Blair Park – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Hurlford United v Auchinleck Talbot

A “FORDABLE” WIN

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

Talbot have struggled in the past at Blair Park but a dominant display saw them emerge comfortable winners in yesterday’s league tie.

From the outset Talbot were on the front foot. In the 2^nd minute Clark fed it on to McPherson who played it down the line to McAvoy. He whipped over a dangerous cross that Anderson headed away to safety.

The action was all flowing down toward the clubhouse end with Talbot managing to force a few corners in the opening 10 minutes without being able to test the home keeper.

In the 11^th minute Clark won a corner down the right which was swung over deep beyond the far post. McPherson retrieved it and teed it up for Gillies whose low drive on target was blocked at his near post by O’Connor.

With 19 minutes gone Boyd played it short to McAvoy whose shot from 20 yards was blocked by a defender. It spun out to Boyle who fired a low drive wide of the right hand post.

Talbot did have the ball in the back of the net in the 24^th minute but a harsh call saw it disallowed. A corner from the right was met by Gillies who steered his header beyond the keeper only for the assistant’s flag to put paid to the celebrations – for what offence it was unclear.

Two minutes later Talbot again found the back of the net. This time McAvoy pulled it back from the bye line for Boyd to head home at the near post but the assistant flagged that the ball had been out before McAvoy crossed it.

It was all Talbot and the Bot threatened again a minute later. Clark squared it across to Schoneville in space and he angled in a cross that just cleared the head of McAvoy.

The goal had been coming and duly arrived in the 28^th minute. Talbot worked it well down the left and Schoneville pulled an inch perfect cross back from the bye line to find ROSS CLARK who glanced a header beyond the keeper to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.

The Bot came close to doubling their lead in the 32^nd minute. Schoneville played it into Gillies wide on the left of the penalty area and he hammered a shot that came back off the near post.

In the 35^th minute Boyle’s well-weighted pass switched play out to the left to find Schoneville in space. He knocked it inside to Gillies who feigned to shoot before switching inside only to see his eventual shot from 16 yards blocked by another defender.

Two minutes later a debatable offside call came to Ford’s rescue. Slooves pinged it up field to McAvoy who headed it down into the path of Clark. He switched play out left to find Gillies breaking in behind the defence but the assistant’s flag halted him in his tracks.

Hurlford had offered nothing going forward until the 39^th minute. Morrison got in behind down the right and fired it low back across goal where Armour saved with his feet at his near post.

In the 41^st minute Slooves played it into the feet of Wardrope who was racing forward until caught late by Miller resulting in a Bot free kick and a booking for the Ford midfielder. Boyle took the free kick and caught the defence cold with a well disguised pass out left to find Schoneville. He pulled it back across goal where Clark met it but sent his shot over the bar from a good area.

In the closing action of the half Hurlford won a free kick 22 yards out for a shove on McKenzie. Morrison took it but sent his shot straight into the wall and Talbot trooped off a goal to the good.

Talbot started the 2^nd half as strongly as they had the 1^st. Schoneville marauded up the the left winning a free kick wide of the area after being bundled over by McPherson. Wardrope took it and whipped over a great ball that McPherson met in the centre but his header flew straight at the keeper.

In the 49^th minute Clark got in behind down the right making it to the bye line before cutting it back low across goal. O’Connor shoved it out at his near post but unfortunately for Talbot they couldn’t get on the loose ball and the defence eventually cleared.

A minute later Boyle cracked a low drive on target from 16 yards that the keeper held; however the constant pressure paid off in the 51^st minute when Talbot were awarded a penalty. Schoneville lifted a ball over the defence to find Wardrope inside the penalty area and when McPherson took him down the ref pointed straight to the spot and booked the Hurlford player. CONNOR BOYD stepped up to take it and sent the keeper the wrong way to put Talbot 2-0 in front.

Hurlford now made a change with Watt on in place of McPherson.

The Bot came close to extending their lead in the 54^th minute. A shy from the left was met inside the area by McAvoy who touched it inside to Boyd whose right foot shot took a deflection en route as it flew just wide of the left hand post.

When Wardrope’s corner came over the defence failed to clear their lines and it broke to Slooves 12 yards out but he sliced his shot wide of target.

In the 56^th minute Clark sent it out wide right to find McAvoy and his deep cross sailed right across goal and just past the right hand post.

