Realistically Talbot needed a win over Troon to stay in the hunt for the league title, and they did it the hard way, taking all 3 points courtesy of a last minute winner after playing the last half hour with ten men.
With a lot at stake for both sides this game had a very cagey opening with little happening.
The first chance came Troon’s way in the 12th minute. Milliken’s attempted crossfield to Pope was intercepted & Barbour raced clear down the right. He played it inside to Curragh who drilled a low shot inside on target that Leishman held inside his left post.
Lyle had his name taken in the 13th minute when he nudged Nisbet off the ball as they both chased a ball over the top. Keenan took the free kick but hit a tame effort straight into the wall and he was fortunate not to end up in the ref’s notebook moments later when he barged McPherson over.
Wilson became the 2nd Bot player cautioned, when he was booked for an innocuous challenge on Nisbet in the 18th minute. This time Barbour took the set piece & his low drive clipped the outside of Talbot’s wall, forcing a full length diving save from Leishman to prevent it heading inside the left post.
Talbot did have the ball in the net in the 20th minute but it was ruled out for offside. Pope curled a free kick into the area where Young guided a header back across goal. It looked as though it may have been drifting inside the right post on its own but McCracken slid in to make sure, and he had strayed offside.
In Talbot’s next attack, Wilson showed quick feet to burst through the midfield & race toward the Troon box but his final shot sailed high over the bar.
A close offside call thwarted Talbot in the 25th minute. Pooler slid the ball through to Milliken on the left, who looked onside as he bore down on Fraser but as he knocked the ball past the advancing keeper the flag had went up & although the ball ended in the net it didn’t count.
Troon came close to taking the lead in the 32nd minute. Keenan’s pass picked out Nisbet down the right. He made for the bye line where he slung a cross over that clipped the top of the bar.
Pooler missed a golden chance to put Talbot ahead in the 34th minute. He easily intercepted Armstrong’s casual back pass to go clean through on the keeper, however he failed to take it round him & Fraser was able to smother the ball.
Talbot tested the visiting keeper again in the 40th minute. McCracken met Pope’s free kick into the area & powered a header on target that Fraser initially fumbled but gathered at the 2nd attempt.
The final chance of the half came a minute before the interval. Milliken ran onto Pope’s ball over the top, beating Fraser to it, and knocking it wide past the keeper. He gathered out on the left & swung a cross over to the back post for Thomson but it sailed over him.
Talbot had a good chance to grab the opener early in the 2nd half. Pope played the ball into the feet of McCracken inside the box & he returned the ball back to Pope. He slid the ball through to the unmarked Thomson who got his shot all wrong, tamely side-footing wide from a good area.
Keenan received a caution in the 55th minute for an aerial challenge, conceding a free kick just outside the area. Pope’s free kick struck the defensive wall & spun behind for the corner. Young whipped a dangerous corner over which Chatham headed just over his own bar.
Talbot’s task was made considerably harder in the 59th minute when they were reduced to 10 men. Wilson went charging forward down the right & dived into the tackle when the ball was running away from him. It looked as though he played the ball & his foot never left the ground, but the ref deemed it a 2nd yellow and off he went; a shocking decision, particularly as his 1st booking was a joke.
Troon failed to make the most of a good chance in the 63rd minute. Leishman bowled the ball out to McPherson 30 yards from goal but he slipped allowing Maley to nick the ball. He spotted Leishman stranded off his line & went for the early shot but hit it too near Leishman who was able to make the stop.
Talbot made a change in the 66th minute with Shankland on for Thomson.
The visitors made an attacking substitution in the 69th minute, taking Spence off & throwing Forsyth on to play up front.
The change almost paid off a minute later. Forsyth broke down the right, winning a corner, and when the corner came over & Talbot failed to clear their lines, he slid in to stab the ball just wide of the right post.
Curragh messed up a real chance to put Troon ahead in the 72nd minute. He raced clear on the left & simply had to square it across for Forsyth to roll it into the empty net but instead opted to try & go it alone. He lost control of the ball, dived to try & win a penalty, and ended with nothing but a yellow card for his troubles.
With quarter of an hour remaining Milliken climbed to beat Fraser to Pope’s hanging cross but his header drifted wide of target.
Tucker now made his 2nd switch with Stevenson coming on to replace McCracken & moments later Troon followed suit bringing Ure on for Maley.
Troon’s two subs combined in the 81st minute when Forsyth laid the ball back for Ure who fired wide from 20 yards.
Talbot’s next attack saw Shankland cut inside off the left & shoot for goal, his shot taking a slight deflection off Armstrong as it flew just wide of the left post.
Just when it looked as though the game was going to finish goal less, Talbot produced a dramatic late winner. Stevenson raced away from Chatham down the right & cut it back across the penalty area to find MILLIKEN in space 16 yards out. He worked it onto his left foot before drilling a shot past Fraser with the aid of a deflection off Armstrong.
There were contrasting emotions at the final whistle with Bot players celebrating a win that keeps them in the title hunt whilst the Troon players slumped to the surface as this defeat sealed their relegation.
Next up for Talbot is a mid-week trip to Darvel in the quarter-final of the West.Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, White, Young, S Wilson, Milliken, Pooler, ThomsonSubs – Stevenson, Shankland, Whyte, McLuckie, Hewitt
After making a blistering run down the wing, Stevenson picks out Milliken free in the box and Keir unleashes a thunderous shot towards goal and…………bursts the back of the net and scores, what could end up being, a very crucial goal in this interesting title race. 1-0.The Cheshire Cat has got nothing compared to this winning smile from Milliken after scoring his VERY late goal for Talbot.It’s smiles all round, as everybody celebrates Milliken’s winning goal.Pure Black ‘n’ Gold euphoria!!!!McCracken jumps the highest and heads a strong header towards goal…………and, although the ‘keeper saves the header, he fumbles the ball but manages to re-gather it just before White gets his foot to the ball.Stephen White’s headed shot gets cleared off the line by Troon.After a Troon mistake, Talbot’s Dylan Pooler finds himself one-on-one with the ‘keeper but fails to get his shot past him.Protect yourself time, as the Talbot wall tries to block this Troon free-kick.Gordon Pope finds himself free in the box and gets his head to the ball.From outside the box, Craig McCracken tries a long range effort but fails to burst the net.Troon try a shot from very close range but are deemed to be offside.As the rain starts to come down, McCracken slides in at the back post but is unfortunately, found to be offside.Andy Leishman uses his height and makes sure the danger is cleared.Shankland tries to find a way through a congested Troon defence.As a free-kick has been given against Talbot, the player’s faces certainly show they disagree with the decision.As McCracken fends off Gavin Collins, Pope heads the ball back across the face of goal.A midfield tussle, as Keir tries to win the ball back.Orders get roared by the Troon defence.Milliken tries to get his feelings across after a decision against him.Help required here folks….this picture is crying out for a good caption but I can’t think of one. : )A lunging tackle is made, as Dylan Stevenson races forward.Steven Wilson tries to evade this tackle from Troon.After losing such a late goal, the Troon players can only feel gutted at such a loss.Their heads may be down after losing but the Troon players can raise their heads and be proud for the effort they put into the game.Mark Shankland raises a victorious fist into the air, as he walks off the pitch at full time.A winning smile from the man of the moment, Keir Milliken. Photographs by Paul Flynn.
