SCOTTISH CUP – Page 7 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Auchinleck Talbot v Cove Rangers

Pre-kick-off team talk for the Cove players.

Gordon shouts for a foul, as Mark tries to get the ball back.

Mark goes racing up the wing, as Paul Hartley roars at his players.

‘Shankers’ fires a low cross into the box.

The bumper crowd watch the action unfold.

Graham Wilson puts pressure on his opponent.

Big Andy makes his presence known and clears the danger.

‘Popey’ sends the ball back up the park.

Shankland tries his luck from inside the box.

Samson races in and tries to win the ball.

The Talbot wall stands firm and blocks the Cove free-kick.

Gareth Armstrong wins this aerial midfield battle.

The Cove ‘keeper bravely gathers the ball at the feet of McCracken.

Big Neily makes sure he blocks this Cove shot.

Stephen Wilson vents his frustration after being fouled.

Craig looks to where he wants to clear the ball to.

Talbot and ‘Gee’ come inches away from scoring, as he just misses connecting with Samson’s cross.

Gareth keeps the attack going for Talbot.

‘Tucker’ roars out the orders from the dugout.

Boylan fires in a cross into the Cove box.

Bryan and Graham try to double the pressure on this Cove player.

The moment every Talbot fan will ALWAYS remember. Dwayne Hyslop bullets the ball into the back of the net and sends the ‘Bot into the next round. 1-0.

‘Pee-wee’ laps up the applauds from the Talbot faithful.

I think ‘Gee’ is happy with Dwayne’s goal.

‘Pee-wee’s team-mates race to congratulate him.

Is there a better feeling than seeing your team score a very late winner……I don’t think so.

The Talbot bench erupts at hearing the Full-Time whistle.

The players celebrate yet another famous win.

Indecent exposure after seeing a decent win for this Talbot fan.

A picture that sums up what this type of win means to El Capitano, Wullie Lyle.

The victorious smiles keep getting wider for the Talbot boys.

As always…these types of occasions are always best celebrated with your family.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot defied the odds and proved the bookies wrong yet again as the Bot secured a narrow win over high-flying & big spending Cove Rangers to book a place in the 3rd round draw of the senior cup.

Cove started slickly and had Talbot on the back foot with some neat passing. The visitors tested Leishman in the 3rd minute when they worked a short corner on the right. When it was crossed in the Bot defence headed clear but it came to Scully 15 yards out & he volleyed it into the turf. It was heading inside the left post til Leishman dived across to turn it wide.

The Bot’s first glimpse at goal came in the 8th minute. Shankland lifted it up the left where Graham Wilson headed it back toward Shankland who fired well over the bar from 25 yards.

The visitors were dominating possession but had little to show for it other than a few corners which the Bot defence successfully defended.

On the quarter hour mark Talbot tested McKenzie. Armstrong found Shankland on the left of the area & he drilled a low shot on target that McKenzie blocked with his legs at his right hand post.

Fyvie was impressing for Cove & he dinked a dangerous ball down the centre that McCracken did well to intercept & head it back to Leishman.

In the 26th minute Fyvie popped up on the right & fired a dangerous ball across the face of goal that sped behind for what everyone in the ground thought was a goal kick but the referee pointed for a corner. When the corner came over it was cleared out to Scully who blazed a wild shot over.

Talbot nearly got in on the half hour mark. Hyslop slid a well-weighted pass up the right toward Samson but Milne did well to slide in to intercept it.

The Bot had a good shout for an indirect free in the Cove box when Samson got the better of Milne and cut a low ball across the box. A defender knocked it back to the keeper who picked it up but the ref waved away Talbot’s appeals.

Cove stretched the Bot defence in the 38th minute. Smith whipped a cross over from the right that found Scully racing in on the left of the area but before he could get a shot away Lyle got across to knock it behind for the corner.

When the corner came over Leishman took it & launched it down the centre straight into the opposition box. Graham Wilson challenged McKenzie in the air & the keeper failed to claim it; however the loose ball didn’t fall for Samson & the defence were able to clear.

Scott squandered a golden chance to give Cove the lead in the 40th minute. Smith’s cross found him unmarked in front of goal but he steered his header over the bar.

Two minutes later Cove won a free kick 25 yards out for a foul on Megginson. Higgins took it but blasted his shot straight into the wall.

Talbot ended the half on the front foot, winning a free kick out on the left when Graham Wilson was shoved over. Shankland curled it into the box where Ross headed it clear. It came to Pope on the right & he fired it into the centre where McKenzie spilled it but was able to clutch onto it at the 2nd attempt and so the sides went in level at the break.

The opening effort of the 2nd half came in the 48th minute. Scully tried his luck from 35 yards out, striking it well enough, but it flew straight at Leishman.

