Venue: Beechwood Park

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot’s hot streak in front of goal continued as they eased to a 6-0 win over Whitletts Vics in this sectional cup quarter-final tie.

Talbot started slowly and it was the visitors who had the first chance of the afternoon in the 5th minute. Cunningham met a corner over from the right but directed his header wide of the right post.

Down the other end Talbot won a free kick in a useful area following a barge on Shankland who took the set piece himself; firing into the wall from 20 yards out. The ball rebounded out to Healy who blazed well over.

The opening goal came in the 13th minute. Young took a quick free kick inside his own half to release it to Lyle on the wing. He played it up the line to find Shankland whose low ball across goal was turned behind by Miller at the far post. When Shankland flighted the corner over Barclay flapped at it & only succeeded in pushing the ball out to HAMISH MCKINLAY who crashed a shot home from 15 yards.

The Bot had a chance to extend their lead in the 17th minute. McKinlay cut in off the right & played it across to Shankland. He in turn fed it out to Glasgow who returned the ball back into Shankland’s path but he shot straight at the keeper.

Findlay received a caution in the 19th minute for a late challenge out on the left touchline.

Talbot moved two ahead in the 22nd minute. Whitletts managed to clear away a Shankland corner but when the ball was lobbed back into the area it fell to DILLON YOUNG in acres of space & with the Vics defence looking in vain for offside he fired low past Barclay.

Glasgow came close to grabbing Talbot’s 3rd in the 28th minute. Shankland chested the ball down into his path & he hared through the centre leaving defenders in his wake before clipping a shot just wide of the right post.

McKinlay had a great chance to grab his 2nd of the afternoon in the 33rd minute. He timed his run to perfection to latch onto a ball down the left & race clean through into the box but he drilled a shot straight at Barclay.

Two minutes later though Talbot did grab their third. McKinlay surged past Miller, who had a couple of nibbles at him, but the ref gave a good advantage and waved play on. He found Pope who in turn played it up the line to Glasgow and when he swept a cross over Barclay made a hash of it; dropping the ball into the feet of MARK SHANKLAND who turned it home at the back post to complete the 1st half scoring.

There were no changes during the interval but it didn’t take Tucker long to make a double switch after the re-start; Graham Wilson & Keir Samson coming on up top for Glasgow & Shankland in the 51st minute.

Within two minutes of entering the fray GRAHAM WILSON made it 4-0 to Talbot. The Bot won a free kick 20 yards from goal for Kerr’s shove on McKinlay and he fired it past the wall and inside the right post.

Whitletts now made their own double substitution with Ewart & Reid on for Brown & Anderson.

Vics came close to pulling a goal back on the hour mark. Reid bent a good ball up the right channel to find Donovan & he hit a 1st time shot just wide of the left post.

Encouraged by this Whitletts then put together a neat move that ended with Donovan firing on target from the edge of the area that Leishman parried then gathered at the 2nd attempt.

In the 64th minute Whitletts made their final change when Davidson replaced Dinwoodie.

Talbot made their third and final change two minutes later with White replacing Hyslop in midfield.

Talbot’s next attack saw McKinlay combine well with Samson down the left before Samson fired a good low ball across goal that Barclay did well to cut out.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot made it 5-0 following a period of concerted pressure. A corner from the right was met by the unmarked GORDON POPE who floated a header across goal and inside the right post.

The game was long gone but Davidson came close to a consolation effort when he let fly from 25 yards; only to see his shot fly wide of the left post.

In the 81st minute McDowall whipped over a dangerous ball from the right touchline that Barclay cut out with White waiting to pounce to tap home.

Talbot completed the scoring in the 85th minute. A free kick was taken quickly into McKinlay on the right of the area. His shot was blocked but it spun across to KEIR SAMSON in space on the left & he squeezed a shot under Barclay to make it 6-0 to the Bot.

