2015/16 – Page 6 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Cumbernauld Colts

Auchinleck Talbot v BSC Glasgow

Match Report by Murray

Talbot took this replay by the scruff of the neck thanks to a blistering start that saw the Bot two ahead within the opening 5 minutes.
The very first attack of the match saw Talbot open the scoring within a minute. A ball over the static defence found Milliken in behind and he thumped a shot on target that Moore parried at his near post. The rebound came back out to Milliken who clipped a cross into the centre where GILLIES volleyed home from 6 yards out.
BSC tried to respond and created an opening in the 3rd minute. Ferris turned smartly in the centre to create space and slotted a pass out left to Traynor. His cross deflected away off McGoldrick but came out to Carnwath who lashed a shot over the bar from 18 yards.
Talbot doubled their lead in the 4th minute. Milliken fed it out to Young on the right and WILSON met his precise cross at the back post to steer a header inside the right post.
Talbot weren’t hanging back and were pushing flat out for a third goal to kill the tie off. Pope created an opportunity for Wilson when his diagonal ball found him running forward on the right. Wilson attempted to chip the keeper but got too much on it and sailed it over the bar.
Gillies had a chance for his 2nd in the 7th minute. Milliken met Lyle’s deep cross and helped it back across the face of goal where Gillies rose to meet it; however he couldn’t get above the ball & his header lifted over the bar.
Moore produced a wonder stop in the 9th minute to deny Milliken. Wilson’s threaded pass split the defence sending Milliken through on the left. He powered a shot inside the near post which Moore batted away with his outstretched right hand.
Talbot were in total control at this stage and were very unlucky not to move further ahead in the 13th minute. Milliken again got in behind the defence and angled a shot past Moore that came off the foot of the left post. The ball rebounded out to Wilson who fired a shot off the same post and then saw his second effort blocked by Moore.
Carnwath became the first name in the book when penalised for a raised arm in an aerial challenge on Campbell.
Bembo showed there was still life in the visitors with a surging run up the right that saw him race into the Talbot box, only for Leishman to race off his line to smother the ball.
BSC made an early change with Johnston coming on to replace the booked Carnwath.
After the frantic start, Talbot took their foot off the pedal for a spell and BSC slowly began to play their way into the game.
Leishman was called into action in the 24th minute when Connolly found Traynor in space on the left and his low drive had to be turned wide of the left post.
An error by Lyle could have proved costly in the 27th minute. Whilst attempting to clear Traynor’s ball into the area he only succeeded in steering it across the box straight to the unmarked Connolly and Leishman had to be at his best diving to his left to keep out his effort.
BSC were enjoying a decent spell and Traynor had a go from distance in the 28th minute, sending a low drive wide of Leishman’s left post.
Just as the visitors were thinking of making a game of it, a defensive lapse provided Talbot with the chance to put the game beyond them. Bembo was caught out by a ball over the top and clipped Milliken from behind as he ran into the area. The ref pointed to the spot and POPE made no mistake, striking the ball inside the left post to put Talbot 3-0 ahead with half an hour gone.
Talbot threatened again in the 34th minute. Pope floated a free kick to the back post which Moore tipped away. Young gathered it on the right before passing inside to Milliken who in turn squared for Wilson to curl a shot wide of target.
A bloomer from the visitor’s keeper almost gifted Talbot a further goal in the 39th minute. Gillies hit a 1st time shot from the edge of the area that squirmed through the arms of Moore onto his left post but fortunately for him, it rebounded straight back into his hands.
As the half drew to a close Talbot came close to adding to their tally. Ramsay failed to cut out Young’s pass allowing Wilson to race free down the right. Moore came flying off his line to beat him to it but Wilson clipped the ball past him and the ball was heading into the net in slow motion until Home got back to knock it past his own post. Talbot couldn’t make anything of the set piece and the half ended with Talbot 3-0 to the good.