Two minutes later Talbot nearly paid for slack play when they lost the ball deep in their own half. Aird fired over an early cross & Smith glanced a header just wide of Leishman’s left post.

Down the other end Talbot had a half chance when Pope’s ball found Graham Wilson on the left of the area. He hit it 1st time but saw his volley deflected behind for the corner. Shankland hit the corner deep where it was retrieved beyond the back post by Samson. He knocked it back across goal where Pope met it to hook a shot over the bar.

In the 52nd minute Cove passed up a decent chance to take the lead. Megginson gathered out on the right & cut it back to find Aird running onto it in the centre of the area but he passed it wide of Leishman’s left hand post.

Stephen Wilson became the first name in the ref’s notebook when he was cautioned for clipping the heels of Megginson as he burst forward.

In the 56th minute Graham Wilson lifted a good early ball down the right to find Samson racing clear on the right side of the box but he blazed over from a tight angle.

A minute later Fyvie received a caution when he tripped Stephen Wilson resulting in a Bot free kick 25 yards out. Shankland whipped it over the wall but it didn’t dip in time & flew just over the bar.

In the 61st minute the action switched from end to end. Smith flicked the ball out right to release Megginson and he delivered a good cross that forced Leishman to dive to punch it away. Talbot now launched a swift counter through Stephen Wilson who raced forward before sliding it right to Samson. He played a great ball across the goal mouth but Graham Wilson just couldn’t reach it at the back post.

Cove gave Talbot a helping hand soon after. They had a shy midway inside their own half which they threw straight into the feet of Shankland. He duly accepted the gift & surged forward & passed it to Armstrong who released it out right to Samson. He cut it back across goal but it sped just behind Graham Wilson & Shankland in the centre.

The home support loudly appealed for a free kick in the 64th minute when a free kick from Talbot’s half was flighted up toward Hyslop who was nudged in the back just outside the area but the ref gave nothing.

Cove made the first change in the 69th minute when Masson came on in place of Smith.

McPherson came to Talbot’s aid in the 71st minute when Aird’s cross from the right eluded Leishman but McPherson headed it clear at the back post.

A minute later Scott came as close as Cove were to come to breaking the deadlock. He turned just inside the box & lobbed it for goal & his shot clipped the top of the bar on its way over.

Tucker made his first change in the 73rd minute with Glasgow coming on for Shankland.

Cove’s next attack saw them win a corner on the right which Fyvie took short to find Masson. He tried to curl it on target but his effort sailed over the bar.
Talbot won a free kick 35 yards from goal when Masson shoved Hyslop in the back & Pope hit it but suffice to say it wasn’t one of his better efforts and flew well over the bar.

Tucker now made a double switch with Healy & Boylan replacing Stephen Wilson & Samson.

With five minutes remaining Pope went from distance only to see his shot loop over the bar off the head of Yule. Glasgow took the corner & aimed for Hyslop beyond the back post but there was too much on it & although he got a touch it skidded off the top of his head & behind for the goal kick.

Just when it looked as though we were heading for a replay Talbot grabbed a late winner. Graham Wilson latched onto a ball down the right channel, holding off his man, before laying it wide to Boylan. He carried it forward before floating over a cross that DWAYNE HYSLOP bulleted beyond the keeper, sparking wild celebrations amongst the crowd.

Cove now piled bodies forward and Talbot had one last anxious moment deep in injury time. Milne raced down the left before back-heeling it into the path of Higgins who swung over a dangerous cross that Leishman touched away. It came to Glasgow who headed it out toward Aird who controlled it with his arm to take the pressure off.

The referee kept the Bot fans waiting, finding 4 minutes of injury time from somewhere but when the whistle finally sounded the celebrations began in earnest.

A hard fought win for the Bot who now return to their defence of the Scottish Junior cup next Saturday when they face Forfar West End at Beechwood.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Hyslop, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Samson, Shankland

Subs – Glasgow, Boylan, Healy, Young, McDowall, White, Hewitt

Cove Rangers – McKenzie, Milne, Scully, Ross, Yule, Megginson, Scott, Higgins, Aird, Smith, Fyvie

Subs – Masson, Redford, Redman, Brown, Robertson, Demus

Kelty Hearts v Auchinleck Talbot

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

No strangers to the tv, Talbot once more rose to the occasion, imperiously sweeping aside the much fancied Kelty Hearts to book their place in the 2nd round of the senior cup.

The last time Talbot travelled through to the kingdom of Fife to face Kelty the tie had to be re-located to Ballingry as Kelty’s park was permanently unplayable but that wasn’t an issue this time round as the big spending Lowland league outfit have redeveloped their ground to a top of the range artificial surface with matching surroundings.

The Bot nearly made the perfect start within a minute of kick off. Shankland picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and let fly with an effort that swerved just wide of the anxious Mackenzie’s right post.

