SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Darvel v Auchinleck Talbot

Auchinleck Talbot v Darvel

Auchinleck Talbot v Hurlford United

Vale of Leven v Auchinleck Talbot

Vale of Leven v Auchinleck Talbot

Vale of Leven

Bridge of Don Thistle v Auchinleck Talbot

Kyle McAvoy

Cumnock Juniors v Auchinleck Talbot


April 27, 2024 14:00 N/A Arthurlie v Auchinleck Talbot


May 11, 2024 14:00 N/A Benburb v Auchinleck Talbot

Player	Appearances	Goals	Assists	YC	RC
Neill McPherson	38	1	0	3	0
Connor Boyd	38	17	6	4	0
Neil Slooves	37	4	0	3	1
Ross Smith	36	14	5	6	0

Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.

BRAVE TALBOT FALL JUST SHORT.

Talbot gave it their all and came within a whisker of turning this semi-final around but ultimately fell just short, the damage having been done the week before.

There wasn’t much in the opening exchanges though Murphy did well out on Darvel’s left to float over a dangerous cross early doors but there was no one at the back post to take advantage.

The first shot at goal came in the 8th minute when Boyle fired wide of the left post from distance. J Moore had his name taken in the 19th minute for a needless challenge deep in the Talbot half.

The first goal was going to be crucial and it came Talbot’s way 21 mins in. AIDEN WILSON picked up the ball just inside the Darvel half and moved forward into space before blasting an unstoppable shot into the top corner to the delight of the travelling support.

Two minutes later Talbot forced a corner down the right and when Wardrope’s ball came across McAvoy got on the end of it but could only glance his header wide under pressure.

Talbot were having the best of it and on the half hour mark won a corner down the left. It was taken short and worked to Boyle at the edge of the box whose shot was blocked and went over the bar for a corner.

Darvel weren’t offering much threat, other than Murphy, and in the 36th minute their wide man managed to cut inside past McPherson into the area but Slooves was covering to make the clearance.

Two minutes later Abed went on a surging run forward and appeared to be bundled over by Sideserf but the ref waved play on. Darvel then broke upfield where Moore won a corner. The corner was overhit and went out to the left touchline where Wardrope was fractionally late on Sideserf – resulting in a booking for the Talbot man and Darvel free kick. When the free kick came in Wilson headed it clear at the near post before Talbot cleared their lines.

In the final minute of the half Darvel had a half chance. Gillies clearance went straight to Barbour 30 yards out and he moved forward before having a go but sliced his shot well wide of target.

Darvel pressed hard as the half moved into added time but Talbot withstood the pressure to go in a goal ahead at the break.

The hosts had to make an enforced change at the start of the 2nd half with Leishman unable to continue and A Wilson on in his place.

Talbot had the ball in the back of the net three minutes after the re-start but it was chalked off for offside. Schoneville’s cross was met by Glasgow beyond the far post and when he headed it down Abed turned it home inside the 6-yard box but the assistant’s flag cut short the celebrations.

Two minutes later Gillies swept a good cross into the back post which Sideserf managed to clear.

In the 53rd minute Schoneville played it into the feet of Glasgow down the left and he won the corner. The corner was taken short then crossed into the near post where Darvel eventually managed to clear after the ball failed to break Talbot’s way. Action now swept to the other end where a long ball down the left released J Moore who showed good pace to get into the area but fired his shot comfortably wide of the near post.

The Bot’s next attack saw Glasgow get to the bye line down the left and whip a tremendous ball across the face of goal which was just out of the reach of McAvoy.

In the 56th minute a ball chipped in off the right saw Glasgow get goal side of Syme. He went down under Syme’s challenge and Talbot appealed for a penalty but the ref wasn’t interested.

The home side now made a change with Cairns on for Walker.

Darvel didn’t have many chances on the night but came close in the 59th minute. Syme’s angled ball found Wilson out on the right and when he floated a ball across goal it was headed behind for the corner. When the corner came over Syme met it and his header came off the left hand post with Glavin reacting quickly to smother it.

With 67 mins gone Talbot made a double change with Langan & Boyd on for Abed & Wardrope

In the 73rd minute Schoneville drilled a low ball into the area that broke out into the path of Langan and his shot was well saved by Wilson who pushed it wide of the right hand post. When the corner came over Wilson looked shaky and a Darvel defender had to clear it from the goal line.

Talbot made a further change with quarter of an hour remaining with Smith on for Glasgow.

Two minutes later good work by Schoneville down the left ended with the full-back firing it low into the near post but Boyd just couldn’t get on the end of it.

Down the far end Barbour cut in off the right and squared it for Hutton who fired a low drive from 20 yards that Glavin smothered.

