WEST OF SCOTLAND CUP – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

William Muir

SPONSORED BY: UNISON – Jim Dunsmore

JOINED TALBOT: May 2025

D.O.B:

TALBOT DEBUT:

FIRST TALBOT GOAL:

FORMER TEAMS: Lanark United

Auchinleck Talbot v Largs Thistle

TALBOT LIFT THE WEST OF SCOTLAND CUP

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

It was 2nd time lucky for Talbot in Cumbernauld as they left Broadwood with silverware after defeating Largs in the West final. Kick off was delayed due to some pyromaniacs amongst the Largs support but when play did commence both sides went at it from the start.

The first good chance of the afternoon went Largs way after 7 minutes. A Largs corner from the left went to the back post where Talbot failed to clear it. McVey hooked it back across goal to find Hughes in space. He tried to place it into the opposite corner and although off target it took a slight deflection resulting in another Largs corner which Armour claimed.

Talbot’s first effort of the afternoon came when Boyd turned 20 odd yards out and fired over the bar. Largs had a half chance in the 11th minute when Bradley squared the ball inside to Davidson in space just outside the area but he shot well wide of target. With a quarter of an hour gone Talbot ought to have taken the lead. Wardrope’s defence splitting pass found Boyd racing through one on one. He waltzed round Wilton but with the goal gaping he didn’t get enough power on his shot, enabling Hughes to clear off the goal line.

However, this proved a short reprieve for Largs as Talbot moved ahead a minute later. A cross from the left was headed behind for a Bot corner out on the right. Gillies whipped it into the near post where Wilton struggled to claim it and the ball came back out to Gillies. This time he floated a cross into the centre where KYLE MCAVOY glanced a header home to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.

In the 20th minute Devine got free on the left and whipped over a dangerous low ball which Schoneville cleared behind for a corner. When the corner came in it was cleared out to Faulds whose effort at goal was blocked. It ran to Sewell on the right of the area and he forced a 2nd corner kick. This time when it came over the defence were able to head it clear of danger.

With 25 mins played Talbot pounced on a Largs error deep in their own half with McAvoy finding Boyd who in turn slotted it into the path of Gillies inside the area. He found the target but his low drive didn’t have enough power to trouble Wilton. Half an hour in and Thomson became the first player to be cautioned when he caught McLeod late.

In the 32nd minute Largs came as close to a goal as they were going to. A ball was lifted up the left wing looking for the run of Sewell in behind McPherson. Armour came racing out to take it but had misjudged it and Sewell got there first to drag it wide of the keeper. He tried to pass it into the far corner but fortunately his shot came off the face of the left hand post before being cleared. Two minutes later Talbot had the ball in the net for a 2nd time. Thomson slid the ball into Boyd who side-footed it home but he was just offside and the linesman’s flag put a halt to the celebrations.

Boyd then received a very harsh caution. He went to volley the ball up the right only for Devine to stoop in on his blind side to head it. Boyd caught him but there was clearly no intent and no need for the card. Devine was involved again in the 38th minute when he went down easily inside the Talbot box looking for a penalty but the referee waved away his appeal. Talbot now countered through Thomson down the right. He knocked over a dangerous cross which the defence could only clear as far as McAvoy. He went for goal but his shot took a deflection which took the pace from it and it ran through to Wilton.

Largs finished the half in the ascendancy and passed up two chances to level. In the 43rd minute a corner from the left went beyond the far post where it was headed back down into the path of Sewell. He had plenty of time & space but lashed his shot well over the bar from 15 yards. In the final action of the half Devine slung over a good cross from the left that was headed clear. It came to Wardrope at the edge of his own area and he tried to bring it under control. It broke away from him and fell nicely for McVey who fired just over the bar and Talbot went in with a goal advantage at the break.

Largs made a change during the interval with McCreath on in place of Brady.

There had been a niggly undercurrent from the off and this boiled over in the 51st minute. Wardrope conceded a nothing foul in a challenge with Bradley. He completely over-reacted grabbing Wardrope round the neck and finding his name in the ref’s notebook. A minute later Talbot had a decent chance to double their lead. Sime hit a good pass to release Schoneville down the wing and when he slid it across the face of goal McAvoy met it 8 yards out but couldn’t generate any power and side-footed it at Wilton.

