Season: 2019/20
Kelty Hearts v Auchinleck Talbot
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
No strangers to the tv, Talbot once more rose to the occasion, imperiously sweeping aside the much fancied Kelty Hearts to book their place in the 2nd round of the senior cup.
The last time Talbot travelled through to the kingdom of Fife to face Kelty the tie had to be re-located to Ballingry as Kelty’s park was permanently unplayable but that wasn’t an issue this time round as the big spending Lowland league outfit have redeveloped their ground to a top of the range artificial surface with matching surroundings.
The Bot nearly made the perfect start within a minute of kick off. Shankland picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and let fly with an effort that swerved just wide of the anxious Mackenzie’s right post.
Kelty now settled into a pattern of play they rarely deviated from; content to keep easy possession deep in their own half before pinging long balls at a resolute Talbot defence.
Talbot’s first effort on target came in the. 11th minute. Pope fired a cross over that Samson headed back across goal & Graham Wilson out-jumped his marker but his header went straight at Mackenzie.
Kelty were having plenty of the ball but doing little with it & the next opening came Talbot’s way in the 11th minute. Shankland slipped a pass through toward Samson on the left of the area but the keeper was quickly off his line to make the challenge.
The opening goal came after 20 minutes and it had echoes of Talbot’s winning goal against Ayr United. Graham Wilson was up-ended by Russell out on the left touchline & Shankland whipped over a tremendous delivery to the far post where CRAIG MCCRACKEN raced onto it to bullet a header home.
Kelty had a half chance to pull back level a few minutes later. Husband fired in a decent ball from the right that broke off a defender toward Dodd but his low drive from 15 yards was blocked by McCracken then cleared by Lyle.
Kelty were making less headway than a feather heading into a headwind and Talbot threatened again in the 38th minute. Shankland pounced on a loose pass down the left & switched it inside to Graham Wilson who laid it back out to him on the wing. He drilled it low into the near post where Carstairs knocked it away for a shy.
Talbot kept the attack going and Pope whipped over a cross that Hyslop sent crashing off the right post with the keeper stranded.
The Bot were ending the half on the front foot and opened the Kelty defence again in the 40th minute. Shankland slid a pass through to Samson racing through on the left of the area and he drilled it low into the side-netting.
With half-time looming Talbot doubled their lead. Stephen Wilson lifted it up the left for his brother Graham to chase and he put Ashe under severe pressure. The Kelty defender fluffed his header back & Wilson latched onto it & tried to lob the advancing keeper. Mackenzie got a hand to it but the ball sailed through to KEIR SAMSON who hammered it home from close range at the far post to send Talbot in with a deserved two goal cushion at the interval.
Kelty had offered precious little so it was no real shock to see them make a change at the interval with Husband making way for Philp.
Talbot have a good habit of starting the 2nd half from the off & Tucker’s half-time team talk did its work again as the Bot got off to a flyer.
Within two minutes of the re-start Graham Wilson picked the ball up on the right & surged forward before floating a cross toward the back stick that had Mackenzie scrambling to turn it behind for a corner. Cennerazzo managed to head Shankland’s corner clear at the near post but only out to Stephen Wilson who plunked the ball back out to Shankland who promptly forced a 2nd corner. This time Shankland whipped it into the centre where Mackenzie only just beat McCracken to it under the bar to punch clear.
Talbot’s next attack saw Kelty’s captain in the book as Carstairs was forced to haul Stephen Wilson down he threatened to race clear. Pope took the free kick and in a trademark Talbot move he angled the ball toward Hyslop who easily out-climbed Cennerazzo to head it across goal where MARK SHANKLAND guided a header back across goal and into the top corner. Shanks leaped the fence to celebrate with the fans and picked up a booking for his troubles but with the game done & dusted no Bot fan minded.
Kelty were incapable of coping with Talbot at set pieces and the Bot nearly added a fourth in the 53rd minute. Stephen Wilson’s shot was deflected behind for a corner on the left and when Shankland fired it over McCracken was inches from connecting at the back post.
The home side had been muted but they did have an opportunity to snatch a goal back on the hour mark. Dodd lifted a cross over that Austin headed on toward Philp at the back post but he mis-controlled it and the ball ran through tamely to Leishman.
In the 63rd minute Kelty made their second change with Ritchie on in place of Dodd.
The Fifers picked up their 2nd caution of the evening with 65 mins gone when Russell slid in late on Hyslop; resulting in a Bot free kick out on the right. Shankland again produced a top class delivery & McCracken looked a cert to grab his 2nd from close range but Mackenzie saved his header on the goal line.
Kelty had a half chance to grab a consolation in the 72nd minute. They put together a good move down the right that ended with Austin firing a shot on target that Leishman blocked at his near post.
With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot nearly added a fourth. Pope combined well with Samson down the left before Samson cut in off the left flank & curled a shot just past the far corner with the keeper scrambling.