If anything the 2nd half was even more one sided as Talbot kept the pressure on their demoralised opponents.
Milliken tested the keeper in the 49th minute when he latched onto Wilson’s header but Moore was wise to his attempted lob and plucked it out the air over his head.
Two minutes later Milliken found the target again. This time he burst past Bembo inside the area before stabbing a shot at goal that Moore blocked at the near post.
It was 3rd time lucky for Milliken in the 53rd minute as he put Talbot 4-0 ahead. Wilson made a great switch of play from right to left to find MILLIKEN in space and he strode into the box and shot for goal and although Moore got a hand to it he couldn’t prevent it falling inside his right post.
Tucker made a change in the 59th minute when Milliken came off to be replaced by Steven Wilson.
Talbot’s sub was involved in the 63rd minute when Wilson whipped an early cross into the centre onto the head of Young who failed to take advantage, heading off target from 6 yards out.
BSC made a further change replacing Ferris with McDougall in the 65th minute.
As the clock wore on BSC’s discipline took a dip and Traynor picked up a caution for a late challenge on Steven Wilson.
Talbot made a double substitution in the 71st minute replacing Gillies & G Wilson with Shankland and Love.
Both subs were involved in a good move in the 74th minute. Shankland fed the ball out to Young who played in Love down the right. He fired on target but Moore parried it away at his near post.
Frustration got the better of Grey and the BSC midfielder picked up a yellow card with quarter of an hour to go.
Young came close to getting on the score sheet in the 77th minute. Pope played it out wide to Shankland and he laid it back inside where Young volleyed over the crossbar.
Love & Lyle played a neat one-two to send Lyle running clear on the right but he was halted just outside the penalty box when tripped by Connolly who was fortunate to escape a caution. With the defence anticipating the free kick being crossed in Pope took them by surprise as he drilled a low square pass to find Wilson in space 8 yards out but he didn’t make a clean contact, and his mis-hit shot was cleared.
Love had a decent chance to extend Talbot’s lead with 10 mins remaining. Young chested Lyle’s cross down into his path and as he ran onto it Moore raced off his line and did just enough to put him off, as Love lifted his shot narrowly over the bar.
Two minutes later a defensive blunder nearly resulted in a Talbot goal. Moore came to claim a cross at his back post but he collided with Traynor and spilled the ball. Love looked set to prod it home from close range but Moore made a swift recovery to dive and clutch the ball.
BSC should have gone a man down in the 83rd minute. McKinnon floored Wilson with a very late tackle, with no real intent to play the ball, but the referee only produced a yellow card.
Talbot’s final goal came 5 minutes from time. Wilson burrowed in from the right and when challenged it broke off him and landed straight at the feet of Young. His low strike beat Moore but Bronsky popped up to clear it off the line. He hooked it out to the left where Pope swung a cross in for HYSLOP to power a header into the bottom corner to make it 5-0.
White doesn’t score many but he was denied a peach of a goal with 3 mins to go when Moore tipped his 30 yard drive just wide of the left hand upright and when the corner came over Wilson glanced a header over the bar.
Talbot kept at it right to the end and almost added a sixth deep into injury time. Wilson played in Love down the right and he cut it back for Young who saw his shot tipped over the bar. From the resultant corner Campbell powered a header on target that Moore held at the 2nd attempt.
This was a vastly improved performance from Talbot who swept aside BSC in some style and could easily have won by a much higher margin. Next up for Talbot is a tricky away trip to Glasgow to face Petershill in the West of Scotland cup.
Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McGoldrick, Campbell, White, Young, Hyslop, Gillies, Milliken, G Wilson