Largs then had an effort on target when Faulds deflected effort from 19 yards bobbled its way through to Armour. In the 54th minute Devine whipped over a ball from the left that just cleared Martin in front of goal before Schoneville managed to put it behind for the corner. Sime was next to receive a caution – being shown a yellow card in the 57th minute during a break in play for an earlier foul.

A minute later Talbot were justifiably looking for offside when a ball was slid through looking for Sewell’s run down the right channel. He looked to be clearly off but it wasn’t given and Armour did well to race off his line to make the block. Sewell & Armour then got into a tangle on the deck but the ref kept his cards in his pocket on this occasion. On the hour mark though the ref did produce another yellow card a piece after McAvoy & McLeod clashed on the touchline.

Largs were enjoying the bulk of possession but without really troubling the Talbot goal. In the 65th minute Faulds floated a cross into the area which found Sewell but his glancing header went straight at Armour. A minute later McVey tried his luck from 30 yards but his low drive went straight at Armour. A 2nd goal for Talbot would have eased the nerves and the Bot support thought Talbot were in on goal in the 71st minute. A ball over the top was heading for Gillies down the right of the penalty area but a defender made a good recovery and just beat him to it to hook it clear.

A minute later Sewell had his name taken for a snidey late challenge as he went through the back of Schoneville on the touchline. Largs now made a double change with Stracey on for Martin & Ramsay replacing Devine. With quarter of an hour remaining both sides made changes. Firstly Talbot replaced Wardrope & Thomson with Nimmo & Boyle then Largs brought on Deas for Davidson. Twelve mins from time McLeod got to the bye line inside the Bot penalty area and cut it back but the defence were able to clear.

It was as good as game over in the 81st minute when Talbot doubled their lead. Boyd raced up the centre before squaring it across to Nimmo to his right. He was forced wide by the out-rushing Wilton but steadied himself and laid it back across for CONNOR BOYD to rattle a shot home off the underside of the bar and beyond the defender on the line. Stracey picked up a yellow card in the 83rd minute for a late challenge on Schoneville.

Largs were now forced into their final change. Wilton had picked up a knock trying to prevent Nimmo at the goal and couldn’t continue with Johnston on in his stead. The ref’s notebook was filling up and McVey became the latest player booked when he received a caution for obstruction on Clark. Talbot now made further changes with Kerr & Langan on for Schoneville & Boyd. As the game moved into added time Talbot made their final change with Mitchell on in place of Sime.

Talbot saw added time out without any trouble. The only incident of note being a soft booking for Langan deep into added time. After some low points Talbot have rallied and come good in the 2nd half of the season and crowned it with another piece of silverware to add to the trophy cabinet. After a series of midweek games Talbot now have a break till next Saturday when they travel through to Bellsdale to face Beith in the league.

Auchinleck Talbot – Armour, Clark, Schoneville, Wilson, McPherson, Sime, Wardrope, Gillies, McAvoy, Boyd, Thomson Subs – Nimmo, Mitchell, Langan, Boyle, Kerr, Slooves, Hanlon

Largs Thistle – Wilton, McLeod, Bradley, Brady, Hughes, Faulds, McVey, Davidson, Martin, Sewell, Devine Subs – Stracey, Ramsay, Ojungu, McCreath, McGrath, Deas, Johnston (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Thorniewood United

TALBOT WIN ON PENALTIES TO REACH THE FINAL.

Match Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Ross Newlands.

Talbot will face Largs Thistle at Broadwood in the West of Scotland final after a penalty shoot-out triumph over Thorniewood.

The Bot made the early running forcing a couple of corner early on.

In the 6th minute Schoneville drilled a good low ball in off the left that found Boyd 8 yards out with his back to goal. He turned smartly & fired it on target but it flew straight at Stafford.