Talbot made short shrift of Ardrossan in this Ayrshire cup tie; cruising past their lower league opponents with plenty to spare.
Goals have been in short supply of late but it only took Talbot half a minute to take the lead in this tie. Pope swung a cross over to find DYLAN STEVENSON in space 6 yards out & he side-footed home at the back post to make it 1-0.
Talbot doubled their lead after 12 minutes. McPherson pinged a good ball down the right to find Pooler & he squared it across the penalty area where KLARK THOMSON ran onto it & slotted home.
Davidson had his name taken in the 19th minute for a swipe at Stevenson as he broke down the right. Young whipped the free kick into the 6-yard area where it broke for JAMES WHITE in front of goal & he slammed it home to score on his debut.
Davidson was heading for an early bath in the 22nd minute when he picked up a 2nd yellow card. He clipped the heels of Thomson as he was bearing down on goal; leaving the ref little choice but to send him off & award the penalty, which KEIR MILLIKEN duly dispatched into the back of the net.
With the game effectively over as a contest Talbot used their extra man to good effect; knocking the ball about at their ease as they dominated possession.
It was 5-0 to Talbot in the 36th minute. Young picked up 30 yards from goal & clipped an accurate pass straight to the feet of STEVENSON who strolled onto it & passed the ball into the net.
Four minutes before half-time & Talbot make it 6 with STEVENSON grabbing his hat-trick. McCracken played him in behind the defence & he buried his shot low inside the right post.
Ardrossan made a change at the start of the 2nd half with Colligan on in place of McGregor.
Talbot continued as they’d left off; camped in the Winton half looking to add to their tally. Ross fired Stevenson’s dangerous cross over his own crossbar and minutes later Pope tested Caddis with a swerving drive from 20 yards.
Tucker made a double substitution in the 57th minute with Young & Milliken departing the scene to be replaced by Steven White & Wilson.
The 7th goal arrived in the 63rd minute. Stevenson won a corner on the right & when it came over Wilson guided a header off the foot of the left post & POOLER was on hand to tap home the rebound.
Ardrossan had offered little to no threat but they did succeed in snatching a consolation effort in the 66th minute when they were awarded a penalty for handball. COLLIGAN took it & thumped the spot kick home via the underside of the bar.
With 20 mins remaining Shankland made his return to action when he came on in place of Pooler.
Talbot could, and probably should, have added to their goal haul in the closing 20 minutes. Firstly, Wilson nicked the ball off a defender inside the area & fired a cross onto the head of Stevenson which he directed over the bar.
Wilson had a good chance to get on the score sheet in the 72nd minute when Pope’s cross found him in front of goal but he placed his header over the crossbar.
A minute later he had an even better chance when Shankland curled the perfect cross over from the left, however he steered his free header well wide of the right post.
Wilson did have the ball in the net in the 76th minute but it was correctly chalked off for offside. Caddis spilled Shankland’s shot from 20 yards & Wilson tucked in the rebound but the linesman’s flag went up straight away.
Pope came close to adding to Talbot’s lead in the 85th minute when he arrowed a left foot shot just wide of the left hand post.
The final chance of the evening came two minutes from time. Shankland lifted a cross to the far post where Wilson turned smartly before firing over the bar.
This was a very comfortable night for Talbot which hopefully will have bolstered the squad’s confidence going into Troon’s visit to Beechwood this Saturday.
A depleted Talbot squad gave it their all and were unlucky not to take all 3 points in a tense draw away to table topping Rob Roy.
There was little between the sides in the opening spell, though the home side found themselves temporarily a man short when Sawyers took a head knock when challenging Leishman for the ball.
The first move of note came from Talbot in the 12th minute. Young released Pooler down the left & he played a good early ball into the near post where G Wilson side-footed it past the right post.
Fraser, the Rob Roy captain, had his name taken in the 15th minute for a late challenge on G Wilson in midfield and a minute later Sawyers was able to return to the fray after being patched up.
Ex-Bot player Boyle joined his captain in the ref’s notebook in the 29th minute for a foul on G Wilson.
The home side, with the wind at their back, were pushing Talbot back and they threatened the Bot goal twice in quick succession just after the half hour mark. Firstly Sawyers turned sharply in the box to create space for a shot, only to see his shot deflected behind for a corner. When the corner came over from the right, Boyle climbed to meet it but sent his header crashing against the right post.
Rob Roy had a half chance in the 37th minute. A long ball down the left was nodded on, releasing Watt down the left. He chipped it across goal looking to find McGuire 6 yards out but it went behind him & Talbot cleared their lines.
A minute later Talbot had a good chance to take the lead. White won the ball on the left & knocked it into the path of Pooler on the left edge of the penalty area. He spotted the keeper off his line & tried to lob it but didn’t get enough on it.
Leishman was called into action in the 41st minute after Talbot conceded a free kick just outside the box. Gallagher curled it on target & Leishman was on hand to tip it over the crossbar.
Pope became the 1st Talbot player cautioned when he brought McGuire down out on the right wing.
In the final minute of the half Thomson had a chance to put Talbot in front. Walker was guilty of a slack square ball across the edge of his own penalty area. Thomson intercepted it before it got to Boyle but drilled his shot straight at the keeper.