All Kelty were playing for now was their tattered pride & Philp had a half chance to pull one back in the 83rd minute. Reilly made a good run forward before releasing it to Ritchie who blazed over from 20 yards.
Leishman had been as much of a spectator as the Bot fans partying behind the goal but demonstrated that he’d kept his concentration when he pulled off a top class save to deny Kelty a late consolation with 5 minutes remaining. Cennerazzo waltzed in off the right wing & curled a shot toward the far corner which Leishman flew through the air to turn wide of the post.
As the clock ran down Talbot made a flurry of late changes with Graham Wilson and Shankland making way for Glasgow and White and then Healy replacing Samson.
The noisy travelling support raised the volume levels up a notch at the final whistle as the Bot fans celebrated a superb team performance and a comfortable win. Next up for Talbot it is a return to cup action as they begin their defence of the Scottish Junior cup at Beechwood against Bellshill Athletic.
Kelty Hearts – Mackenzie, Cennerazzo, Linton, Carstairs, Ashe, Reilly, Husband, McKirdy, Austin, Russsell, Dodd
Subs – Scobbie, Philp, Campbell, Bragg, Ritchie, McBride, Jardine
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Hyslop, Stephen Wilson, Samson, Graham Wilson, Shankland
Subs – Glasgow, Boylan, Healy, McDowall, Young, White, Hewitt
Read more: http://auchinlecktalbotfc.proboards.com/thread/8630/kelty-hearts-auchinleck-talbot-3#ixzz63m4V8ylF
Auchinleck Talbot v Hurlford United
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
Largs Thistle v Auchinleck Talbot
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
Talbot were the definite saints and sinners in this league encounter where they went from 4-1 up only to leave Barrfields with the narrowest of wins, although it was a valuable three points at a ground where today’s visitors tasted defeat. A decent crowd had gathered in the sun which was remarkable as the match clashed with the Vikingar Festival which provided a free air show during the half time interval.
Talbot who were playing in all blue took the lead as early as the 12th minute when a Willie Lyle cross was laid off by Graham Wilson into the path of Jamie Glasgow who’s shot was deflected into the path of Gareth Armstrong who set up Mark Shankland to pass the ball into the net.
Ten minutes later Talbot were 2-0 in front when the Talbot defense broke up a Largs attack where the ball was passed out to Stephen Wilson who’s slide rule ball up the wing was pounced on by Glasgow who out muscled his marker and although under pressure as he made his way into the box he kept a cool head and struck the ball past past Lundy the home keeper and into the net.
Talbot were three up on 39 minutes when Stephen Wilson collected the ball outside the Largs box where he picked out Mark Shankland who’s pinpoint cross was headed into the net by the unmarked Glasgow.
Talbot were still trying to sort out their defense after losing Neil McPherson to a hamstring injury and replacing him with Aiden Wilson when Largs struck. They had forced a corner on 44 minutes which McBryde dropped into the six yard box and was missed by the Talbot defence where George Sewell nodded past Leishman to fling the home side a lifeline.
The second half was three minutes started when Talbot made it 4-1 after S.Wilson and Shankland harried a defender into a poor clearance which Steven White passed into the feet of Shankland and his cross flew over the head of Lundy and into the net.
Near the hour mark the home side were back in the game when a speculative ball was lobbed into the box where Young got his head to it but seemed to be barged and the ball fel into no man’s land between Lyle and Leishman where Brophy pounced to tap the ball into the net.
In the final minute Largs got their third thanks to a clumsy penalty given away by Dillon Young. With the attacker be forced wide of the goals by Young he seemed to stumble on top of his opponent forcing a penalty which Jamie McKenna hammered past Leishman.
Camelon Juniors v Auchinleck Talbot
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot booked their place in the draw for the 1st round of the William Hill Scottish cup with a battling away win over Camelon.
The home side started the game with a stiff breeze at their backs but had a big let off only two minutes in. Lyle plunked a cross into the area that clearly hit Lockie’s arm but the officials managed to miss it & dismissed Talbot’s penalty appeal.
There wasn’t much goal mouth action and it took until the 17th minute before the first close call. Stephen Wilson whipped over a cross from the right & Samson sent an overhead kick just wide of Shaw’s right post.
A minute later Talbot had another effort at goal. White was up-ended as he burst forward & Shankland took the free kick, curling it over the defensive wall but it didn’t dip in time & flew over the bar.
Talbot deservedly took the lead in the 20th minute. Leishman lifted it up the centre where Graham Wilson flicked it on into the path of Samson. He raced through only to see Shaw block his effort. The rebound came out to White who laid it off to his left to find MARK SHANKLAND & he drilled a low shot past Shaw.
Camelon were finding it difficult to harness the breeze & were guilty of overhitting long balls which tended to either end in goal kicks or go straight through to Leishman.
The home fans were given encouragement in the 27th minute when Docherty went on a strong run down the right which saw his final ball cut out at the near post at the expense of a corner.