A comfortable afternoon for the Bot and this win now sees Talbot travel through to face Beith and the Bellsdale ski slope in Wednesday’s semi-final.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Aiden Wilson, Young, Hyslop, Healy, McDowall, Glasgow, Shankland, McKinlay

Subs – Graham Wilson, Samson, Stephen Wilson, Armstrong, White

Whitletts Victoria – Barclay, Findlay, Miller, Isaac Kerr, Brown, Cunningham, Lewis Kerr, Boyd, Dinwoodie, Donovan, Anderson

Subs – Ogston, McColgan, Ewart, Davidson, Reid

Read more: http://auchinlecktalbotfc.proboards.com/thread/8602/auchinleck-talbot-6-whitletts-victoria#ixzz5yIsq77X6

Troon must have wished they’d stayed beside the seaside as they were hopelessly outclassed by Talbot at a wet & windy Beechwood in this one-sided league encounter.

Talbot settled to the task quickly and made the early running, pegging Troon back without being able to test them in the final third. The first effort at goal came from the visitors in the 7th minute when Chatham’s reverse pass found Fulton on the right of the area & he drilled a shot across goal and wide of the far post.

A minute later Johnstone was let off the hook by the referee. A short back pass put the keeper under pressure & as he tried to clear Graham Wilson charged it down but just as he looked set to follow up and head home the referee blew up for a foul.

Talbot were dominating possession and came close on a number of occasions. Twice in as many minutes dangerous balls were whipped across the face of the Troon goal, firstly by Shankland and then Stephen Wilson and on both occasions Samson nearly provided the finishing touch.

With 22 mins gone the visitors snatched the lead against the run of play. Kieran Paterson lifted a ball up the right that skated off Young’s head and behind for a corner. When the corner came over Talbot could only clear it as far as FULTON who rifled a fine finish inside the left post from 20 yards.

The goal didn’t faze Talbot though and the Bot were soon back camped in the Troon half and their pressure paid off when they grabbed the equaliser in the 28th minute.

A ball into the heart of the penalty area found STEPHEN WILSON with his back to goal & he was able to turn & slot a low shot inside the right post to make it 1-1.

Three minutes later Talbot moved in front. A shy from the right came to Shankland outside the area. He shaped as though to shoot but instead played it left to find KEIR SAMSON in space inside the box & he tucked a great finish beyond Johnstone to make it 2-1.

It was all Talbot and the Bot nearly scored again soon after. Healy’s shot from the edge of the area was deflected just wide of the right post off Graham Wilson.

The 3rd goal wasn’t long in coming though & duly arrived after 36 minutes. Pope slipped a good pass down the left to find the run of Samson & he lifted a cross into the centre where MARK SHANKLAND guided a free header into the back of the net.

Within a minute Talbot added their fourth. They won a corner down the left that Shankland drilled low into the near post. Samson attempted to back heel it home but his effort was blocked behind for another corner. This time Shankland lifted the corner into the centre where DILLON YOUNG bundled it home from close range.

Troon were coming apart at the seams & Keenan went off to be replaced by McCreadie.

The visitors looked down & out but rallied to come close to pulling one back in the 42nd minute. Stevenson shoved the ball on to Maley who returned it back to him and Leishman had to be on his toes to turn his powerful drive round his left post.

A minute before the interval Talbot came within a whisker of extending their lead. Graham Wilson’s touch sent Armstrong racing through the heart of the defence & his shot flew past Johnstone & cannoned off his right post and back into the arms of the relieved keeper and the half ended with Talbot trooping off 4-1 ahead.

It would have been easy for Talbot to take their foot off the accelerator but if anything they stepped up a gear after the interval.

Three minutes after the restart Gilmour did well to thwart Samson when he looked set to race through on the keeper and a minute later Graham Wilson latched onto Samson’s cutback from the left to flick a shot on target that Johnstone held.

In the 50th minute Talbot won a free kick 22 yards out after Samson was fouled. Shankland took it & fired it over the wall but Johnstone got his positioning spot on & held it inside his right post.

The chances kept coming & Talbot threatened again in the 54th minute. Pope’s slide rule pass sent Shankland free down the left of the area & he dinked it past Johnstone as he advanced off his line; however Gilmour was able to get back & clear.

An hour in and Tucker made a double substitution with Hyslop & McKinlay coming on for Armstrong & Graham Wilson.

