SPONSORED BY: Jim Dunsmore
JOINED TALBOT: June 2024
D.O.B: 05/06/2003
TALBOT DEBUT: 17th August 2024 v Hutchison Vale, South of Scotland Cup. Win 1-0
FIRST TALBOT GOAL:
FORMER TEAMS: Ashfield, Kilbirnie
Competition: WEST OF SCOTLAND CUP
Alex Nimmo
SPONSORED BY: Tam & Liz McMillan.
JOINED TALBOT: July 2024
D.O.B:
TALBOT DEBUT: 6th May 2024 v Darvel, WOSL Premier League, Won 5-0
FIRST TALBOT GOAL: 6th May 2024 v Darvel, WOSL Premier League, Won 5-0
FORMER TEAMS: Talbot U20’s
Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok
FOOTBALL BLOWN AWAY
Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Madison Taylor (Photo 2). Media: Lee Conn.
Talbot’s reign as West of Scotland cup holders ended at a blustery Beechwood as they lost a penalty shoot-out to Pollok.
It was clear from the outset that the conditions were going to play a part and Talbot had the strong wind at their backs in the 1st half as they shot toward the Beechwood Road end.
The first chance of the game came in the 3rd minute when Boyle fired from distance forcing Longmuir to turn it round his left hand post.
Two minutes later Glasgow fed it wide to Gillies who fired a cross into the near post which Longmuir gathered.
Pollok had a chance to take the lead in the 6th minute. A free kick was hoisted into the Talbot box where Forde challenged Wilson in the air. The ball broke loose and came back to Docherty who pulled his shot wide.
In the 11th minute route one football nearly undid Talbot. Longmuir sent it down the centre where Forde won the flick on to send Docherty racing through on goal. He took it wide of Glavin and tried to pass it into the net but McPherson had tracked back and cleared it behind for the corner.
With quarter of an hour gone McAvoy forced a corner down the left. Glasgow whipped it beyond the far post where McAvoy headed it back across goal. It came across to Slooves who headed it back across again. The defence partially cleared it and it came out to Boyle at the edge whose half-volley went straight at Longmuir.
Schoneville had his name taken in the 20th minute when he caught Docherty out on the touchline. Mullen took the free kick and whipped over a good ball that hit off Burns and ran through to Glavin.
The visitors moved ahead in the 22nd minute. A cross from the right saw Main beat Slooves in the air and his knock down fell for DOCHERTY who steered a low shot past Glavin.
Pollok almost caught Talbot out again in the 29th minute. They countered after a Talbot corner and the ball was played out to Docherty on the left. He cut inside but his shot was blocked.
In the 34th minute Talbot won a free kick 35 yards out after McPherson was fouled. Glasgow delivered a good ball into the area where Burns stretched to clear it over his own bar. When the corner was fired in low to the near post the Lok defence couldn’t clear their lines but Talbot were unable to get on it and Pollok eventually got it clear.
The Bot’s next attack saw McAvoy do well out on the right before sending it inside to find Boyle. He fired it across to find Glasgow on the left of the area and his shot was deflected behind for the corner. Glasgow went for the in swinger and nearly scored direct from the corner but Forrester managed to head it off the line.
A minute later Talbot won a free kick out on the right for a foul on McPherson. Before it could be taken there was a clash between McPherson & McGregor just outside the area. When the dust settled the ref booked McPherson & Pollok’s Main.
In the 40th minute McAvoy got to the bye line down the left and pulled it back toward Gillies but a defender managed to put it behind for the corner. Glasgow again bent it in under the crossbar but this time Longmuir did well to punch it clear.
Talbot pressed hard for the remainder of the half but had nothing to show for it other than a few corners won. In the last action of the half Boyd got to the bye line down the right and pulled a cross back for Glasgow who headed over the bar and Talbot trooped in a goal behind at the break.
Whatever the management said during the interval did the trick and Talbot made the perfect start to the 2nd half – levelling within a minute. Boyd drilled it across the face of goal where KYLE MCAVOY turned it home from close range.
