2017/18 – Page 4 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Pollok v Auchinleck Talbot

Cumnock Juniors v Auchinleck Talbot

Cumnock Juniors v Auchinleck Talbot

Auchinleck Talbot v Kilbirnie Ladeside

Glenafton Athletic v Auchinleck Talbot

Auchinleck Talbot v Kilwinning Rangers

Hill O’ Beath v Auchinleck Talbot


May 11, 2024 0 - 1 N/A Benburb v Auchinleck Talbot

Player	Appearances	Goals	Assists	YC	RC
Neill McPherson	45	1	0	3	0
Connor Boyd	45	21	8	4	0
Neil Slooves	43	4	0	3	1
Ruaridh Langan	43	3	4	9	0

Talbot climbed to 2nd in the table courtesy of an impressive away win over Pollok; a result Talbot will hope to replicate in a fortnight’s time when they meet again in the Scottish cup.
The home side were the 1st to settle & had the 1st effort at goal in the 3rd minute when Leishman easily fielded Gormley’s drive from 25 yards.
A minute later Harvey had his name taken for a foul on Stuart McCann as he broke forward. McCluskey flighted the free kick into the area where it was headed clear.
Action then switched to the other end as Talbot won a free kick out on the right in their 1st foray into the Lok half. Shankland whipped a great ball across to the back post where McIlroy & Glasgow both just failed to make contact.
Talbot’s next attack saw Glasgow have a half chance inside the Lok area. A Talbot shy came to him 15 yards out but he chose to take a defender on rather than go for the shot & the chance was lost.
Longmuir produced a good stop in the 12th minute to prevent Talbot taking the lead. Shankland curled an inch perfect cross over from the left which Steven Wilson met at the back post only for Longmuir to turn his header around the post.
The breakthrough came in the 19th minute when Talbot won a penalty. Shankland knocked it into the feet of McIlroy who helped the ball out to the left. Glasgow got there before Niang who sent him tumbling with a shove in the back & the ref pointed to the spot. STEVEN WILSON took it & gave Longmuir no chance, hammering it inside the right post as the keeper went the wrong way.
In the 23rd minute Pollok squandered a half chance to test Leishman. Gormley pulled the ball back to McGregor at the edge of the area but he ballooned his shot way over.
Four minutes later Harvey had to look sharp to deny the home side. McGregor slid a pass through the centre for McCluskey but Harvey got there first to clear the danger.
Pollok hadn’t brought their shooting boots & failed to make the most of another half chance in the 29th minute. The Bot defence failed to clear their lines & it came to S McCann 18 yards out but he lifted his shot over the bar.
A minute later Talbot doubled their lead. McIlroy squared the ball to SHANKLAND 25 yards out & he darted into the area, side-stepped the challenge of Niang, & coolly passed the ball beyond Longmuir to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.
Pollok pushed forward looking for a way back & McCluskey had an effort on target in the 33rd minute. He beat Pope to the ball & carried it forward before drilling a shot at goal that took a deflection on its way through to Leishman. The Lok frontman then had his name taken for dissent as he appealed that it had hit a hand on its way through.
The home side ought to have reduced the deficit five minutes before the interval. Gary McCann got free on the right & squared it across the area where Gormley only had to pass it into the net; however, Lyle reacted quickest & nicked in to turn it behind for a corner.
Glasgow showed his pace in Talbot’s next counter, surging past Sideserf into the penalty area but he couldn’t get past Niang & the defence were able to clear.
In the closing seconds of the half Pollok wasted a clear chance to pull a goal back. McCluskey was sent free down the right & strolled into the box but with only Leishman to beat he tamely hit his shot straight at him & Talbot went in two goals to the good at the interval.
Just as they did last week at Cumnock Talbot came out flying at the start of the 2nd half & nearly produced a peach of a goal a minute after the re-start. A slick passing move saw Shankland find McIlroy in the box. He fed it onto Glasgow who back-heeled it back into the path of Shankland who saw his low drive turned round the post by Longmuir.
Talbot played the corner short, allowing Shankland the angle to whip a ball across the face of goal but there were no takers in the centre.
Two minutes later McIlroy came close to putting the game beyond Pollok. White’s ball down the left found him breaking into the area & he drilled an early shot across goal that slipped just wide of the far post.
McIlroy had another opportunity to get on the scoresheet in the 55th minute. Leishman bowled the ball out to Glasgow on the left & he flew up the wing, breezing past Niang, before firing it low across the 6-yard area. Unfortunately it went slightly behind McIlroy who couldn’t sort out his feet & he couldn’t get his shot away.
Pollok then had a chance when Gormley played in S McCann down the left. He knocked it wide past the advancing Leishman but hit it too wide & threw himself down in a vain attempt to claim a penalty.
The home side made a double switch in the 57th minute with McGregor & Byrne making way for Rowan & Hepburn.
The Bot had another chance to kill the game off in the 63rd minute. Shankland’s early ball up the left picked out Glasgow in space. He paced away from the defence but Longmuir had read the danger & came rushing off his line. Glasgow opted to hit it early but Longmuir did well to make the block.
Tucker made Talbot’s first change in the 68th minute with Graham Wilson on in place of McIlroy.
Talbot were looking comfortable sitting on their lead but Pollok weren’t out of it & they threatened to reduce the leeway in the 77th minute. Gary McCann fired over a cross from the right touchline that came to McCluskey on the left of the area. He fired a low shot on goal that was well-saved by Leishman.
This proved to be McCluskey’s swan song as he once again made a beeline for the referee to remonstrate about something & the ref produced a 2nd yellow card to reduce Pollok to 10 men.
Tucker now made a further change with Thomson on for Steven Wilson.
Pollok made their final change in the 83rd minute with Forde replacing S McCann up front.
With four minutes to go Pollok were reduced to 9 men. Gary McCann took a poor 1st touch & with the ball breaking away from him he recklessly lunged in with studs showing & was shown a straight red.
A minute from time Pollok grabbed a consolation effort when FORDE latched onto a ball over from the left, wheeling smartly to turn & fire low past Leishman to make it 2-1.
Another good win for Talbot who are back on league duty next Saturday when they are scheduled to travel through to Blair Park to face Hurlford.

