Season: 2022/23
Auchinleck Talbot v Cambuslang Rangers
MURRAYS REPORT. PHOTO’S: SARAH JANE HOY
Talbot climbed to 4th in the table, doing it the hard way, having to come from a goal down to beat Cambuslang on a blustery day at Beechwood.
The Bot made a bright start and nearly opened the scoring in the 2nd minute. Samson laid the ball off into the path of Graham Wilson who burst clear on the right and went through one on one with the keeper but his namesake came out on top – making a good save with his outstretched leg to deny Talbot the lead.
The visitors couldn’t get out the bit in the early stages with Talbot pegging them back and forcing a series of corners which the Lang defence coped with.
In the 10th minute Talbot again came close. Taylor swung over a good cross from the right that Samson tried to meet in the centre with an overhead kick. He just failed to make contact but it cannoned off a defender behind him and was heading in for an own goal til the keeper dived low to his left to make the stop.
On the 13th minute Samson won a corner down the left. Wardrope whipped in a great delivery that the keeper flapped at and it broke off a defender out to Stafford 10 yards out whose low drive was heading in til deflected wide by Greenwood.
A minute later Talbot were back on the attack. Wardrope intercepted a slack pass midway inside the Lang half and sprang forward before feeding it out to Graham Wilson on the left of the area. He drilled it for goal but the keeper made a good stop.
At this stage it was all Talbot and Graham Wilson had a half chance on the quarter hour mark when he found himself in space just outside the area but his shot flew just over the bar.
In the 17th minute Talbot won a free kick out on the left which Wardrope curled into the centre where it was headed on target but again the keeper did well.
Cambuslang’s first effort at goal came after 20 mins when Reid let fly from 30 yards – firing a powerful shot straight at Leishman.
Talbot’s next chance came in the 24th minute. Samson met Taylor’s cross from the right and glanced it across the area. Wardrope retrieved it and went for goal from a tight angle and Wilson blocked it behind at his near post.
A minute later Talbot won a free kick in a good area when Graham Wilson was clipped just outside the box. Wardrope took it but fired his shot straight into the wall.
In the 28th minute Nelson received the first caution of the afternoon for kicking the ball away.
Cambuslang had a chance in the 31st minute when Anson won them a free kick 22 yards out. Nelson took it and hit a decent effort that was always going a little too high and wide.
Talbot’s next attack should have seen them move ahead. Armstrong played it out to the overlapping Wardrope and his cross into the centre found Taylor racing onto it 6 yards out but his header was deflected behind for a corner.
Five minutes from half time Talbot again threatened in the Lang penalty area. Wardrope’s free kick into the area was headed clear by Breslin but retrieved on the right by Armstrong. He fed it back to McPherson and his looping cross was met by Wardrope whose first time shot was heading on target but was blocked by a defender.
Both sides had a chance a piece in the closing stages of the half. In the 43rd minute a cross from the right skimmed off Park’s head and came to Nelson on the left of the penalty area and he fired a shot wide of the right post. Down the other end Graham Wilson broke forward before releasing it to Aiden Wilson. His pass found Samson inside the area and his low drive was turned round the right post by the keeper with the sides trooping in shortly after goal less at the interval.
There were no new faces at the start of the 2nd half but Talbot made a tactical shift with Park moving to right back and Taylor to right midfield.
The Bot almost made the perfect start to the 2nd half when Aiden Wilson’s cross was flicked on by the head of Graham Wilson into the path of Samson 6 yards out. He hooked a shot on target but it flew straight at the keeper who held it.
Reid became the 2nd Lang player in the book when he received a yellow card for a tackle through the back of Wardrope in the 51st minute. Wardrope took the resultant free kick but it lacked the power to trouble the keeper.
Talbot fell behind in the 54th minute and it was a poor goal to lose from a defensive point of view. A shy was taken quickly on the right into Reid and he was allowed time & space to thread a pass through to Leighton inside the area. He squared the ball across and NELSON had plenty of time to cut onto his right foot and pass the ball beyond Leishman.
In the 62nd minute a ball over the top found Graham Wilson inside the penalty area. His first touch took him a tad wide but he managed to fire a shot on target that the keeper blocked at his near post.
Two minutes later Talbot passed up a golden chance to level. A ball down the right was flicked on into the path of Boyle and he raced up the line before cutting it across the face of goal where Samson looked certain to score but he scooped his shot over the bar.
The visitors now made a change with Maxwell on in place of Scott.