A minute later Talbot passed up a decent chance to take the lead. A free kick wide on the left was played short by Schoneville to Gillies. He swept over a cross which Boyd met 6 yards out but he got his angles wrong and headed wide of target.

Talbot kept pressing and Wardrope tested the keeper with an effort from 20 yards that Stafford held.

Nolan had his name taken in the 9th minute for a foul on Boyd.

At this stage it was all Talbot and in the 11th minute Wardrope drove forward before releasing it out wide left to find Gillies. He angled it across the face of goal where Thomson was waiting at the back post for a tap in but Stafford did well to get down to cut it out.

The Bot’s next attack saw Boyd charge down Duncan’s attempted clearance before feeding it on to McAvoy. He burst into the area but was challenged as he went to hit it and it went behind for the corner. When Wardrope’s corner was swung in Sideserf made a good clearing header.

For all Talbot’s dominance they didn’t have a goal to show for it and were given a fright in the 20th minute when Macdonald squared the ball across off the right to find James 20 yards out and he powered a right foot shot just wide of the left post.

Two mins later Talbot won another corner when Boyd’s attempted cross was blocked behind. When the corner came into the goal mouth the defence were only able to clear it out into the path of Sime whose strike from 16 yards looked to be net bound but was blocked en route by a defender.

In the 24th minute the visitors won a corner when Forbes lifted a dangerous ball over the top which McPherson had to head behind. When the corner came into the near post Gillies headed it to safety.

A minute later Talbot had a half chance down the other end. Gillies curled a cross beyond the far post to pick out McAvoy who guided his header back on target but Stafford was well positioned to claim it.

With 27 mins played McAvoy had another opportunity to give Talbot the lead. He went up to meet a Wardrope corner from the left and when the ball broke loose following the aerial duel he reacted first – firing a left foot shot wide of the right hand post.

Soon after Talbot won a free kick 25 yards out from goal after a foul on Thomson. Wardrope took it but his shot sailed over the bar.

It had largely been one-way traffic but the visitors came within a whisker of taking the lead in the 32nd minute. Kalala cut inside off the left wing into the penalty area and his effort at goal was well saved by Armour. The rebound sailed to the back post where Duncan looked a cert to score but Schoneville managed to clear his effort off the line.

Down the other end a Talbot break saw McAvoy race into the box down the left but his low drive failed to trouble the keeper.

Moments later McAvoy got his head on a Schoneville cross but he couldn’t generate the power to test Stafford.

Five mins before the break Talbot came close to the breakthrough. Schoneville whipped over a good cross which McAvoy headed just wide of the left hand post.

A minute before the interval McAvoy dispossessed Carswell just outside the area. He had Boyd free to his right but opted to go for goal and pulled his shot wide of target and so the sides trooped off goal less after the first 45.

Talbot started the 2nd half as though they meant business. Within a minute of the restart Thomson got free down the left and hit it low into the near post where a defender managed to block it behind for a corner. The corner was worked short and back to Sime at the edge of the area who saw his shot at goal charged down. It spun to Wardrope who delivered a great cross beyond the far post where McAvoy met it to power a header on target that produced a top class save from Stafford who managed to keep it out at his left hand post.

In the 49th minute Talbot came even closer. Thomson got free down the right and crossed it into the near post to McAvoy. His header came off the inside of the post and ran across the face of goal where Boyd was waiting but it came just behind him and the defence were able to scramble clear. Thorniewood now made a change with Kindlan on in place of Leighton.

Talbot’s pressure paid off in the 55th minute when they took the lead. McPherson played it down the left wing to pick out Schoneville whose cross was met by CONNOR BOYD who glanced it beyond Stafford to put Talbot ahead.

Two mins later Gillies nearly found McAvoy on the right of the area but he was just beaten to it by the keeper.

With 58 mins on the clock Talbot made a change with Nimmo on for Boyd.

The Bot’s next attack saw Gillies whip over a dangerous cross from the left flank which Duncan made a hash of clearing. Nimmo tried to get on the end of his mishit clearance in front of goal but was marginally late in the challenge.

