2018/19 – Page 3 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Auchinleck Talbot v Lochee United

Lochee United v Auchinleck Talbot

Auchinleck Talbot v Craigmark Burntonians

Auchinleck Talbot v Craigmark Burntonians

Cumnock Juniors v Auchinleck Talbot

Auchinleck Talbot v Cambuslang Rangers

Pollok v Auchinleck Talbot

Auchinleck Talbot v Kirkintilloch Rob Roy

Hearts Of Midlothian v Auchinleck Talbot

Petershill v Auchinleck Talbot


May 4, 2024 14:00 N/A Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok


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

Player	Appearances	Goals	Assists	YC	RC
Neill McPherson	41	1	0	3	0
Connor Boyd	41	19	6	4	0
Neil Slooves	40	4	0	3	1
Ruaridh Langan	39	3	4	8	0

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot did the heavy lifting last week away at Dundee and made light work of this 2nd leg tie; strolling to a 6-1 aggregate win to book their place in their 3rd consecutive Junior cup final where they will face Largs Thistle, ensuring that one way or another there will be black & gold ribbons round the cup.

Lochee had a mountain to climb after last week & at no stage did they look like scaling it.

The first chance of the match came Talbot’s way after 5 minutes. Samson hared away on the right & squared it across goal where Graham Wilson met it. He was shut down but the ball broke to Glasgow and his side-footer was heading on target til blocked by a defender.

Both sides were a bit at sea in the opening exchanges, with passes & crosses going astray and neither keeper looking like being called into action, at least until the 18th minute when Talbot broke the deadlock.

Stephen Wilson started and finished the move. He won it down the stand side before releasing Samson up the wing. His cross into the centre was headed out but only came as far as STEPHEN WILSON who hit a dipping, swerving effort over Millar from 18 yards to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.

Two minutes later and only a great double save and an uncharacteristic miss prevented Talbot from doubling their lead. Glasgow broke free on the left of the area & drilled a low shot on target that Millar did well to block. The rebound came straight to Samson and he must have thought he’d scored when he fired it goal ward but Millar showed great reactions to recover from his earlier save to get up and block Samson’s effort. The danger wasn’t over though as the ball came to Glasgow on the left. He clipped a cross into the centre where careless defending by both Lochee centre halves saw the ball finish up at Graham Wilson a few yards out from goal. He had his back to goal & swivelled round before firing over the bar from close range.

Lochee had a rare chance to test the Talbot defence in the 22nd minute. McCracken was penalised for a barge on Birse & Cameron took the free kick; whipping a dangerous ball in from the right that Pope did well to head behind for a corner. Cameron fired the corner into the goal mouth where Leishman punched the ball to safety.

With 27 mins gone Talbot doubled their lead. Hyslop was caught as he shoved the ball down the line to Glasgow but the referee played advantage. Glasgow fired it across goal where GRAHAM WILSON tucked it home.

It was all Talbot and the Bot nearly added another in the 33rd minute. White released Glasgow down the left and he lifted a cross to the back post where Samson just failed to connect with it.

A minute later a mix up in the Lochee defence allowed Samson to burst clear down the right. He raced into the area and it knocked it wide of Millar who looked to bring him down but the referee thought otherwise and booked Samson for simulation.

Talbot’s next chance came in the 39th minute. Lyle pinged the ball down the line to Samson and when his cross came over Graham Wilson powered a header on target but unfortunately it flew straight at the keeper.

In the final minute of the half Birse was penalised for persistent fouling to end a frustrating half for the visitors.

The 2nd half was only 5 minutes old when Lochee made their first change; McDonald coming on in place of Kirk.

In the 55th minute Talbot came close to extending their lead when they won a free kick 25 yards out following a foul on Samson. Graham Wilson whipped it up and over the wall and had the keeper beaten but it flew just the wrong side of the left upright.

Action then switched to the other end where Lawson fed the ball out to McWalter on the right wing and he swept a cross over onto the head of the unmarked Devie who headed just over the bar in what proved to be Lochee’s only real chance of the afternoon.

Tucker now made a change with McIlroy on for Graham Wilson and Lochee soon made their 2nd change with Deasley making way for Ritchie.

With 62 mins gone frustration got the better of Cameron who picked up a needless booking for kicking the ball away.

In the 65th minute Tucker completed Talbot’s changes with a double substitution; Armstrong & Kemp coming on in place of Hyslop & Samson.

Leishman was barely tested all afternoon & in fact his best save came 20 minutes from the end when he had to stretch up and pluck the ball out the air when Lyle chested the ball back to him and it took a high bounce.

Ten minutes from the end McWalter received a caution when he went right through Glasgow. Pope took the free kick & shoved it to White who in turn fed the ball into the area to Kemp. He teed it back up for White who drilled a low shot just wide of the right post.

With two minutes remaining Talbot had one final chance to add to their tally. Pope gathered on the left & was allowed to carry it forward unhindered before firing for goal from 20 yards. His shot took a slight deflection and Millar did well to dive to his right to make the stop.

All in all a very comfortable outing for Talbot who never really looked in any danger. Next up for Talbot it is back to league duties and the start of the midweek fixtures as they travel through to Lochburn park to face Clydebank this Wednesday evening.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, White, Graham Wilson, Samson, Glasgow

Subs – McIlroy, Kemp, Shankland, Armstrong, McDowall

Lochee United – J Millar, Webster, Kirk, Cameron, Kenneth, Devie, Birse, McComiskey, Lawson, Deasley, McWalter