In the 31st minute the Wilson brothers combined to create Talbot’s next goal threat. Stephen played it up the right to Graham who looked set to break into the box one on one with the keeper but Skinner recovered well to dive in & slide it behind for the corner.
The referee had work to do in the 34th minute. The ball ran out of play down the right for a shy but then Skinner took a swipe at Stephen Wilson off the sidelines. Again, the referee & his assistant managed to turn a blind eye to it.
Two minutes later Pope had his name taken for a late challenge on Kane.
Five minutes before the interval Leishman found Stephen Wilson out on the right & he headed it on toward Samson. He paced away down the wing & slung a dangerous low ball across the area that the defence did well to clear.
Talbot’s next attack saw Shaw have a shaky moment. Pope lifted a cross into the centre which the keeper missed. Stephen Wilson went for it at the back post but took a knock as he challenged for it & Lockie was able to scramble it away.
The Bot finished the half strongly and a minute before the break gave Shaw work to do. Graham Wilson laid the ball out left to Shankland who fired a low ball over that Shaw did well to cut out at his near post.
As the half moved into added time Talbot had a late chance to double their lead. A ball over the defence found Shankland & he touched it into the path of Samson on the left of the penalty area who drilled a low shot on target that Shaw blocked and so the half ended with Talbot one ahead.
Talbot made a strong start to the 2nd half and put the Camelon keeper under pressure in the 50th minute. Samson switched it out to the right to Stephen Wilson and when he crossed it in Shaw spilled the ball under the challenge of White but the ref gave the keeper the benefit of the doubt & awarded a free kick.
The Bot came within a whisker of moving two in front in the 58th minute. Herron conceded a free kick out on the left touchline for a foul on Graham Wilson which Pope angled into the area. Young climbed to meet it & sent a header crashing against the bar with the keeper beaten.
Camelon made a double switch in the 59th minute with David Morrison & McMullan making way for Sneddon & Deans.
McCroary received Camelon’s 2nd yellow card of the afternoon in the 69th minute when he barged Shankland over on the touchline.
The home side were enjoying a lot of the ball in the middle third without looking remotely threatening at the business end as Talbot sat in on their lead.
In the 74th minute slack play by Stephen Wilson gifted possession to McKenzie out on the right & he whipped over a good cross that glanced off the top of Docherty’s head on its way behind.
Both sides now made a change; Hyslop replacing White in the centre for Talbot & Cameron coming off or Herron for the home side.
As time went on the game was becoming stretched with Camelon having to throw more men forward & this created openings for Talbot on the break. In the 77th minute Hyslop rose to head the ball on into the feet of Shankland who in turn spread it wide to find Samson in space. He tried to curl one for the far corner but got too much on it & it sailed wide of the left post.
A minute later McPherson played an early ball down the right that found Samson racing onto the end of it & he opted to hit it first time; driving a low shot in that Shaw smothered.
With 11 minutes remaining Tucker made a double substitution with Shankland & Graham Wilson being replaced by Healy & Glasgow.
Talbot came close to putting the tie beyond Camelon in their next attack. Hyslop sent it to Armstrong out on the left & when he squared the ball back inside to Hyslop he curled a shot just over the bar from 18 yards.
Camelon pushed forward in the closing stages, without any end product, and with 3 mins remaining Talbot sealed victory with their 2nd goal. Pope whipped over a good cross from the touchline that KEIR SAMSON met to power a header past Shaw.
In the final minute Kane briefly looked like threatening the Bot goal when he jinked inside the box but he hesitated too long before shooting & was crowded out. The ball came out to McCroary on the right & he fired in a cross that McPherson put behind for a corner.
Deep in injury time Talbot almost grabbed a third. Samson raced clear on the right & lifted over a cross that Glasgow met on the 6-yard line but Shaw made an impressive reflex save to keep out his header.
A good away win for Talbot who now return to league duty next Saturday when they travel to Barrfields to face Largs Thistle.
Camelon Juniors – Shaw, McCroary, Lockie, Don Morrison, Skinner, David Morrison, Kane, Herron, Docherty, McMullan, McKenzie
Subs – Sneddon, Cameron, Daramola, Deans, Swanson, Sneddon, Kinnear
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Young, White, Armstrong, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Samson, Shankland
Subs – Glasgow, McKinlay, Healy, Hyslop, Pearson, Aiden Wilson, Hewitt
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
Beith Juniors v Auchinleck Talbot
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot advanced to the first final of the season courtesy of a hard fought away win over Beith.
The Bot made an uphill battle of shooting down the slope in a forgettable first half where the physios were kept busier than either keeper.
It was Beith who had the best of it in the 1st period & Bradley had the first effort at goal in the 10th minute when he fired a shot across goal & wide of Leishman’s right post.
Four minutes later Beith were back on the attack. A ball down the left found McIlroy just inside the area & he pulled a shot across goal & past the left post.