The 2nd half was only three minutes old when Rob Roy nearly caught Talbot out with a swift counter-attack. They successfully defended Pope’s corner into the back post & having cleared their lines worked it down the right where Gallagher was tripped just outside the penalty area. The free kick was lifted into the near post where Lyle headed it clear.
McGuire became the 3rd Rabs player cautioned when he talked himself into the book in the 50th minute.
Rob Roy were awarded what looked to be a soft free kick a minute later, when Lyle was penalised for winning an aerial battle with Gallagher. Gallagher took the free kick & whipped a dangerous cross over to the centre where Sawyers saw his header deflected past. When the resultant corner came over Sawyers again got his head on it but placed it way over the bar.
Graham Wilson was very unfortunate not to get his name on the scoresheet in the 55th minute. Thomson, out on the left touchline, hooked the ball over the static defence for G Wilson to race onto & he thumped a shot that came crashing off the underside of the bar before Green nodded it behind.
A few minutes later Pooler tried his luck from 22 yards out but pulled his shot wide of the right post.
Sawyers received a caution in the 61st minute. He was off the field for treatment & ran back on without permission when he saw a chance of challenging for the ball.
The playing surface brick hard & it nearly worked to Talbot’s advantage when a Lyle free kick into the area took a high bounce, forcing the back pedalling keeper to tip it over the crossbar.
Pope took the corner into the near post & the home defence failed to clear it, heading it up into the air. G Wilson tried to head it back across goal & McKenzie appeared to block it with his arm whilst trying to chest it, but the referee ignored Talbot’s penalty appeal & awarded another corner. When this came over, Young glanced a header off target.
Talbot’s next attack saw Pope lift a ball down the left to find Pooler inside the area. He cut inside & shot for goal; his effort taking a deflection that saw it over the bar. Tucker now made a change with Stevenson on in place of Thomson. When the corner came over the Rabs defence failed to cut it out & it came to the feet of White who toe poked it goal ward but once again fortune wasn’t with Talbot & it came off the underside of the bar & bounced on the line before being cleared.
Rob Roy made a change in the 74th minute with Mackie coming on for McGuire.
The home side hadn’t been in it for a while but they should have taken the lead with quarter of an hour remaining. Sawyers found himself clean through on Leishman on the right but hit a tame effort that was more pass back than shot.
Pooler did well down the left in the 78th minute, showing good feet to beat Green before cutting it across the face of goal. G Wilson gathered on the far side of the area & fired a shot over the top.
Rob Roy made their 2nd change in the 80th minute; Hughes replacing Sawyers up front & the sub was barely on the pitch when he missed a decent chance to put Rob Roy ahead. A ball in behind the Bot defence found him 20 yards from goal with Leishman well off his line. He dinked the ball past the advancing Leishman but steered it well wide of the left post.
The assistant referee came to Rob Roy’s rescue in the 83rd minute when a poor offside call robbed Talbot of the lead. A Bot free kick out on the right was flighted across to the back post where Pooler climbed to head it back across goal. Young, who was being played onside by Boyle, volleyed it home, only for the assistant ref to incorrectly flag for offside.
Three minutes from time Talbot had one final chance to take all 3 points. Pope lifted a free kick down the centre that eluded the Rabs central defence. Young, with his back to goal, tried to glance it past the keeper but just failed to make contact.
In the final minute of regulation time the assistant referee again came to Rob Roy’s aid. Young lofted a ball down the centre where G Wilson got the better of Boyle. He looked set to race clear but the linesman saw something no one else did & his flag brought him to a halt.
Twice Talbot were a fraction off taking the lead, and had a perfectly good goal disallowed, but if you’d asked any Talbot fan before kick-off they’d have been happy with a point and with Glenafton losing, Talbot are still right in the mix.
Next up for Talbot it is back to cup duty as they host Ardrossan Winton Rovers mid-week.
Kirkintilloch Rob Roy – McKinven, Walker, McKenzie, Green, Boyle, Whelan, McGuire, Fraser, Sawyers, Watt, Gallagher
Subs – McCall, Hughes, Pearson, Mackie, Brown (gk)
Ok folks…Was ‘Butch’ onside or offside? Here he becomes free inside the Rob Roy box and looks to get onto the end of this headed pass…………which he does, by hitting the ball on the volley…………and although he cooley smashes the ball home, he was deemed to be offside by the officials.A first half chance for Talbot with Pooler firing a low pass across the face of goal where Graham Wilson gets to the ball first…………but, unfortunately, ‘G’ slots the ball narrowly wide of the post.After making a tremendous run into the Rob Roy box, Dylan Pooler beats Danny Boyle and tries an audacious chip but the Roy ‘keeper comfortably saves the shot.After creating space for himself inside the box, ‘G’ fires a thunderous shot past the ‘keeper but only manages to make a big dent in the crossbar.Dylan and Danny can only watch, as Pooler smacks a shot off the dusty pitch and onto a looping path towards goal…………but the Roy ‘keeper pulls off a great save to tip the ball over the bar.From a corner, Stephen White thunders a strike towards goal from very close range…………but, agonisingly, can only smash the ball off the crossbar, while everybody else is frozen to spot.Wullie Sawyers finds himself one-on-one with Andy Leishman but fires the shot too straight at the ‘keeper and the chance is gone for Rob Roy.With Talbot looking for a winning goal, ‘Tucker’ roars out the all important tactics.Graham rues a missed opportunity for Talbot.As Stephen fights to create a chance for Talbot, McGoldrick and the rest of the Auchinleck bench can only hold their hands on their heads and pray a chance comes along.Gordon Pope and Ross Harvey make sure the Black and Gold defence line is not breached.After Talbot get a goal ‘chalked’ off, this Rob Roy player points out what went wrong for his defence.McPherson clears his lines and ‘hoofs’ the ball back up the park.Pooler gets stopped in his tracks, as the crowd closely watch the action unfold.Harvey gets to the ball first and stops the Rob Roy attack.Steven Wilson jumps the highest and heads the ball back down the park.“It wasn’t me……honestly.”All eyes on the prize, as Thompson tries to win the ball for Talbot.“Can you see me now???Some Talbot fans enjoying the sunshine football on a glorious Saturday afternoon. Photographs by Paul Flynn.
