Beechwood Park – Page 15 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok FC

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

It has been a year since Talbot last lost a Super League match and that record was extended thanks to a 3-1 win over league leaders Pollok.

Talbot made a strong start, forcing a corner in the opening minute that Shankland dropped onto the roof of the net.

A few minutes later Stephen Wilson tested Lumsden from distance with the Lok keeper having to tip his shot over the crossbar. From the resultant corner Pollok cleared their lines & sprang onto a swift counter attack down the left. Duff burst into the area and fired a powerful low drive on target that Leishman stopped but couldn’t hold, with Lyle completing the clearance.

In the sixth minute Talbot won a free kick in their own half which Pope flighted onto the head of Hyslop. He flicked it on into the path of Samson who raced down the right before sliding a ball into the near post which McLauchlan bundled behind. Shankland whipped the corner over and CRAIG MCCRACKEN bulleted a header home to give Talbot an early lead.

With quarter of an hour gone Hyslop received a caution for clipping the heels of Gary McCann.

The visitors came close to levelling two minutes later. Dallas won a header on to Gary McCann on the right wing. He lifted a cross over to find Duff in space at the back post. He could’ve headed for goal but instead cushioned a header back to Fraser whose shot from 10 yards out was blocked by McPherson.

With 21 mins gone Pollok paid the price for McLauchlan’s clumsy challenge through the back of Samson. The Lok centre half received a booking and then MARK SHANKLAND curled a beauty of a free kick beyond the keeper & inside the left post to double Talbot’s lead.

Five minutes later Lumsden prevented Talbot from adding to their lead. Hyslop spread it left to find Graham Wilson and he drilled a shot on target that Lumsden blocked at his right hand post.

The Lok keeper was back in action on the half hour mark. Graham Wilson laid it out to Lyle on the touchline & he swept over a tremendous cross that saw Lumsden diving full length to punch it clear.

Talbot’s next effort on target came from another Shankland free kick after Boyle fouled Graham Wilson. Shankland got it over the wall but this time it flew straight at Lumsden.

The Lok keeper was being kept busy & produced a fine stop in the 37th min. Hyslop won the ball midway inside the Lok half & squared it inside to Samson. He carried it forward and spotting Lumsden off his line smashed a shot from 30 yards that Lumsden touched over the bar.

Talbot were pressing hard and threatened again a minute later when McPherson lifted a ball over the defence. Shankland cut in off the left only to see his shot deflected over by Gallagher.

The chances kept coming Talbot’s way and the Bot had a chance to move three ahead in the 40th min. McLaughlan misjudged a high ball & Graham Wilson nicked in behind him. He carried it forward before spotting Shankland in space on the left and he lobbed it back across goal and just wide of the left post.

The temper of the game grew heated in the final minute of the half. Henry crumpled to the deck with no one near him but his acting was sufficiently convincing to hoodwink the referee who gave a foul against Armstrong. Ex Bot player Boyle then got involved, ranting in the referee’s face in an attempt to pressure the official. Once the dust settled, Boyle was booked for dissent & Armstrong was booked for hee haw and Talbot left the field 2-0 ahead.

Pollok came out fighting after the break and won a free kick in a dangerous area in the 49th minute when Dallas was fouled just outside the box. Duff took it but fired straight into the defensive wall.

The visitors ought to have pulled a goal back in the 51st min. Lumsden punted it up the left where McPherson lost it in the air. It came through to Duff in space on the left of the area but rather than shooting he played it across the face of goal where Dallas took a fresh air swipe at it.

Talbot hadn’t got started and Leishman was called upon a minute later when Gary McCann’s cross deflected off a defender forcing Leishman to turn it round his left post.

In the 55th minute Talbot had a chance to move further ahead. Hyslop passed it to Graham Wilson who switched it out to Samson on the right touchline. He arrowed a cross to the back post where Armstrong put a free header over the bar.

Talbot made sure of the win with an outstanding strike on the hour mark. Armstrong, finding the route to the box blocked off turned back & slid a pass across to GORDON POPE who rocketed a screamer past Lumsden from 25 yards.

Twice in as many minutes Boyle collapsed to the turf when challenged in the air by Graham Wilson and his histrionics paid off with Wilson ending up in the book.