The nonstop pressure finally told in the 62nd minute when Talbot added to their lead. Hyslop did well down the right to hustle McCreadie into conceding a corner. The defence were able to clear Shankland’s first corner but only straight back to him & he set it back to Stephen Wilson who pinged a cross over for DILLON YOUNG to head home Talbot’s 5th of the evening.

Before Troon had a chance to settle Talbot scored their sixth. McKinlay raced onto a ball down the left & fed it inside to Samson. His flick broke into the path of KIERAN HEALY who rolled it inside the left hand post.

McKinlay almost added another in the 67th minute. Stephen Wilson played it up the right to find McKinlay on the edge of the area & he showed good feet to create the space for a shot & crashed it off the bar from a tight angle.

Troon now made a change with McCloy on in place of Stevenson.

The sub was barely on the park when Talbot made it 7-1. Healy’s ball up the left found Samson running clear in the box. He knocked it past Johnstone but Paterson got a foot in to block his effort; however it fell nicely for HAMISH MCKINLAY who slotted it home.

Tucker now made his final change with McDowall coming on for Stephen Wilson.

The officials decided to have mercy on Troon and denied Talbot what looked an obvious goal in the 72nd minute. McKinlay won the ball & knocked it inside to Samson who let fly from 25 yards. His shot flew off the underside of the bar & appeared to bounce well behind the goal line before spinning out but the stand side assistant wasn’t up with play & the goal wasn’t given.

A minute later McKinlay looked set for his second of the evening when he ran unmarked onto a cross from the right but Johnstone managed to block his header.

Shankland was then denied another entry on the score sheet when Hyslop found him breaking through the centre of the defence only for his shot to be deflected just over the bar.
With 6 minutes remaining Talbot tested Troon’s keeper again. Shankland’s cross field pass released McDowall on the right & he fired a low shot back across goal that Johnstone parried away at his right post.

Talbot completed the scoring in the 86th minute. Talbot moved the ball around well deep in the Troon half before it was switched out left to Shankland who played it across the face of goal where HAMISH MCKINLAY passed it into the net from close range to make the final score 8-1.

With the light fading the referee put Troon out their misery and blew up without adding any time.

A great win for Talbot which will have done wonders for confidence and no harm at all to the goal difference column. Next up for the Bot it is back to cup duty as they host Whitletts Vics in the quarter-final of the Sectional cup.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Young, Healy, Armstrong, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Samson, Shankland

Subs – McKinlay, McDowall, Pearson, Hyslop, Aiden Wilson

Troon Juniors – Johnstone, Henderson, Gilmour, Keenan, McGregor, Kieran Paterson, Fulton, Chatham, Stevenson, Pooler, Maley

Subs – McCreadie, Reid, McCloy, Ewing, Jack Paterson

Talbot eased into the quarter finals of the Sectional League Cup with a 3-0 win which could have been a whole lot more if not for the heriocs of Dunsmuir in the Kello goals. As early as the sixth minute he tipped a Jack McDowall header over the bar and on the 20th minute he made a superb point blank save from Jamie Glasgow. Five minutes later he denied Keiran Healy twice when he made another close contact save before blocking the rebound. However Talbot took the lead a minute later when a Glasgow corner was met by the head of the unmarked Dwayne Hyslop who powered the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0. On the half hour mark it was 2-0 after Glasgow was fouled just outside the box and a raker of a free kick by Pope flew through the Kello wall and although Dunsmuir did enough tp beat the ball out, Hamish McKinlay was first to react to the loose ball and swept the ball into the net. With the game heading for the interval Hyslop was unlucky to see his screamer of a shot cannon off the post with the keeper beaten.

Stephen Wilson replaced Hyslop before the start of the second half and was involved in Talbot’s third goal when he turned the visiting defence in the box and set up Jamie Glasgow who made no mistake from eight yards out. Talbot were rarely troubled in the match and their domination continued throughout the remainder of the game. The Kello keeper denied McDowall and Corey Pearson in the space of a couple of minutes, and with ten minutes left on the clock McDowall was denied again by the keeper and soon after a cheeky back heel by Samson was cleared off the line. It was a convincing win with some great performances from the new boys.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

Talbot’s fans were happy when it rains as the Bot opened their campaign with a derby demolition of local rivals Glenafton.

