PDM BUILDBASE WOSL PREMIER – Page 4 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Auchinleck Talbot v Clydebank

Troon v Auchinleck Talbot

Auchinleck Talbot v Darvel

Gartcairn v Auchinleck Talbot

Auchinleck Talbot v St Cadoc’s

Pollok v Auchinleck Talbot


May 8, 2024 19:00 N/A Largs Thistle v Auchinleck Talbot


May 11, 2024 13:00 N/A Benburb v Auchinleck Talbot

Player	Appearances	Goals	Assists	YC	RC
Neill McPherson	43	1	0	3	0
Connor Boyd	43	20	6	4	0
Neil Slooves	41	4	0	3	1
Ruaridh Langan	41	3	4	8	0

SHOT SHY TALBOT PUNISHED AGAIN

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

Talbot’s faltering start to the season continued with a single goal loss to Clydebank at Beechwood.

The Bot started positively and in the 2^nd minute Langan fed it out right to Boyd whose low drive was turned round the post by Hughes. When Wardrope’s corner came over it flew just over McPherson in the centre.

In the 5^th minute Talbot nearly gifted Clydebank the lead. Wardrope’s slack pass at the back went straight to Little who raced into the area before sliding it left toward Graham but Henry was quickly off his line to make the block.

Action then swept to the other end as Talbot countered through Thomson down the right. He pulled it back into the path of Armstrong who hammered a shot from 18 yards that Hughes brilliantly saved – tipping it onto the bar and over.

The Bot’s next effort at goal saw Langan find Thomson on the left of the area and Hughes saved his low drive on target.

In the 25^th minute Talbot won a free kick wide left when Smith was caught by Hodge. Wardrope took it short to Smith who returned it to Wardrope and his cross into the centre was glanced wide by McPherson.

Talbot then won a couple of corner in quick succession from the 2^nd of which Langan fired over the bar from the edge of the area.

The Bot fans thought Talbot were in on goal in the 28^th minute. Niven’s poor pass was intercepted by Smith who threaded it through to Thomson who raced for the box but Niven got back and did enough to halt Thomson.

It should have been one nil to Clydebank in the 31^st minute. Slooves took a heavy 1^st touch and Gallacher took advantage to slide a pass through to Little who had time & space 15 yards out but blazed his shot way over.

A few minutes later Clydebank won a corner out on the right and when it came Talbot failed to deal with it in the centre but managed to scramble it clear at the back post.

The half ended with Clydebank in the ascendancy and they had 2 decent chances to take the lead.

These came in the 43^rd minute when Gallacher’s dangerous cross was headed clear but fell straight to Little who tried to pass it inside the left post with Henry getting down well to turn it away. Clydebank retrieved it and switched play out to the left where Gallacher was in space but he fired wide of the right post.

The visitors started the 2^nd half brightly and in the 49^th minute Low broke forward and tried his luck from 30 yards with a powerful drive that rose over the bar.

In the 51^st minute a ball down the left found Gallacher running free and he swept it low across the box where Slooves turned it behind. When the corner came over deep beyond the back post Niven guided a header back into the goal mouth that Talbot managed to scramble clear.

Four mins later Talbot conceded a free kick 30 yards out which Gallacher flighted into the box and Niven headed over the bar.

Talbot hadn’t got going but in the 56^th minute they won a free kick on the left that was played into the path of Wilson who drilled it low first time into the centre but the defence did well to cut it out.

Johnstone became the first name in the book when he was cautioned in 61 mins for a shirt tug on Langan.

In the 63^rd minute a shy from the right found Wardrope and he fed it inside to Boyd who fired over the bar.

Down the other end Talbot conceded a free kick 35 yards out for handball. Low took it and went for goal but it went straight at Henry.

Clydebank now made a change with McGonigle on for Graham.

Talbot’s next attack saw Smith & Wilson combining down the left before Smith lifted a cross into the centre toward Langan but with his back to goal he was crowded out and the ball cleared.

The game’s only goal came in the 69^th minute. A cross from the left was headed out by Wilson. It came to Low just outside the area and he slipped a pass through to LITTLE who steered a shot beyond Henry.

The goal seemed to deflate Talbot as much as it lifted Clydebank and the visitors ought to have doubled their lead in the 74^th minute. Little flicked the ball into the path of Grant who failed to hit the target – driving wide of goal from a good position.

Tucker now made a double switch with Langan & Smith making way for Gillies & Boylan.

