Season: 2016/17
Kilwinning Rangers v Auchinleck Talbot
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot moved to the top of the table after a hard fought away win over the Buffs at a sunny, but bitterly cold, Abbey Park.
The Bot had an early chance inside the 1st minute when Shankland forced a corner down the left. He swung it to the back post where McCracken slid in to meet it but could only slide it wide of target.
A few minutes later the home side came close from a set piece. A corner from the right pinged across the face of goal with Talbot unable to clear their lines. It came to Kerr inside the 6-yard box but his attempt was blocked. The ball spun out to Monti on the right edge of the area and Leishman came off his line to punch his cross clear.
Frye picked up a caution in the 5th minute for a late trip on McCracken. Pope lifted the free kick into the box where Boyle headed it down & Steven Wilson ran onto it & flashed a shot just over the bar.
The game then went through a sterile phase with maximum effort from both sides but zero chances created.
The next chance came in the 17th minute when Talbot ought to have taken the lead. A quickly taken free kick saw Lyle chip the ball down the right to find Shankland inside the area. He hooked it 1st time across goal to the far post where Hyslop met it but from point blank range he sent his shot against the outside of the right post.
In the 22nd minute Kilwinning came close to opening the scoring. McGuinness’s cross came off Harvey’s head & travelled beyond the back post where Boylan volleyed it just wide of the right post.
Strain produced a good stop in the 24th minute to deny Shankland. Milliken’s cut back from the bye line found Shankland 12 yards out & he hammered a shot at goal which Strain parried away to safety.
Cashmore squandered a gilt edged chance to put the Buffs in front in the 32nd minute. Monti judged the bounce of the ball better than Boyle to latch onto a long ball up the right. He looked up & squared it across for the unmarked Cashmore who tried to pass it into the net from 15 yards but couldn’t beat Leishman who dived to his left to make the stop.
Kilwinning had the edge in possession but without threatening to breach the Talbot defence and it was the Bot who had the last chance of the half, a minute before the interval, when Boyle met Shankland’s free kick from the right to glance a header wide of the far post.
There were no changes at the interval but the 2nd half was only two minutes old before Talbot were forced into a change. McCracken pulled up injured & had to leave the field to be replaced by Young.
The Buffs next effort at goal came via a long clearance downfield from Strain. Monti got on the end of his punt down the left and lobbed a shot at goal that sailed just wide of the right post.
Already on a caution, Frye was fortunate to escape an early bath in the 56th min when he fouled Young conceding a free kick 35 yards out. Shankland swept the ball across to the far post where Hyslop climbed to head it down across goal. The ball was there to be swept home but no Bot player was on hand to take advantage & the defence scrambled it clear.
Tucker made his 2nd change on the hour mark with Graham Wilson on in place of Milliken. Kilwinning made their 1st change at the same time with Kemp replacing Cashmore in attack.
A minute later McGuinness spurned a clear chance to put the Buffs ahead. Monti gathered the ball on the left of the penalty area & turned it back straight into the path of McGuinness who steered a low drive just wide of the left post.
The game’s only goal came Talbot’s way in the 65th minute. Young laid the ball out left to send Graham Wilson free. He surged down the wing before pulling it back to the edge of the area to return the ball to Young. He created the space for himself to curl a shot that was heading inside the right post until Strain turned it round the post. Shankland whipped the corner into the heart of the 6-yard box where GRAHAM WILSON bulleted a header home from close range.
Three minutes later Graham Wilson had a good chance to put the game beyond doubt. Young’s pass found Hyslop out on the left & he sent an early pass inside to send Wilson through on goal but his low drive went straight at Strain.
Kilwinning made a 2nd change in the 72nd minute with Cairnie replacing the injured Kerr.
Talbot had another chance to put the game away when Steven Wilson’s pass split the defence to send Shankland clear on the left. He raced into the area but hit a tired looking effort straight at Strain.
Boyle received a harsh yellow card in the 76th minute when he was adjudged to have impeded Strain.
In the 77th minute Graham Wilson had an opportunity to grab his 2nd when Shankland sent him clear on the left. He could’ve carried on into the area but spotting Strain off his line he went for the early shot but scuffed it straight at the keeper.
The referee made a bizarre call in the 81st minute. Frye squared up to Harvey, shoving the Bot defender in the chest, but the ref cautioned the Talbot defender to the ire of the visiting support.