Kelty now settled into a pattern of play they rarely deviated from; content to keep easy possession deep in their own half before pinging long balls at a resolute Talbot defence.

Talbot’s first effort on target came in the. 11th minute. Pope fired a cross over that Samson headed back across goal & Graham Wilson out-jumped his marker but his header went straight at Mackenzie.

Kelty were having plenty of the ball but doing little with it & the next opening came Talbot’s way in the 11th minute. Shankland slipped a pass through toward Samson on the left of the area but the keeper was quickly off his line to make the challenge.

The opening goal came after 20 minutes and it had echoes of Talbot’s winning goal against Ayr United. Graham Wilson was up-ended by Russell out on the left touchline & Shankland whipped over a tremendous delivery to the far post where CRAIG MCCRACKEN raced onto it to bullet a header home.

Kelty had a half chance to pull back level a few minutes later. Husband fired in a decent ball from the right that broke off a defender toward Dodd but his low drive from 15 yards was blocked by McCracken then cleared by Lyle.

Kelty were making less headway than a feather heading into a headwind and Talbot threatened again in the 38th minute. Shankland pounced on a loose pass down the left & switched it inside to Graham Wilson who laid it back out to him on the wing. He drilled it low into the near post where Carstairs knocked it away for a shy.

Talbot kept the attack going and Pope whipped over a cross that Hyslop sent crashing off the right post with the keeper stranded.

The Bot were ending the half on the front foot and opened the Kelty defence again in the 40th minute. Shankland slid a pass through to Samson racing through on the left of the area and he drilled it low into the side-netting.

With half-time looming Talbot doubled their lead. Stephen Wilson lifted it up the left for his brother Graham to chase and he put Ashe under severe pressure. The Kelty defender fluffed his header back & Wilson latched onto it & tried to lob the advancing keeper. Mackenzie got a hand to it but the ball sailed through to KEIR SAMSON who hammered it home from close range at the far post to send Talbot in with a deserved two goal cushion at the interval.

Kelty had offered precious little so it was no real shock to see them make a change at the interval with Husband making way for Philp.
Talbot have a good habit of starting the 2nd half from the off & Tucker’s half-time team talk did its work again as the Bot got off to a flyer.

Within two minutes of the re-start Graham Wilson picked the ball up on the right & surged forward before floating a cross toward the back stick that had Mackenzie scrambling to turn it behind for a corner. Cennerazzo managed to head Shankland’s corner clear at the near post but only out to Stephen Wilson who plunked the ball back out to Shankland who promptly forced a 2nd corner. This time Shankland whipped it into the centre where Mackenzie only just beat McCracken to it under the bar to punch clear.

Talbot’s next attack saw Kelty’s captain in the book as Carstairs was forced to haul Stephen Wilson down he threatened to race clear. Pope took the free kick and in a trademark Talbot move he angled the ball toward Hyslop who easily out-climbed Cennerazzo to head it across goal where MARK SHANKLAND guided a header back across goal and into the top corner. Shanks leaped the fence to celebrate with the fans and picked up a booking for his troubles but with the game done & dusted no Bot fan minded.

Kelty were incapable of coping with Talbot at set pieces and the Bot nearly added a fourth in the 53rd minute. Stephen Wilson’s shot was deflected behind for a corner on the left and when Shankland fired it over McCracken was inches from connecting at the back post.

The home side had been muted but they did have an opportunity to snatch a goal back on the hour mark. Dodd lifted a cross over that Austin headed on toward Philp at the back post but he mis-controlled it and the ball ran through tamely to Leishman.

In the 63rd minute Kelty made their second change with Ritchie on in place of Dodd.

The Fifers picked up their 2nd caution of the evening with 65 mins gone when Russell slid in late on Hyslop; resulting in a Bot free kick out on the right. Shankland again produced a top class delivery & McCracken looked a cert to grab his 2nd from close range but Mackenzie saved his header on the goal line.

Kelty had a half chance to grab a consolation in the 72nd minute. They put together a good move down the right that ended with Austin firing a shot on target that Leishman blocked at his near post.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot nearly added a fourth. Pope combined well with Samson down the left before Samson cut in off the left flank & curled a shot just past the far corner with the keeper scrambling.

All Kelty were playing for now was their tattered pride & Philp had a half chance to pull one back in the 83rd minute. Reilly made a good run forward before releasing it to Ritchie who blazed over from 20 yards.

Leishman had been as much of a spectator as the Bot fans partying behind the goal but demonstrated that he’d kept his concentration when he pulled off a top class save to deny Kelty a late consolation with 5 minutes remaining. Cennerazzo waltzed in off the right wing & curled a shot toward the far corner which Leishman flew through the air to turn wide of the post.

As the clock ran down Talbot made a flurry of late changes with Graham Wilson and Shankland making way for Glasgow and White and then Healy replacing Samson.