In the 81^st minute Talbot made a further change with Black on for Thomson. Black was barely on the park when he picked up what looked a harsh booking for a challenge on Hodge.

Three mins from time Talbot made their final change with Abed coming on for Wardrope.

There had been a few stoppages and the ref added plenty of added time and deep into added time Little nearly grabbed his 2^nd but his shot took a slight deflection and went just over the bar.

A disappointing afternoon for Talbot who will have to try and pick themselves up for next week’s trip to Bellsdale to face Beith.

Auchinleck Talbot – Henry, Boyle, Wilson, Slooves, McPherson, Armstrong, Langan, Wardrope, Boyd, Smith, Thomson

Subs – Lennox, Park, McMillan, Black, Abed, Boylan, Gillies

Clydebank – Hughes, Hodge, Niven, McHugh, Grant, Johnstone, N Little, Low, Gallacher, Graham, Collins

Subs – Ross, McMahon, McGonigle, Black, McKenzie, Darroch, C Little

TOOTHLESS TALBOT GRAB A POINT

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

Talbot battled hard for a share of the spoils as they fought out a goalless draw with Troon at Portland Park. It came at a cost though as both Healy and Glavin had to leave the field injured.

The home side had an early chance when Gilroy was fouled just outside the area. Shankland took the set piece and curled it over the wall but Glavin made a good stop low to his right.

Seven mins in and Gillies picked up the night’s first caution. It looked a harsh one but his case wasn’t helped by Fulton’s theatrics.

In the 9^th minute Healy collapsed with no one near him as he went for a 50/50 ball. Hopefully, it wasn’t as bad as it looked but he had to be stretchered from the field with Armstrong on in his place.

Talbot’s first real attack came in the 17^th minute. Boyd was fouled but managed to release it to Thomson on the right and play went on. He raced past Moore down the right of the area but Sherrie got across to slide it out for the corner and Wardrope’s delivery failed to beat the first man.

A minute later Talbot came close when Boyle went for a snap shot from just outside the area that flew wide of the right hand post.

Fulton had his name taken in the 23^rd minute when he caught Glavin late after the keeper had cleared.

There were few chances at either end and one of Talbot’s better ones arrived in the 29^th minute. Talbot won a corner on the right which Wardrope delivered straight into the centre where McPherson met it but his header just cleared the bar.

The Talbot fans and bench felt they weren’t getting much joy from the ref and frustrations grew as a series of contentious decisions went Troon’s way.

Both sides were competing fiercely but without any end product and the half ended in stalemate.

Talbot came out with a change at the start of the 2^nd half with Smith on for Gillies.

The first threat of the 2^nd half went Troon’s way when Fulton looked to be in down the left but McPherson got back to make a timely challenge to put it behind for the corner.

In the 56^th minute Talbot won a corner down the right. When it came over Slooves just failed to connect in the centre and the ball came out to Thomson on the left. He squared it for Boyd 15 yards out but his shot flew straight at Burgess.

Troon ought to have been a man down in the 59^th minute. Fulton was already on a yellow when he crudely barged into Armstrong as he broke up the wing. It looked a no brainer but the referee bottled the decision and Troon’s management stepped in – subbing Fulton before he got himself sent off with Jamieson on in his place.

The game continued to be a midfield battle with neither side making a great deal of headway in the final third.

In the 70^th minute McCloskey was cautioned for a foul on Thomson.

Two mins later the Bot fans were fuming again. Smith was taken out off the ball in the Troon half, nothing was given, and Troon broke on the counter winning a free kick 25 yards out with Armstrong picking up a caution into the bargain. Shankland took it and his shot clipped the top of the wall and went over the bar.

Troon now made a further change with Boyd on for Docherty.

In the 77^th minute Smith did well out on the left, carrying it forward past a couple of challenges before cutting it back toward Boyle who failed to connect at the edge of the area.

Troon had a half chance in the 79^th minute. Play was switched to Moore on the right of the area but he fired wide of target. Boyle was then cautioned for an earlier challenge.

Talbot then almost gifted Troon the lead when Glavin was slack with a ball out at the re-start. It came to Jamieson on the left of the area but Glavin recovered well to get swiftly off his line and make the block. Unfortunately, he took a heavy knock in the process and after a lengthy stoppage he couldn’t continue and Henry came on. Troon also made a change with Marks on for Shankland.

