SCOTTISH CUP – Page 5 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Jamie Ballantyne

Sponsor: Cameron Torrance; Isla McCurdy

BIO:

Jamie initially started his career at Rangers as a youth, prior to a move to Ayr United where he captained their u20’s for two seasons. He would then go on loan to Girvan FC where he won the league, prior to joining Benburb for their championship winning season.

Jamie then made a return to first team league football with Annan Athletic, before again returning to non league football.

Ross Taylor

SPONSOR: Jim McCluskie, Dorethy Lawrence

BIO: Ross joined Talbot in July 2022 after leaving Morton. He played the previous season on loan to Kilbirnie Ladeside where he became a fans favourite playing at right back. He has been a teenage sensation since joining Talbot and celebrated his Scottish Cup baptism by grabbing a hat-trick against Coldstream

Ally Park

SPONSORED BY:

POSITION: Defender/Midfield

JOINED TALBOT: July 2011. July 2022

D.O.B: 11/01/1990

TALBOT DEBUT: Cumnock Juniors (Away), 27th July 2011, Ardagh League Cup 5-0

FIRST COMPETITIVE GOAL: Ashfield (Home) 5th November 2011, WJFA Premier League 9-1

FORMER CLUBS: Rangers U20’s, Hibs U20’s, Clyde, Auchinleck Talbot, Glenafton Athletic, Beith Juniors.

Lewis Crawford

SPONSORs: Loons Supporters Club

The 22 year old 6ft right or left back joins as a free transfer from Lowland side Broomhill and has been training with Talbot for the last three weeks, which gave Tucker the chance to run the rule over the player before offering him a contract.

Lewis has had experience in the SPFL and the lower leagues starting his career at Dumbarton U17’s and Clyde U20’s. He was released by Clyde in July 2018 and spent a season at Petershill before making the move to the SPFL with Dumbarton. He spent over a year with the “Sons” which included a loan spell at Rossvale and an appearance at Pittodrie in 2020 when Dumbarton narrowly lost out to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup.

In September 2020 he left Dumbarton to play with Linlithgow Rose for a season and then Broomhill who were managed by former Talbot legend Davie Gormley.

Michael Wardrope

SPONSORED BY: The Late Tommy Griffin Jnr.

POSITION: Midfield

JOINED TALBOT: March 2022

D.O.B: 17/12/96

TALBOT DEBUT: Bonnyton Thistle (Home), 26th March 2022, WOSL Premier Division 3-0

FIRST COMPETITIVE GOAL: Glenafton Athletic (Home), 5th November 2022, WOSL Premier Division 3-1

FORMER CLUBS: Ayr United 17, Ayr United (13 appearances), Glenafton Athletic (Loan), Kilwinning Rangers, Ardrossan Winton Rovers (Loan), Hurlford United, Irvine Meadow.

Auchinleck Talbot v Hearts of Midlothian

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

Auchinleck Talbot v Hamilton Academicals

The Talbot Young Team out in force before the big kick off.

The teams and the officials run out onto the pitch in front of a packed Beechwood Park.

A couple of very happy Hamilton chaps before the kick off.

The Young Team look on, as Hamilton fire in the cross.

Hamilton try to go on the attack but Aiden Wilson makes sure the ball doesn’t get threaded through.

Hamilton wonder what could have been, as they squander a great chance.

McPherson makes sure the danger gets cleared.

HAD TO BE, SURELY!!! Kieran Healy finds himself in acres of space right in front of goal but fails to properly connect with the ball and to find the back of the net.

Boylan does his best to break free with the ball.

All eyes on the ball for Jamie Glasgow, as he fires the ball up the park.

WHAT-A-CHANCE!!! ‘Shankers’ cross finds Glasgow at the back post but his sliding shot gets batted away by the Hamilton ‘keeper.

Bryan Boylan does his best to keep hold of the ball and find a way through.

OFFSIDE! Boylan is deemed to have been offside, as he races through on goal.

Wilson watches, as Mark tries to muscle out his opponent for possession.

‘Tucker’ and Allan look on from the sidelines, while Boylan tries to keep the ball in play.

A chance for Hamilton but ‘Gee’ makes sure the route through gets blocked.

OUCH!!! Glasgow takes a sore one while racing away with the ball.

The Black ‘n’ Gold conga line keep their eyes firmly on the ball, as Hamilton go on the attack.