In the 49th minute Talbot broke down the left where Glasgow sent it on to Gillies whose ball into the penalty area was turned behind for the corner. When the corner came over Armstrong met it and headed on target where it was safely held by Longmuir.
It was then Talbot’s turn to defend a couple of wind assisted in swinging corners which the defence did well. From the 2nd corner Talbot sprung onto the counter through Glasgow. He was cynically taken out by Mullen but the ref gave a good advantage allowing Gillies to carry on forward. He fed it on to McAvoy whose pass sent Boyd clean through on goal. He took it wide of Longmuir but with the goal gaping fired it over the crossbar. The referee then booked Mullen for the earlier foul.
In the 54th minute McAvoy tried his luck from 20+ yards and forced a save from Longmuir who had to touch it over the bar. When the corner came over Armstrong met it and his header was brilliantly saved by Longmuir who kept it out at his left hand post.
Talbot weren’t to be denied though and within a minute moved in front. Glasgow played it on to Schoneville down the left and his low ball into the near post saw KYLE MCAVOY nick in front of Forrester to turn it home.
In the 58th minute Burns received a caution for a foul on Armstrong just inside the Lok half. The free kick was floated into the area where Mullen panicked and put it behind for the corner. Glasgow dinked the corner into the middle where it just cleared the head of Gillies before being gathered by Longmuir.
Talbot were playing well on the break and did so again in the 62nd minute. Mullen’s low shot was blocked and the Bot broke forward through McAvoy who was body checked by Forrester on halfway – resulting in a booking for the Lok centre-half.
Three minutes later Forrester was heading to the clubhouse early when he caught Gillies late and was shown a 2nd yellow card.
Talbot now made a change with Langan on for Boyle.
In the 66th minute Schoneville whipped a great ball across goal to the back post but no one could get on the end of it.
Three minutes later Pollok won a free kick in a dangerous area. Main cut in off the left and won the free kick off Boyd who was booked for the challenge. Forde took it but failed to make the most of it – firing well over the bar.
Pollok now made a double substitution with Duncanson & Henry replaced by Nelson & Gallacher.
Glavin was called into action in the 71st minute when Faulds shot from 25 yards. Glavin got down low to make the stop and the defence swept it behind for a corner.
In the 77th minute Talbot made a double switch with Abed & Wardrope on for Gillies and Glasgow.
A minute later Pollok drew level. Faulds fired a low drive from distance that was blocked inside the area where it fell to MAIN who sent a left-footed shot inside the right post.
Talbot nearly responded immediately as McAvoy burst through the defence into the right of the area but his shot flew just wide and into the side-netting.
Talbot completed their changes in the 81st minute with Smith & Urquhart on for Boyd & Armstrong.
In the 84th minute Abed surged forward before finding Wardrope out on the left. He cut in and curled a dangerous cross into the centre that was slashed behind for a corner kick.
In the closing stages Talbot were wobbling and Faulds had a half chance when Schoneville failed to clear his lines but fired over the bar.
With 2 minutes remaining Gallacher had a late chance to win it. A ball over the top found him in behind down the left but his shot across goal went wide of the far post.
Deep into injury time Talbot came close to snatching a late winner. Smith burst forward into the box before sending it to his right to find McAvoy whose low drive was blocked by Longmuir’s legs and so with the game deadlocked it went to penalties.
Pollok scored first through Mullen before Wardrope levelled for Talbot. Gallacher restored Pollok’s advantage with Smith next up for Talbot. Smith’s first effort was comfortably saved by Longmuir but as the ball had moved in the wind on his approach the ref ordered a retake but Smith’s 2nd effort was also easily saved.
McGregor was next up and he made no mistake to put Pollok 3-1 ahead. McAvoy slotted his pen inside the right post to pull it back to 3-2 and Talbot were then given a glimmer of hope when Forde ballooned his effort over the bar; however Longmuir guessed correctly and got down to his right to save Schoneville’s penalty and Main then scored from the spot to seal the win for Pollok.
A disappointing result for Talbot but there’s no time to dwell on it as the Bot are back in semi-final action this coming Friday when they host Darvel in the first of a double header in the Junior cup.
Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, Wilson, Armstrong, Boyle, McAvoy, Boyd, Glasgow, Gillies
Subs – Smith, Langan, Wardrope, Abed, Urquhart, Henry (gk)
Pollok – Longmuir, Mullen, Duncanson, Forrester, Burns, Faulds, McGregor, Henry, Forde, Docherty, Main
Subs – Duff, Maley, Lindsay, Nelson, McKinstray, Gallacher, Fry (gk)
Auchinleck Talbot v Craigmark Burntonians
Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.
TALBOT SEMI-FINAL BECKON’S
Talbot changed the team around for this West quarter-final but kept the recent fine run going with a comprehensive win over Craigmark.
The first sign it was going to be a long afternoon for the visitors came as early as the 4th minute. Wardrope’s pass saw McAvoy beat the offside trap and race through on goal but he slid his shot wide of the left hand post.
A minute later Smith did well out on the right to create space before whipping over a dangerous cross that just cleared McAvoy in the centre.
Talbot moved in front after 9 minutes thanks to a quality goal. McPherson lifted it up the right to find Smith who cushioned a header out wide to Wardrope. He plinked a first time ball over the defence where ROSS SMITH strolled through to knock it past the advancing Johnson.
Two minutes later Craigmark had a rare chance. Ryan kept the ball on the right touchline and swept a ball into the area which deflected off McCracken and skidded across the face of goal and wide of the far post.
In the 17th minute Talbot doubled their lead. Smith’s low ball in from the right wasn’t properly cleared by the defence and came out to McAvoy. He switched it to his left to find JAMIE GLASGOW in space and his low drive beat the keeper at his right hand post.
So far so good for Talbot but the Bot were dealt a blow in the 21st minute when McCracken went down inside his own area and couldn’t continue. Abed came on in his place with McPherson moving into the centre.
Talbot were playing some neat football and put together a slick move in the 26th minute which ended with McAvoy flicking the ball into the path of Glasgow who fired wide of target.
Craigmark had a let off in the 29th minute when Schoneville fired a ball across the face of goal that only needed a touch but there was no one to prod it home.
It was one-way traffic and Talbot had a chance to add to their lead in the 36th minute. Armstrong won it in the centre and surged forward before sliding it right to release McAvoy who fired across goal and wide of the right post.
Five minutes from the break Schoneville played it to Wardrope and his cross to the back post was met by McAvoy but he was off balance and couldn’t direct it on target.
In the 44th minute Glasgow squared the ball in from the left toward Smith who looked set to score but took his eye off it and had a fresh air swipe in front of goal.
The goal was only delayed however and in the final minute of the half Armstrong swung over a cross from the right that Glasgow directed on target. The keeper made a great save to keep it out but the rebound came out to KYLE MCAVOY who fired it into the net to send Talbot in 3-0 ahead at the interval.
Craigmark made a change during the break with Wilson on at full-back in place of Gilbert.
It was clear early on in the 2nd half there was going to be no let up from Talbot and Glasgow had a chance to extend Talbot’s lead in the 49th minute when McAvoy laid the ball into his path but his shot from 18 yards flew just over the bar.
Down the other end Craigmark forced a corner down the left. When it came into the near post it skidded off a Talbot head and came out to Armer 15 yards out whose low drive was blocked.
Talbot now launched a swift counter-attack that ended with McAvoy finding Wardrope free on the right of the area but his shot was deflected behind for the corner. Before the corner could be taken Craigmark made a further change with Sherrie replacing Banks. When the corner came over a comedy of errors ensued in the Craigmark defence with 2 defenders colliding whilst trying to head it clear and the ball broke in front of goal to TAREK ABED whose point blank effort was saved by the keeper but he swept home the rebound to make it 4-0.
It could have been five in the 53rd minute. A series of quick passes created space for McAvoy who sent it right to Glasgow who drilled it wide of target from a good area.
Talbot did make it 5-0 in the 57th minute. Wardrope swept a low ball in from the right touchline which went through a defender before landing at the feet of KYLE MCAVOY who took it round the keeper before slotting it home
On the hour mark Smith fed it out wide right to Abed whose driven cross was slashed behind by Tan.