The noisy travelling support raised the volume levels up a notch at the final whistle as the Bot fans celebrated a superb team performance and a comfortable win. Next up for Talbot it is a return to cup action as they begin their defence of the Scottish Junior cup at Beechwood against Bellshill Athletic.

Kelty Hearts – Mackenzie, Cennerazzo, Linton, Carstairs, Ashe, Reilly, Husband, McKirdy, Austin, Russsell, Dodd

Subs – Scobbie, Philp, Campbell, Bragg, Ritchie, McBride, Jardine

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Hyslop, Stephen Wilson, Samson, Graham Wilson, Shankland

Subs – Glasgow, Boylan, Healy, McDowall, Young, White, Hewitt

Camelon Juniors v Auchinleck Talbot

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot booked their place in the draw for the 1st round of the William Hill Scottish cup with a battling away win over Camelon.

The home side started the game with a stiff breeze at their backs but had a big let off only two minutes in. Lyle plunked a cross into the area that clearly hit Lockie’s arm but the officials managed to miss it & dismissed Talbot’s penalty appeal.

There wasn’t much goal mouth action and it took until the 17th minute before the first close call. Stephen Wilson whipped over a cross from the right & Samson sent an overhead kick just wide of Shaw’s right post.

A minute later Talbot had another effort at goal. White was up-ended as he burst forward & Shankland took the free kick, curling it over the defensive wall but it didn’t dip in time & flew over the bar.

Talbot deservedly took the lead in the 20th minute. Leishman lifted it up the centre where Graham Wilson flicked it on into the path of Samson. He raced through only to see Shaw block his effort. The rebound came out to White who laid it off to his left to find MARK SHANKLAND & he drilled a low shot past Shaw.

Camelon were finding it difficult to harness the breeze & were guilty of overhitting long balls which tended to either end in goal kicks or go straight through to Leishman.

The home fans were given encouragement in the 27th minute when Docherty went on a strong run down the right which saw his final ball cut out at the near post at the expense of a corner.

In the 31st minute the Wilson brothers combined to create Talbot’s next goal threat. Stephen played it up the right to Graham who looked set to break into the box one on one with the keeper but Skinner recovered well to dive in & slide it behind for the corner.

The referee had work to do in the 34th minute. The ball ran out of play down the right for a shy but then Skinner took a swipe at Stephen Wilson off the sidelines. Again, the referee & his assistant managed to turn a blind eye to it.

Two minutes later Pope had his name taken for a late challenge on Kane.

Five minutes before the interval Leishman found Stephen Wilson out on the right & he headed it on toward Samson. He paced away down the wing & slung a dangerous low ball across the area that the defence did well to clear.

Talbot’s next attack saw Shaw have a shaky moment. Pope lifted a cross into the centre which the keeper missed. Stephen Wilson went for it at the back post but took a knock as he challenged for it & Lockie was able to scramble it away.

The Bot finished the half strongly and a minute before the break gave Shaw work to do. Graham Wilson laid the ball out left to Shankland who fired a low ball over that Shaw did well to cut out at his near post.

As the half moved into added time Talbot had a late chance to double their lead. A ball over the defence found Shankland & he touched it into the path of Samson on the left of the penalty area who drilled a low shot on target that Shaw blocked and so the half ended with Talbot one ahead.
Talbot made a strong start to the 2nd half and put the Camelon keeper under pressure in the 50th minute. Samson switched it out to the right to Stephen Wilson and when he crossed it in Shaw spilled the ball under the challenge of White but the ref gave the keeper the benefit of the doubt & awarded a free kick.

The Bot came within a whisker of moving two in front in the 58th minute. Herron conceded a free kick out on the left touchline for a foul on Graham Wilson which Pope angled into the area. Young climbed to meet it & sent a header crashing against the bar with the keeper beaten.

Camelon made a double switch in the 59th minute with David Morrison & McMullan making way for Sneddon & Deans.

McCroary received Camelon’s 2nd yellow card of the afternoon in the 69th minute when he barged Shankland over on the touchline.

The home side were enjoying a lot of the ball in the middle third without looking remotely threatening at the business end as Talbot sat in on their lead.

In the 74th minute slack play by Stephen Wilson gifted possession to McKenzie out on the right & he whipped over a good cross that glanced off the top of Docherty’s head on its way behind.

Both sides now made a change; Hyslop replacing White in the centre for Talbot & Cameron coming off or Herron for the home side.

As time went on the game was becoming stretched with Camelon having to throw more men forward & this created openings for Talbot on the break. In the 77th minute Hyslop rose to head the ball on into the feet of Shankland who in turn spread it wide to find Samson in space. He tried to curl one for the far corner but got too much on it & it sailed wide of the left post.