Subs – Fotheringham, Ritchie, D Millar, Thomson, McDonald

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

A late goal blitz put Talbot firmly in command of this Scottish Semi-final as the Bot emerged 4-1 winners at Thomson Park over an out-played & out-fought Lochee United.
It didn’t take Talbot long to get into their stride & it was the Bot who were first to threaten. Glasgow played a one-two with Graham Wilson before driving into the box & D Millar did well to nip across to slide it out for a corner.
The first shot at goal came after 10 minutes. Hyslop headed Leishman’s ball down the right to find Samson breaking forward & he hit it early; firing on target from 20 yards but without any power to trouble the Lochee keeper.
Two minutes later Samson’s pace won Talbot the first of their numerous corners. Glasgow’s ball in came back out to him & his 2nd attempt had to be batted away by Millar under his crossbar.
Talbot came close to taking the lead after 14 minutes. The Bot forced a couple of corners in quick succession & when Glasgow’s 2nd delivery came over it found Pope in space beyond the far post. He fired it back across goal where Graham Wilson side-footed on target only for Webster to clear it off the line.
Lochee had offered very little but they were given an opportunity to test the Bot defence in the 18th minute when they won a free kick out on the right. Cameron whipped the ball into the goal mouth where Leishman came to punch it clear.
The referee made a howler in the 21st minute when he seemed to be the only one in the park who didn’t notice Lochee’s keeper, Millar, clean out Samson as he burst into the box. It looked as stonewall as penalties go but to the ire of the Talbot support & astonishment of the Lochee bench the referee awarded a goal kick.
Four minutes later Samson was brought down again when he was clipped by Kirk. This time it was just outside the area & the ref had no problem spotting it. Glasgow took the free kick & fired it up & over the wall but it curled just over the bar.
Talbot were back on the attack in the 27th minute. Leishman bowled it out to Pope & he sent it down the line to find Glasgow racing up the wing. He fired a good low ball into the centre which Millar did well to cut out at his near post.
It was pretty much all Talbot at this stage & Graham Wilson had a half chance in the 32nd minute when Hyslop headed the ball down to him inside the area but he didn’t catch his shot cleanly.
Talbot got a fright in the 34th minute when a ball was clipped over the top to find Birse bursting down the left of the penalty area. Leishman read it & was quickly off his line to challenge him & McCracken knocked it behind for a corner.
With 38 mins gone it was like a scene from a horror flick when Cameron received a head wound that left him looking like a survivor in a zombie movie. It looked as though he’d run his race but despite the gore, he was back into the fray a few minutes later after being patched up.
Talbot came close to breaking the deadlock in the 40th minute. Glasgow’s cross was met by McCracken who dived to head it back across goal where Hyslop flashed a header just wide of the right post.
Three minutes before the interval Lochee had a chance to snatch the lead against the run of play. They were awarded a free kick out on the right that Kirk delivered to the far post. Kenneth won the header back across where it came to Birse 8 yards out but fortunately for Talbot it wouldn’t sit down for him & Pope was able to hook it clear before he could get a shot away.
And so in a re-run of last year’s clash at Thomson park the sides went in goal less after a 1st half dominated by Talbot.
Talbot came out all guns blazing at the start of the 2nd half and put the home side under pressure.
McCracken had a chance to put Talbot ahead in the 49th minute when he met Glasgow’s corner from the left at the back post but he didn’t make a clean contact & sent it wide from close range.
Two minutes later Talbot won another corner down the left when Samson raced into the box only for Millar to put it behind. Once again Glasgow delivered it to the far post and this time Hyslop met it but his header was blocked in a crowded goalmouth.
The pressure was building & Samson sent Glasgow racing free down the left & his cut back had the defence scrambling. They cleared it but only back out to Glasgow who won a corner down the left. Glasgow whipped it to the back post where Hyslop headed it back across goal & GRAHAM WILSON bundled it home from close range to give Talbot a deserved lead with 55 mins gone.
Kenneth received a yellow card in the aftermath of the goal for dissent.
Around the hour mark Cameron had to leave the field for the 2nd time when his head wound started bleeding again but once again they carried out emergency repairs & he returned to the action.
Lochee pushed men forward looking for a way back into it but had little to show for it as they were unable to breach the Talbot defence or test Leishman.
Tucker made a double substitution with 20 mins remaining; Kemp & McIlroy coming on for Samson and Graham Wilson.
Within 3 minutes of coming on McIlroy had a half chance to put Talbot further ahead. Glasgow pinged a ball down the left that eluded Kenneth & found McIlroy racing onto the end of it but Webster did well to get across & nick it off his toes.
A minute later though and Talbot doubled their lead with a well worked goal. McIlroy slid a great pass down the right to find Lyle on the overlap & he cut it back into the path of DWAYNE HYSLOP who chipped it into the net.
With quarter of an hour remaining Glasgow had his name taken for a trip out on the right and Tucker threw on his last sub; Armstrong coming on for White.
In the 78th minute Lochee made their one and only change when Cameron was replaced by Deasley.
The home side looked like they’d been thrown a lifeline in the 82nd minute when they pulled a goal back. McNally lifted over a dangerous cross from the left that went beyond Pope at the back post. Deasley headed it back across goal where BIRSE touched it home from close range.
Any ideas Lochee had of a comeback were short-lived however as Talbot restored their two goal cushion within a minute. The Bot won a free kick on the left that Pope angled into the area. McCracken’s header back across goal was brilliantly saved by Millar but he could do nothing to prevent STEPHEN WILSON from slotting the rebound home to put Talbot 3-1 ahead.
Two minutes later and McIlroy nearly added a fourth. Armstrong lifted a ball down the centre & McIlroy shrugged off the challenge of Kirk inside the area before drilling a low shot just wide of the left post with the keeper rooted.
In the final minute of regulation time Talbot capped a great performance with a fourth goal. Leishman launched it down the centre where Kemp challenged for it inside the area. The ball broke back to SEAN MCILROY whose first attempt was blocked but it came back to him and he rammed a low drive past Millar to make it 4-1.
As the game slipped into injury time the Lochee keeper was called into action one final time when he had to stretch up to tip Pope’s free kick over the crossbar.
This game bucked the trend of tight low scoring affairs in 1st legs and Talbot are now in an incredibly strong position going into next Saturday’s decider at Beechwood where Talbot will be short odds favourites to make it to their third consecutive Junior cup final.Lochee United – J Millar, D Millar, Kenneth, Kirk, Webster, Cameron, Ritchie, Lawson, McNally, McComiskie, Birse