Sometimes a point can feel like winning all three, and this was the case yesterday as Talbot produced a late fightback to secure a draw away at Hurlford.
The game was only 7 minutes old when Wilson was harshly cautioned for a foul wide of the Talbot box. Kelly took the free kick but drilled it low straight into the wall.
Within a minute Talbot were threatening down the other end. Young gathered out on the left & cut back onto his right foot before swerving a dangerous cross over that C Robertson headed behind for a corner on the right. Young swept it into the near post where Wilson glanced a header on target that was cleared off the line.
In Hurlford’s next attack Hodge went on a good run, beating a couple of men down the right before shooting from the angle of the box but it sailed straight at Leishman.
Latta had his name taken in the 12th minute for a foul on McKenzie near the bye line.
Six minutes later Latta’s afternoon was over. He fell awkwardly after an aerial challenge & limped from the field to be replaced by White.
Molloy received a caution in the 25th minute for a foul on Young.
Milliken had a half chance in the 32nd minute. He held off Fisher to get to a ball over the top & raced into the penalty area. The angle was too tight for a shot so he tried to square it across goal where it was blocked by C Robertson & broke through to the keeper.
A minute later Hurlford took the lead thanks to a rare clanger from Leishman. There appeared to be no danger when a nothing ball was floated down the centre into the penalty area. Leishman came out to gather but misjudged the flight of the ball, missing it completely, leaving R ROBERTSON the simple task of passing it into the empty net.
Hurlford had a chance to double their lead in the 38th minute. Fisher drove forward before releasing the ball out to McKenzie in space on the right. He pulled it back across the area to pick out Roberts who shot wide of the right post.
Talbot had an early opportunity in the 2nd half when Wilson was pulled down just outside the Hurlford penalty area. Pope took the set piece but lofted his shot well over the bar.
The home side began to take a grip on the game & had Talbot pegged back in their own half for a spell without being able to test Leishman. The closest they came was in the 59th minute when Robertson laid the ball off to Roberts 20 yards out & he fired just over the bar.
Talbot had a chance to put the home defence to the test in the 63rd minute when Young won a free kick on the right. He delivered a good ball into the centre which Fisher headed out to the edge of the box where Stevenson volleyed it over the bar.
Leishman came to Talbot’s rescue a minute later. Robertson headed the ball into the path of McKenzie to send him through on goal but Leishman managed to block his attempted lob.
Brash, who was living up to or down to his name depending on your point of view, managed to talk his way into the book in the 65th minute.
Milliken nearly got in behind in Talbot’s next foray up field. A mix up between C Robertson & his keeper saw Milliken nip in between them just inside the penalty box but Fisher got across to turn it out for a shy.
A combination of Leishman & the woodwork prevented Hurlford doubling their advantage in the 73rd minute. Talbot’s defence failed to cut out a ball in from the right that landed at the feet of McKenzie. He prodded it goal ward & Leishman stuck out his right hand to turn it onto the post before Lyle scrambled it behind.
It looked bleak for Talbot two minutes later when Hurlford moved two goals in front. McGoldrick headed behind for a corner on the right and when it came over Fisher directed his header inside the left post where THOMSON put it into his own net whilst trying to clear off the line.
Tucker now made a change with Pooler coming on in place of Thomson.
The Hurlford defence had a lucky break with 10 minutes remaining. Pooler got free down the left & cut the ball back into the centre to find Wilson. He turned to shoot but a Hurlford defender nicked the ball off him & sent it toward his own goal where Brown had to save with his feet to prevent an o.g.
Hurlford had a chance to put the game beyond all doubt in the 81st minute when they won a free kick 22 yards out. R Robertson took it but sent a tame shot through to Leishman.
Talbot’s next attack saw Milliken racing down the left. He lifted over a cross that Wilson headed for goal, only to see C Robertson clear it from the goal mouth.
Time looked to be running out for Talbot but they were thrown a lifeline in the 84th minute when they pulled a goal back. GRAHAM WILSON latched onto a ball in from the right & took a touch before slamming a low shot inside the left post to make it 2-1.
Hurlford were rattled & threw on a couple of late substitutes in an attempt to run the clock down. Firstly, Kean coming on for Roberts and a few minutes later Merenghi replacing Brash.
The latter substitution proved to be decisive. With 1 minute remaining Milliken burst down the left wing & clipped a cross over to the far post where MERENGHI scored a bizarre own goal; coolly heading it inside the left post under no pressure to level the score.
Talbot’s tails were up but there was no time left to press home their advantage & the game finished 2-2.
With Glenafton being held to a draw at Arthurlie, and Rob Roy slipping up against Kilbirnie this was definitely a point gained for Talbot & could yet prove to have a real bearing on the title chase.
Next up for Talbot is a midweek trip to Troon on Ayrshire cup duty.
Hurlford Utd – Brown, Hodge, Kelly, Fisher, C Robertson, Molloy, McKenzie, Brash, M Roberts, R Robertson, Chisholm
After Leishman fumbles the ball in mid-air and lets it drop behind him, the Hurlford player races in, gets to the ball first and comfortably slots the ball home. 1-0.A ‘well done pat on the head’, as the goal-scorer gets congratulated by his team-mate.A close range header towards goal from Hurlford leads to an unfortunate own goal by Talbot and puts the ‘Ford into a comfortable lead. 2-0.The comeback is on! With the second half entering the closing stages, ‘G’ manages to find space in the box and fires a low, powerful shot towards goal…………and pulls one back for Talbot, as the ball smashes into the bottom left hand corner of the net. 2-1.Milliken fires a deep cross into the Hurlford box and the ‘Ford defender at the back post gets his head to the ball in order to clear the danger…………but instead of putting it out for a corner, he fires the ball into the back of his own net and, thus, helps Talbot to complete their comeback. 2-2.After conceding a late equalising goal, the ‘Ford ‘keeper can only sink to his ‘hunkers’ and feel totally dejected.There’s nowhere to hide for this Hurlford player after seeing his team score a late equalising own goal which gave Talbot a crucial point in the title race.Ross Harvey and Graham jump the highest but it is ‘G’ that manages get his head to the ball first but fails to find the back of the net.Hurlford fire a long range effort at goal but the ball goes safely over the bar for Talbot.Andy keeps a close eye on the ball, as he makes sure he thwarts this shot from the ‘Ford.All roads through are blocked for Wullie Lyle by the Hurlford defenders.James Latta gets upended in this aerial challenge.The Hurlford bench watch the action unfold, as Graham Wilson races up the wing for Talbot.With Hurlford trying to protect their lead, this player makes sure his team-mates are ‘switched on’.Gordon Pope makes sure he stands his ground and tries to win back possession.The Talbot faithful look on, as Stevenson keeps the Talbot attack going. Photographs by Paul Flynn.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot will face local rivals Glenafton in this season’s Scottish cup final after narrowly overcoming Linlithgow Rose at Beechwood.