With 4 minutes to go both sides made their final change. Stevenson replaced Shankland for Talbot & Clark came on for McGuinness for the home side.
Talbot had some defending to do in the final minute when Boylan got to the bye line & angled a dangerous ball back across the face of goal. Hyslop came to Talbot’s rescue, clearing the ball from in front of goal.
Deep into injury time Frye finally received his dues; picking up a 2nd yellow for a crunching late tackle on Graham Wilson who was also booked for his reaction.
This was a tough, physical game with Talbot edging it to secure all 3 points and having gained top spot Talbot will need to be on their A game next week to stay there as they host in form Beith in the league.
Kilwinning Rangers – Strain, Coleman, McCloskey, Kerr, Maitland, Frye, Monti, McGuinness, Cashmore, Lewis, Boylan
Subs – Cairnie, Kemp, Hanvey, Clark, Agnew
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, Boyle, McCracken, White, Hyslop, S Wilson, Shankland, Milliken
Subs – Stevenson, G Wilson, McPherson, Young, Latta
Auchinleck Talbot v Hurlford United
Annbank United v Auchinleck Talbot
It’s been an up & down season for Talbot so far & this game was no exception. A dominant 1st half matched by a lacklustre 2nd with the Bot fans relieved at the final whistle not to be facing a replay.
The 1st incident of note came in the 5th minute when C Fisher had his name taken for a late tackle on McCracken.
A minute later the home side had a half chance when McCowan sent the ball across the area to Paterson but he failed to test Leishman.
Talbot’s first real attack came in the 8th minute. Graham Wilson got the better of Ballantyne out on the right & burst into the area before squaring it across for his brother Steven who side-footed it straight at Fisher from 12 yards.
A minute later Talbot nearly took the lead. Shankland’s shy found Milliken on the left of the area & he pulled it back for Graham Wilson to stride onto but he drilled his shot wide of the right post.
The same two players combined a few minutes later down the other wing when Milliken laid the ball inside to G Wilson who fired on target but straight at the keeper.
How Talbot didn’t take the lead in the 15th minute is a bit of a mystery. Annbank conceded a free kick wide on the left which Pope delivered to the back post. Boyle climbed & headed it back down across goal but neither G Wilson nor Shankland could force it home & Fisher managed to smother it.
Talbot’s incessant pressure finally told in the 21st minute. Pope created it, breaking down the left before angling the ball back to SHANKLAND who steered it inside the right post.
C Fisher came to the home side’s rescue a few minutes later. Graham Wilson lifted a quality cross over from the right that was heading straight onto Steven Wilson’s head at the far post but Fisher did well to intercept it & head behind. Shankland’s corner wasn’t his best effort but Annbank’s defence fluffed their clearance & knocked it straight back out to him on the left. This time he had a better angle & his cross come shot from curled just wide of the far post.
Graham Wilson spurned a clear chance to put Talbot two ahead in the 26th minute. Shankland met Pope’s diagonal ball & cushioned it across the area for Wilson. He looked certain to score but drilled his low shot inches wide of the post from the penalty spot.
Talbot had another good chance on the half hour mark. White threaded a ball through the centre to find Milliken racing clear. He went for the early shot but Fisher dived to his right to make the stop.
Harvey had his name taken in the 34th minute for a late challenge.
The remainder of the half saw Talbot pushing for a 2nd goal but Annbank successfully defending their penalty area. In the last minute of the half Talbot had a chance to double their lead when they won a free kick out on the left after Ballantyne bundled over Graham Wilson. Shankland curled the ball across the 6-yard area & Boyle flicked the ball to the back post. His header looked to be heading in on its own but G Wilson prodded it home from close range & the goal was rightly disallowed for offside.
Although a one goal lead is always precarious there had been nothing in the 1st half to suggest Bot fans had any cause for concern & the start of the 2nd did little to change this point of view as Talbot again made all the running.
However, despite dominating the ball Talbot weren’t making much headway in the final third and all they had to show for it was a half chance in the 53rd minute when a ball over the defence found Milliken on the left of the area but his low drive was comfortably saved by Fisher.