Subs – Deasley, Davie, McDonald, Cavanagh

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, White, Graham Wilson, Glasgow, Samson

Subs – McIlroy, Kemp, Armstrong, McDowall, Shankland

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

A much changed Talbot side made hard work of it but did enough to see off the challenge of Craigmark to book their place in the last 8 of the West.
Without setting the heather on fire Talbot started strongly enough and Kemp had several opportunities in as many minutes to give Talbot an early lead.
His 1st chance came in the 8th minute. Harvey found Waite on the right & he fed it inside the area to Glasgow. He was challenged before he could hit it but the ball broke back to Kemp who curled a left foot shot just over the bar.
A minute later Glasgow’s pass split the visitors defence allowing Kemp in on goal. He went for the lob & lifted it over the keeper but also just over the crossbar.
In the 10th minute Kemp had a further chance to put Talbot ahead. White dispossessed Dyer midway inside the Bot half & Talbot quickly broke up the right through Glasgow. He lifted it across the area to find Kemp in space but he angled his shot across goal & wide of Masterton’s left post.
This early flurry of chances proved a false dawn as the game quickly grew scrappier with errors aplenty from both sides.
It took until the 27th minute before the next close call. Pope’s shy from the left came straight into the path of Glasgow who raced onto it just inside the area & toe poked a shot that slid past the left post with Masterton beaten.
Craigmark hadn’t been at the races but they nearly took a surprise lead in the 29th minute. They won a free kick 35 yards out that Boyle drilled straight into the wall. It deflected straight into the path of Dyer who drilled a shot inches wide of the right post from 15 yards.
This encouraged Craigmark and a minute later Connor raced through the centre before testing Leishman with a long range drive that he smothered at the 2nd attempt.
For all Talbot’s early chances Craigmark’s keeper hadn’t been overworked with Talbot failing to hit the target on multiple occasions. Glasgow had Talbot’s first meaningful effort on target in the 38th minute when Kemp’s ball found him with his back to goal & he spun before firing a shot that was blocked by Masterton.
Talbot pushed hard in the closing stages of the half but all they had to show for it was a glancing header from Kemp that flew wide of the left post and so for the 2nd match in succession Talbot went in goal less at the interval.
The 2nd half got off to a false, forgettable start with literally nothing of any note occurring.
The game’s first caution came in the 58th minute when R McKay was booked for persistent fouling after impeding Kemp. Waite took the set piece & whipped in a good delivery from the right that Harvey headed goal ward only to see his effort clatter off the left post.
Talbot had the visitors defence stretched in the 62nd minute. Glasgow played it down the left to Kemp who cut inside off the wing. He had Waite spare to his right but opted to shoot from the edge of the box; sending a wild shot careening high & wide.
A minute later Talbot grabbed the decisive goal. Pope slid the ball through to JAMIE GLASGOW and as S McKay backed off him he carried it into the left of the penalty box & passed it beyond Masterton.
With 20 mins remaining Talbot made a double switch with Waite & Kemp making way for McIlroy & Samson. Craigmark also made a switch with Reid replacing Thirtle.
Samson was barely on the park when he had a chance to double Talbot’s lead. Pope whipped a great cross over that found Samson 6 yards out at the back post but he couldn’t steer his header on target.
With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot completed their substitutions when Stephen Wilson came on for White and Craigmark also made two further changes with Ewing on for Cherrie & then Campbell replacing McCubbin.
Talbot came close to adding to their lead twice in the 83rd minute. Firstly Glasgow forced a good save from Masterton who dived low to his left to turn his shot from distance behind for a corner and then when the corner came in Pope met it beyond the back post but couldn’t direct his header on target.
Reid picked up Craigmark’s 2nd caution of the afternoon with 5 mins remaining for a trip on Stephen Wilson. The free kick was taken short to Harvey whose low drive from 25 yards flew just wide of the left post & into the side-netting.
In the final minute Talbot had one last chance to add to their lead. A short corner from the left was worked to the back post where Harvey scooped it over the bar from close range.
Whilst far from their best Talbot thoroughly deserved the win and now face a home tie with Carluke in the quarter-finals of the West. Next up for Talbot is a repeat of last season’s Scottish semis only this time with Talbot making the trip to Dundee to face Lochee in the 1st leg.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McCracken, Waite, McDowall, Armstrong, Kemp, Glasgow, White

Subs – Samson, McIlroy, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, McPherson

Craigmark Burntonians – Masterton, Lamont, Lowe, S McKay, R McKay, Boyle, McCubbin, Dyer, Thirtle, Cherrie, Connor