Before kick off the fans had a chance to show their appreciation to two Bot legends, Jimmy McMillan & Gavin Collins who were applauded onto the park before later being inducted into the hall of fame before it was down to business.

The opening exchanges were fairly even with both sides testing the opposing defence without being able to work the goal keepers. The visitors had a penalty shout in the 6th minute when Moore floated a cross over from the left. McCann crumpled to the deck as the ball sailed over him but the ref wasn’t interested.

The breakthrough came in the 17th minute. Graham Wilson slid the ball out right to find Glasgow & he burst up the wing before slinging a dangerous cross into the centre. Stephen Wilson looked set to touch it home but was nudged in the back & the ref pointed to the spot. GORDON POPE took it & sent McGarrity the wrong way as he rolled it into the bottom corner.

Two minutes later Talbot were back on the attack. McIntyre shrugged off a couple of challenges before releasing a pass to Armstrong in the centre. He fed it out to McDowall on the right who cut inside only to see his shot blocked by a defender.

The Glens threatened down Talbot’s right in the 20th minute. Gallagher released Park down the flank & pulled it back across the area where McDowall knocked it behind for a corner.

In the 24th minute action swiftly switched from one end to the other. Down the Coal Road end McAusland whipped a dangerous low ball in that Stephen Wilson did well to cut out at the near post. Talbot then raced up field where Graham Wilson sent Glasgow racing free down the left & continued his run to meet Glasgow’s cut back inside the area but his side-foot shot went straight at McGarrity.

A minute later it was Leishman to the rescue. The ball came to Moore in acres of space on the left of the penalty area and he looked set to score but his low drive was brilliantly kept out by Leishman who saved with his feet at his right post.

Talbot had a penalty appeal denied in the 27th minute. The Bot won a free kick 30 yards out when McChesney wrestled Glasgow to the turf. Pope took it but with everyone anticipating a shot he angled a pass out to Glasgow on the left of the box. He checked inside onto his right foot & went down under McAusland’s sliding tackle but the referee waved play on.

McGarrity prevented Talbot from extending their lead soon after. McDowall gathered on the right, a few yards in from the bye line, and powered a shot across goal that McGarrity parried clear in the centre.

The Glens were forced into a change in the 33rd minute when Cairns limped off to be replaced by Orsi.

Glasgow spurned a clear chance to double Talbot’s lead in the 38th minute. The Glens defence were opened up when Glasgow dummied a ball through the centre and raced past the flat-footed central defence; however he tried to pass it beyond the advancing McGarrity who dived to his right to make the stop.

There was plenty of endeavour but no further near misses as the half wound to a close and Talbot left the field a goal ahead at the break.

Talbot couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2nd half as the Glens conceded a 2nd penalty in the 52nd min. Stephen Wilson chipped the ball toward Glasgow inside the area but it was blocked en route by the arm of Menzies. The ref had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and once again GORDON POPE made no mistake, tucking it away inside the left post to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.

A few minutes later McGarrity had a lucky escape when he was too casual with a clearance. He tried to pass it up field when fielding a back pass but Glasgow read it & managed to block only for it to spin wide.

In the 57th min the Glens made their 2nd change when Nisbet replaced McCann up front.

The Glens now had their best spell of the match as they pushed Talbot back. In the 62nd min Andrew turned smartly outside the Talbot area & fired a shot on target but it went straight at Leishman.

McAusland had his name taken in the 65th minute for a late challenge on Lyle and Talbot also made a double substitution with McIntyre & Glasgow making way for McKinlay & Shankland.

A minute later Leishman made his 2nd top class save of the afternoon. Andrew won the ball midway inside the Bot half & slid a defence splitting pass through to Park. He raced clear but was denied by Leishman who’d raced to the edge of his area where he made the block.

Park tested Leishman again in the 68th minute. The Glens broke up the right where Moore flighted a cross over to the far post. Park ran onto it and Leishman turned his half-volley over the bar.

