AMBITIOUS Ayr United skipper Ross Docherty is targeting another good run in the Scottish League Cup when the season kicks off officially on Saturday.

Ayr make the long trek south to face Berwick Rangers in the opening group game. They warmed up in style, defeating AFC Fylde 5-2 in a bounce game in Glasgow on Saturday. Doubles from Craig McGuffie and Michael Moffat and another goal from new boy Sam Roscoe helped pave the way for a win.

Midfielder Docherty said: “Obviously the most important thing is the league but we have reached the knockout stages in the League Cup for the past three seasons and are looking to try and achieve that. No game is easy at this stage in the season and it’s going to be tough, but we are going there looking to win.

“We have a couple of new faces in the squad and the manager is looking to add more. Kris Doolan is a proven goalscorer and should do well for us and Sam Roscoe did well at Alloa last season.”

Meanwhile Troon FC announced on Friday that former Ayr and Hibs defender Jonny Baillie was their new manager, succeeding Jim Kirkwood, who stepped down last Tuesday after nine years in the role

Club Captain Dean Keenan has been appointed as Player-Assistant Manager and Marty Fraser is returning to the club as Goalkeeping Coach.

Jonny said after his appointment: “I’m honoured to be stepping into the role of manager at Troon. Everyone knows the affection I have for this club and it’s a dream for me to be given this opportunity.

“With Dean and Marty joining me, we have three guys at the helm who love this club and will work tirelessly to be successful and put a team on the park that the supporters will enjoy watching”

McBookie Championship club Whitletts Victoria meanwhile have signed strikers Robert Patterson and Jordan Baird.

Patterson (34), had a previous stint with Whitletts after joining in 2010 spending three seasons with Vics and has decided to return to the Dam Park club after playing last season in the Premiership with Cumnock.

Manager Peter Leonard said: “Robert is a quality striker who had attracted interest from other Premiership clubs.”

Baird helped the Amateurs to secure promotion last season but also featured in the juniors campaign in the West Region Championship, scoring three goals in four starts plus eight substitute appearances and is a player that Peter Leonard has high hopes for.