Beechwood Park – Page 12 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Auchinleck Talbot v Forth Wanderers

Kieran Healy can only watch, as Forth clear their lines.

HOW’S THAT NOT A GOAL!!! Forth go unbelievably close to taking the lead with a shot right in front of goal but Andy Leishman pulls off a great save and keeps the score level.

Forth know just how big a chance that was.

‘Shankers’ goes chasing, while Aaron Mason does his best to win the 50/50 challenge.

McDowell, Mason and Wilson are all set to pounce onto the end of the cross but the front defender gets there first to clear the danger.

CHANCE!!! Mark Shankland finds himself with space inside the box but his header fails to find the back of the net.

A last ditch block from McPherson prevents Forth from scoring.

Mason fights for possession, as some of the Talbot faithful closely watch the action.

Forth try their luck with a long range effort but fail to hit the back of the net.

Neil McPherson dishes out the orders, as Aiden Wilson tries to go on the attack.

Mark makes sure he blocks the way through for Forth.

Armstrong makes sure Talbot keep hold of the ball.

‘Shankers’ tries to muscle his way past his opponent and get to the ball.

The Forth players roar out the orders as they wait for the Talbot free-kick to be put in.

BREAKTHROUGH!!! Talbot eventually find the back of the net, as McCracken hits the target with a close range header. 1-0.

Craig wheels away to celebrate, Forth look dejected and the young Talbot fan at the back punches the air to celebrate too.

An early second half chance for Talbot but Graham’s header goes wide of the post.

Jack McDowell stays strong in order to try and win the ball back.

Erm…I think giving yourself a wedgie for missing a great chance is a bit too much.

The Talbot bench watch closely, as Wullie Lyle fires the ball down the wing.

Samson comes under pressure, as Forth fight for possession.

RED CARD!!! A stern looking McPherson takes an early bath, as he is sent off after receiving a second booking.

The Talbot wall stands tall, as they block the way through for this Forth free-kick.

Lyle does his best to keep his team-mates motivated, as Talbot try to see out the win.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot made hard work of it but ground out a narrow win over Forth in the South Challenge cup.

The Bot had an early chance in the 4^th minute when Graham Wilson’s shot from 15 yards was saved by McPhee’s legs.

Talbot were seeing a lot of the ball, with Forth content to sit in, and it was paying off as Talbot were struggling to make any headway in the final third.

In the 12^th minute Stevenson headed a cross behind and when Mason’s corner came over from the right Shankland met it but sent his header over the bar.

Talbot were given a fright in the 13^th minute when Lafferty slid a pass through to find Henderson inside the area. He cut in off the left and went for goal but McPherson got across to block his shot.

In the 23^rd minute Aiden Wilson worked a one-two with McDowall down the left and he raced to the bye line and tried to cut it back to the waiting Shankland but there wasn’t enough on it & the defence intercepted.

Aiden Wilson swung a good across the face of goal in the 26^th minute but no Bot players got near it.

Talbot scored the game’s only goal in the 31^st minute. The Bot won a free kick out on the left which Shankland swung into the centre where CRAIG MCCRACKEN headed home from close range.

Two minutes later Talbot had a chance to double their lead. Shankland cut inside onto his right foot and sent a low drive just wide of McPhee’s right post from the edge of the area.

The Bot had another half chance a minute later. Aiden Wilson pinged over a cross that Donnelly headed clear. It came out to Lyle who crossed it onto the head of Shankland who guided a header wide of the left post.

The visitors had the ball in the net in the 39^th minute but it was rightly chalked off for offside and that was pretty much it for the 1^st half.

Talbot have had a habit of improving after the interval but this cup tie proved the exception to the rule with the 2^nd half being as poor a 45 minutes as will have been seen at Beechwood in a long while.

McPherson picked up a caution in the 55^th minute for holding and a minute later Shankland joined him in the book for an aerial challenge.

Around the hour mark Tucker made a double switch with Armstrong & Mason going off to be replaced by Boyd & Boylan.

There was really only one near thing in the whole 2^nd half and it came in the 62^nd minute for the visitors. A corner from the right was headed toward goal and Graham Wilson had to clear it from the goal mouth.

The closest Talbot came to adding to their lead was in the 72^nd minute. Shankland fed it wide right to Healy and when his ball came across goal McQuarrie bundled it just wide of his own goal.

Talbot made another change with quarter of an hour left when Samson came on for Shankland.

The Bot had to see the last 10 minutes out a man down. A ball over the top saw McPherson bring down Stewart and he was shown a 2^nd yellow and was off to the clubhouse. Forth had a free kick just outside the penalty area but it was drilled straight into the wall.

In the closing stages McDonald picked up a caution for a cynical foul on Graham Wilson then Donnelly joined him in the bad books for a late tackle on Healy.

The game trundled on to its conclusion with neither keeper actually required to make a save in the 2^nd half.

Not a game to live long in the memory and Talbot will be hoping to raise it a gear or two next week when they travel through to East Lothian to face Preston Athletic in the William Hill Scottish cup.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Armstrong, Healy, McDowall, Graham Wilson, Shankland, Mason

Subs – Boylan, Samson, Hyslop, Boyd, Robbie McCracken, Stafford, Hewitt

Forth Wanderers – McPhee, Cassidy, Brown, McQuarrie, Donnelly, Cookman, McDonald, Lafferty, Stevenson, Henderson, Savarese

Subs – Hutchison, Murray, McLaughlin, Fullarton, Stewart, J McDonald, Banks

Auchinleck Talbot v Darvel

MURRAYS REPORT

Nothing lasts forever and Talbot’s long unbeaten run was ended last night in front of a bumper crowd against Darvel.

Talbot have picked up an unfortunate habit of starting slowly and so it proved again with the visitors grabbing the lead after only 4 minutes.

Darvel won a corner down the right which was delivered at pace and MARR raced onto it to power a free header past Leishman to put Darvel one ahead.

The Bot almost drew level in the 8^th minute. Stafford ran onto a shy and raced past Allan before slinging over a cross that cannoned off the face of the bar and away to safety.

Clear cut chances were few & far between in the opening exchanges. Good work down the left saw Graham Wilson send Aiden Wilson away on the overlap and he swept a good across the face of the 6-yard area but there were no Bot players to take advantage.

The next shot on target came in the 24^th minute when Darvel’s Kirkpatrick tried an ambitious effort from 35 yards which landed on target but straight at Leishman.

Talbot drew level on the half hour mark. McPherson floated it up the centre where Hyslop won the header on. Boylan jousted for it with a defender inside the area and the ball broke back to KIER SAMSON whose low strike trundled home courtesy of a deflection.

The game had barely re-started when Talbot were caught cold and conceded their 2^nd. The ball was switched out to Miller on the right touchline who got away before sliding it across toward the far post where FERGUSON side-footed it home to restore Darvel’s lead.

The goal rattled Talbot and two minutes later they conceded a free kick just outside the penalty area which Miller curled into the defensive wall.

In the 36^th minute Meggatt put pressure on his keeper with a short back-pass that Samson chased down but the ball didn’t break for Talbot when Kier blocked Truesdale’s clearance.

With 41 mins gone Ferguson had his name taken for high feet in a challenge with McCracken and two minutes later he was joined in the book by Talbot’s Boylan for a foul on Allan.

In the final minute of the half Talbot won a free kick in a promising area after Graham Wilson was clipped by Marr as he surged towards the penalty area. Hyslop took it but fired his shot well over to end the half.

In similar fashion to Saturday’s clash with Hulford, Talbot came out with more purpose after the interval and made the early running. In the 51^st minute Boylan raced clear on the right and slung over a dangerous cross that Meggatt did well to intercept & head over his own bar with Samson lurking in front of goal.

A few minutes later McCracken’s ball out of defence found Graham Wilson breaking clear down the left. His 1^st touch took it away from goal but he recovered it and swept a good cross into the centre that was cleared out as far as Hyslop who fired wide of target from 20 yards.

The Bot had another chance in the 56^th minute when Aiden Wilson raced in off the left and tried to break into the box. He was baulked but the ball squeezed through to Samson inside the area and his low drive was blocked by Truesdale at his right hand post.

Another half chance came Talbot’s way on the hour mark. Hyslop’s head flick on found Samson in space down the right of the penalty area but he delayed his shot a fraction & a defender was able to get across to block his effort.