Hurlford now made a 2^nd change with Frew replacing Miller.

Talbot kept pressing and threatened again on the hour mark. Schoneville sent it wide to find Gillies who swept over a dangerous cross. The defence could only clear it as far as Clark whose low drive looked net bound but was blocked away by a defender.

A minute later Schoneville cut in off the left flank only to have his heels clipped by Watt who received a caution for the challenge. Wardrope took the free kick and tried to find McAvoy beyond the far post but got too much on it.

Hurlford won a free kick on the left touchline for Clark’s challenge on Kerr. Lidington took it and angled a cross toward the back post where R Robertson got his head on it but it sailed well up and over the bar.

The home side were now forced to make another change when Watt picked up a knock and had to hobble off to be replaced by Mackie.

In the 71^st minute a ball over the top caused panic in the Hurlford defence with O’Connor racing out his area to clear and he ended up colliding with Love before recovering to slice the ball out for a throw in.

With 13 minutes remaining Talbot made a triple change with McAvoy, Wardrope & Gillies making way for Abed, Sime & Kerr.

Abed & Kerr were involved straight away with Abed’s ball finding Kerr on the left of the penalty area where he drilled a dangerous ball across the face of goal toward the back post that just didn’t break Talbot’s way.

In the 78^th minute Mackie tried his luck from distance. His effort from 35 yards was well struck but always heading over.

Talbot now made a further change with Langan on for Clark.

Ten minutes from time Schoneville sent a hanging cross beyond the far post where Sime climbed above his marker to head over.

A minute later Talbot were back on the attack. Boyd sent it through for Abed on the left of the area who saw his effort well saved by O’Connor. Abed latched onto the rebound and cut it back into the heart of the box where it broke for Boyle who lashed a shot over from 16 yards.

The Bot’s next effort at goal came when Langan turned 25 yards out and fired it on the half-volley wide of target.

Down the other end McPherson did well to get back to slide it behind for a corner when Morrison was breaking down the left. Morrison took the corner short and played a one-two with Lidington before whipping a cross into the near post that Armour gathered.

Six minutes from time Talbot nearly grabbed another. Langan slipped a pass in behind the defence for Abed to chase and he beat O’Connor to it outside the box. The keeper did enough to force him wide and Abed rolled the ball back to the edge of the area where Kerr fired it just wide of the left hand post.

Hurlford had a half chance to pull one back in the 86^th minute. Morrison cut in off the left but ran into traffic and it appeared the danger was over; however, the ball broke loose into the path of Kerr who fired over the bar from 18 yards.

Talbot now made their final change with Armstrong on for Boyle.

Hurlford pushed forward in the dying stages but to no avail and Talbot saw it out to claim all 3 points.

A very good afternoon for Talbot who pretty much dominated from the off and on another day may well have won by a tidier margin. Next up for Talbot it’s back to Beechwood in midweek where they host the defending champions Beith.

Hurlford United – O’Connor, Anderson, Lidington, Love, C Robertson, McPherson, McKenzie, Miller, R Robertson, Morrison, Kerr

Subs – Frew, Watt, Fisher, McKnight, Mackie, Dunnett, Brown

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

Subs – Abed, Sime, Glasgow, Langan, Kerr, Armstrong, Cameron (gk)

Hurlford United v Auchinleck Talbot

On paper this replay of last year’s cup final looked too close to call but Talbot simply blew the hosts away; cruising to a 5-0 win over Hurlford that in no way flattered Talbot.

Talbot made the perfect start, taking the lead with only 6 minutes on the clock. Graham Wilson fed the ball out to McDowall on the left & he whipped a cross over to the far post where GARETH ARMSTRONG looped a header back across goal & over Brown to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.

Within a minute Talbot were back on the attack. Pope lifted a great ball over from the left touchline that flew across the face of goal and wide of the far post.

With 8 minutes gone Talbot were firmly in the driving seat as they doubled their lead. McDowall showed great pace & strength to surge through the centre & break into the Ford box where he was unceremoniously dumped to the turf by Fisher. The ref pointed to the spot & booked the Ford full-back before STEPHEN WILSON coolly slotted the penalty home to make it 2-0.