In the 67th minute Graham Wilson raced up the right, continuing on despite several late challenges before finally winning a free kick for a foul by Henry. Shankland took it quickly releasing Samson down the right of the area. Samson was brought down by Fraser but there was no penalty as the ref hadn’t been ready and pulled play back; although Fraser was booked for the tackle. This time Shankland angled a low ball across goal that McLaughlan had to turn behind.

With 20 mins remaining Pollok made their 1st change with Esplin on for Fraser and Tucker made a triple substitution with Graham Wilson, Samson & Armstrong making way for Boylan, Glasgow & White.

Talbot’s next attack came as a result of a free kick following Boyle’s barge into the back of Boylan. It was taken short to Stephen Wilson who played it to Glasgow on the wing and he whipped a great cross over to the back post which was well defended.

Shankland earned a well deserved round of applause in the 76th min after turning Gallagher inside out with a couple of shimmies to earn a corner. When the corner was cleared it came out to White who teed up for Glasgow whose low strike was blocked.

With 13 mins remaining Pollok pulled a goal back. They won a free kick out on the right that Henry flighted into the box. Boyle headed it back across where ESPLIN turned it home.

Pollok took encouragement from the goal and Talbot had a couple of late scares. A cross from the right was missed at the back post by Leishman but Lyle was able to clear.

In the 86th minute Glasgow conceded a free kick on the left. It was played low into the near post where it broke to Stuart McCann whose shot was turned round the post by Leishman.
Talbot’s last chance came a minute later when Glasgow won a free kick midway inside the Lok half. Shankland delivered it into the area where Hyslop got his head to it but his header deflected off a defender and looped over the bar.

Talbot saw the closing stages out to record the win and can now look ahead to next Sunday when they host Lanark United in the Sectional League cup final with the first silverware of the season at stake.

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

Subs – Glasgow Boylan White Healy Young

Pollok – Lumsden Gallagher Sideserf McLauchlan Boyle Henry Gary McCann Fraser Stuart McCann Dallas Duff

Subs – Forde Russell Esplin Morton Mackenzie

Auchinleck Talbot v Bellshill Athletic

Auchinleck Talbot v Hurlford United

Hurlford strike first, as Liam Caddis manages to squeeze the ball into the back of the net via a cool back heel kick. 0-1.

Hurlford are all smiles after taking the lead at Beechwood Park.

Should this have been a penalty to Talbot. Glasgow gets brought down inside the box via a hefty challenge.

Gareth Armstrong closely marks his man in the middle of the park.

‘Gee’ finds himself with space inside the box but he fails to hit the target, as the ‘keeper pulls off a great save.

Although there’s a queue of Talbot players waiting to head the ball home, the Ford ‘keeper gets there first to punch the ball away from danger.

Jamie turns in the box and has a go but his shot gets blocked by the defender.

Glasgow tries to win the ball back but the defender manages to nod it back to the ‘keeper first.

The benches look on, as ‘Popey’ looks to get another attack started.

Samson gets a sore one from the ‘keeper, as he tries to get to the ball before him.

Dylan Young goes on a great run down the park.

‘Pee-Wee’ does his best to put a stop to this Hurlford attack.

As Keir looks to get on the end of Mark’s cross, the Ford ‘keeper pulls off a good save to stop it but…

the ball falls very kindly to Dwayne Hyslop who prods the ball home and pulls Talbot level. 1-1.

McCracken sends a crackin’ header towards goal but…

the ball smashes off the inside of the post and can only follow the path of the goal-line before being cleared.

Samson tries an awkward header but the ball goes wide of the far post.

Both Keir and Stephen feel the frustration after seeing how close that chance was.

Graham races into the box and fires over a great cross.

While ‘Whitey’ continues with a shot at goal, everybody else screams for a penalty after a foul in the build up.

Up steps ‘Gee’ but he sends his penalty wide of the post.

Hurlford roar with relief, while ‘Shankers’ and Graham rue a missed opportunity to take the lead.

Both ‘Gee’ and the Talbot faithful feel the anguish, as another chance fails to find the net.

Samson does his best to muscle past his opponent.

Tucker and Steven share some opinions about the game at Full-Time.