Pollok Juniors – Longmuir, Byrne, Sideserf, Niang, Gallagher, Young, G McCann, McGregor, S McCann, McCluskey, Gormley

Subs – Rowan, Little, A Forde, Hepburn, Johnston (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, S Wilson, Hyslop, White, McIlroy, Glasgow, Shankland

Subs – G Wilson, Thomson, Faulds, McCracken, Armstrong

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Talbot firmly put Cumnock in their place with a dominant display in their Scottish cup encounter at Townhead; routing the home side 5-1 to the delight of the majority of the crowd.
Right from the off Talbot looked the hungrier side & could have taken the lead inside 3 minutes. Pope lifted a ball down the left to McIlroy who laid it inside to Hyslop. He got the break of the ball & carried on into the penalty area where he lifted a shot over the bar from 16 yards.
The opener came in the 9th minute after a messy spell of play out on the right. The ball ricocheted around before being gathered by Glasgow who surged on a diagonal run before releasing the ball to the unmarked SHANKLAND on the left of the area & he coolly passed the ball across goal past Semple to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Talbot continued to press & put together a neat move down the left in the 16th minute. Shankland & Glasgow combined well before the move was abruptly ended by a late tackle from Lundie. Shankland took the free kick & curled a dangerous ball over beyond the back post that floated out for a goal kick.
The Cumnock keeper was put to the test in the 19th minute when Shankland gathered on the left, knocked it past Murray, and lifted a cross beyond the far post where Glasgow met it only to see his effort blocked by Semple.
Esplin picked up the game’s 1st caution, in the 21st minute, for a late challenge on Hyslop 35 yards from goal. POPE took the free kick & fired a low shot straight down the centre that slipped through the hands of Semple like a bar of wet soap to put Talbot two ahead.
Cumnock looked a team drained of belief and they nearly fell further behind in the 25th minute. Talbot won a corner which was whipped into the near post where Harvey directed it onto target only for Semple to dive & turn it round the right post.
Talbot were looking very comfortable in their lead but Cumnock slowly began to make some headway & their 1st real chance of the match came in the 36th minute. Anson managed to flick the ball over McPherson & it briefly looked like he would have a sight of goal but the ball ran away from him inside the box.
It was almost game over in the 40th minute when Talbot came close twice to adding to their lead. Pope sent Shankland free on the left of the Nock penalty area & he brought the best out of Semple who did well to turn his drive round the post. When the corner came over Hyslop rose to meet it & did everything right, heading it down, but a Nock defender fortuitously got in the way & the defence cleared.
For all Talbot’s dominance the game was thrown back into the balance 3 minutes before the interval when Cumnock pulled a goal back. Talbot were caught dreaming at a Cumnock shy & when the ball was thrown in from the right ANSON met it to guide a header low inside Leishman’s right post.
On the stroke of half-time Cumnock, much against the run of play, threatened to produce a leveller. Talbot were on the attack and Steven Wilson appeared to be bundled over 25 yards out but the ref waved play on. Cumnock swiftly countered & a ball over the top found Samson running into the Bot penalty area. He had a chance to go for the shot but chose to keep going & dallied on the ball too long before being dispossessed, and so Talbot left the field a goal to the good at the interval.
The Cumnock support had been offered a flicker of hope when they pulled a goal back but it didn’t survive long in a 2nd half where Talbot were in complete control from the off.
The Bot could have extended their lead in the 49th minute. Glasgow’s slide rule pass took the Nock defence out the equation to send McIlroy free on the right but his 1st touch proved too heavy & Semple raced off his line to dive at his feet to smother the ball.
Two minutes later Shankland tried his luck from distance. White’s header found him on space on the right & he drilled a shot on target that Semple parried away.
The pressure finally told & Talbot grabbed their 3rd goal in the 54th minute. Lyle lifted a cross into the centre which glanced off a defender’s head & came out to the left. SHANKLAND ghosted past Muir & arrowed a neat finish across goal & into the bottom corner to put Talbot in command.
Any hopes of a Cumnock fightback were ended on the hour mark when Talbot moved 4-1 ahead.
The Cumnock defence were unable to clear their lines & the ball pinged back & forth 30 yards out before falling to Shankland. He deftly chipped the ball through to GLASGOW who buried it low past Semple.
Cumnock now made a double substitution bringing on Hilton & M McKenzie.
Samson did well out on the right in the 63rd minute. He controlled a long ball over the top & whipped a dangerous cross over that Lyle had to head over his own bar.
Hyslop had his name taken a minute later for a late challenge, resulting in a Cumnock free kick 25 yards from goal. Samson took it but drilled his shot straight into the wall.
An incisive counter-attack almost saw Talbot add to their lead. Glasgow brought the ball out from the back & raced into the Nock half before finding Steven Wilson on the right. He crossed it first time into the centre where McIlroy bulleted a header for goal but it went straight at Semple.
Tucker now made his 1st change with Graham Wilson on for McIlroy.
Glasgow nearly nabbed his 2nd of the afternoon in the 70th minute. He latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area & sent a low shot skidding off the outside the right post with the keeper well beaten.
Talbot made their 2nd change in the 75th minute with Faulds replacing Hyslop in midfield and a few minutes later Tucker completed his changes when Thomson came on for Steven Wilson.
The scoring was complete in the 85th minute when Talbot added their 5th goal from an unlikely source. Glasgow spread the ball out to Shankland on the left & he fired a low ball across the face of goal which LYLE bundled home from close range.
As the clock ticked down the referee took pity on the hosts with a couple of sympathy vote decisions. In the final minute of regulation time Glasgow was clearly tripped in the penalty box but the ref waved play on & deep into injury time Crawford ought to have been shown a straight red for a crude challenge on Thomson but the ref only booked him.
A great derby win for Talbot to book their place in the last 16 of the Scottish. Next week it is back to league duty & an away day at Pollok.Cumnock – Semple, Muir, Ballantyne, Lundie, Murray, Crawford, Samson, Burns, Anson, Esplin, Montgomerie