A minute later McPherson played an early ball down the right that found Samson racing onto the end of it & he opted to hit it first time; driving a low shot in that Shaw smothered.

With 11 minutes remaining Tucker made a double substitution with Shankland & Graham Wilson being replaced by Healy & Glasgow.

Talbot came close to putting the tie beyond Camelon in their next attack. Hyslop sent it to Armstrong out on the left & when he squared the ball back inside to Hyslop he curled a shot just over the bar from 18 yards.

Camelon pushed forward in the closing stages, without any end product, and with 3 mins remaining Talbot sealed victory with their 2nd goal. Pope whipped over a good cross from the touchline that KEIR SAMSON met to power a header past Shaw.

In the final minute Kane briefly looked like threatening the Bot goal when he jinked inside the box but he hesitated too long before shooting & was crowded out. The ball came out to McCroary on the right & he fired in a cross that McPherson put behind for a corner.

Deep in injury time Talbot almost grabbed a third. Samson raced clear on the right & lifted over a cross that Glasgow met on the 6-yard line but Shaw made an impressive reflex save to keep out his header.

A good away win for Talbot who now return to league duty next Saturday when they travel to Barrfields to face Largs Thistle.

Camelon Juniors – Shaw, McCroary, Lockie, Don Morrison, Skinner, David Morrison, Kane, Herron, Docherty, McMullan, McKenzie

Subs – Sneddon, Cameron, Daramola, Deans, Swanson, Sneddon, Kinnear

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Young, White, Armstrong, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Samson, Shankland

Subs – Glasgow, McKinlay, Healy, Hyslop, Pearson, Aiden Wilson, Hewitt

‘Gee’ goes chasing after the ball up the wing.

Gordon jumps the highest and heads the ball away from danger.

‘Whitey’ keeps an eye on the ball, as ‘Gee’ wins the ball back for Talbot.

After going on a powerful run up the park, ‘Whitey’ gets tripped and wins Talbot a free-kick.

Keir Samson has a dig from inside the box but his shot gets saved by the ‘keeper.

The deadlock gets broken, as ‘Shankers’ smashes the ball into the back of the net. 0-1.

Mark wheels away to celebrate his opening goal for Talbot.

I think we know where the ball is going to be played.

The Camelon ‘keeper roars out the instructions to his team-mates.

Mark takes a sore one to the foot in this challenge, as he tries to keep hold of the ball.

Samson does his best to fight his way through the opposition.

Stephen Wilson charges down the park after the ball.

Gareth Armstrong gets roared on by Dylan Young, as he races down the park.

Dylan Young rattles the ball off the crossbar with a powerful close range header.

I thought flares were something you wore in the seventies.

Other players watch, as Samson does his best to win the ball back.

The benches and the crowd look on, as Lyle looks to get another attack going.

Young fires the ball down the park after racing forward.

Samson gets beaten to the ball by the Camelon defender.

Talbot seal the game late on, as Keir Samson sends a powerful header into the back of the net. 0-2.

Keir and some of the black and gold faithful raise their celebratory hands aloft after his goal.

Glasgow finds himself with plenty of space and time inside the box but he fails to find the net with his strong header.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

Auchinleck Talbot v Dundonald Bluebell

Samson uses his pace to skip past the defender on the edge of the box.

Although surrounded, Keir Samson finds some space and smashes the ball into the back of the net to give Talbot an early lead. 1-0.

Keir gets congratulated by his team-mates after netting the opener.

Tempers flare, as ‘Popey’ gets involved in a wee scuffle.

A battle scarred ‘Whitey’ dishes out some serious daggers, as he helps to calm down the situation.

Stephen Wilson has time for a laugh during a break in the game.

Up steps ‘Gee’ who fires a powerful penalty into the back of the net. 2-0.

A roar of delight from the Wilson brothers, after Graham nets Talbot’s second.

The celebrations continue for ‘Gee’, as Jamie and Keir are all smiles.

Fingers crossed this pass is successful.

Samson tries his luck from a difficult angle and distance.

‘Gee’ comes agonisingly close to winning the ball back for Talbot.

Graham jumps out of the way of the strong tackle from the Dundonald player.

It’s three-sy for Talbot, as Jamie Glasgow beats the ‘keeper at his near post with a hard struck low strike. 3-0.

Talbot show they are a four-ce to be reckoned with, as Glasgow’s cross-come-shot sails over the ‘Bell ‘keeper and into the back of the net. 4-0.

Talbot come inches close to a fifth, as ‘Gee’s’ strike crashes off the crossbar and bounce the wrong way off the line.

‘Big Neilly’ stands his ground in order to make sure there is no way through for Dundonald.

Graham’s strike gets saved by the ‘keeper’s rear-end, however…

…Samson manages to get to the rebound first and rolls the ball into an empty net for Talbot’s fifth. 5-0.