Talbot’s next attack nearly breached the Darvel defence. Langan burst forward before releasing it wide right to find McAvoy. He rolled a good low ball into the near post which Syme did well to clear.

The Bot now made their final change with Armstrong coming on for Gillies.

As the game moved into added time Talbot kept pressing. Darvel won a free kick down by the left corner flag, and as most teams would they opted to try and run the clock down. However, Talbot managed to win it back and countered through Armstrong who sent it out wide to Schoneville. He knocked it inside to Smith who squared it for Langan to hit from the edge of the area but his shot was blocked and spun through to the keeper.

Deep into added time Talbot came oh so close to taking the game to penalties. Schoneville raced up the left and cut the ball back from the bye line. It came to Langan 8 yards out and he tried to side-foot it home only for Wilson to make a crucial stop before Syme cleared.

Finally time ran out on Talbot and Darvel held out to the final whistle. A very good performance from the Bot who were in command for the most part but just couldn’t force that 2nd goal.

Next up for Talbot it’s back to league action when they host Gartcairn at Beechwood on Wednesday night.

Darvel – Leishman, Barbour, Bronsky, Syme, Sideserf, Hutton, Walker, Caldwell, Murphy, G Wilson, J Moore

Subs – Brown, Cairns, O’Halloran, C Moore, Aitken, Baird, A Wilson (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, Aiden Wilson, Boyle, Abed, Wardrope, McAvoy, Glasgow, Gillies

Subs – Smith, Boyd, Armstrong, Langan, Urquhart, Lennox, Henry (gk)

Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.

TALBOT PAY THE PENALTY

Talbot’s hopes of reaching the Junior cup final were left hanging by a thread after a disappointing night at Beechwood.

The Bot got off to a sluggish start and could have been a goal down within a minute. A ball out right found Barbour in space and he cut into the area and fired a low shot across Glavin that the keeper parried out with Slooves on hand to clear for the corner.

Darvel had another good chance in the 4th minute. A cross was whipped in from the left where Moore was free in the centre but he misjudged the flight and the ball skimmed off his head and wide.

There was another close call in the 6th minute. A ball up the right sent Moore free and he had the time to look up and square it inside to Wilson 8 yards out. His shot was blocked by Glavin and came to Caldwell who ought to have burst the net but saw his shot cleared off the line by McPherson.

Having ridden their luck Talbot’s first break forward came in the 9th minute. Glasgow passed it into the feet of Boyd who in turn laid it off to Langan. He had a chance to shoot from just outside the area but opted to slide a pass wide to Gillies which a defender managed to put behind for a corner. The corner was taken short and played back to Boyle whose curling cross to the back post had too much on it.

Two minutes later Talbot won a free kick 25 yards out after Glasgow was tripped. He took it himself but sent his effort well over the bar.

In the 17th minute Talbot were caught out on the counter. Armstrong’s pass down the right was intercepted and Darvel broke down their left before switching it to the far side to find Moore. He raced into the area but pulled his shot well wide of target.

Two minutes later Hutton tried his luck from 20 yards and his effort skipped just wide of the left hand post.

Wilson became the first name in the ref’s notepad when he was cautioned in the 23rd minute for an aerial challenge.

A minute later McAvoy held the ball up down the left & threaded a pass through for the overlapping Gillies who fired into the side-netting.

The next chance went Darvel’s way when Moore got in behind down the right and drilled a shot across goal but well wide.

Talbot came close in the 28th minute. Glasgow played it into the feet of Boyd and his low drive from 19 yards flew just past Leishman’s left hand post.

Just when the game appeared to have settled down into a quiet spell Darvel took the lead in the 38th minute. Wilson laid it back to Caldwell who sent a pass through to MOORE who blasted it inside the right post to put Darvel ahead.

Talbot looked for an immediate response and had a half chance when the ball broke to Glasgow 15 yards out. He shifted it onto his right foot and went for goal but Leishman was well positioned to make the stop.

In the final minute of the half Armstrong conceded a free kick 25 yards out. Syme took it but his effort sailed over and the sides went in at the break with Darvel a goal to the good.

Talbot made a nervy start to the 2nd half and gifted Darvel a half chance two minutes after the restart. Wilson broke forward after Talbot lost possession and when he was challenged the ball broke loose to Barbour who hit a tame effort on target.

In the 49th minute Talbot won a corner down the left. Glasgow played his part, whipping over a dangerous in swinger but no Bot player read it and the ball flew across the 6-yard area and behind for the goal kick.

The Bot’s next attack saw Boyd whip a decent ball in off the right to find Langan at the near post but he was well marshalled and could only header wide of target.

In the 55th minute McPherson played it up the touchline to find McAvoy wide on the left. He cut inside and fired a good shot at goal that took a slight deflection as it went wide of the left post.