The game turned on its head in the 59th minute. Pope slid in late in the tackle, receiving a yellow card, and conceding a free kick on the right, just outside the box. Before the free kick Annbank made a double switch replacing their front two of Paterson & S Granger with Martin & McLean. McCowan took the set piece & delivered it to the far post. Leishman came for it but couldn’t claim it & Fisher headed it back across goal for C GRANGER to tuck inside the right post to make it 1-1.
A minute later Talbot were on the attack, looking to regain the lead as Milliken burst clear down the left. He made the bye line & whipped a great ball across the face of goal but with no support in the centre it went to waste.
Tucker now made a double substitution with Young & Hyslop coming on for Shankland & Steven Wilson.
Talbot pushed forward & pressed Annbank back but had little to show for it. In the 65th minute Granger was cautioned for a late challenge on Wilson & when the cross came over Hyslop headed it wide at the back post. Two minutes later Ballantyne received a yellow card for disputing a corner & when Young’s corner came in Boyle got his head on it but put it straight at Fisher.
Milliken then had a chance when Young hared into the area & laid it back to him but Fisher got down to save his shot.
The longer the game went the more nervous Talbot grew & Annbank won a free kick in a dangerous area in the 71st minute when McCowan went over on the left outside the box. Hilton opted for goal & fired it across goal and over the bar.
The Bankies nearly produced a coupon buster in the 76th minute. McCowan skipped past a couple of weak challenges inside the area to get free down the left & drilled a low shot across the area. Hilton looked set to turn it home inside the 6-yard area at the far post but Pope made a vital tackle to deflect it up & over the bar.
The closing stages were a nervy affair with Talbot pushing all out to grab a late winner leaving themselves open to a potential counter.
Two minutes from the end Talbot looked to have won it. Milliken cut back onto his favoured left foot & whipped a tremendous cross over from the right. Young looked set for the tap in as he ran in at the far post but somehow he failed to connect & it went for the goal kick.
Just when it seemed as though the game was destined for a replay Talbot produced a winner in the last seconds of regulation time. MCCRACKEN got his head to Hyslop’s cross from the right & it somehow eluded the Bankies keeper to trundle inside the left post in slow motion.
A poor performance from the Bot but when all’s said & done Talbot’s name is in the hat for the next round of the Scottish.
Annbank Utd – M Fisher, Sloan, Hainey, Ballantyne, C Granger, C Fisher, Hilton, Faulds, Paterson, S Granger, McCowan
Subs – Martin, Wilson, Baird, McLean, Tait
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, Boyle, McCracken, S Wilson, White, Milliken, G Wilson, Shankland
Subs – Hyslop, Stevenson, Young, Pooler, Thomson
Cambuslang Rangers v Auchinleck Talbot
Talbot negotiated a potential banana skin with surprising ease as they rediscovered their form to breeze past Cambuslang Rangers in the 1st round of the West of Scotland.
The 1st chance of the game fell to the home side in the 2nd minute. McCracken took a poor touch inside his own penalty area & the ball came out to Kilmartin on the right edge of the penalty area. He arrowed a shot for goal which was heading into the top corner until Leishman threw himself to his left to turn it round the post.
Having survived this early scare Talbot took the lead in the 6th minute. Cambuslang conceded a free kick out on the right which Shankland perfectly delivered into the centre where MILLIKEN guided a free header past Stewart.
Cambuslang’s central defence were posted missing in action again a few minutes later when Boyle climbed to meet Shankland’s corner from the right but his powerful header went straight at Stewart who clutched it under the bar.
Talbot’s next attack saw Graham Wilson attempt to float a ball into the path of Shankland on the left of the area but Gebbie did well to cut it out, heading it back to his keeper.
The home side had a good chance to level in the 21st minute. A slick passing move down the right ended with Kilmartin racing down the right of Talbot’s penalty area. He had the chance to shoot but instead chose to cut it back across the face of goal & with no takers in the centre Talbot were able to clear.
Talbot doubled their lead in the 26th minute. Shankland squared the ball across to Pope who had his heels clipped as he ran onto it. Shankland took the free kick & lifted the ball to the back post where Harvey headed it up into the air. Cambuslang failed to clear their lines & McCracken gathered on the right of the area & whipped a cross into the centre where GRAHAM WILSON nodded Talbot 2-0 in front.
It could’ve been game over in the 31st minute. White lifted the ball up the left to find Milliken & he held it up before rolling the ball inside to pick out the run of G Wilson but he knocked it wide of the right post.