A minute from the end of normal time Talbot had a late chance to win it. A ball up the right found Langan who squared it into the centre of the box to find Boyd. He had his back to goal but wheeled round and fired wide of the right hand post.

Talbot now made a late change with McMillan on for Boyle.

As the game moved into injury time Talbot won a shy down the right and McMillan arrowed a long throw into the middle where Slooves headed it over the bar.

Deep into added time Troon passed up a good chance to grab the win. Millar slid the ball out to Gilroy in space on the left and he whipped over a dangerous cross that Marks headed over the bar when he looked favourite to score.

Next up for Talbot it is back to Beechwood this Saturday where they face Clydebank.

Troon – Burgess, McLevy, McCloskey, Docherty, Sherrie, Millar, Ben Black, Moore, Shankland, Fulton, Gilroy

Subs – Wilson, Marks, Richardson, Boyd, Strain, Jamieson, Fisher (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, Healy, Wilson, Slooves, McPherson, Langan, Boyle, Wardrope, Boyd, Gillies, Thomson

Subs – Armstrong, Black, Lennox, Trialist, McMillan, Henry (gk)

SECOND HALF NO-SHOW COSTS TALBOT DEARLY

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

Talbot failed to show up after half-time and paid the price as they slumped to a home defeat against Darvel.

The visitors had the first effort of the match in the 5^th minute. A long diagonal pass found Murphy on the right and he took a good first touch to kill it and cut inside but scuffed his shot well wide from 18 yards.

On a day of few clear cut chances Talbot had a half chance to take the lead in the 7^th minute. Boyle slid a pass through to Thomson down the left channel and his cross found Boyd beyond the back post where he volleyed it into the side-netting.

In the 11^th minute a ball over from the left found Boyd 8 yards out with his back to goal but he was well marshalled and unable to turn and get his shot away.

Sixteen minutes in and McShane switched it out to the left to find Wilson in space but his ball in was gathered at the near post by Glavin.

Talbot’s next attack saw the win a free kick 40 yards out for a foul on Boyd but Talbot failed to make anything of it – Wardrope’s ball in being cleared and Darvel then breaking up field through Moore whose cross hit Slooves in the arm resulting in a Darvel free kick wide on the right. McShane floated it over and Darvel thought they’d taken the lead when Wilson met it and guided a header back across and into the net but the stand side assistant’s flag was up early for offside.

The opening goal arrived in the 27^th minute and it went Talbot’s way. The Bot were awarded a free kick midway in Darvel’s half for a foul on Smith. Wardrope took it and passed it down the right channel to find Boyd whose cross was headed home by EWAN THOMSON.

Two mins later a ball from the left found Smith 16 yards out and his low drive was held by Leishman.

McPherson did well in the 36^th minute when Darvel countered down the right through Moore with Neil able to match his run allowing Glavin to gather it.

Darvel caught Talbot out a few minutes later with a long ball over the top that found Moore down the left. He squared it across to Wilson who fired wide of target.

In the 41^st minute it was all square. Ferguson spotted Glavin off his line and let fly with a wind assisted effort from 40 + yards. It cannoned off the crossbar and MOORE was first to it to drill the rebound home and send the sides in level at the interval.

Early in the 2^nd half Smith was harshly cautioned when he went over in the penalty area following a Bot corner from the right. The ref had a decision to make but it didn’t go Talbot’s way.

The 2^nd half was becoming increasingly scrappy and Bronsky had his name taken in the 54^th minute for a late challenge on Thomson. Talbot now made their first change with Armstrong on for Gillies.

On the hour mark the visitors took the lead with a goal eerily reminiscent of the one conceded late on against Pollok. A ball over the top found Moore down the left and he cut it back to FERGUSON who cut inside and curled a right foot effort inside the far post.

This proved to be his last involvement as he picked up a knock soon after and left to be replaced by Caldwell.

A few minutes later Talbot made a double switch with Boyd & Boyle making way for McMillan & Langan.

In the 72^nd minute Cairns picked up a long overdue yellow card for his umpteenth foul but Talbot failed to make anything of the set piece wide on the left.

Darvel now made a further change with Glasgow on for Murphy.

As the game moved into the closing stages Talbot made their final changes with Kennedy & Black coming on for Wardrope and Smith.

Darvel finished the game a man down when Cairns received a 2^nd yellow card for a professional foul on Black. The ref ought to have let play continue as Talbot were racing clear up the right but he whistled too early and Darvel went a man down and Talbot got the free kick in their own half.