In the 64th minute Talbot were awarded a penalty. McAvoy played it into the feet of Glasgow who sent tumbling by McCreer and the ref pointed to the spot. Smith took it but fired it wide of the left hand upright.
Talbot now made their 2nd change with Lennox on for McAvoy. The visitors also made another change with McCowan replacing Henderson.
The Bot were knocking the ball around confidently and a quick passage of passes could have resulted in a top class goal but unfortunately Glasgow was crowded out inside the area before he could get his shot away.
Twenty minutes from time Glasgow clipped a good ball in behind the defence to send Smith clean through down the left and he fired it low across goal but wide of the far post.
In the 74th minute Tan got the better of Wardrope 30 yards out and carried forward before firing a shot on target that Henry saved low to his right.
A minute later down the other end Talbot nearly grabbed a sixth. Smith played it into Wardrope 18 yards out and his shot just cleared the crossbar.
Talbot now made a triple substitution with Armstrong, Urquhart & Glasgow making way for Boyle, Gillies & Thomson.
In the 77th minute Boyle received a caution for a shirt tug.
The chances were still coming for Talbot and Wardrope pounced on a poor clearance just outside the penalty area but he fired it wide of the right hand post.
In the 81st minute Lennox played a good square pass inside the area to find Smith. He could have shot but tried to thread it on to Thomson who’d strayed offside
A few moments later Craigmark won a free kick within shooting distance which Sherrie took but he scooped his effort well over the bar from 25 yards out.
In the 84th minute Craigmark got their consolation. Sherrie played it out wide left to Reilly who cut it back into the area. It landed at the feet of Ryan who fell over somewhat easily but the referee awarded the penalty and RYAN took it himself giving Henry no chance as he fired it inside the left post to make it 5-1.
There was still time for one last Talbot attack in the 88th minute when Gillies got in down the left and whipped a dangerous ball across goal but there were no takers.
A good win for Talbot who were always in control and had the tie done and dusted by half-time. Next week Talbot are back on their travels as they head through to Govan to face high flying St Cadocs in the league.
Auchinleck Talbot – Henry, McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, McCracken, Armstrong, Wardrope, Urquhart, McAvoy, Smith, Glasgow
Subs – Thomson, Gillies, Lennox, Abed, Boyd, Boyle, Glavin
Craigmark Burntonians – Johnson, McCreer, Cameron, Tan, Ryan, Armer, Reilly, Henderson, Banks, Gilbert, Gilmour
Subs – Wilson, Sherrie, McCowan, McCrea, McCrum, Orr, Gordon
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy v Auchinleck Talbot
Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.
THREE AND NOT SO EASY
It’s rare that you see a good game on Cumbernauld’s surface and yesterday proved no exception with the game being a battle from beginning to end with Talbot emerging 3-0 winners.
The first half chance went the way of the Rabs in the 7th minute. Baber’s diagonal ball found M Smith on the left of the penalty area and his ball back across was cleared.
Talbot then went down the other end to take the lead. McPherson played it into the feet of KYLE MCAVOY who turned his marker before slotting a low shot on target that Aitken should probably have saved but he didn’t get enough on it and it slipped inside the right post.
In the 11th min Rob Roy won a free kick out on the right just wide of the penalty area. Gilday hit an in swinger into the near post which Glavin punched clear. It came out to Baber whose shot from the edge of the area took a couple of deflections before running through harmlessly to Glavin.
Glavin was called into action in the 19th minute when Baber’s low ball in from the right was met by Anderson who volleyed it on target only for Glavin to tip it over the bar.
In the 25th min Talbot won a free kick just outside the Rabs penalty area when Boyd was obstructed. Glasgow took it and very nearly doubled Talbot’s lead as his effort beat the keeper but cannoned off the crossbar.
Glasgow came close again in the 38th minute. Boyd cushioned a header down into his path and Glasgow strode onto it before steering a shot just wide of the right hand post.
In the final minute of the half Anderson hit a decent effort from 30 yards but it was always heading over and Talbot went in a goal to the good.