The home side had a decent chance in the 19th minute. Beith won a free kick inside their own half which Milliken lifted over to the far side. The Bot defence failed to cut it out & the ball came to Green in space on the right side of the penalty area but he slashed his shot wide from a good area.
Beith were forced into an early change after 24 minutes when Ramsay limped off to be replaced by Fisher.
A calculator would’ve been required to tally up all the free kicks the referee was awarding Beith & he granted them a particularly soft one in the 28th minute just outside the Talbot box. McGlinchey curled it over the wall & Leishman had to be on his toes to push it past the left post.
Then nothing very much happened, barring more free kicks & theatrics from Beith, until the closing minutes of the half when Talbot suddenly came alive.
A bout of heady tennis ended with Hyslop nodding the ball on into the path of McDowall & he drilled a low shot just past White’s right post from 25 yards.
Two minutes from the break Talbot nearly took the lead. A shy from the right found Glasgow who in turn passed it to Hyslop inside the area. He rolled it to his right where Stephen Wilson was in space & his angled shot was destined for the bottom corner until Milliken made an impressive goal line clearance to ensure the sides went in level.
The Bot made a change during the break with Stephen Wilson off and Corey Pearson on in his place.
Talbot had an early chance when Young surged forward from defence and played in Glasgow down the left. He lifted a cross over to the far side of the 6-yard box where Pearson volleyed well wide of target under pressure.
In the 49th minute Beith took the lead. Christie created it, haring down the right before cutting a low ball across the face of goal where MCILROY bundled it home from inside the 6-yard area.
Talbot responded positively to falling behind and came close to a leveller within a couple of minutes. Aiden Wilson floated a ball over from the left that Hyslop challenged for in the air. The ball broke to Pearson just outside the area & he fired a shot just past the right hand post.
The Beith defence were posted missing a minute later when Talbot grabbed the equaliser. Hyslop headed the ball on down the middle & JAMIE GLASGOW raced onto it past the static defence before drilling a low shot inside White’s right post to make it 1-1 in the 52nd minute.
Two minutes later the Bot almost went ahead. Hyslop’s pass to Glasgow was blocked at full stretch by a defender who knocked the ball straight into the path of Pearson who hammered an effort just wide of the left post.
The referee had to reach into his pocket soon after following an altercation between Glasgow & Green that saw both of them cautioned.
Beith’s main danger was Christie & the winger caused the Bot defence problems in the 61st minute when he picked it up midway inside the Bot half before driving into the box & hitting a powerful shot straight at Leishman.
Within a couple of minutes Pearson also had his name taken for a late challenge as the Bot conceded a free kick just outside their own area. McGlinchey took it & his effort clipped the wall before flying just past the left post.
In Talbot’s next attack Glasgow nearly raced clean through the centre of the home defence again but this time Milliken came good with a sliding tackle to deny him.
Talbot threatened the Beith goal twice in a row in the 67th minute. Glasgow capitalised on a defensive error to play in Pearson who burst through on the keeper; however, White stood his ground & Pearson went for power with the keeper able to parry it away. The rebound fell to Glasgow & his shot sailed past the stranded keeper only for Docherty to defy him with a goal line clearance.
White prevented Talbot from moving ahead in the 71st minute with a superb reflex stop. Lyle lifted it up the line to Glasgow who quickly fed it on to McKinlay on the right of the area & his shot was flying inside the left post til White dived to turn it past.
Beith’s defence was looking shaky and the home side conceded a penalty in the 74th minute. McPherson pinged a ball over the defence to find Glasgow breaking into the penalty area. He looked to cut in past Docherty who lost his footing & then prevented Glasgow knocking it past him by using his arm; resulting in a Bot spot kick and a booking for the defender. Glasgow took it but fired it more or less straight down the centre & White was able to save.
Having been well on top for awhile Talbot could have paid a price for failing to take their chances when Beith nearly regained the lead in the 77th minute. Hyslop lost the ball to Bradley who raced clear on the left before firing a dangerous ball into the near post that Lyle managed to clear.
A minute later Talbot had another close call down the other wing when Christie got away from Aiden Wilson & whipped a cross into the centre which McIlroy missed in front of goal.
Tucker now made a double switch up front with Graham Wilson & Shankland providing the fresh legs in place of McKinlay & Glasgow.
Pearson came close to breaking the deadlock in the 83rd minute when he gathered in space 30 yards out & drove forward before cracking a shot just wide of the left post.
Play was now switching from end to end with both sides looking for a late winner as the prospect of a penalty shoot-out loomed ever nearer. With a minute remaining of regulation time McIlroy had his name taken when he clipped the heels of a Bot defender.
AJust when it seemed penalties were inevitable Talbot popped up with an injury time winner. Graham Wilson played it up the right to find Shankland just outside the area. He squared it inside to find Healy whose shot was blocked but it spun back out to MARK SHANKLAND on the right of the area & he kept a cool head to steer a low shot across White & inside the right post to seal the win for Talbot.
