Away – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Glenafton Athletic v Auchinleck Talbot

LATE PENALTY WINS TALBOT THE POINTS.

Report: Jim McAuley, Pictures: Craig McGhee, Media Ross Newlands.

TALBOT: Armour, Slooves (Abed 63mins), Schoneville, Wilson, McPherson, Langan (Boyle 46mins), Sime, Wardrope (Kerr 69 mins), McAvoy (Nimmo 77 mins), Thomson, Gillies (Clark 46mins). Unused Subs: Mitchell, Hanlon.

GLENS: Markey, Holding, Willet, Allan, Rowe, McCubbin, Ross, Lindsay, Kerr, Mullen, Malley. Subs: Walker, Taggart, Fraser.

Referee Gary Handvige proved to be the biggest talking point of this feisty encounter where the rain soaked crowd were entertained to two red cards, two disallowed Talbot goals, and a dodgy penalty in time added on.

With the game being more or less a dead rubber due to the Clydebank juggernaut still rolling along in the league, the added heavy rain and howling wind coming down the Afton Valley certainly kept the crowd down and after two hours of persistent downpours the winners in this spectacle were the ones who stayed home.

It’s not to say this was a bad game because hat’s off to both teams for providing ninety odd minutes of entertainment in horrendous conditions that kept the skill levels to a minimum. Talbot had made a few changes to the side that lost to Clydebank through the week with Wardrope, Slooves and Langan replacing Clark, Boyle and the trialist from Albion Rovers.

With the gale at their back Talbot looked to have taken the lead as early as the 5th minutes when Mick Wardrope lobbed a speculative ball into the box where the unmarked McAvoy steared a header past Markey only to see the stand side linesman flag for offside much to the relief of Holding who might have been playing the striker onside.

The game raged from end to end with Malley surging through the Talbot defence only to shoot well past Armours post. At the other end Thomson dinked a useful ball into the danger area but McAvoy couldn’t get any power on his header and the ball rolled harmlessly past the goals.

On 20 minutes McCubbin pounced on some indecisive defending by Talbot where he laid the ball into the path of Mullen who’s goal bound shot was headed into the air by Slooves where Armour and McPherson combined to clear the danger. 10 minutes later Talbot had a half chance when a Wardrope free kick was headed well past the post by Slooves. However minutes later Wardrope again provided the ammunition for Talbot when his free kick outside the home danger area was headed back into the mix by McAvoy where THOMSON was the first to react and swept the ball past the keeper from a few yards.

Talbot’s lead lasted a mere 5 minutes when Jordan Allan powered through the Talbot defence to connect with a Lindsay corner and steer his header past Armour. This was a disappointment for Talbot as again they struggled against the Glen’s players’corners that had caused a bit of panic earlier in the game.

Just before half time the home side were unlucky not to have taken the lead when Mullen pounced on more Talbot indecision to charge forward and unleash a low shot from outside the 18 yard box which deceived the diving Armour and cannoned of the base of the post before being cleared.

The second half saw Clark and Boyle introduced into the match for Gillies and Boyle, but it was on the hour mark that the big talking point of the match took place. Glenafton’s Ross was on the attack but the ball was soon bundled into open space where Sime and Holding decided to challenge for the ball with the Talbot man looking favourite. However the defenders tackle was two footed and in reality if Sime hadn’t hurdled the tackle it could have been worse. Referee Handvidge had no hesitation in brandishing the red card must to the distaste of the home fans congregated in the stand.

Although down to ten men it was the home side who were having the better of the match and in 68 minutes Kerr tried his luck from 20 yards but it was easily gathered by Armour. Minutes later Kerr was presented with a golden chance when Lindsay flicked the ball past the Talbot defence but Armour robbed the big striker of a goal when he blocked his shot with an outstretched foot.

