Venue: Beechwood Park
Auchinleck Talbot v Gartcairn
Auchinleck Talbot v Darvel
Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.
Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok
FOOTBALL BLOWN AWAY
Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Madison Taylor (Photo 2). Media: Lee Conn.
Talbot’s reign as West of Scotland cup holders ended at a blustery Beechwood as they lost a penalty shoot-out to Pollok.
It was clear from the outset that the conditions were going to play a part and Talbot had the strong wind at their backs in the 1st half as they shot toward the Beechwood Road end.
The first chance of the game came in the 3rd minute when Boyle fired from distance forcing Longmuir to turn it round his left hand post.
Two minutes later Glasgow fed it wide to Gillies who fired a cross into the near post which Longmuir gathered.
Pollok had a chance to take the lead in the 6th minute. A free kick was hoisted into the Talbot box where Forde challenged Wilson in the air. The ball broke loose and came back to Docherty who pulled his shot wide.
In the 11th minute route one football nearly undid Talbot. Longmuir sent it down the centre where Forde won the flick on to send Docherty racing through on goal. He took it wide of Glavin and tried to pass it into the net but McPherson had tracked back and cleared it behind for the corner.
With quarter of an hour gone McAvoy forced a corner down the left. Glasgow whipped it beyond the far post where McAvoy headed it back across goal. It came across to Slooves who headed it back across again. The defence partially cleared it and it came out to Boyle at the edge whose half-volley went straight at Longmuir.
Schoneville had his name taken in the 20th minute when he caught Docherty out on the touchline. Mullen took the free kick and whipped over a good ball that hit off Burns and ran through to Glavin.
The visitors moved ahead in the 22nd minute. A cross from the right saw Main beat Slooves in the air and his knock down fell for DOCHERTY who steered a low shot past Glavin.
Pollok almost caught Talbot out again in the 29th minute. They countered after a Talbot corner and the ball was played out to Docherty on the left. He cut inside but his shot was blocked.
In the 34th minute Talbot won a free kick 35 yards out after McPherson was fouled. Glasgow delivered a good ball into the area where Burns stretched to clear it over his own bar. When the corner was fired in low to the near post the Lok defence couldn’t clear their lines but Talbot were unable to get on it and Pollok eventually got it clear.
The Bot’s next attack saw McAvoy do well out on the right before sending it inside to find Boyle. He fired it across to find Glasgow on the left of the area and his shot was deflected behind for the corner. Glasgow went for the in swinger and nearly scored direct from the corner but Forrester managed to head it off the line.
A minute later Talbot won a free kick out on the right for a foul on McPherson. Before it could be taken there was a clash between McPherson & McGregor just outside the area. When the dust settled the ref booked McPherson & Pollok’s Main.
In the 40th minute McAvoy got to the bye line down the left and pulled it back toward Gillies but a defender managed to put it behind for the corner. Glasgow again bent it in under the crossbar but this time Longmuir did well to punch it clear.
Talbot pressed hard for the remainder of the half but had nothing to show for it other than a few corners won. In the last action of the half Boyd got to the bye line down the right and pulled a cross back for Glasgow who headed over the bar and Talbot trooped in a goal behind at the break.
Whatever the management said during the interval did the trick and Talbot made the perfect start to the 2nd half – levelling within a minute. Boyd drilled it across the face of goal where KYLE MCAVOY turned it home from close range.
In the 49th minute Talbot broke down the left where Glasgow sent it on to Gillies whose ball into the penalty area was turned behind for the corner. When the corner came over Armstrong met it and headed on target where it was safely held by Longmuir.
It was then Talbot’s turn to defend a couple of wind assisted in swinging corners which the defence did well. From the 2nd corner Talbot sprung onto the counter through Glasgow. He was cynically taken out by Mullen but the ref gave a good advantage allowing Gillies to carry on forward. He fed it on to McAvoy whose pass sent Boyd clean through on goal. He took it wide of Longmuir but with the goal gaping fired it over the crossbar. The referee then booked Mullen for the earlier foul.