Next up for Talbot it is back to cup duties as they travel through to the east to face Camelon in the 2nd preliminary round of the William Hill Scottish cup this Saturday.
Beith Juniors – White, McGlinchey, Milliken, Docherty, Green, Wilson, Christie, Frize, McIlroy, Ramsay, Bradley
Subs – Haggarty, Fisher, McMahon, McKenzie, McQueen
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Aiden Wilson, Young, McPherson, Hyslop, Healy, Stephen Wilson, McKinlay, Glasgow, McDowall
Subs – Shankland, Graham Wilson, Pearson, Armstrong, Pope
Read more: http://auchinlecktalbotfc.proboards.com/thread/8605/beith-juniors-1-auchinleck-talbot#ixzz5yIroOkZo
Auchinleck Talbot v Whitletts Victoria
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot’s hot streak in front of goal continued as they eased to a 6-0 win over Whitletts Vics in this sectional cup quarter-final tie.
Talbot started slowly and it was the visitors who had the first chance of the afternoon in the 5th minute. Cunningham met a corner over from the right but directed his header wide of the right post.
Down the other end Talbot won a free kick in a useful area following a barge on Shankland who took the set piece himself; firing into the wall from 20 yards out. The ball rebounded out to Healy who blazed well over.
The opening goal came in the 13th minute. Young took a quick free kick inside his own half to release it to Lyle on the wing. He played it up the line to find Shankland whose low ball across goal was turned behind by Miller at the far post. When Shankland flighted the corner over Barclay flapped at it & only succeeded in pushing the ball out to HAMISH MCKINLAY who crashed a shot home from 15 yards.
The Bot had a chance to extend their lead in the 17th minute. McKinlay cut in off the right & played it across to Shankland. He in turn fed it out to Glasgow who returned the ball back into Shankland’s path but he shot straight at the keeper.
Findlay received a caution in the 19th minute for a late challenge out on the left touchline.
Talbot moved two ahead in the 22nd minute. Whitletts managed to clear away a Shankland corner but when the ball was lobbed back into the area it fell to DILLON YOUNG in acres of space & with the Vics defence looking in vain for offside he fired low past Barclay.
Glasgow came close to grabbing Talbot’s 3rd in the 28th minute. Shankland chested the ball down into his path & he hared through the centre leaving defenders in his wake before clipping a shot just wide of the right post.
McKinlay had a great chance to grab his 2nd of the afternoon in the 33rd minute. He timed his run to perfection to latch onto a ball down the left & race clean through into the box but he drilled a shot straight at Barclay.
Two minutes later though Talbot did grab their third. McKinlay surged past Miller, who had a couple of nibbles at him, but the ref gave a good advantage and waved play on. He found Pope who in turn played it up the line to Glasgow and when he swept a cross over Barclay made a hash of it; dropping the ball into the feet of MARK SHANKLAND who turned it home at the back post to complete the 1st half scoring.
There were no changes during the interval but it didn’t take Tucker long to make a double switch after the re-start; Graham Wilson & Keir Samson coming on up top for Glasgow & Shankland in the 51st minute.
Within two minutes of entering the fray GRAHAM WILSON made it 4-0 to Talbot. The Bot won a free kick 20 yards from goal for Kerr’s shove on McKinlay and he fired it past the wall and inside the right post.
Whitletts now made their own double substitution with Ewart & Reid on for Brown & Anderson.
Vics came close to pulling a goal back on the hour mark. Reid bent a good ball up the right channel to find Donovan & he hit a 1st time shot just wide of the left post.
Encouraged by this Whitletts then put together a neat move that ended with Donovan firing on target from the edge of the area that Leishman parried then gathered at the 2nd attempt.
In the 64th minute Whitletts made their final change when Davidson replaced Dinwoodie.
Talbot made their third and final change two minutes later with White replacing Hyslop in midfield.
Talbot’s next attack saw McKinlay combine well with Samson down the left before Samson fired a good low ball across goal that Barclay did well to cut out.
With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot made it 5-0 following a period of concerted pressure. A corner from the right was met by the unmarked GORDON POPE who floated a header across goal and inside the right post.
The game was long gone but Davidson came close to a consolation effort when he let fly from 25 yards; only to see his shot fly wide of the left post.
In the 81st minute McDowall whipped over a dangerous ball from the right touchline that Barclay cut out with White waiting to pounce to tap home.
Talbot completed the scoring in the 85th minute. A free kick was taken quickly into McKinlay on the right of the area. His shot was blocked but it spun across to KEIR SAMSON in space on the left & he squeezed a shot under Barclay to make it 6-0 to the Bot.