On a quiet afternoon for Leishman, he was called upon in the 11th minute when L Caddis lifted a cross over from the right that was met by M McKenzie. His header landed on target but Leishman held it at his left post.

P McKenzie had a half chance to reduce the deficit a few minutes later. Hurlford won a corner on the right that was pulled back to him at the edge of the area but his shot sailed over the bar like a try conversion.

McKenzie’s next involvement was receiving a booking in the 26th minute when he went in with raised studs in a challenge on Hyslop. This proved doubly expensive for Hurlford as Pope flighted the ball into the area where GRAHAM WILSON guided a looped header over Brown to put Talbot on easy street.

The home side had a chance to pull one back in the 31st minute when they won a free kick 23 yards from goal but M McKenzie made nothing of it; tamely firing a shot straight into the wall.

Hurlford’s defence had looked shaky from the start & they were posted missing again in the 37th minute. Leishman launched the ball down the centre where Hyslop rose to head it on. The ball came through to Graham Wilson on the left of the penalty area but he fired over from the bar from 16 yards.

A minute later Talbot ought to have moved four ahead following a free flowing move. A string of passes ended with Graham Wilson sending Armstrong through on goal down the right. He could have shot but instead opted to roll it across goal where McDowall prodded it home but he’d moved too early & was caught offside.

The goal frame came to Hurlford’s rescue in the 43rd minute. Graham Wilson gathered on the left & played it back into the path of Pope whose fierce drive cannoned off the bar with Brown well beaten.

Hurlford had a rare chance in injury time when miscommunication in the Bot defence saw McCracken & McPherson go for the same ball. It broke to Reilly at the edge of the area & his snapshot went just wide of the left post. This proved the final act of the half & Talbot trooped off 3 goals ahead.

The home side made a change at the interval with Fisher staying in the club house & Whittaker on in his place.

Talbot started the 2nd half positively & tested the home defence in the 47th minute. Graham Wilson’s ball up the line sent McDowall racing toward the box where he knocked it past Robertson but he did just enough to ensure the ball ran through to Brown.

P McKenzie managed an effort on target in the 48th minute; firing on goal from 25 yards but it never seriously tested Leishman.

The Bot were soon back on the attack, Pope carrying the ball forward before releasing Graham Wilson down the left. He whipped a great cross over to the back post which broke off the in rushing McDowall & wide of target.

The game was all over bar the shouting when Talbot moved 4-0 ahead in the 53rd minute. Pope slung an accurate cross into the centre where GRAHAM WILSON rose to power a header inside the right post past the static keeper.

Hyslop had his name taken in the 55th minute for a late challenge.

Hurlford made their 2nd change soon after with R Caddis making way for Morrison.

The home side had a chance to grab a consolation in the 58th minute when they caught Talbot on the counter-attack. M McKenzie was played in down the left & made his way into the area where he hit a tame shot at Leishman.

Kemp had to limp off in the 63rd minute & Samson came on in his place.

Talbot nearly moved further ahead after 68 minutes. McCracken’s ball from the back found Graham Wilson in space on the left. He held it up before releasing the ball out right where Lyle had raced forward & his low angled drive flew across goal & narrowly past the right post.

Tucker now made a further substitution with McIlroy replacing Graham Wilson.

Samson had a close call in the 69th minute when he was barged into the advertising hoardings by Barron but fortunately he wasn’t badly injured. Pope took the free kick & bent a ball to the far post where Watt put it behind for a corner. When Stephen Wilson’s corner came over McCracken met it & saw his header cleared off the line by Hodge. The ball came out to Armstrong & his powerful drive was net bound til it was blocked by Robertson. Talbot then had a 3rd bite of the cherry when it broke to Hyslop 6 yards out. He passed it toward goal but didn’t get enough behind it & once again the ball was cleared off the goal line.

Talbot saved the best for last. With 74 minutes gone Armstrong made tracks down the right before pulling the back across toward McDowall. He teed it up for GORDON POPE who hit as sweet a strike as you’ll see all season; leathering the ball into the top corner from 35 yards to put Talbot 5-0 ahead & set the benchmark for goal of the season.

Tucker now completed Talbot’s changes with White coming on in place of Hyslop.

Talbot didn’t rest on their laurels and kept pushing forward in search of more but Hurlford managed to hold on to the end without any further damage.
A superb performance from the Bot that narrows Hurlford’s lead at the top & sets Talbot up nicely for next week when they entertain Cumnock at Beechwood.