With the man advantage Talbot started to dominate proceedings and Thomson was unlucky when he latched onto a superb Schoneville pass but he hurried his shot into the side netting. On the 75th minute Talbot had another goal disallowed when the referee seemed to find a fault with Sime’s goal after Sconeville whipped in a superb corner kick.

The introduction of Abed to the fray was giving Talbot a bit of scope down the right side and it was from this position they were awarded a penalty in time added on. Sime won the ball in the middle of his own half where he laid on a superb ball to Clark. The substitute made a lung bursting run up the right before laying the ball off to Abed. The Talbot player definitely gathered the ball in the box before clashing with McCubbin and hitting the deck. Referee Handvidge who was metres from the incident blew instantly for a penalty much to the disgust of the home players.

EWAN THOMSON chose to take the spot kick and although Markey guessed where the ball was going, the youngsters penalty had enough power to fly past the big keepers hands and into the net. This was to be the last action of the match except for a bit of a commotion on the final whistle where the referee red carded another home player.

On another day this would have been a highly entertaining match, but the event was completely ruined by the weather. The injury to Mick Wardrope looked bad and will definitely give some food for thought for next weeks match against Mick Kennedy’s East Kilbride.

Drumchapel United v Auchinleck Talbot

TALBOT FAIL TO BEAT THE DRUM

Report: Murray Steele, Photo’s: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.

Talbot remain unbeaten but had to settle for a point after a hard fought draw away at Drumchapel

The Bot made the perfect start, taking the lead with a top quality finish in the 7^th minute. McPherson knocked the ball in from the right & Clark squared it into the path of MICHAEL WARDROPE who curled a peach of a shot inside the right post from 20 yards.

A minute later Talbot won a free kick out wide on the left following a handball that saw a Drumchapel defender cautioned but failed to make the most of the set piece.

In the 11^th minute McNiff received a yellow card for a late challenge on Schoneville with Talbot winning another free kick out on the left. This time Wardrope whipped over a quality delivery that the defence did well to head clear. It came out to Boyle whose low strike was heading on target but was blocked en route by a defender.

Drumchapel hadn’t offered much going forward but won a corner in the 16^th minute which was hit into the danger zone but headed clear by Boyd.

passed up a good chance to double their lead in the 23^rd minute. Wardrope threaded a pass through the defence to find Boyd in space inside the area. He had more time than he realised and snatched at his shot – pulling it across goal and wide of target.

In the 31^st minute Boyle lifted the ball down the right to find Boyd and he fed it out to McAvoy on the touchline. He angled over a dangerous cross but there were no takers in the centre.

Two minutes later Drumchapel won a free kick in a good area – just wide of the Talbot penalty area. Moore lifted it beyond the far post where it was knocked clear.

Down the other end Boyle won the ball in the Drumchapel half and knocked it out wide left to Gillies. His ball across was deflected behind for a corner. When Wardrope’s corner came in the defence couldn’t clear their lines with the ball bouncing around the 6-yard area before finally going behind for a goal kick.

Three minutes before the break Boyd was harshly penalised for what looked like winning a 50/50 just outside the box. He played on after the whistle and sent a lob just wide for which he received a caution.

In the last action of the half Wilson played it into the feet of Boyd who cut in off the right and dragged a left foot shot wide of target with Talbot heading in a goal ahead at the break.

The first chance of the 2^nd period went Talbot’s way after 49 minutes. Schoneville hoisted an up and under up to the edge of the penalty box where Boyd managed to lay it off wide left to Gillies whose powerful drive was saved by Scullion.

Fifty minutes in Clark picked up a yellow card for a challenge in midfield.

Talbot’s next effort came in the 53^rd minute when Boyd cut inside off the right and curled a left foot shot off target.

A minute later Gillies swept over a good cross from the left touchline that a Drumchapel defender headed back toward his own goal – nearly putting it past his own keeper.

Talbot were looking comfortable but that all changed in the 57^th minute. Slooves knocked the ball back to Armour who pinged it out to the feet of Wilson. He dallied on it too long allowing Idris to nip in and steal it. He burst forward into the area before sliding a reverse pass to MOORE who slotted it low past Armour to level the score.