Subs – S McKenzie, Hilton, M McKenzie, Hunter, Johnston (gk)

Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, S Wilson, White, Hyslop, McIlroy, Glasgow, Shankland

Subs – G Wilson, Faulds, Thomson, McCracken, Armstrong

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

After Sean McIlroy smacks the ball off the crossbar, ‘Pee-wee’ pounces onto the rebound and fires the ball into the back of the net. 1-0.

Dwayne gets congratulated by his team-mates after opening the scoring for Talbot.

Sean and the Talbot faithful go nuts, as McIlroy doubles Auchinleck’s lead. 2-0.

Kilbirnie look dejected, as Sean receives a big celebratory hug from Neil for scoring Talbot’s second.

It’s three and easy for Auchinleck, as Klark Thompson celebrates scoring his goal with Sean. 3-0.

Kyle Faulds marks his return to action after injury with a goal, as he sends a powerful header into the back of the net. 4-0.

The game’s scoring gets completed with a spectacular long range effort from Jamie Glasgow. 5-0.

Jamie shoves a celebratory fist into the air after netting a stunning goal.

Stephen and Dwayne closely mark their man.

Emotions boil over after Glasgow gets fouled in front of the away dugout.

Jamie goes on a blistering run while trying to evade this challenge.

Stephen Wilson shouts for a foul after McIlroy gets pushed from behind.

From out on the left of the box, Glasgow has a go from an awkward angle.

The Kilbirnie ‘keeper pulls off a great save to thwart Talbot after a corner.

McPherson can only watch Stephen have a go from distance.

With only the Kilbirnie ‘keeper to beat, Shankland gets pulled down from a last ditch tackle from a Kilbirnie defender, where…

…he and the Talbot bench shout their case for a free-kick, while…

…the referee decides to give the Kilbirnie defender a straight red card for his challenge.

Pope tries his luck with this awkward shot.

The Kilbirnie players vent their fraustrations during a break in the game.

From out on the wing, Jamie Glasgow hits an audacious lob over the ‘keeper which…

…smacks off the far post and lands at the feet of Sean McIlroy who scores from the rebound.

Thompson gets stopped in his tracks inside the box.

Game time is no time to start doing a ‘Three Stooges’ routine!

Faulds gets chased, as he races into the Kilbirnie box.

Klark Thompson tries to muscle his way up the park.

On his way to assisting Talbot’s third goal, Jamie avoids getting stopped by the ‘keeper.