A minute later Talbot had an effort on target when the ball fell to Hyslop on the left of the area. He got off a left foot strike but it lacked the power to really test the keeper.

Darvel hadn’t been seen much in the 2^nd half but in the 65^th minute Miller found himself in space on the right but his cross had too much on it and sailed over Kirkpatrick at the far post.

Talbot now made their 1^st change with Shankland coming on for Graham Wilson.

The Bot had a chance to test the Darvel defence in the 69^th minute when Darvel were penalised for handball out on the right. Shankland put in a good delivery but Stirling made a good defensive header to clear.

Darvel now made their first change with Thomson replacing Kirkpatrick.

Talbot won a free kick out on the left in the 72^nd minute for a hefty challenge on Shankland. He took the set piece & whipped it into the centre. It was cleared out to Boylan at the edge of the area but he lashed his shot well over.

It just wasn’t happening for Talbot in the final third; a fact underlined in the 73^rd minute when Samson slid a great ball through to release Boylan down the right of the area but his 1^st touch took him too wide and the chance was lost.

A minute later Shankland had a half chance at the edge of the area but blazed it way off target.

The visitors now made their 2^nd change with Boland on for Miller.

Darvel could & probably should have sealed it in the 76^th minute. Stirling’s ball from the right went straight to Thomson in front of goal but he side-footed it well wide of the far post.

The visitors managed to see the final 10 minutes out without too many alarms. Talbot threw on two late substitutions with Mason on for Boylan & McDowall replacing Armstrong but they had no real time to make an impact. The closing minutes of the game saw a further rush of names into the notebook with Healy cautioned for a foul and Stafford yellow carded for dissent before Marr received a late caution for tripping McPherson.

It wasn’t Talbot’s night but the Bot remain top of the table – 3 points clear of nearest challengers Pollok. Next up for Talbot it’s our inaugural game in the South Challenge cup where Talbot host Forth Wanderers.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Armstrong, Healy, Hyslop, Boylan, Graham Wilson, Samson

Subs – Shankland, McDowall, Mason, Robbie McCracken, Lyle, White, Hewitt

Darvel – Truesdale, Meggatt, Marr, Reid, Allan, Miller, McShane, Stirling, Kirkpatrick, Ferguson

Subs – Avcii, Black, Mitchell, Boland, Walker, Little, Thomson

Auchinleck Talbot v Hurlford United

Talbot did it the hard way again as they gathered all 3 points at Beechwood against Hurlford despite missing a string of clear cut chances in the 2^nd half.

It was Hurlford who settled first and the Bot had a let off in the 6^th minute. Whittaker won a free kick out on the right touchline which was bent over to the far corner of the 6-yard box where Magee headed it against the right hand post. Hyslop was on hand to head the rebound behind for a corner.

Talbot’s first threat came in the 11^th minute when Stafford did well down the right, carrying it forward before releasing Glasgow down the wing. He tried to cut it back into the path of Shankland but didn’t get enough on it and the defence were able to clear.

The home fans had a nervy moment two minutes later when Bell gathered the ball on the bye line & pulled it back to M McKenzie who hooked a shot at goal that was headed clear.

Leishman was called into action in the 17^th minute when Wilson was allowed too much time & space 30 yards from goal & drilled a shot on target that skipped up off the surface on its way through but Leishman managed to push it wide of the right post.

Talbot were struggling at this stage and the visitors threatened again in the 21^st minute. Wilson switched play out to the right where Whittaker drilled the ball low across the face towards Bell but he was beaten to it and the ball cleared.

Hurlford’s goalie hadn’t been asked any questions in the opening spell but he did produce a good stop in the 22^nd minute. Hyslop squared the ball inside to Boyd who wasn’t closed down & let fly from 25 yards only to see McDonald push it wide of target.

On the half hour mark Lidington had his name taken for a trip on Glasgow.

The Bot support weren’t happy with the stand side linesman as he spent most of the 1^st half with his flag in the air every time Talbot crossed the halfway line with numerous offside decisions going against Talbot.

Hurlford won a free kick out on the left in the 37^th minute for Stafford’s challenge on M McKenzie. Wilson took it and his ball in was headed clear by McCracken but came straight back to him and he whipped over a dangerous cross that the defence did well to head clear.

In the 42^nd minute Hurlford made a change with M McKenzie leaving the field to be replaced by Coogans.

Talbot ended the half on the front foot and won a free kick on the halfway line when Robertson breenged Glasgow over which also saw the centre half pick up a booking.

Right on half time Talbot won a free kick 30 yards out when Wilson fouled Glasgow. Shankland took it and got it up and over the wall but wide of the right post and the sides went in level at the break.

The 2^nd half got off to a lively start and both sides received a caution a piece in the opening 5 minutes. Firstly, Boyd was cautioned for studs showing and then a minute later Magee picked up a yellow for a blatant shove resulting in a free kick 30 yards out on the left. Shankland went for goal but it wasn’t one of his better efforts and sailed harmlessly over.

Leishman turned provider in the 51^st minute when he launched the ball down the right to find Hyslop breaking into space. He carried it forward before sliding it into the front post area where McDonald was quickly off his line to beat Samson to it.

The crucial breakthrough came in the 55^th minute. Hyslop picked up on the right and slid a great pass down the line to find Boyd. He skimmed a low ball across the face in the fun zone between the defence and the keeper and MAGEE bundled it into his own net whilst trying to clear.

The goal energised Talbot and 4 minute later Glasgow skipped inside on the left of the area and tested the keeper with a low drive on target.

Talbot made their first change on the hour mark with Healy coming on for Boyd.

The Bot had a chance to double their lead in the 64^th minute. McCracken lifted it up the right to find Samson racing clear and his early ball across the area came to Glasgow 12 yards out but he fired wide of McDonald’s right hand post.

In the 69^th minute a ball over the top saw Samson just beaten to it with the defence forced to knock it behind for a corner. Shankland fired it over and Hylsop met it with a diving header that was deflected wide of the right post but not according to the officials who awarded a goal kick.

Next to have a go for Talbot was Shankland who cut in off the right on his left foot & fired for goal but McDonald made a good stop.

It should have been game over in the 74^th minute. Shankland’s clever touch released Samson on the left and he squared it across to the far post where Healy looked set to score but he side-footed it wide of the post from 6 yards.

Hurlford had a lucky escape two minutes later. P McKenzie lost his footing inside the Bot half and Talbot were able to break quickly on the counter. There were 2 fouls in the build up with Robertson taking Samson out off the ball but the ref gave the advantage as it broke to Aiden Wilson on the left whose low drive was turned wide by McDonald. The referee could have reduced the visitors to 10 men for the fouls in the build-up but decided to take no further action.

Tucker now made two further changes with Samson & Glasgow making way for Boylan & Graham Wilson.

Boylan was barely on the pitch when he had a glorious chance to put Talbot 2 ahead. Leishman launched it down the centre where Magee slipped allowing Boylan to race onto it; unfortunately with only the keeper to beat he opted for power and lashed a half volley over the bar from 15 yards.

Six minutes from time Talbot came close once again. Shankland’s corner from the left caused chaos in the centre and the defence were only able to scramble it away as far as Aiden Wilson whose low drive from 15 yards was deflected just wide of target.

Talbot kept pushing and the next attack saw Graham Wilson release Boylan down the right and when his cross came over Shankland volleyed over the bar.

It had been all Talbot in the 2^nd half but the Bot were given a scare in the 86^th minute when Bell gathered the ball 25 yards out and hit a shot that dipped just over the crossbar.

A minute from time Talbot missed another clear opportunity to kill the game off. McCracken hit a great ball over the top of the defence to send Graham Wilson through one on one with the keeper but he opted to hit it early and McDonald blocked it as he advanced off his line.

A thoroughly deserved win for the Bot who recovered from an unconvincing 1^st half to dominate the 2^nd. Next up for Talbot it is back to Beechwood midweek where they host Darvel under the floodlights.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Armstrong, Boyd, Hyslop, Glasgow, Shankland, Samson

Subs – Boylan, Graham Wilson, McDowall, Robbie McCracken, Healy, Hewitt

Hurlford United – McDonald, Miller, Lidington, Magee, Robertson, Graham, P McKenzie, Wilson, Bell, M McKenzie, Whittaker

Subs – Coogans, McKnight, McIntyre, Frew, Walker, Burns

William Boyd gets an attack started early in the game.