On the hour mark Talbot had a decent chance to double their lead. In a carbon copy of the first goal Schoneville swept a cross into the near post where it was met by Nimmo but he glanced his header wide of the far post.

In the 62nd minute Thorniewood won a free kick out on the left touchline. Forbes delivered it into the centre where it skipped off a head and came out wide to Macdonald who failed to hit the target.

A minute later Talbot again came agonisingly close to a 2nd – this time quite literally in the case of Sideserf. Nimmo angled a good cross over from the left of the area that was headed clear at the back post. It came out to Wardrope who arrowed a volley on target that had the keeper well beaten but hit Sideserf where it hurts.

In the 65th minute McAvoy’s header on sent Nimmo clear down the right. He raced into the area but his final effort lacked the power to trouble the goalie.

Within a minute Talbot came close again. Nimmo won a corner down the left that was taken short and back to Wardrope. He floated a great cross over that was just missed in the centre by a number of Talbot players before curling behind for a goal kick.

In the 68th minute the visitors had an effort on target. A shy from the right was squared across Kindlan toward Forbes whose low drive from 22 yards was held by Armour.

With 20 mins remaining McPherson picked up a yellow card for handball on the halfway line.

In the 72nd minute a shy from the left found Thomson and he managed to turn his man before curling a shot on target that Stafford tipped over the bar.

A minute later Nimmo met a ball over from the right but headed wide of target.

In the 74th minute a ball up the right found James running in behind. He made it to the bye line before floating a dangerous ball across goal which McPherson sliced just wide of the far post. When the corner came in from the left it was glanced toward goal and McAvoy popped up with a goal line clearance. James was then cautioned for dissent.

With quarter of an hour to go the visitors levelled. FORBES met it 40 yards out and hit a daisy cutter that flew past Armour and inside the left post to make it 1-1.

Both sides now made a change with Boyle replacing Thomson for Talbot and Archer on for Kindlan.

With Talbot chasing a late winner it left them vulnerable on the counter and the visitors gave the home fans a fright in the 82nd minute. A ball over the top found Macdonald in behind down the left. He raced into the area but his shot was saved at his near post by Armour. The rebound came out to James 15 yards out who tried to pass it in but his effort was blocked.

In the 84th minute Sime had his name taken for a challenge on Forbes. Talbot made their final change with Abed on for Wardrope.

With one minute remaining Miller replaced Macdonald for Thorniewood and was promptly booked for a late challenge on Sime.

Talbot had pressed hard in the final 10 mins for a late winner but it wasn’t to be and the game went to spot kicks. Thorniewood won the toss and Forbes stepped up to take the first penalty only to see his effort brilliantly saved by Armour to his left. Talbot failed to take advantage however when McPherson rattled his penalty off the top of the bar and over.

Next up for Thorniewood was Carswell and once again Armour came out on top – saving to his left again.

Schoneville then coolly dispatched his penalty inside the right post to put Talbot ahead before Scott slotted home for Thorniewood.

McAvoy took Talbot’s 3rd and gave the keeper no chance as he lashed it inside the right post. Miller was next up and Armour was unlucky not to make a third save. He guessed right and got his fingertips to it but it had sufficient power to fly into the back of the net.

Sime took Talbot’s 4th penalty – burying it inside the right post to maintain Talbot’s advantage.

It was now effectively sudden death but James showed no nerves as he rattled his penalty into the roof of the net.

It was now down to Tarek Abed and he showed a cool head to send the keeper the wrong way and stroke it home with Talbot winning the shoot-out 4-3.

Talbot should probably have been out of sight long before the equaliser but at the end of the day cup football is all about winning and Talbot made it through – albeit the hard way.

Next up for Talbot it’s a midweek league trip to Townhead to face old rivals Cumnock.

