SCOTTISH CUP – Page 7 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

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

‘Shankers’ races up the wing, as ‘Popey’ looks on.

‘Whitey’ wins the header inside the opposition’s box.

Steven White does his terrier like work in the middle of the park in order to win the ball back.

Samson tries his luck from a very difficult angle but his shot gets blocked by the ‘keeper.

Gordon makes sure there is no way through for Dundonald.

The Talbot wall stands firm, as Dundonald fire in the free-kick but…

…’Big Andy’ pulls off a great save to stop the shot from hitting the back of the net.

The deadlock gets broken, as Samson races into the box and pokes the ball under the ‘keeper and into the back of the net. 0-1.

Keir Samson wheels away with clenched fists after opening the scoring for the boys in Black ‘n’ Gold.

‘Gee’ gets beaten to the ball in the middle of the park.

Samson does his best to try and dribble his way through the Dundonald defence.

With the ball certain to hit the back of the net, the Bell ‘keeper does exceptionally well to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Gareth Armstrong charges down the park in a blistering run.

Dundonald find the equaliser, as they race away to celebrate pulling level. 1-1.

And within a blink of an eye the tie is completely turned on it’s head, as Dundonald take the lead via a wonder strike. 2-1.

The Bluebell players bring out their inner Cheshire Cat, as they are all smiles after taking the lead.

After missing his initial penalty, Gordon goes chasing after the rebound but gets brought down by the ‘keeper and gets awarded a second penalty.

Up steps Graham Wilson to take the 2nd penalty and he duly buries the ball into the back of the net. 2-2.

The Wilson brothers are all smiles, as ‘Gee’ races away to celebrate his equalising goal.

Jamie looks on, as Armstrong gets stopped in his tracks by a great tackle from the Dundonald defender.

Hamish McKinley gets surrounded by blue shirts, as he fights his way down the park.

Talbot go chasing for a late winner, as Jamie has a go at goal from inside the box.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

Dundonald Bluebell

Aiden Wilson

SPONSORED BY: Robil Driving School.

POSITION: Defender

JOINED TALBOT: July 2019

D.O.B: 05/01/1999

TALBOT DEBUT: Glenafton Athletic (Home) 27th July 2019, West Region League Cup 4-0

FIRST COMPETITIVE GOAL: Cumbernauld United (Home). 28th August 2021, WOSL Premier Division 3-0

FORMER CLUBS: Kilmarnock U17’s, Kilmarnock U20’s, Edusport Academy (Loan), Caledonian Braves, Auchinleck Talbot, Linlithgow Rose (Loan)

Kieran Healy

SPONSORED BY: Colin Mitchell

POSITION: Defender/Midfield

JOINED TALBOT: July 2019

D.O.B: 24/11/1994

TALBOT DEBUT: Glenafton Athletic (Home) 27th July 2019, WJFA League Cup 4-0

FIRST COMPETITIVE GOAL: Troon (Home), 21st August 2019, WJFA Premier League 8-1

FORMER CLUBS: Renfrew Boys Club, Renfrew.

Bryan Boylan

SPONSORED BY: Jason Stillie

POSITION: Striker

JOINED TALBOT: July 2019

D.O.B: 05/01/1990

TALBOT DEBUT: Bellshill Athletic (Home), 28th September 2019, Scottish Junior Cup 2nd Round 7-0

FIRST COMPETITIVE GOAL:Bellshill Athletic (Home), 28th September 2019, Scottish Junior Cup 2nd Round 7-0

FORMER CLUBS: KSC Wolves, Kilwinning Rangers.

Benburb FC

Hearts Of Midlothian v Auchinleck Talbot

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Auchinleck Talbot v Ayr United

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Stephen Wilson, Armstrong, White. Hyslop, Graham Wilson, Glasgow: Subs – Samson, Shankland, McIlroy , Hewitt, Waite, Kemp Ayr – Doohan, Higgens, Rose, Harvie, Geggan, Docherty, Murdoch, Crawford, McDaid, Moore, Moffat. Subs. Smith, McGuffie, Bell. Ferguson, Hilton, McCowan, Hare-Reid. The razzamatazz of televised Scottish Cup football hit Beechwood Park with a bang as Talbot entertained high flying Ayr United in a David and Goliath encounter of epic proportions. This was to be the ultimate Auchinleck fairytale for the Talbot faithful but in reality the Bot deserved the win, which set them up with another trip to Tynecastle to face Hearts.

The match started with what was expected with Ayr dominating possession, but Talbot had started with a five man midfield which seemed to nullify any Ayr attacks. As the game wore on the Bot started to come into the match and were unlucky when Graham Wilson’s turn and strike was rightly called offside much to the dismay of the 1,700 Talbot supporters crammed into a capacity Beechwood Park. The first half seemed to drift away as both clubs made some decent scoring chance the best falling to Moffat who flashed a shot wide of Leishman’s post. Ayr were hit with a blow on 36 minutes when Andy Geggan was taken off injured and replaced by Liam Smith. The second half had a wee bit more bite in it and this was proved by yellow cards to Gareth Armstrong and Andy Murdoch. Talbot made three substitutions in six minutes replacing Graham Wilson, Steven Wilson and Jamie Glasgow with Sean Mcilroy, Mark Shankland and Kier Samson. This was a brave move by the coaching staff introducing three strikers but it paid dividends when Samson was upended outside the box which gave Mark Shankland to pinpoint the unmarked Craig McCracken who headed the ball past Doohan. The remaining game seemed to take an eternity for the Talbot and their fans but when the final whistle went the team that day had recorded the biggest victory in their entire history.