Hurlford make sure the ball goes back to the ‘keeper before the incoming Samson gets to it first.

Aiden Wilson gets busted open, as Talbot keep on looking to draw first blood.

OH SO CLOSE FOR HURLFORD!!! The ‘Ford very nearly take an early lead but the woodwork prevents the ball from nestling into the back of the net.

Big Andy gathers the ball while under pressure.

Jamie Glasgow vents his frustration after losing possession.

Armstrong gets his point across to the ref, as he shouts for a free-kick.

Boyd goes racing up the park, as Talbot continue searching for the opening goal.

Both benches closely watch the action, as ‘Shankers’ tries to thread a pass through from the wing.

Keir Samson does his best to outpace his opponent.

From deep inside his own half, Big Neily skips past his man and races up the wing.

Boyd loudly claims for a free-kick, after he sees Glasgow being bundled over.

Jamie Glasgow ‘toes the line’ and makes sure he keeps possession.

McKenzie takes a fall, as he loses out to Glasgow in the challenge.

Samson feels the full force of this hefty challenge.

‘Pee-wee’ does brilliantly to still put the cross into the danger area but…

…Samson fails to get onto the end of it, as the ‘Ford ‘keeper gets to the ball first.

Wullie Boyd races into the box and fires a low cross into the box where…

…Hurlford can’t clear their lines and end up putting the ball into the back of their own net! 1-0.

It may have been an own goal but Jamie and Mark still race over to congratulate Boyd for his part in the goal.

Glasgow goes airborne in order to keep hold of the ball.

Dwayne Hyslop takes a sore one to the head while heading the ball back down the park.

Erm…Andy…I don’t think Chris Stafford’s head is the ball?

CLOSE!!! ‘Pee-wee’ can only watch his low headed chance go agonisingly wide of the post.

Both Dwayne and Craig know just how close that chance was.

Wilson goes very close to scoring, as his strike gets stopped by the feet of the ‘keeper.

Truthfully…cards on the table…I have no idea what Mark and Keir were shouting for here. I just think it’s a great wee pic!

Paul McKenzie roars out the orders to his team-mates.

McPherson gets stopped in his tracks by hard tackle from McKenzie.

It takes a brave man to stand up to an angry Neil McPherson.

The players try to calm down after a bit of ‘handbags’.

Boylan does brilliantly to skip past his opponent.

Boylan lets his feelings known to the linesman.

SO NEARLY A GOAL!!! Bryan Boylan is so close to meeting the cross but the ‘keeper manages to claw the ball away from him at the final second.

‘Shankers’ goes for the spectacular inside the box but he fails to find the back of the net.

‘Gee’ races in on goal and unleashes a shot but the strike fails to hit the target.

The final chance of the game falls to Shankland but his strike unfortunately sails over the bar.

Well…the current crop of Talbot players were certainly playing in the presence of a group of Talbot legends watching the action form the terrace.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

Auchinleck Talbot v Cumbernauld United

Jamie Glasgow does his best to motor up the wing.

Samson races into the Cumbernauld box and does his best to keep the ball under control.

Talbot make sure the attack keeps going, as Aiden Wilson rises the highest to head the ball on.

‘Pee-wee’ tries to win possession but is beaten to the ball by the defender.

Aaron Mason threads the ball through the midfield for Glasgow to run onto.

An awkward header but Keir Samson still manages to send the ball towards goal, to no avail.

Big Neily watches, as William Boyd wins this aerial battle.

Healy roars out the orders in order to orchestrate the next Talbot attack.

Jamie Glasgow runs straight into a Cumbernauld sandwich.

Samson uses his neck muscles to win the ball, as he goes on a run.

It takes a very brave man to stand up to Big Neily and tell him off!

A 50/50 challenge but Dwayne manages to win it and clear the danger.

Mason looks where to go, as he takes the ball away from danger.

The Talbot faithful look on, as Samson tries to push his way through the blue defence.

BREAKTHROUGH!!! Keir jumps for joy, as they all congratulate ‘Pee-wee’ on scoring the opening goal for Talbot. 1-0.

The Talbot bench watch closely, while Aaron Mason races down the wing.

WHAT-A-CHANCE!!! Samson races through on goal with only the ‘keeper to beat but the Cumbernauld shot stopper manages to block the shot with his feet and prevent Keir from scoring.

Talbot celebrate doubling their lead through a fabulous strike from Aiden Wilson, much to the delight of a certain Talbot legend in the terraces. 2-0.

Wullie Lyle fires the ball down the park during another attack.

Talbot make it a threesome, as they congratulate Dwayne Hyslop on scoring the team’s third of the day. 3-0.

The young fans can barely watch from the terrace, as Cumbernauld go very close to scoring a consolation goal, if it weren’t for a great save from Big Andy.

Dwayne and McPherson make sure there is no way through for Cumbernauld.

‘Shankers’ slides in to win the ball on the wing for Talbot.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot maintained their place at the pinnacle of the table after overpowering a stuffy Cumbernauld side.

The first goal threat of the afternoon came in the 5^th minute when Hyslop met a corner from the left but glanced it well wide of target.

Three minutes later Cumbernauld won a free kick in a dangerous area just wide of the Bot penalty area. McCabe’s ball down the left was chased by Gormley & McPherson attempted to shield it out for the goal kick; however the forward managed to nick it & McPherson sent him tumbling. O’Hare floated it to the back post where Leishman gathered it in.

Cumbernauld’s keeper was called into action in the 11^th minute when Glasgow latched onto a head flick from Hyslop. He let fly from 25 yards & McGee turned his shot over the crossbar.

The Bot had another chance in the 16^th minute. Lyle’s ball up the right found Glasgow who turned McHaffie before dinking a cross into the centre which was met by Samson but he couldn’t get any power behind his header.

Talbot’s good spell continued with the Bot’s next chance coming in the 20^th minute. Healy found Samson down the left & he whipped a cross into the centre that just eluded Glasgow. The ball came out to Mason on the right of the area & he took a touch before firing a half volley on target that McGee tipped over the bar.

McMahon was first into the book when the full-back was cautioned for a late challenge on Glasgow in the 32^nd minute.

Talbot kept probing & tested the visiting defence from a set piece in the 36^th minute when Mason’s corner from the right was driven into the near post where White was just beaten to it.

The half ended with Talbot on the front foot but unable to break down the Cumbernauld defence and teams went in goal less at the interval.

The 2^nd half continued where the first had left off with Talbot doing the pressing and the visitors content to sit in and play for the draw but that all changed in the 55^th minute when Talbot’s pressure paid off and they took the lead.

Healy got to the ball on the bye line down the right & angled a cross back to the near post where DWAYNE HYSLOP powered a header off the underside of the bar that bounced well behind the line before being hooked clear.

Just shy of the hour mark Talbot had a chance to double their advantage. Hyslop rose to nod the ball on into the path of Mason who scurried forward before drilling a shot wide of the right hand post.

In the 63^rd minute McDevitt received a yellow card after he lost out to Samson & hauled him back just wide of the penalty area. Glasgow took the free kick & slid it back into the path of Mason whose shot was blocked. It came back out to Mason & he slipped a pass through to Glasgow who lifted it into the near post where Cameron put it behind for the corner.

Cumbernauld made a change in the 66^th minute with Henderson coming on for Neil.

The Bot had a glorious chance to move further ahead in the 69^th minute. McPherson flighted a ball down the centre that skipped past McDevitt leaving Samson in one on one with the keeper but the keeper came out on top.

Henderson became the 3^rd United player in the book when he was cautioned in the 70^th minute for a hefty challenge on Hyslop on the left. Talbot took the free kick quickly releasing Wilson into the area. His low ball across the face was cut out but came straight back to him & AIDEN WILSON lashed it into the far corner from a tight angle to put Talbot 2 ahead.

Cumbernauld’s discipline was crumbling & Hannaway had his name taken for dissent. United now made their 2^nd change with McPherson making way for Sinclair.

In Talbot’s next attack they won a free kick out wide on the left, before it could be taken Tucker made a change with Shankland coming on for Mason. Shankland’s first involvement was floating the free kick onto the head of Samson who glanced his header over the bar.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot had another chance. Once again a ball down the centre deceived the visiting defence with the bounce of the ball beating McDevitt and finding Samson running through on goal; however Cameron reacted quickly to get across & make a timely challenge to put it behind for the corner.