With 71 mins gone Menzies became the 2nd Glens name in the book when he was cautioned for a late challenge on McDowall.

It was game over in the 72nd minute when Talbot grabbed their third. There looked to be a foul on Graham Wilson in the build up by Orsi but the ref let play continue and the ball came to Shankland on the left edge of the area where he proceeded to waltz past several defenders before attempting to chip McGarrity. The keeper tipped it out but HAMISH MCKINLAY was on hand to tuck the rebound home from close range.

Tucker completed his changes with quarter of an hour remaining when Healy replaced Stephen Wilson.

With 10 minutes remaining Talbot had a chance to extend their lead. Armstrong intercepted the ball inside the Glens half and knocked it to Graham Wilson. He spotted McKinlay in space to his right & squared the ball to send him through one on one with the keeper. McKinlay attempted to lob McGarrity as he advanced to the edge of the area but didn’t catch it right & plunked the ball straight at the keeper.

Talbot kept pushing to the end and were rewarded with a fourth goal deep in injury time. McKinlay had an opportunity to shoot on the right of the area but hesitated and was closed down. He managed to shove the ball across the area where MARK SHANKLAND curled a right foot shot into the roof of the net to make the final score 4-0.

It’s a short break for Talbot as they return to action on Monday night when they travel to Blair Park to face Hurlford.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle,Pope, Aiden Wilson, Young, Armstrong, Stephen Wilson, McIntyre, Graham Wilson, Glasgow, McDowall

Subs – Shankland, Samson, Healy, Pearson, McKinlay

Glenafton Athletic – McGarrity, McAusland, Cairns, Menzies, McChesney, Park, Gallagher, Marlowe, McCann, Andrew, Moore

Subs – Orsi, Nisbet, Potter, Burns (gk)

Read more: http://auchinlecktalbotfc.proboards.com/thread/8565/auchinleck-talbot-4-glenafton-athletic#ixzz5uzvsrGgq