On the hour mark Langan did well down the left, winning it initially before playing a 1-2 and making it to the bye line but his cross into the centre was just too high for McAvoy.

Darvel made a change in the 63rd minute with Baird coming on for Walker.

A minute later Talbot found themselves up against it when they conceded a needless penalty. Murphy tussled with Schoneville and got the better of him just inside the penalty area. Slooves came across to cover but mistimed his challenge and the ref pointed to the spot. WILSON took it and gave Glavin no chance as he buried it high inside the right post to make it 2-0.

Darvel now made a further change with C Moore on for Wilson.

Talbot pushed forward looking for a way back into it and nearly reduced the deficit in the 75th minute. Gillies won a corner down the left and when it came over McPherson met it and headed it back across goal. It was heading in but hit off a defender and Leishman was able to smother it on the goal line.

Talbot now made a change with Abed on for Glasgow.

Boyle then had his name taken in the 77th minute for a foul on Murphy.

In the 79th minute McAvoy turned his man just inside the area and headed for the bye line before cutting it back where Barbour bundled it behind for a corner at the near post. When the corner came in Slooves got his head to it and headed it on to Gillies whose back header went straight at Leishman.

Talbot should have reduced Darvel’s lead in the 83rd minute. Leishman couldn’t prevent a heavy back pass from going behind resulting in a Talbot corner down the left. Langan curled a good ball into the near post where Armstrong ghosted in to meet it but glanced his header just wide.

Tucker now made a double change with Smith & Urquhart coming on for Boyd & Langan.

Darvel now made another change with Aitken replacing J Moore.

Five minutes from time Talbot won a free kick 30 yards out when Abed was fouled as he raced forward. Schoneville took it but sent his effort wide of the right post.

Deep into added time Darvel had a gilt edged chance to extend their lead. Armstrong’s risky square pass across the area was intercepted by Aitken but Glavin managed to block his shot from 15 yards and C Moore’s follow up was then blocked by a defender.

It wasn’t Talbot’s night and there can be no complaints about the result. Hope springs eternal though and will just have to give it everything next Friday to try to turn the tie around.

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, Armstrong, Langan, Boyle, McAvoy, Boyd, Glasgow, Gillies

Subs – Smith, Abed, Urquhart, Wardrope, Kennedy, Nimmo, Henry (gk)

Darvel – Leishman, Barbour, Bronsky, Syme, Sideserf, Walker, Murphy, Hutton, Caldwell, Moore, G Wilson

Subs – O’Halloran, Cairns, Aitken, C Moore, Baird, A Wilson (gk)

TALBOT INTO THE SEMI’S

impressive home form continued as they dispatched Hurlford 3-0 to book themselves a place in the semi-finals of the Scottish Junior cup.

The Bot made a nervy start to the game and the first half chance went Hurlford’s way in the 4^th minute. A long punt down the centre looked like it was running through to Glavin but in the absence of a shout Slooves took no chances and headed it clear. The ball came out to Whittaker who fired a shot wide of the right hand post.

Talbot’s first attack came in the 13^th minute. McPherson’s ball down the line found Smith in behind R Love who conceded the free kick. Glasgow whipped it into the centre where Boyd met it but his header deflected off a defender and went behind for a corner.

The next effort at goal came in the 18^th minute. Wilson launched a free kick up the left that the defence headed clear. It came out to Boyd who met it on the half-volley and fired wide of target.

The inconsistency of match officials was there for all to see soon after. Whittaker was guilty of a cynical foul to halt a Bot attack which resulted in no more than a lecture then within a minute Glasgow received a yellow card for a shirt pull.

In the 22^nd minute Glavin tried to be too cute with a kick out – attempting to lob it out to McPherson on the right touchline. It was intercepted by A Love and crossed to the far side of the box towards Mullen but Talbot were able to clear it out for a shy.

Two minutes later the visitors had a half chance when Hurlford won possession just outside the Talbot box and shifted it left to find Love whose low drive was blocked en route by McPherson and trundled through to Glavin.

In the 29^th minute Smith sent Gillies away on the overlap and he fired a dangerous low ball into the centre. The defence cleared it out but only as far as Boyle who drilled it wide of the right post.

Frew had his name taken in the 31^st minute for high feet.

The Bot’s next chance came courtesy of an error from the Hurlford goalie. Wilson didn’t deal with a passback and played it straight out to Boyd whose left foot effort slid wide of target.

A minute later Talbot had another opportunity. McPherson’s diagonal ball found Boyd racing in behind the defence and he cut in on his right foot and tried to pass it into the far corner but Wilson got down to make the save.

The breakthrough came in the 38^th minute. A shy from the right wasn’t dealt with by the Ford defence and CONNOR BOYD reacted to lash a low finish inside the right post to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.