Subs – Shankland, S Wilson, Love, Findlay, Cochrane, Boyd, Johnstone (gk)
BSC – Moore, A Bembo, Ramsay, Home, Bronsky, Carnwath, Ferris, Grey, Connolly, McKinnon, Traynor

Subs – Dryden, McDougall, Johnston, Cameron, Wilson (gk)

BSC Glasgow vs Auchinleck Talbot

Match Report by Murray

Twice Talbot took the lead in this William Hill Scottish tie but both times let it slip and so have it all to do again next Saturday at Beechwood.
The pace of the game was frantic from the start but endeavour failed to translate into goal mouth action. The first real threat came in the 7th minute. Ferris played a ball down the right channel for the run of Connolly but he was easily brushed off the ball just inside the area and it ran through to Leishman.
Talbot were forcing a few corners but weren’t getting any joy out of the home defence and it wasn’t until the 13th minute that the Bot put together a decent passage of play. Pope knocked a good ball inside into the feet of Milliken who laid it off to Shankland whose drive from the edge of the box was blocked by a defender.
BSC were content to sit deep and look to use their pace on the counter and it nearly paid off for them in the 23rd minute. Talbot were attacking until Young’s slack lay off surrendered possession and the home side swiftly broke through Connolly. He raced up the left but chose the wrong option, having a dig from 25 yards that flew well over the bar, when he had two team mates in acres of space to his right.
The opening goal came Talbot’s way in the 27th minute. Bembo’s attempted clearance was blocked and it spun out left to Milliken and he raced forward into the area. He fired a low drive at the near post which Moore blocked but Milliken gathered the rebound and crossed to the back post where SHANKLAND ran onto it to angle a shot into the back of the net.
Going behind spurred on the home side and McKinnon had a half chance to pull them level within a minute of the re-start. The Bot defence were guilty of not playing to the whistle & as they appealed for a shy, play raged on and Ferris hooked the ball across to the left where McKinnon was in space. Fortunately for Talbot his 1st touch was poor and by the time he went to strike it he’d been closed down.
Talbot surrendered the lead in cheap fashion in the 31st minute, following an uncharacteristic error by White. He was woefully short with an attempted backpass and CONNOLLY took full advantage of the gift, racing onto it and steering the ball past the advancing Leishman into the empty net.
Talbot’s most effective out was the ball over the top to Milliken and he got in behind the defence in the 35th minute. He lobbed a high cross to the back post which fell into the path of Hyslop but it came to him at an awkward height and he volleyed it wide of target from 8 yards.
The woodwork came to Bronsky’s rescue in the 40th minute. Pope fired a great cross over from the touchline which BSC’s centre half sliced onto the outside of the right post when attempting to clear. Pope took the resultant corner and lifted it to the far post where McGoldrick headed it over.
The Bot were enjoying a good spell and had the home defence under pressure a minute later. Young whipped a dangerous cross in from the right which Moore came for and missed, with Carnwath sweeping it behind for the corner.
In the 44th minute Leishman launched a long ball down the left in behind the defence. Wilson hared after it but Bembo stretched out a leg to deflect it high over his own bar. Pope swung the corner to the back post where Campbell met it. He headed it back into the mix and MILLIKEN met it with his back to goal and turned to hook it home to restore Talbot’s lead.