Hurlford United – Brown, Hodge, Fisher, Barron, C Robertson, L Caddis, P McKenzie, Watt, Reilly, R Caddis, M McKenzie

Subs – Byrne, Whittaker, McWaters, Morrison, R Robertson

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, Graham Wilson, Kemp, McDowall

Subs – Samson, McIlroy, White, Shankland, Glasgow

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Hurlford United v Auchinleck Talbot

MURRAYS REPORT

Talbot suffered a frustrating loss at Blair Park due in no small part to leaving their shooting boots at home.
The opening spell was very scrappy with the ball careening up & down the pitch at breakneck speed.
The first opening came in the 8th minute when a shy from the right found Stephen Wilson inside the area. He turned away from his marker before toe-poking an effort wide of the right post.
Two minutes later McIlroy had a half chance in the Hurlford box. McPherson nodded the ball into the penalty area to find McIlroy breaking down the left. Sean got his shot away but it was blocked by Fisher & deflected over the bar. Shankland pulled the corner back to the edge of the box where Stephen Wilson curled a shot just over the bar.
Hurlford had barely mustered an attack but they took the lead against the run of play in the 18th minute. McKenzie gathered on the right & swung a cross into the centre which came off the back of the unfortunate CRAIG MCCRACKEN & sailed past Leishman.
Talbot pushed for the equaliser & had an opportunity in the 25th minute when Graham Wilson was obstructed outside the area. Shankland took the set piece but got too much on it & blazed his effort over from 22 yards.
The match should have been level on the half hour mark. Graham Wilson sped down the right past Mikilen & slid it across the face of goal. Shankland looked set to burst the net from 6 yards out but tried to pass it in, allowing Brown the chance to smother it.
The next Bot chance came in the 40th minute. Graham Wilson climbed to meet a ball down the centre & head it into the path of Hyslop whose low drive from 18 yards shaved the right post on its way past.
On the stroke of half time Talbot had another opportunity. Stephen Wilson gathered on the right & chipped the ball inside the area to find McIlroy. He lobbed the ball over the advancing Brown but didn’t get enough on it & the keeper was able to scramble back & retrieve the ball in the goal mouth and so Talbot went in a goal down at the interval despite having dominated proceedings.
Talbot started the 2nd half strongly, pressuring the Hurlford box but to no avail. Pope fired a good cross into the centre but there was no one on the end of it and a shortly after Graham Wilson slid a dangerous ball across goal that went a begging.
McCracken had his name taken in the 56th minute for an aerial challenge on McKenzie; with the Hurlford player milking the incident for all it was worth.
Tucker made his 1st change in the 59th minute when Glasgow came on for Shankland.
Talbot’s next chance came from one of the many corners they won. Glasgow lifted it into the area where Pope headed it just over.
Hurlford did have the ball in the back of the net in the 70th minute but Kean was clearly offside as he bundled Ferguson’s cross home from close range and the linesman was quick to flag.
Tucker now made a further change with Armstrong replacing White in the centre.
Talbot were camped in the Hurlford half but a combination of resolute defending and some poor final balls meant that they couldn’t convert their pressure into clear cut chances and then finally when they did create decent openings, Talbot failed to capitalise.
Hurlford were also doing their best to frustrate Talbot with some blatant time-wasting which went unpunished due to the laxity of the match officials.
In the 79th minute Graham Wilson rose inside the box to flick the ball down into the path of Armstrong but he couldn’t get his shot away and the ball was cleared.
With 5 minutes remaining Talbot missed a couple of chances in quick succession. Graham Wilson sent a ball across goal that came to McIlroy at the back post but he couldn’t force it home. The ball went out to Stephen Wilson who crossed it into the centre where Hyslop met it unopposed but his header from 6 yards crashed off the bar. Hyslop went for the rebound & tried to force it home in a packed goalmouth but the referee took the easy option, intervening to award a free kick to the home side.
The referee could easily have added 5 or 6 minutes on at the end for various lengthy stoppages & treacle slow substitutions but there was to be no Fergie time and a couple of minutes after the 90 he blew up for full-time.
A disappointing result for Talbot who now travel through to Kilbirnie knowing only a win will do if they are to have any realistic tilt at the league title.