Robbie McCracken sticks closely to his man, as the Talbot faithful pack the terraces.

It may be two against one but Mark Shankland still takes them both on but…

…gets bundled over, as he tries to skip past them.

A couple of young Talbot fans take a break from watching the action at half-time.

Two Talbot fans made the trip from Perth to watch the big game and were happy with the half-time scoreline.

Boylan shouts for the foul, as Hamilton feel frustrated after giving away a free-kick.

Big Neily, again, makes sure the danger gets cleared.

Samson gets set to come on, as ‘Tucker’ discusses tactics with his bench.

Gareth Armstrong wins the header inside the box, where something special was about to happen…

GOOOAAALLL!!! UNBELIEVABLE JEFF!!! Armstrong’s header lets the ball fall to the feet of Graham Wilson, where he fires off a powerful low strike that…

…smashes into the back of the net putting Talbot into the lead. 1-0.

No caption required to describe this image.

Samson sticks to his man and makes sure his opponent is facing away from goal.

Craig McCracken tries to race away but gets stopped in his tracks by a great tackle.

Samson makes it look easy, as he skips past one opponent and then…

The goalscorer, Graham Wilson, uses his pace to break away and go on the attack.

Neil and Kieran look on, as Gareth wins the ball and starts another attacking move.

May be a slight height difference but I know where my money is going.

Hamilton try their luck from distance but it fails to trouble Andy Leishman.

Another chance for Hamilton but Neil and Craig make sure the ball doesn’t get through.

Jack McDowell stands his ground and races down the park.

Final chance for Hamilton, as they find space in front of goal and send a great header towards goal where…

…although Leishman makes sure, the ball sails harmlessly over the crossbar.

Jamie does his best to encourage his team-mates from the sidelines during the closing minutes of the game.

The anxious Talbot bench look on, as ‘Gee’ keeps hold of the ball in order to run down the clock.

And it’s not just the Talbot bench that are looking anxious while Graham keeps hold of the ball.

WHAT-A-RESULT!!! The final whistle gets blown and Talbot can finally begin to par-ty!

Bryan and Jamie can’t stop smiling after helping Talbot to achieve another big scalp in the Scottish Cup.

Jack and Bryan continue to celebrate the victory under the glorious Beechwood floodlights.

The Talbot Young Team ‘gie it laldy’ after the final whistle.

Big Neily shows off his dance moves in front of the adoring Black ‘n’ Gold faithful.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAYS NATCH REPORT

Talbot once again made a mockery of the bookies odds with another giant-killing win at Beechwood park as they deservedly beat Hamilton Accies to book their place in the 4^th round draw of the Scottish cup.

The Bot made a slightly nervy start and Accies forced a couple of corners in the opening minutes but both deliveries were poor and sailed straight behind for goal kicks.

Glasgow had his name taken in the 4^th minute for a late challenge in midfield.

Hamilton had a half chance in the 6^th minute. A bout of heady tennis ended with the ball breaking to Ryan on the right of the area but his half volley under pressure sailed over the crossbar.

Talbot showed they weren’t just there to make up the numbers in the 8^th minute when they carved out a great opportunity to take the lead. Robbie McCracken clipped a ball up the right to release Glasgow and his cross to the far post found Healy in space 8 yards out but he didn’t connect cleanly and his left foot shot trundled straight at the keeper.

In the 11^th minute Talbot caught Hamilton cold on the counter-attack. An Accies corner from the right was headed clear by Armstrong and Talbot swiftly broke up the pitch. Shankland swept a great cross in from the left which Glasgow met beyond the back post and Hilton did well to turn his volley round the left hand post.

Talbot had settled well after the early wobble and it was the Bot who threatened again in the 26^th minute. Robbie McCracken’s pass sent Boylan clear on the right and he crossed it to the far post where Shankland headed it back down into the path of Graham Wilson whose shot was deflected behind off Stirling.

Hamilton hadn’t offered much but the visitors did have a clear sight of goal in the 29^th minute. There appeared to be a foul on Glasgow in the build-up but the ref waved play on and Hamilton worked it to Ryan inside the area but his low drive was smothered by Leishman.

The Bot fans were up in arms in the 33^rd minute when Boylan was taken out late as he flicked the ball on. The ref played advantage but when the move broke down no card was produced for what had been a cynical foul and the referee didn’t make himself any more popular a minute later when Stirling bowled Glasgow over near the touchline and no foul was given.