Auchinleck Talbot – Armour, Clark, Schoneville, Wilson, McPherson, Sime, Wardrope, Gillies, Boyd, McAvoy, Thomson

Subs – Nimmo, Abed, Boyle, Mitchell, Langan, Slooves, Kerr

Thorniewood United – Stafford, Duncan, Sideserf, Carswell, Nolan, Leighton, Kalala, Scott, Forbes, James, Macdonald

Subs – Miller, Kindlan, Archer, Breen, Blackshaw, Goldie, Bridges (gk)

Muirkirk Juniors v Auchinleck Talbot

TALBOT CRUISE INTO THE LAST FOUR

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

Having disposed of Pollok en route to the quarters, the home fans turned up in numbers hoping for another cup shock but Talbot proved too strong for their youthful counterparts – cruising to a 2 nil win to book a semi-final date with Thorniewood.

Backed by a strong breeze Muirkirk had an early chance to test the Bot defence when they won a free kick out on the touchline – level with the 18 yard line. It was hit low into the box where the Bot defence were able to clear.

In the 5^th min Talbot forced a corner down the right. When it came over it was headed clear but only out as far as Boyle. He spread it left to find Gillies in the area and he saw his low drive blocked. It spun out wide to Wardrope who dinked a cross over that Powell claimed.

Muirkirk’s next attack saw them win a corner when a ball was fired across goal from the left and Sime sliced it behind. The corner was curled over toward the back post where McPherson managed to clear.

The first clear chance of the match went Talbot’s way after 12 mins. The Bot won a corner down the right which Schoneville fired in low looking to find Boyd. His effort was blocked and it came back to Thomson in space at the edge of the area and he steered his shot wide of the right hand post.

On the quarter hour mark Wardrope fed it out to Gillies on the wing and he fizzed a dangerous low ball across the face of goal that broke off Thomson and went behind for the goal kick.

A minute later a long diagonal from right to left saw Muirkirk force a corner. It was swung into the near post but Talbot defended it well to clear their lines.

Slowly, Talbot were beginning to take control and had a good chance to move ahead in the 27^th minute. Wardrope touched it off to his right to release Thomson and his cross picked out Gillies 8 yards out but he volleyed wide of the right post.

Two minutes later Talbot grabbed the opener. Gillies whipped over a good ball from the left to find Wardrope in the box. He played it to Thomson who laid it back to AUSTIN SIME who placed it low inside the left hand post from 16 yards.

Half an hour gone and McLaughlin did well to prevent Talbot doubling their lead. A cross from the right looked destined for Thomson’s head 6 yards out but Muirkirk’s centre-half managed to climb to intercept and head it back to his keeper.

Two mins later Talbot had a good chance to move further ahead. A ball from right to left was missed by Muirkirk and it ran through to Gillies. He only had Burns between him and the goal but opted to hit it early and fired well wide of target.

In the 39^th minute McDermott received a caution for a shirt tug on Boyle.

Talbot continued to play on the front foot but had nothing more to show for it – bar a Clark effort from 20 yards that flew over the bar and so the Bot went in a goal ahead but with the wind advantage to come 2^nd half.

Talbot got out the blocks quickly after the restart and came close within a minute. Clark sprayed a pass across to Gillies who touched it into the path of Boyle whose low drive went just wide of the right post.

In the 47^th minute Talbot did have the ball in the net when Thomson slotted it low past Powell but it was chalked off for offside in the build-up.

51 mins gone and Talbot tested the keeper when Boyd laid the ball off to Thomson who drilled it on target from 20 yards but straight at Powell.

The game was done and dusted in the 53^rd minute when Talbot added their 2^nd of the afternoon. A shy down the right was flicked on by Clark to find Wardrope. He lifted a cross over beyond the back post to find Gillies who laid it back across goal for CONNOR BOYD to slot it home.

On the hour mark Schoneville & Gillies combined well down the left with Schoneville’s final ball across goal cut out at the expense of a corner. Wardrope’s in swinging corner had the defence at full stretch but Hazlett did well to hook it behind.

In the 62 min Boyd had a chance for his 2^nd of the afternoon and although he didn’t catch it cleanly his shot trundled just wide of the right post.

At this stage it was all Talbot and the Bot came close again in the 66^th minute. McPherson’s ball up the left saw Boyd beat the offside trap to race down the wing and fire it low across the face of goal where Thomson just failed to connect.

Talbot now made a double change with Sime & Thomson making way for Langan & Nimmo.