Talbot’s tails were up and they had a further two efforts at goal within injury time. Firstly, Young sent Milliken away on the left but from a tight angle his low shot was easily saved by Moore. Then, in the final action of the half, Wilson spurned a glorious chance to put Talbot firmly in control. Young got free on the right and cut it back across goal where Wilson met it on the volley, but from 8 yards out he volleyed over the bar.
Both sides emerged unchanged for the 2nd half and Talbot continued as they’d left off; on the attack. Hyslop swept a good pass behind the defence for Milliken to chase but he was just beaten to the ball by Moore.
Shankland should then have put Talbot two clear. Pope fed the ball down the line to Milliken and he lifted a superb early ball into the centre to pick out Shankland in front of goal but he volleyed it wide of Moore’s right post.
McKinnon had a decent, if unorthodox, effort at goal for BSC in the 51st minute. They won a free kick out on the left that was floated into the box. It was cleared out toward McKinnon who swerved an up & under looping effort that dropped just over the crossbar.
One minute later McKinnon tested Leishman from 30 yards when he hammered a full-blooded shot on target but it went straight at Leishman who held it comfortably.
Play then immediately switched to the other end as Wilson cut in smartly from the right and drilled a low shot on target that Moore only parried but was able to smother at the 2nd attempt.
McGoldrick then went on one of his trademark lung busting runs which ended with his attempted cross sailing just over the bar at the back post to the relief of Moore.
Talbot’s next threat came after 62 minutes. Wilson sped away down the right wing before clipping the ball square to find Shankland inside the area. He looked to have the time & space to go for goal but didn’t fancy it on his left peg & instead passed it back out right to Wilson who lobbed a shot over the bar.
This was Shankland’s last involvement as he made way for Latta and BSC also took the opportunity to make a change with Cameron coming on for McKinnon.
The fate of the tie was likely to hinge on the next goal and Hyslop had a half chance to swing it Talbot’s way in the 68th minute. Young fired over a great early cross that found him running onto in the centre but the ball wouldn’t sit down for him & he sent his volley over the crossbar.
BSC made two further changes in quick succession as firstly Johnston came on for Traynor and then McDougall replaced Connolly.
The substitutions galvanised the home side and Johnston had a decent crack at goal in the 76th minute. The Bot midfield was slow to react to a loose ball outside the area allowing him the space to fire a shot wide of the left post from 25 yards out.
The equaliser came in the 80th minute. Moore’s clearance came off the head of Lyle and flew behind for a corner kick on the left. It was delivered at pace across the 6-yard area where Johnston glanced a header to the back post for CAMERON to head home from close range.
Talbot won a set piece in a dangerous area with 5 minutes to go when Wilson was up ended 30 yards out. He opted to hit it himself but slipped on the run up and mis-hit it into the wall. It rebounded kindly for Milliken but his shot was blocked.
The Bot were pushing flat out for a late winner but nearly came undone with two minutes remaining. Talbot were attacking down the left but when Milliken lost out in a challenge, BSC were quick to launch a counter-attack. A long ball was knocked up the centre to find McDougall deep in the Talbot half. He ran at the defence and tried to slip a pass through for Ferris but it was a touch too heavy and Leishman was quickly off his line to take it.
In the final minute of regulation time Tucker made his 2nd switch when White went down with cramp and Steven Wilson came on in his place.
Talbot kept pushing forward but time had run out and so both sides will square off again next Saturday at Beechwood, where Talbot will be looking to make home advantage count.

