ON-FORM Troon goalkeeper Ally Semple is setting his sights on securing a second Ardagh Glass League Cup winner’s medal in three years following his heroics against Kilwinning Rangers last Wednesday.

But the Portland Park side were brought crashing back down to earth on Saturday when they lost their opening home league game in the Super Premier Division, going down 1-0 to Kilbirnie Ladeside at Portland Park.

The former Cumnock number one made two saves in the penalty shootout in the semi-final at Portland Park, which had ended in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.

He also made some other vital stops at different stages throughout the match to take the Seasiders through to a final showdown with Hurlford United at Meadow Park on a date to be determined.

Once again he got one over on Buffs counterpart Adam Strain, who was in the opposing Beith goal when Cumnock defeated the Garnock Valley club in a penalty shootout in the 2013-14 Ardagh Glass League Cup final.

He was delighted with his performance and said: “I made some great saves in the second half. My tip over the bar midway through the second half was a great one and I was pleased with the saves I made in the shootout. I joined the club because it meant I could stay in the in the Premier League an the club have great facilities. After speaking to the manager I think we can keep getting better and better. We also have a great playing surface. The key to getting there has been togetherness and the training has been excellent. The players get get on really well together.” The final holds on fear for Semple who said: “It’s great to be in a final so soon after joining the team. I won the Ardagh with Cumnock and the West and First Division with Glenafton and hopefully I can win another trophy, we look forward to the game against Hurlford.” Meanwhile manager Gordon Burns was disappointed with his team’s showing in the weekend match at Ladeside.

He is hoping it will be a one-off and said: “You could say it was a bad day at the office for us. Dale Moore and Martin Ure were both injured in the build-up to the game and we have had a lot of games recently but I am not using that as an excuse. I know we can play much better than we did as we didn’t create too many chances. Kilbirnie are a good side and have strengthened but they didn’t have many chances either. I don’t think we played particularly well in the semi-final but it was good to go through.” Meanwhile midfielder Aaron Wyllie has left the club by mutual consent. The former Ayr United youngster was unable to command a regular starting place and Burns said: “We have quite a big squad and it was in both parties’ interests that he moved on.” Burns is looking for an improvement on Saturday as the Seasiders play Beith Juniors away on Saturday.

He said: “Beith have added a lot of players to their squad like us. They are a good side but we are looking to go there and win the match, that’s the target.”