The goal energised the home side and they threatened again within a minute. A long diagonal found Biabi down the left and he pulled it back to Idris who teed it up for Moore to hit but his low drive was blocked.

In the 63^rd minute Schoneville picked up a caution when he conceded a free kick out on the touchline.

Talbot had a let off in the 65^th minute. The ball was laid right into the path of Idris 16 yards out but fortunately he blazed it high over the bar.

Sixty-seven minutes in Talbot made a double change with McAvoy & Clark making way for Smith & Langan.

In the 72^nd minute Schoneville burst up the wing before knocking it inside to find Langan. He tried to play it back into Schoneville who’d continued his run but it was a touch too heavy.

Two minutes later Talbot won a free kick just outside the penalty area when Wardrope was caught. With everyone anticipating a cross Wardrope went for goal and forced a good stop from Scullion who dived low to his left to keep it out.

With 12 minutes remaining Drumchapel made a double change with Templeton & McCoist coming on.

Templeton almost made an immediate impact when he jinked inside off the left and cracked a shot off the underside of the bar that Armour gathered.

Ten minutes from time Templeton was allowed a bit too much room outside the penalty area and he drilled a powerful shot on target that was pushed wide by Armour.

Talbot now made another double switch with Gillies & Wardrope making way for Abed & Sime.

Having survived Drumchapel’s purple patch Talbot ended the game on the front foot. Schoneville’s ball up the left found Abed pacing in behind the defence and his cut back into the centre just went behind Smith. The defence could only clear it out as far as Langan who was caught resulting in a free kick 20 yards out. Schoneville laid it square for Boyle to hit but he fired it high and wide of goal.

A minute from time Schoneville played it into the feet of Smith on the left of the box. He turned and got a shot away but a defender deflected it and landed harmlessly in the arms of the keeper.

In added time Schoneville played a ball into the box that came off a defender’s head to Smith at the edge of the area. He went for the first time volley which cannoned off a defender and behind for a corner on the left. Langan delivered it into the centre where the defence failed to clear it. It broke to Sime in space 15 yards out but he leant back as he hit it and his shot sailed way over and the game finished all square.

Next up for Talbot it’s a trip through to East Lothian where they face Haddington Athletic in the senior cup.

Drumchapel United – Scullion, McLaren, McIntyre, McNiff, Mills, Nicoll, Orr, Hopkirk, Moore, Idris, Biabi

Subs – Wilde, Templeton, Narbesla, McGarvey, Mackenzie, Marks, McCoist

Auchinleck Talbot – Armour, McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, Wilson, Boyle, Wardrope, Gillies, Boyd, McAvoy, Clark

Subs – Abed, Smith, Sime, Langan, Kerr, Walker, Cameron

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy v Auchinleck Talbot

Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn

Duncansfield Park, Kilsyth was the venue for our away league match with Kirkintilloch Rob Roy, the change of venue being dictated by the number of matches (and postponements) that Guys Meadow in Cumbernauld has been subject to due to the ground sharing agreement in place between Rob Roy and Cumbernauld United.

For Talbot, this was our second match in three days and our second match in a run where we will be required to play our final seven matches of the season within a fifteen day period.

With this oppressive schedule to contend with, squad rotation is likely to be a key factor in our run in however injuries to Aiden Wilson & Kyle McAvoy during Saturday’s match at Arthurlie further limited Tucker’s options and there were five personnel changes from Saturday plus further positional rotations which saw Ali Boyle covert to the right back position, Neill McPherson move to centre back and starting places for Ross Urquhart, Ruaridh Langan, Luke Gillies & Tarek Abed in changes from the weekend match.