Talbot huffed and puffed but never really looked like levelling and as the game headed into added time Kennedy picked up a yellow card for a challenge on Barbour with Darvel able to see it out and claim all 3 points.

A disappointing result but Talbot will need to dismiss it to the back of their minds as they’re back in action this Wednesday evening when they travel down the coast to face Troon at Portland Park.

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, Healy, Wilson, Slooves, McPherson, Boyle, Wardrope, Gillies, Boyd, Smith, Thomson

Subs – Park, Langan, McMillan, Armstrong, Black, Kennedy, Henry

Darvel – Leishma, Barbour, Syme, Bronsky, McShane, Murphy, Cairns, J Moore, Sideserf, G Wilson, Ferguson

Subs – O’Halloran, Reilly, C Moore, Urquhart, Glasgow, A Wilson, Caldwell

POINTS ON THE BOARD FOR HARD WORKING TALBOT.

Report Murray Steele, Video Lee Conn

Talbot got back to winning ways with a well-deserved away win up at Gartcairn thanks to two 2^nd half goals.

The Bot had a chance in the 3^rd minute when Boyd played it through for Thomson on the right but his effort at goal was blocked by Gartcairn’s keeper.

In the 8^th minute Glavin was alert to the danger when he raced out his box to clear a ball over the top and defence then moved into attack as Gillies raced free on the left and drilled it low into the near post trying to find Thomson but the keeper managed to cut it out.

The game was highly competitive, if a bit scrappy, with very little to choose between the sides and little goalmouth action in the opening spell.

In the 19^th minute Talbot won a free kick in a promising area when Gillies was fouled just outside the area. Wardrope took it and got it on target but it lacked the power to trouble the keeper.

A minute later the home side came close to the opener. Their no.6 lifted a dangerous cross over from the right that was volleyed against the crossbar from 6 yards out.

Wardrope had his name taken in the 28^th minute when he took one for the team – halting Gartcairn’s pacy winger as he broke upfield.

Talbot came close to the breakthrough in the 38^th minute. Gillies forced a corner and when Wardrope played it into the centre it was only headed out as far as Langan. He was unable to get his shot away but it broke back to Smith whose low drive was turned round the right post by the keeper.

A minute later Wardrope played a one-two with Gillies down the left before firing over the bar from 20 odd yards.

The home side ended the half strongly and a minute before the interval no. 11 cut in off the left and squared it across to no.7 whose shot took a deflection as it headed just wide of the left post. When the corner came over Glavin punched it clear, catching his team-mate Thomson in the process, and play was halted to allow treatment and shortly after the ref signalled the end of the half.

Talbot started the 2^nd half positively and within 2 minutes of the restart Langan drove forward before firing a shot straight at the keeper.

Two minutes later Thomson tried his luck from 30 yards and his deflected effort was held by the goalie.

The pressure was mounting and in the 50^th minute Thomson gathered on the right and slipped it into the path of Smith whose low shot from the edge of the box flew straight at the keeper.

The bulk of the crowd were travelling through from Ayrshire and weren’t slow to voice their disapproval when Smith was blatantly tugged back as he raced forward but nothing was given.

Finally Talbot’s pressure was rewarded when they took the lead in the 55^th minute. Wardrope’s shot from the left edge of the box took a deflection and came back off the left hand post and out to EWAN THOMSON who hammered it into the far corner to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.

Within a minute of scoring Thomson became the 2^nd Bot player booked when he was penalised for a shirt tug. Gartcairn now made a change with no.14 on in place of 10.

Talbot threatened again in the 59^th minute as Langan moved forward and shifted it out left to find Gillies. He swept a good cross into the centre but it didn’t break Talbot’s way in front of goal.

In the 64^th minute Healy whipped a great cross over to the back post but there was no Bot player to take advantage. The defence only partly cleared their lines and it fell to Langan 15 yards out but he didn’t catch his shot cleanly.

Gartcairn’s no.8 received a booking in the 66^th minute for going through the back of Boyd as he tried to break up the wing.

The home side hadn’t offered much in the 2^nd half but nearly grabbed a leveller in the 67^th minute. A counter-attack saw them sweep downfield where it was played into the feet of their no. 9 down the right of the penalty area. He fired it low on target but Glavin did well to block and when the rebound came out Slooves reacted quickly – sliding in to clear before no. 14 could pounce.