Subs – Ewing, Reid, Campbell, Stewart

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Talbot failed to hit the heights but were still more than good enough to claim a single goal victory at Townhead to close in on Hurlford at the top of the table.
The last two derby encounters were chock full of goals & incidents but it wasn’t the case this time round with the game falling flat & neither keeper being in danger of being overworked.
The first chance of the match came in the 5th minute when Shankland towered above Niang to arrow a header across the area toward Graham Wilson but it just slipped past him in front of goal.
A minute later Cumnock had a half chance. McPherson tried to let the ball run out for a goal kick, allowing Patterson in to nick it on the bye line. He cut in on his right foot & fired a shot from a tight angle that Leishman blocked at his near post.
Talbot’s next effort at goal came in the 11th minute. Shankland teed the ball up Harvey who let fly from 20 yards; drilling a shot just wide of Semple’s left post.
It was to be an afternoon when bookings vastly outnumbered chances & the 1st card came in the 12th minute when Murray was cautioned for deliberate handball. Five minutes later Montgomerie joined him in the book for a cynical trip on Graham Wilson as he raced up field. Pope took the resultant free kick & fired a low drive on target from 35 yards that went straight at Semple.
The longer the half went the scrappier it grew & it took until the half hour mark before the next clear chance. Cumnock were awarded a free kick 25 yards out when Harvey blocked Niang’s run with the Talbot defender also receiving a caution for the challenge. Miller took the free kick & curled it past the wall but just wide of Leishman’s right post.
Graham Wilson joined the crime count in the 36th minute when cautioned for an aerial challenge on Montgomerie.
Cumnock conceded a needless corner in the 39th minute due to an over hit backpass. Shankland delivered it into the centre where it broke to White. He caught it clean, firing a 1st time volley from 15 yards on target but fortunately for Cumnock it flew straight at Semple.
In the final minute of the half Talbot picked up another booking. White conceded a free kick for a shove on Montgomerie then received a caution for disputing the decision. Crawford whipped the free kick into the area but the Bot defence were able to clear and the sides trooped off goal less at the interval.
Tucker made a change during the break & when play resumed McIlroy was on in place of Graham Wilson.
The 2nd half pretty much left off where the 1st had ended, with both sides fully committed, but neither side looking like scoring.
With 53 mins gone Lyle received a caution when he brought down Miller 30 yards out. Montgomerie took the free kick but sent it sailing high over the bar.
The referee was running out of space in his notepad as he added two more names to his book in the 56th minute. Cautioning Stephen Wilson for a foul on Miller & then booking Semple after he raced out his goals to remonstrate with the officials.
Both sides now made a switch with Reid coming on for Patterson & White making way for Armstrong.
Talbot gave the Nock defence a fright in their next attack when Lyle whipped a dangerous cross over to the back post but Samson just failed to reach it.
The game had goal less draw written all over it but a moment of madness from Lundie gifted Talbot a penalty in the 65th minute. There wasn’t any danger when the ball was played into Samson just inside the right edge of the area but Lundie breenged into him, bowling him over, and the ref pointed to the spot. GORDON POPE took it & gave Semple no chance; firing it low inside the right post to give Talbot the lead.
Two minutes later it should have been game over. Samson gathered on the right & squared a great ball across the face. Hyslop looked a cert to tuck it home from 6 yards but got his feet wrong & mis-kicked in front of goal.
Talbot were having a good spell & when Samson found Stephen Wilson free on the right his cross had the defence stretched to clear.
Cumnock’s player-manager now joined his team mates in the book for dissent.
Talbot had another great chance to kill the game off in the 74th minute. McIlroy swept a cross over from the left that came to Stephen Wilson. He cut inside past his man but blazed his shot over the bar from 6 yards.
Hyslop received a harsh yellow card in the 75th minute when he slid into a tackle on Dinwoodie. It looked like he’d won the ball cleanly but the ref thought otherwise. This was Dinwoodie’s last involvement as he left to be replaced by a Trialist.
Semple kept Cumnock’s slim hopes alive in the 77th minute. Crawford sclaffed a clearance into the sky & when it came down McIlroy touched it off to Shankland. His volley was heading into the roof of the net til Semple tipped it over the bar.
With 9 minutes remaining Talbot completed their subs when Glasgow came on for Samson.
Cumnock pushed forward in the closing stages but without really offering any threat. Twice Montgomerie had a go from distance but neither effort remotely troubled the Talbot goal.
With 2 minutes remaining Cumnock received a slice of luck when Pope’s clearance cannoned off Niang & flew into the penalty area. It came toward Cumnock’s Trialist on the right of the area but before he could get a shot away Lyle slid in to put it behind for the corner.
In the final minute of regulation time Cumnock were awarded a free kick midway inside their own half. Semple hoofed it down the left where Murray headed it across the penalty area forcing Pope to clear at the back post.
Talbot had one final chance to add to their lead deep into injury time. McIlroy met Pope’s ball up the left & headed it on to Glasgow who cut inside Reid before firing a shot across goal & wide of the left post.
A poor game but a very valuable 3 points that now sees Talbot only 5 points adrift of Hurlford with 5 games in hand. Next week Talbot are back in cup action as they host Craigmark Burntonians in the 3rd round of the West.

Cumnock Juniors – Semple, Niang, Crawford, Lundie, Murray, Dinwoodie, Montgomery, Burns, Patterson, Degnan, Miller

Subs – Reid, Hunter, Trialist, Trialist, McMurdo (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, Hyslop, White, Shankland, Graham Wilson, Samson, Stephen Wilson