Talbot mascot for the day, Russell Hendry, stands proudly with both team captains and the match official before kick-off.
Once again there was little to choose between the sides. Linlithgow settled the quicker of the two sides but just as last week they couldn’t make it count in the final third.
The first real threat at goal came in the 11th minute when Muhsin tried his luck from outside the area. His shot cannoned off the head of S Wilson & flew over the bar.
Talbot’s first effort at goal came in the 19th minute when Young pulled his shot well wide of target from 20 yards out.
A minute later Talbot came very close to taking the lead. McNab fouled Latta out on the right touchline & Young whipped a great free kick over into the centre where G Wilson powered a header just over the crossbar.
At the other end Donaldson’s low cross caused a momentary panic when McGoldrick took a fresh air swipe when attempting to clear it but the ball ran through to Leishman.
Linlithgow put together a neat move on the half hour with Kelbie & Batchelor working a one-two before releasing the ball to Coyne. He spun & shot on target forcing a decent save from Leishman, low to his left.
Latta was a whisker away from putting Talbot in front in the 34th minute. Young released Pope down the left & he cut inside McNab before curling a dangerous low ball across the goal mouth. Latta slid in to meet it in the centre but just failed to connect.
Talbot threatened again a minute later. G Wilson slid a pass into the Rose box from the right wing to find Milliken at the corner of the 6-yard area with his back to goal. He turned & fired for goal but couldn’t keep it down & his shot sailed over Hill’s bar.
As the saying goes you have to strike while the iron is hot & Talbot succeeded in turning their purple patch into a lead in the 37th minute. A good passing move saw the Bot move the ball from left to right. G Wilson touched the ball off to Thomson & he fed it out to Latta on the right touchline. He cut it back to the edge of the area to find YOUNG in space & he curled it inside the right post to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Whether he meant it or not, ‘Butch’ makes the vital breakthrough for Talbot, as he fires a cross-come-shot into the Linlithgow box and the ball manages to dip over the ‘keeper and into the back of the net. 1-0.And from this angle, you can see how ‘Butch’s’ shot evades everybody and careers into the far post before ending up in the back of the net.Milliken is all smiles, as he and his team-mates congratulate ‘Butch’ on scoring what ended up being the winning goal. You’ve got to Auchin’ Love It!!!!
The lead nearly proved short lived with Rose coming close to an equaliser within a minute. Latta conceded a free kick out on the left for a foul on Donaldson & received a caution into the bargain. Donaldson lifted the free kick deep beyond the far post where Thom headed it back across goal. Talbot managed to scramble it clear but only as far as the edge of the area where Kilbie’s clever flick sent Coyne clean through on goal. He ought to have scored but stroked his shot off the base of the left post & Pope was able to clear the danger.
Talbot saw out the remainder of the half with no alarms to take a one nil lead in at the interval.
Early in the 2nd half Talbot came close to doubling their lead & effectively putting the tie beyond Linlithgow’s reach.
Young found Milliken inside the area & he pulled it back into the path of G Wilson. His first effort was blocked by a defender but he ran onto the rebound & lashed it off the top of the bar with Hill well beaten.
Linlithgow’s first chance of the 2nd half came in the 55th minute when they forced a corner on the right. Muhsin pulled it back for Batchelor to stride onto but his low drive from 20 yards was comfortably smothered by Leishman.
On the hour mark Batchelor again tried his luck from distance but with the same result as Leishman easily held his effort.
Tucker now made his first change with Hyslop replacing Thomson.
A 2nd goal would have ended the tie & Talbot nearly produced it in the 64th minute. Young sent the ball up the line to Milliken who whipped an excellent first time cross across goal. G Wilson dived to meet it inside the 6-yard box but just failed to cleanly connect with his header & the ball sped behind for a goal kick.
The visitors made their 1st change in the 69th minute with Kelly coming on for Kelbie.
Although only a goal ahead Talbot weren’t looking in any particular danger of conceding as the clock ran down. In the 76th minute Linlithgow made a further change with Swann on in place of Gray & Talbot soon followed suit with White on for Latta.
With 8 minutes remaining Rose played their last card when Small replaced Donaldson.
With nothing to lose the visitors piled forward in the closing stages making for a nervy last 5 minutes for the home support. Muhsin’s diagonal ball found Leiper free on the left of the area but he was quickly shut down by Lyle who got across to concede the corner.
The visitors threatened again in the 87th minute when Kelly made the bye line down the right. He lifted a cross onto the 6-yard line where Leiper met it but his header deflected off his own player & ran tamely through to Leishman.
In the last minute of regulation time Linlithgow had one final chance to take it to penalties. The ball broke to Leiper 15 yards out & he drilled a powerful shot at goal that forced an impressive stop from Leishman; throwing himself to his left to parry it to safety.
As the game moved into injury time Tucker made his last change with Pooler on for Milliken and shortly after the referee’s whistle signalled the end to much jubilation from the Talbot support.
Talbot were made to work hard for it but got the job done & once again the defence produced another clean sheet. This will be Talbot’s 7th Scottish final under Tucker; an amazing achievement.
