TALBOT CAN’T FIND THAT KILLER TOUCH

Report: Murray Steele, Photo’s: Craig McGhee, Media: Ross Newlands.

With nothing really at stake bar pride both sides made changes anxious not to pick up any injuries prior to next weekend’s West final and in Largs’ case their impending Scottish semi against Johnstone Burgh.

The game got off to the scrappiest of starts with the ball like a hot potato bouncing between both sides without sticking too long.

The first meaningful attack came in the 11^th minute. Nimmo laid the ball off to Langan and he in turn fed it out to Mitchell. He released Schoneville on the overlap and his low ball across the face of goal was just too far ahead of Langan in the centre.

With 20 mins gone Largs had the first effort on target when Martin trickled a tame effort at Armour.

A minute later the visitors took the lead. Schoneville was short with a pass back and STRACEY took full advantage drilling it home from the right side of the area.

In the 26^th minute Bradley chipped a ball down the left that saw Armour rush out his area to head clear. It came straight out to Martin who hit it first time but it was closer to the corner flag than the net.

Largs were having a good spell and threatened again when Bradley whipped a dangerous cross over to the back post where Schoneville beat Ojungu to it to head behind.

Talbot nearly profited from a mishit in the 28^th minute. Thomson charged down McMaster’s attempted clearance and carried it down the left of the area. He swung a cross over and got too much on it and it sailed just wide of the far post.

Mitchell then had his name taken for a late challenge.

On the half hour mark Kerr had a go from distance. His shot skipped up off the surface and Johnston could only parry it. The ball came out to Clark and he looked set to score but his low drive clipped Johnston and went behind for the corner.

Two mins later Schoneville cut in off the right and drilled a right foot effort on target but it flew straight at Johnston.

In the 36^th minute Largs won a corner down the left. It was taken short and crossed into a dangerous area just beyond the back post where McPherson did well to head clear.

Three mins before the interval slack defending gifted Talbot a corner out on the left. Mitchell curled it into the back post where McPherson was unlucky to see his header come off a defender and go just wide. This time from the right – Mitchell lifted the corner to the back post where Johnston managed to flap it away.

A minute later Talbot had the ball in the back of the net. A ball from the left was touched on by Nimmo and Langan drilled it into the bottom corner. It looked as though a goal had been given but after a lengthy delay the stand side linesman put his flag up and it was chalked off.

A minute from the interval McIntosh let fly from 20 yards but his shot arrowed straight at the keeper.

As the half moved into added time Talbot tested the keeper one last time. Schoneville’s right foot effort produced a good stop from Johnston who got across to turn it wide of his right post and send Largs in a goal ahead at the break.

The visitors made 3 changes at the interval with Brady, Martin & Davidson making way for Hughes, Ramsay and Deas.

The half had barely started when Talbot missed a glorious opportunity to level. Hughes was guilty of a slack back pass that saw Thomson one on one with the keeper but he lifted it just over the crossbar.

In the 50^th minute Langan’s pass found Nimmo down the left. He held it up before sending it back to Mitchell who squared it for Langan to hit from 20 yards but his shot slid wide of the right post.

A minute later Talbot missed another good chance. Langan threaded it through to Nimmo who laid it back to Mitchell. He swung a good cross to the back post which McIntosh met 6 yards out but it was more a question of the ball hitting his head rather than the other way round and he was unable to keep it under the bar.

Largs hadn’t offered much in the 2^nd half but had a dangerous attack in the 58^th minute. Deas got free wide on the left and hit a low ball in trying to find Stracey inside the near post but it came off a defender and ran through to Armour.

A minute later Largs won a corner down the left. Ojungu delivered it into the centre where McGeown met it and his free header had to be touched over the bar by Armour.

In the 61^st minute Talbot made a double switch with McAvoy and Wardrope on for Mitchell and Langan.

A few minutes later Largs made a further change when Ramsay limped off to be replaced by McLeod.

Thomson then picked up a yellow card for failing to retreat 10 yards at a free kick.

With 72 mins on the clock Sime came on for Thomson.

In the 74^th min Talbot won a corner down the left which Wardrope took quickly playing it short to Boyle. He fired a great ball across the face of goal but no could get a touch and it sped past for a goal kick.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot drew level. McIntosh released Clark on the overlap and when he pulled it back MICHAEL WARDROPE swept it inside the right hand post from 16 yards.

The goal lifted Talbot and a minute later they came close again when Wardrope drove down the right and fired over the bar.

The Bot’s next attack saw Nimmo race up the left wing before squaring it inside to McAvoy inside the box. He turned and fired for goal but it went wide of the right hand post.

With 10 mins remaining Talbot won a free kick just wide of the penalty area following a shirt tug on McAvoy. Schoneville curled it into the centre where McAvoy met it but sent his header over the bar.

Five mins from time Clark received a caution for a shirt pull on Ojungu.

In the 86^th minute Deas cut in off the left and drilled a low right foot shot on target but it went straight at Armour.

A minute from time Wardrope saw his left footed shot blocked and it spun right to McAvoy who lobbed it back across goal and into the net but again the linesman’s flag saw it chalked off.

Deep into added time Talbot had once last chance to take all 3 points. A free kick out on the right was played into the area. Nimmo laid it back into the path of Wardrope who met it 15 yards out but his shot flew over the bar and the game finished all square.

Next up for Talbot it’s back to Beechwood this Saturday when they face league winners Clydebank.

Auchinleck Talbot – Armour, Clark, Schoneville, Kerr, McPherson, Boyle, McIntosh, Langan, Nimmo, Mitchell, Thomson

Subs – McAvoy, Slooves, Wardrope, Sime, Wilson, Gillies, Hanlon

Largs Thistle – Johnston, McMaster, Brady, Martin, Davidson, Stracey, McGeown, Bradley, Urquhart, Cumming, Ojungu

Subs – Wilton, McLeod, Hughes, Ramsay, McVey, McGrath, Deas