In the 69^th minute Gartcairn 5 was guilty of a blatant push on the back of Smith that went unpunished and then to add insult to injury, Smith was cautioned for dissent.

Wilson received a yellow card in the 71^st minute for a trip on no.11.

The home side were lucky not be a man down a minute later. Thomson was racing down the left when he was crudely taken out by Gartcairn’s no. 4 who sent him flying. The Gartcairn player escaped with a yellow card but had to have his head bandaged up as Thomson’s studs caught him when he sent him airborne.

Talbot had a chance to double their lead in the 74^th minute. Wardrope’s cross from the left found Thomson free at the back post but he steered his header wide of the post.

In the 76^th minute Smith gathered on the left of the penalty area and cut in past no.5 who caught him. The ref pointed to the spot and ROSS SMITH gave the keeper no chance – sending him the wrong way as he tucked it inside the right post to make it 2-0.

Two minutes later Langan slid a pass through toward Smith who looked set to race in on goal but no. 5 recovered well to make a good clearing tackle.

In the 79^th minute a ball in behind the defence found Boyd down the left and his angled drive was held by the keeper.

With 10 minutes remaining McMillan came on in place of Smith.

Gartcairn had a half chance to pull one back in the 82^nd minute. Their no.11 got free on the right and fired a cross into the centre. The defence cleared but only as far as Gartcairn’s left-back who volleyed it wide of the right post.

Talbot’s next chance came in the 84^th minute. Thomson raced for the area before sliding to his right to find Boyd whose powerful shot was parried out by the keeper.

A minute later Langan had an opportunity when the ball was squared into his path 18 yards out but his shot flew over the bar.

In the closing stages Talbot made further changes with Black & Park coming on for Gillies & Thomson.

Talbot saw time out comfortably enough to secure all 3 points. Next week it’s back to Beechwood where Talbot host big spenders Darvel.

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, Healy, Wilson, Slooves, McPherson, Langan, Wardrope, Gillies, Boyd, Smith, Thomson

Subs – Park, Boyle, McMillan, Lennox, Black, Kennedy, Henry

SAINTS TAKE THE POINTS AS TALBOT TURN SINNERS

Report: Murray Steele, Photographs: Craig McGhee, Video Highlights: Lee Conn

Defensive lapses cost Talbot dear as they stumbled to defeat in the first home league game of the campaign.

Talbot started well enough with Boyd hitting the bye line down the left and his ball into the centre cut out at the near post.

In the 4^th minute Gillies broke forward and sent a left foot effort wide of the left post from 25 yards out.

A minute later Thomson had a half chance when he burst clear on the right – breaking into the penalty area but he got the ball stuck between his feet and the chance was lost.

The visitors settled after a shaky start and had their first chance in the 9^th minute. McKillen’s pass up the left found McLaughlan and he fired over the bar.

Talbot then had a half chance of their own. Boyd flicked on a ball down the centre that came to Smith inside the area. He lifted it over the advancing keeper but a defender got back to clear it behind for the corner.

In the 16^th minute McMillan drove a cross in from the right that Gillies met in the centre but he couldn’t direct his header on target under pressure.

Glavin was called upon in the 21^st minute. Miller squared the ball inside for McLaughlan who steered a low drive straight at Glavin.

Two minutes later a ball from the right found McLaughlan in space on the left of the area. He pulled his shot and it was heading wide of the far post until Muir stuck out a leg to turn it into the net but he was in an offside position.

The visitors were now having the best of it and nearly caught Talbot cold in the 29^th minute with a quickly taken free kick. The ball was flighted into the box where McKenzie met it unopposed but Glavin dived low to his right to keep out his header.

A minute later McKenzie passed up a great chance to give St Cadoc’s the lead. The Talbot defence failed to cope with a long shy from the left and it fell to McKenzie inside the 6-yard box but it wouldn’t sit down for him and he lifted it over the bar.

Langan has his name taken in the 34^th minute for a foul on McLaughlan.

Talbot rallied in the closing stages of the half but without offering any real goal threat and the sides went in level at the break.

Talbot started the 2^nd half on the front foot and had a half chance in the 47^th minute when McMillan’s long throw caused panic in the visitors defence. The ball came to Thomson in front of goal who saw his first effort blocked and then his follow up effort blocked in the goal mouth.