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot have the league wrapped up but that hasn’t blunted their desire to win and the Bot wrapped up their home fixtures with a 2-0 win over Pollok.
The opening exchanges belonged to the visitors with Pollok looking lively. They forced a few corners that the Bot defence dealt well with before winning a free kick in a decent area. Lyle conceded a free kick out on the right for a nudge of Stuart McCann. Young curled it in but Pope headed clear.
The first effort at goal came after 10 mins. Coutts fired in a low cross that broke out to Young at the edge of the area & he curled a shot high & wide of the left post.
For all Pollok’s pressure they hadn’t threatened Talbot’s goal and the first close call of the match fell Talbot’s way after quarter of an hour. A free kick was lifted up the left wing to Graham Wilson and he hooked over a cross that Hyslop headed against the crossbar with the keeper beaten. The ball rebounded out to Armstrong whose 1st shot was blocked and then his follow up effort slid wide of the left post.
Talbot took the lead after 24 minutes aided in part by a goalkeeping error. Talbot won a shy out on the right that Samson hurled into the centre. The Lok rearguard failed to clear their lines and it came to Glasgow on the left of the area. He dinked a cross over that Lumsden came for but missed and KEIR SAMSON bundled it home.
Pollok made a change half an hour in with Fraser making way for McCluskey.
Two mins later we had the 1st booking of the match; Henry receiving a caution for a cynical block on McCracken as he raced upfield.
The Lok defence were stretched in the 37th minute when Graham Wilson surged forward before releasing the ball out left to Glasgow. He returned the ball back into the path of Graham Wilson but Morton did well to intercept and turn it behind for the corner.
Talbot’s next attack saw McCracken charge out of defence before releasing it to Samson. He in turn fed it to Graham Wilson on the right who swung a dangerous cross but there was no in the centre to convert.
Leishman produced a top save to maintain Talbot’s lead in the 40th minute. When the ball was squared in field off the right to Morton he looked too far out to shoot but he had other ideas and his low drive from 35 yards plus was heading inside the left post til Leishman dived to turn it behind.
A min before the interval Glasgow picked up a caution for a shove on Gary McCann. Young took the free kick and lifted it into the centre where it was headed clear. However it only came out to Morton whose diagonal ball found Gary McCann racing free down the right. He cut it back into the path of Forde who failed to hit the target; steering a shot wide from 10 yards out. In the closing action of the half Samson picked up a very soft caution.
Talbot started the 2nd half positively and Pope’s cross in the 48th minute looked destined to be headed home at the back post until Evans stretched to head it away from a clutch of waiting players.
Tucker made his first change after 53 mins with Shankland coming on for Glasgow.
The next chance came because of Pollok’s inability to cope with Samson’s throw in. He hurtled it into the centre where it fell to Graham Wilson with his back to goal. He teed it up for Stephen Wilson but his shot was blocked.
In the 58th minute Talbot cut through the Lok defence. Pope played it into the feet of Shankland & he dispatched it to the left to find Graham Wilson racing clear. He whipped over a cross that flashed across the face of goal before being put behind for a corner at the back post. When the corner came in it was headed on into the path of Graham Wilson who blasted home but the flag was up before he hit it.
On the hour mark Pollok paid the penalty for failing to deal with another Samson throw. This time when the shy came in the Lok defender missed it in the air & when it skipped up off the surface he controlled it with his arm. The ref pointed to the spot and GORDON POPE duly dispatched it into the bottom corner to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.
Tucker now made another two substitutions; firstly McDowall coming on for Samson and this was shortly followed by McIlroy replacing Graham Wilson.
The next effort at goal came in the 66th minute. A Shankland corner from the right came across to Pope on the left of the area & he hammered it over the bar on the half-volley.
Two minutes later Shankland tested the keeper. McDowall won a header in midfield that landed at Shankland 40 yards out. He spotted the keeper out of position and opted to hit it early forcing Lumsden to scramble across to his right to keep out his shot.
Pollok now made their 2nd change with Forde making way for Anson.
With quarter of an hour remaining Pollok had a penalty shout when McCluskey drove a cross in from the left that hit Lyle. Pollok appealed for handball but the ref dismissed their claims.
Morton talked his way into the ref’s notebook in the 79th minute. He was fortunate to escape a caution for deliberate handball when he prevented Stephen Wilson from knocking the ball past him but kept on at the ref until he did book him. Shankland took the free kick and lifted it into the near post where it was gathered by McIlroy who forced the corner. When the corner came over Hyslop saw his header blocked into the path of McDowall. His shot was also blocked by a defender and spun to Hyslop 16 yards out who curled a shot just wide of the left post.
Talbot threatened to extend their lead with 8 mins remaining. A swift break involving Stephen Wilson & Shankland saw the ball shifted out left to McDowall. He crossed it over to the far post where McIlroy laid it back across goal for Shankland who hooked a shot at goal that was blocked in the goal mouth.
A minute later Lumsden was at full stretch to deny Talbot their third. Armstrong mishit it but it ended up the perfect cross for Stephen Wilson whose header was headiing inside the left post til Lumsden dived full length to make the stop.
Talbot were finishing with a flourish and Pope tried his luck from 35 yards after being set up Shankland; firing wide of the right post.
It was all Talbot in the closing stages but Pollok held out without conceding another.
After the final whistle Talbot were ‘presented’ with their winners medals and the league trophy they’d earned the hard way hauling back Hurlford’s massive lead one win at a time.
Next up for Talbot is an away trip to Bellsdale to face Beith this Saturday before next weekend’s Scottish Junior final with Largs Thistle.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Hyslop, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Glasgow, Samson

Subs – McIlroy, Shankland, McDowall, Kemp, Harvey

Pollok – Lumsden, Coutts, Morton, Evans, Sideserf, Henry, Gary McCann, Fraser, Stuart McCann, Forde, Young

Subs – Anson, Watt, McCluskey, McWilliams, Urquhart (gk)