The first chance of the 2nd half went Talbot’s way when Walker nearly put it in his own net. He diverted Glasgow’s low cross toward his own net forcing Aitken to scramble it round the left post to avoid an own goal. 
In the 56th minute Glasgow conceded a free kick out wide on the right for a foul on Baber and was cautioned into the bargain. Gilday whipped it into the near post where Glavin could only push it away under pressure. It fell kindly for Anderson who managed to volley it over from 8 yards when it looked easier to score.
Talbot made their first changes of the afternoon after 65 mins with Glasgow & Langan making way for Thomson & Armstrong.
With 20 mins to go C Smith flighted in a good cross from the left that saw a Rabs player steer a header on target that Glavin had to turn round his left post.
In the 77th minute Thomson was caught in possession down in the left-back area by C Smith who played it low across the area but the defence closed them down in the centre and the final shot was deflected behind for a corner.
Ten minutes from time Talbot made a further change with Smith coming on for Boyd.
In the 83rd minute Talbot got the 2nd goal needed to make the game safe. Smith’s through ball was chased down by Gillies who managed to force a corner down the left. When Thomson’s corner came over it was headed clear but only as far as Armstrong who headed it back into the mix where LUKE GILLIES reacted fastest to direct a left foot shot inside the left post.
As the game entered the closing stages Tucker made another double change with Wardrope & Urquhart replacing Boyle and Gillies.
Deep into added time Talbot added their third. A corner from the left went over to the back post where KYLE MCAVOY climbed to head it home from close range.
Talbot didn’t quite hit the form of late but did enough to secure the win. Next up Talbot are back at Beechwood for a derby day meeting with an in-form Cumnock which should attract a bumper crowd. 
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy – Aitken, Walker, Gilday, Henry, Anderson, Kettings, Baber, Stirling, Ruxton, M Smith, C Smith
Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, Wilson, Langan, Boyle, Gillies, Boyd, McAvoy, Glasgow
Subs – Smith, Thomson, Urquhart, Wardrope, Armstrong, Abed, Henry
Auchinleck Talbot v Troon
TALBOT PROGRESS IN THE WEST OF SCOTLAND FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP
Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.
A 2nd half goal blitz saw Talbot turn around this tie and bundle Troon out of the West of Scotland cup at a rain soaked Beechwood
The first half chance of the afternoon went the visitors way in the 7th minute when a quickly taken free kick was chipped up the centre towards Fulton who just failed to get on it as it ran through to Glavin.
Talbot’s first chance came in the 10th minute when Wardrope combined with Glasgow outside the area before Jamie drove into the box where Burgess did well to stick out a leg to clear.
Docherty was fortunate to escape a caution in the 18th minute for a late challenge with the referee content just to award Talbot the free kick.
The Bot had a great chance to open the scoring in the 22nd minute. McPherson flighted it down the middle and with the Troon defence posted missing McAvoy raced in on goal but took one touch too many allowing Burgess to race off his line and make the block.
Two minutes later Talbot passed up another good opportunity. Glasgow won a corner down the left that Wardrope took short to Langan. He swung over a great cross that found Boyd in front of goal but he tried to head it down and across to McAvoy and it ran behind him and went wide of the far post.
On the half hour mark the Bot defence were caught ball watching when an up & under came in off the right touchline. The ball bounced through to Gilroy in space on the left of the area and Glavin did well to touch his shot onto the crossbar.
Three minutes later and Troon took the lead. The ball was fed out to Black in space on the right and when he drilled it low across the box it broke into the path of SHANKLAND who tucked it away from 8 yards out.
Talbot pushed hard to try and get back on level terms and came close on a number of occasions in quick succession. In the 41st minute Black fouled Glasgow just wide of the penalty area. Glasgow took it quickly and it came across to Boyd whose low drive was heading inside the left post till Burgess dived to turn it wide.
When the subsequent corner came over McPherson met it and powered a header on target that Burgess turned over the bar. The next corner was pulled back low where Langan ran onto it and drilled a low shot on target that Burgess again did well to stop with his outstretched leg. Having survived a few scares Troon were able to hold out and went in at the break a goal to the good.