A defensive mix-up gifted St Cadoc’s the lead in the 49^th minute. A ball over the top saw Glavin come well off his line to gather. However, there was a breakdown in communication between the keeper and Slooves with Glavin leaping over the defender to claim it. He lost the ball in contact and the ball fell to MCKENZIE who steered it into the empty net from just inside the box.

Talbot pushed for an early response and had a half chance in the 52^nd minute when McMillan hurled the ball into the centre where McPherson glanced a header wide.

Four minutes later Langan played it to his right to find Smith inside the area whose low drive was held by the keeper.

Talbot passed up a good chance to draw level in the 58^th minute. The ball was switched right to left and found Boyd in space inside 10 yards out but his shot flew straight at Truesdale who made the block.

Around the hour mark Miller was booked for an aerial challenge on Boyd that saw Boyd require a lengthy period of treatment on the pitch.

In the 63^rd minute Smith was fouled just outside the area resulting in another booking for the visitors. However, Talbot failed to make the most of it, Healy taking it short to Gillies who blazed over the bar.

Talbot nearly conceded again in the 66^th minute. Muir whipped a cross over from the right where Slattery met it but sent his free header wide of target.

Talbot now made a change with Wardrope on for McMillan.

In the 69^th minute Talbot drew level. Thomson played it across to Boyd on the left of the area and although Truesdale got a touch on his shot, ROSS SMITH had followed up to tuck home the rebound at the far post.

St Cadoc’s now made a change with McManus on for Miller.

The Bot should have taken the lead in the 72^nd minute. Wardope fired in a great ball from the right touchline which Boyd met a few yards out but he lifted it over the crossbar.

A minute later Talbot had another chance. Again Wardrope played it in from the right to find Boyd on the left of the area and his powerful strike was kept out by Truesdale at his near post.

With 9 minutes remaining Talbot made a further change with Black on for Gillies and a few minutes later Kennedy replaced Thomson.

The game appeared to be heading for a draw until another defensive lapse gifted St Cadoc’s a winner in the 90^th minute. There appeared no danger when a ball was clipped over the top but Healy hesitated and MCLAUGHLAN nipped in to rob him of it and stride through before sliding it past Glavin.

The late goal deflated Talbot and the visitors were able to see out added time to secure the win. Talbot will now need to pick themselves up and go again this Saturday when they head through to Airdrie to take on Gartcairn.

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, Healy, Wilson, Slooves, McPherson, Langan, McMillan, Gillies, Smith, Thomson, Boyd

Subs – Kennedy, Wardrope, Black, Park, Boyle, Henry

St Cadoc’s – Truesdale, Slattery, Coll, McKillen, Lithgow, Miller, Muir, Brady, Mackenzie, McHugh, McLaughlan

Subs – Connor, McGarvey, Taylor, McManus, McTaggart, McGuire, Miller

Beith Juniors

Auchinleck Talbot

St Cadoc’s

Largs Thistle

MISSED CHANCES COST TALBOT DEARLY

Report by Murray Steele, photographs by Craig McGhee. video Lee Conn.

Talbot paid the penalty for failing to take their chances as they narrowly lost out to Pollok in the opening game of the league campaign.

Tucker’s new look side made the early running and had the first chance after 3 minutes. Fry had to race off his line to beat Thomson to Wardrope’s through ball and the loose ball broke out left where it was crossed back into the centre. It was cleared to the edge of the area where McCracken met it and his low drive was held by Fry.

A minute later Talbot saw a penalty claim turned down. McCracken took a free kick wide on the left and angled it across to Thomson who headed it down into the heart of the area. Boyd went to meet it and looked to beat Fry to the ball who bundled into him but the decision didn’t go Talbot’s way.

The Bot had a sustained period of pressure around the 8^th minute that started when Smith found Thomson out on the right and his shot was deflected behind. Pollok couldn’t clear their lines from Wardrope’s first corner and the ball found its way back out to him on the left. He swung a cross to the far post where Slooves was waiting but the Lok defender did well to head it behind. This time the corner was played into the near post where McPherson glanced a header on that was blocked by Forrester’s outstretched arm and the ref pointed to the spot.

Boyd stepped up to take it but got blasted his spot kick well over the bar.

Pollok’s first effort came in the 11^th minute when Maley latched onto a Bot mistake at the edge of the area and tried to bend a shot for the far corner that Glavin comfortably saved.

Talbot were still having the best of it but weren’t making the most of a number of set plays won as they had Lok pinned back.