Well…we will see you on Friday night, Mr Ferguson.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

Auchinleck Talbot v Whitletts Victoria

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

Auchinleck Talbot v Troon FC

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

Auchinleck Talbot v Dundonald Bluebell

Samson uses his pace to skip past the defender on the edge of the box.

Although surrounded, Keir Samson finds some space and smashes the ball into the back of the net to give Talbot an early lead. 1-0.

Keir gets congratulated by his team-mates after netting the opener.

Tempers flare, as ‘Popey’ gets involved in a wee scuffle.

A battle scarred ‘Whitey’ dishes out some serious daggers, as he helps to calm down the situation.

Stephen Wilson has time for a laugh during a break in the game.

Up steps ‘Gee’ who fires a powerful penalty into the back of the net. 2-0.

A roar of delight from the Wilson brothers, after Graham nets Talbot’s second.

The celebrations continue for ‘Gee’, as Jamie and Keir are all smiles.

Fingers crossed this pass is successful.

Samson tries his luck from a difficult angle and distance.

‘Gee’ comes agonisingly close to winning the ball back for Talbot.

Graham jumps out of the way of the strong tackle from the Dundonald player.

It’s three-sy for Talbot, as Jamie Glasgow beats the ‘keeper at his near post with a hard struck low strike. 3-0.

Talbot show they are a four-ce to be reckoned with, as Glasgow’s cross-come-shot sails over the ‘Bell ‘keeper and into the back of the net. 4-0.

Talbot come inches close to a fifth, as ‘Gee’s’ strike crashes off the crossbar and bounce the wrong way off the line.

‘Big Neilly’ stands his ground in order to make sure there is no way through for Dundonald.

Graham’s strike gets saved by the ‘keeper’s rear-end, however…

…Samson manages to get to the rebound first and rolls the ball into an empty net for Talbot’s fifth. 5-0.

A picture of despair and joy, as the ‘Bell players look dejected while Keir wheels away to celebrate.

Keir continues to celebrate his second goal with ‘Shankers’.

‘Whitey’ tries to muscle his way into the Dundonald box.

Stephen Wilson heads the ball back into the danger area.

‘Popey’ tries to pick out Keir with a low cross into the box but it gets blocked by the defender.

Talbot have a go from inside the box but the defender gets his foot to the ball.

Dundonald manage to get a consolation goal, as the ball gets coolly lobbed into the back of the net. 5-1.

‘Shankers’ rounds off the game’s scoring with a sublime lob from inside the box. 6-1.

A thank you hug for the linesman from ‘Shankers’, as the lino confirms that Mark’s goal stands.

Talbot go on the attack once more via a lob from the middle of the park.

Bodies on the line from Talbot, as the wall stands firm to block this Bluebell free-kick.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

A clinical 1st half display saw Talbot ease past Dundonald in this cup replay to book an away trip to Camelon in the next round.

Talbot couldn’t have asked for a better start as they grabbed an early opener after only 5 minutes. The visiting defence didn’t cover themselves in glory, dawdling on the ball & failing to clear their lines, until the ball ricocheted into the path of KEIR SAMSON who turned Mackie inside out before rifling a shot past Lennox at his left post.

A minute later Samson had a half chance when he latched onto Nimmo’s headed clearance but drilled it wide from outside the area.

Talbot had a chance to test the Bluebells defence in the 9th minute when they won a free kick 35 yards out after Glasgow was caught. Pope took it & fired into the wall but the ball came back to him & he immediately switched it to Glasgow on the left touchline. He crossed it into the near post where Graham Wilson flicked a header on that Drummond turned behind for a corner.

Only a goal line clearance prevented Talbot from doubling their lead when Armstrong met Glasgow’s corner from the right. His header was heading in under the bar but Durie did well to stretch to head it over the bar.

Dundonald’s 1st effort at goal came in the 17th minute. Drummond played in a good cross from the left that Calum Smith glanced for goal. Leishman made a comfortable stop but picked up a knock in the process after Matt Gay followed through with a late challenge that angered the Bot defence.