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot are becoming specialists at 1-0 wins as they beat Largs by the only goal of the game at Beechwood to narrow the gap to Hurlford to 4 points.
There was little goal mouth action to keep the fans occupied with the first chance of the game coming Largs way after ten minutes. A corner from the right was headed clear by Hyslop and came out to Muir at the left edge of the box where he steered a volley just wide of Leishman’s left post.
Talbot’s first threatening attack came in the 19th minute. Armstrong & Lyle worked a one-two down the right that sent Lyle racing through on the right side of the penalty area. He cut it back across goal to McIlroy 15 yards out but he took a touch rather than hitting it 1st time was quickly closed down & the chance was gone.
The visitors won a corner in the 24th minute when Pope headed Sewell’s cross behind. Once again Talbot managed to head it clear but again it came to Muir whose shot from 18 yards was deflected wide. When the corner was lifted across the face Leishman came to claim it but misjudged it and the ball sailed beyond him but was booted clear at the back post.
The remainder of the half was forgettable fare & it wasn’t until the closing minutes of the half that Talbot upped their game & began to exert some pressure. In the 43rd minute Lyle’s pass found Armstrong breaking forward & he slid it out right to Samson who fired it low across goal and just wide of the right post and so the half ended without either keeper being tested.
The 2nd half could only be an improvement & Talbot did look sharper after the break. In the 52nd minute Talbot won a corner down the right when Sewell headed Leishman’s kick behind. The corner was delivered right across the area and came to Pope who drilled a low ball back across goal. It landed at McIlroy 6 yards out but he couldn’t get it out his feet in time and his effort was blocked. The ball spun back to Armstrong who drilled a low shot on target that Lundy held at his left post.
Largs made a change after 54 minutes with Struthers on in place of Adam.
Orr had his name taken in the 59th minute when he swiped the feet from Samson after he’d side-stepped him resulting in a free kick 30 yards out. Pope took it & fired around the wall but wide of Lundy’s left hand post.
Talbot’s next chance came in the 64th minute. Armstrong’s header sailed over the defence to find McIlroy racing forward. He might have kept going but instead opted to hit it early and fired over the bar on the half volley from 20 yards.
Tucker made his first change in the 67th minute when Shankland came on for McDowall.
There were loud penalty appeals in the 71st minute when Sewell appeared to use his arm to control the ball whilst trying to carry the ball forward inside his penalty area but the referee blanked them out.
The turning point came in the 78th minute. Orr barged into the back of Samson and the ref produced a 2nd yellow card and Orr made the short trip to the clubhouse. Shankland took the resultant free kick and swung it beyond the far post where Pope headed it back across goal for SEAN MCILROY to prod home from close range.
With 5 minutes remaining Shankland played it into the feet of McIlroy in the centre. He did well to roll his marker but blasted his shot well over from 18 yards.
Talbot now made a further change with Kemp coming on for Samson.
Struthers now had his name taken for a foul on McCracken.
Leishman had very little to do all afternoon but was called into action in the 87th minute. Muir fed it out wide right to find Carter on the overlap and he drilled a low ball in that Leishman gathered inside his near post.
In the final minute of regulation time Talbot had two efforts at goal in quick succession. Firstly, McIlroy hooked the ball out right to find Armstrong racing through and Lundy parried his shot away. Talbot kept the pressure on and Shankland gathered on the left of the area before firing a shot on goal that Lundy blocked.
Talbot now made their final change with Waite on for McIlroy.
As the game moved deep into injury time Largs had one final chance to snatch a share of the points. A long diagonal ball found Black in space out on the left and he cut it back into the path of Struthers 20 yards out but he ballooned his shot.
A case of job done for Talbot who whilst nowhere near their best will be happy with another clean sheet and 3 points. Next up for Talbot it’s a Monday night visit to Cambuslang Rangers followed by a mid-week trip to Troon as the league games come thick & fast.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, White, Hyslop, McIlroy, Samson, McDowall

Subs – Shankland, Glasgow, Kemp, Waite, Harvey

Largs Thistle – Lundy, Faulds, Sewell, Orr, Little, Fleming, McKie, Muir, Adam, Carter, Black

Subs – Struthers, George, Besley, Jameson, McGowan (gk)