Having gained the lead Talbot nearly conceded an equaliser within a minute. Morrison & Mullen both had chances to hit it inside the Bot penalty area but hesitated and Talbot were able to scramble it clear.

In the 40^th minute a defensive mix-up just outside the area gifted the ball to A Love who fired it across goal and wide of the left post.

A minute later Miller swung over a cross from the right touchline that Love headed home from close range but the assistant’s flag went up and it was chalked off for offside.

Talbot were hanging on and had another scare just before the interval. Glavin’s goal kick up the centre was headed back into the Bot half where Morrison got goal side of McPherson and headed into the box where his net bound shot was well saved by Glavin. Talbot were able to see out the remainder of the half to go in a goal ahead at the break.

The Bot came out the traps quickly at the start of the 2^nd half and had a half chance in the 49^th minute. Glasgow lifted a good cross into the near post which just floated over the head of Boyd.

Two minutes later Talbot doubled their lead. A quick corner on the right was worked to Glasgow who swung a cross into the 6-yard area. The defence cleared it out to the edge of the area where Langan hit it. His shot deflected off a defender and broke kindly to LUKE GILLIES 8 yards out who rifled it into the roof of the net.

In the 57^th minute Talbot had a chance to all but kill the tie off. McCracken played a great ball down the right to find Glasgow racing in on goal but he took one touch too many & Frew raced back to recover and put it behind for the corner.

A minute later Boyle did well to win a 50/50 out on the right touchline before switching the ball across to find the run of Gillies. He fired off a shot on target under pressure from Miller that Wilson held.

In the 59^th minute Robertson received a caution for a shirt pull on Glasgow.

On the hour mark Glavin maintained Talbot’s two goal cushion with a fantastic save. Hurlford countered down the left where Morrison swung over a cross to find Mullen unmarked in the centre. He looked set to score as he headed it down and back across goal but Glavin dived low to his right to keep it out.

Both sides now made changes – Talbot made a double switch with Thomson & Armstrong coming on for Glasgow & Langan & Hurlford brought Allan on in place of Love.

In the 66^th minute Talbot made a further change with McAvoy replacing Smith up top.

Two minutes later Talbot were nearly in for a third. Boyd played a good ball across the face of goal toward Gillies who was set to sweep it home until Miller got back to turn it behind for the corner. When the corner came over to the back post it was headed toward goal and the defence managed to clear it from the goal line.

Talbot were back in control and looking the more likely to score. The next attack saw Thomson cut in off the right and float a cross into the box that just cleared McAvoy.

With quarter of an hour remaining Hurlford made a 2^nd change with Robertson making way for Lidington.

A minute later Thomson pinged the ball into the feet of McAvoy inside the box and he laid it back to Boyd who turned and shot on target but it flew straight at Wilson.

With 10 minutes remaining Talbot made their final change with Urquhart on for Gillies.

In the 83^rd minute Whittaker received a caution after clattering in late on McCracken.

Talbot had a strong shout for a penalty turned down in their next attack. McAvoy flicked it into the path of Boyd who appeared to be bundled over inside the area but the ref waved play on.

Three minutes from time Hurlford nearly pulled one back. Morrison’s cut back from the left found McKenzie inside the area and his shot hit off the bar before being cleared.

As the game moved into added time Talbot put the game beyond all doubt with their 3^rd. McCracken carried it forward and with Hurlford playing a high line he slipped a pass through to KYLE MCAVOY who raced clear before slotting it low inside the right post to complete the scoring.

A good win for the Bot who return to league duties next Saturday when Benburb visit Beechwood.

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Wilson, Slooves, McCracken, Langan, Boyle, Gillies, Boyd, Glasgow, Smith

Subs – McAvoy, Thomson, Armstrong, Urquhart, Abed, Wardrope, Henry

Hurlford United – Wilson, Miller, R Love, Frew, Robertson, Watt, McKenzie, Whittaker, Mullen, Morrison, A Love

Subs – McKnight, Allan, Kerr, Anderson, Hughes, Lidington, Taylor

SECOND HALF SURGE HAS TALBOT IN THE LAST EIGHT.

Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: : Lee Conn

Talbot made heavy weather of it but a 2^nd half surge was enough to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Junior at the expense of Vale of Leven.

The first half started as it went on, scrappy, with the home side content to sit deep and look for long balls up the wings.

The first chance of the game came Talbot’s way in the 7^th minute. A ball up the right sent Boyd racing clear down the flank. He had Smith in space in the centre but his final cross drifted too near the keeper.

In the 10^th minute Boyle slid a good pass into the feet of Glasgow who carried on into the area and angled a ball across goal where the defender did well to clear it from the goal mouth with Smith waiting for the tap in.

A minute later Boyd cut the ball back into the path of Smith whose shot from 20 yards sailed over the bar.