It was one-way traffic and Talbot had a couple of decent openings within a minute. Firstly Shankland played a free kick back into the path of Boyd who fired wide of the left post from the edge of the area and then in Talbot’s next attack Glasgow got free on the left and cut it back to Healy in space at the back post. He tried to place it only to see his shot blocked by Cameron.

The goal was coming though and Talbot grabbed their 3^rd of the afternoon in the 78^th minute. Shankland lifted a cross over from the right beyond the far post where DWAYNE HYSLOP guided a header past McGee. The keeper clawed the ball out but it didn’t take VAR to see that it had crossed the line and Talbot moved 3-0 ahead.

Tucker now made a further change with Robbie McCracken coming on to replace Boyd.

Cumbernauld had offered precious little going forward and when they did have a chance at a consolation they squandered it. Lyle slipped allowing Sinclair onto it & he raced into the area before squaring it for Hannoway who fired a weak effort on target that Leishman blocked.

Glasgow picked up a caution in the 81^st minute when he went down under Cameron’s challenge with the referee deciding he’d made the most of it.

Talbot made their final change with 5 minutes remaining when Craig McCracken replaced McPherson.

As the game moved into stoppage time Talbot had one final chance. Shankland’s corner from the right was cleared straight back out to him & he whipped in a cross that Glasgow met only to see his header well saved by McGee.

A frustrating 1^st half for Talbot but the team stepped it up a gear to run out comfortable winners. Next up for Talbot it is derby day as the Bot make the short journey along the road to face Cumnock at Townhead.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Wilson, McPherson, White, Boyd, Healy, Hyslop, Samson, Mason, Glasgow

Subs – Shankland, Robbie McCracken, Boylan, Craig McCracken, Pope, Dumigan, Hewitt (gk)

Cumbernauld United – McGee, McMahon, McCabe, Cameron, McDevitt, McHaffie, McPherson, Neil, Gormley, Hannaway, O’Hare

Subs – Henderson, Sideserf, Sinclair, Zok, Wilson (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Montrose Roselea

Early in the match, Jamie Glasgow threads a neat pass through the Montrose defence.

‘Pee-wee’ shows his determination to win the ball in this hefty challenge.

‘Big Neily’ watches, as Willie Boyd gets another attack motoring for Talbot.

TALBOT OPEN THE SCORING!!! The Montrose defender and ‘keeper do their best to stop the strike but Dwayne Hyslop’s thunderbolt can’t be stopped and it smashes into the back of the net. 1-0.

‘Pee-wee’ gives a satisfied look, as Robbie McCracken shows his delight after seeing Dwayne score the opener.

Samson goes chasing and tries to muscle past his opponent.

Keir Samson goes for the spectacular but the defender gets to the ball first and clears the danger.

Talbot get a goal disallowed, as while Robbie McCracken’s diving header finds the back of the net, the linesman deems the corner to have went behind first.

Aaron Mason goes on a big run with the ball up the middle of the park.

No way through, as Aiden Wilson heads the ball away from danger.

SAMSON YET AGAIN!!! Glasgow watches, as Samson gets onto the end of his low cross and prods the ball home from close range. 2-0.

It’s high fives all round, as Keir gets congratulated by his team-mates.

Keir goes hurdling over the Montrose defence.

With the goal at this mercy, Samson tries to unleash a shot but the Montrose defender blocks the strike with a last ditch sliding tackle.

GOOOAAALLL!!! Talbot make it a threesome, as ‘Pee-wee’ finds the back of the net via another thunderous strike from the edge of the box. 3-0.

Nae wonder Dwayne is all smiles after scoring his second goal of the game.

Right on half-time, Jamie Glasgow has a dig from just outside the box but his shot sails high over the bar.

Now…that’s the look of a defender that’s determined to win the ball and clear the danger.

Glasgow uses his pace to skip in-between and race away from the two Montrose players.

The ‘gaffer’ looks on, while Robbie McCracken tries to fight for the ball on the touch line.

WIT-A-CHANCE!!! Aiden Wilson finds himself with acres of space inside the box and directs a precise header towards goal but…

…he can only watch with disappointment, as the ball goes wide of the goal.

It’s a five star Talbot wall, as they make sure Montrose don’t find a way through via their free-kick.

Craig McCracken makes his comeback after being out injured of late. WELCOME BACK SIR!!!

A very proud moment for young Cody Hastings, as he makes the step-up from the U20 squad to come on as a sub for the first team.

OH SO CLOSE!!! ‘Shankers’ goes very close to scoring but his close range strike goes straight into the ‘keepers arms.

Craig McCracken uses his strength to muscle his way down the park.

Montrose get a consolation goal near the end of the match, as the ball lands nicely for them to smash the ball home from close range. 3-1.

The Montrose players are all smiles after scoring, while Talbot look dejected after not keeping a clean sheet.

Right at the death, young Cody Hastings very nearly scores on his debut but his long range effort goes agonisingly wide of the post.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot cruised into the next round of the Scottish Junior cup after a comfortable win over their North region opponents.

Montrose Roselea were forced into making an early change when Watson limped off after only 8 minutes to be replaced up front by Alberts.

The opening goal came in the 13^th minute. Robbie McCracken played a good ball up the right to find Samson & he squared it across the penalty area. Mason touched it back into the path of DWAYNE HYSLOP who hammered a shot inside the right post from 15 yards.

Three minutes later Talbot very nearly doubled their lead. Healy chipped the ball forward to Mason who let fly from outside the area & his shot rattled back out off the left post with the keeper well beaten.

Talbot were knocking it about well, looking to stretch their opponents, who were content to sit deep.

The home support thought Talbot had added their 2^nd in the 23^rd minute. Glasgow’s cross from the right was headed behind for a corner and when Mason’s corner came over Robbie McCracken dived to meet it beyond the far post to bullet a header home but the assistant flagged that the corner had swerved out then back in.

Mason then tried his luck from distance – trying to place it from 25 yards with McCormack making a comfortable save.

Talbot’s 2^nd goal arrived in the 31^st minute. Craig McCracken pinged an accurate diagonal ball over the defence to find Glasgow haring down the right. He slid it into the near post where KIER SAMSON touched it home from close range.

Montrose’s defence was being stretched constantly & Davidson did well in the 36^th minute to prevent Samson getting his shot away; sliding in to put it behind for a corner.

The next effort at goal came from Glasgow when Craig McCracken’s pass found him on the left & he fired wide of the right post from 25 yards.

Three minutes before the interval Samson found Robbie McCracken on the overlap & Stephen turned his ball across goal behind for the corner. Mason whipped the corner over where Hyslop met it in front of goal but he glanced it wide of the far post.

A minute from half time Talbot added their 3^rd goal. Samson raced free down the left and burst into the area before cutting it back to DWAYNE HYSLOP who planted it into the bottom corner.

With the tie effectively over Talbot dropped down a gear in the 2^nd half but still made & missed quite a few chances. The first of which came in the 48^th minute when a shy from the left was gathered by Samson who raced into the area & hammered a shot just over the crossbar from a tight angle.

Talbot’s next goal threat came in the 58^th minute. Glasgow’s cross from the right found Healy at the back post and his diving header back across goal was well saved by McCormack.

Tucker now made a double switch with Hyslop and Samson making way for McDowall and Shankland.

Roselea were caught out by a short corner down the left when Mason pulled it back to Shankland on the left edge of the area and he fired it just wide of the right hand post.

Wilson had a great chance to get his name on the score sheet in the 67^th minute. Robbie McCracken’s cross found him in space at the back post but he steered his header across goal & wide of the left post.

McPherson had his name taken in the 71^st minute for a foul on Garnham just outside the area. Alberts took it but never troubled the goal – sending it comfortably wide of the right post.

McDowall picked up a knock and the sub was substituted with Hastings making the step up from Talbot’s development squad to make his debut.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot had another good chance to add to their lead. Robbie McCracken arrowed in a good cross that Healy ran onto but he bulleted his header over the bar.

Two minutes later Mason hit the woodwork for the 2^nd time when he cut in off the left & drilled a shot that clattered off the base of McCormack’s right hand post.

Mason had another opportunity moments later when he ran onto Boyd’s ball over the defence. He checked inside and fired for goal but his shot went straight at the keeper.

The procession of chances continued for Talbot and Shankland spurned a good chance in the 84^th minute when he met Mason’s cut back 6 yards out but side-footed it straight at McCormack.