A comfortable afternoon for the Bot and this win now sees Talbot travel through to face Beith and the Bellsdale ski slope in Wednesday’s semi-final.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Aiden Wilson, Young, Hyslop, Healy, McDowall, Glasgow, Shankland, McKinlay
Subs – Graham Wilson, Samson, Stephen Wilson, Armstrong, White
Whitletts Victoria – Barclay, Findlay, Miller, Isaac Kerr, Brown, Cunningham, Lewis Kerr, Boyd, Dinwoodie, Donovan, Anderson
Subs – Ogston, McColgan, Ewart, Davidson, Reid
Auchinleck Talbot v Troon FC
Troon must have wished they’d stayed beside the seaside as they were hopelessly outclassed by Talbot at a wet & windy Beechwood in this one-sided league encounter.
Talbot settled to the task quickly and made the early running, pegging Troon back without being able to test them in the final third. The first effort at goal came from the visitors in the 7th minute when Chatham’s reverse pass found Fulton on the right of the area & he drilled a shot across goal and wide of the far post.
A minute later Johnstone was let off the hook by the referee. A short back pass put the keeper under pressure & as he tried to clear Graham Wilson charged it down but just as he looked set to follow up and head home the referee blew up for a foul.
Talbot were dominating possession and came close on a number of occasions. Twice in as many minutes dangerous balls were whipped across the face of the Troon goal, firstly by Shankland and then Stephen Wilson and on both occasions Samson nearly provided the finishing touch.
With 22 mins gone the visitors snatched the lead against the run of play. Kieran Paterson lifted a ball up the right that skated off Young’s head and behind for a corner. When the corner came over Talbot could only clear it as far as FULTON who rifled a fine finish inside the left post from 20 yards.
The goal didn’t faze Talbot though and the Bot were soon back camped in the Troon half and their pressure paid off when they grabbed the equaliser in the 28th minute.
A ball into the heart of the penalty area found STEPHEN WILSON with his back to goal & he was able to turn & slot a low shot inside the right post to make it 1-1.
Three minutes later Talbot moved in front. A shy from the right came to Shankland outside the area. He shaped as though to shoot but instead played it left to find KEIR SAMSON in space inside the box & he tucked a great finish beyond Johnstone to make it 2-1.
It was all Talbot and the Bot nearly scored again soon after. Healy’s shot from the edge of the area was deflected just wide of the right post off Graham Wilson.
The 3rd goal wasn’t long in coming though & duly arrived after 36 minutes. Pope slipped a good pass down the left to find the run of Samson & he lifted a cross into the centre where MARK SHANKLAND guided a free header into the back of the net.
Within a minute Talbot added their fourth. They won a corner down the left that Shankland drilled low into the near post. Samson attempted to back heel it home but his effort was blocked behind for another corner. This time Shankland lifted the corner into the centre where DILLON YOUNG bundled it home from close range.
Troon were coming apart at the seams & Keenan went off to be replaced by McCreadie.
The visitors looked down & out but rallied to come close to pulling one back in the 42nd minute. Stevenson shoved the ball on to Maley who returned it back to him and Leishman had to be on his toes to turn his powerful drive round his left post.
A minute before the interval Talbot came within a whisker of extending their lead. Graham Wilson’s touch sent Armstrong racing through the heart of the defence & his shot flew past Johnstone & cannoned off his right post and back into the arms of the relieved keeper and the half ended with Talbot trooping off 4-1 ahead.
It would have been easy for Talbot to take their foot off the accelerator but if anything they stepped up a gear after the interval.
Three minutes after the restart Gilmour did well to thwart Samson when he looked set to race through on the keeper and a minute later Graham Wilson latched onto Samson’s cutback from the left to flick a shot on target that Johnstone held.
In the 50th minute Talbot won a free kick 22 yards out after Samson was fouled. Shankland took it & fired it over the wall but Johnstone got his positioning spot on & held it inside his right post.
The chances kept coming & Talbot threatened again in the 54th minute. Pope’s slide rule pass sent Shankland free down the left of the area & he dinked it past Johnstone as he advanced off his line; however Gilmour was able to get back & clear.
An hour in and Tucker made a double substitution with Hyslop & McKinlay coming on for Armstrong & Graham Wilson.
The nonstop pressure finally told in the 62nd minute when Talbot added to their lead. Hyslop did well down the right to hustle McCreadie into conceding a corner. The defence were able to clear Shankland’s first corner but only straight back to him & he set it back to Stephen Wilson who pinged a cross over for DILLON YOUNG to head home Talbot’s 5th of the evening.
Before Troon had a chance to settle Talbot scored their sixth. McKinlay raced onto a ball down the left & fed it inside to Samson. His flick broke into the path of KIERAN HEALY who rolled it inside the left hand post.
McKinlay almost added another in the 67th minute. Stephen Wilson played it up the right to find McKinlay on the edge of the area & he showed good feet to create the space for a shot & crashed it off the bar from a tight angle.
Troon now made a change with McCloy on in place of Stevenson.
