By james art While for two local teams there was the small question of the second round of the Scottish Senior Cup – with one club earning a place in round three on Saturday 26 October.
It was Irvine Meadow who made light work of the match favorites Civil Service Carts.
Meadow led 3-0 at halftime and that was it. Ben Carson’s side will now host League One side Stenhousemuir in the next round – with the tie taking place on Saturday, November 30.
Missing out on the draw was Auchinleck Talbot, who hosted Broxburn Athletic in the second round.
The visitors took a 1-0 lead in the 26th minute, scoring from a corner and holding on to see off Tommy Sloan’s side.
Away from the excitement of the Scottish Cup, there were still a number of massive league fixtures taking place across the county.
There was an Irvine Valley derby at Recreation Park where Darvel hosted Hurlford United – both sides struggling at the wrong end of the table.
And the sides couldn’t be separated on Saturday, with a roller-coaster affair that saw both sides lead at different times and end 2-2.
There were even more goals at MTC Park where Gartcairn hosted second-placed Largs Thistle.
Despite twice leading by two goals, Stuart Davidson’s side could only secure a point with a thrilling 4-4 draw.
At the other end of the table, Loch Park hosted a vital game between Glenafton Athletic and Shots Bon Accord.
Paul Payton’s side fell behind on two occasions, but a goal in the final 10 minutes from Chris Erskine gave the new boss his first three league points at the top – and the Glens’ first league win since their second game.
The win moves the East Ayrshire side five points clear of the relegation places.
It wasn’t such a good weekend for rivals Cumnock, who dropped below the Glens after their loss.
Facing a tough trip to Johnstone Burgh, Steven Swift’s side lost 3-0 and are now just two points clear of the drop zone.
Also on the receiving end of a 3-0 defeat this weekend were reigning champions Beith, who fell even further off the pace after their defeat at St Cadoc’s.
Chris Strain’s side are now 10 points behind leaders Clydebank, who have played two games less than the North Ayrshire outfit.
In Division One and it was a weekend of draws for the Ayrshire teams competing in the league.
At Valefield Park, Ardrossan Winton Rovers shared the points with fellow newly promoted side Vale of Clyde after a 1-1 draw.
Both goals came in the first half, with the result doing little to improve either side’s league standings.
It was a high-scoring affair across Ayrshire at Laidwell Park, with Mayball Juniors and Kilwinning Rangers finishing a thrilling 3-3 draw.
The result keeps Maybole in the promotion hunt and the Buffs firmly in mid-table.
While Kilbirnie Ladeside would also pick up a point after a 2-2 draw away to Petershill that keeps both sides in mid-table positions.
It was a great weekend for all but one Ayrshire team in Division Two – only Whitletts Victoria faced a loss.
In a top-of-the-table clash, the South Ayrshire side were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Neilston.
While Muirkirk Juniors bounced back from last weekend’s cup defeat to maintain their six-point lead at top spot.
They earned a hard-fought three points by beating Maryhill 2-1 away from home to make it ten wins from 11 games this season so far.
At the other end of the table, Craigmark Burntonians got off the mark to claim their first win of the season.
Their 2-1 win at home to Caledonian Locomotive was enough to earn them their first points of the campaign. Although they remain bottom, they are now just seven points from safety.
While Bonnyton Thistle also continued their revival and moved further away from relegation trouble with a superb 5-4 win away to Lesmahagow.
In Division Three, it was a much tougher week for the Ayrshire sides – with none picking up all three points this weekend.
Ardeer Thistle dropped out of the promotion places on Saturday after a heavy 5-2 defeat at home to Greenock Juniors – who now sit in second place.
While Dalry Thistle also fell off the pace after losing 3-2 at home to Glasgow University.
Irvine Victoria and Lugar Boswell Thistle both failed to improve their league position – after a thrilling 5-5 draw at Rosebank Park.
The visitors would have been the happier of the two sides – having trailed for much of the game – although they still sit in the relegation places, four points from safety.
Also at risk of relegation are Girvan, who failed to climb out of the bottom three on Saturday after losing 1-2 at home to Finnart.
In Division Four, after three weeks of cup play, Eglinton FC made a triumphant return to their league duties.
They were superb in their win over Campbeltown Pupils, with the Kilwinning side running away 8-0 winners at home. They are now just six points off the promotion places with a game in hand.
The action ended with Saltcoats Victoria suffering a narrow weekend loss.
West Park United visited Campbell Park on Saturday and secured a 2-1 victory that leaves the hosts in 12th position in the table.