Next up for Talbot is a dress rehearsal for the final itself as they tackle Glenafton on Wednesday night in a game which may have a crucial say in the destination of this season’s league title.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McGoldrick, S Wilson, Young, Thomson, Milliken, G Wilson, Latta
Linlithgow Rose – Hill, McNab, Donaldson, Thom, McKenzie, Leiper, Gray, Muhsin, Coyne, Batchelor, Kelbie
Subs – Kelly, Small, Swann, Beaumont, Bernard (gk)
A first half chance for Graham Wilson, as he finds space inside the Rose box to head the ball towards goal…………however, he sends the ball narrowly over the bar.As the ball heads over the bar, Graham and Ross Harvey can only feel the pain of golden chance missed.A very early second half effort from ‘G’, as he finds space in the box, with the ‘keeper off his line, but can only smack the ball off the crossbar.Graham manages to pull away from the defender and executes a great diving header…………but can only watch in horror as the ball goes wide of the post.While the Linlithgow defender shouts for a foul, his ‘keeper makes sure he thwarts this Talbot attack.2nd leg….2nd Talbot penalty claim. Right folks….you decide! Penalty or no penalty.Even while he was walking off getting subbed, James Latta still makes sure his voice his heard, as he tries to motivate his team-mates during the closing minutes.Although under severe pressure, McGoldrick keeps his cool and clears the danger for Talbot.The Rose captain tries his best to get the maroon engine motoring again.Steven Wilson sends the ball up the park and then tries to run into a better attacking position.‘Tucker’ and Allan discuss tactics as the action unfolds.The Linlithgow player stands his ground, while Wilson tries to win back possession.‘Pee-wee’ roars Milliken on with the most dramatic way he can!Stephen White comes up against a strong challenge during this attack.Latta roars his Talbot on, while Linlithgow prepare to defend a free-kick.Wullie Lyle and Klark Thompson make sure all roads are block for the Rose.A hefty challenge awaits both players here.Hylsop tries to muscle his way back to gaining possession for Talbot.Milliken ponders how to go about Talbot’s next attack.All eyes on the ball, as Steven Wilson tries to race up the middle of the park.A bumper crowd watch the action unfold in a sun bathed Beechwood.As the final whistle echoes round the ground, the Talbot players can start to smile and celebrate the fact they have reached ANOTHER Scottish Junior Cup Final.The winning Talbot team that will be gracing the 2017 Scottish Cup Final against Glenafton Athletic.The face of a Talbot fan celebrating Bryan Young’s crucial winner……or feel free to make up your own caption folks! Photographs by Paul Flynn.
‘Butch’ fires a great shot towards goal, although, while the Talbot faithful hold their breath, one Linlithgow fan holds his hand up to yell for offside and……Talbot will be pleased enough with the result, if not the performance, as a dour 1st leg ended in stalemate at Linlithgow.
Both sides looked nervy from the off, but the home side settled quicker & did most of the pressing early on without offering any real threat.
The 1st chance of the match came in the 13th minute. G Wilson’s pass was intercepted inside the Bot half & Linlithgow chipped the ball down the right channel where Coyne raced onto it & fired for goal from a tight angle. Leishman was at his near post to turn it behind. When the corner came over Leiper had a free header but didn’t make a clean contact & he glanced it off a Bot defender & behind for a corner.
Talbot put together a good move in the 25th minute. Pope knocked it into the feet of G Wilson who shoved it through for Young on the left of the area. He lifted it past Hill into the back of the net but he’d strayed offside & the goal didn’t stand. ……although ‘Butch’ finds the back of the net, that Rose fan was correct, as Bryan was deemed offside by the officials.Tucker was forced into a change in the 34th minute when Shankland limped off to be replaced by Latta.
A minute later Young tried his luck from distance; hitting a decent effort on the half volley from 25 yards that flew over the bar.
Talbot suffered a further injury setback a minute before the interval with White making way for McCracken.
In the closing seconds of the half Linlithgow almost took the lead. Donaldson ballooned the ball into the area from the left touchline where it broke away from Lyle as he tried to control it. Muhsin tried to thread a pass through from the edge of the area that was blocked back to him & this time he drove a low shot in. Linlithgow got the break of the ball as the shot deflected into the path of Kelbie 6 yards out but Leishman produced a good stop low to his right to block his shot, and that was that for the 1st period.
With the game seconds from ending, Talbot get one more chance at scoring, however, Ross Harvey fails to find the back of the net through this diving header.The 2nd half began much as the 1st had left off, with plenty of commitment on show, but with both sides guilty of misplaced passes & hasty decision making.
Talbot’s first chance of the 2nd period came in the 55th minute. McCracken squared it to Milliken in space just outside the area but he scooped his shot over the bar. McGoldrick looks on, as Bryan Young tries his luck from long range.Two minutes later Talbot had another half chance. Milliken’s persistence paid off when he blocked McNab’s attempted clearance. The ball spun his way inside the box & he slid a pass through to Young. He could’ve gone for goal but felt the angle was too tight & instead tried to pull it back across goal for G Wilson but it was intercepted in the 6-yard box & cleared. The chase is on, as Latta tries to beat the ‘keeper to the ball and fire a shot at goal.McCracken had his name taken in the 58th minute for a late challenge.
As with the 1st half most of the play was confined to the middle third with little to trouble either defence.
The next chance came Talbot’s way in the 72nd minute. G Wilson headed the ball into the area where Latta was running into space. It looked like he was going to get his shot away as the keeper advanced but the ball ran away from him & he came off 2nd worst when he slid into a 50/50 challenge with Hill.
Young whipped a great cross over from the left with quarter of an hour remaining but it went to waste as there was no one in the centre to convert. Ok folks……Penalty or no penalty? You decide.Talbot were finishing the game strongly & had a half chance to snatch the lead in the 80th minute. Milliken did well out on the left & rolled the ball straight into the path of Steven Wilson who blazed it over the bar from 20 yards out.
Talbot had a strong shout for a penalty in the 83rd minute. G Wilson picked up in midfield & fed it out to Milliken on the left wing. He lifted a great early cross over to the far side of the area where Latta was racing clear. Donaldson ran across him & looked to clip his heels but the referee dismissed Latta’s appeal & waved play on. ‘Tucker’ shouts out the orders in order to keep Talbot staying alive in the tie.Linlithgow made their only change with five minutes to go when Kelly replaced Gray.
In the final minute of the match Talbot had one last effort at goal. A free kick on halfway was lifted down the left side of Rose’s penalty area & Harvey sent a diving header wide of target from a tight angle.