Subs – McIlroy, Kemp, Glasgow, Armstrong, McCracken

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot boosted their title challenge with a thumping 9-1 win over a dazed Cambuslang side to narrow the gap on Hurlford.
The first meaningful attack came in the 6th minute when Shankland swept a dangerous cross over from the left but it had too much on it for McIlroy to connect & sailed wide of the left post.
The Bot were gifted a chance to take the lead two minutes later when Kemp was tripped just inside the area. The ref awarded the penalty but a penalty award is no guarantee of a goal for Talbot at the moment & so it proved again, although Stephen Wilson was a little unlucky to see his spot kick clatter the inside of the right hand post then rebound to safety.
Talbot were soon back on the attack & Marriott came to Lang’s rescue in the 12th minute with a vital headed clearance from a Shankland cross.
White offered Talbot’s next goal threat when he surged forward on the right, bursting into the box, but Cousar read it well & was quickly off his line to smother at his feet.
McIlroy had a golden chance to put Talbot ahead on the 14th minute. Stephen Wilson nodded Shankland’s cross into his path to send him clean through on the left but he pulled his shot wide of Cousar’s left post.
Cambuslang had been under siege from the start but they did have an opportunity in the 24th minute. White conceded a free kick 25 yards out for a shirt tug on McLeish & Staunton drilled it well over the bar.
The opener came in the 27th minute. White won the ball out on the left & found Shankland who drilled a superb ball across the face of goal where DWAYNE HYSLOP prodded it home from close range.
Talbot continued to dominate but were caught cold by a well constructed Lang break in the 34th minute that resulted in the equaliser. The visitors moved the ball well, finding Miller free down the right & when he pulled it back across goal, MILLER ran onto it to side-foot it into the bottom corner.
The goal sparked another flurry of Talbot pressure and the Bot nearly regained their lead within 3 minutes. Hyslop rose to get a free header on a Shankland corner but Cousar produced a good stop to deny him.
Talbot’s next corner also saw them test the visiting keeper. This time Shankland’s initial cross came back out to him & his second ball in went deep beyond the back post where Hyslop guided a header back across goal. Harvey met it, back to goal, and fired in an overhead kick that flew straight at Cousar.
For all Talbot’s dominance it was the visitors who had the last word, almost snatching an unlikely lead in 1st half injury time. McPherson was short with a header back & Leishman had to be quick to prevent McEwan pouncing on the loose ball around the penalty spot. Soon after the ref blew up & the sides went in 1-1.
For the 3rd week in succession, Talbot found another couple of gears after the interval. Two minutes into the half and Talbot won their second penalty of the afternoon when Stephen Wilson was taken down by Cousar as he raced down the right side of the penalty area. GORDON POPE took it & gave the keeper no chance, thumping the penalty home to make it 2-1.
It was one-way traffic but a single goal lead is always precarious and Talbot were reminded of it in the 58th minute when Miller hit a decent effort from 30 yards that flew wide of the left post.
Tucker made a double substitution in the 64th minute replacing the front two of Kemp & McIlroy with Samson & Graham Wilson and within two minutes Talbot had extended their lead.
Graham Wilson tried to find Samson on the left of the area & as he raced to meet it CHRISTIE intercepted & scored one of the better own goals you’ll see, tucking it low inside Cousar’s right post to give Talbot a two goal cushion.
Cousar denied Hyslop a further goal twice in as many minutes. Firstly, diving low to his right to tip his 18 yard drive round the post and then producing a great reflex save to block his side-footed effort at his left post when the corner came over.
The relentless pressure was wearing the visitors down & Talbot added a fourth in the 70th minute. Shankland lifted a cross beyond the back post where STEPHEN WILSON ran onto it & fired a low shot home.
This proved to be his last contribution as two minutes later Tucker completed his substitutions bringing on Glasgow for Stephen Wilson. Cambuslang now also made a change with Barrett replacing Davidson.
Cousar made another fine stop in the 73rd minute to deny Talbot a further goal. Graham Wilson fed it out to Shankland on the left & when his low ball came across Samson dummied it allowing Glasgow to run onto it but Cousar somehow deflected his shot from close range over the bar.
The visiting keeper was in fine form & produced a great reflex save to prevent Graham Wilson adding to Talbot’s lead in the 75th minute. Shankland bent a cross in from the left that landed right at Wilson’s feet on the corner of the 6-yard area but his net bound effort was blocked by Cousar’s feet inside his left post.
Cambuslang who’d been run ragged for some time now made a double switch with Staunton & Smith making way for Malord & Djoudi.
It was now time for the beginning of the KEIR SAMSON show & he grabbed the first of his 4 goals in the 78th minute. A ball down the left found him running in behind the defence & he coolly slotted it past the advancing Cousar.
Two minutes later KEIR SAMSON grabbed his 2nd and Talbot’s 6th of the afternoon. Shankland’s cross found Glasgow on the right of the area & he teed it up for Samson to drill a low drive past the keeper.
In the 84th minute, Graham Wilson won the ball down the stand side & raced down the left before firing a low cross into the centre. Samson met it in front of goal but his effort was deflected over the bar off Cousar. When the corner came over Hyslop powered a free header on target that Cousar parried but it fell to GRAHAM WILSON who tapped in the rebound from a yard.
With three minutes remaining Glasgow had Talbot’s next chance. Racing free down the right of the area but his drive was blocked by Cousar.
A minute later and Talbot made it 8. Glasgow played it into the feet of Graham Wilson & he laid it off to KEIR SAMSON who angled a low shot across the keeper.
In the final minute of regulation time Talbot completed the scoring. The Bot fans have been spoiled for choice for contenders for goal of the season with two memorable goals only last week away at Pollok & KEIR SAMSON’s final goal will be added to that list. He had plenty to do when he picked the ball up on the left midway inside the Lang half but a combination of lightning quick pace & good close control saw him waltz right through the defence as though they were cardboard cut-outs before passing the ball beyond Cousar to make it 9-1.
Another impressive win from the Bot that now sees them move within 10 points of Hurlford with 6 games in hand. Next week sees Talbot make the short trip through to Cumnock for what is sure to be a feisty encounter.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, White, Hyslop, Shankland, McIlroy, Kemp, Stephen Wilson

Subs – Graham Wilson, Samson, Glasgow, Armstrong, McCracken

Cambuslang Rangers – Cousar, Christie, Easton, Staunton, Marriott, McLeish, Miller, Rouse, Smith, Davidson, McEwan