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot narrowed the gap at the top of the table thanks to a five star performance against Kilbirnie at Beechwood.
The opening spell was fairly tight, with neither side able to test the opposing keeper, and play largely confined to the middle third of the pitch.
Talbot put together a decent move in the 12th minute when Glasgow pounced on a loose ball midway inside the Kilbirnie half. He played it 1st time out to McIlroy on the left & he swung a cross over onto the head of S Wilson who attempted to cushion it down to Glasgow but it ran through to Hughes.
The Bot’s next attack saw White leave a couple of defenders flat-footed when he turned outside the box to create the space for a shot but he blasted his effort well-wide of target.
The opening goal came in the 21st minute. Talbot won a free kick out on the left that was played into the area. The Blasties defence failed to clear their lines & the ball came to Shankland on the left of the area. He fired it low across the 6-yard area where McIlroy stretched out a leg to send it crashing off the bar. HYSLOP was 1st to react to the rebound, taking a touch before hammering it home with his left foot to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Five minutes later the Blasties defence was all at sea again. Glasgow skipped past Juskowiak & raced for the penalty area where he was obstructed by O’Byrne, resulting in a free kick 20 yards out & a booking for Kilbirnie’s centre-half. Shankland took the set-piece & was unlucky not to add to Talbot’s lead. His shot was heading inside the right post but Hughes flew across to push it wide.
Glasgow had a chance to double Talbot’s lead in the 31st minute. He raced onto McIlroy’s knock down & lobbed the ball over Hughes who was stranded well off his line but his shot sailed wide of target.
Two minutes later Talbot won a free kick wide of the penalty area when McIlroy had his heels clipped. Shankland whipped a great ball over to the back post where McKinnon headed it behind.
Talbot continued to look the likelier & their next attack saw Wilson find Lyle in space on the right. He slung a good cross to the back post where Shankland slid in to meet it but at full stretch he couldn’t direct it on goal.
Kilbirnie had been very shot shy but did produce a good effort two minutes before the break. Scullion gathered 30 yards from goal & blasted a shot just wide of Leishman’s right post.
The 2nd half started fairly evenly but gradually Talbot began to push the visitors back & test their defence. In the 52nd minute Wilson played in Glasgow down the right & he squared it to McIlroy inside the box who saw his shot blocked behind off O’Byrne.
Shankland took the resultant corner & fired it low into the corner of the 6-yard area where Wilson ran onto it. He side-footed it on target but was denied by Hughes who made a fingertip save to turn it round his left post.
Kilbirnie made a change in the 59th minute with Roberts coming on in place of Juskowiak.
A minute later the visitors came close to drawing level through a set-piece. They won a free kick out wide on the left & Scullion drilled a dangerous low shot across goal which Leishman pushed away with Williamson lurking.
Kilbirnie were reduced to 10 men in the 61st minute. Shankland out-muscled McKinnon outside the area & as he was about to race through on the keeper McKinnon hauled him to the deck, leaving the ref no choice but to send him on a short walk to the clubhouse.
Shankland took the free kick & once again struck it well; firing it round the wall & against the base of the left hand post.
Talbot were unfortunate not to be out of sight but with only a goal in it Kilbirnie weren’t out of it & they gave Talbot a scare in the 64th minute. A corner from the right was whipped into the area & Talbot could only partially clear it. The ball came out to Scullion whose volley looked to be heading on target but was blocked away by Harvey.
The game was as good as over in the 69th minute when Talbot moved 2 goals ahead. Glasgow raced onto a ball down the right & spotting Hughes stranded off his line he went for the lob. His effort sailed over O’Byrne on the goal line & cannoned back out off the crossbar where MCILROY met it to tuck the rebound away.
Tucker now made his 1st switch with Faulds coming on in place of White.
Kilbirnie made their 2nd change of the afternoon after 73 mins with Crerand replacing McGill.
Shankland had a chance to get on the scoresheet in the 75th minute. He released Glasgow down the left & when is cross came over O’Byrne sliced his clearance. It came to McIlroy who teed it up for Shankland but he mishit his shot wide from 15 yards.
Talbot now made two further changes in quick succession with Thomson on for Shankland & then Armstrong replacing Lyle.
Two of Talbot’s subs were involved in Talbot’s next chance in the 81st minute. Pope sent Thomson away on the left & when his cross floated to the back post Faulds looked set to score as he ran onto it but steered his header wide of goal.
The 3rd goal finally arrived in the 84th minute. Thomson lifted the ball through to Glasgow down the left. He took it round the keeper, gathered the ball on the bye line before floating a cross into the centre where THOMSON beat O’Byrne to it to bundle home from close range.
Talbot added a 4th goal in the 87th minute. Thomson chased onto a ball down the left & laid it back to Pope. He whipped a cross over which FAULDS directed back across & into the bottom corner.
Within a minute Talbot wrapped the game up with their fifth of the afternoon. Pope slid the ball into Faulds inside the area & he laid it back to GLASGOW who provided the perfect finish; drilling the ball inside the right post from 20 yards.
This was a great way for Talbot to end their run of poor results against Kilbirnie, with a comprehensive win that does the goal difference no harm. Next week Talbot travel through to Townhead to face Cumnock in the Scottish & with both sides in good form it promises to be a lively afternoon.Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, White, S Wilson, Hyslop, McIlroy, Glasgow, ShanklandSubs – Armstrong, Thomson, Faulds, McCracken, Hewitt (gk)

Kilbirnie Ladeside – K Hughes, C Hughes, Mackinnon, Bembo, O’Byrne, Juskowiak, McGill, Touhy, Finlay, Scullion, Williamson

Subs – Roberts, Crerand, Stokes, Halliday, Wilton

With the game fastly approaching the 90 minute mark, Talbot finally converts a chance and secures all three points for the Beechwood Boys!