This was a game of very few chances & neither side can have any complaints about the outcome. Both sides now face a winner takes all 2nd leg clash next Saturday at Beechwood where Talbot will be hoping home advantage proves crucial.
Linlithgow Rose – Hill, McNab, Donaldson, Thom, McKenzie, Leiper, Gray, Muhsin, Coyne, Batchelor, Kelbie
Subs – Kelly, Small, Swann, Coogans, Bernard (gk)
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McGoldrick, S Wilson, Young, White, G Wilson, Milliken, Shankland
Subs – Pooler, Stevenson, Latta, McCracken
Graham Wilson beats his man and races forward.All eyes on the ball now folks!Linlithgow shout for a foul but Stephen White plays on and clears the danger.As Milliken fails to get on to the end of a pass, he thanks his team-mate for the effort.While under pressure, ‘Butch’ still manages to get his pass away.Steven Wilson sees a gap in the maroon defence and threads his pass through.The Talbot bench can only watch, as Keir Milliken fights to regain possession for Auchinleck.After being found to be offside, Shankland lets his feelings be known.McCracken gets another Talbot attack motoring, as a bumper crowd watch from the terraces. Photographs by Paul Flynn.
Talbot made wholesale changes for this 3rd round West tie but still had enough to see off Maybole & advance to the quarter finals.
The fans basked in the sunshine, enjoying the fine weather, but with little to keep them engaged on the park in a dull 1st half.
Talbot enjoyed the bulk of the ball but the 1st real chance came Maybole’s way in the 18th minute. Scott headed Peacock’s long ball out to the right to find Brown in space inside the area. He drilled a low shot back across goal which Leishman saved comfortably.
Maybole were content to sit in their own half, inviting Talbot onto them and with Talbot struggling to find their feet in the last third, the tactic worked during the 1st half.
In a 1st half of precious few chances Shankland had one of Talbot’s best in the 32nd minute. Pooler hit the bye line & cut it back into the area where Shankland ran onto it but side-footed his effort straight at Masterton.
A minute later Talbot had another opportunity to take the lead. A free kick was shoved short to Stevenson & he whipped a good cross over into the centre where White bulleted a free header over the bar.
Maybole could have been a man down in the 39th minute. Peacock lunged into a reckless tackle & was fortunate the referee only produced a yellow card, and that was about it for a tepid 1st half.
The 2nd half was 4 mins old when Scott picked up Maybole’s 2nd caution for a late challenge on Latta. Before Talbot could take the free kick, the tannoy crackled into life with an announcement that the police were requesting that all cars double parked on a street outside the ground be moved immediately to allow access, or the game would have to be abandoned. In a bizarre turn of events the game was held up for around 15 minutes whilst spectators, the referee & some of the Maybole squad had to leave the ground to shift their motors, before play was able to resume.
The short break didn’t do Talbot any harm and within minutes of the re-start they were threatening the Maybole goal. Shankland gathered on the left & fired a shot at goal that was blocked straight back to him. This time he whipped a cross into the 6-yard box which Peacock deflected over his own bar.
Maybole had barely crossed the halfway line yet they could have taken the lead in the 61st minute. Scott spun away from Latta inside the penalty area before firing a low drive wide of Leishman’s left post.
In the 69th minute another Maybole player found himself in the ref’s book when Connor was cautioned for a late challenge on Stevenson on the right touchline.
Talbot made their 1st change in the 77th minute with Milliken coming on for McCracken and the sub made an immediate impact being involved in the build up to Talbot’s opening goal in the 78th minute.
He gathered the ball on the left & rolled it back to Pope who swung a cross into the centre. The ball carried over Peacock’s head & found SHANKLAND 6 yards out with his back to goal & although he was falling over he still managed to hook the ball over his shoulder & inside Masterton’s left post to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
After finding Pope’s monster pass, Shankland with his back to goal, manages to go for the overhead spectacular and send the ball towards goal……but the Maybole ‘keeper gets his hand to the ball and……unfortunately for him it wasn’t enough to stop Mark’s shot from smashing into the bottom corner and putting Talbot into the lead. 0-1.
A minute later Talbot doubled their lead and effectively ended the game as a contest. Stevenson surged forward down the right before cutting the ball back to SHANKLAND who smashed the ball home from 15 yards out.
Two minutes later, ‘Shankers’ lines up a shot from just inside the box and….….fires a thunderous shot into the back of the net. Two for Talbot…two for Mark. 0-2.Two games…three goals…Your right Mark. You have been no.1 these past two games!
This was Stevenson’s last involvement as he made way for Steven Wilson. Maybole also made a change with Allen replacing Caldwell.
With two minutes remaining Maybole were unfortunate not to grab a late consolation. A diagonal ball from left to right found Allen in space inside the penalty area. He angled a shot back across goal that cannoned back off the inside of Leishman’s right post & bounced out before being cleared. Maybole now made two further changes with Bloy & Bell making way for Dunn & McMillan.
As the match moved into injury time McGoldrick picked up a caution for a late challenge.
Never the most entertaining of games but another win under Talbot’s belt before they head east next Saturday to face Linlithgow Rose in the 1st leg of the Scottish semi-final.
A first-half chance for McCracken, as he rises the highest to send a powerful header towards the Maybole goal.Mark manages to find a gap between the two defenders but fails to find the back of the net.Shankland watches, as Dylan Pooler gets muscled out the way by the Maybole ‘keeper.A second-half chance for Dylan Stevenson but gets beaten to the ball by the goalkeeper.A wee helping hand here Mark???As he races into the box, Latta has to slide and stretch to reach the ball in time.Now…there is a time and a place to practice your ‘Karate Kid’ impression!Stephen Wilson tries to get his point across.Stevenson manages to avoid this hefty tackle.Talbot go on the attack again, as Thomson races forward.Although facing the wrong way, Stephen White still manages to head the ball back up the park.Gordon Pope clears his lines, as he fires the ball up the wing.As he tries to pass the ball, McGoldrick gets challenged by a lunging tackle from the Maybole player.Maybole get an attack underway, as their ‘keeper launches the ball down the park. Photographs by Paul Flynn.
Under sunny April skies Talbot leapfrogged Glenafton to climb to the top of the table thanks to a hard fought derby win at Townhead.