With 69 mins on the clock Talbot grabbed the equaliser. Taylor won a corner down the right and when Wardrope delivered it into the centre CHRIS STAFFORD ran onto it to power a free header beyond the keeper.
In the 72nd minute Talbot had a half chance when Boyle met a shy from the right and laid it back to Graham Wilson on the edge of the area but he fired well wide of the left post.
The Lang goal led a charmed life moments later. Wardrope cut in on off the left and tried to steer a shot into the opposite corner only for the keeper to get down and make a good save low to his left. The loose ball was then squared back across and Boyle met it only to see his shot come off the base of the left hand post. It came out to the 6 yard area where a scramble ensued and the ref gave Cambuslang a free kick.
Talbot’s pressure did pay off soon after as they moved in front on the 75th minute. Taylor raced in behind wide on the right and his low ball across goal was deflected into his own net at the near post by REID to put Talbot 2-1 ahead.
Cambuslang now made a further change with Richford on for Brennan.
It was game over in the 78th minute when Talbot grabbed their 3rd. Graham Wilson got in behind on the right and hit the bye line before cutting it back for KIER SAMSON whose shot from 6 yards saw the keeper get a good hand to it but it spun away into the back of the net.
Two minutes later Talbot thought they were in again when Wardrope’s reverse pass sent Samson free of the defence but it fell foul of a marginal offside call.
In the 82nd minute Breslin received a caution when he brought Graham Wilson down just to the right of the penalty area. Before the free kick was taken Talbot made a double change with Mason & Boylan coming on for Graham Wilson and Samson. Wardrope took the free kick and swung it beyond the far post where McPherson stooped to meet it but couldn’t direct his header on target.
Four minutes from time Armstrong received a yellow card for a challenge on Maxwell. Talbot now made further changes with Wardrope and Taylor making way for Crawford and Smith.
In the final minute Smith was caught just outside the penalty box by Richford who was booked for the challenge. Smith took the set piece and delivered a dangerous ball into the goal mouth which Breslin managed to head clear.
A good recovery from Talbot who kept at it after going behind against the run of play to secure the win. Next up for Talbot it’s back to Beechwood for a midweek league encounter with Largs Thistle.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Taylor, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Stafford, Armstrong, Boyle, Park, Graham Wilson, Samson, Wardrope
Subs – Boylan, Mason, Ballantyne, Crawford, Smith, Boyd
Cambuslang Rangers – Wilson, Reid, McLean, Breslin, Greenwood, Nelson, Leighton, Stevenson, Anson, Brennan, Scott
Subs – Richford, Maxwell, Giffen, McMonagle, Anderson, Devine
Sponsor Man Of The Match Awards
Willie Young Supporters Club MOM was Ross Taylor, the award was presented by Alec Millar
Davie McLelland & Friends MOM was won by Graham Wilson presented by Doobie
Mauchline BC award was won by Graham Wilson and presented by Billy Eaglesham
“The Loons” MOM was Graham Wilson and the award was presented by Eric Neil
Auchinleck Talbot v Johnstone Burgh
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT. PHOTO’S FROM travelandmixpixsmugmug.com
Talbot edged past Johnstone Burgh in a 2nd round tie where the referee took centre stage with a display of staggering ineptitude.
The visitors settled quickly and had the Talbot defence breached in the 11th minute when Connor slide a pass out to Cruden on the right and he fired a dangerous ball across the face of goal that Leishman held with Miller hovering.
On the quarter hour mark McCracken lifted a ball over the top towards Samson. It was slightly over hit but Cameron made a meal of it at the edge of his area, dropping it before managing to gather at the 2nd attempt.
Burgh nearly took the lead in the 17th minute. McPherson’s slack pass was pounced on and played through to Connor inside the area. He was forced wide by Leishman and played back to Gillespie at the edge of the area. He was crowded out and it broke to Crooks whose shot took a huge deflection and looked to be floating in until Leishman got across to his right to make the stop.
Two minutes later the visitors had another chance. They won a free kick out wide on the left and Brophy hit an in swinger toward the back post where Cruden just failed to connect.
In the 21st minute the visitors were awarded another free kick – this one 30 yards out following a challenge by Ballantyne. Brophy took it again but this time his ball in was headed clear by McPherson.
Against the run of play Talbot opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Wardrope gathered out on the left and floated a good ball into the area to find Shankland. He controlled it on his chest and went for goal but his effort was blocked. It fell to Samson who also saw his shot blocked but it proved 3rd time lucky as it fell to MARK SHANKLAND who rammed it into the roof of the net.