Talbot won a set piece 35 yards out in the 35^th minute following handball by Shields. Shankland swept the ball into the heart of the area where it was headed clear. The ball came straight to Armstrong at the edge of the area and he met it on the half-volley; firing on target but straight at Hilton.

A minute later Glasgow’s ball up the right forced Hilton to race out of his box to beat Shankland to the ball and fire it out for a shy.

As the half drew to a close it was Talbot who were pushing forward. Armstrong did well to win the ball then released a good early pass for Boylan. He raced forward down the left but Want got back to deny him with a perfectly timed slide tackle and the sides headed in goalless at the break with Talbot the happier of the two camps.

Hamilton were quickest out the blocks at the start of the 2^nd half and it took Leishman at his best to prevent them moving ahead in the 46^th minute. Munro cut in off the right and let fly from 20 yards and his shot was heading into the roof of the net but for Leishman stretching to touch it away. The ball came out to Ryan on the corner of the 6-yard area and he looked set to smash home the rebound but Leishman again rose to the challenge; blocking his low drive with his outstretched leg to complete a fantastic double save.

Accies tails were up and for the first time they pressed forward but the Bot defence gave nothing away.

Talbot made the first change in the 57^th minute when Samson came on in place of Glasgow.

In the 59^th minute Talbot nearly found a way through on the counter. Shankland won the ball in the tackle and sent a good early ball out to the right towards Samson who was haring into the box but Shields did well to cover his run and usher it back to the keeper.

Beechwood erupted on the hour mark when Talbot took the lead. The Bot won a shy out on the right which Samson launched into the area. Armstrong flicked it on at the near post and GRAHAM WILSON ran onto it and coolly sidefooted it past Hilton to make it 1-0.

Accies were rattled and there was a hint of desperation about Ryan’s effort at goal in the 62^nd minute when he fired a left foot shot well off target from distance.

The visitors made a change in the 63^rd minute with Redfern making way for Moyo and the sub had an early chance to make an impact. Hamilton won a free kick on halfway which was floated up to the edge of the penalty area. Talbot failed to clear it and the ball broke to Moyo 20 yards out in space but his angled drive went wide of the right hand post.

Hamilton were struggling to cope with Talbot at set plays and in the 66^th minute another shy from the right caused them problems. This time the defence managed to partially clear it but only as far as Graham Wilson whose fierce drive from 20 yards looked to be heading on target but was blocked by Martin’s head.

Two minutes later Samson surged up the right touchline evading two lunging challenges before sliding the ball toward the near post and the waiting Boylan but it was cut out by an Accies defender.

Talbot now made a 2^nd change with Boyd coming on to replace Shankland.

In the 73^rd minute Hamilton made their 2^nd change with Virtanen on for Martin and six minutes later the sub was in the ref’s notebook for a late challenge on Boylan.

With 10 mins remaining Samson did well wide on the right to burst free and his attempted ball across the face won Talbot a corner. When the corner came in Hamilton could only clear it out to the edge of the area where Boylan met it but he was falling back as he hit it and sent his shot over the bar.

Hamilton had a half chance in the 84^th minute when Moyo’s back-heel flick found Ryan in space 20 yards out but his shot went well wide of the right hand post.

As the game neared its conclusion Hamilton appeared bereft of any ideas and Talbot fans began to believe that another SFL scalp was there for the taking.

With 3 minutes remaining Talbot made their final sub with McDowall coming on in place of Boylan.

The visitors had one final half chance to level in the final minute of regulation time. Moyo rose to meet a cross from the right but his header looped up and over the bar and his frustration boiled over in injury time when he was fortunate only to be shown a yellow card for a two armed shove off the ball.

The Bot fans were made to wait for it as the ref added on 5 minutes of injury time but finally the final whistle went and the celebrations started – at least in the home end – those Accies fans who hadn’t left early headed for their own dug out to tongue lash their management team.