Talbot were dictating play & came close to adding a 3rd in the 37th minute. Shankland dinked a great ball through the centre to split the home defence. Milliken ran onto it & checked back, creating
space for the shot but Stewart managed to block his low drive from 15 yards.
Cambuslang hadn’t created much but they almost pulled a goal back in the 40th minute. Boyle had a chance to clear it but failed to take it & Simeon bundled his way through one on one with Leishman who made the block. The ball spun out to Bohme on the right & his effort at goal was deflected behind for a corner.
Talbot rode out Cambuslang’s late pressure to go in two goals ahead at the interval.
There were no changes at the interval but it didn’t take long into the 2nd period before Cambuslang decided it wasn’t working, with Boylan replacing Macleod out wide.
Gebbie made a crucial interception to thwart Talbot’s next attack. Graham Wilson got free down the right & drilled a dangerous low ball across the face of goal that Gebbie intercepted with Milliken waiting to pounce in front of goal.
The result was put beyond a doubt in the 56th minute when Talbot went 3-0 ahead. Shankland passed it through the centre of the Lang defence to send MILLIKEN racing through on goal and he kept his head & to prod it past the advancing Stewart.
Cambuslang needed a goal back quickly & Bohme tried his best to throw them a lifeline when he struck the ball on target from 20 yards but Leishman dived to his left to make the stop.
Both sides decided to ring the changes with Talbot going first as Hyslop came on in midfield in place of Steven Wilson with Cambuslang then responding by replacing Bohme with Hendry. The spate of substitutions ended with Stevenson coming on for Milliken.
Macbeth had his name taken in the 73rd minute for a trip outside the area. Shankland flighted the ball across goal where Hyslop just failed to connect with his head to extend Talbot’s lead.
Tucker now completed the Talbot’s changes with Pooler coming on for Shankland.
Talbot might have moved further ahead in the 79th minute. McCracken surged into the area down the left & cut it back across goal. It came to Pooler 6 yards out but it got stuck between his feet & the chance was lost.
If any side looked like scoring it was Talbot and the Bot threatened again with 10 minutes remaining. Stevenson’s cross from the right was only cleared out as far as Pope & his shot looked to be travelling on target until blocked by Kerr.
As the game moved into injury time Boylan picked up a caution for a late tackle on McCracken just outside the area. McCracken took the free kick himself & lifted a shot just over Stewart’s bar.
This was a morale boosting win for Talbot who will now look to maintain their form when they travel to Annbank next Saturday in the Scottish.
Cambuslang Rangers – Stewart, Gebbie, Halliday, Kerr, Bishop, Macbeth, Bohme, Simeon, Gormley, Kilmartin, Macleod
Subs – Boylan, Chalmers, Hendry, Nolan, Brand (gk)
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, Boyle, McCracken, White, S Wilson, G Wilson, Shankland, Milliken
Subs – Hyslop, Stevenson, Young, McPherson, Pooler
Auchinleck Talbot v Kilbirnie Ladeside
There was little for the Talbot fans to enjoy but the Indian Summer as Talbot fell to a 1-0 defeat to Ladeside in the Ardagh final.
There wasn’t much to write home about re the 1st half but what little there was concerned Talbot who edged a dull opening half.
Talbot had a half chance in the 4th minute when Graham Wilson sent Young clear down the right. He whipped a cross over to the far post where Hyslop made contact but couldn’t control it under pressure & it broke off him & went wide of the right hand post.
It took until the 22nd minute until either side threatened in the final third & again it was Talbot on the attack. McCracken picked the ball up wide on the right & played a great pass into the centre to find Steven Wilson. He ran onto it 25 yards out but with only Staunton to beat, he hesitated & the Ladeside defender nicked a foot in to halt his progress.
Two minutes later Talbot had a penalty shout waved away. Rafferty blocked McCracken’s low cross in from the right but the ball skipped up off his foot & hit him on the hand; however the ref dismissed Talbot’s appeal & awarded the corner kick. When the corner came over Hyslop glanced a header beyond the back post to find Graham Wilson in space. He tried to side-foot it home but Haxton deflected it behind.
Kilbirnie had a dangerous break in the 27th minute. Lyle lost out to McElroy out on the left & the Kilbirnie striker raced forward before releasing it to Anderson on the right. He only had Pope between him & Leishman but Pope did well making a crucial challenge to clear.
