

"In general I thought the players coming in did pretty well," he continued. "The effort was first class.

“It will be the guys that are doing the best at training and matches that are figuring.

"There's a lot of guys who have only had one run out, so it's still a bit early to know our best team yet - it might take us another six weeks for that."

Talbot's game against Drumchapel on August 24 gets under way at 2pm at the Donald Dewar Centre.

(Image: Craig McGhee)