‘Pee-wee’ pops up at the back post and smashes home his headed shot and scores the only goal of the game. 0-1.

Another angle of Dwayne Hyslop’s late goal.

The Glens players immediately vent their anger after conceding late in the game.

Talbot celebrate, as Glenafton contemplate what went wrong.

McChesney fires the ball away from danger, as he is closely marked by ‘Gee’.

Stephen Wilson sends the ball down the park before he gets challenged.

‘Pee-wee’ tries to have a go at goal but the Glens defender blocks his path but…

…he then chases after the ball but gets beaten to it by McGarrity.

Stephen gets stopped in his tracks by this tackle.

Glasgow shows his anguish as he his deemed to be offside while racing into the opposing box.

A chance falls to Jamie Glasgow at very close range but McGarrity stands his ground and keeps the ball out.

Glasgow keeps the ball close to him while trying to evade this challenge.

Lyle makes sure he and his team-mates are doing their bit to make sure that Talbot are ‘staying alive’ in the title race.

Andy Leishman keeps his eyes on the ball, as Glenafton try their luck from way out.

The players try to get their point across during the game.

An early second half chance for Talbot, as Graham does his best to lob McGarrity.

‘Gee’ gets stopped in his tracks, as he is about to pull the trigger.

‘Shankers’ has a go from outside the box.

Mark muscles his way through the Glens defence inside the box.

Hands up who is the odd one out in this line?

Shankland’s deflected shot goes inches over the crossbar.

With the Glenafton goal surrounded by Talbot players, Sean McIlroy sends a powerful header towards goal but, unfortunately, Ally Park heads it away from danger on the line.

And from this angle, you can see just how close Sean came to scoring.

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot made the perfect start to 2018, opening the new year with an away win at New Cumnock to keep their title hopes alive.
It was Talbot who made the early running & the 1st effort at goal came in the 5th minute. The Glens defence failed to properly clear a ball aimed at Glasgow & it came out to Graham Wilson who lobbed it over the stranded McGarrity but also over the crossbar.
In the 9th minute Pope tried his luck from all of 30 yards, hitting the target, but failing to trouble McGarrity.
Pope then turned provider in Talbot’s next attack, lifting a ball into the left edge of the area for Hyslop but it broke away from him & McGarrity came out to gather.
Gradually the Glens came into it & the home side had a chance to open the scoring in the 20th minute. They won a free kick out on the left which was swung into the centre. McCann headed the ball down into the feet of Dallas but he wanted one touch too many & Hyslop nicked in to clear.
Action then switched to the other end where only a fantastic stop from McGarrity prevented Talbot taking the lead. Pope fed the ball out to Graham Wilson on the left & he lifted a cross to the far post. Glasgow raced onto it & volleyed on target but somehow McGarrity got enough on it to keep it out at his left post.
The referee infuriated the large travelling support in the 23rd minute when he cautioned Pope for what looked to be nothing more than a hard but fair tackle; winning the ball cleanly.
Gray took the resultant free kick & flighted it into the middle where White headed it clear. McChesney gathered the ball out on the left & crossed it back into the centre where McCann flicked it on to Gray who trundled a shot into the side netting.
Cairns tried to replicate his wonder strike from last season’s Scottish final in the 34th minute but whilst well-struck his shot from 35 yards was always flying over the bar.
McAusland had his name taken in the 40th minute after a tangle with Pope.
The last chance of the half came Talbot’s way in the 41st minute. The Glens back line failed to deal with a ball up the middle & it fell to Graham Wilson 16 yards out. He rolled it across to Stephen Wilson but his low strike was blocked off a defender and that was it for the 1st half.
At the start of the 2nd period it was the Glens who made the early running.
Dallas switched the ball from right to left to find Borris who cut inside Lyle before shooting only for McPherson to block his effort.
The linesman gave the Glens a helping hand in the 52nd minute when he kept his flag down as Dallas sped clear. He looked offside but was allowed to continue; however he failed to capitalise, lashing a shot over the bar from 18 yards.
Talbot had a decent chance in the 53rd minute from a set piece. Pope angled a free kick out to the right to find the head of Stephen Wilson who nodded it down to Glasgow. He helped it on into the feet of Graham Wilson, 8 yards out, but he swiped at it & the ball went tamely through to McGarrity.
The Glens made a double change in the 57th minute, replacing their wide men, with McGill & Moore coming on for Gray & Borris.
Talbot made their 1st change in the 62nd minute with McIlroy on for Graham Wilson.
The Bot’s next effort at goal came from an unlikely source. White showed quick feet to elude a couple of challenges & burst into the box before drilling a low shot on goal that McGarrity held.
The game was now swinging from end to end. Talbot threatened in the 71st minute when Hyslop found McIlroy out on the right. He whipped a dangerous cross over that Park headed over his own crossbar.
Harvey had his name taken in the 75th minute for a shirt tug just outside the Bot penalty area. McGill took the free kick but blasted it straight into the wall.
Tucker now made a further change with Shankland on in place of Thomson.
Glenafton came close to making the breakthrough in the 77th minute. A poor headed clearance fell to Park just outside the penalty area & his low drive flew just wide of Leishman’s right post.
The action then switched to the other penalty area where McIlroy laid the ball out right to Glasgow. He had the chance to go for goal but opted to carry it on & was eventually crowded out. The ball broke out left where Shankland fired a shot on target held by McGarrity.
Glenafton ought to have taken the lead in the 79th minute when their two subs were involved but Moore was guilty of missing a sitter. McGill swirled a cross over from the left that took the Bot defence out of the equation & Moore looked certain to divert it home but he got it all wrong & prodded the ball so far wide it didn’t even go for a goal kick.
Talbot’s next chance came in the 82nd minute when Pope angled a low ball into Hyslop at the edge of the area. He swivelled & hit it first time but he was falling back as he struck it & it flew over the bar.
The Bot nearly broke the deadlock in the 85th minute. White curled a good cross over to Shankland at the back post. He attempted to dink it home but his effort was deflected behind for a corner. When the corner came over Hyslop headed it back across goal where McIlroy headed it goal ward. McGarrity was beaten but Park came to his rescue; heading it off the line.
Just when it seemed that both sides would have to settle for a share of the points Talbot produced a late winner in the 88th minute. Pope delivered the perfect cross from the left & HYSLOP rose to power a header high into the net to win it for Talbot.
A good away win to start the year & next up for Talbot are Kilbirnie who travel through to Beechwood next Saturday.Glenafton Athletic – McGarrity, McAusland, Cairns, Menzies, McChesney, McKernon, Gray, Park, Dallas, McCann, BorrisSubs – McGill, Moore, McKnight, Marlow, Watson