The Bot came out strongly at the start of the 2nd period and threatened the Troon goal within a minute of the restart. The ball was worked
down the right to Boyd whose cross looked destined to land at the unmarked Glasgow at the back post but Docherty did well to stretch and head it behind.
In the 48th minute Talbot won a free kick out on the left after Morrison’s foul on Glasgow. Wardrope angled it over toward the far post where McAvoy headed it back across goal for CONNOR BOYD to drill it into the bottom corner to level the score.
Troon reacted positively to the setback and had a chance to regain the lead in the 50th minute. They won a free kick out on the right touchline that Black whipped into the centre. It was flicked on off a Troon head and came to Smith but came at him too quickly for him to control it and he headed wide of the far post.
The visitors now made a change with Dunlop on in place of Fulton.
A minute later Troon were back on the attack through Shankland on the left of Talbot’s box. He tried to fire it across goal from a tight angle and Glavin turned it behind at his near post.
Over the years there have been some outstanding goals at Beechwood but there won’t have been many as bizarre as the one that gave Talbot the lead in the 53rd minute. NEIL SLOOVES met a Troon ball inside his own half and punted it down the centre. There appeared no danger as McAvoy raced after it but Burgess badly misjudged the bounce and just stood spectating as the ball skipped up off the surface and sailed inside his right hand post.
In the 59th minute Troon made a further change with Boyd replacing Gallagher and a few minutes later Talbot made their first sub of the afternoon with Smith on for McAvoy.
McCloskey had his name taken in the 63rd minute for a shirt pull resulting in a Bot free kick 35 yards out. Wardrope decided to try his luck and hammered a low drive on target that took Burgess several attempts before securing.
Troon ought to have been a man short in the 66th minute. Moore threw himself into a tackle he was never going to win and caught Gillies late. It looked both late & reckless but the referee seemed to take pity on the Troon man who’d injured himself into the bargain and only booked him when he hobbled to his feet.
Moore didn’t last much longer and in the 70th minute made way for Millar.
The next goal was going to be crucial and it went Talbot’s way in the 72nd minute. Boyd did well to close down his Troon namesake and block his attempted ball up the line. He then raced up the left wing and played it across the area where JAMIE GLASGOW coolly side-footed it inside the left post to make it 3-1.
Tucker now made a double switch with Wardrope & Glasgow making way for Urquhart & Lennox.
With quarter of an hour remaining Morrison cracked a low drive on goal from 25 yards but straight at Glavin who held it comfortably.
Two minutes later Docherty found himself in the book when he caught Smith. Langan took the resultant free kick and played it into the centre where the ball pinged about for a bit before falling to Smith whose low drive was held by Burgess.
Down the other end McPherson picked up a caution for holding on Gilroy just wide of the penalty area. The free kick was whipped into the middle where Glavin managed to punch it clear.
Talbot made sure of the victory in the 81st minute when they grabbed their 4th. Smith did well down the left jinking past Boyd before feeding it down the wing to Lennox. He cut it back across goal where ALI BOYLE ran onto it to sweep it home from 6 yards out.
The Bot threatened to score again soon after when Urquhart played it into the feet of Smith who weaved his way into the area but under pressure he pulled his shot wide of target.Talbot now made another double substitution with Boylan & Schoneville on for Boyd & Gillies.
Four minutes from time Talbot came close again. Boylan gathered on the right of the area and switched it onto his left foot before sending a cross beyond the back post to pick out Schoneville. He fizzed it on target and Burgess did well to turn it round his right hand post.
Talbot saw out the remainder with little fuss to secure the win. A very good 2nd half from Talbot who certainly upped it a couple of gears after the break. Next up for Talbot it’s back to cup action, though this time in the Scottish Junior, when they travel through to Alexandria to face Vale of Leven next Saturday.
Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Gillies, Slooves, Wilson, Boyle, Langan, Wardrope, Boyd, McAvoy, Glasgow
Subs – Smith, Boylan, Urquhart, Lennox, Abed, Schoneville, Henry (gk)
Troon – Burgess, McCloskey, Docherty, Smith, Morrison, Black, Shankland, Gilroy, Moore, Fulton, Gallagher
Subs – McLevy, Boyd, Dunlop, Strain, Millar, Brown, Fisher (gk)
Port Glasgow Juniors v Auchinleck Talbot
TALBOT MAKE IT THREE CUP WINS IN A ROW
Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.