The large Duncansfield playing surface afforded both sides space to play and Rob Roy created the first scoring opportunity when Taggart was picked out on the left from a magnificent 50yrd pass and twisted and turned before delivering a dangerous cross which found Pirrie in space at the penalty spot, but his header, although on target, failed to trouble Glavin in the Talbot goal.

That spurred Talbot into action, and they dominated the rest of the half causing the Rob Roy defence no end of problems. Boyd was a particular threat and three times in a short spell he was involved as Talbot chased the lead. The first in 8mins when a Gillies cut back saw him fire a shot on target from 20yds that was saved by Walker in the Rob Roy goal, the second two minutes later when he beat the offside trap and latched on to a superb pass from Schoneville, however the angle eventually worked against him, and his shot flashed across the face of the goal. The third, akin to the first, when he picked up the ball under pressure and wisely choose to keep possession to stave off the threat of an offside decision had he elected to pass. Instead, he held the ball up before passing to Langan who played a neat give and go with Abed down the right before cutting back to Boyd who first time flick was held by the keeper at his near post.

Luke Gillies was next to get in on the act when he picked up a header from Abed on the right hand side of the penalty area. There seemed no danger as his route to goal was blocked but he chose to go back to the edge of the penalty area and found space to fire a shot across goal that the keeper was pleased to see flash wide.

It seemed only a matter of time before Talbot took the lead and this proved to be the case in the 15^th minute. Boyd again won possession in midfield before passing to Michael Wardrobe, his perfectly weighted pass into space was latched onto my Tariq Abed and when he passed the ball into the area, he found CONNOR BOYD who had continued his forward run. Despite having his back to goal, he had his bearings spot on and, without looking up, placed the ball on the turn past the keeper with a first time strike into the bottom right hand corner.

Talbot doubled their lead in 23 minutes. Wardrope and Abed played a short corner on the Talbot right and with two defenders chasing Wardrope on the ball, he played a reverse pass to Abed who was free on the right; his first time cross into the six yards area which was perfectly placed onto the head of CONNOR BOYD, and he gave goalkeeper Walker no chance with his well-executed header.

Talbot were threatening to run riot at this point, and Boyd in particular was proving too hot to handle. Again, he picked up the ball up near the halfway line and sent Gillies clean through on goal only to see him denied with a last gasp tackle from Rab’s captain Walker as he was set to pull the trigger.

The procession towards the Rabs goal continued with Talbot pressing high and giving their opponents no time to settle. Abed was next to intercept and latch onto the ball before using his pace to again send over a great cross which Boyd headed on target but without the necessary power to trouble the keeper.

The last action of the first half saw Rob Roy left back Gilday connect with a low cross from the right. He took on the difficult chance with a first time shot that he connected well with and Glavin was relieved to see it go narrowly wide at his left hand post.

Talbot started the second half on the front foot and Boyd had the first attempt on goal when the ball broke to him following a Wardrope corner, however he was unable to adjust his feet and fired his shot wide of the target.

Rob Roy were now playing with wind assistance, the breeze had picked up considerably and although this favoured them more than it had done Talbot in the first half, it made it difficult to control the ball, and passes that were even slightly overhit were more or less uncatchable.

This seemed to add to their frustration as they battled to avoid relegation. Battled at times seemed to be the right adjective and Rab’s winger Taggart was lucky to escape a booking for a lunge that floored Glavin when the ball was clearly not winnable and already in the goalkeeper’s hands. This proved to be a lucky break for the player as he was booked a few moments later for an equally poor studs up challenge on Urquhart that on another day may have been given as a straight red.

O’Kane & Pirrie were also booked for the hosts as they threatened to lose their discipline, and late substitutions helped to defuse the situation bearing in mind the difficult challenges they have to face in their remaining matches as they fight to retain their top division status.

Talbot made two second half substitutions with Glasgow and Lennox replacing Wardrope and Abed.

The match was played out with brief flurries at both ends with neither keeper troubled and Talbot well in control of a match they dominated. We now move on to yet another away match against Hurlford at Blair Park on Wednesday night.