A picture of despair and joy, as the ‘Bell players look dejected while Keir wheels away to celebrate.

Keir continues to celebrate his second goal with ‘Shankers’.

‘Whitey’ tries to muscle his way into the Dundonald box.

Stephen Wilson heads the ball back into the danger area.

‘Popey’ tries to pick out Keir with a low cross into the box but it gets blocked by the defender.

Talbot have a go from inside the box but the defender gets his foot to the ball.

Dundonald manage to get a consolation goal, as the ball gets coolly lobbed into the back of the net. 5-1.

‘Shankers’ rounds off the game’s scoring with a sublime lob from inside the box. 6-1.

A thank you hug for the linesman from ‘Shankers’, as the lino confirms that Mark’s goal stands.

Talbot go on the attack once more via a lob from the middle of the park.

Bodies on the line from Talbot, as the wall stands firm to block this Bluebell free-kick.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

A clinical 1st half display saw Talbot ease past Dundonald in this cup replay to book an away trip to Camelon in the next round.

Talbot couldn’t have asked for a better start as they grabbed an early opener after only 5 minutes. The visiting defence didn’t cover themselves in glory, dawdling on the ball & failing to clear their lines, until the ball ricocheted into the path of KEIR SAMSON who turned Mackie inside out before rifling a shot past Lennox at his left post.

A minute later Samson had a half chance when he latched onto Nimmo’s headed clearance but drilled it wide from outside the area.

Talbot had a chance to test the Bluebells defence in the 9th minute when they won a free kick 35 yards out after Glasgow was caught. Pope took it & fired into the wall but the ball came back to him & he immediately switched it to Glasgow on the left touchline. He crossed it into the near post where Graham Wilson flicked a header on that Drummond turned behind for a corner.

Only a goal line clearance prevented Talbot from doubling their lead when Armstrong met Glasgow’s corner from the right. His header was heading in under the bar but Durie did well to stretch to head it over the bar.

Dundonald’s 1st effort at goal came in the 17th minute. Drummond played in a good cross from the left that Calum Smith glanced for goal. Leishman made a comfortable stop but picked up a knock in the process after Matt Gay followed through with a late challenge that angered the Bot defence.

Two minutes later Talbot won a penalty in their next foray into the Bluebell box. Glasgow crossed it into the area where Graham Wilson was barged over by a clumsy challenge from Mackie. GRAHAM WILSON took the spot kick & hammered it home as emphatically as he had the week before, giving Lennox no chance.

Dundonald’s cause was dealt a further blow after 26 minutes. Graham Wilson won a header on which Mackie failed to cut out. It came to Samson wide left & he raced for the bye line where Mackie raced back to block his cross behind for a corner; injuring himself in the process and he had to be helped from the field with Hendry coming on in his place.

The visitors missed a glaring chance to pull a goal back in the 34th minute. Drummond cut in off the left & played a low ball across the area. The Bot defence failed to cut it out & it landed at the feet of Calum Smith, 6 yards out, but he trundled a weak shot straight at Leishman.

A minute later and Dundonald did manage to test Leishman. The ball came to Matt Gay on the right of the penalty area & he hit it 1st time on the volley forcing a good stop from Leishman who pushed it over the bar. Talbot then showed their prowess on the break as they cleared the resultant corner out to Glasgow whose early pass sent Samson racing free on the right. He hared into the box before firing across goal and just wide of the right post.

It was all over bar the shouting in the 39th minute when Talbot made it 3-0. Glasgow set the move rolling when he carried it forward before switching it out to Samson on the left wing. He made tracks before cutting it back into the path of JAMIE GLASGOW who’d continued his run & passed it beyond Lennox from 12 yards.

The dust had barely settled before Talbot added a fourth. There was a hint of fortune about it as JAMIE GLASGOW whipped a cross over from the left that eluded Lennox & flew inside his left post but they all count & Talbot were now on easy street.

The visiting defence had more holes than a colander & 43 mins in Samson looked set to add to Talbot’s lead when a ball through the centre found him racing through on the keeper but he steered his shot past the advancing keeper but wide of the left post.

In the closing minute of the half Talbot threatened to score again. Glasgow skinned Hendry down the left & whipped a great low ball across goal that Samson just failed to connect with at the near post.

Down the other end the half ended with Calum Smith trying his luck from a tight angle as he fired a shot across goal and wide of the right post; with Talbot trooping off 4 goals to the good.

The visitors made a change during the break with Rogerson staying in the clubhouse and Jeffries on in his stead.

The game might as well have been over but Dundonald didn’t let their heads go down and made a bright start to the 2nd period. The first action of the half saw Ness angle in off the right before firing a shot on target that Leishman had to help over the bar.