BSC – Moore, A Bembo, Ramsay, Home, Bronsky, Carnwath, Ferris, Gray, Connolly, McKinnon, Traynor

Subs – Dryden, McDougall, E Bembo, Johnston, Cameron, Wilton (gk)
Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McGoldrick, Campbell, White, Young, Hyslop, Milliken, G Wilson, Shankland

Subs – Gillies, Latta, Findlay, Love, Cochrane, S Wilson, Johnstone (gk0

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy vs Auchinleck Talbot

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
This was a game to forget for the traveling Bot support with Talbot second best for much of the afternoon as they went down to a 2-0 defeat.
The warning signs were there from the off. Rob Roy won a corner in the 1st minute and when it came into the area Boyle cushioned a header down into the path of Upton who lifted his shot over the bar from 18 yards out.
Talbot put together a good move in the 4th minute. Pope fed the ball up the line to Milliken who swung an early cross into the area. Hyslop gathered the cross beyond the back post & laid it back to Latta who whipped a dangerous cross into the centre which Boyle did well to flick away.
The Talbot midfield were slow to react a minute later when the pacey Duff raced half the length of the park before firing a shot wide of Leishman’s left post from just outside the area.
Hyslop had a half chance in the 6th minute. He challenged in the air for Leishman’s long ball and reacted quickest when it broke loose but he stabbed his shot a foot over the bar from about 19 yards out.
Upton received an early yellow card for a late challenge on Latta.
Young didn’t make the most of a half chance in the 10th minute. Wilson released Lyle on the overlap and his low cross eluded the defence and came across to Young on the left edge of the penalty area; however he attempted to pass the ball into the net and his effort was blocked by a defender.
Leishman produced an early contender for save of the season in the 13th minute. Campbell misplaced a header across the penalty area and Watt looked certain to score as he headed home from close range but Andy somehow flew across to his right to claw the ball wide of the right post.
There was nothing Leishman could do though two mins later to prevent Rob Roy moving ahead. Talbot were caught out at a shy down the right which was thrown into the feet of Sawyers. He made for the bye line before cutting it back across goal where WATT hammered it home.
Talbot were struggling for any fluency but Milliken was unlucky in the 22nd minute. He gathered out on the right and curled a superb cross to the back post which Wilson just couldn’t reach.
The ref had a big decision to make in the 27th minute. Wilson surged forward only to be sent crashing down inside the box. Talbot appealed for the penalty but the referee judged that the tackle was just outside the box and awarded a free kick 19 yards out. Wilson took the free kick and fired it over the wall but Brown rose to the challenge and punched it wide of the right post.
On the half hour mark Milliken broke down the left & drilled a good low ball across the face of goal which Brown did well to smother.
Milliken was inches from sending Wilson clean through on goal in the 38th minute. His through ball looked set to send Wilson through on keeper, only for Boyle to stretch out a leg to make a crucial interception.
Talbot couldn’t be faulted for effort and kept plugging away without getting any joy. Two minutes from the interval Rob Roy threatened to extend their lead. Upton paced away on the right and angled the ball back for Watt who was poised to hit it only for Latta to intercept at full stretch, and so the sides went it with Rob Roy a goal ahead.
The 2nd half got off to a non-descript start with neither side making any progress. Wilson picked up caution in the 55th minute for blocking the run of Mackie and a minute later Talbot had a let off when they were again caught sleeping at Rob Roy throw in. The shy down the left was thrown straight into the path of Watt who ran onto it unchallenged before hitting a swerving shot that clipped off the top of the crossbar.
The 1st change of the afternoon came in the 66th minute when Martin came on for Mackie for the home side.
Milliken had a great chance to draw Talbot level a minute later. Latta won the ball and sent the ball through to Milliken on the right of the penalty area. He was clean through but with only Brown to beat he angled his shot across goal and wide of the far post.
Rob Roy now made a 2nd switch with Aitken coming on in place of Watt.
Milliken produced a moment of quality in the 69th min when he gathered wide on the right and whipped a dangerous cross over to the back post on his left foot which Finnigan did well to hook behind for a corner.
Talbot had a second shout for a penalty in the 70th minute. As Finningan went to clear the ball it took an awkward bounce and appeared to strike him on the arm but the ref waved play on. He knocked the ball up field where Latta was flattened by Duff who received a caution.
Milliken was one of Talbot’s better players on the day yet was the main culprit when it came to wasting the few clear cut chances that came Talbot’s way.
He had a decent opportunity to level the score in the 72nd minute when a ball over the top found him in space 15 yards out. He brought the ball down but got underneath it and scooped his shot over the bar.
Tucker now made his 1st change with Shankland on in place of Latta and soon after Rob Roy made their final change with Pearson replacing Duff.
Other than substitutions there wasn’t much happening and Tucker made his final throw of the dice in the 81st minute when he brought on Love & Steven Wilson for Milliken & White.
The home side should have gone a man down a minute later. Upton went to ground theatrically in a vain attempt to win a free kick on the edge of the area but the ref chose to ignore his dive and didn’t produce a 2nd yellow for the Rabs captain.
Steven Wilson had an effort on target with five minutes to go. Love flicked the ball out to him wide on the right and he struck a low shot that Brown held inside his left post.
Pearson received a yellow card for what appeared a fairly innocuous challenge in the 86th minute.
With Talbot pushing forward and no White as defensive cover Talbot were vulnerable on the counter and were caught out in the 88th minute. Upton gathered the ball midway in the Bot half but with men over he squandered the chance with a poor final ball.
However one minute later the Rabs did manage to counter successfully and kill the game off. Aitken gathered on the right touchline and switched play out to the far wing. McKenzie fired a low ball across which Sawyers dummied allowing PEARSON to bundle it home from close range.
Talbot will be disappointed with their display but have no time to brood on it as the team will need to pick themselves up for next Saturday’s away trip to Maryhill to face BSC in the Scottish Cup.