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, Boyle, McPherson, Slooves, Schoneville, Wardrope, Urquhart, Langan, Gillies, Abed, Boyd.

Subs – Lennox, Glasgow, Smith, Armstrong, Kennedy, McCracken, Gillies, Henry(gk)

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy – Aitken, Walker, Gilday, Green, Scott, Kettings, Smith, O’Kane, Pirrie, Anderson, Taggart.

Subs – Wyles, Stirling, McKay, Ruxton, Stewart, Smith.

Glenafton Athletic v Auchinleck Talbot

Report: Murray Steel, Photography: Craig McGhee. Media: Lee Conn.

A CASE FOR THE DEFENCE.

Talbot’s unbeaten run ended at Loch Park as they paid the price for failing to turn pressure into goals.

The Bot got off to a shaky start and conceded a soft goal in the 7^th minute. A long punt down the centre didn’t appear to offer much threat but KERR did well to out-muscle Slooves in the area and turned and fired high beyond Glavin to put the home side one up.

Talbot responded positively and had a half chance in the 13^th minute. Smith played it wide to Schoneville who drilled a great ball across the face of goal but as was to become a pattern no one could get on the end of it.

In the 16^th minute Schoneville combined with Boyd down the left to force a corner. Smith swept it beyond the far post where Armstrong guided a header back across goal which Rowe cleared out the goalmouth.

Talbot kept the pressure going and won a free kick in a good area when Smith knocked it past Rowe and was taken out inches wide of the penalty area. Smith took the free kick but got too much on it and curled it harmlessly behind for the goal kick.

The Bot’s luck was out in the 20^th minute. Boyd slipped it wide left to Urquhart who whipped over a dangerous ball that Pettigrew threw out a leg at and deflected it just wide of the left post.

The chances kept coming and going and Talbot passed up a good chance to level in the 23^rd minute. Abed went on a surging run down the right, hitting the bye line before cutting it back into the path of Slooves who met it 6 yards out but passed it at the keeper.

Two minutes later Talbot won another corner down the left. When Smith’s cross came in Markey did well to punch it clear of the area. It came out to Boyle 30 yards out and he hammered a shot on target but unfortunately it flew straight at Markey who parried it up into the air and gathered at the 2^nd attempt.

It was all Talbot at this stage but the Bot again missed a gilt edged chance in the 32^nd minute. McPherson’s pass found Abed in behind the defence on the left of the area but he scooped his shot over the bar from a good area.

The Bot’s next attack saw Abed feeding it on to Schoneville whose low driven ball into the near post caused problems but didn’t break Talbot’s way and was scrambled clear.

Having dominated proceedings since the early opener Talbot could have found themselves two adrift after 37 minutes. Talbot played it around at the back and when McPherson tried to beat Fraser he was robbed just inside his own box. Fraser looked sure to score but Glavin did well to make the stop.

Pettigrew picked up the night’s first caution after 38 mins when he was booked for dissent

In the 42^nd minute Smith got away on the right and fired it low across the 6-yard area looking for Abed but Markey managed to cut it out.

The Glens had a half chance right at the end of the half when Talbot lost possession just outside the area but Crooks shot didn’t trouble Glavin and the Glens went in a goal ahead at the break.

Talbot started the 2^nd half brightly and won a free kick 22 yards out in the 48^th minute after Urquhart’s promising run forward was halted by a shirt pull. Schoneville took it and struck it well but Markey was in the right spot to tip it over his crossbar.

In the 51^st minute Talbot did grab a leveller. Abed’s cross was blocked behind for a corner on the right. Smith’s first corner went into the near post for the run of Armstrong but the defence did well to beat him to it. The ball came back out to Smith and this time he curled a cross to the back post where NEIL SLOOVES glanced a header home to make it 1-1.