There were few efforts at goal but Hyslop had a decent one in the 36th minute. He started the move, spreading the ball out left to Graham Wilson & when Wilson’s cross was headed out it came to Hyslop 20 yards out & he took it on the half volley, sending a shot just over the bar.
A minute later Hyslop had a real chance to give Talbot the lead. Steven Wilson spun outside the area leaving two Kilbirnie men behind before slotting the ball through to Hyslop inside the area. It came to him 16 yards out in space but he got nothing behind his shot & tamely passed it straight at Hughes.
Talbot had a 2nd penalty claim turned down in the 42nd minute & again it was for handball. Young played a free kick to Graham Wilson on the right of the area & when he laid it back Green appeared to control it with his arm before clearing.
On the stroke of half time Talbot nearly took the lead, forcing the first real save of the afternoon from either keeper. Hyslop won a free kick out on the left which Pope fired into the centre. It was cleared but came straight back to Pope who crossed it to the back post where McCracken’s header was kept out at his left post by Hughes.
There were no changes at the interval & no change in the pattern of the game, with neither side able to retain possession or offer a threat in the final third.
The first near thing in the 2nd half came in the 53rd minute when Boyle misjudged a high ball through the centre. McElroy looked like he might nip onto it but McGoldrick got across to clear the danger.
Talbot’s first effort of the 2nd half came in the 55th minute. Hyslop played it into Graham Wilson who squared the ball across for White. He tried to place it inside the post from 20 yards but Hughes was well positioned to make the stop.
Brannan became the 1st player cautioned when he saw yellow in the 61st minute for barging Graham Wilson over as he broke forward.
Kilbirnie now made their 1st change with McTernan coming on for Anderson.
This proved an inspired change as Kilbirnie took the lead two minutes later through the sub. McElroy created the opening, gathering the ball 25 yards out before sliding it through to find MCTERNAN on the right of the penalty area & he drilled a low shot back across goal inside Leishman’s right post.
Tucker responded by making a double switch with Graham Wilson & White making way for Milliken & Shankland.
Talbot made their final change in the 73rd minute with Stevenson replacing Steven Wilson.
Stevenson was involved soon after coming on when he whipped a good cross over from the right but it was fractionally behind Hyslop who couldn’t adjust to get on the end of it.
Kilbirnie made their own double substitution in the 75th minute with Forde & Donnelly on for McElroy & Rafferty.
McGoldrick received a caution in the 82nd minute for a late tackle on Brannan out on the touchline.
The clock ran down as Talbot huffed & puffed without making any headway with Kilbirnie looking comfortable in their lead.
Right at the end Talbot almost snatched an unlikely equaliser when Shankland dived to meet a cross over from the right but he sent his diving header wide of the right post.
This was a disappointing afternoon for Talbot, who never turned up for the 2nd half & can have few complaints about the result. The Bot have no time to dwell on the result though as they face a tricky away tie in the West next Saturday when they travel to face Cambuslang Rangers.
Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McGoldrick, Boyle, S Wilson, Young, White, G Wilson, McCracken, Hyslop
Subs – Shankland, Milliken, Stevenson, Thomson, Pooler
Kilbirnie – Hughes, Haxton, Gold, Staunton, Rafferty, Gray, Anderson, Green, McElroy, Grehan, Brannan
Subs – Forde, Donnelly, Malone, Meechan, McTiernan
Auchinleck Talbot v Cumnock Juniors
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
It’s been a long time since Cumnock last won at Beechwood & on this showing it is a miserable run which shows no signs of ending any time soon.
The opening exchanges were fairly tepid & it wasn’t until the 9th minute that either side created a chance and it came Cumnock’s way. Muir switched play out to Williams who fed it back to Wood. He hung a high cross into the area which Anson ran onto unchallenged but he steered his header wide of the left post.
This proved a costly miss as Talbot took the lead a minute later. Pope cleared the ball out of defence to find GRAHAM WILSON breaking down the left. He outpaced Lundie & hit it 1st time, beating Johnson at his right post to make it 1-0 to the Bot.
Talbot had a chance to double their lead in the 20th minute. Thomson played it into the feet of Graham Wilson outside the area & he squared it across to McCracken who let it run across him before firing a left foot shot just over the bar.