In the 54th minute McAvoy tried his luck from 20+ yards and forced a save from Longmuir who had to touch it over the bar. When the corner came over Armstrong met it and his header was brilliantly saved by Longmuir who kept it out at his left hand post.
Talbot weren’t to be denied though and within a minute moved in front. Glasgow played it on to Schoneville down the left and his low ball into the near post saw KYLE MCAVOY nick in front of Forrester to turn it home.
In the 58th minute Burns received a caution for a foul on Armstrong just inside the Lok half. The free kick was floated into the area where Mullen panicked and put it behind for the corner. Glasgow dinked the corner into the middle where it just cleared the head of Gillies before being gathered by Longmuir.
Talbot were playing well on the break and did so again in the 62nd minute. Mullen’s low shot was blocked and the Bot broke forward through McAvoy who was body checked by Forrester on halfway – resulting in a booking for the Lok centre-half.
Three minutes later Forrester was heading to the clubhouse early when he caught Gillies late and was shown a 2nd yellow card.
Talbot now made a change with Langan on for Boyle.
In the 66th minute Schoneville whipped a great ball across goal to the back post but no one could get on the end of it.
Three minutes later Pollok won a free kick in a dangerous area. Main cut in off the left and won the free kick off Boyd who was booked for the challenge. Forde took it but failed to make the most of it – firing well over the bar.
Pollok now made a double substitution with Duncanson & Henry replaced by Nelson & Gallacher.
Glavin was called into action in the 71st minute when Faulds shot from 25 yards. Glavin got down low to make the stop and the defence swept it behind for a corner.
In the 77th minute Talbot made a double switch with Abed & Wardrope on for Gillies and Glasgow.
A minute later Pollok drew level. Faulds fired a low drive from distance that was blocked inside the area where it fell to MAIN who sent a left-footed shot inside the right post.
Talbot nearly responded immediately as McAvoy burst through the defence into the right of the area but his shot flew just wide and into the side-netting.
Talbot completed their changes in the 81st minute with Smith & Urquhart on for Boyd & Armstrong.
In the 84th minute Abed surged forward before finding Wardrope out on the left. He cut in and curled a dangerous cross into the centre that was slashed behind for a corner kick.
In the closing stages Talbot were wobbling and Faulds had a half chance when Schoneville failed to clear his lines but fired over the bar.
With 2 minutes remaining Gallacher had a late chance to win it. A ball over the top found him in behind down the left but his shot across goal went wide of the far post.
Deep into injury time Talbot came close to snatching a late winner. Smith burst forward into the box before sending it to his right to find McAvoy whose low drive was blocked by Longmuir’s legs and so with the game deadlocked it went to penalties.
Pollok scored first through Mullen before Wardrope levelled for Talbot. Gallacher restored Pollok’s advantage with Smith next up for Talbot. Smith’s first effort was comfortably saved by Longmuir but as the ball had moved in the wind on his approach the ref ordered a retake but Smith’s 2nd effort was also easily saved.
McGregor was next up and he made no mistake to put Pollok 3-1 ahead. McAvoy slotted his pen inside the right post to pull it back to 3-2 and Talbot were then given a glimmer of hope when Forde ballooned his effort over the bar; however Longmuir guessed correctly and got down to his right to save Schoneville’s penalty and Main then scored from the spot to seal the win for Pollok.
A disappointing result for Talbot but there’s no time to dwell on it as the Bot are back in semi-final action this coming Friday when they host Darvel in the first of a double header in the Junior cup.
Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, Wilson, Armstrong, Boyle, McAvoy, Boyd, Glasgow, Gillies
Subs – Smith, Langan, Wardrope, Abed, Urquhart, Henry (gk)
Pollok – Longmuir, Mullen, Duncanson, Forrester, Burns, Faulds, McGregor, Henry, Forde, Docherty, Main
Subs – Duff, Maley, Lindsay, Nelson, McKinstray, Gallacher, Fry (gk)
Auchinleck Talbot v Beith Juniors
Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.
Auchinleck Talbot v Craigmark Burntonians
Auchinleck Talbot v Hurlford United
“TALBOT WITH SEVEN WINS ON THE TROT“
Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.