Hastings then had a go at goal from 20 yards – pulling his shot wide of the left post.

Roselea grabbed a late consolation in the 88^th minute. Beedie gathered outside the area & threaded the ball through to ALBERTS who fired past Leishman.

Talbot ended the game back on the front foot forcing a series of corners but couldn’t add to their tally and the game finished 3-1.

Next up Talbot are back in league action at Beechwood where they host Cumbernauld United next Saturday.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Robbie McCracken, Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Healy, Boyd, Hyslop, Samson, Glasgow, Mason

Subs – Shankland, McDowall, Hastings, Watt, White, Hewitt

Montrose Roselea – McCormack, Davidson, Taylor, Reoch, Stephen, Thomson, Greig, Garnham, Watson, Beedie, Soutar

Subs – Rae, Bailey, Jamiesion, Alberts, Gill, Tweed

Auchinleck Talbot v Beith Juniors

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot saw their lead at the top of the table narrowed as they were held to a 1-1 draw in this midweek encounter with Beith.

Talbot started promisingly and stretched the Beith defence in the 2^nd minute. Glasgow fed it out to Healy on the right & his ball into the near post had to be turned behind by Gray.

The first half was short on goal mouth incident of any kind and Beith’s best effort came in the 7^th minute when they won a free kick 35 yards out. Hepburn’s shot deflected off the top of the wall & spun straight to McLean whose header had to be tipped over by Leishman.

The Bot had left their shooting boots in the dressing room; failing to test Burgess on those occasions when they had a sight of goal. Shankland squared it into the path of Healy 22 yards out and he blazed over and shortly after Shankland shot well wide from outside the area.

With chances in short supply, Talbot’s closest call of the 1^st half came in the 31^st minute. A Shankland free kick was played into the area where it was headed clear. It came back out to Shankland who clipped it over the defence to find McDowall running in behind down the right. He lobbed it over Burgess but his shot nestled on top of the net.

A defensive error by Beith gave Talbot a chance in the 38^th minute. McMahon headed it back toward his own box where it skipped past McGoldrick. Samson raced onto it & knocked it wide of the advancing Burgess but took too heavy a touch and couldn’t retrieve it and the half meandered to a close with neither side offering any further threat to the opposing box.

The 2^nd half started in similar vein with little happening at the sharp end though this changed in the 55^th minute when the visitors took the lead. A ball over the defence found Fowler on the left of the penalty area & he took it round Leishman but not fancying the tight angle opted to cross it to the far post where it just eluded Watt. Talbot managed to bundle it behind for the corner and when the corner came over McPherson headed it behind. Unfortunately, the Bot defence then went to sleep & were caught cold when Beith took the corner quickly; rolling it back to Hepburn whose shot took a deflection & looped toward the back post where FOWLER met it to power a header home.

This was to be Fowler’s last involvement in the match as he was subbed soon after with McKay coming on in his place.

Talbot made a double substitution in the 65^th minute with Shankland & McDowall making way for Mason & Hyslop.

The two subs were involved almost immediately; Mason holding the ball up down the left before teeing it up for Wilson whose inch perfect cross was met in the centre by Hyslop but untypically he glanced a free header wide of the left post.

Talbot drew level in the 69^th minute. McKay was booked for obstructing Lyle as he burst forward; resulting in a free kick just outside the area. Mason lifted it beyond the far post where Hyslop met it to head it back across goal & JAMIE GLASGOW ran onto it to volley home.

McGoldrick was next in the book when he was cautioned in the 71^st minute for clipping Glasgow’s heels midway inside the Beith half. Armstrong took the set piece & floated it out to the left where Hyslop again rose to head it across goal. This time it came to Healy but his header went straight at Burgess.

Beith hadn’t done much since taking the lead but they did have a half chance in the 72^nd minute. McLean pounced on an error by Lyle & shot from 18 yards but his shot went straight at Leishman.

Talbot won another set piece in a good area in the 74^th minute following a foul on Lyle. Armstrong swung a good cross over but everyone had darted to the near post & it sailed behind.

At the other end Beith came close in the 76^th minute. Hepburn won a free kick out on the left that he crossed into the area. It was headed out but only as far as McKay who met it on the volley 16 yards out. His shot clipped the top of the bar, without seeming to go near any Bot players, but the ref awarded the corner kick.

Both sides had a go in the 79^th minute; firstly Armstrong playing a one-two with Lyle that ended with Lyle on the right of the area trying to square it to find Samson but it was cut out & Beith swiftly countered with McLean gathering on the left before switching play out to the opposite wing to find McKay. He raced into the area but his ball into the near post was smothered by Leishman.

Talbot had another chance to test Beith from a set piece in the 83^rd minute following a foul on Glasgow. Mason took it & fired it low into the area where it broke to White. He couldn’t get a shot away but the ball fell to Glasgow who lobbed it over the bar from a tight angle.

The Bot were finishing strongly and had another chance in the 86^th minute. Armstrong surged forward before releasing the ball down the right to find Samson who turned his man inside the area & drilled a shot on target that Burgess parried away.

As the game moved into injury time Talbot had one last chance to snatch the win. Armstrong fed the ball up the right to Glasgow who beat his man before hitting a great cross to the back post where Hyslop just failed to connect with it.

Next up for Talbot it is a break from league duties as they face Montrose Roselea at Beechwood in the opening round of the Scottish Junior cup.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Wilson, McPherson, White, Armstrong, Healy, McDowall, Samson, Glasgow, Shankland

Subs – Robbie McCracken, Mason, Boyd, Hyslop, Hewitt

Beith – Burgess, Gray, Noble, McGoldrick, Docherty, Park, Watt, McMahon, McLean, Fowler, Hepburn

Subs – Duffy, McKay, Hood, Shield, Young, Winning

Auchinleck Talbot v Glenafton Athletic

MURRAYS REPORT

Talbot kept their place at the top of the table thanks to an impressive home win over Glenafton; with the final score not really reflecting Talbot’s dominance.

It wasn’t the ideal start for the Bot as Graham Wilson picked up an injury only 3 mins in with Kier Samson coming on in his place.

The Bot’s first chance came after 6 minutes. Shankland played a good ball in from the left toward the front post where Healy met it and flicked it over the bar.

A minute later Talbot had another half chance. Mason held the ball up well on the left before passing it back to White. He in turn squared it to Lyle who fired over from 18 yards.

Talbot’s next chance came following a free kick in the 11^th minute. Shankland was tripped & Armstrong took the free kick quickly to release Shankland down the left. He whipped a cross over which Mason glanced wide of target.

Mason was involved again shortly after when a shy from the right found him inside the box & he showed good feet to create the space for a shot, before drilling it over the crossbar.

The Glens hadn’t really threatened but did give Talbot a scare in the 16^th minute. McKee gathered on the left & hit a teasing cross into the centre. Leishman came for it but was beaten to it by McIlroy whose header sailed over.

Down the other end Talbot came close to opening the scoring with their next attack. The Bot won a corner down the right and Shankland delivered it to the far post where McDowall rose to meet it but his header flew just over Johnson’s bar.

Sherrie did well for the Glens in the 25^th minute when he surged in off the right, skipping past a couple of challenges, to make his way into the box but then hit a weak finish straight at Leishman.

The opening goal came in the 29^th minute and it was a cracker. Mason played a good ball down the right touchline to find McDowall & his ball across the face of goal was turned behind by Bennie. Shankland took the corner, and with everyone anticipating a cross, he pulled it back to AARON MASON who ran onto it at the right edge of the box & thundered an unstoppable shot into the far corner.

In keeping with the general standard of officiating the referee made an absolute howler in the 31^st minute when he somehow awarded the Glens a corner after McKee had ballooned the ball over the bar with nary a Talbot player in sight.

A minute later Johnson prevented Talbot from extending their lead. Samson met a ball up the left & flicked it on into the path of Shankland who stepped inside Marlow’s challenge & powered a shot on target that Johnson parried wide of his right post.

The Glens keeper was called into action again in the 35^th minute. Armstrong swung a cross over from the right touchline to find Shankland at the back post and his header back across was tipped over the bar.

The Bot put together a slick move in the 41^st minute – quick one-touch football – which ended with Shankland laying the ball off to Mason on the right of the area but he pulled his shot wide of target.

A minute before the interval McPherson’s header bamboozled the Glens defence as it bounced past Bennie & Samson would’ve been in on goal but for Johnson reading the situation & racing out to gather.