Montgomerie received the 1st caution of the afternoon, after 25 mins, for a late challenge on Lyle.
McKenna conceded a free kick just outside his own penalty area for a shove in the back of Steven Wilson. Young delivered the ball across the face of goal where McGoldrick met it but his effort was deflected wide of the left post & behind for a corner. Pope took it & delivered the ball into the near post where YOUNG beat Williams to it to glance a header away into the far corner to put Talbot 2-0 ahead with 27 mins gone.
And that was pretty much it for the 1st half, as Talbot looked content to sit on their lead, and Cumnock offered no threat whatsoever in the final third.
Talbot had a half chance to kill the game off soon into the 2nd half. Young floated a cross to the far post which McCracken headed up into the air. As it dropped Graham Wilson ran onto it but he hammered his shot over the bar.
The key moment in the match came in the 52nd minute when Cumnock were awarded a penalty. Lyle’s clumsy tackle sent Montgomerie to the turf & the ref pointed to the spot. Anson stepped up to hit it but he went for power over accuracy & blazed his spot kick wide of the right post.
Cumnock now made a double switch with McRobbie & Williams making way for Samson & McKenzie.
Graham Wilson passed up a good chance to put Talbot out of sight in the 57th minute. Leishman’s long ball down the centre cleared the Cumnock defence & found Wilson in space on the left of the area. He tried to take it wide of Johnson before firing a low shot on target which Johnson blocked.
Tucker made his first change in the 61st minute when Hyslop came on in place of Thomson.
Having missed the penalty Anson squandered another good chance to reduce the deficit in the 65th minute. Hunter’s corner found him unmarked at the front post but he placed his header into the side netting.
Talbot now made two further changes with Graham Wilson & McCracken being replaced up top by Shankland & Milliken.
Muir was fortunate to stay on the park in the 69th minute. He recklessly lunged into a tackle on Wilson studs showing but got off with a yellow card.
Talbot had a shout for a penalty in the 71st minute. Muir appeared to handle the ball whilst trying to shield it from Hyslop but the referee wasn’t interested.
Cumnock had an unsuccessful penalty claim of their own in the 78th minute. Samson got away down the right & fired it across goal. McGoldrick blocked it on the 6-yard line, with Cumnock claiming for handball, but the ref waved play on. Cumnock retrieved the ball & Samson lifted a cross over beyond the far post where Anson brought it down but he lifted his shot over the bar.
Shankland very nearly made it 3-0 to the Bot in the 80th minute. Young sent him free down the left & he raced into the area before steadying himself & floating a shot over Johnson which came back off the left hand post.
A minute later Milliken had a chance to get his name on the score sheet. Leishman fired a free kick into the Cumnock box which Young laid back into his path & he drilled a low shot on target which Johnson held.
Young picked up a caution in the 84th minute for a trip just outside the penalty area. Hunter took the free kick but scooped his shot way over the bar.
Down the other end Talbot had another decent penalty shout when Hyslop bulled his way through the Cumnock defence. He looked to be shoved in the back as he was about to shoot but again the referee gave nothing.
Cumnock’s final chance came in the 88th minute when they won a free kick 25 yards out. Samson shoved it short to Hunter who tried to bend it inside the right post; however Leishman got down well to turn it behind.
Deep it into injury time Talbot sealed the win with a well-taken 3rd goal. Boyle’s pass found SHANKLAND in space on the left. He cut inside, dancing past Lundie & Hunter before rifling a shot into the roof of the net.
This was a good win for Talbot who now take a break from league duties as they face Kilbirnie Ladeside next Sunday in the final of the Ardagh.
Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McGoldrick, Boyle, White, Young, Thomson, S Wilson, G Wilson, McCracken
Subs – Shankland, Hyslop, Milliken, Stevenson, Harvey
Cumnock – Johnson, Wood, Muir, Lundie, McKenna, Esplin, Williams, Hunter, Anson, McRobbie, Montgomerie
Subs – Samson, Auld, Crawford, McKenzie, Buchanan (gk)
Auchinleck Talbot v Arthurlie
Glenafton Athletic v Auchinleck Talbot
MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT
Talbot fans enjoyed the sunshine but not the result as the Bot slumped to their 2nd successive defeat; losing 3-1 to Glenafton at Loch Park.