The Bot’s next attack saw Clark race forward. He could’ve went for goal but opted to shove it wide to find Wardrope in space down the right. He whipped over a dangerous cross which Hazlett managed to head over his own bar. When Schoneville’s corner came over to the back post it was met by Wilson who hit the target but his header lacked the power to test the keeper.

As the game progressed the weather gradually deteriorated and the game became something of a slog.

In the 74^th minute Muirkirk had a rare chance. A ball up the left was headed clear by McPherson but came out to McDermott. He passed it into the feet of Milne down the left of the area and his shot was blocked and ran through to Armour.

Two minutes later the home side put together a good move down the right before switching play across to Airdrie who won a corner down the left. The corner was whipped into the goal mouth where Talbot managed to clear it out to the edge of the area. Airdrie met it but blazed his shot well over.

With 10 mins remaining Talbot made another double change with Slooves & Mitchell replacing Clark & Gillies.

Four mins from time Talbot ought to have made it 3. Mitchell hared up the left wing and angled a low ball across the face of goal. Boyd looked a cert but scooped his shot over the bar from 6 yards out.

Talbot now made their final change with Abed on for Boyd.

In the final minute of the match Talbot had one last chance. Nimmo tried to power his way through on goal, nearly succeeding, and the ball broke loose to Abed who was well challenged just as he looked set to hit it home.

With the rain teeming down, thankfully there wasn’t much time to be added and the final whistle saw Talbot troop off with a 2-0 win.

Next Saturday Talbot are back in cup action as they host Rob Roy at Beechwood where the Bot will be hoping to book their place in the last four of the South Challenge cup.

Muirkirk – Powell, Burns, Capaldi, Hazlett, McLaughlin, Airdrie, Scullion, Dawson, McDermott, Milne, McLaughlan: Sub – Lewis

Auchinleck Talbot – Armour, Clark, Schoneville, Wilson, McPherson, Sime, Boyle, Wardrope, Boyd, Thomson, Gillies: Subs – Nimmo, Abed, Mitchell, Langan, Slooves, Hanlon

Kenzie Mitchell

SPONSORED BY:

JOINED TALBOT: February 2025

D.O.B: 31/03/2008

TALBOT DEBUT: 22nd February 2025 v Muirkirk Juniors (Away) West of Scotland Cup 1/4 Final.

FIRST TALBOT GOAL: 3rd May 2025 v Beith Juniors (Away) WOSL Premier League.

FORMER TEAMS: On loan from Ayr United

BIO: Former St Mirren youth academy player, recently signed by Ayr boss Scott Brown, he made his debut for the club in Ayr’s 8-0 thrashing of Broxburn in the Scottish Cup back in January.

Johnstone Burgh v Auchinleck Talbot

TALBOT BURY THE BURGH IN CUP BATTLE.

Report: Jim McAuley, Photo’s Craig McGhee, Media: Ross Newlands.

TALBOT: Armour, Clark, Schoneville, McPherson, Wilson, Sime, Wardrope, Gillies, Boyd, McAvoy, Thomson, SUBS: Abed, Nimmo, Slooves, Hanlon, Langan.

JOHNSTONE BURGH: Scullion, Mullen, Kilday, Eadie, O’Neill, Esplin, Christie, Davidson, Mason, Dorrans, Kerr. SUBS: Cook, Law, G.McCann, McDonald, Menzies, McCrystal, Stewart.

was definitely a rip roaring cup tie with five goals, a missed penalty and a clutch of bookings which kept the Keanie Park crowd on their toes throughout the ninety minutes. It was a match where the passing football of the home team came up against a Talbot side that showed grit and determination which eventually paid dividends with a place in the last eight of the competition.

Talbot were to show that they meant business early in the game when in only seven minutes they were ahead thanks to a bit of craftiness from Mick Wardrope. The goal started from a Clark throw in which McAVOY let run past his body before hitting what could be construed to be a poor shot. The ball skipped towards Wardrope who instead of putting the laces through it he let the ball run through his legs and into the net with the Burgh keeper heading the wrong way.