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Last time round Talbot knocked seven past Petershill but at this stage of the season any win will do & Talbot ground out a 1-0 win to claim all 3 points.
The first chance of the evening came Talbot’s way in the 9th minute. Armstrong played it up the left to find Samson & he sped past Crawford before crossing it into the centre where Waite headed it down into the turf & it bounced up & over the bar.
The same two players were involved in the 15th minute. Once again Samson outpaced Crawford before crossing it to the back post but this time Waite misjudged it & fluffed his header from 6 yards out.
Talbot’s next effort came shortly after when Hyslop got on the end of Stephen Wilson’s cross but his header drifted wide of target.
Some of the Bot support thought Talbot had taken the lead after 20 mins. Talbot were awarded a free kick 22 yards out for handball which Hyslop fired past the wall. From a certain angle it looked like it had nestled into the bottom corner but had flew just wide of the left post & got tangled in the net behind the goal.
The referee turned down a strong Talbot penalty appeal in the 25th min. Waite’s cross into the area was allowed to bounce by the Peasies defence & when it came up off the surface it came off a defender’s arm but the ref waved away the appeals.
Muir had his name taken in the 27th minute for a foul on Hyslop.
Quinn produced a good stop on the half hour mark to prevent Talbot taking the lead. Armstrong threaded a ball through to McIlroy who let it run past him to Samson and his effor t from the left of the area was well saved by Quinn who turned it past for the corner.
The goal however was only slightly delayed as Waite whipped over a good delivery from the left & SEAN MCILROY nodded it home from close range.
The visitors barely crossed the halfway line all evening but they did have a decent effort in the 37th minute. A corner on the left was taken short to McMullin whose first shot at goal was blocked. It came back out to him and he sent a curling right foot effort just over the bar from 18 yards.
Muir became the 2nd Peasies player in the book when he received a caution for a lunging challenge on Armstrong and that was it for the 1st half.
The 2nd period followed the pattern of the 1st with untidy spells of play and frequent stoppages when Talbot were caught offside.
McMullin looked the liveliest for the Peasies and he forced Leishman into his 1st save of the evening in the 52nd minute. Talbot conceded a free kick 25 yards out that McMullin hit round the wall but Leishman got across to turn it wide of his left post.
The game was growing scrappier and Hyslop found himself in the notebook in the 64th minute for a late challege on Hamilton.
Tucker now made his first change with Shankland coming on for Waite.
With 68 mins gone Quinn prevented Talbot from doubling their lead. Samson raced clear on the right into the area & fired on target only for Quinn to block his shot. The ball spun in front of goal before Crawford knocked it behind for the corner.
Talbot were back on top but still unable to produce in the final third and with 74 mins gone Tucker made a further change with Graham Wilson on for McIlroy.
The referee took centre stage in the 77th minute. Shankland’s ball over the top found Samson racing through toward goal. Ketterer took him out but to the disbelief of the Bot players and support the referee only booked him; despite the fact Samson had a clear run through on the keeper. Shankland took the free kick and curled it over the wall but just over the crossbar.
Two minutes later McDowall had a good chance to make Talbot’s lead safe. Shankland lifted a great ball over from the left to find him bursting through on goal but he didn’t get enough on it to knock it past the advancing keeper.
With 8 mins remaining Quinn made an impressive stop to deny Shankland. Stephen Wilson found Shankland out on the left & he cut inside into the area on his right foot & curled it for the far corner only for Quinn to throw himself to his left to turn it away.
Talbot now made their final change when Glasgow came on for McDowall.
In the 85th minute only a reaction save from Quinn stopped from Graham Wilson from putting Talbot two ahead. Samson whipped a great low ball into the area which Wilson side-footed on target from 6 yards out but the keeper’s left leg prevented the goal.
In the closing stages Petershill threw a few more bodies forward in an attempt to snatch a draw but without creating anything of note and Talbot held out comfortably enough.
In truth Talbot should have won by a few more but the 3 points was the main thing so mission acomplished. Next up for Talbot it is this Saturday’s West of Scotland semi when Rob Roy visit Beechwood.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Armstrong, McPherson, McCracken, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, McDowall, McIlroy, Samson, Waite
Subs – Graham Wilson, Glasgow, Shankland, Kemp, White

Petershill – Quinn, Crawford, McMullin, McCallum, Ketterer, Kennedy, Muir, Pearson, Cameron, Hamilton, Scott