Paterson had his name taken in the 12^th minute for a late challenge on Wardrope.

Talbot’s next effort at goal came in the 14^th minute when Langan drilled a low effort on target but it lacked the power to test the keeper.

The home side hadn’t offered much but were gifted a corner in the 17^th minute when Abed’s back pass had a bit too much on it and Glavin couldn’t prevent it going behind. When the corner came in from the left Jackson got his head on it beyond the back post and headed wide of target.

**THE VALE DEFENCE KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON JAMIE**

Two minutes later the home side threatened again. This time Jackson met it on the right of the area and crossed it beyond the far post where Alexander met it on the volley. He fired it back across goal where it was cleared and Talbot then launched a swift counter with Glasgow releasing it in behind the defence to find Boyd racing clear but he blazed his shot over the bar.

In the 24^th minute Boyle slipped a pass through to find Smith inside the area near the bye line. He tried to prod it past Currie but the keeper smothered his effort.

Talbot did have the ball in the back of the net in the 32^nd minute but it was rightly ruled out for offside. Boyd turned his man and fired a low shot on target that the keeper spilled. Wardrope tucked the rebound home but was flagged offside.

Two minutes later Alexander became the 2^nd Vale player cautioned when he received a yellow card for a shirt pull on Abed as he raced forward.

The opening goal came Talbot’s way in the 41^st minute. Abed raced up the right and swung a cross into the centre where Boyd challenged for it. The ball broke loose and fell to JAMIE GLASGOW who fired it low past Currie to make it 1-0.

Right on the stroke of half-time the home side drew level. Langan conceded a free kick midway inside the Talbot half which Paterson floated toward the back post where it was headed back across goal and FURZE reacted quickest to bundle the ball past Glavin from close range to send the sides in all square.

Talbot started the 2^nd half sluggishly, struggling to get out the bit against a stiff breeze that was favouring the home side.

The first chance of the 2^nd period went Vale’s way. They won a free kick which Paterson lobbed into the area where Wilson headed it clear but it fell to Alexander who drilled it just wide of the right post from 20 yards.

Tucker made a double switch in the 57^th minute with Glasgow & Smith making way for Boylan & McAvoy.

In the 63^rd minute Ross received a yellow card when he clipped Wardrope’s heels as he burst forward. Wardrope took the resultant free kick and his effort hit the top of the wall and spun behind for the corner. When the corner came into the near post the defence managed to scramble it clear and it came out to Boyle who was closed down before he could get a shot away.

Talbot had a strong penalty appeal turned down in the 65^th minute. Connolly conceded a free kick wide left for a foul on Boyle. Langan swept it over to the back post where it skipped off the turf and up onto a defender’s outstretched arm. It looked a stonewall hand ball but the officials waved play on.

**CONNOR GIVES THE HOME DEFENCE THE SLIP**

The Bot came close to regaining the lead in the 67^th minute. Boyd’s cut back from the left was met by Wardrope whose low drive hit the base of the left hand post then the keeper before going behind for the corner.

With 20 minutes remaining the home side made a double change with McGeachy & Hynes on for Furze & Alexander.

The subs had no time to take a touch before Talbot moved in front. Boyd met a ball up the left and laid it inside to KYLE MCAVOY who fired it low and early inside the right post to put Talbot 2-1 ahead.

The next goal was going to be pivotal and Talbot grabbed it in the 74^th minute to effectively kill the tie off. Schoneville won a free kick wide on the left which Wardrope swung into the centre. Currie punched it clear and it came out to the edge of the area where Schoneville met it on the half-volley. His deflected shot flew on target where Currie saved it only to drop it at the feet of BRYAN BOYLAN who swept the rebound home to make it 3-1.

Talbot now made further changes with Langan & Boyd being replaced by Urquhart & Thomson.

In the 81^st minute Thomson’s pull back from the right of the area found Urquhart in the centre. He was challenged and the ball broke to Boylan who with his back to goal went for an overhead kick that looped just over the bar.

Schoneville became the first Talbot player booked when he was cautioned for a late challenge on Hynes.

The next effort at goal came in the 84^th minute. Wardrope switched play from left to right to find Boyle who in turn fed it into Thomson whose low drive was held by Currie.

**BIG HUG FOR KYLE AFTER HITTING THE NET**

Down the other end Talbot then conceded a cheap corner kick down the right that could have proved costly. When it came in Glavin punched it clear of the area but Paterson played it first time wide right to find McGeachy in space and when his cross came over Hynes somehow headed over the bar when it looked easier to score.

Talbot now made their final change with Lennox coming on for Wardrope.

In the 86^th minute Talbot wrapped it up with a 4^th goal. Thomson laid the ball off into the path of McAvoy who raced through one on one with the keeper. Currie did well to block his effort but NATHAN LENNOX had followed up and coolly side-footed the rebound inside the left post.