Subs – Barrett, Malord, Djoudi, Sunstream

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot booked their place in the semi-finals of the Scottish cup thanks to an impressive 2nd half display and some memorable goals; sweeping aside Pollok at a packed Newlandsfield.
Kick off was delayed to allow the bumper crowd into the park and once the action got underway it was the home side who made the early running.
The first effort at goal came in the 5th minute. McPherson lost the ball midway inside his own half & Pollok quickly switched the ball out to Gary McCann on the left. He sped to the bye line before cutting it back into the area to find Forde who volleyed it well over the bar.
Talbot were struggling to get going and it took until the 12th minute before the Bot mustered their first effort at goal. Graham Wilson’s reverse ball released Samson down the right of the area & he hit a first time effort over the bar.
The home side got in behind the Talbot defence in the 14th minute when a long diagonal found McCluskey haring clear on the left. He tried to square it across the face of goal but Leishman did well to turn it behind for the corner. When the corner came in it fell to Evans who scuffed his shot. The ball came out to Gary McCann at the edge of the area where he fired way over.
Pollok were enjoying a good spell but with no end product. Gary McCann raced down the left & lifted a cross over onto the head of Stuart McCann but he glanced it well wide of the left post.
Having weathered the early pressure Talbot gradually worked their way into the game. Longmuir had to race out his area to beat Samson to the ball after Evans missed his clearance and soon after Evans conceded a free kick just outside the penalty area for a foul on Samson. Glasgow took it & fired it into the feet of Graham Wilson. It broke away from him & came to Harvey with his back to goal & he turned & hooked a shot over the bar.
Talbot’s best effort of the first half came in the 27th minute. Evans gave the ball away to Graham Wilson who swiftly switched it out to the left to Glasgow. He drilled a low ball across goal that Hyslop met at the near post but he steered his shot just wide of target.
The referee produced the first card of the afternoon in 35 mins when he cautioned Graham Wilson for a trip just inside the Bot half.
Pollok were lucky not to be a man down after 41 mins. Henry was guilty of a lunging studs up tackle that caught Armstrong sparking a melee in the centre. When the dust finally settled the ref booked the Lok midfielder & Lyle also received a caution for his part in the stramash.
In the final minute of the half Pollok had a half chance to take the lead. A ball over the top found McCluskey & he fed it back to Stuart McCann in space at the edge of the area but in keeping with Pollok’s finishing to date, he slid his shot well wide of the left post and the sides went in locked at the interval.
In a repeat of last week Talbot came out for the 2nd half like a team on a mission. Soon after the re-start Samson made tracks down the right & forced a corner kick. Glasgow lifted it into the near post where Hyslop flicked it on. The ball sped across the face of goal before coming to Harvey beyond the back post & his low shot was blocked by Longmuir at his right post.
Talbot were back on the attack moments later. Lyle’s ball up the right found Samson running in behind & he whipped over a teasing cross that had Longmuir scrambling but there was no one on hand to turn it home.
For all Lok’s possession in the 1st half Leishman hadn’t had much to do but he produced a top drawer save to prevent Pollok taking the lead in the 54th minute. The home side put together a neat passing move, switching play out to McCluskey on the right who drilled a low ball across goal. Stuart McCann ran onto it & directed it on goal only for Leishman to turn it round his left post from point blank range.
Boyle had his name taken on the hour mark for a foul on Graham Wilson.
Tucker made his 1st change after 63 mins with White coming into the engine room in place of Armstrong.
The opening goal came in the 65th minute and was a strike worthy of winning any game. Samson did well to force a corner and when Glasgow delivered it into the centre Boyle headed it clear. It came out to GORDON POPE 20 yards out & he lashed an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Four minutes later Boyle conceded a free kick 30 yard out for a foul on Graham Wilson. Pope took it & his powerful drive was heading into the roof of the net until Longmuir tipped it over the bar.
Talbot then threatened again from the resultant corner. Glasgow’s cross found the head of Graham Wilson & his effort was deflected wide of the left post off a Lok defender with the Bot players loudly appealing, in vain, for handball.
The Bot kept the pressure on & when the next corner came in the Lok defence could only clear it out as far as Stephen Wilson on the right wing. He whipped a cross over to the back post which broke into the path of Pope who angled a shot across goal and wide of the left post.
Talbot made their 2nd change of the afternoon in the 73rd minute with Shankland replacing Glasgow down the left.
A minute later Leishman made his 2nd class save of the match to keep Talbot in front. A long ball down the right cleared McPherson & Stuart McCann latched onto the end of it inside the area. He blasted it on target only for Leishman to turn his shot over the bar.
With 76 mins gone both sides made a substitution; Talbot completing their changes when McIlroy replaced Graham Wilson & Pollok bringing Fraser on for Forde.
Pollok looked to be tiring & Talbot nearly caught them out in the 80th minute. McIlroy threaded a pass through the centre to send Samson racing through but he pulled his shot wide of Longmuir’s right post.
Talbot were firmly in the driving seat in the 84th minute when they doubled their lead. Sloppy play from Pollok saw Sideserf play Boyle into trouble & White duly robbed him of possession. White surged forward before passing it through to KEIR SAMSON who raced into the area & slotted a low shot on target that Longmuir got a hand to but couldn’t prevent from crossing the line.
With two minutes remaining Pollok piled forward desperately looking for a goal. McCluskey switched it out wide to Gary McCann whose cross was blocked behind for a corner. Pollok appealed for a penalty but the ref wasn’t interested. When the corner came in it was played deep to the back post where McGregor fired into the side-netting from a tight angle.
In the final minute of time Talbot put the seal on their win with a spectacular 3rd goal. Shankland picked up on the left & sent a diagonal ball through toward McIlroy as he raced clear. Longmuir raced out his area to beat Sean to it & clear but he knocked it straight to STEPHEN WILSON who lobbed it from just inside his own half & weighted it perfectly to drop just under the bar & over the retreating Longmuir to make the final score 3-0.
A very impressive display by the Bot against a Lok team who have been on a good run. Due to the Hurlford v Clydebank tie going to a replay Talbot’s fixtures have been switched around & so next week it is back to Beechwood where Talbot host Cambuslang in the league.

Pollok – Longmuir, Evans, Mackenzie, Sideserf, Boyle, McGregor, McCluskey, Henry, Stuart McCann, Forde, Gary McCann

Subs – Coutts, Young, Fraser, Brash, Johnson (gk)

Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, Armstrong, Hyslop, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Samson, Glasgow