Talbot then came within a whisker of moving further ahead in the 49th minute. Samson forced a corner down the left which Glasgow fired low into the near post where Lennox blocked it. The ball came out to Graham Wilson who lashed a volley off the underside of the bar & down onto the goal line before it was cleared.

It was 5-0 to the Bot in the 56th minute. Pope played it up to the left to find Graham Wilson bursting into the penalty box. His low drive was partially blocked by Lennox but the ball went loose & KEIR SAMSON reacted fastest to beat Lennox to it & stab the ball into the empty net.

Tucker now made a double switch with Graham Wilson & Armstrong making way for Shankland & Healy.

Dundonald stuck at it & might have nabbed a consolation effort in the 61st minute. Drummond flighted over a dangerous cross which Calum Smith glanced over Leishman but it didn’t head on target and Talbot were able to clear.

Talbot’s next attack saw the Bot win a free kick 35 yards out after Wallace blatantly obstructed Glasgow to end his promising run. Shankland lifted it up & over the wall & Lennox dived to his right to parry it away.

Tucker completed his substitutions in the 70th minute when McDowall came on for Glasgow.

There had barely been a bad tackle all afternoon but the ref did have to reach into his pocket in the 76th minute when Chris Gay dived into a late tackle on Pope resulting in a yellow card for the Dundonald midfielder.

A minute later Talbot put together a neat move. Pope pinged it into the feet of McDowall who flicked it on to Shankland. He released a pass down the left of the area where Pope had continued his run & Wallace did well to throw himself at it to turn Pope’s cross behind for the corner.
Dundonald pulled a goal back in the 81st minute. Young misjudged it in the air & it came to MATT GAY who coolly lobbed it over Leishman to make it 5-1.

Not to be outdone Talbot immediately raced up the other end and grabbed their sixth. Stephen Wilson carried it forward before playing it into MARK SHANKLAND on the right of the area. He chipped it over the static Lennox and it sailed in under the bar to make the final score 6-1 to the Bot.

A good win for Talbot who are back in cup action at Beechwood next Saturday when they face Whitletts Vics in the quarter-final of the Sectional Cup.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Young, White, Armstrong, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Samson, Glasgow

Subs – Shankland, McKinlay, Healy, McDowall, Pearson, Aiden Wilson, Hewitt (gk)

Dundonald Bluebell – Lennox, Durie, Drummond, Mackie, Nimmo, Chris Gay, Rogerson, Wallace, Calum Smith, Matt Gay, Ness

Subs – Wilson, Jeffries, Hendry, John Smith, Crowe (gk)

Dundonald Bluebell v Auchinleck Talbot

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot survived a scare in this hard fought William Hill Scottish cup tie as they battled to a 2-2 draw away to Dundonald Bluebell.

The Bot got an early indication this wasn’t going to be an easy afternoon when McKenzie burst forward toward the Talbot penalty area. As he was challenged the ball broke left to Wilson whose low drive was smothered by Leishman.

Talbot’s first attack came after 5 minutes. Armstrong spread the ball out right to find Graham Wilson who fired it low across the area. The defence could only clear it as far as Armstrong, 15 yards out, but he took too many touches & was closed down before getting a shot away.

In the 10th minute Pope played it up the line to find Samson running in behind Mackie. He lifted a cross over to the far post where Stephen Wilson headed it back across goal & Lennox gathered under pressure from Graham Wilson.

A minute later Pope again played it down the left for Samson. He shrugged off Mackie’s challenge and fired in a shot from a tight angle that Lennox parried away.

Leishman was called upon in the 17th minute. A long ball down the right skipped off Young’s head and fell to Calum Smith. Leishman quickly raced to the edge of his area to make the block. The rebound came to Smith on the right touchline and he fired it low across goal where Young cut it out.

The home side had an opportunity to test Leishman again in the 21st minute. Chris Gay was nudged over as he broke forward resulting in a free kick 25 yards out. Drummond fired it round the wall but Leishman dived to his right to push it away.

Within a minute Talbot moved ahead. Armstrong slipped a well-weighted pass down the left for KEIR SAMSON & he out-paced Mackie before prodding the ball past Lennox to make it 1-0.

Talbot had a chance to extend their lead in the 25th minute. Nimmo caught Samson 22 yards out and the ref awarded Talbot a free kick. Shankland took it but his shot hit the top of the defensive wall & spun out for a shy. Stephen Wilson took it quickly, releasing Armstrong on the right of the area where he fired a shot that Lennox gathered at his near post.

The Bot’s next attack saw Pope on the overlap & his low cross caused Lennox difficulties with the keeper fumbling the ball but able to gather at the 2nd attempt.

Dundonald threatened an equaliser in the 32nd minute. The ball was played into Chris Gay at the edge of the area & he carried it forward before firing just past the right post.

Samson was getting joy down the left & was involved in a penalty shout in Talbot’s next attack. He gathered on the left before driving inside into the box where he was blocked by Mackie but the referee judged the collision accidental & waved play on.