Two minutes from time Boylan had a chance to extend Talbot’s lead when the ball fell to him inside the 6-yard box. He controlled it on his chest and went to volley it home but a defender got a touch to put it over the bar. When Lennox’s corner came into the back post McAvoy met it and powered a header on target that Currie held.

The home side had a chance for a late consolation when McGeachy met a low cross from the right but he sent it wide of target.

**BRYAN GIVES HIS MARKER A BODY SWERVE**

With the light failing the last chance went Talbot’s way deep into stoppage time. A good passing move down the right saw Talbot work it into the feet of Abed inside the area and he angled a low drive on target that Currie held inside his left post.

Talbot weren’t at their best but got the job done and now have a week off to enjoy the Christmas holidays before heading to Darvel on Saturday 30^th December.

Vale of Leven – Currie, Connolly, Griffen, Gallagher, Ross, Paterson, Jackson, Cameron, Thackrey, Furze, Alexander

Subs – McGeachy, Hynes, McLean, M Connolly, L Currie, Johston, Morris, McMurray

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Schoneville, Abed, Wilson, Boyle, Langan, Wardrope, Boyd, Smith, Glasgow

Subs – McAvoy, Boylan, Thomson, Urquhart, Lennox, Armstrong, Henry

TEN MAN TALBOT REACH THE LAST SIXTEEN.

Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn

Ten man Talbot booked their place in the 4^th round draw of the Scottish Junior cup the hard way in a game which was low on quality but high on incident.

The first good chance of the afternoon went the way of the home side when Hay got in behind the defence down the left but was denied by Glavin at his near post.

Two minutes later the game was halted when Rennie breenged into Armstrong. Both players required attention before being able to continue with the Thistle player perhaps fortunate to escape a caution.

The home side were causing problems with their direct style and in the 15^th minute Hay gathered a cross from the right and cut it back toward Mackie but it was intercepted and cleared.

In the 20^th minute Smith fed the ball out wide left to find Boylan and he swept a dangerous cross over to the back post but there were no takers.

Armstrong became the 1^st player in the book moments later when he was cautioned for a shirt tug on Burnett.

Talbot came close to the opener in the 26^th minute. Glasgow showed quick feet to jink his was down the left of the box before cutting it across the face of goal where Smith just beat Salmon to it. He flicked it goal ward where it was cleared off the line but to the frustration of Talbot the ref then halted play for a knock to Thistle’s keeper.

The Bot’s next attack saw Thomson feed it in off the right to Armstrong whose deflected shot from 20 yards flew wide of the right post.

It was advantage to the home side in the 32^nd minute when they took the lead. Talbot conceded a corner on the left and when it was delivered into the centre Muirhead headed home from close range.

Three minutes later Forsyth had his name taken for scything Wardrope down from behind as he broke forward. Talbot played the free kick down the right where McPherson forced a corner. The corner was taken short to Smith who cut in along the byeline and steered a good cross toward the back post that was well defended.

It was all square in the 38^th minute. A defender tried a risky header back to his own keeper that was never on and BRYAN BOYLAN pounced on the mistake – taking it round the stranded keeper before rolling it into the empty net to make it 1-1.

The goal energised Talbot and their next attack saw Boylan sent crashing by Gauld who was lucky not to be booked into the bargain. Wardrope took the free kick out wide left and delivered it into the centre where the defence eventually managed to scramble it clear.

In the 41^st minute Thomson won a corner down the right that Wardrope angled back to find Smith 16 yards out but his shot slid past the left hand post.

Talbot ended the half on the ascendancy and a minute before the break Smith cut in off the right and fired a low drive on target that Salmon held at his left post.

Napier then picked up a yellow card for a late challenge on McPherson. Before the free kick could be taken the home side made a change with Joji on in place of Muirhead.

Deep into added time Wardrope found the target with a decent hit from 20 yards but it flew straight at the keeper and the sides went in level at the break.

Talbot made a change during the break with Wilson on at left-back in place of the injured Gillies.

The Bot nearly made the ideal start to the 2^nd half when a shy from the right found its way into Smith and he let fly from 20 yards only to see his shot tipped over the bar.

In the 52^nd minute Glasgow dribbled his way past a couple of challenges inside the box before feeding it back to Thomson whose low drive from the edge of the area was blocked by Salmon.

Shortly after McPherson went down for the 1^st time after picking up a shoulder knock but continued after treatment.

Talbot’s positive start to the half was undone in the 56^th minute thanks to a highly dubious call by the referee. A quick ball over the top saw Slooves clash with Joji just outside the penalty area. The Thistle player appeared to go down easily and there were defenders back but to the astonishment of Slooves and his team mates, the referee produced a straight red and Talbot were left to continue for over half an hour a man down.