The sub was barely on the park when Talbot made it 7-1. Healy’s ball up the left found Samson running clear in the box. He knocked it past Johnstone but Paterson got a foot in to block his effort; however it fell nicely for HAMISH MCKINLAY who slotted it home.
Tucker now made his final change with McDowall coming on for Stephen Wilson.
The officials decided to have mercy on Troon and denied Talbot what looked an obvious goal in the 72nd minute. McKinlay won the ball & knocked it inside to Samson who let fly from 25 yards. His shot flew off the underside of the bar & appeared to bounce well behind the goal line before spinning out but the stand side assistant wasn’t up with play & the goal wasn’t given.
A minute later McKinlay looked set for his second of the evening when he ran unmarked onto a cross from the right but Johnstone managed to block his header.
Shankland was then denied another entry on the score sheet when Hyslop found him breaking through the centre of the defence only for his shot to be deflected just over the bar.
With 6 minutes remaining Talbot tested Troon’s keeper again. Shankland’s cross field pass released McDowall on the right & he fired a low shot back across goal that Johnstone parried away at his right post.
Talbot completed the scoring in the 86th minute. Talbot moved the ball around well deep in the Troon half before it was switched out left to Shankland who played it across the face of goal where HAMISH MCKINLAY passed it into the net from close range to make the final score 8-1.
With the light fading the referee put Troon out their misery and blew up without adding any time.
A great win for Talbot which will have done wonders for confidence and no harm at all to the goal difference column. Next up for the Bot it is back to cup duty as they host Whitletts Vics in the quarter-final of the Sectional cup.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Young, Healy, Armstrong, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Samson, Shankland
Subs – McKinlay, McDowall, Pearson, Hyslop, Aiden Wilson
Troon Juniors – Johnstone, Henderson, Gilmour, Keenan, McGregor, Kieran Paterson, Fulton, Chatham, Stevenson, Pooler, Maley
Subs – McCreadie, Reid, McCloy, Ewing, Jack Paterson
Auchinleck Talbot v Dundonald Bluebell
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
A clinical 1st half display saw Talbot ease past Dundonald in this cup replay to book an away trip to Camelon in the next round.
Talbot couldn’t have asked for a better start as they grabbed an early opener after only 5 minutes. The visiting defence didn’t cover themselves in glory, dawdling on the ball & failing to clear their lines, until the ball ricocheted into the path of KEIR SAMSON who turned Mackie inside out before rifling a shot past Lennox at his left post.
A minute later Samson had a half chance when he latched onto Nimmo’s headed clearance but drilled it wide from outside the area.
Talbot had a chance to test the Bluebells defence in the 9th minute when they won a free kick 35 yards out after Glasgow was caught. Pope took it & fired into the wall but the ball came back to him & he immediately switched it to Glasgow on the left touchline. He crossed it into the near post where Graham Wilson flicked a header on that Drummond turned behind for a corner.
Only a goal line clearance prevented Talbot from doubling their lead when Armstrong met Glasgow’s corner from the right. His header was heading in under the bar but Durie did well to stretch to head it over the bar.
Dundonald’s 1st effort at goal came in the 17th minute. Drummond played in a good cross from the left that Calum Smith glanced for goal. Leishman made a comfortable stop but picked up a knock in the process after Matt Gay followed through with a late challenge that angered the Bot defence.
Two minutes later Talbot won a penalty in their next foray into the Bluebell box. Glasgow crossed it into the area where Graham Wilson was barged over by a clumsy challenge from Mackie. GRAHAM WILSON took the spot kick & hammered it home as emphatically as he had the week before, giving Lennox no chance.
Dundonald’s cause was dealt a further blow after 26 minutes. Graham Wilson won a header on which Mackie failed to cut out. It came to Samson wide left & he raced for the bye line where Mackie raced back to block his cross behind for a corner; injuring himself in the process and he had to be helped from the field with Hendry coming on in his place.
The visitors missed a glaring chance to pull a goal back in the 34th minute. Drummond cut in off the left & played a low ball across the area. The Bot defence failed to cut it out & it landed at the feet of Calum Smith, 6 yards out, but he trundled a weak shot straight at Leishman.
A minute later and Dundonald did manage to test Leishman. The ball came to Matt Gay on the right of the penalty area & he hit it 1st time on the volley forcing a good stop from Leishman who pushed it over the bar. Talbot then showed their prowess on the break as they cleared the resultant corner out to Glasgow whose early pass sent Samson racing free on the right. He hared into the box before firing across goal and just wide of the right post.
It was all over bar the shouting in the 39th minute when Talbot made it 3-0. Glasgow set the move rolling when he carried it forward before switching it out to Samson on the left wing. He made tracks before cutting it back into the path of JAMIE GLASGOW who’d continued his run & passed it beyond Lennox from 12 yards.
The dust had barely settled before Talbot added a fourth. There was a hint of fortune about it as JAMIE GLASGOW whipped a cross over from the left that eluded Lennox & flew inside his left post but they all count & Talbot were now on easy street.