In the 28th minute Talbot were awarded a free kick which was taken short and worked out left to Graham Wilson. He chipped it into the left of the area for Samson but it was fractionally overhit and Cameron was able to gather.
The referee, who certainly couldn’t be accused of being a homer, made the first of many dubious calls in the 32nd minute. A ball down the right saw Samson in a race for it inside the area with the keeper and he slid in to make the challenge and the ball broke off the keeper and out to Shankland who stroked it into the empty net. However, the ref decided that Samson had fouled the keeper and booked Samson.
Two minutes later the ref again awarded Burgh a free kick in a dangerous area. Brophy swung it in from the left and it skimmed off McPherson’s head and behind for the corner. When the corner came in it was cleared but only as far as Gillespie who drilled a shot on target from 22 yards but straight at Leishman.
In the 37th minute Leishman had his name taken for dissent.
A minute later Millar won a corner on the left when his cross was blocked. Brophy hit an inswinger that Crooks got his head to. It hit a defender and Talbot were able to clear.
The Bot came close to doubling their lead in the 40th minute. Shankland played it through toward Samson who was just beaten to it by Andrew. However, Samson showed great persistence and closed Andrew down blocking his attempted clearance. The ball spun to Wardrope at the edge of the area and he steered a half volley just wide of the left hand post.
Talbot finished the half strongly and won a free kick 30 yards out following a foul on Boylan. Wardrope shoved it down the line to Stafford whose cross into the back post was met by Samson who headed it back across into the goal mouth. The defence were only able to clear it to Shankland but his shot was blocked behind for the corner and Burgh held on til the half-time whistle.
The 2nd half was only 5 minutes old when the ref had the Bot support up in arms twice in succession. Talbot looked to be denied a penalty when Samson was obstructed inside the box as he tried to race onto Shankland’s through pass and when Burgh failed to clear their lines Graham Wilson was up-ended just outside the box but to the disbelief of all & sundry the ref gave the free kick to Johnstone Burgh.
The visitors almost levelled matters in the 52nd minute. Connor spread play out right to find Brady on the overlap and when he squared it across Crooks met it 20 yards out and fired a low drive just wide of the right post.
In the 56th minute Ballantyne picked up a yellow card for dissent after the referee awarded a free kick out on the left. Brophy curled it into the back post where Millar headed it over the bar from close range.
Talbot’s next attack saw Boylan whip a good ball across the face of the area. There were no takers in the centre but Park retrieved it on the left of the box. He cut it back to Samson who managed to turn his man but saw his shot blocked en route to goal.
Johnstone Burgh made a change in the 69th minute with Donaldson on for Cruden.
Yet another refereeing call went against Talbot in the 71st minute. McPherson met a cross into the Bot area and headed it up into the air. McCracken followed up and headed it clear just outside the box but the referee penalised him for winning a header and gave Burgh a free kick in a great area. Gillespie took it and his shot clipped the outside of the wall and was deflected just wide of target.
With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot thought they had killed the tie off with a 2nd goal. Shankland laid the ball off to Boylan as he burst forward on the right and when he was challenged it fell to Samson who steered it across goal and into the far corner but the standside linesman raised his flag and the goal was chalked off.
In the 78th minute Talbot made a triple substitution with Shankland, Samson and Graham Wilson making way for Taylor, Mason and Aiden Wilson.
McCracken had his name taken in the 81st minute when the ref awarded Johnstone Burgh their umpteenth free kick inside the Bot half and two minutes later he was joined in the ref’s notebook by Taylor who was penalised for preventing Burgh from taking a quick throw in which should have went Talbot’s way in any case.
Four minutes from time the impressive Connor strode forward into space but his shot from 25 yards didn’t trouble Leishman as it sailed well over.
Two minutes from time Taylor did well down the right cutting into the box but his cut back didn’t have enough on it and the defence were able to clear.
In the final minute of regulation time Burgh won a free kick out wide on the left. Gillespie swung a good ball over but Leishman proved equal to it.
Into injury time Talbot came very close to nabbing their 2nd twice in quick succession. Firstly Wardrope fed it to the right to find Boylan whose low drive was spilled by the keeper before a defender lashed the rebound behind. When the corner came in Burgh failed to clear their lines and it came to Taylor on the right who whipped a great cross to the back post. The ball broke into the path of Wardrope 8 yards out and his goal bound effort was deflected over the bar by a defender.