Napier took the resultant free kick and fired it low at Glavin who held it safely.

58 minutes gone and Talbot found themselves facing a penalty. Joji chased a ball over the top and the referee judged that Thomson caught him as he was crossing it into the centre and pointed to the spot. Joji took it himself but to the joy of the large travelling support he drilled it wide of Glavin’s left post.

Tucker now made a change with Boyle on for Smith and in the 64^th minute Talbot were forced into a further change when McPherson was unable to continue with Schoneville on and Wilson moving into the centre.

With 20 mins remaining Glasgow received a yellow card for dissent after querying another debatable call from the referee who had awarded a foul against Boylan for reasons unknown.

Joji then found himself in the book for a late challenge on the touchline.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot won a free kick 30 yards out following a foul on Boylan. Wardrope found the target but his shot didn’t trouble the keeper.

Down the other end Joji won the home side a free kick wide on the left after falling over theatrically. When the free kick was swung into the centre, Armstrong headed it clear.

Talbot were tiring and the home side had a half chance in the 82^nd minute when they broke down the right but the final shot was pulled across goal and well-wide of the far post.

With two minutes remaining Talbot made a late change with Boyd on for Thomson and Talbot saw out time to take the game to penalties.

WARDROPE was first up for Talbot and he made no mistake to put Talbot 1-0 up.

Napier went first for Thistle and Glavin dived low to his right to make the stop.

Next up for Talbot was Boylan who went for power but his shot was too central and comfortably saved by Salmon.

Gauld then levelled for the home side.

JAMIE GLASGOW then restored Talbot’s advantage as he coolly sent the keeper the wrong way.

Mackie took Thistle’s 3^rd penalty and Glavin rose to the occasion – diving full length to his left to turn it wide.

SCOTT SCHONEVILLE took full advantage as he slotted it low inside the right post to put Talbot 3-1 ahead.

Burnett had to score to keep Thistle in the cup and gave Glavin no chance to make it 3-2.

CONNOR BOYD stepped up for Talbot’s 5^th and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 4-2 to the Bot and spark celebrations out on the pitch and in the stand.

Whilst nowhere near their best, Talbot managed to dig out the result and keep the winning run going. Next up it’s back to league duty when Talbot make the short journey over the hill to face Cumnock at Townhead.

Bridge of Don Thistle – Salmon, Napier, Bowden, Gauld, Murphy, Forsyth, Rennie, Hay, Burnett, Muirhead, Mackie

Subs – Robertshaw, Mitchell, Baird, Deans, Finlay, Holt, Joji

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McCracken, Gillies, Slooves, McPherson, Armstrong, Thomson, Wardrope, Glasgow, Boylan, Smith

Subs – Boyd, Boyle, Urquhart, Lennox, Schoneville, Wilson, Kennedy

SPONSORED BY: UNISON – Show Racism the Red Card and James Latta Plumbing

JOINED TALBOT: October 2023

D.O.B: 04/08/2000

TALBOT DEBUT: 21/10/2023, Away to Port Glasgow Juniors, West of Scotland Cup, won 2-0

FIRST TALBOT GOAL: 16/12/23, v Vale of Leven, Scottish Junior Cup 4th Round. won 4-1.

FORMER TEAMS: Bonnyton Thistle

Largs Thistle

Auchinleck Talbot

Benburb FC

TALBOT EDGE IT IN FIVE GOAL THRILLER.

Report: Murray Steele. Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.

Talbot avenged last season’s Scottish cup exit with a well-deserved win over old rivals Cumnock at Townhead Park – knocking out the cup holders in front of a large & loud visiting contingent.

The Bot started the game positively and had the afternoon’s first chance in the 3^rd minute. Thomson won a corner down the left which Wardrope delivered into the centre. Frye’s attempted headed clearance went straight up into the air and following a scramble inside the 6-yard area, Slooves lifted a shot over the bar.

Cumnock’s first chance came in the 6^th minute when Veitch showed good pace down the left to get to the byline and cut it back into the area. Talbot cleared it but only out as far as Sewell who steered a half-volley well-wide from 20 yards.

A minute later Talbot had a decent chance to take the lead. McLennan failed to deal with a cross from the right and Thomson was able to nick in front of him and lay it back to Smith who drove over the bar from 10 yards out.

Talbot’s next attack again saw them go close. A quick counter saw Talbot shift it from left to right to find Glasgow in space and when his low centre came over Smith looked set to score but a Nock defender made a crucial challenge to deny him.

In the 16^th minute McCracken lifted it down the centre where the Cumnock defence failed to head it clear. It came out to Wardrope 20 odd yards from goal and his dipping half-volley came close to breaking the deadlock.