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, Hyslop, S Wilson, White, G Wilson, Glasgow, Thomson

Subs – McIlroy, Shankland, Armstrong, Faulds, McCracken

Kilwinning score the opening and only goal of the game, as it leaves Talbot stunned while they run off to celebrate. 0-1.

Time to be the judge again folks! Penalty or no penalty? Was Jamie Glasgow fouled and should Talbot have been given a penalty? You decide.

Emotions run high between the players after the incident between Craig Pettigrew and Jamie Glasgow.

‘Petti’s’ team-mates tell him to calm down, while Jamie gets a second yellow and subsequently gets sent off, as the referee deemed him to have dived.

Jamie tries to race into the box but gets sandwiched by two ‘Buffs’ players.

As the Kilwinning players try synchronized defending, ‘Pee-wee’ tries an audacious lob from an awkward angle.

Obviously this Kilwinning player is trying to make friends, as he flashes a smile towards ‘Gee’.

Glasgow fires a low shot at goal from inside the box…

…but the pain is etched on his face, as he sees the ball go wide of the post.

Andy Leishman pulls off a brilliant finger-tipped save to deny the ‘Buffs’ from very close range.

Hyslop gets out of the way of Jamie’s low strike but, unfortunately, the ball fails to find the back of the net.

This player chooses to vent his fraustration after he is deemed to have fouled Shankland.

Neil tries to get his point across to his team-mates.

Armstrong tries his best to muscle his way through but he finds that all roads are blocked by the defence.

Graham Wilson gets stopped in his tracks.

McPherson races up the park from deep within his own half.

Kilwinning try a shot from right in front of goal but is deemed to be offside.

Jamie gets hacked down in this challenge…

…and the ‘Buffs’ player obviously disagrees with the refs decision after the challenge.

McIlroy does his best to go on the attack up the wing.

Both managers have a heated debate after the final whistle about the games major talking points.