Despite there being no injuries to speak of the referee managed to add 5 minutes on at the end but just when it looked as though the floodlights would need to come on he finally blew up for full time.
A hard fought cup tie against tricky opponents made all the tougher by Burgh’s 12th man who left the field to a chorus of jeers from the Bot support.
Next up for Talbot it’s back to league action when they host Cambuslang Rangers next Saturday.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Ballantyne, McPherson, McCracken, Wardrope, Park, Graham Wilson, Shankland, Samson, Boylan
Subs – Taylor, Aiden Wilson, Crawford, Smith, Mason
Johnstone Burgh – Cameron, Brady, Wallace, Andrew, Miller, Crooks, Brophy, Gillespie, Connor, Millar, Cruden
Subs – Brown, Kilbride, Young, McDonald, Daly, Donaldson, Fyfe
Sponsor Man of the Matches v Johnstone Burgh
Billy Blackmore & Friends – Mark Shankland presented by Billy Blackmore
Killie Travel Club – Neil McPherson presented by Kevin Canavan
Mauchline BC – Mark Shankland presented by Billy Eaglesham
Match Ball Sponsor – Emerald Contracts
Auchinleck Talbot v Hurlford United
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT. PHOTOGRAPHS SARAH JANE HOY
After an unintended winter break Talbot returned to winning ways – seeing off Hurlford at Beechwood to close the year out with a win.
The Bot made the perfect start – opening the scoring in the 3rd minute. Boylan got free down the right and his cut back was met by MARK SHANKLAND who steered a low shot inside the left hand post to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
The game’s first booking came in the 6th minute when Miller was cautioned for going through the back of Samson.
Hurlford’s afternoon went from bad to worse with quarter of an hour gone. Reid conceded a free kick and then said something on his way past the referee that saw Mr Haswell produce a straight red and off he went to the clubhouse.
Talbot tried to take immediate advantage of the extra man and Boylan had a half chance when Boyle laid the ball into his path but he lashed his shot well over from 20 yards.
One minute later though Talbot doubled their advantage. Boyle played a good ball down the left that found KIER SAMSON racing in behind the defence and he carried on into the box and slid it under McDonald to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.
Hurlford now made a change with Bell making way for McGregor.
The Bot almost made it three in the 23rd minute. Boylan fed it to Shankland and his pass sent Samson scurrying free down the right. He raced to the angle of the box and fired a low drive across goal that just slipped wide of the far post.
Hurlford hadn’t offered much going forward but they did have a half chance in the 31st minute. Love got to the bye line and his cross was met by M McKenzie who scuffed his half volley and it bobbled through to Leishman.
The visitors won a free kick 30 yards out in the 34th minute after Armstrong’s challenge on P McKenzie. Whittaker took it and got it up and over the wall but it lacked power and Leishman made a comfortable catch by his right post.
Hurlford were playing a high line and were caught out again in the 36th minute when a ball in behind saw Samson race clear down the left. He swept it across goal where Love stretched out a leg to bundle it behind for a corner. When the corner came over to the back post it broke to McCracken but he saw his low drive at goal blocked by a defender.
In the final minute of the half a long ball up field broke off McPherson and fell to Kerr 20 yards out who managed to find the target but drilled his shot straight at Leishman. Talbot then raced to the other end where they won a corner down the right. It was pulled back for Shankland to hit but his effort was blocked and when it spun out left to McCracken his cross was too near McDonald and that was it for the 1st half.
As the sides trooped off Henderson decided to accost the referee and met the same fate as his centre-half, receiving a straight red for his troubles.
Hurlford made a change at the start of the 2nd half with McCracken coming on at right-back and Miller moving to the centre.
Talbot nearly made the perfect start to the half when Shankland fed the ball to the overlapping Stafford who slid a good ball across goal that the defence did well to cut out at the expense of a corner.
Shankland and Robertson both received yellow cards in the 51st minute for a handbags incident out on the touchline when Hurlford’s centre-half tried to wrestle the ball away at a Talbot throw in.
The Bot had the ball in the net again in the 53rd minute but the goal didn’t stand. Stafford was fouled outside the area and Shankland whipped a tremendous ball to the back post where Boylan powered a header on target that McDonald did well to keep out. The rebound was lashed home but the assistant’s flag went up and the celebrations were cut short.
In the 62nd minute Wardrope played it back to Boyle on the right and he fired over a cross that just eluded Shankland & Samson in front of goal but once again the assistant flagged for offside.
