Ayrshire towns gear up for big cup weekend
Fans dream of giant killing wins in the Scottish Cup 4th round
Last updated 21st Jan 2022
Auchinleck and Darvel, are preparing for a huge weekend in their local communities, as their junior football clubs take part in the Fourth Round of the Scottish Cup.
Auchinleck Talbot will host Hearts at 12.30pm on Saturday, facing the Premiership side for the third time in a decade
A 4,000-sell-out crowd expected at Beechwood Park, which equates to the whole town’s population.
Local businesses are expecting an influx of supporters to arrive from the Edinburgh team, including pubs such as the Boswell Arms, which is just a few hundred metres from the stadium.
Good for business
Owner Heather Beatson said: “It’s good for the town and businesses as well, especially in our line of business.
“The atmosphere in the village will be brilliant. Fans always get behind the team.
“For a junior team they’ve done great. It gives the village something too because it is just a small village, so everybody gets behind them.”
The one drawback is that the game arrives just two days before COVID restrictions are further lifted, which will limit the amount of people in pubs and restaurants.
However, the local establishments are still expecting their busiest day of the year so far.
Just 15 miles north lies Darvel, whose team travel to Championship leaders Arbroath for Saturday’s tie.
Darvel have come up through the pyramid system in recent seasons and have a big local support.
"Biggest game in our history"
Years of hard work in lower divisions has culminated in this game, in the clubs first ever season in the Scottish Cup.
Manager Mick Kennedy told us: “It is one of the biggest days in the club’s history.
“We are just happy it is here now. There is obviously massive excitement in the community with the fans and everyone is just looking forward to the game.”
Around 300 fans are expected to head to Angus for the 240-mile round trip, with several buses departing on Friday night.
The Vale are not just in the tournament to take part though, as Kennedy explained: “There’s certainly a belief amongst our players. We will try to implement our style of play. The plan is to go up there and win the game.”
Whether the two Ayrshire sides progress to the Fifth Round of the Scottish Cup remains to be seen but the two towns certainly have something to shout about this weekend.
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