Subs – Shankland, McIlroy, Kemp, White, McCracken

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

After the high of Tynecastle it was back to the bread & butter for Talbot as they returned to league action with a convincing win over Rob Roy at Beechwood.
This proved to be a game of one half with a fairly forgettable 1st half followed by a much improved Talbot performance after the interval.
The first action of the match saw Graham Wilson played in behind down the right & as he checked back to cross he was taken out by Sweeney who received a caution with only 3 mins on the clock. Pope took the free kick & rolled it back to Stephen Wilson at the edge of the area but he didn’t catch his shot cleanly.
The visitors had a half chance in the 7th minute when they worked the ball down the right before pinging it across field to find Kinnaird just outside the penalty area & he fired a low drive wide of the left post.
Chances were at a premium in the 1st half & the next goal threat didn’t come until the 21st minute when Pope’s inch perfect pass sent Samson racing free down the left. He hoisted a cross beyond the back post which was met by Graham Wilson but he was unable to steer his header back on target.
Two minutes later Glasgow had a glimmer of a chance when he latched onto a header from Graham Wilson & raced down the left of the penalty area before firing a shot across goal and wide of the far post.
Rob Roy’s players were falling over at every opportunity to the annoyance of the Bot support but it convinced the referee who awarded them a string of soft free kicks in dangerous areas but Talbot’s defence coped with the deliveries.
The visitors did create a decent opening in the 31st minute. Glasgow tried too much on the ball midway inside his own half & was dispossessed. Rob Roy played it down the right to find Carroll racing through on the right & he sent his shot well wide under pressure from McPherson.
Unusually it took Talbot until the 33rd minute to register a shot on target. Pope letting fly from 30 yards with a well struck effort that flew straight at Gordon.
The longer the half went the less likely it appeared there would be a goal but out of the blue Talbot were gifted an opportunity to take the lead in the 40th minute. A shy on the right saw panic in the Rabs defence & Kinnaird sliced the ball into his own penalty area. It ran between Mackie & Samson & the Bot player got there first only to be chopped down by a clumsy tackle. The ref pointed to the spot & Pope stepped up to take it but he played it too safe & Gordon moved low to his right to keep out the spot kick.
As the half moved deep into injury time Talbot were almost caught out at the last kick. Rob Roy won a free kick just inside the Bot half that was played down the right side of the penalty area. It came to Carroll at the corner of the 6-yard box but his low shot was blocked by McPherson.
Whatever Tucker said during the interval, words of wisdom or the Fergie hairdryer, paid off and Talbot were a side transformed after the interval. Right from the re-start Talbot threatened down the right as Stephen Wilson found Samson on the wing & he hared to the bye line where he forced a corner which Talbot failed to make the most of.
Three minutes into the 2nd half a similar move ended with Gordon making a top class save to prevent Talbot taking the lead. This time when Samson raced clear on the right he fired a low ball across goal where Graham Wilson met it & steered a low shot from 6 yards out that Gordon somehow kept out at his left post.
It was all Talbot & the Bot won a free kick inches outside the penalty box when Graham Wilson was up ended. Stephen Wilson took it & drilled a low shot through the wall that Gordon saved through a combination of quick reactions and luck; the ball cannoning off his knee onto his chest & then spinning wide of the right post.
Much against the run of play Rob Roy had a chance to sneak into the lead in the 54th minute. They broke down the right & Carroll won a corner kick. When it came Talbot failed to clear it & the ball fell towards McBride inside the 6-yard area but before he could prod it home Leishman reacted to fall on it.
Talbot had a chance to take the lead in the 55th minute. Stephen Wilson won a corner down the right & delivered it into the centre where Harvey ghosted onto it unmarked but he couldn’t keep his header under the bar.
Tucker made his 1st change in the 59th minute when Shankland came on to replace Glasgow on the left.
The home support gave a collective groan two minutes later when Gordon made a fantastic stop to deny Talbot the lead. Talbot won a free kick on the right that Lyle flighted into the area. Hyslop climbed to head it on & Harvey threw out a leg to steer it inside the right post only for Gordon to leap to his right to palm it away.
Rob Roy now made a switch with Slattery making way for Currie-McLean & the double barrelled sub had the visitors best chance of the afternoon shortly after joining the fray. Rob Roy countered down the left where Mackie cut it back straight into his path 12 yards out but he couldn’t sort out his feet & clipped his shot well wide.
The crucial breakthrough came in the 67th minute when Talbot took the lead. Shankland did well down the left, holding play up & spotting Lyle free on the right before switching play. He fed it on to Stephen Wilson & when his cross came over DWAYNE HYSLOP rose up to power a header back across goal & beyond Gordon.
Two minutes later the visitors picked up a yellow card when Capuano dived in recklessly on Shankland out on the touchline.
Talbot made their 2nd change in the 70th minute with McIlroy replacing Graham Wilson up front.
A minute later Talbot doubled their lead to effectively kill off the game off. Shankland swept a ball down the left to find KEIR SAMSON racing into the left of the penalty area. He still had a lot to do but a quick change of feet left two defenders in his wake & he stabbed it past Gordon at his right post to make it 2-0.
Samson was booked for his celebrations and as a precaution Tucker made a further change with Kemp coming on for Samson and the visitors also made a further change with Gallacher on for Mackie.
With the two goal cushion Talbot were sitting pretty and looking to add to their lead and they nearly did so in the 78th min when Stephen Wilson cut in off the right wing & drilled a low shot into the side-netting.
Talbot completed the scoring with 8 mins remaining. Armstrong won the ball outside the area & spread it out wide left to find Shankland. Capuano tried to cut it out but did the splits to no avail & Shankland had the time to pick out his cross to the back stick where Wilson laid it back across goal for CALVIN KEMP to power a low drive on target that Gordon couldn’t keep out despite his best attempts.
The closing stages saw Talbot push hard for further goals. But they couldn’t add to their tally and the final whistle saw Talbot seal a 3-0 win that sees the Bot climb to 3rd in the table and nicely poised with 7 games in hand over leaders Hurlford.
Next up for Talbot is the defence of their Scottish Junior trophy with a tricky away trip to Pollok in the quarter-finals.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, Armstrong, Graham Wilson, Glasgow, Samson

Subs – McIlroy, Shankland, Kemp, White, Waite

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy – Gordon, Walker, Kinnaird, McBride, Daly, Sweeney, Capuano, Slattery, Carroll, Vezza, Mackie