The 1st chance of the match came Talbot’s way. Wilson beat Menzies in the air to nod it into the box where McChesney could only partially clear it. The ball came out to Hyslop 16 yards out but he fired over the crossbar.
The Glens threatened in turn after 10 minutes. McChesney’s deep cross found Orsi in space & he headed it back across goal where Park hooked a shot over.
Play then switched straight to the other end when Meikle headed Leishman’s lengthy clearance behind for a corner. Young delivered the corner to the far post where McChesney headed it off the line.
A couple of minutes later Wilson won a corner off Menzies down the left. Once again Young delivered a good ball to the back post where Boyle got on the end of it but couldn’t direct it on target under pressure.
So far so good, but then with quarter of an hour gone Talbot conceded a cheap opener. Marlow was given far too much time & space out on the left. He was able to pick out a pass to Dallas at the edge of the area & he laid it into the path of LYNESS who strolled forward unopposed before sliding a shot past Leishman.
Just like last week Talbot were struggling to create any clear chances. Hyslop had a half chance in the 21st minute when Pope’s cross found him beyond the back post but his header went straight at McGarrity.
Soon after, Milliken was unlucky when he raced onto a ball down the left. He got there fractionally before McGarrity & toed it beyond the keeper but he couldn’t keep his feet & the chance was gone.
Talbot did create a good opening in the 24th minute but failed to take it. Young lifted a free kick into the box where Boyle climbed to head it down across goal. It came to Wilson 6 yards out but on the stretch he could only scoop the ball up in the air & McGarrity gathered under the bar.
Dallas had his name taken in the 26th minute for a late challenge on Stevenson.
The Glens threatened a 2nd goal in the 31st minute. Orsi whipped a cross in from the right & Andrew glanced a header wide of the right post.
In the 36th minute Wilson picked up a yellow card for a late challenge on Menzies out on the touch line.
The Glens did double their lead in the 37th minute and again Talbot were guilty of slack defending. A shy from the right came into the box. Orsi gathered 16 yards out & was allowed to traverse the area under no real pressure before firing for goal. His shot was blocked by Harvey inside the 6-yard area but it fell kindly to DALLAS who tapped it home from close range.
The 2nd goal knocked the stuffing out of Talbot & it was the Glens who finished the half in the ascendancy. They won a free kick in the 42nd minute out on the left which Gray delivered into the area. It was cleared but only as far as McAusland who slipped the ball through to Andrew inside the area & he fired into the side netting from an acute angle.
On the stroke of half time Talbot’s defence were undone by a high ball down the left. The defence left it for Leishman but it was right at the edge of the box & as he gathered the ball he carried it out of the area; resulting in a free kick just to the left of the area. Gray took it & curled a shot on target which Leishman tipped over the bar.
Tucker decided changes were in order at the interval & made a double switch with McGoldrick on in place of Harvey & Steven Wilson replacing Hyslop but before either sub could make any impact the game was as good as over when the Glens extended their lead in the 48th minute.
Boyle stretched to cut out a ball down the right but couldn’t make it & Park raced free down the wing. He knocked the ball across the 6-yard area & ANDREW ran onto it to fire home.
Things went from bad to worse for Talbot when Graham Wilson received his 2nd yellow card & his marching orders in the 55th minute after leading with his arm in an aerial challenge.
Tucker now made his final change with Thomson coming on for Stevenson.
It should’ve been 10 a side in the 63rd minute when Dallas, already on a yellow, was guilty of a late challenge but the ref bottled the decision.
Glenafton now made their 1st change with Meikle replacing McChesney in defence.
Talbot pulled a goal back in the 70th minute. Milliken gathered out on the right & cut back onto his left foot before crossing to the near post where STEVEN WILSON headed home.
The Glens then made two further changes with McCann on for Dallas & then Borris replacing Orsi on the wing.
Talbot had done well to steady the ship but gradually the extra man told & the Glens almost extended their lead in the 82nd minute. A Glens counter-attack saw Orsi speed away & he pulled the ball back across the box. Lyness ran onto it & with Leishman off his line he looked favourite to score but Talbot’s keeper dived smartly to his left to smother his low shot.
Talbot saw out the remainder of the game without further alarms but the damage had already been done earlier on. Next up for Talbot is the 1st home league game of the season as Arthurlie visit Beechwood.