Talbot passed up a great chance to take the lead in the 24^th minute. Smith played a good ball in from the right to find Boyd’s run inside the area but Fry did well to block his effort. The ball came out to Wardrope on the left and he played it across the 6-yard area where Smith met it at the back post but he was falling back as he hit it and sent his effort wide of target.

Just after the half hour mark Pollok won a free kick midway inside the Bot half for McCracken’s challenge on Christie. The free kick was lifted into the box where it was headed clear and came out to McKenzie 19 yards out who pulled his shot well wide of the right post.

A minute later Healy became the first name in the ref’s notebook when he was cautioned for a trip inside the Lok half.

In the 35^th minute Christie played a dangerous cross in from the right which McKenzie failed to make contact with and it flew through to Glavin.

Soon after McCracken had to leave the field injured to be replaced by Park and Talbot shuffled the back four around with McPherson moving into the centre.

Four minutes from the interval Talbot broke down the right through Thomson. When the ball came into the box Healy swivelled on it and sent a shot crashing off the underside of the bar but the ref had blown up for an earlier infringement.

On the stroke of half time Rumsby had his name taken for obstructing Thomson as he broke forward. Talbot didn’t make the most of the resultant free kick but managed to keep the pressure on and in the last action of the half Smith’s cross into the centre ended in a scramble inside the 6-yard area. However, the ball didn’t break Talbot’s way and Pollok held on to go in level at the break.

Pollok made a change during the interval with Barr on at right-back in place of Burrows.

Four minutes into the half and Hutton became the 2^nd Lok player cautioned when he saw yellow for a professional foul on Thomson who was racing up field.

In the 56^th minute Thomson squared the ball inside to Healy who fired over from distance.

Pollok then raced up the other end where Maley’s low ball in from the left was cut out by McPherson who turned it behind for a corner. When the corner came over to the back post Forrester met it and his effort was heading inside the right post but was blocked by McKenzie who was lying in the goal mouth.

Two minutes later Pollok won a free kick 25 yards out when Lindsay was bundled over by Smith. Maley took it and his dipping shot just cleared the bar.

The Bot support thought Talbot were on for their 2^nd penalty of the afternoon in the 64^th minute. Armstrong played it into the feet of Thomson who was bundled over by a sliding tackle as he burst into the area but the referee judged it to be a good tackle and waved play on.

Both sides now made further changes with Gillies coming on for Boyd for Talbot and Kerr replacing McKenzie for the home side.

The Bot fans were upset by the officials again in the 70^th minute when Smith was blatantly taken out off the ball as he ran up the right wing but nothing was given.

Tucker now made his final changes of the afternoon with Kennedy & Langan replacing Thomson and Wardrope.

The Bot fans began to suspect it wasn’t our day when Talbot came close again in the 74^th minute. Healy’s cross from the left put Fry under pressure and the loose ball came out to McPherson 15 yards out whose low drive was heading inside the left post until deflected wide by Forrester.

Pollok now made a double switch with Anderson & Gallacher on in place of Forde & Maley.

Talbot’s next attack saw Smith latch onto a ball up the left before squaring it inside for Langan. He fed it on to his right to find Kennedy whose shot was blocked behind for a corner.

Glavin was called into action in the 77^th minute. Christie’s low drive from the right of the area was saved low to his right and McPherson then completed the clearance.

Action then switched to the other end as Talbot raced forward on the counter. It was played to Kennedy at the right corner of the box and his drive was turned round the left post by Fry.

In the 81^st minute Smith did well out on the left and cut it back into the box for Langan but he couldn’t get his feet sorted and the chance was lost

Pollok made the breakthrough in the 82^nd minute. GALLACHER cut in off the left of the area and whipped a right foot effort into the far top corner giving Glavin no chance.

Two minutes later Anderson had his name taken for kicking the ball away.

Talbot couldn’t make any impression late on and Lok held out to secure all 3 points.

An encouraging display with a disappointing outcome. Talbot now head back to Beechwood where they host newly promoted St Cadocs on Wednesday night.

Pollok – Fry, Burrows, Forrester, Rumsby, Gow, Hutton, Christie, Lindsay, Forde, McKenzie, Maley

Subs – Anderson, Gallacher, Barr, Duff, Morgan, Kerr, Longmuir

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Wilson, Slooves, McCracken, Healy, Armstrong, Wardrope, Boyd, Smith, Thomson

Subs – Kennedy, Gillies, Langan, Black, McMillan, Park, Henry