Armstrong set the ball rolling on Talbot’s next attack as he surged forward through midfield before releasing it to Samson down the right. He made for the bye line before cutting a dangerous ball back across the face of goal but there were no takers in the centre. The ball came out to Shankland on the opposite wing & he whipped a good cross over that Nimmo headed clear.

Five minutes before the interval Talbot came close to grabbing their 2nd. The Bot won a free kick out on the left which Shankland curled over. Lennox touched it away but it came out to Samson 16 yards out, who with his back to goal fired an overhead kick on target that Lennox touched over the bar.

Talbot were ending the half strongly and threatened the Dundonald goal again in the 43rd minute. Pope drove into the box and fired a right foot shot at goal that deflected off Graham Wilson & just wide of Lennox’s right hand post.

The Bot kept pressing and had the home side pegged back but couldn’t add to their tally and went in 1-0 ahead at the break.

Dundonald made two changes during the half-time interval with Rogerson & Wilson staying in the clubhouse to be replaced by Matt Gay and Jeffries.

The changes seemed to rejuvenate the home side who made a strong start to the 2nd half without particularly threatening in the final third.

The first effort at goal after the break came in the 55th minute for Dundonald. Leishman punched a corner clear that came out to Mackie just inside the area & he directed a scissor kick wide of the right post.

On the hour mark Matt Gay cut in off the right past Armstrong & lifted a cross just beyond the back post which Calum Smith met but was unable to head back on target. Talbot now launched a swift counter down the right where Graham Wilson combined with Samson to release Samson on the right of the area where he fired into the side-netting.

Talbot had a chance in the 64th minute when Shankland lifted a cross over to find Samson 6 yards out but it was just too high and he couldn’t get over it and sent his header flying over the bar.

A minute later Talbot spurned a golden chance to double their lead. White challenged for the ball in midfield and the ball cannoned through to Graham Wilson on the right. He was clean through and strolled on into the penalty area before squaring it across to Samson. He looked a cert but the ball got caught between his feet & Lennox was quickly off his line to save at his feet.

Slack play in the Dundonald rearguard gifted Talbot their next opening. A loose pass came out to Shankland just outside the area and he went for goal only to see Durie deflect his shot behind. Shankland took the corner and his delivery cut the keeper out and flew to the back post but no one could get the touch needed.

With 20 minutes remaining Dundonald made their final change with Walton replacing McKenzie and a minute later Talbot made a double switch with Glasgow & Healy on for Shankland & Samson.

It was all square in the 73rd minute. Talbot’s midfield were posted missing allowing Chris Gay the time to slide a pass through the defence for JOHN SMITH who placed it low past Leishman.

Things went from bad to worse for the Bot and they found themselves a goal behind two minutes later with an early contender for goal of the tournament. Nimmo lifted a high ball down the right that Calum Smith knocked down into the path of JOSH JEFFRIES who cut in off the right & looped an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner.

The drama continued as Talbot raced to the other end from the re-start and won a penalty. Stephen Wilson sped down the left and cut in inside to Glasgow whose shot was blocked by Durie’s arm. The ref pointed to the spot and Pope took it, firing a tame effort on target that Lennox parried away to his right. Pope followed up and got to the loose ball and the keeper turned from hero to zero as he dived to retrieve it and up-ended Pope resulting in a 2nd penalty. This time GRAHAM WILSON took over spot kick duties and gave the keeper no chance as he buried it high inside the left post to make it 2-2.

Unusually for a competitive cup tie there hadn’t been any bookings but Calum Smith had his name taken in the 79th minute for a late challenge on Lyle.

Dundonald had a chance for a late winner three minutes from time. A corner from the left was pulled back to the on rushing Chris Gay but he fired over from 15 yards.

As the game moved into injury time it was Talbot who who nearly snatched the win. A promising Talbot counter was ended when Glasgow was hauled down by Durie resulting in a yellow card for the full-back. The free kick was flighted up field where it broke to Glasgow on the right of the area and his low drive was saved by Lennox.

In virtually the final action of the match Talbot were inches from the win. A ball over from the right came across to Stephen Wilson and his shot was deflected just past the post by Durie.

The fans certainly got their money’s worth and both sides have it all to do again next Saturday at Beechwood.

Dundonald Bluebell – Lennox, Durie, Drummond, Mackie, Nimmo, Chris Gay, Rogerson, McKenzie, Calum Smith, Wilson, Wallace

Subs – Matt Gay, Jeffries, John Smith, Walton, Hendry, Crowe (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Young, A Wilson, White, Stephen Wilson, Armstrong, Graham Wilson, Samson, Shankland

Subs – Glasgow, Healy, Pearson, McDowall, McKinlay, Hewitt