The half drew to a close with another questionable call from the officials who again awarded the Glens a corner for nothing after McKee shot over but the Bot defended it to go in a goal to the good.

The visitors made a change at half-time with Fisher on to replace Bennie in defence.

Talbot made a strong start to the half and it looked as though Mason was through on goal after he got the better of Cairns but the referee gave the Glens defender the benefit of the doubt and awarded them a soft free kick.

Slack play from Marlow gifted Talbot a chance in the 50^th minute. His pass from right-back was easily intercepted outside the area by Healy & he threaded it through to Samson whose shot was blocked by Fisher.

The Bot made their pressure count and doubled their advantage in the 53^rd minute. Armstrong picked up on the left of midfield & played it down the left channel to KIER SAMSON who raced into the area & slid it past Johnson at his right hand post.

Within a minute Talbot nearly added to their lead. Armstrong’s slide rule pass found McDowall inside the area & Johnson dived at his feet to put it behind for the corner. When the corner came over Samson got his head on it and his header was cleared off the line inside the left post.

McDowall was next to threaten for Talbot when he burst in off the right & hammered a shot at goal that was deflected behind for a corner. The Glens defence were again caught out when Shankland opted to pull the corner back to the angle of the box but Healy got under it and lifted his shot well over.

The Glens were now forced to sub their sub with Fisher limping off to be replaced by Ryan and McIlroy moving back to fill in at centre half.

Talbot made their first change in the 67^th minute with Boyd on in place of McDowall.

Glenafton had been bit part players for most of the night and were feeding off scraps. They did have a chance of sorts in the 72^nd minute courtesy of a long throw in from the right which came to McKee but he sent his header wide.

The clock ticked on without the Glens looking like scoring and with 8 minutes remaining Tucker made a further change with Hyslop making his first appearance in a long while when he replaced Mason.

In the closing stages Shankland had a chance to get on the score sheet when Samson’s pass found him inside the area. He jinked inside his man but wanted a fraction too long to get his shot away & his effort was blocked.

As the game moved into injury time the Glens had a late chance at a consolation. Talbot gave the ball away inside their own half & it was played down the right channel to find Ryan who raced down the right edge of the area before firing across goal & wide of the far post.

A good win, in front of a big crowd, and next up Talbot are back on the road when they travel through to face Rutherglen Glencairn this Saturday.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, White, Armstrong, McDowall, Healy, Graham Wilson, Shankland, Mason

Subs – Boyd, Samson, Robbie McCracken, Hyslop, Hewitt

Glenafton Athletic – Johnson, Marlow, Cairns, Bennie, Curtis, Pettigrew, McKee, Gilmour, McIlroy, Miller, Sherrie

Subs – Ryan, Fisher, Thomson

Auchinleck Talbot v Largs Thistle

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot moved joint top of the league table after this hard fought win over Largs – in the first match to be played under floodlights at Beechwood.

The Talbot line-up had a slightly unfamiliar look to it with Armstrong partnering McPherson at the back in the absence of Craig McCracken.

It was the visitors who settled first and they squandered a decent chance early on. A Largs free kick was flicked on into the path of William Sewell sending him through on the out-rushing Leishman. He lifted it round Leishman but McPherson recovered to get back & make the clearance.

Largs had another chance in the 5^th minute when a ball down the right found William Sewell & he drilled a low shot that Leishman held at his near post.

Talbot’s first real threat came after 10 minutes. Leishman found Shankland on the right & he released McCracken down the wing. He whipped a great low ball across goal between the defence & keeper but there was no one there to tap it in.

Shankland came close to opening the scoring in the 14^th minute. McPherson flighted a free kick out to the left where Graham Wilson headed it down to Boylan. He teed it up for Shankland & McGowan did well to tip his shot over the bar.

The keeper did well again moments later when he punched Shankland’s corner clear just before Graham Wilson could get on the end of it.

The Bot were having a good spell and Graham Wilson came close after 17 minutes when he gathered outside the box and sent a left foot shot just wide of McGowan’s right post.

Talbot’s next attack saw the Bot countering through Shankland whose diagonal pass found Boylan racing clear on the left. He cut into the heart of the penalty area but didn’t catch his shot cleanly from 12 yards and it ended up a comfortable save for McGowan.

Largs keeper was having a good night and he was quickly off his line to thwart Talbot’s next move. Armstrong’s diagonal ball out of defence arrowed towards Boylan as he raced in behind the defence but McGowan read it & just got there first to punch the ball to safety.

Thistle had a half chance in the 26^th minute from a corner. George Sewell got his head to it but he was coming away from goal & sent his header well over.

With half an hour gone Talbot again tested the visiting keeper. Leishman launched it up field where Graham Wilson rose to challenge for it. The ball broke into the path of Shankland 20 yards out & he forced a good stop from McGowan who dived to turn his shot round his right post. Once again Shankland whipped a dangerous corner into the goalmouth but McGowan was again equal to the challenge & punched clear under pressure.

Talbot’s next opportunity came from a corner. Armstrong meeting Shankland’s corner at the near post where he glanced it narrowly over the bar.

Boylan was next to test the keeper when he raced onto Graham Wilson’s header down the right side of the penalty area & hit it 1^st time only to see McGowan parry it away.

Largs forward William Sewell got a sore one in the 34^th minute when he closed down Leishman as he went to make a clearance & caught the clearance full on the face but he was able to continue after receiving treatment.

McGowan was having a good night & it was going to take something special to break the deadlock and Shankland duly supplied it a minute before the interval. MARK SHANKLAND latched onto a loose ball 25 yards out and sent a screamer flying into McGowan’s top left hand corner to send Talbot in 1-0 ahead at the break.

Talbot started the 2^nd half quite lively and won a free kick just outside the penalty area when Aiden Wilson’s pass found Graham Wilson down the left & he was bowled over by Love. Shankland took it & crossed it over beyond the back post but got too much on it & it went for the goal kick.

In the 52^nd minute Shankland hit a superbly weighted cross field pass to pick out Boylan down the right. He raced into the penalty area and had Graham Wilson waiting in front of goal but he didn’t get his final ball right allowing the keeper to smother it at his near post.

A few minutes later Healy played the ball up the left channel to Boylan who laid it inside first time for the run of Shankland but George Sewell beat him to it to fire it behind for the corner.

Around the hour mark William Sewell won Largs a corner down the right. Before it could be taken Talbot made a substitution with McDowall coming on for McCracken. When the corner came over KEIR MILLIKEN got on the end of it to head towards goal. Leishman saved it and Milliken followed up to stab the rebound for goal. Healy appeared to clear it off the goal line but after a short delay the stand side assistant signalled it had crossed the line and the ref awarded the goal.

Healy had his name taken in the 66^th minute for a late challenge.

The loss of the goal had unsettled Talbot and McBryde was allowed plenty of time & space in the 68^th minute to pick out his cross; forcing Leishman to come out and punch clear.

The referee was turning card happy and booked Graham Wilson in the 70^th minute for an innocuous aerial challenge.

Tucker now made a double substitution with Boylan & Boyd making way for Glasgow & Samson.

Talbot regained the lead in the 76^th minute. Love made a mess of a clearance, hitting it straight at Shankland, and fortunately for Talbot the ball broke straight to the feet of KIER SAMSON who slotted it past the keeper.

The Bot were then guilty of sloppy play a minute after scoring. Glasgow lost the ball 25 yards out and Ballantyne fired just wide of the right hand post.

Largs now made a double switch with McBryde & McMaster making way for McGinty & Adam.

In the 82^nd minute Talbot had a wobbly moment when defending a Largs free kick from wide. It went beyond the back post where Adam steered it back toward goal and Leishman blocked & cleared before Sewell could get to it.

Ballantyne then picked up a caution for a foul on Graham Wilson.

Graham Wilson was unlucky with 5 minutes remaining when he met it on the volley. His effort was heading on target but was deflected wide and two minutes later he came close again when he darted in off the right & sent a left foot shot narrowly wide of McGowan’s left post.

With 2 minutes remaining Talbot threatened again; this time via Samson, who sped clear on the right before firing it across the face of goal where Ballantyne deflected it behind.

In the final minute, Armstrong received a yellow card for a professional foul. The free kick was lobbed up the centre where Leishman rushed out to punch clear. It came to Adam outside the area but he was closed down before he could hit it.