Talbot buried the undertakers with two 2nd half goals from Boyd sealing Talbot’s well-deserved away win at Port Glasgow.
The Bot made the early running but without much joy in the final third. The first effort on target came in the 10th minute when Boylan slid it right to find Wardrope inside the box and he fired straight at the keeper.
A minute later Talbot had a chance to take the lead. Gillies saw his first ball into the area cleared but it came straight back to him and at the 2nd time of asking he floated a cross beyond the back post where Boylan volleyed it wide.
Route one almost paid off for the home side in the 12th minute. A long ball down the centre skidded off a Talbot head and came through to Gallacher on the right of the area but just as he prepared to shoot, Slooves got back to make a crucial challenge and put it behind for the corner. When the corner came over Talbot failed to clear their lines and a Port player tried his luck from a tight angle but Glavin held his shot.
Gallacher had his name taken in the 13th minute for a professional foul as he halted a Talbot counter-attack.
Wardrope came close to the opener in the 14th minute. McPherson cut it back into the box where Wardrope met it with his back to goal and his overhead kick clipped the outside of the left post.
In the 18th minute Gallacher burst forward and when challenged the ball spun into the path of Pettigrew who fired on target from 25 yards. It skipped off the surface on the way through and Glavin gathered at the 2nd attempt.
The Bot’s next attack saw Langan lay the ball off to Boyd on the right of the area and his shot was deflected behind for a corner. When Wardrope’s corner came over from the right the defence could only clear it out as far as Gillies who hammered a low drive on target that the keeper blocked without knowing too much about it.
The home side could have been a man down half an hour in. Gallacher clipped Thomson’s heels and when the ref called him over it looked like he was going to be shown a 2nd yellow but the ref kept his cards in his pocket.
In the 33rd minute Langan squared the ball to find Wardrope in space and he cut inside and tried to curl it into the top corner but got too much on it.
Two minutes later Talbot spurned a great chance to take the lead. Thomson laid the ball into the path of Boylan who burst through one on one with the keeper but took a heavy first touch, allowing Wigzell to race off his line and smother the ball.
Talbot’s next effort came in the 41st minute. Gillies played it inside to Wardrope whose low drive on target was spilled by the keeper but he recovered to gather at the 2nd time of asking.
The Bot were finishing the half strongly and had another chance in the 45th minute. Armstrong played it into the feet of Wardrope at the edge of the box and he turned and fired just wide of the left hand post.
Into added time Talbot had a great chance to go in a goal ahead. Boyd cut it back into the path of Langan but he scooped his shot well over from 10 yards out and the sides went in goal less at the break.
From the off, Talbot dominated the 2nd half and had a chance to break the deadlock in the 48th minute. A short corner on the right was worked into Wardrope on the right of the area and his cross beyond the far post was headed back across goal by Slooves. In the ensuing goal mouth scramble Boylan saw his first effort blocked and then his 2nd shot fly wide of the left hand post.
The opening goal came in the 50th minute. Boylan got free on the left and the keeper did well to save his angled drive with his legs but CONNOR BOYD had followed up and rolled the rebound into the net.
The home side had a rare chance in the 53rd minute. A cross from the right found the head of Gallacher who tried to steer a header back across goal but it failed to test Glavin.
Down the other end Boyd laid the ball off to Wardrope who burst forward into space and fired a shot just wide of the left hand post.
Next to try their luck for Talbot was Boylan who latched onto Wardrope’s deep cross and tried to fire it low across goal – only to see his shot deflected over the crossbar.
In the 58th minute Langan was caught 25 yards out and Wardrope took the resultant free kick – firing it over the bar.
Talbot had another half chance in the 62nd minute. A short corner was played to Langan who found Thomson inside the area and his low ball across goal was blasted over the bar by Boylan.
Tucker now made a double change with Thomson and Boylan making way for Glasgow and McAvoy.