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot ended the year on a downer losing 1-0 at home to Kilwinning in a game of few chances.
It took until the 10th minute until either side mustered a threat. Glasgow paced away down the left & slung the ball into the near post where Hyslop flicked it just over the crossbar.
Two minutes later Talbot had another effort at goal. Steven Wilson lifted a good ball over the top that sent Glasgow free. He went for the early shot & fizzed an effort from 20 yards just wide of the upright.
Kilwinning’s 1st attack came in the 13th minute. Monti cut inside & fired for goal & his effort took a big deflection, going just wide of the right hand post. Talbot were caught napping at the resultant corner. It was pulled back to the unmarked Pettigrew & Leishman had to tip his volley over the bar.
Coleman had his name taken in the 15th minute for a cynical trip on Hyslop as he broke down the right. Pope took the free kick & curled it into the centre. The ball broke back to Glasgow 15 yards out & he dug it out his feet to stab a shot on target that Strain parried to his left before a defender put it behind for the corner. When the corner came over Hyslop met it at the far post but steered a free header over the bar.
The game’s only goal came in the 18th minute & it was a poor one to lose. Lewis lifted a cross in from the left that White headed away. It came to Stephen Wilson inside the box but he sclaffed his clearance sending it straight into the path of BOYLAN who fired a low volley on target that squirmed through the arms of Leishman into the net.
The goal changed the complexion of the game & Talbot dropped right out of it for a long spell.
Armstrong picked up a caution in the 22nd minute for a trip on Monti just outside the penalty area. Monti took the free kick but fired it well wide of target.
The Buffs nearly doubled their lead in the 24th minute. Boylan broke down the right side of the area & angled a low drive across the face of goal that Leishman tipped wide of the far post.
Winter should have put the Buffs further ahead in the 31st minute. A ball over the top caught the Bot defence flat footed & he was sent clean through on Leishman where he proceeded to tamely hit a shot that barely reached the keeper.
Talbot’s next effort at goal came in the 33rd minute. Pettigrew couldn’t get any distance on a defensive header & the ball fell to Graham Wilson inside the box. He rolled it back out to Stephen Wilson who fired over the bar from 20 yards.
The final chance of the half fell Talbot’s way in the closing minute. Stephen Wilson sent Graham Wilson free on the left. He sped past Coleman before drilling a low shot on target that was comfortably saved by Strain.
Tucker made a change at the interval with McIlroy on in place of Shankland.
Talbot made a spirited start to the 2nd half & McIlroy forced a corner on the left in the 49th minute when he latched onto a ball over the top. Glasgow whipped the corner over which was headed out of the area where Armstrong met it & thundered a shot wide of the left post.
Boylan received a caution in the 55th minute when he caught Glasgow with a late challenge.
A minute later Talbot came as close as they were to get all afternoon. A ball down the wing found McIlroy on the left edge of the penalty area. He played it low across the face of goal & Graham Wilson gathered it with his back to goal a few yards out. He laid it back to Armstrong whose low strike was cleared off the goal line by McCloskey.
Tucker made a 2nd change in the 59th minute with Faulds on in place of Armstrong.
Monti became the 3rd Buffs player booked when he received a caution in the 66th minute for a late challenge on Glasgow and six minutes later it was role reversal with Glasgow receiving a yellow card for a trip on Monti.
The longer the game went the less likely it looked that there would be any further goals though the Buffs did come close with a minute remaining. McGuinness broke through a couple of challenges before firing a low drive just wide of the right post.
Talbot’s misery was complete deep into injury time when they were reduced to 10 men. Glasgow went down just outside the Buffs penalty box & the ref adjudged it to be simulation & sent him off for a 2nd yellow.
A bad day at the office & Talbot will now need to dust themselves off & go again after the New Year when they first foot Glenafton.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Hyslop, White, S Wilson, Armstrong, G Wilson, Shankland, Glasgow

Subs – McIlroy, Thomson, Faulds, McCracken, Hewitt

Kilwinning Rangers – Strain, Coleman, McCloskey, Pettigrew, Maitland, Hanvey, Monti, McGuinness, Winter, Lewis, Boylan

Subs – Campbell, Nesbit, Strain

Beith Juniors

Auchinleck Talbot

St Cadoc’s

Largs Thistle

Talbot open the scoring, as Jamie Glasgow smashes home a low drive from inside the box. 0-1.

Jamie shows he’s got this tie licked after netting Talbot’s first.

‘Shanker’s’ fires a low pass across the face of goal, where ‘Gee’ thankfully gets onto the end of and prods the ball into the back of the net. 0-2.

Hill O’ Beath are reduced to ten men during the second half of the game.

From just inside the box, Glasgow tries his luck with a diving looping header.

Graham Wilson manages to pop up at the back post but sends his header wide.

The Talbot faithful fly the club’s colours, as ‘Pee-wee’ gets another attack motoring.

Ross and Neil show their anger after Stephen Wilson gets bundled over from a hefty challenge.

Jamie watches, as ‘Gee’ tries a wee volley from inside the box.

The Talbot fans man of the match, Steven White, muscles his way through the opposition in order to win back the ball.

Jamie Glasgow rues a missed chance for Auchinleck.

Andy Leishman pulls off a great save in the top left-hand corner to thwart the Hawthorns.

Jamie and Stephen look on in anguish, as both of them fail to get onto the end of Graham’s cross.

The Hill O’ Beath bench look on,as Jamie Glasgow gets stopped in his tracks.

The fans huddle for warmth in the very cold wind, as ‘Shanker’s’ hurdles himself over this tackle.

Graham Wilson gets brought down by a hefty tackle from behind and itis this challenge that results in the Hawthorns being reduced to ten men.

Hill O’ Beath come very close to pulling a goal back, as a close range header gets cleared off the line.

Stephen Wilson goes on a run up the middle of the park.

Another chance for the Hawthorns but this close range header goes agonisingly wide of the post.