Within a minute of scoring Talbot were back on the front foot as Abed whipped in a good cross from the right that the Glens defence just managed to head clear

In the 53^rd minute Talbot had a decent chance to take the lead. The ball broke to Smith on the right of the area and he fired it low on target but Markey managed to save it with his outstretched leg.

The Glens couldn’t clear their lines and Talbot switched the ball out right to find Smith in the area who fizzed a low ball across goal that only needed a touch but went a begging.

The Bot then had another good chance to take the lead. Abed’s neat flick sent it inside to Boyle who had a chance to go for goal from 12 yards but instead opted to square it across to Boyd who was crowded out in the centre.

In the 55^th minute the home support were riled when O’Kane went down in the penalty area under Slooves’ challenge. There were loud appeals for a penalty but the ref waved play on.

The Glens were back on the attack in the 61^st minute when Fraser took it wide of McPherson and knocked a dangerous ball to the back post which Slooves cleared.

Action then switched to the other end where Talbot had another chance to move in front. The ball came to Smith 16 yards out with Markey stranded off his line but the keeper came out on top – diving low to his left to save Smith’s effort.

The visiting fans were getting a feeling it wasn’t to be our night and this was underlined in the 72^nd minute. Abed used his pace to get free on the right and cut it back to Smith who turned and fired but hit it wide from 8 yards.

Talbot won umpteen corners on the night, one of which came in the 73^rd minute when Boyle hit over a good cross that was headed behind. The corner was played into the near post where a scramble ensued. The defence failed to clear their lines and it came to Slooves but he couldn’t get his shot away.

The Bot now made a triple substitution with Boyle, Urquhart & Smith making way for Wardrope, Langan & McAvoy.

In the 77^th minute Talbot paid the price for their missed chances. Langan conceded a free kick 35 yards out which McMullin dinked over the defence to find KERR down the left and he angled it aross goal and beyond Glavin to put Glenafton 2-1 ahead.

Talbot looked for an immediate response and McAvoy got away wide right and cut it back across the box but there were no takers.

The Glens should have made the points safe in the 82^nd minute. The ball was pulled back from the left bye line right into the path of Kerr but he pulled his shot wide of the far post.

Five minutes from time McPherson slid a pass through to Boyd on the right of the area. He fired it low toward the back post where again a touch was all that was needed but it flew wide and behind for the goal kick.

With 2 minutes remaining Talbot made their final change with Gillies on for Abed.

Deep into added time Talbot had one final attack. Wardrope gathered on the right edge of the penalty area and whipped a cross over to the back post which Markey managed to tip away and the Glens held out for the win.

A frustrating night for Talbot who played well for the most part and had the bulk of possession and chances but left with nothing to show for it.

Next up for Talbot it’s back to Beechwood this Saturday when they face Pollok in the semi-final of the West.

Glenafton Athletic – Markey, Holding, McMullin, Rowe, Pettigrew, McKee, Fraser, Crooks, Paton, O’Kane, Kerr

Subs – Sinnamon, McWaters, Ross, Caddis, Gilmour, Semple (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, Wilson, Armstrong, Urquhart, Boyle, Boyd, Smith, Abed

Subs – Kennedy, Wardrope, Gillies, Langan, McAvoy, Henry (gk)

Broxburn Athletic v Auchinleck Talbot

TALBOT BADGERED OUT OF CHALLENGE CUP.

Report: Murray Steele, Photography Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.

A bad day at the office for Talbot who exited the South Challenge cup after a 3-0 loss away at Broxburn.

In what proved to be a false dawn Talbot started the game positively and had the first chance within a minute. A ball into the box found Smith who was able to turn and get his shot away which was deflected wide for the corner. When the corner came in McPherson headed it back across goal but the defence were able to clear.

The Bot fell a goal behind in the 7^th minute. McPherson’s square pass to Armstrong was intercepted and knocked through to PAGE who ran into the box and slotted it beyond Glavin.

Two minutes later Wardrope surged forward from midfield and went for goal from 30 yards but it flew well over the bar.