In the 66th minute McAvoy climbed well to meet a shy down the right and nod it into the path of Boyd who fed it across to Langan whose dipping half-volley from the edge of the area just cleared the crossbar.
Two minutes later Langan’s early ball in behind the defence saw McAvoy racing to beat Wigzell to it – with the keeper quickly off his line to make the challenge. Both players took a knock in the challenge, and unfortunately for Talbot’s new signing, McAvoy was unable to continue and had to be replaced by Lennox.
With 11 minutes remaining Talbot made another double substitution with Wardrope & Langan being replaced in the centre by Boyle & Urquhart.
Urquhart came close to scoring on his debut when he met Boyd’s cut-back from the left but the keeper made a good stop to block his angled drive behind for the corner
Although it had been all Talbot the game was still in the balance with the Bot only having a goal to show for all their dominance and the home side won a free kick in a good area in the 82nd minute. McPherson took it and his shot hit the wall and was gathered by Glavin.
A minute later and it was game over. Glasgow’s through ball found CONNOR BOYD racing in behind and he took it wide of the keeper and placed it back inside the left post to make it 2-0.
Three minutes from time Boyle surged forward and despite being impeded managed to keep going and find Lennox. He cut inside on his left foot and saw his shot deflected behind for a corner.
A minute from time Glasgow won a corner down the left that he took short to Urquhart. He returned it to Glasgow who swept a dangerous cross over that a defender sliced up into the air before it was finally scrambled clear of the goal mouth.
As the game moved into added time Gillies had a good chance to add to Talbot’s tally. Glasgow’s in swinging corner from the left found him in space inside the 6-yard box but he took a fresh air swipe at it.
There was still time for Talbot to have another couple of decent chances. Firstly, Glasgow cut in off the left wing and saw his low drive well saved by Wigzell and then deep into added time Lennox blocked Wigzell’s attempted clearance and when the ball was played across Glasgow’s scissor kick was cleared from a yard out with the keeper beaten.
A win and a clean sheet for the Bot who have hit a good spell of form of late. Next up its back to Beechwood on league business when Talbot host Rob Roy next Saturday.
Port Glasgow – Wigzell, Cowan, McLaughlin, Mitchell, McDowall, Cooper, Black, Pettigrew, McPherson, Mearns, Gallacher
Subs – Hunter, Lunney, McArthur, McVitie, Paterson, Sutherland, Duncan (gk)
Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Gillies, Wilson, Slooves, Armstrong, Langan, Wardrope, Boyd, Thomson, Boylan
Subs – Smith, McAvoy, Glasgow, Urquhart, Glasgow, Boyle, Lennox, Henry (gk)
Kyle McAvoy
SPONSORED BY: UNISON – Show Racism the Red Card. Jim New
JOINED TALBOT: October 2023
D.O.B: 04/08/2000
TALBOT DEBUT: 21/10/2023, Away to Port Glasgow Juniors, West of Scotland Cup, won 2-0
FIRST TALBOT GOAL: 16/12/23, v Vale of Leven, Scottish Junior Cup 4th Round. won 4-1.
FORMER TEAMS: Bonnyton Thistle
Ross Urquhart
SPONSORED BY: Tom and Kevin Brown, Tyler and Karl
JOINED TALBOT: October 2023
D.O.B: 18/03/1998
TALBOT DEBUT: 21/10/2023. Away v Port Glasgow Juniors, West of Scotland Cup, won 2-0
FIRST TALBOT GOAL: 03/02/24, v Glenafton Athletic, WOSL Premier League. won 5-3.
FORMER TEAMS: Darvel, Irvine Meadow
Jamie Glasgow
SPONSORED BY: Leighton McBlain. Alfie Beable.
JOINED TALBOT: July 2017 – September 2022. REJOINED TALBOT: October 2023
D.O.B: 27/11/1993
TALBOT DEBUT: 02/08/2017 v Glenafton Athletic, League Cup, Home, Lost 1-0
FIRST TALBOT GOAL: v 09/08/2017 v Lugar Boswell Thistle, League Cup, Away, Won 5-0
FORMER TEAMS: Darvel, Auchinleck Talbot, Camelon, East Stirling