The visiting defence had more holes than a colander & 43 mins in Samson looked set to add to Talbot’s lead when a ball through the centre found him racing through on the keeper but he steered his shot past the advancing keeper but wide of the left post.
In the closing minute of the half Talbot threatened to score again. Glasgow skinned Hendry down the left & whipped a great low ball across goal that Samson just failed to connect with at the near post.
Down the other end the half ended with Calum Smith trying his luck from a tight angle as he fired a shot across goal and wide of the right post; with Talbot trooping off 4 goals to the good.
The visitors made a change during the break with Rogerson staying in the clubhouse and Jeffries on in his stead.
The game might as well have been over but Dundonald didn’t let their heads go down and made a bright start to the 2nd period. The first action of the half saw Ness angle in off the right before firing a shot on target that Leishman had to help over the bar.
Talbot then came within a whisker of moving further ahead in the 49th minute. Samson forced a corner down the left which Glasgow fired low into the near post where Lennox blocked it. The ball came out to Graham Wilson who lashed a volley off the underside of the bar & down onto the goal line before it was cleared.
It was 5-0 to the Bot in the 56th minute. Pope played it up to the left to find Graham Wilson bursting into the penalty box. His low drive was partially blocked by Lennox but the ball went loose & KEIR SAMSON reacted fastest to beat Lennox to it & stab the ball into the empty net.
Tucker now made a double switch with Graham Wilson & Armstrong making way for Shankland & Healy.
Dundonald stuck at it & might have nabbed a consolation effort in the 61st minute. Drummond flighted over a dangerous cross which Calum Smith glanced over Leishman but it didn’t head on target and Talbot were able to clear.
Talbot’s next attack saw the Bot win a free kick 35 yards out after Wallace blatantly obstructed Glasgow to end his promising run. Shankland lifted it up & over the wall & Lennox dived to his right to parry it away.
Tucker completed his substitutions in the 70th minute when McDowall came on for Glasgow.
There had barely been a bad tackle all afternoon but the ref did have to reach into his pocket in the 76th minute when Chris Gay dived into a late tackle on Pope resulting in a yellow card for the Dundonald midfielder.
A minute later Talbot put together a neat move. Pope pinged it into the feet of McDowall who flicked it on to Shankland. He released a pass down the left of the area where Pope had continued his run & Wallace did well to throw himself at it to turn Pope’s cross behind for the corner.
Dundonald pulled a goal back in the 81st minute. Young misjudged it in the air & it came to MATT GAY who coolly lobbed it over Leishman to make it 5-1.
Not to be outdone Talbot immediately raced up the other end and grabbed their sixth. Stephen Wilson carried it forward before playing it into MARK SHANKLAND on the right of the area. He chipped it over the static Lennox and it sailed in under the bar to make the final score 6-1 to the Bot.
A good win for Talbot who are back in cup action at Beechwood next Saturday when they face Whitletts Vics in the quarter-final of the Sectional Cup.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Young, White, Armstrong, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Samson, Glasgow
Subs – Shankland, McKinlay, Healy, McDowall, Pearson, Aiden Wilson, Hewitt (gk)
Dundonald Bluebell – Lennox, Durie, Drummond, Mackie, Nimmo, Chris Gay, Rogerson, Wallace, Calum Smith, Matt Gay, Ness
Subs – Wilson, Jeffries, Hendry, John Smith, Crowe (gk)
Auchinleck Talbot v Kello Rovers
Talbot eased into the quarter finals of the Sectional League Cup with a 3-0 win which could have been a whole lot more if not for the heriocs of Dunsmuir in the Kello goals. As early as the sixth minute he tipped a Jack McDowall header over the bar and on the 20th minute he made a superb point blank save from Jamie Glasgow. Five minutes later he denied Keiran Healy twice when he made another close contact save before blocking the rebound. However Talbot took the lead a minute later when a Glasgow corner was met by the head of the unmarked Dwayne Hyslop who powered the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0. On the half hour mark it was 2-0 after Glasgow was fouled just outside the box and a raker of a free kick by Pope flew through the Kello wall and although Dunsmuir did enough tp beat the ball out, Hamish McKinlay was first to react to the loose ball and swept the ball into the net. With the game heading for the interval Hyslop was unlucky to see his screamer of a shot cannon off the post with the keeper beaten.
Stephen Wilson replaced Hyslop before the start of the second half and was involved in Talbot’s third goal when he turned the visiting defence in the box and set up Jamie Glasgow who made no mistake from eight yards out. Talbot were rarely troubled in the match and their domination continued throughout the remainder of the game. The Kello keeper denied McDowall and Corey Pearson in the space of a couple of minutes, and with ten minutes left on the clock McDowall was denied again by the keeper and soon after a cheeky back heel by Samson was cleared off the line. It was a convincing win with some great performances from the new boys.