Paul McKenzie picked up a yellow card in the 64th minute for a studs showing challenge on Armstrong.
Talbot extended their lead in the 66th minute. Samson won a corner down the left and when Wardrope swung it in CRAIG MCCRACKEN rose to glance a header past McDonald to make it 3-0.
Hurlford had a chance to reduce the deficit two minutes later when a mishit clearance fell to M McKenzie inside the box but his powder puff effort barely reached Leishman.
A minute later Talbot were a man down. Shankland slid into a challenge just outside the Hurlford box with Miller. There didn’t seem to be much in it but the ref produced a 2nd yellow and Shankland made an early exit.
Talbot were then dealt another blow when the visitors pulled a goal back in the 70th minute. Boyle conceded a free kick 30 yards from goal that M McKenzie curled into the area where ROBERTSON glanced a header inside the left hand post to make it 3-1.
In the 74th minute Talbot made their first change with Graham Wilson coming on to replace Boylan.
With 8 minutes remaining Boyle picked up what seemed a harsh caution when penalised for winning the ball in the Hurlford half.
Hurlford were pushing forward looking to grab another goal to make for a nervy finish but they couldn’t produce anything in the final third.
In the final seconds Taylor came on for the tiring Samson but had no time to make any impact before the ref signalled the end.
A good three points for Talbot who are back in cup action next Saturday when they host Johnstone Burgh in the West of Scotland.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Boyle, Wardrope, Shankland, Boylan, Samson
Subs – Taylor, Graham Wilson, Crawford, Ballantyne, Ross Smith, Boyd
Hurlford United – McDonald, Miller, Love, Reid, Robertson, Whittaker, P McKenzie, Kerr, Bell, M McKenzie, Mullen
Subs – McGregor, Walker, McCracken, Taylor
SPONSOR’S MAN OF THE MATCH AWARDS
Brian McNeill and Friends – Ali Boyle pictured with Brian McNeill.
The Killie Travel Club – Keir Samson. Chris Stafford is pictured picking up Keir’s award from Jim Wilson.
Mauchline Bowling Green – Neil McPherson pictured with Liz Watson.
The Loons – Ali Boyle pictured with Kenny Burley.
Lewis Crawford won a gift voucher in the Club’s Christmas Draw and donated his prize back to his club sponsor “The Loons”. Lewis is pictured with Scott Reid from the Loons Supporters Club. A huge thank you to Lewis for this lovely gesture.
Auchinleck Talbot v JohnstoneBurgh
Auchinleck Talbot v Clydebank
Cumnock Juniors v Auchinleck Talbot
MURRAYS REPORT
Talbot paid the penalty for drawing a blank as their reign as Scottish Junior cup holders ended at Townhead Park after a penalty shoot-out loss to Cumnock.
On an afternoon of few clear cut chances Talbot had the first effort on target in the 9th minute. Shankland tried a curler from just inside the area that Barclay saved under his bar.
In the 20th minute Shankland flicked the ball out wide right to find Park in space and he drilled it into the penalty area where Boylan met it but fired well wide of target.
A minute later Talbot came close to taking the lead. Park hoisted an up & under cross that the home defence failed to deal with. It broke to Graham Wilson inside the area and he flashed a shot across goal that flew off a defender’s head and went just over his own crossbar.
Cumnock’s first threat came in the 23rd minute. Leishman came out to punch a cross clear and the ball came out to Wilson whose shot was blocked. Cumnock were first to the rebound and the ball was played down the left of the penalty area towards Moore who took a fresh air swipe before it went behind for the goal kick.
Veitch became the first player in the book when he was cautioned in the 26th minute for clipping Aiden Wilson’s heels as he broke out of defence.
In the 36th minute Talbot had a defensive scare when Leishman came for Carnwath’s hanging cross. He spilled it and the subsequent shot was deflected behind for a corner kick.
Two minutes later Moore managed to get onto a long ball over the top and turned McPherson but dragged his shot wide of the left hand post.
Five minutes before the interval Talbot were caught out when Veitch dispossessed Park deep in the Nock half and hit it long down the left wing. Moore controlled it and raced into the penalty area where he looked certain to score but Leishman produced a top save to deny him, diving low to his right to turn it away.
In added time Carnwath became the 2nd Nock player cautioned when he was yellow carded for a foul on Graham Wilson and soon after the ref’s whistle put an end to the 1st half.
