ANOTHER win, another assured display and another Stagecoach Super Premier championship added up to business as usual for Auchinleck Talbot.

However, it's hard not to conclude their vociferous supporting legions will have gone home a little more satisfied than normal after witnessing a spectacular contender for goal of the season from one of the game's outstanding performers - David Gormley.

Hurlford United's hopes of a solid start to this Beechwood Park title decider lasted for all of 10 minutes until Keir Milliken flicked a ball over his shoulder and strike partner Gormley wheeled to fire an unstoppable 22-yard volley beyond the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Ally Brown.

Visiting fans were stunned into a mix of silence and admiration for the wonder strike, but they were to find their voices in time to furiously lambast the unfortunate assistant referee standing directly in front of them when his viewpoint proved conclusive in helping Talbot go 2-0 ahead just after the half-hour mark.

Gordon Pope's free-kick found Mark Campbell rising highest to direct the ball back across goal, where Bryan Young stole in to power in a header that Brown dived full length to claw away only for the assistant to indicate the ball had clearly crossed the goal-line and whistler Steven Brown immediately awarded a goal.

Hurlford's need for three goals sparked the introduction of a third striker - Ross Robertson - off the bench, however it was Talbot continuing to set the pace and looking threatening whenever Gormley and Milliken were in possession.

The second half brought little change and Hurlford's failure to get past dominating centre-back pair Martin McGoldrick and Campbell allowed Talbot to run the clock down with considerable ease and they could afford the luxury of Gormley and Graham Wilson passing up gilt-edged scoring opportunities.

And even the conceding of a final-minute goal, netted by Martin Brown following a slick one-two with Robertson, could not dissuade the enthusiastic home fans from getting into title party mood long before the final whistle culminated in the trophy presentation to skipper James Latta.

Those same fans will now be turning their attentions to the Dyslexia Scotland Junior Cup final on Sunday, June 7, when they hope their heroes make it a glory double against Musselburgh Athletic at Rugby Park.

Hurlford gaffer Darren Henderson conceded: "Losing a special goal to a special player so early in the game didn't help and I cannot think of anyone else in Junior football who would have the ability or audacity to shoot for goal in that situation.

"Our tired and depleted state going into the contest had me thinking beforehand that we needed to get lucky, but it wasn't to be, and there's nothing for it other than to hold our hands up and accept Talbot were better than us on the day and over the season.

"They are incredibly effective at what they do and Hurlford United are not alone in needing to strengthen and improve over the summer months if Tommy Sloan and his players are to be prevented from dominating the Junior football scene next season. Talbot are by far and away the benchmark for the rest of us."

Gormley emerged from the celebrating supporters to speak of his wonder strike. He said: "The ball sat up nicely and it was sheer intuition that took over and made me decide to have a crack, and it was a wonderful sight to see the ball flying high into the net."

Meanwhile, Hurlford's defeat ending their title aspirations is not necessarily good news for Arthurlie, who are left contemplating an astonishing day of destiny this weekend.

Robert Downs and his players will be consigned to the Super Premier play-off spot should basement rivals Shotts avoid defeat away to Hurlford, however it's understandable if the Barrhead side's focus is elsewhere after securing a place in the showpiece New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup final against Kilwinning Rangers.

Arthurlie sealed their place with a battling semi-final performance against Irvine Meadow, twice coming back from a goal down to earn a 2-2 regulation time draw before going through 5-4 on penalty-kicks.

Medda had dominated first-half proceedings and deservedly led 2-1 at the interval through Paul Maxwell and a Gavin Rushford own goal either side of a close-range Chris Dallas counter for the Lie.

However, the visitors upped their game by several gears throughout the second period and were rewarded when Mark Blakey's shot was deflected in with just three minutes left on the clock to level matters at 2-2 and take things to a penalty shoot-out conclusion - settled by the unfortunate Maxi missing from the spot.

Kilwinning Rangers sealed their final spot in more emphatic fashion after running out 4-0 winners against Wishaw with second-half goals from Ben Lewis (2), Dean Agnew and Chris McGowan.