Four minutes later McAvoy was again in the thick of the action when he broke down the right wing, hit the bye-line an drove the ball right across the face of Scullion’s goal but sadly there was no takers. Things were getting a bit heated in the middle of the park and Sime received the first booking for a clumsy tackle on Kerr and minutes later Clark followed him into the book for what was nothing more than a foul at the least. Not to be outdone Mullen the Burgh right back was carded for a crude foul on Thomson.

Talbot carved another chance on twenty six minutes when Gillies cut the ball across goals but once again there were no takers. Gillies was in the thick of the action minutes later when he looked to have carved a scoring opportunity but referee Hay deemed he was offside.

Going into the last five minutes the game really livened up when a Wardrope, McAvoy combination was halted when Thomson couldn’t latch on to the resulting cross.

Minutes before half time,Talbot doubled their lead when a Thomson cross was headed away by the home defence where it fell to the feet of SIME who stroked the ball through a forest of legs from twenty yards out which flew low past Scullion and into the net.

All Talbot needed to do was hang on for the last few minutes till half time but it was to no avail was Eadie motored up the wing and hit a cross that dropped over Wilson and as it bounced up from the grass KERR was there to nod the loose ball past Armour.

The second period started like the first when Schoneville rolled the ball to the edge of the six yard line where Thomson poked the chance just past the post. A few minutes later Talbot should have been out of sight when Boyd won a penalty after being pulled down inside the box. Mick Wardrope claimed the spot kick but fired so far over the bar that it must have been encroaching the flight path into Glasgow airport.

This let off seemed to encourage the home side and in fifty four minutes Dorrans flashed a superb effort just past Armours post. The Burgh seemed to dominate proceedings for a good portion of the second half with Talbot sitting back and hitting on the break. McAvoy went into the book on the hour mark for a trip. On the sixty ninth minute Talbot fashioned a break down the left where Sconeville’s cross was a bit too high for McAvoy who although unmarked could only head harmlessly into Scullion’s arms. Minutes later Langan replaced Sime, but he was no sooner on the park that the Burgh struck with Cook heading a Dorran’s chip off the bar where the loose ball fell to Christie six yards out but he slashed his shot well over the bar.

Talbot were quick to cash in on their let-off and McAvoy pulled off a superb chip into the box which was pounced upon by Boyd but Scullion somehow managed to block his shot and then dive on the rebound.

Talbot replaced Thomson with Abed, and minutes later Gillies outwitted the home defence by heading the ball into space but as he went into attack mode he was too heavy with his first touch which gave Scullion time to smother the danger.

With time running out for Burgh, Mason was booked and worst was to follow when on the eighty seventh minute a superb cross by Abed was headed by McAvoy which came off a defender into the path of BOYD who smashed the ball into the net to restore Talbot’s two goal lead.

As the game neared the final few minutes Nimmo replaced Boyd, but it was the home side had the last say when a speculative cross was launched into the box and as McCyrstal tried to bring the ball down he actually teed up a chance for MASON who dispatched his shot well out of reach of Armour.

It was too little too late for the Burgh and when the whistle was blown there was jubilation for the decent sized travelling support who made the jaunt up the Keanie Park. It was a gutsy performance for Talbot who took their chances well and could have added a few more, however the two goals they conceded were poor, so hopefully they get looked into.

Auchinleck Talbot v Forth Wanderers

Report: Jim McAuley, Photo’s: Craig McGhee, Media, Ross Newlands.

TALBOT HEAD FORTH

Talbot progressed into the next round of the West of Scotland Cup with an expected victory over a side thirty nine places below them, but it proved to be a turgid affair where Talbot squandered numerous chances as they huffed and puffed against a side who were to lose an own goal, receive a red card and forced into a keeper change late on in the game.

The start of the match saw Talbot first out of the traps when in only two minutes into the game a clearance by Armour flew over the the Forth defence where Thomson latched onto the loose ball, but his shot nestled into the hands of the keeper

A minute later some head tennis at the edge of the visitors box came to fruition when a McAvoy back header landed at the feet of Thomson but a block by McGuigan saw the ball squirm into the path of BOYD where he steered the ball past Orr to put Talbot in the lead.