Talbot made a change during the interval with Taylor coming on in place of Boylan.
Two minutes after the restart Taylor surged down the right and won a corner off Willet. Wardrope knocked a good ball in but the Cumnock defence were able to clear.
In the 51st minute Armstrong played it down the right to Graham Wilson and he switched it to the far side of the area to pick out Shankland. He held off the challenge of McAusland but lost his footing as he hit it and Barclay was able to smother the ball.
A minute later Talbot came within a whisker of taking the lead. Graham Wilson latched onto a ball over the top and fired it first time across goal where Barclay got a hand to it to turn it onto the crossbar.
Talbot were having a good spell and had a great chance to take the lead in the 56th minute. Wardrope did well out on the left and swept a good ball across the area that Park ran onto unmarked but he side-footed it wide of the left post.
In the 63rd minute Cumnock made a triple substitution with Carnwath, Tart & Veitch making way for Dolan, McLaughlin and Ferry.
Two minutes later Talbot passed up a chance when Taylor squared the ball to Shankland inside the box. He had a chance to hit it but tried a pass instead and the defence were able to clear.
Talbot’s next opportunity came in the 73rd minute. Wardrope whipped over a good cross from the right toward Taylor. It broke into the path of Shankland 16 yards out and his half-volley was tipped over the bar by Barclay.
Cumnock now made another change with Conn replacing Boyd up top.
Graham Wilson picked up what looked to be a very soft yellow card in the 78th minute.
With 8 minutes remaining Talbot made their 2nd and final change with Mason coming on for Shankland.
In the 84th minute Wilson received a caution when he took one for the team when he stopped Taylor as he looked to race down the right.
In the closing stages Talbot picked up two late bookings – Stafford for a foul on Conn and then Armstrong for an aerial challenge.
As the clock ticked down Cumnock were in the ascendancy and threatened the Bot goal late on when Ferry’s long shy from the right went straight across the 6-yard area and just eluded Moore beyond the back post.
Into injury time Cumnock had the final chance when they broke down the right and Conn angled it back into the centre where Stafford was well positioned to clear.
It was now down to penalties and Cumnock were first to take with Moore sending Leishman the wrong way to put the home side 1 up. Graham Wilson drilled Talbot’s first penalty low inside the right post to level it before McLennan put his penalty in the same spot to restore Cumnock’s lead. Mason then levelled it for Talbot sending Barclay the wrong way. Next up for Cumnock it was McAusland and Leishman managed to save his penalty to his left. Armstrong was next up for Talbot and Barclay guessed correctly – diving to his right to keep it out.
Jamie Wilson put Cumnock 3-2 ahead before Taylor thumped Talbot level with a decisive strike inside the right post. Frye stepped up to take Cumnock’s 5th penalty and gave Leishman no chance as he hit it low inside the left post. Wardrope was last up for Talbot and needed to score but he blazed his effort way over the bar and Cumnock went through 4-3 on penalties.
A disappointing afternoon for the large travelling support but the Bot have no time to dwell on it as they’re back in league action on Wednesday night when they take on Clydebank under the floodlights at Beechwood.
Cumnock Juniors – Barclay, Carnwath, Tart, McAusland, McLennan, Veitch, Frye, Wilson, Moore, Boyd, Willet
Subs – Dolan, McLaughlin, Ross, Conn, Sharpe, Ferry, Strain
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Wardrope, Park, Graham Wilson, Shankland, Boylan
Subs – Mason, Taylor, Ballantyne, Crawford, Lennox, Samson, White
Matches 2022/23
Raith Rovers v Auchinleck Talbot
MURRAYS REPORT
Talbot bowed out of the senior cup, beaten but not disgraced, after three 2nd half goals saw Raith Rovers through to the 4th round.
On an afternoon when Talbot were set up to contain the Bot didn’t have many chances although they did have the first effort at goal after 6 minutes. Boylan pounced on a slip from a Raith defender and went for goal from 20 odd yards forcing a save from McDonald low to his left.
Two minutes later Raith threatened down the left when the ball was worked to Ngwenya whose low ball across the face was well cut out by Armstrong.
In the 10th minute Stanton had a half chance for the home side from outside the area but he dragged his left foot shot well wide of target.
Raith were seeing a lot of the ball but not producing very much in the final third. In the 18th minute a ball up the left found Connolly in space and when he crossed into the centre Stafford had to head it behind. When the corner came over Nolan got his head on it but glanced it wide of the left post.