Cumnock had a good chance of their own in the 22^nd minute. McGaughey’s pace won Cumnock a corner down the left which was delivered beyond the back post. Frye headed it back across goal where Talbot managed to scramble it away but only as far as Veitch who crossed it to the back post for Buchanan whose header was held by Glavin.

Down the other end Glasgow tried his luck from 35 yards – firing it on target but straight at Barclay.

Talbot had a let off in the 29^th minute when the ball came to Jamieson in space down the right of the penalty area. His shot took a slight deflection off Slooves and skimmed off the top of the crossbar.

The next chance also came Cumnock’s way when Veitch drilled a low effort on target from outside the area that Glavin held.

At the other end Glasgow was inches away from connecting with a dangerous cross from the left.

The opener came in the 35^th minute and it went to the home side. Willett’s shimmy on the touchline fooled a couple of Bot defenders allowing him the space to pick out his cross to the near post where JAMIESON’s shot from 6 yards squeezed past Glavin who got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out.

The goal deflated Talbot for a period and Cumnock looked content to sit on their lead. The Bot did have a half chance in the 43^rd minute when Smith found Gillies out on the left and his cross to the near post was met by Smith but he couldn’t get his header on target. The half ended with Cumnock on the front foot – forcing a couple of corners – but Talbot rode out the pressure and went in at the break a goal down.

Tucker made a change during the interval with Langan on in place of Boyle.

Talbot started the 2^nd half strongly. In the 48^th minute Wardrope was racing through the centre when taken out by Buchanan. The ref allowed the advantage and Talbot broke down the left through Thomson who cut inside but fired well-wide of target. The ref then booked Buchanan for the earlier challenge.

Talbot were rewarded for their quick start in the 50^th minute when they won penalty. McPherson climbed well to flick on a ball down the right into the path of Glasgow who was up-ended as he tried to get on the end of it and the ref pointed to the spot. ROSS SMITH took it and finished confidently – blasting it high inside the left post to make it 1-1.

In the 57^th minute Talbot made their 2^nd change with Boyd replacing Thomson.

The momentum was with Talbot and the Bot took the lead in the 62^nd minute. A Talbot break saw Wardope carry the ball toward the box before finding Glasgow who ball shifted out left to Gillies whose low drive across goal was blocked by Barclay. Cumnock were unable to clear their lines and when it came to Smith 16 yards out with his back to goal he teed it back to MICHAEL WARDROPE who drilled a low shot inside the right hand post to put Talbot 2-1 ahead.

It was all Talbot now and the Bot’s next attack saw Glasgow on the left of the area sliding it wide to Wardrope whose low cross was well cut out by the defence.

Talbot grabbed their 3^rd goal in the 69^th minute. A Bot counter-attack found Glasgow down the left of the area. His shot was blocked by Barclay but the rebound fell for ROSS SMITH who coolly placed it home to extend Talbot’s lead.

Cumnock now made a flurry of substitutions with McGaughey and Buchanan leaving the field and Conn and McLaughlin coming on.

It was nearly game over in Talbot’s next attack. Gillies low cross was deflected by Sewell and went inches wide of Barclay’s right post with the keeper helpless.

The home side were thrown a lifeline in the 74^th minute when they reduced the leeway. McLaughlin forced a corner down the right which the Bot defence could only clear to the edge of the area. It was worked out to McLaughlin in space on the left and his ball across the face was tucked home from 6 yards out by MCLENNAN.

Talbot had a great chance to regain their two goal cushion in their next attack. Wardrope slid a pass through the defence to find Smith on the right of the penalty area. He squared it across to Glasgow who looked set to score but his shot was blocked on its way to target by a defender with the keeper stranded.

In the 79^th minute Langan had his name taken for ending a Cumnock counter-attack and a minute later Talbot made a further change with Boylan coming on for Smith.

Boyd then received a soft yellow card for an innocuous challenge.

The Bot’s next foray forward saw Wardrope lift a good ball over the defence trying to find Boyd down the left but Barclay read it and raced out his area to clear.

With 5 minutes remaining Talbot made their final change with Glasgow making way for Wilson.

Boylan nearly added his name to the scoresheet soon after. He cut in off the right and hammered a left foot drive just wide of the left post.

As the game moved into added time Jamieson had a half chance for the hosts. Talbot failed to clear a high ball down the centre and it broke to Jamieson 25 yards out who tried to lob it in but lifted it well-wide.

The home side had one final chance deep into added time when they won a corner down the left. It was delivered to the far post where it was headed wide of target and the ref blew up for full-time and the celebrations could begin in earnest.

A good afternoon’s work by Talbot who thoroughly merited their win and will be hoping this will kick-start the rest of the season. Next up for Talbot it is back to Beechwood where they host Arniston Rangers in the South Challenge cup.