Auchinleck Talbot v Cumnock Juniors
“TALBOT TOO HOT FOR CUMNOCK“
Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.
Auchinleck Talbot v Benburb
“GOING UP!”
Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.
Talbot’s steady climb up the table continued thanks to a hard fought win over a stuffy Benburb at Beechwood.
The opening exchanges were fiercely competitive but virtually chance free, other than a low drive from McAvoy on the right edge of the area that flashed across goal and wide.
The game was being played at a frenetic pace with the ball pinging from end to end and both defences coming out on top.
The first real opening came in the 18th minute when a quickly taken shy sent Thomson scurrying down the left where he swung a good cross into the centre toward Boyd but he was well challenged as he went to head it.
At the other end Menzies chipped a ball into the box to find McDonald in a dangerous area but he was challenged before he could get a shot away.
Neither keeper had been called upon and Hay’s first job of the afternoon was to pick the ball out the back of his net in the 22nd minute. Boyd did well down the left to get away from Halliday and lift a cross into the middle where KYLE MCAVOY hung in the air to meet it & glance a header inside the left post.
In the 26th minute the Bens had a half chance when hesitant defending saw the ball fall to Menzies just outside the area; however he fired his shot well over the bar.
A minute later Talbot broke forward through Thomson who was taken out by Fraser. The ref gave advantage as the ball was with McAvoy but his cross floated through harmlessly to Hay. The referee then called Fraser over and booked him for the earlier foul
Glavin was called into action in the 28th minute. A shy from the left skated off the top of McPherson’s head & fell to Taylor 16 yards out who drove it low & straight at the Bot keeper who made the stop.
The referee managed to upset the home support twice in quick succession when Benburb were flagged for offside by his assistant but he opted to over-rule him and allow play to continue but nothing came of either attack.
The Bot were given a chance to extend their lead in the 42 minute when McAvoy won a free kick just outside the area when he was felled by Livingston. The Bens defender received a yellow card and Schoneville took the set piece – firing it low into the wall and behind for a corner. When Thomson’s corner came over Boyd met it unopposed but steered the free header well wide of the right post.
Into added time Talbot had another chance to add to their lead. A cross from the left was heading for Boyd but a defender did just enough to head it clear. It came out to McPherson on the wing who sped past Allan before swinging over a perfect cross that Boyd headed over the bar from 6 yards and Talbot had to content themselves with a single goal lead at the interval
Talbot continued their recent habit of starting the 2nd half strongly and were nearly in for a 2nd within 3 minutes of the restart. McAvoy did well to get on the end of a ball in behind the defence and cut it back from the bye line only to see the referee run interference and take out two Talbot players as they tried to meet it.
Benburb then threatened when McDonald got away from Schoneville and raced down the wing before speeding a low ball across the face of goal. Glavin couldn’t hold it but fortunately Thomson was there to knock it clear.
In the 53rd minute Boyd gathered a loose ball inside the Bens half and surged forward before firing over the bar.
Two minutes later Talbot threatened again. Boyd swept the ball out right where Livingston looked favourite but Thomson slid in to dispossess him on the touchline and then carried on up the wing. He then cut it back into the path of Boyd who looked set to side-foot it home only for Taylor to nip in with a crucial interception to slide it away.
With 58 mins on the clock Boyle knocked a ball on that came to McAvoy outside the area and he wheeled his marker and fired off a shot that Hay had to turn round his right hand post. The corner was taken short and crossed to the back post where Hay again did well – stopping McAvoy’s net bound header with his feet. The rebound came out to Slooves who blasted over the bar from 8 yards.
A minute later though Talbot did manage to convert their pressure into a goal as they doubled their advantage. McAvoy slipped a ball in behind Halliday to find LUKE GILLIES down the left of the penalty area and he slotted it through Hay to make it 2-0.
Benburb now made a change with Durham on for Menzies and Talbot made a double switch with Thomson & Langan making way for Glasgow & Armstrong.
Glasgow was involved not long after joining the fray as he turned on the right of the area and fired a left foot shot wide of target.