Glenafton – McGarrity, McAusland, Marlow, Menzies, McChesney, Gray, Orsi, Park, Dallas, Andrew, Lyness
Subs – McCann, Borris, Meikle, Cairns, Lockhead (gk)
Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, Boyle, McCracken, Young, Hyslop, Milliken, G Wilson, Stevenson
Subs – Pooler, S Wilson, Thomson, McGoldrick, White
Auchinleck Talbot v Beith Juniors
Talbot got off to a bad start and it was downhill from there as the Bot tamely exited the Scottish, beaten 3-0 by Beith.
The supporters were still making their way into the ground when Talbot fell behind in the 2nd minute. Sheridan played a pass through the centre to find MCGOWAN 25 yards out. He strolled past McCracken & with the defence backing off; he continued into the area & slammed a low drive into the bottom corner.
Talbot’s first attack saw Pope sweep a cross beyond the far post where Hyslop climbed above Docherty to head it across goal but Steven Wilson couldn’t connect with it in the centre.
In the 10th minute Young combined with Milliken out on the right before Milliken cut inside & fired a shot on target that Grindlay clutched inside his left post.
The next goal was going to be crucial, and unfortunately for Talbot it came for Beith who doubled their lead in the 22nd minute. There looked to be no danger when McLaughlin pumped a high ball down the middle; however Lyle made a meal of it, and in attempting to bring the ball under control only succeeded in knocking it straight into the path of CHRISTIE who fired it high past the helpless Leishman.
This goal seemed to knock the fight out of Talbot who huffed & puffed but did little to trouble Beith’s defence.
Talbot had a penalty shout on the half hour mark when Hyslop spun his marker inside the box & looked to be tugged to the ground but the referee wasn’t interested.
Grindlay was having a very quiet afternoon but Steven Wilson did test him in the 37thminute. A shy from the right found him inside the box & he drilled a shot on target that Grindlay had to tip behind.
Beith saw out the rest of the half fairly comfortably to go in 2-0 ahead at the break.
To the surprise of many, there were no changes at the interval with Tucker trusting to the starting 11 to turn things round.
The referee infuriated the Bot support in the 48th minute. McLean fouled Young but the referee gave the foul the other way & then booked Butch for dissent; a decision which was to come back to haunt Talbot later on.
In the 53rd minute Milliken’s pass found Pope on the left and he hammered a shot on target but it went straight at Grindlay.
Any hopes Talbot entertained of staging a comeback were ended by the referee in the 58th minute. Christie beat the offside trap to race clear down the left. He cut the ball back to the edge of the area where Young challenged McGowan. It appeared he’d made a well-timed tackle but the referee awarded Beith a free kick and produced a 2nd yellow card for Young; reducing Talbot to 10 men.
Christie took the free kick & his low drive was blocked behind by McGoldrick. Talbot were then caught napping as Beith took a short corner and when the cross came over MCLAUGHLIN met it to power a free header home from close range.
The game was effectively over & Beith nearly added to their lead in the 64th minute. Lyle gave the ball away to Docherty & he fed it inside to Frize who shot straight at Leishman.
McLean spurned a great chance to make it 4 on the 70th minute. McCracken took a heavy touch & lost the ball just inside his own half, sending McLean clean through on goal. He carried on into the area but pulled his shot well wide of the left post.
Tallbot made a double substitution a minute later with Lyle & Steven Wilson coming off to be replaced by Harvey & Pooler.
With 10 minutes remaining Tucker made his final change with Stevenson on for Graham Wilson.
In the closing stages Harvey picked up a yellow card for simulation when he went down inside the Beith penalty area.
The final whistle couldn’t come quickly enough for the Bot support and this is a game that everyone associated with Talbot will want to expunge from their memory.
It’s back to league duties next week for Talbot as they make the short trip to New Cumnock to face Glenafton.
Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McGoldrick, McCracken, S Wilson, Young, White, G Wilson, Milliken, Hyslop
Subs – Pooler, Stevenson, Harvey, Boyle, Thomson, Shankland, Hewitt (gk)
Beith – Grindlay, MacDonald, Docherty, McLaughlin, Sheridan, Wilson, McGlinchey, Frize, McLean, Christie, McGowan
Subs- Collins, Watt, Burke, McPherson, Fisher, Martin, McBain (gk)