The Bot had a half chance in the 16^th minute when Boylan headed a cross down inside the area. It fell toward Smith but wouldn’t come down quickly enough for him and by the time he got his volley away it was deflected over the bar. From the resultant corner McPherson got his head on Wardrope’s delivery but glanced it well wide of the right post.

In the 21^st minute Talbot came about as close as they were going to get. Langan fed the ball out to Boylan on the left and he cut in on his right foot and drilled it low across the face of goal where Langan had continued his run but he just failed to connect as he slid in and the defence cleared.

The home side spurned a good chance to double their advantage in the 24^th minute. Wilson was penalised for an aerial challenge and when the free kick came over from the right Turner met it but sent his free header wide of the left post.

The reprieve was short-lived though and two minutes later Broxburn made it two. Page found DAVIDSON in space on the right of the area and he gave Glavin no chance as he drilled it across goal and into the opposite corner.

It was nearly 3 minutes later when Page took advantage of hesitant defending to volley an effort on target that was brilliantly saved by Glavin who turned it round the post.

In the 32^nd minute Talbot ought to have had a free kick 30 yards out when the ball clearly hit Moyles elbow but the ref waved play on.

Talbot were huffing and puffing without offering much threat and it was the home side who again came close in the 38^th minute. Page met a corner from the right but guided his header wide of the left post

Things went from bad to worse for Talbot on the stroke of half-time. Thomson sped past a couple of players in the centre but as the ball ran away from him he lunged into a tackle and the referee produced a straight red leaving Talbot trooping off two goals and a man down.

Any thoughts of a comeback were dashed when Talbot lost an early goal after the re-start. McPherson’s square ball was intercepted and Broxburn broke away down the right where Millar drilled it low across the face of goal for PAGE to tap in from close range.

Talbot picked up two booking within a minute – firstly Langan and then moments later Smith.

In the 59^th minute Tucker made a double switch with Boyle & Lennox on for Langan & Smith and on 66 mins Talbot made a further change with Boyd on for Boylan.

Nothing much was happening with Broxburn content to sit on their lead as the clock ran down.

In the 74^th minute Talbot made their final change with Schoneville on for Armstrong and within a minute of coming on he was unlucky not to get on the score sheet. A Talbot corner from the left was headed out and came to Schoneville at the edge of the area where he rocketed a low left foot effort on target that produced a brilliant stop from Watt who dived to his right to turn it wide.

The game meandered on to no great purpose. In the 85^th minute Talbot had a chance to grab a late consolation effort when Wardrope’s free kick from the right was met by McPherson at the back post but his header slipped wide.

The final chance of the afternoon went Broxburn’s way when Turner fired just wide of the right post from 20 yards.

An afternoon to forget for Talbot who will need to dust themselves off and get the heads lifted for next Saturday when they travel through to Barrhead to face Arthurlie in the league.

Broxburn Athletic – Watt, Munro, Page, Moyles, Douglas, Thomson, Brass, Turner, Davidson, Bremner, Millar

Subs – Donoghue, Campbell, Nimmo, Binnie, Downie, Heath, Connolly

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, Wilson, Gillies, Slooves, McPherson, Armstrong, Langan, Wardrope, Smith, Boylan, Thomson

Subs – Boyd, Lennox, Boyle, Schoneville, Kennedy, Abed, Henry

Catrine Amateurs v Auchinleck Talbot

Auchinleck Under 20’s represented the club at Catrine when they took on the local amateur side in the Stephen Wise Mental Health Awareness Charity Cup on Sunday at Riverside Park.

Glenafton Athletic v Auchinleck Talbot

Caledonian Braves v Auchinleck Talbot

MURRAYS REPORT

Talbot’s reign as South Challenge cup holders ended as they stumbled to defeat at Alliance Park.

The Bot should have opened the scoring in the 7^th minute. Mason pressured a Braves defender into an error and his short back-pass landed at the feet of Samson but he couldn’t beat the keeper.