As the fans settled down for the coming onslaught Forth were back in the game on the 11th minute when a searching run towards the Talbot defence saw McGill slip the ball to Hill who’s smart flick landed at the feet of Caig just inside the box but Wilson made a clumsy challenge that lead the referee to point to the spot. The kick was taken by HILL who made no mistake when he hammered his shot right down the centre of the net.

Four minutes later McAvoy did everything right when picking up a pass from Syme he cut into the box and with the keeper beaten his shot slipped past the post. In the 16th minute he had a half chance when he latched onto a Gillies cross but once again his effort went past the upright.

The striker must have been wondering what he had to do to score when on the 19th minute a poor pass by Boyd saw Elliot allow Gillies to get in front of him where the wingers resulting cross was blasted over the bar from a few yards, with the goal at his mercy

Seven minutes later another chance came his way when a knock on by Boyd fell to McAvoy who escaped the clutches of Tobin but Orr did well to smother his shot, however the big keeper seemed to be in considerable pain after his exploits.

The game descended into a middle of the park battle with little joy on both sides. It took till the 44th minute for a chance to be fashioned from a Thomson corner Boyd narrowly headed past the post.

Just before the half time whistle Gillies started and finished a move via a pass from Syme but this saw him shoot into the legs of Orr.

Proceedings were hardly re-started when a long ball was hammered down the right hand wing which McAvoy headed onto the path of Boyd who after controlling the ball swept it into the box which DOCHERTY managed to steer past his own keeper.

Paterson found himself in the book after a pull on Boyd and this was to affect the visitors chances later in the game.

Shortly after the fans were entertained with the highlight of the game when a mazy run by McPherson who after a one two with Thomson just put a shot over the bar with Orr rooted to the spot.

On the 51st minute Tobin was booked late tackle on Syme, and four minutes later the same player glanced a Hill free kick over bar.

Talbot extended their lead on the 58th minute when an Armour bye kick was headed on by McAvoy to Thomson who slipped a pass to GILLIES who shot through the legs of Elliot and although Orr got his fingers to the ball it slipped past the inside of the post.

In the 60th minute Forth replaced McGill who was not the best pleased with Donald, and four minutes later Paterson was red-carded for a second yellow.

However Forth proved they were not out of the contest and when a punt from Slooves was headed back towards the Talbot defence, Hill thundered a shot from 25 yards that Armour had to tip over the bar.

At the 73 minute mark Talbot had the ball in the net when Syme and Gillies combined and as the ball was swept into the net by Boyd the linesman flagged for offside.

Three minutes later another goal was disallowed when the referee gave a foul against Boyd claiming he went into his challenge unfairly on the keeper.

Forth replaced Elliot and Neilson for Shand and McMurray while Talbot made a triple change with Wardrope Nimmo and Boyle replacing Langan, Syme, and Thomson, while minutes later Mitchell replaced the struggling Orr in the Forth nets.

With 12 minutes left on the clock Walker and Abed entered the fray by swapping with Gillies and McAvoy but by that time the game was over as a contest, where Talbot did all the probing around the visitors box, but it was Donald who had the last say in this dull affair when he flashed a shot past Armour’s goals.

With Johnstone Burgh at home next week in the league and the same side proving the opposition in the next round of this trophy, Talbot will need to cash in on the chances that come their way in both matches as the opposition will prove to be a lot tougher.

FORTH WANDERERS 1: Orr, 2: Docherty, 3: Neilson, 4: Tobin, 5:McGuigan, 6:McDonald, 7: Hill, 8: Paterson, 9: Caig, 10: Elliot, 11: McGill. SUBS: 12: Shand, 14: McMurray, 15, Donald, GK| Mitchell

TALBOT Armour, McPherson, Schoneville, Wilson, Slooves, Langan, Syme, Gillies, Boyd, McAvoy, Thomson. SUBS: Nimmo, Abed, Walker, Wardrope, Boyle, Kerr, Clark.