Rob Roy – Brown, Finnigan, McKenzie, Barr, Boyle, Whelan, Duff, Upton, Sawyers, Watt, Mackie

Subs – Aitken, Martin, Pearson, McMenamin, Murdoch (gk)

Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McGoldrick, Campbell, Latta, Young, White, Milliken, G Wilson, Hyslop

Subs – Shankland, Love, Gillies, S Wilson, Findlay

BSC Glasgow

Auchinleck Talbot v Petershill

MURRY’S MATCH REPORT
Talbot turned in their best performance of the season to date to sweep aside the Peasies 4-1; a score line that flattered the visitors.
From the 1st whistle Talbot looked the hungrier and more composed side and put Petershill under pressure right from the off.
The first effort at goal came in the 7th minute. Wilson played it inside to Milliken who swept it across the box for Young but he didn’t connect fully and slid his shot well wide of target.
A quickly taken free kick caught the Peasies cold in the 9th minute, sending Young free down the right. He fired it across the face of goal where only a last ditch interception by Brough prevented a certain goal.
White then came close to putting Talbot in front. He raced onto Hyslop’s short pass & ran through on goal only for McNeil’s left leg to deflect his shot wide of the left post.
Petershill weren’t switched on and were caught napping at a quickly taken corner. Pope rolled the ball out to Milliken who let fly from 20 yards but straight at the keeper.
Tucker was forced into an early change after 17 minutes when Boyd was caught with a late tackle and limped off to be replaced by Latta.
The Peasies defence was hanging by a thread and had another lucky escape in the 19th min. Pope’s ball down the left found Young and he hit a great first time ball into the centre which Brough hooked over his own bar.
Petershill’s first effort at goal came in the 20th minute. Hynes showed good feet to cut inside and create the room for a shot but his left foot effort from the edge of the box swerved well wide of goal.
The opening goal came in the 22nd minute. McGoldrick lifted a ball down to the left corner flag which Young chased down, winning a corner off Kennedy. Pope fired the corner over to the far side of the 6-yard box where Campbell directed it back across goal for MILLIKEN to run onto and head home from close range.
Talbot took complete control of the match two minutes later when they added a quick second goal to double their lead. Wilson was clipped just outside the penalty area and WILSON took the free kick himself, curling a peach of a shot over the wall and inside McNeil’s right post.
Milliken was popping up all over the place and had a good chance to put Talbot 3 ahead in the 28th minute. He raced through one on one with the keeper but sent his shot against the foot of the leftt hand post. Wilson gathered the ball out on the right and slung a cross into the centre which McNeil plucked out the air.
F Chisholm received a booking for the visitors on the half hour mark for a poor challenge on White in the centre of the park.
Talbot continued to dominate but it wasn’t until the closing minutes of the half that they turned their possession into clear cut chances.
In the 44th minute Pope’s cross into the middle was headed out but went straight to Milliken in space 16 yards out and he sent a low left foot drive just wide of the left post.
Just before the half time whistle Hyslop ghosted past Bradley and whipped a good cross into the goal mouth. Once again the defence got no great distance on the clearing header and it came out to Young who curled a shot wide of the left hand post, and so the sides went in with Talbot two goals to the good.
The 2nd half continued just where the 1st left off and Talbot nearly added to their lead within a minute of the re-start. Yet again the Peasies were slow to react at a set piece and when the corner was played back to Latta, his cross cum shot dipped just past the far post with McNeil scrambling.
A good ball over the top sent Young through on the right and J Chisholm did well at full stretch to cut out Young’s cutback in the centre.
Petershill made their 1st change on 49 minutes with Shields on in place of F Chisholm.
Talbot put together a good move in the 51st minute that only lacked the finishing touch. Milliken flicked the ball onto Wilson in the centre and he quickly switched play out to the left to find Young. He swept a great low ball across the 6-yard area which Wilson missed by inches for a tap in.
For all Talbot’s dominance a Peasies goal could have changed things and Hynes powerful strike from outside the area was heading on target until McGoldrick’s head got in the way.
Other than clutching a few floated crosses Leishman had been under occupied all afternoon but he produced a fine stop in the 54th minute. Bradley, comfortably Petershill’s best player on the day, swung a dangerous cross over to the back post. Pope dived to head it behind but got t wring and it looked an o.g all the way until Leishman dived to his left to turn it around the post.
After this mini wobble Talbot put the game to bed with a well-worked 3rd goal in the 55th minute. White started the move feeding the ball out to Pope. He passed it to Wilson at the edge of the box who laid the ball off to MILLIKEN who cut across the box before dispatching it into the bottom corner off his weaker right foot.
Petershill now made a further change with Davidson coming on to replace Daly.
The Peasies defence were slow learners and they were caught flat-footed again at Talbot’s 4th goal. Milliken was fouled out on the left touchline and Pope showed quick thinking to take the free kick early, sending a low ball into the near post where YOUNG buried it from 5 yards out.
A minute later Milliken had a great chance to extend Talbot’s lead. Young clipped a ball over the head of Brough to send Milliken through on goal but he failed to beat the advancing keeper who blocked his shot behind for the corner.
Milliken had another go at goal in the 62nd minute when he beat the offside trap before lashing a shot over the bar from wide on the left.
Hynes had an opportunity to nab a consolation effort in the 64th minute when he got his head onto Bradley’s cross; however he glanced his header wide of target.
Chisholm had his name taken in the 69th minute when he tripped Wilson outside the area. Wilson took it but couldn’t replicate his strike of the 1st half and fired over the wall but over the bar.
Tucker made two changes in rapid succession bringing on Shankland for Wilson and then Steven Wilson came on for Hyslop.
It didn’t take Shankland long to make an impact. He took a great touch out on the right to create the space for himself before sweeping a cross over which Milliken headed on target but it went straight at McNeil.
Shankland then combined well with Steven Wilson sending Wilson through on the right. He burst into the area and tried to fire it back across goal but McNeil cut it out at his near post.
With the game won Talbot took their foot off the pedal and the closing stages meandered along with Talbot still on top but lacking the urgency in the final 3rd to add to their tally.
As the game moved into injury time Petershill snatched a late consolation effort. Hynes sped down the right into the area and squared it across for CRAIG to slot home.
This was an impressive display by Talbot who maintained their 100% start to the league whilst doing their goal difference no harm either. Next up for Talbot is an away day at Cumbernauld to face Rob Roy.

Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McGoldrick, Campbell, Boyd, Young, White, Milliken, G Wilson, Hyslop

Subs – Gillies, Shankland, Latta, Love, S Wilson

Petershill – McNeil, F Chisholm, Bradley, Brough, J Chisholm, Kennedy, McLean, Ketterer, Daly, Hynes, Craig

Subs – Stevenson, Davidson, Dan, Shields, Cross

Hermes vs Auchinleck Talbot

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT
Talbot secured their place in Tuesday’s Scottish cup draw with a comfortable away win over reigning North region champions, Hermes.
Talbot were short odds favourites to progress but it was the hosts who made the livelier start. They stretched the Bot defence in the 3rd minute when a ball in behind the defence almost sent Jack clean through but he couldn’t quite reach it and Leishman was quickly off his line to gather.
Hermes were playing a risky game, keeping a very high line as they attempted to squeeze the action into Talbot’s half and as the Bot settled into the game, the host’s game plan unravelled.
The referee was left with a game changing decision in the 10th minute when Talbot successfully beat the offside trap. Milliken raced free down the right & knocked it past Sweeney who’d raced out his box to stop him. The keeper clearly fouled Milliken and on another day might have walked for a professional foul but the ref chose only to book him.
Talbot took the lead with quarter of an hour gone in large part due to an error from Sweeney so in a sense justice was done. Shankland chased down a ball in behind the defence & Sweeney sclaffed his clearance straight to the feet of GRAHAM WILSON on the right edge of the box and he fired a low shot into the empty net.
The Hermes defence were now being turned at will and Milliken had a great chance to double Talbot’s lead in the 19th minute when a ball over the top found him running through one on one with the keeper. He tried to drill it past the advancing Sweeney but the keeper blocked his effort and it spun out to Shankland who cut in on his left foot and went for goal, only to see his shot blocked by a defender. Wilson reacted quickest to the loose ball and raced into the penalty area and took it wide of the keeper only to lose his footing and the ball ran behind for the goal kick.
It was all Talbot now and it was no great surprise when Talbot moved 2-0 ahead in the 25th minute. Milliken raced onto a ball by ***** and might have went for goal himself but unselfishly squared it across to the unmarked GRAHAM WILSON who rifled it into the roof of the net.
Young had an opportunity to extend the lead when he raced free down the left but he angled his shot wide of the far post and a minute later Milliken tested the keeper when he lashed a shot on target that Sweeney parried to his left before gathering at the 2nd attempt.
Talbot put together a well-worked counter-attack in the 34th minute. Milliken used his pace to break down the left before sliding a good ball into the penalty area. Wilson dummied it for Shankland but before he could pounce McKenzie slid in to knock it behind for a corner. When Butch’s corner came over Wilson met it but couldn’t keep his header under the bar.
Talbot kept plugging away looking for further goals and created a few half chances shortly before the interval. In the 1st of these, Hyslop’s flick created space for Milliken on the right of the area but he went for goal on his weaker right foot and the shot was blocked behind.
Shortly after, Pope sent the ball down the line to Young and he fed it across the box to Shankland who lifted a shot over the bar.
In the final chance of the half Leishman’s clearance sailed over the static Hermes defence to find Milliken on the left side of the area. Sweeney was caught off his line but Milliken was caught in two minds and ultimately his final ball was neither a cross nor a shot and Sweeney recovered to gather in the centre.
There were no changes during the interval and no change in fortune either, as Talbot started the 2nd half as they’d ended the first.
Wilson had his name taken in the 47th minute for a high tackle on Hyslop.
Shankland provided Talbot’s next effort at goal. Wilson found him in space on the left & he cut inside Cruickshank before firing just wide of Sweeney’s right post.
However the goal wasn’t long delayed and Talbot made it 3 in the 53rd minute. Milliken’s header on sent Wilson through 1 on 1 with the keeper but he was denied his hat-trick when Sweeney blocked his low drive. Undeterred, Wilson pursued the ball out to the right and turned provider as he crossed into the centre for HYSLOP to head home from close range.
With the game as good as won the game went into a bit of a lull for a short spell with Talbot looking comfortable without threatening further goals.
Wilson sparked things back into life in the 65th minute when he met Pope’s shy and laid it into the path of Young. Butch’s shot was blocked but came back out to Wilson whose low drive forced a save out of Sweeney.
A minute later the Hermes keeper was again called into action. This time he threw himself to his left to turn Milliken’s fierce drive around the post.
Hermes now made their 1st change with Strachan coming on for McRae and Tucker made a double switch up front with Gillies & Love replacing Shankland & Milliken.
Talbot made it 4-0 in the 72nd minute. The Bot won a free kick out on the right which Pope curled into the area. Campbell met it and headed it back across for Gillies whose point blank header produced a fine stop from Sweeney. However, the keeper could do nothing to prevent GRAHAM WILSON tucking away the rebound to complete his hat-trick.
Hermes could easily have went a man down a minute later when Jack was guilty of a bad tackle on Hyslop but the referee gave him the benefit of the doubt and produced a yellow card.
Talbot’s next effort came from Love out on the right who fired a low shot across goal and wide of the right post.
Tucker made his final change in the 79th minute when Steven Wilson came on for Young.
Gillies was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet in the 80th minute. Latta pulled the back from the bye line and he fired a shot on target that had Sweeney beaten but was blocked in the goal mouth by Brown.
Gillies had another chance a couple of minutes later when Love’s diagonal ball found him running in behind the defence. He could’ve went for goal but instead opted to square it across to G Wilson for a tap in but Cruickshank slid in to intercept and put it behind.
Hermes made a late change when McLachlan came on in place of Cruickshank.
In the closing minutes the home side twice came close to grabbing a consolation effort. Smith let fly from 35 yards out only to see his shot clip the top of the bar and in the final minute Brown got his head on the end of a free kick into the area but his header looped just off target.
This was a good win for Talbot who might have won by a few more had they been a bit more clinical in front of goal. Next up for the Bot it is back to league duties and the visit of in form Petershill.

Hermes – Sweeney, Cruickshank, Smith, Brown, Campbell, McKenzie, Macklin, Wilson, Jack, McRae, Dawson

Subs – G Watson, McLachlan, Simpson, Strachan, Nash, Smith, S Watson (gk)

Talbot – Leishman, Latta, Pope, Lyle, Campbell, Hyslop, Young, White, Milliken, G Wilson, Shankland

Subs – Gillies, Love, S Wilson, Findlay, Johnstone (gk)