A fantastic display by Talbot who worked their socks off from first to last and now have Monday night’s 4^th round draw to look forward to for their efforts. Next week it’s back to Beechwood on league duty when Talbot host Benburb.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Robbie McCracken, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Healy, Armstrong, Graham Wilson, Boylan, Shankland, Glasgow

Subs – Hyslop, Samson, Boyd, Mason, Lyle, McDowall, White, Stafford, Hewitt

Hamilton Academical – Hilton, Popesu, Stirling, Martin, Ryan, Want, Hughes, Mimnaugh, Munro, Redfern, Shields

Subs – May, Virtanen, Hamilton, Smith, Mullin, Winter, Moyo, Matheson

Preston Athletic v Auchinleck Talbot

The players enter the field of play before kick-off in front of the applauding fans.

‘Gee’ tries to push away his opponent and keep hold of the ball.

‘Pee-wee’ heads the ball into the path of the incoming Samson, as he races into the box.

The Preston player is put under pressure from Gareth and Aiden.

The defender gets to the ball just before Boylan could pull the trigger but…

…the ball lands at the feet of ‘Gee’ but he fails to find the back of the net with his low strike.

‘Big Neily’ rises the highest to clear the danger.

Aiden Wilson gets to the ball first and heads the ball back up the park.

Preston go for the spectacular but the ball goes high over the crossbar.

Dwayne…I think the Talbot fan is telling you what direction to head with the ball.

McCracken gets brought down, as he tries to go on a run.

CHANCE!!! Gareth Armstrong finds space inside the box but he just can’t hit the target with his header.

Craig McCracken makes sure the danger gets cleared.

‘Tucker’ roars out the orders from the dugout.

Graham fires the ball up the wing, as the crowd closely watch the action.

Craig and Neil form Talbot’s first synchronized defence team in order to block this Preston shot but then…

…Craig blocks the immediate rebound strike, as the ball smacks off his body and then…

…Preston have a third go at goal but the shot goes high and wide.

These Talbot fans get ring side viewing of a wee altercation between the players.

RED CARD!!! Even though Preston win the foul, they get reduced to ten men, although Paul Currie argues his case before taking an early bath.

Samson tries to get there first but the Preston ‘keeper gathers the ball on the ground.

Keir Samson races up the wing but gets stopped in his tracks.

A sore one for Samson, as he gets bundled over.

Boylan finds that all roads are blocked, as he fights for the ball.

CHANCE FOR PRESTON!!! Preston find space inside the box to fire a header across the face of goal but…

…Big Andy pulls off a great save to push the ball round the post for a corner.

Aiden Wilson tries his luck from inside the box but his shot gets deflected out for a corner.

WHAT-A-CHANCE!!! McCracken rises and gets his head to the ball but can only watch the ball go agonisingly wide of the post.

OFFSIDE!!! Talbot come straight out the traps after the break and Samson firs the ball into the back of the net from close range but is deemed to be offside.

HAD-TO-BE, SURELY!!! Boylan races in on the ‘keeper, fires off a shot but the ‘keeper pulls off a great block to deny Bryan.

‘Pee-wee’ and Healy put the pressure on, as Preston keep their attack going.

Another aerial battle victory for McCracken.

Jamie looks to the sky and rues a missed chance.

ANOTHER CHANCE FOR TALBOT!!! Samson gets his head to the ball but fails to hit the target.

GOOOOAAAALLLL!!! Talbot FINALLY find the back of the net, as Jamie Glasgow fires a shot from outside the box and smashes the ball home. 0-1.

Stunned, happy and deflated all in one image!

Jamie lets out a celebratory roar after scoring, as ‘shankers’ grins from ear to ear.

GAME, SET & MATCH!!! In a blink of an eye Talbot double their lead, as Samson scores via an awkward header from close range. 0-2.

Keir begins to wheel away, as the Talbot faithful go absolutely beserk!

Preston try for a late consolation but fail to find the back of the net.

A couple of happy looking Talbot chappies!

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot booked their place in the 3^rd round draw for the William Hill Scottish cup thanks to a couple of late goals which was enough to see off Preston at Pennypit park.

The breeze was in the home side’s favour in the first half and it was Preston who made the early running. They won a free kick in the 3^rd minute about 30 yards out on the left which Archibald hit for goal rather than crossing but his shot went straight at Leishman.

A minute later Talbot had a chance down the other end. The Preston defence didn’t cope with Samson’s long throw in from the right and it broke out to Boylan who squared it for Graham Wilson who fired at the keeper from 15 yards.