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot fans of a certain age could have been forgiven for thinking the omens weren’t good for this Scottish tie as the last time Talbot travelled through to Keirs Park in blustery conditions it didn’t end well. This time however was a different story as Talbot bested their opponents & the elements to ease to a 2-0 win.
With the wind at their backs Talbot pushed the hosts back right from the off, with the Haws finding it difficult to get out of their half. The home defence was stretched as early as the 4th minute with Connors heading Lyle’s dangerous cross clear in the centre. Soon after, Talbot had their 1st effort on target when Glasgow met Hyslop’s cross but steered his header straight at Hall.
Stephen Wilson was unfortunate not to open the scoring in the 8th minute. A free kick was taken short & knocked back to Wilson whose curling shot had the keeper well beaten only to cannon off the woodwork.
The pressure told & a minute later Talbot took the lead. G Wilson fed the ball out to JAMIE GLASGOW on the right of the area & he took full advantage of the time & space to drill a low shot past Hall into the opposite corner.
The Haws didn’t have time to settle before Talbot doubled their advantage in the 11th minute. Shankland scampered down the wing before firing it across the face of goal where GRAHAM WILSON bundled it home at the back post.
Talbot were well in control & nearly added to their lead in the 18th minute. Hay’s attempted clearance was caught by the wind & blown back toward his own goal where G Wilson latched onto it & volleyed just wide of target from 18 yards.
The home side offered their 1st threat of the afternoon in the 21st minute. A long throw from the right was flicked across goal but there were no takers. Wright gathered it out on the left & swung a cross into the box which Watt headed wide of target.
Hill of Beath had an effort on target in the 25th minute. Harvey didn’t get much distance on a headed clearance & it came out to Schiavone who fired a low drive on goal which Leishman held.
The 1st booking of the afternoon came a minute later when HOB’s Leishman was cautioned for a foul on Graham Wilson.
A third goal would have ended the game as a contest & Talbot came close to grabbing it in the 33rd minute. White did well down the right & slung a cross into the box that the defence struggled to clear. It came out to Shankland on the left & he curled over a ball that Hyslop just failed to connect with in front of goal.
Wright became the 2nd Hill of Beath player booked when cautioned for a late challenge in midfield.
Talbot almost made the hosts pay from the resultant free kick with Pope’s delivery finding the head of Hyslop. He headed it back down to Glasgow whose 1st time effort flew just over the bar.
There hadn’t been too many close calls around the Talbot box but the hosts did come close in the 37th minute. Watt managed to turn McPherson just outside the box & his shot took a nick off McPherson & deflected just wide of Leishman’s left post. When the corner came over Dair met it & directed it on target but Leishman was well positioned to clutch it high inside his left hand post.
In the closing stages of the half Talbot twice came close to adding to their lead. Firstly, Shankland left Leishman in his wake before sliding the ball into the near post where Stephen Wilson was just beaten to it by Connors who stretched to knock it behind.
In the final minute of the half Graham Wilson raced clear down the left & drove a low ball across the face of goal which Stephen Wilson just couldn’t reach at the far post & so the sides went in separated by Talbot’s two early strikes.
The 2nd half was only 3 minutes old when Hyslop became the 1st Talbot player booked; cautioned for a late challenge on Grierson.
The referee made the wrong call in the 53rd minute. Under pressure, Dair slid the ball back to his keeper who picked it up, but the ref ignored Talbot’s appeals for an indirect free kick.
Even playing into the stiff breeze Talbot were having the best of it & carrying more of a goal threat. Hall came to his side’s rescue in the 54th minute when Graham Wilson got free down the right & carried it forward before drilling a powerful shot on target that the keeper held at the 2nd attempt.
Two minutes later the keeper produced a top class save to defy Shankland. A shy from the left bounced its way to Shankland outside the area & his half volley looked destined for the net til Hall dived full length to turn it round the post.
Talbot had a scare down the other end when Leishman misjudged a swirling cross from the left. He got a hand to it at the back post & clawed it away where it hit off Schiavone & went behind for a goal kick.
The home side made their 1st change on the hour mark with Denton coming on in place of Schiavone.
Hill of Beath’s slim hopes of a comeback were dealt a blow in the 68th minute when they were reduced to 10 men. Leishman went right through the back of Graham Wilson & the full-back was sent to the clubhouse for his 2nd yellow of the afternoon.
The Wilson brothers combined well together in the 70th minute, Stephen finding Graham on the right & Graham sliding the ball on through as Stephen continued his run; however Hall had spotted the danger & was quickly off his line to beat S Wilson to it.
Hill of Beath had a half chance in the 71st minute when they won a corner on the right. It was played into the near post where Elder headed it wide under pressure from Hyslop.
A minute later Talbot nearly made it three. Hyslop played in Glasgow down the right & he drilled it low inside the near post where Hall made another fine save; blocking with his feet.
Hill of Beath now made a further change with Mitchell replacing Hay & Talbot made their 1st switch with Armstrong coming on for Shankland.
Hay produced a good cross in the 80th minute when he flighted a ball in from the left but it sailed just over the head of Elder & went behind for a goal kick.
Tucker now made a 2nd change with McIlroy replacing Glasgow.
The home side had one final chance to narrow the gap in the 85th minute. A free kick from the right was angled to the back post where Elder powered a header wide from close range.
As the game moved into the closing stages Talbot made their final change with Faulds on for Hyslop.
Not a day for pretty football or the purist but Talbot got the job done & made light work of a tricky away tie. Next up for Talbot it is back to league duties where they end the year with the visit of Kilwinning Rangers.

Hill of Beath Hawthorn – Hall, Leishman, Grierson, Connors, Dair, Wright, Hay, Reid, Elder, Watt, Schiavone

Subs – Harrower, Allan, Denton, Mitchell, Morgan (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, White, S Wilson, Hyslop, G Wilson, Shankland, Glasgow

Subs – McIlroy, Armstrong, Faulds, Thomson, Hewitt (gk)