Subs – Gallacher, Tuohy, Ramage, Currie-McLean, Sawyer

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

St Cadoc’s

Auchinleck Talbot

Largs Thistle

MURRAYS REPORT

Talbot did their hopes of chasing down Hurlford no harm at all with a 7-0 thumping of Petershill in the only top flight game to beat the weather.
From the outset Talbot took the game to the hosts and the only surprise was it took until the 10th minute for Talbot to fashion their 1st clear chance. McCracken lifted the ball over the defence to find Samson inside the area & he prodded a shot on target that Quinn blocked with his legs.
Petershill offered virtually no goal threat all afternoon & their one moment came in the 13th minute when Talbot were caught dreaming at a corner. It was knocked short into Hamilton & he flighted a dangerous cross to the back post which Pope headed clear.
The Peasies found themselves a man down after quarter of an hour. Armstrong’s ball found Samson racing clear & he was heading into the box until taken out by Crawford, leaving the ref no choice but to send him off. Pope took the resultant free kick but fired his shot straight at Quinn.
With 17 mins gone Petershill were forced to make a change when Hay limped off to be replaced by Pearson.
Talbot now turned the screw & spent a prolonged period camped out deep in the Petershill half. A good passage of play ended with Pope sliding the ball through to Glasgow & Quinn had to bat his cross away in the centre before Kennedy nodded it behind for a corner.
The corner was taken short to Glasgow who crossed it beyond the far post where Pope ghosted onto the end of it only to head it into the side-netting.
The incessant pressure finally told in the 23rd minute. Pope’s ball down the left found White inside the area & he played it across the face of goal where GRAHAM WILSON forced it home.
Three minutes later Quinn prevented Talbot from doubling their lead. Armstrong won the ball just inside the Peasies half before playing a one-two with Stephen Wilson. Armstrong continued on & slid it across the area where Samson side-footed it for the far corner; only for Quinn to turn it wide for a corner.
Quinn was having a busy afternoon and he did well again in the 29th minute. Glasgow gathered on the left before cutting into the box & trying to drill a shot inside the near post but Quinn dived low to his right to keep it out. Samson reacted quickly to retrieve the ball & cut it back to Armstrong who blasted over from 15 yards.
Ketterer received a caution in the 35th minute when he clattered through the back of Graham Wilson out on the wing. Pope took the free kick & lifted it to the back post where McCracken met it but his header flashed across goal and wide of target.
It looked to be only a matter of time til Talbot added to their lead & so it proved with the Bot moving 2-0 ahead after 37 mins. Armstrong’s cross was headed behind for a corner & when Glasgow put it across CRAIG MCCRACKEN directed a free header past Quinn.
The home side weren’t at the races and Talbot nearly added to their lead in the 41st minute. Stephen Wilson released Armstrong down the right & his pull back came to Samson whose low drive was brilliantly saved by Quinn. Talbot kept the ball alive & the pressure on & worked it back out to Armstrong on the wing. This time his cross fell into the path of Lyle around the penalty spot but he drove his shot wide of the right post.
Two minutes from the interval Quinn again denied Talbot; throwing himself low to his left to turn Pope’s deflected shot round his post. When Glasgow’s corner came in Graham Wilson met it unchallenged but his header drifted over the bar & Talbot had to be content with a two goal cushion at the interval.
Two up and with an extra man Talbot could have been guilty of dropping down a gear after the break but if anything they stepped up the pressure and a 3rd goal duly arrived after 53 minutes.
Glasgow lifted a corner in from the right & CRAIG MCRACKEN met it to glance a header into the far corner.
Tucker made his 1st change after 56 minutes with Shankland coming on for White.
Shankland was barely on the field when he had a chance to get on the score sheet. Glasgow whipped a cross over from the right beyond the back post where Shankland ran onto it but his header flew into the side-netting.
Just after the hour mark Quinn produced another top save to deny Talbot. Samson’s pace saw him make it to the bye line & Graham Wilson met his deflected cross at the near post only for Quinn to keep out his header from point blank range.
The Bot chances kept coming and Samson came close in the 62nd minute. Graham Wilson lifted the ball over the static defence to find Samson breaking into the left of the area & he took it early; firing a left foot volley across goal & just wide off the left post.
Tucker now made a double substitution, bringing on fresh legs up front with Kemp & McIlroy replacing Graham Wilson & Samson.
Two of Talbot’s subs were involved in Talbot’s next goal in the 67th minute. McIlroy spread the ball out left to find Shankland on the edge of the area. He drilled a shot on target that Quinn blocked at his right post but the rebound came straight out to SEAN MCILROY who headed home.
Kennedy became the 2nd Petershill player in the book when he received a caution in the 73rd minute for hauling down Stephen Wilson as he broke up field.
It was 5-0 to the Bot with quarter of an hour remaining after a fine individual effort. GORDON POPE intercepted inside his own half before speeding up the left into the Peasies box where he cut inside onto his weaker right foot & stroked it into the bottom corner.
Pearson made it a hat-trick of yellow cards for Petershill when he picked up a caution in the 80th minute for a shirt tug on Stephen Wilson.
Talbot made it six in the 84th minute. A good spell of possession ended with JAMIE GLASGOW running onto Shankland’s ball across the face of goal to crash a shot home off the underside of the bar.
With three minutes remaining Talbot carved out yet another chance. Shankland flicked the ball onto the overlapping Pope & his cutback found Kemp on the right edge of the area where he curled a shot back across and wide of the right post.
The scoring was complete in the 88th minute. Glasgow raced onto a ball inside the area where he was bundled over by L Crerand. The ref pointed to the spot & GORDON POPE gave the keeper no chance; hammering it home to make the final score 7-0 to Talbot.
Another superb away performance from Talbot and in truth the winning margin would have been more convincing but for a good display by Quinn. Now Talbot can turn their attention to next Sunday when they travel through to Tynecastle to face Hearts.Petershill – Quinn, Kennedy, Crawford, McCallum, Ketterer, Hay, Stokes, Kennedy, Cameron, Hamilton,L CrerandSubs – Shirkie, Maclennan, Pearson, D Crerand, FiandoTalbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Stephen Wilson, Glasgow, White, Samson, Graham Wilson, Armstrong

Subs – McIlroy, Shankland,Kemp, Hyslop, Waite