New Team Name

Auchinleck Talbot vs Shettleston

MATCH REPORT BY MURRAY

After Wednesday night’s disappointment, Talbot producd the goods when it mattered, opening their title defence with a win over Shettleston courtesy of a strong 2nd half performance.
The first 45 mins saw maximum effort and minimum football with both sides struggling to make any impact or test the opposing keeper.
It took until the 7th minute before the first incident of note. Milliken raced onto the end of Leishman’s ball up the right and tried to knock it past Halliwell who made the block.
The visitors spurned a rare chance in the 10th minute. They won a free kick on the right which Parker flighted into the area. Campbell headed it clear but Jugkowiak gathered on the left & skinned McGoldrick before crossing to the back post where McEwan glanced a free header wide.
Talbot’s next chance came to Milliken. Leishman’s ball down the left found him in space inside the area but he fired his shot wide of the right post.
Good football was at a premium in a dour 1st half though Talbot put together a good move in the 18th minute. Hyslop turned smartly in midfield and fed it out to Young whose well-weighted pass looked set to send Milliken through on the keeper but for a timely interception by Francis.
The officials angered both sides in the 27th minute. Talbot were aggrieved at the failure of the linesman to flag when McCormack ran in behind looking a yard offside and then the visiting bench were angered when McCormack went down under Campbell’s challenge; however the ref waved play on as the ball ran through to Leishman.
There was little goalmouth incident to get excited about but the ref had another big decision to make in the 35th minute. Leishman came off his line to clear a long ball through the centre and towered over Halliday to punch clear. The ball landed out at Ramage who fired an early shot but he didn’t get enough height on it and it was easily blocked. Meanwhile, Leishman & Halliday were involved in a tangle off the ball as the Ton player wrestled Leishman to prevent him getting back on his feet. When the dust settled, the referee spoke to both players and booked Halliday for his part.
As the half wore on it grew increasingly scrappy and ill tempered. Parker had his name taken in the 41st minute for a late challenge on Young.
A minute later Campbell came close for Talbot. The Bot won a free kick out on the left and Shankland swung a cross over to the far post where Campbell won it, only to send his header flying wide of the left post.
As the half drew to a close Talbot threatened again via a set piece. This time it was a corner from the right which Campbell won in the centre forcing Halliwell to tip his header over the crossbar.
Talbot continued pushing forward and slinging crosses into the Shettleston penalty area but it didn’t break kindly for a Bot player and the defence managed to clear by hook or by crook until the whistle signalled the end of the half.
After a slightly stuttering start Talbot got into their stride in the 2nd half and Milliken forced a good save from Weir in the 51st minute. He took advantage of hesitant defending to get in on the left and Weir had to turn his half volley round the post.
There was a loud penalty appeal in the 55th minute when Milliken raced down the wing and swung a cross over onto the head of Shankland that appeared to be blocked by a defender’s arm.
Two minutes later Talbot came close to the lead. Milliken whipped an early ball over to the back post for Shankland. His initial header went straight up in the air but as it dropped down he prodded it past the advancing keeper and just over the crossbar.
Shettleston were under the cosh and in an attempt to turn things round they made a double switch with Parker & Ramage making way for Martin & Marshal.
However, the subs had no time to make any difference before Talbot took the lead with 61 mins gone. Milliken cut the ball back from the left wing to the feet of Shankland & he stepped inside Francis who sent him tumbling with a clumsy challenge. POPE stepped forward and slammed the penalty into the back of the net.
Talbot were looking dangerous at corners and had the visiting defence on the ropes in the 69th minute when a corner beyond the far post was met by Campbell who angled it back across the goal mouth. The ball bounced around the 6-yard area without falling to a Talbot player before the defence finally cleared it out to the edge of the box where Pope drilled a shot wide.
Shettleston now played their final card with Anson coming on for McEwan whilst Talbot made a double switch with G Wilson & Boyd on for Shankland & Latta.
Talbot were unlucky not to add to their lead in the 75th minute. Hylsop sent a good ball through to release Milliken on the left and he fired it over early to find Wilson who was free in the centre, unfortunately it was a fraction behind him and got stuck between his feet as he tried to take it in his stride and broke through to Weir.
Milliken went on a lung bursting run in the 79th minute leaving McArthur in his wake as he sped down the left into the penalty area, however he’d used up his reserves of energy & hit a tired shot on target that Weir saved easily.
Tucker made his final change in the 82nd minute with Love on to replace Milliken.
Talbot’s threat from set plays was demonstrated again with 5 mins remaining. Love won a corner out on the right and when it came over to the back post Campbell climbed to nod it just wide of the right post.
The points were finally secured with 3 minutes remaining. Wilson went up in aerial challenge at the edge of the area and the ball bounced the way of LOVE who hooked it over his own shoulder and past Weir who was stranded off his line to make it 2-0 to the Bot.
Deep into injury time the visitors were reduced to 10 men when Francis was guilty of a reckless lunge at White. Fortunately no harm was done to White but the ref showed Francis a straight red to send him packing.
It took Talbot a while to get going but once they hit their stride the Bot ran out comfortable winners with Shettleston offering little in the final third. Next up for Talbot is the long trek to Bridge of Don to face Hermes in the senior cup.