As the game moved into injury time Talbot found themselves a man down. Glasgow caught George Sewell late with a mistimed challenge. A booking would have sufficed but the ref produced a straight red and also managed to book Shankland for dissent. It was too late though for Largs to take advantage of the extra man and Talbot held out for the win.

Next up for Talbot are new opponents as the Bot travel to Kilmarnock to face Bonnyton in the league.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Armstrong, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Robbie McCracken, Boyd, Healy, Graham Wilson, Shankland, Boylan

Subs – Glasgow, Samson, Mason, McDowall, Pope, White, Hewitt (gk)

Largs Thistle – McGowan, George Sewell, Ballantyne, Hughes, Love, Faulds, Docherty, McBryde, Milliken, William Sewell, McMaster

Subs – Adam, McGinty, McPhee, Lindsay, Farrell (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Blantyre Victoria

Talbot veteran, ‘Whitey’, gets an early attack started and fires the ball down the park.

PENALTY!!! Bryan Boylan goes racing after the ball but gets tripped in the process, inside the box.

OH NO!!! Talbot miss the resulting penalty, as Samson can only look skywards after seeing his shot smack off the crossbar.

All eyes on the ball, as Boylan tries to keep hold of possession.

STRAMASH TIME!!! Panic stations all round inside the Blantyre box, as firstly Glasgow’s shot gets saved by the ‘keeper…

…then Samson does his best to find a way through from the rebound, where…

…his eventual shot, possibly gets blocked by the Blantyre player’s arm. Another penalty?

BREAKTHROUGH!!! Talbot finally take the lead, as Keir’s blocked shot comes off the defender’s leg, who gets it all wrong, and the ball somehow trundles into the back of the net. 1-0.

Samson is right. It may have been an own goal but ANY Talbot goal is worth celebrating.

The Victoria bench closely watch the action, as Lyle sends the ball down the wing.

Healy makes his presence known with a hefty tackle to win the ball back.

The counter attack gets motoring, as Kieran Healy threads the ball forward.

Talbot try to get a head on the ball but the Blantyre ‘keeper gets his hands on it first.

Glasgow shows his frustration while trying to get to the ball before the ‘keeper.

Keir felt he was fouled in the box and certainly lets his feelings known to the linesman.

WHAT – A – GOAL!!! Blantyre equalise right on the stroke of half-time via a wonder strike from the edge of the box. He chests it…swivels on the spot and volleys it towards goal where…

…although big Andy does his best to stop it, the ball manages to find the sweet spot of the top corner of the net. 1-1.

No wonder the Blantyre players are all Cheshire Cats after witnessing THAT goal!

Big Neily watches, as ‘Whitey’ looks to get the another Talbot attack started.

TALBOT TAKE THE LEAD!!! From just outside the box, Steven White has a dig, where the ball takes a deflection on route to the back of the net. 2-1.

Keir and Steven congratulate each other but who got the goal?

VICTORY SEALED!!! Talbot stretch their lead, as Boylan races through and pokes the ball under the ‘keeper and into the empty net. 3-1.

Bryan wheels away to celebrate, while the pain is written all over the Blantyre player’s faces.

Glasgow goes on a run in the middle of the park.

Healy tries to see who’s wanting the pass.

Craig McCracken stands his ground and blocks any way through for Blantyre.

Armstrong tries to keep hold of the ball in this hefty 50/50 challenge.

It may be late in the game but Talbot still go on the attack, as ‘Shankers’ sends the ball up the wing.

Jack watches, as Aaron Mason makes sure he keeps hold of the ball.

McPherson clears the danger, as the Talbot faithful look on from the terrace.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAYS REPORT

Talbot made it four league wins in a row as they saw off Blantyre Vics at Beechwood.

The Bot started strongly and came close to opening the scoring in the 3^rd minute. Kerr caught White just outside the penalty area and Samson’s free kick flew just past Currie’s right hand post.

Six minutes in and a defensive blunder handed Talbot a chance from the penalty spot. Currie bowled the ball out to Marshall inside his own penalty area. Boylan read it, closed him down & dispossessed him resulting in Marshall up-ending Talbot’s striker. Samson took the spot kick but his shot clipped the top of the bar on its way over.

How Talbot failed to score in the 9^th minute is a mystery. Aiden Wilson & McCracken worked a one-two down the left which ended with Wilson flighting a cross into the back post. It broke to Glasgow inside the 6-yard area but despite several attempts he couldn’t force it home & when the ball broke to Samson his shot was also blocked inside the goal mouth.

Blantyre’s first glimpse at goal came in the 12^th minute. Wilson misjudged a diagonal ball & ended up controlling it with his arm. The ball broke to McKenzie on the right of the area & the ref allowed the advantage & his low drive was held by Leishman.

Talbot’s opener came in the 14^th minute. Lyle played it into the feet of Healy & he sent it out to the right wing where Boylan raced clear. He played it across the 6-yard area where KIER SAMSON slid in to meet it & although his effort hit Currie it spun inside the right post to put Talbot 1 ahead.

The visitors came close to levelling matters in the 17^th minute. MacDonald’s shot from 15 yards was heading into the bottom corner til Leishman dived to his right to touch it away. It came out to Eeles but his follow up was blocked.

At the other end, Talbot nearly doubled their lead when Samson raced onto Glasgow’s ball down the left & rolled it inside where White flicked it up before half volleying it just over the crossbar from 20 yards out.

Talbot squandered a decent opportunity in the 25^th minute when Armstrong’s slide rule pass opened up the Vics defence. Boylan squared it across the area where Samson & Glasgow seemed to get in each other’s way & in the end neither could get a shot away.

The Bot’s next attack saw Glasgow feed it out Boylan on the wing & he cut in off the right & drilled a fierce shot on target which Currie held.

It was looking comfortable for Talbot at this stage, with the Bot doing most of the pressing, but having little to show for it other than a series of corners which came to nought.

A single goal lead is always precarious and Vics grabbed a spectacular equaliser two minutes from the interval. Blantyre were awarded a free kick in their own half on the stand side which was flighted into the penalty area. It was headed clear and there didn’t appear to be any imminent danger when it fell to MCKENZIE 20 yards out with his back to goal but he controlled it on his chest & turned to hook a volley that dipped into the top right corner to make it 1-1 at the interval.

The half-time break worked in Talbot’s favour and the Bot regained the lead early in the 2^nd half. In the 53^rd minute Eeles impeded Armstrong & the ref awarded Talbot a free kick 25 yards out. Talbot took it quickly to release Glasgow & when he squared it across the box STEVEN WHITE ran onto it & fired a low drive through a ruck of players that beat Currie with the aid of a slight deflection.

The visitors were caught out again in the 59^th minute by a quick free kick which sent Glasgow free on the right. Currie got down to cut out his low ball across the face of goal but couldn’t hold it & and a defender had to complete the clearance.

With 61 minutes gone Talbot moved further ahead. There seemed no danger as the ball was aimed up the left but Blantyre’s defender tried to head it back towards his keeper & BRYAN BOYLAN pounced on the weak header, shrugging off a challenge before drilling it through the advancing Currie to make it 3-1.

In the 64^th minute Blantyre won a free kick 30 yards out after Samson shoved MacDonald. McKenzie got it up and over the wall but Leishman got down low to his right to hold it.

The visitors made a double switch in the 67^th minute with Cunningham & Kearney coming on for McKenzie & McDonald just before facing a Talbot corner. When Glasgow’s corner came over from the right McCracken powered a header on target that Currie gathered at the 2^nd attempt.

With 20 mins remaining Talbot made a double switch with Mason & Shankland replacing Healy & Boylan.

Glasgow had a good chance to extend Talbot’s lead in the 72^nd minute. Samson won a header that sent him clean through on goal but Currie got the slightest of touches to his effort to send it wide of his left post.

Both sides now made their final changes with O’Donnell on for Eeles for the visitors and Shankland coming on for Samson.

Twelve minutes from time Blantyre launched a quick counter-attack following a Talbot corner. Currie unconvincingly flapped the corner away but Vics then quickly switched it up to Brennan who shifted it wide left to Kearney whose low drive across goal went a foot or so wide of the far post.

Six minutes from time Shankland had his name taken after wrestling with a Blantyre player following a short corner that had went wrong.

Five minutes from time Cunningham had a decent effort for the Vics from 25 yards when he turned and fired wide of the left post and that was it as far as chances went with Talbot seeing out the closing minutes to secure the win.