Chances were few and far between but Talbot had another decent one in the 16^th minute. Boylan slid the ball up the right to Mason and when his cross came over Samson flicked the ball into the path of Park, in space at the edge of the area, and he volleyed just over the bar.

The home side came close in the 22^nd minute. Butterworth laid the ball back to Lindsay who looked as though he was trying to cross it but it nearly ended up on target – curling just over the crossbar.

In the 29^th minute Leishman came to Talbot’s rescue. Lindsay’s pass through the centre sent McNeil through on goal and he looked set to score but Leishman made an impressive stop.

Talbot were forced into a change in the 34^th minute with Wardrope coming on for the injured Healy.

The opening goal came in the 39^th minute and it was a soft one from a Bot point of view. McNeil drove into the heart of the penalty area past a couple of challenges and when the ball broke loose it fell to WATSON who prodded it past Leishman from 8 yards.

Forrester received a caution in the 42^nd minute for a shirt tug on Samson as he broke towards the box resulting in a free kick 30 yards out. Wardrope whipped it up and over the wall but his shot sailed just wide of the left hand post.

In 1^st half injury time Talbot passed up a half chance to level. Samson fed the ball to his right to find Mason 12 yards out but his shot lacked power and failed to test White.

The 2^nd half started very scrappily with neither side able to hold onto the ball. On the hour mark Mason was cautioned for a late tackle on Guthrie and moments later Talbot made a double switch with Mason & Park making way for Taylor & Smith.

Sixty-two mins in the home side gave Talbot a scare when Walker swung over a dangerous cross from the left that broke to McNeil in front of goal but his shot was blocked away.

A minute later Crawford took one for the team when he received a caution for halting Kelly as he raced forward.

In the 66^th minute Talbot drew level with the first good passing move of the match. A series of one touch passes worked the ball out to Taylor on the left and he swept a good ball across the face of goal that came to BRYAN BOYLAN who steered a low shot inside the left post from 8 yards.

Two mins later Boylan raced away down the right and slung a cross into the centre that was headed clear. It only came as far as Crawford who returned it wide to Boylan and this time his cross to the back post was met by Samson whose header was held by the keeper.

The Bot’s next effort came in the 71^st minute when Taylor cut inside off the left and let fly from 20 yards but his shot flew over.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot won a free kick out wide on the left for a foul on Taylor. Wardrope drilled it in at pace and McPherson stooped to meet it – heading wide of the far post.

It was incessant Talbot pressure at this stage and Talbot’s next attack saw Wardrope release Boylan down the right and he knocked it across towards Smith at the back post but the defence did well to cut it out.

Talbot were made to pay for failing to turn pressure into goals when the Braves sucker punched them in the 83^rd minute.

Kelly burst forward from midfield and carried it deep into the Bot half before sliding it right to find MAIN in space and he gave Leishman no chance with a low drive into the opposite corner to make it 2-1.

Talbot now threw men forward looking for an equaliser. In the 85^th minute Smith went down inside the area and the referee booked him for simulation.

In the closing stages Talbot had a couple of half chances. Taylor got his head to Crawford’s cross at the back post but it didn’t trouble White and as the game moved into added time Boylan’s cross into the back post broke out to Taylor who volleyed over the bar.

A disappointing afternoon for the bulk of the crowd with Bot fans making up the vast majority of the attendance. Talbot don’t have time to dwell on it though as they’re back in action on Monday night when they play the Buffs in the league.

Caledonian Braves – White, Guthrie, Walker, Main, Duncan, Forrester, Butterworth, Lindsay, McNeil, Watson, Kelly

Subs – R Stewart, Collins, G Stewart, Brown, Henry

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Crawford, Aiden Wilson, Stafford, McPherson, Healy, Park, Armstrong, Boylan, Mason, Samson

Subs – Taylor, Smith, Lennox, Wardrope, Ballantyne, McCracken