The first card of the afternoon came in the 31st minute for Raith’s Brown for a late challenge in midfield.
A minute later Easton whipped a dangerous cross over from the right toward the back post that the Bot defence put behind for the corner.
Raith’s next attack saw Ngwenya drill a low ball in from the left which Aiden Wilson cleared at the near post, taking a knock as he did so for a free kick to Talbot.
The Bot then won a free kick down the other end wide on the left. Wardrope swung it into the penalty area where McCracken got his head on it but flashed a header well wide from 15 yards.
From then on til the half time whistle Raith huffed & puffed to no great effect and the sides went in level at the break with Leishman yet to make a save.
The home side came out fired up at the start of the 2nd half and in the 48th minute a Raith player let fly from 25 yards and his shot took a slight deflection as it flew just over the bar.
Talbot made their first change in the 49th minute when the injured Boylan made way for Mason.
In the 50th minute Wardrope won Talbot a corner out on the left when his cross was blocked. He took the corner and whipped a good low ball into the near post where Ngwenya dived to head it clear.
Three minutes later Mason met a shy from the left and flicked it inside to find Wardrope just outside the penalty area but he slipped as he went to hit it and it flew well wide of target.
Raith made their first change in the 56th minute with Connell on in place of Easton.
On the hour mark a ball slid through on the left found Connolly running in space out wide. He played it across the face of goal but there were no takers and Leishman was able to gather.
The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute. Connolly lifted a ball down the right to find the run of Brown and when he cut the ball back to CONNOLLY he cut inside onto his left foot and curled a peach of a shot for the far corner. Leishman managed to get his fingertips to it but couldn’t prevent it flying into the net.
Talbot now made a 2nd change with Shankland coming on for Graham Wilson.
Raith came close to grabbing the 2nd in the 67th minute. Millen swung over a dangerous cross from the right that flew off a defender’s head and clipped the top of the crossbar.
Two minutes later Brown tried his luck from distance but Leishman saw it all the way and made the stop.
Talbot then won a free kick out wide on the right after Taylor was caught. Wardrope lifted it into the edge of the box trying to find Armstrong but he was just beaten to it and the ball cleared.
It was game all but over in the 73rd minute when Raith doubled their lead. A low ball across the box broke into the path of CONNOLLY and his strike left Leishman wrong footed as it deflected off Boyle.
With 13 minutes remaining Tucker made a double switch with Park & Armstrong making way for Crawford & Ballantyne.
In the 81st minute Taylor received Talbot’s only caution of the afternoon.
Raith made their final change in the 84th minute with Coulson replacing Vaughan.
Five minutes from time Talbot had a brief glimpse at goal. A free kick was flighted down the centre and fell to Ballantyne 22 yards out in space. He could have shot but worked it out wide left and the move fizzled out.
The scoring was completed a minute later when Raith grabbed their third. A pass back was hit a little too wide for Leishman to gather out on the bye line. He was beaten to it and Raith calmly worked the ball across to CONNOLLY who passed it inside the left hand post to complete his hat-trick.
In the final minute Shankland cut in off the left and swung a cross into the goal mouth that McDonald gathered and soon after the ref blew up for full-time.
No one could fault Talbot for effort – the team gave their all – but came up short against a full-time side 4 tiers above us. Next up for Talbot it’s the short trip to Cumnock where they face their fierce rivals in the Scottish Junior cup.
Raith Rovers – Macdonald, Millen, Nolan, Spencer, Connolly, Vaughan, O’Riordan, Ngwenya, Stanton, Brown, Easton
Subs – McNeil, Dick, McBride, Lang, Connell, Ross, Coulson, Masson, Frederiksen
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Taylor, Aiden Wilson, Stafford, McCracken, Armstrong, Boyle, Wardrope, Graham Wilson, Boylan, Park
Subs – Shankland, Samson, Mason, Crawford, Ballantyne, Lennox, McHugh
Auchinleck Talbot v Neilston
MURRAYS REPORT
It took Talbot a while to get going but in the end they ran out comfortable winners over Neilston in the South Challenge cup.
It was the visitors who made the early running and they had a chance in the 6th minute when MacKinnon swept a low ball in from the left. It broke into the path of Jones but he didn’t strike it cleanly and Leishman was able to save it by his left post.
In the 11th minute Neilston missed a sitter. Reilly got to the bye line and cut it back to Fletcher who looked certain to score but he bundled his shot wide of the left post from 6 yards out.