In the 69th minute Talbot made a further change with Wardrope on for Schoneville & Gillies moving to left-back.
With quarter of an hour remaining Black had his name taken for a late challenge on Glasgow.
Two minutes later Benburb who hadn’t offered much at all in the 2nd half had a half chance when a ball was pulled back from the left into the path of Black and his low drive from 15 yards was deflected wide. When the corner came over Clark got his head to it but put it well wide of target.
The visitors huffed & puffed but without offering much in the final third and the win was sealed when Talbot added a third from the spot in the 86th minute. Talbot countered quickly from a Bens corner with Boyle feeding it out wide to Gillies. He slid a pass through to find McAvoy who was shoved over by McDonald and the ref awarded the penalty. CONNOR BOYD took it and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 3-0.
Tucker now made a final change with Smith coming on for McAvoy.
Two minutes from time Boyd received a caution for a sliding challenge
As the game moved into added time Benburb nearly grabbed a consolation. Allan fired a ball in from the left that bounced off Glavin and out to McGlaughlin who should have scored but his header was saved by Glavin’s trailing leg. Talbot then raced down the other end where Glasgow was flattened just outside the box by Livingston who received his 2nd yellow and made the short trip into the clubhouse. Wardrope took the free kick but didn’t generate enough power to test Hay in what proved the last kick of the match.
A well-deserved win that sees Talbot leapfrog Benburb in the table. Next week Talbot are back on their travels as they head through to Cumbernauld to face Rob Roy in the West of Scotland cup.
Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, Wilson, Langan, Boyle, Gillies, Boyd, McAvoy, Thomson
Subs – Smith, Glasgow, Urquhart, Wardrope, Abed, Armstrong, Henry (gk)
Benburb – Hay, Halliday, Allan, Livingston, Clark, Fraser, Menzies, Taylor, McDonald, Black, Lovering
Subs – Bow, Smith, Durham, McGlaughlin, Likkish, McMillan, Low (gk)
Auchinleck Talbot v Hurlford United
TALBOT INTO THE SEMI’S
impressive home form continued as they dispatched Hurlford 3-0 to book themselves a place in the semi-finals of the Scottish Junior cup.
The Bot made a nervy start to the game and the first half chance went Hurlford’s way in the 4th minute. A long punt down the centre looked like it was running through to Glavin but in the absence of a shout Slooves took no chances and headed it clear. The ball came out to Whittaker who fired a shot wide of the right hand post.
Talbot’s first attack came in the 13th minute. McPherson’s ball down the line found Smith in behind R Love who conceded the free kick. Glasgow whipped it into the centre where Boyd met it but his header deflected off a defender and went behind for a corner.
The next effort at goal came in the 18th minute. Wilson launched a free kick up the left that the defence headed clear. It came out to Boyd who met it on the half-volley and fired wide of target.
The inconsistency of match officials was there for all to see soon after. Whittaker was guilty of a cynical foul to halt a Bot attack which resulted in no more than a lecture then within a minute Glasgow received a yellow card for a shirt pull.
In the 22nd minute Glavin tried to be too cute with a kick out – attempting to lob it out to McPherson on the right touchline. It was intercepted by A Love and crossed to the far side of the box towards Mullen but Talbot were able to clear it out for a shy.
Two minutes later the visitors had a half chance when Hurlford won possession just outside the Talbot box and shifted it left to find Love whose low drive was blocked en route by McPherson and trundled through to Glavin.
In the 29th minute Smith sent Gillies away on the overlap and he fired a dangerous low ball into the centre. The defence cleared it out but only as far as Boyle who drilled it wide of the right post.
Frew had his name taken in the 31st minute for high feet.
The Bot’s next chance came courtesy of an error from the Hurlford goalie. Wilson didn’t deal with a passback and played it straight out to Boyd whose left foot effort slid wide of target.
A minute later Talbot had another opportunity. McPherson’s diagonal ball found Boyd racing in behind the defence and he cut in on his right foot and tried to pass it into the far corner but Wilson got down to make the save.