Another 3 points in the bag and next up for the Bot is the midweek visit of Largs.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, White, Healy, Armstrong, Glasgow, Boylan, Samson

Subs – Mason, McDowall, Shankland, Graham Wilson, Robbie McCracken, Boyd, Hewitt

Blantyre Victoria – Currie, Jones, Allan, Marshall, Kerr, Boyle, McKenzie, Archer, MacDonald, Brennan, Eeles

Subs – Hughes, Cunningham, Gibson, O’Donnell, Kearney

Auchinleck Talbot v Troon

Troon usher the ball out of play while keeping Glasgow at arms length.

Troon open the scoring, as the players celebrate taking the lead at Beechwood. 0-1.

Gareth watches closely, as Jamie goes on a run up the middle of the park.

A mid-air tussle for Armstrong, as Talbot try to keep hold of the ball.

While Jack screams blue murder for the pass, Jamie Glasgow, possibly gets fouled, as he races in on goal but…

…he still manages to release a shot at goal, although, he fails to find the back of the net.

It’s a touch-line battle for possession, as Boylan tries to keep the attack motoring for Talbot.

With the ‘keeper poised for the incoming shot, McDowell just gets pipped to the ball by the defender before he can test the ‘keeper.

Aiden Wilson has a look up the park while starting another Talbot attack.

Glasgow, unsuccessfully, tries his luck from distance.

McCracken does what McCracken does best, winning another aerial battle.

OH SO CLOSE!!! Glasgow can only look on in agony, as he sees his shot hit the crossbar instead of the back of the net.

The Talbot faithful closely watch the action, as ‘Gee’ goes on the attack in the middle of the park.

‘Big Neily’ wins the ball and begins going on a great mazy run from deep in his own half.

Bryan races into the Troon box before firing the ball towards goal, where…

…he sees the Troon player get his attempted clearance all wrong and, unfortunately for Troon, drags the ball into his own net and scores an own goal. 1-1.

McPherson and Lyle race to congratulate Boylan after helping to pull Talbot level.

Troon shout for a free-kick, as Graham Wilson does his best to find a way through.

El capitano makes sure there ain’t no way through for Troon.

Craig McCracken jumps the highest and sends a powerful header towards goal but fails to score.

From right on the edge of the box, ‘Shankers’ has a dig but his shot gets blocked.

Although he wins the ball while racing through, Kieran Healy gets fouled in the process.

WHAT A MISS!!! Samson comes extremely close to putting Talbot into the lead but his close range header goes just over the crossbar.

The Talbot bench look on, as Talbot continue to search for a winner.

SAMSON YET AGAIN!!! Talbot eventually take the lead, as Keir Samson prods the ball home into a half empty net. 2-1.

A glorious goal, in the glorious sunshine…QUE THE CELEBRATAORY MAHEM!!!

Talbot go looking to seal the victory but McCracken’s header gets pushed over the bar by a great save from the Troon ‘keeper.

HEART IN MOUTH!!! In the dying minutes of the game, Troon come very close to equalising but the tame header gets comfortably caught by ‘Big Andy’.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

This was the proverbial game of two halves with Talbot failing to show up for the 1^st 45 but turning the game around with a much improved 2^nd half display.

The warning signs were there early on when the visitors threatened the Talbot goal in the 3^rd minute. A free kick was awarded for a foul on McLevy which Gallagher swept into the area. Jamieson flicked it on but there were no takers at the back post.

Troon took the lead in the 5^th minute. Frizzell flicked the ball into the path of JAMIESON and with the Bot defence looking for an offside flag that never came he raced in on goal before slipping the ball underneath the advancing Leishman.

Glasgow tried to respond for Talbot & jinked his way through the left of the Troon penalty area but could only fire well wide from a tight angle.

The visitors nearly doubled their lead in the 19^th minute. Frizzell got in behind down the right & whipped a dangerous ball across the face of goal which just eluded Jamieson in front of goal.

Talbot huffed & puffed but weren’t making much headway. It took until the 38^th minute before there was any kind of threat offered in the final third. Boylan did well to burst to the bye line and cut the ball back towards Glasgow but he was well challenged at the near post & it ran behind for a corner.

Ben Black picked up a caution in the 41^st minute for Troon when he clipped Graham Wilson’s heels as he ran forward and that was it as far as the first half went.

From the outset of the 2^nd half it was apparent Talbot had stepped up several gears. Within a minute of the restart Glasgow slung a cross over from the left that was headed out straight to McDowall who volleyed wide of goal from 15 yards.

A minute later Healy swept a dangerous cross over from the left that Lyle just failed to connect with at the back post.

It was no real surprise then when Talbot levelled in the 49^th minute. Glasgow raced away into space before releasing the ball out to Boylan on the right. He cut into the penalty area & drilled a low shot across goal that MCCLOSKEY bundled into his own net from close range whilst trying to clear it.

Troon were rattled and their defence looked nervy in the 53^rd minute when Boylan’s cross into the area was shanked into the air by McCloskey. The ball spun out to Aiden Wilson whose cross into the goal mouth was unconvincingly flapped away by Fisher.

The momentum had been with Talbot but the Bot gifted Troon a half chance in the 56^th minute. A ball up the right was headed into the air by Aiden Wilson & both McPherson & McCracken went to clear it. They collided with one another & the ball broke to Frizzell 20 yards out but his shot went straight at Leishman.

The Bot defence were called into action again a minute later when Troon were awarded a free kick out on the right touchline. The free kick was fired beyond the far post towards McLevy but his header was blocked behind by Lyle.

Talbot made a double switch in the 59^th minute with Glasgow & Graham Wilson making way for Shankland & Samson. Keir was involved immediately – racing into the penalty area & seeing his ball across goal put behind for a corner. When the corner came over McCracken rose to head it toward goal where it was scrambled clear by the defence.

Troon now made their 1^st change with Josh Black on in place of Ben Black.

In the 67^th minute Maitland did well to prevent Talbot taking the lead. Shankland gathered on the left & fired it low across goal towards Samson who was poised to tap it home until Maitland intercepted & put it behind.

Talbot’s next attack saw Samson meet a cross from the left. He was coming away from goal as he met it & sent his header over the bar from 6 yards out.

Tucker now made a further change with McDowall making way for the trialist.

Troon had been guilty all afternoon of making mountains out of molehills at any hint of contact & eventually the ref’s patience wore thin & he had words with Fulton after a particularly histrionic outburst.

In the 72^nd minute Troon brought on Nisbet in place of the tiring Jamieson.

Talbot took the lead in the 73^rd minute. Aiden Wilson laid the ball back to Shankland & his cross was met at the back post by the trialist who steered it back across goal where KEIR SAMSON nodded home from close range.

With 11 minutes remaining Talbot won a free kick 35 yards out after Armstrong was tripped. Shankland fired it over the wall but wide of Fisher’s left hand post.

Troon now made a further change with Lusk coming on for Frizzell.

Another goal would have sealed it and Talbot came close in the 83^rd minute. McCracken flighted it up the right where Boylan nodded it inside to Samson. He squared it across to Shankland & his effort from 20 yards flew just past the left hand upright.

With five minutes remaining Talbot threatened again. Samson beat Troon’s offside trap to speed clear on the right and his cross just cleared the head of the trialist in front of goal before Maitland swept it behind for the corner. Shankland produced a great delivery from the corner & Fisher did well to turn McCracken’s powerful header over the bar.

Troon hadn’t offered much going forward in the 2^nd half but they gave Talbot a late scare with 2 minutes remaining. Josh Black showed good pace to get away wide on the left & he drilled it low across the penalty area where it hit off Nisbet 8 yards out rather than him hitting it & the ball went straight at Leishman.

A Jekyll and Hyde performance from Talbot who were as dominant in the 2^nd half as they had been anonymous in the first. Next up for Talbot is a midweek trip to Valefield where they face Kilbirnie Ladeside.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Armstrong, Healy, McDowall, Graham Wilson, Glasgow, Boylan

Subs – Samson, Shankland, Trialist, Robbie McCracken, White, Boyd, Hewitt

Troon – Fisher, McLevy, McCloskey, Maitland, Miller, Gallagher, Ben Black, Montgomerie, Frizzell, Fulton, Jamieson

Subs – Galloway, Nisbet, McDowall, Burns, Josh Black, Lusk, Fraser (gk