Seven minutes in a sloppy corner kick saw Talbot turn attack into defence. Healy’s corner from the left was easily cleared at the near post and the hosts raced onto the counter-attack; releasing Grotlin down the left but McPherson read it & got across to make the tackle.

Talbot almost took the lead in the 12^th minute. Samson won a corner on the right and when the ball came over Armstrong met it only to see his header deflected just past Newman’s right post.

The Bot put themselves under pressure again in the 20^th minute when Healy’s pass was intercepted in midfield allowing Preston to counter down the left. Once again McPherson was on hand to get across and beat Grotlin to it and put it out for a shy.

Preston were dealt a blow in the 23^rd minute when they went down to 10 men. Aiden Wilson conceded a free kick in the centre for a foul on Currie but the Preston midfielder reacted angrily, getting into Wilson’s face, and was sent off for foul language.

The loss of a man didn’t make any immediate impact and the game was at a stalemate; with neither side really threatening in the final third. Preston won a free kick 30 yards out following a clumsy challenge by Hyslop which Archibald took but Leishman wasn’t called upon as it sailed a yard over the bar.

The home side had a let off in the 33^rd minute. A ball up the right saw Boylan race clear in behind the defence and he drilled it across goal where Samson met it at the near post but it clipped the outside of the post and went behind.

As half time approached Talbot began to exert some pressure but without creating too much; although Talbot did have a gilt edged chance in the 43^rd minute. Boylan released Aiden Wilson on the left and his shot was blocked behind for the corner. When it came over McCracken raced onto it but glanced a free header wide of target from 6 yards out and the sides went in goal less at the break.

Tucker made a change at the interval with Jamie Glasgow coming on in place of Armstrong.

The Bot had an early chance soon after the re-start when a ball up the left found Boylan racing into the area but his shot was well saved by Newman.

Preston made their first change in the 52^nd minute when Young replaced Jack.

Leishman didn’t have the busiest of afternoons but he did well when called upon in the 55^th minute. A cross into the area was headed clear by McCracken but only came as far as Archibald whose low drive was held by Leishman low to his left.

Talbot threatened down the other end in the 56^th minute when they won a free kick out on the left. The home defence cleared it but it was quickly knocked back into the box where Hylsop headed it down to Boylan and Newman had to be alert to halt his drive from 15 yards that skipped up off the surface.

Two minutes later Talbot were back on the attack. Healy slid a good ball down the right channel that found Glasgow racing into the penalty area but he fired wide of target under pressure from a defender.

With 68 minutes gone Tucker made a double switch with Boylan & Hyslop making way for Shankland & Boyd.

In the 72^nd minute Shankland cut in off the left and tried his luck from 25 yards but his shot sailed over the crossbar.

Talbot had a real chance to grab the opener in the 76^th minute. Aiden Wilson pinged over a great cross from the left that found Samson free 10 yards out but he glanced his header well wide.

However two minutes later Talbot took the lead. Graham Wilson gathered midway inside the Preston half and tried to slide a ball through to Samson. The defender cleared it but the ball came to JAMIE GLASGOW who took a touch before rifling a left foot shot wide of the keeper & inside the left post from 22 yards.

The goal lifted Talbot & demoralised Preston with the Bot pushing hard for a 2^nd to kill the tie off and it duly came in the 83^rd minute. Stafford’s cross from the right was headed toward goal by Graham Wilson and KEIR SAMSON beat the keeper to it to head it over him and into the empty net.

Twice in the closing minutes Talbot came close to adding to their tally. In the 87^th minute Stafford played Glasgow in down the right and he skipped inside Innes before firing fractionally wide of the left post.

As the game headed into injury time Samson came in off the left & drilled a low shot from 20 yards that clipped the outside of the right post.

A good away win for Talbot, who weren’t at their best, but did enough on the day. Next up Talbot are back on the road, this time in the Scottish Junior cup where they travel across East Ayrshire to face Craigmark next Saturday.

Preston Athletic – Newman, Austin, Innes, O’Connor, O’Prior, Currie, Jack, Archibald, Grotlin, Malloy,

Somers

Subs – Forsyth, Young, McNeill, Hamilton, McCoolie, Stokes

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Armstrong, Healy, Hyslop, Graham Wilson, Boylan, Samson

Subs – Glasgow, Shankland, Boyd, Mason, Lyle, McDowall, White, Hewitt, Robbie McCracken