Talbot’s first meaningful move came in the 16th minute. A good move ended with Ballantyne on the left squaring the ball across the 6 yard area where it was cut out and cleared by the defence.
Neilston continued to have the upper hand without offering too much in the final third with play confined to the middle third.
In the 35th minute Crawford picked up a caution for a foul on Fletcher.
Thirty nine mins in and Talbot took the lead following their first shot on target. Shankland slipped the ball through for Aiden Wilson whose cut back was met by Graham Wilson 15 yards out. Hay dived to his left to parry his shot but the ball broke off MACKINNON and into the net for an own goal.
Three minutes later Mackinnon found himself in the ref’s notebook following a rugby tackle on Samson. Shankland took the free kick and whipped a dangerous ball over that flew off a defender’s head and went wide of goal for the corner. Shankland’s corner into the near post was headed clear but came out to Taylor who cut in onto his left foot only to see his shot blocked.
Talbot continued to press but Neilston held out and the Bot went in 1-0 up at the interval.
Talbot stepped it up a gear or two after the half-time break and had the visitors under pressure from the off and it paid off in the 51st minute when Talbot doubled their lead.
Taylor burst in off the right and played it into the feet of Samson inside the area. He returned it back and ROSS TAYLOR hammered a low drive past the keeper to make it 2-0.
In the 55th minute Talbot won a free kick in a good area. Crawford was caught late as he took a shot from just outside the box and the ref pulled it back for the free kick. Shankland stepped up but lifted it well over the bar.
A minute later Talbot were back on the attack. Shankland laid it out wide for Taylor and Hay had to claw his dangerous cross behind for the corner. The corner was taken short and Shankland hit an inch perfect cross to the back post but no Bot player was on hand to take advantage.
Moments later Talbot thought they’d grabbed their 3rd of the afternoon. Taylor gathered on the right and flashed it low across the face of goal where Samson turned it home from close range but was flagged for offside.
The goal was coming though and Talbot grabbed their 3rd on the hour mark. Taylor raced onto a ball over the top and raced past Doyle in the area before being hauled down for a stonewaller. MARK SHANKLAND took the spot kick and sent Hay the wrong way to make it 3-0.
Two minutes later Shankland had a half chance to grab another. Samson raced in off the left past Doyle and when he was challenged the ball broke out to Shankland at the edge of the area but he sent his shot well wide.
In the 64th minute Graham Wilson received a caution for a challenge on Halliday.
Neilston now made a double switch with Convery & Jones making way Henry & Haddow. Talbot responded with a double change of their own – Park & Graham Wilson being replaced by Boylan & Wardrope.
With 20 mins remaining Talbot found themselves a man down for the 2nd week in a row. Crawford took a heavy 1st touch and when Smith nipped in to claim it Crawford caught him and the ref produced a 2nd yellow card.
However, it was still Talbot looking the more likely to add to the score line and the Bot came close in the 72nd minute. Boylan robbed Reilly of the ball deep in the Neilston half before carrying it forward and hammering a shot that flew across goal and just wide of the right hand upright.
The Bot were back on the attack in the 76th minute. Wilson’s ball over the top found Samson racing free down the left. He darted into the box and cut it back toward Boylan but it had a shade too much pace on it.
Neilston now made a further change with Adam on for Reilly and Talbot made their final change with Mason replacing Shankland.
Eight minutes from time Talbot won a free kick out on the right touchline – wide of the penalty area. Wardrope fired a good ball over toward Boylan but a defender managed to head it behind for the corner.
In the final minute of regulation time Mason pounced on a loose ball in the Neilston half and slotted an early ball out right to find Boylan in space. He sped free down the wing but overhit his final cross.
Deep into injury time Talbot came close to making it four. A poor attempt at a back pass was intercepted by Samson inside the area but Hay did well at his right post to block the shot behind for a corner. When the corner came in it was only cleared as far as Ballantyne at the edge of the area who sent his shot over the bar in what proved to be the last chance of the match.
A good win for the Bot who travel through to the kingdom of Fife next Saturday to face Raith Rovers in the senior cup.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, Park, McCracken, Ballantyne, Taylor, Graham Wilson, Samson, Shankland, Crawford
Subs – Boylan, White, Mason, Wardrope
Neilston – Hay, Halliday, MacKinnon, Doyle, Clark, Gallacher, Convery, Smith, Fletcher, Jones, Reilly
Subs – Henry, Adam, Davis, Haddow, Hamilton