With the game looking certain to finish goalless, up steps Mark Shankland who thought otherwise. From a free-kick just outside the box, Mark fires in a brilliant shot, leaves the ‘keeper standing and smashes the ball into the back of the net. 0-1.
The game was a bit of a contradiction, Schrondinger’s match, which simultaneously had very few chances or shots on goal but plenty of incident & talking points.
Talbot started brightly & won a free kick just wide of the penalty area within 2 minutes when Crawford tripped Graham Wilson. Pope whipped a dangerous ball over to the far post but no Bot player read it, and it sailed wide for a goal kick.
From this angle, you can see just how well placed Shankland’s free-kick was.
The Bot’s next attack saw Graham Wilson cushion Lyle’s cross back toward Latta who was just beaten to the loose ball.
Anson was causing the Talbot defence problems in the air but Cumnock weren’t able to capitalise on any on his head flicks. Anson had the ball in the back of the net after 15 minutes, but only after clearly shoving McGoldrick over & the linesman’s flag was up long before he knocked the ball past Leishman.
Neither keeper was being over-worked. Watt lashed a half volley miles over from the edge of the box following a corner & down the other end Young lobbed a ball across the face of goal which Milliken met at full stretch to direct on target but it lacked power & Johnson held comfortably.
Mark races towards the wild celebrations of the ‘Black and Gold’ faithful after netting a glorious late winner.
Talbot should have taken the lead in the 24th minute. Pope’s perfectly weighted pass found Latta free on the left & he cut it back into the centre where Graham Wilson ran onto it but sclaffed his shot off target.
Cumnock won a set piece in a dangerous area when Esplin crumpled under an aerial challenge just outside the box. Watt tamely hit it into the wall but got a 2nd bite at the cherry when it came straight back to him & this time his low drive was deflected wide.
Hunter was cautioned in the 27th minute for a late challenge on Steven Wilson.
Nothing quite like scoring a very late winner against your local rivals!
Cumnock were seeing most of the ball without doing any damage and Talbot weren’t having any joy at the other end.
The Bot did have a half chance in the 40th minute. Milliken swept a cross over from the left that Latta retrieved on the opposite wing. He slid it inside to send Lyle bursting into the area & his cross come shot flew wide of target.
As his team-mates congratulate him for his goal, the Talbot fans continue to go absolutely ‘nuts’ in the terraces.
The home side should’ve been a man light in the 42nd minute when Lundie floored Steven Wilson with a poor challenge but the referee only showed a yellow card. Both Graham Wilson & Esplin were cautioned as a result of the fracas following the tackle.
Cumnock were gifted a chance in the last minute of the half. Harvey’s slack pass out of defence was intercepted & ended with Burns who drilled a low shot just wide of the left post from 20 yards.
The home side ought to have moved ahead shortly after the break. Anson’s head flick found Montgomery racing clear through the centre. He strolled through on goal but tamely passed the ball straight at Leishman.
The referee reached for his cards again in the 49th minute. Anson dived inside the area sparking an angry exchange which ended with Anson & Pope being cautioned.
Burns should’ve joined them in the book two minutes later when he flattened Steven Wilson in an aerial challenge but the ref let him off the hook.
For the foul that led to the winning free-kick for Talbot, Cumnock are reduced to ten men.
Anson was unfortunate in the 53rd minute. Montgomery centred the ball to find him in space 30 yards from goal & his shot flew just wide of the right hand upright.
The cautions kept coming & Wood received a yellow card in the 61st minute for a trip on Young.
Cumnock were the 1st to make a change; bringing on Samson for Watt.
Johnson had spent most of the 2nd half spectating but he was called upon in the 70th minute. Graham Wilson knocked the ball down to Milliken who squared it across to White on the 18 yard line. He drove a powerful shot on target but it flew straight at Johnson.
The referee’s notebook claimed another name when Harvey was booked in the 71st minute for a foul on Samson. A minute later, Tucker made a change with Shankland on for White.
Shankland was only on the park two minutes when he was harshly booked for a shove on Anson.
McGoldrick came to Talbot’s rescue in the 75th minute. Samson’s pass would have sent Burns through on goal had McGoldrick not stretched out a leg to intercept it.
Tucker made a further change in the 82nd minute when Thomson replaced Young.
The referee had a big decision to make in the 84th minute. Harvey was short with a pass back to Leishman & Anson tried to chase it down. He went over inside the area claiming Harvey had impeded him but the ref dismissed his penalty appeal.
The game was finally settled two minutes from time thanks to a strike worthy of winning any game. Wood sent Steven Wilson to the deck as he surged forward & the ref produced a 2nd yellow for the full-back who made the hardest walk; all the way back to the clubhouse.
SHANKLAND took the free kick & Johnson never saw it coming as Shanks curled a peach of a shot over the wall & away to the static keeper’s right to make it 1-0.
Not a classic by any stretch of the imagination but it’s always nice to get one over on Cumnock & the 3 points gained sees Talbot move above Glenafton who crashed to an unexpected defeat at Largs.
Next up for Talbot it is back to cup duty as they head south to face Maybole in the West. Talbot fans travelling to the game should be aware that it is an earlier 1.30 pm kick off.Cumnock – Johnson, Wood, Crawford, Lundie, McKenna, Hunter, Montgomery, Esplin, Anson, Burns, Watt
Subs – Muir, Samson, McRobbie, Shirkie
Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McGoldrick, S Wilson, Young, White, G Wilson, Milliken, Latta
A first half chance for ‘G’, as he races into the box but his shot goes wide.Graham Wilson rues that missed opportunity.Stephen White finds himself space in the box for a free header but fails to hit the target.Latta finds all roads are blocked, as the Cumnock defence do their job.Frustration gets vented by Talbot manager Tommy Sloan.Cumnock’s James Lundie tries to get the orders across to his team-mates.Wullie Lyle fights to keep the ball for Talbot.Milliken and Lundie watch the synchronised football dancing in front of them.With a break in the game, ‘Whitey’ gets his point across.In pain or laughing? Not quite sure here.James Latta has got this ‘licked’, as he wins the ball for Talbot.Keir Milliken tries his best to win back possession for Talbot.Yet another big run up the park for McGoldrick.The sun is out and you beat your oldest rivals with a great late winner….I suppose you’ve got to smile about that really! Photographs by Paul Flynn.