The breakthrough came in the 38th minute. A shy from the right wasn’t dealt with by the Ford defence and CONNOR BOYD reacted to lash a low finish inside the right post to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Having gained the lead Talbot nearly conceded an equaliser within a minute. Morrison & Mullen both had chances to hit it inside the Bot penalty area but hesitated and Talbot were able to scramble it clear.
In the 40th minute a defensive mix-up just outside the area gifted the ball to A Love who fired it across goal and wide of the left post.
A minute later Miller swung over a cross from the right touchline that Love headed home from close range but the assistant’s flag went up and it was chalked off for offside.
Talbot were hanging on and had another scare just before the interval. Glavin’s goal kick up the centre was headed back into the Bot half where Morrison got goal side of McPherson and headed into the box where his net bound shot was well saved by Glavin. Talbot were able to see out the remainder of the half to go in a goal ahead at the break.
The Bot came out the traps quickly at the start of the 2nd half and had a half chance in the 49th minute. Glasgow lifted a good cross into the near post which just floated over the head of Boyd.
Two minutes later Talbot doubled their lead. A quick corner on the right was worked to Glasgow who swung a cross into the 6-yard area. The defence cleared it out to the edge of the area where Langan hit it. His shot deflected off a defender and broke kindly to LUKE GILLIES 8 yards out who rifled it into the roof of the net.
In the 57th minute Talbot had a chance to all but kill the tie off. McCracken played a great ball down the right to find Glasgow racing in on goal but he took one touch too many & Frew raced back to recover and put it behind for the corner.
A minute later Boyle did well to win a 50/50 out on the right touchline before switching the ball across to find the run of Gillies. He fired off a shot on target under pressure from Miller that Wilson held.
In the 59th minute Robertson received a caution for a shirt pull on Glasgow.
On the hour mark Glavin maintained Talbot’s two goal cushion with a fantastic save. Hurlford countered down the left where Morrison swung over a cross to find Mullen unmarked in the centre. He looked set to score as he headed it down and back across goal but Glavin dived low to his right to keep it out.
Both sides now made changes – Talbot made a double switch with Thomson & Armstrong coming on for Glasgow & Langan & Hurlford brought Allan on in place of Love.
In the 66th minute Talbot made a further change with McAvoy replacing Smith up top.
Two minutes later Talbot were nearly in for a third. Boyd played a good ball across the face of goal toward Gillies who was set to sweep it home until Miller got back to turn it behind for the corner. When the corner came over to the back post it was headed toward goal and the defence managed to clear it from the goal line.
Talbot were back in control and looking the more likely to score. The next attack saw Thomson cut in off the right and float a cross into the box that just cleared McAvoy.
With quarter of an hour remaining Hurlford made a 2nd change with Robertson making way for Lidington.
A minute later Thomson pinged the ball into the feet of McAvoy inside the box and he laid it back to Boyd who turned and shot on target but it flew straight at Wilson.
With 10 minutes remaining Talbot made their final change with Urquhart on for Gillies.
In the 83rd minute Whittaker received a caution after clattering in late on McCracken.
Talbot had a strong shout for a penalty turned down in their next attack. McAvoy flicked it into the path of Boyd who appeared to be bundled over inside the area but the ref waved play on.
Three minutes from time Hurlford nearly pulled one back. Morrison’s cut back from the left found McKenzie inside the area and his shot hit off the bar before being cleared.
As the game moved into added time Talbot put the game beyond all doubt with their 3rd. McCracken carried it forward and with Hurlford playing a high line he slipped a pass through to KYLE MCAVOY who raced clear before slotting it low inside the right post to complete the scoring.
A good win for the Bot who return to league duties next Saturday when Benburb visit Beechwood.
Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Wilson, Slooves, McCracken, Langan, Boyle, Gillies, Boyd, Glasgow, Smith
Subs – McAvoy, Thomson, Armstrong, Urquhart, Abed, Wardrope, Henry
Hurlford United – Wilson, Miller, R Love, Frew, Robertson, Watt, McKenzie, Whittaker, Mullen, Morrison, A Love
Subs – McKnight, Allan, Kerr, Anderson, Hughes, Lidington, Taylor