EAST Ayrshire’s football clubs have congratulated their local rivals Darvel after the Recreation Park club’s stunning Scottish Cup win over Aberdeen on Monday night.
Jordan Kirkpatrick’s 19th-minute effort was enough to give Mick Kennedy’s men a 1-0 win in front of a capacity 3,500 crowd – and with a huge live BBC TV audience watching what is being widely viewed as one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history.
Many of Darvel’s fellow West of Scotland Football League rivals were quick to offer their congratulations to the Premier Division leaders on social media after the remarkable outcome.
Auchinleck Talbot took to Twitter to say “Well done and congratulations to the players and management of @darvelfc on your result."
Well done and congratulations to the players and management of @darvelfc on your result vs @AberdeenFC
— Auchinleck Talbot (@atfc1909) January 23, 2023
Cumnock Juniors, meanwhile, harked back to their own surprise result at Recreation Park – a 2-1 victory in the opening round of this season’s WoSFL fixtures way back at the end of July – in their message of commiseration to Monday night's losers and congratulations to the winners.
Commiserations @AberdeenFC, winning at Recreation Park isn’t for everyone🥴
— Cumnock Juniors FC ⭐️⭐️ (@CumnockJnrsFC) January 23, 2023
Jokes aside and above all else, a massive congratulations to @darvelfc on a truly historic victory this evening!👏🏻
And congratulations came from further down the WoSFL pyramid too, with Lugar Boswell Thistle tweeting their message of congratulations on an “outstanding result” for their East Ayrshire rivals.
Congratulations @darvelfc on your outstanding result from everyone at Lugar Boswell Thistle 👏🏼 @OfficialWoSFL https://t.co/eQf6JseHZq
— Lugar Boswell Thistle FC (@LugarFC1878) January 23, 2023
Lugar's Third Division rivals Kello Rovers added their congratulations, saying they were "immensely proud" at the result.
#Wesisbest CONGRATULATIONS @darvelfc what a game we are immensely proud! Congratulations from all at kello rovers! Enjoy everyone connected with the club outstanding!!!
— Kello Rovers FC (@Kello_RoversFC) January 23, 2023
The West of Scotland Football League also got in on the act - praising not just Darvel for their result but other clubs from across the league for getting behind Kennedy's side, who lie five tiers and 97 places below Aberdeen in Scottish football's pyramid set-up.
Beyond proud of @darvelfc's performance and result tonight. Delighted for @Mickkennedy1904 his staff, players and everyone behind the scenes 👏
— West of Scotland Football League 🏴 (@OfficialWoSFL) January 23, 2023
Was also great to see our other #WoSFL clubs getting right behind them before, during and after the match
What a League 💜 #westisbest pic.twitter.com/7e3MFgkZzQ
Darvel’s win on Monday night earned them a home tie against League One Falkirk on the weekend of February 11-12.
Time, though, doesn’t stand still for East Ayrshire’s football fans – and those looking to find out more about what the West of Scotland Football League has to offer don’t have long to wait, with Auchinleck Talbot, Cumnock and Glenafton all having midweek games to prepare for this Wednesday (January 25).
Talbot play host to Largs Thistle, while Cumnock are at home to Kilwinning Rangers and Glens welcome Petershill to Loch Park.
All of Wednesday night’s fixtures kick off at 7.30pm.
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