Two minutes later Talbot won a penalty in their next foray into the Bluebell box. Glasgow crossed it into the area where Graham Wilson was barged over by a clumsy challenge from Mackie. GRAHAM WILSON took the spot kick & hammered it home as emphatically as he had the week before, giving Lennox no chance.

Dundonald’s cause was dealt a further blow after 26 minutes. Graham Wilson won a header on which Mackie failed to cut out. It came to Samson wide left & he raced for the bye line where Mackie raced back to block his cross behind for a corner; injuring himself in the process and he had to be helped from the field with Hendry coming on in his place.

The visitors missed a glaring chance to pull a goal back in the 34th minute. Drummond cut in off the left & played a low ball across the area. The Bot defence failed to cut it out & it landed at the feet of Calum Smith, 6 yards out, but he trundled a weak shot straight at Leishman.

A minute later and Dundonald did manage to test Leishman. The ball came to Matt Gay on the right of the penalty area & he hit it 1st time on the volley forcing a good stop from Leishman who pushed it over the bar. Talbot then showed their prowess on the break as they cleared the resultant corner out to Glasgow whose early pass sent Samson racing free on the right. He hared into the box before firing across goal and just wide of the right post.

It was all over bar the shouting in the 39th minute when Talbot made it 3-0. Glasgow set the move rolling when he carried it forward before switching it out to Samson on the left wing. He made tracks before cutting it back into the path of JAMIE GLASGOW who’d continued his run & passed it beyond Lennox from 12 yards.

The dust had barely settled before Talbot added a fourth. There was a hint of fortune about it as JAMIE GLASGOW whipped a cross over from the left that eluded Lennox & flew inside his left post but they all count & Talbot were now on easy street.

The visiting defence had more holes than a colander & 43 mins in Samson looked set to add to Talbot’s lead when a ball through the centre found him racing through on the keeper but he steered his shot past the advancing keeper but wide of the left post.

In the closing minute of the half Talbot threatened to score again. Glasgow skinned Hendry down the left & whipped a great low ball across goal that Samson just failed to connect with at the near post.

Down the other end the half ended with Calum Smith trying his luck from a tight angle as he fired a shot across goal and wide of the right post; with Talbot trooping off 4 goals to the good.

The visitors made a change during the break with Rogerson staying in the clubhouse and Jeffries on in his stead.

The game might as well have been over but Dundonald didn’t let their heads go down and made a bright start to the 2nd period. The first action of the half saw Ness angle in off the right before firing a shot on target that Leishman had to help over the bar.

Talbot then came within a whisker of moving further ahead in the 49th minute. Samson forced a corner down the left which Glasgow fired low into the near post where Lennox blocked it. The ball came out to Graham Wilson who lashed a volley off the underside of the bar & down onto the goal line before it was cleared.

It was 5-0 to the Bot in the 56th minute. Pope played it up to the left to find Graham Wilson bursting into the penalty box. His low drive was partially blocked by Lennox but the ball went loose & KEIR SAMSON reacted fastest to beat Lennox to it & stab the ball into the empty net.

Tucker now made a double switch with Graham Wilson & Armstrong making way for Shankland & Healy.

Dundonald stuck at it & might have nabbed a consolation effort in the 61st minute. Drummond flighted over a dangerous cross which Calum Smith glanced over Leishman but it didn’t head on target and Talbot were able to clear.

Talbot’s next attack saw the Bot win a free kick 35 yards out after Wallace blatantly obstructed Glasgow to end his promising run. Shankland lifted it up & over the wall & Lennox dived to his right to parry it away.

Tucker completed his substitutions in the 70th minute when McDowall came on for Glasgow.

There had barely been a bad tackle all afternoon but the ref did have to reach into his pocket in the 76th minute when Chris Gay dived into a late tackle on Pope resulting in a yellow card for the Dundonald midfielder.

A minute later Talbot put together a neat move. Pope pinged it into the feet of McDowall who flicked it on to Shankland. He released a pass down the left of the area where Pope had continued his run & Wallace did well to throw himself at it to turn Pope’s cross behind for the corner.
Dundonald pulled a goal back in the 81st minute. Young misjudged it in the air & it came to MATT GAY who coolly lobbed it over Leishman to make it 5-1.

Not to be outdone Talbot immediately raced up the other end and grabbed their sixth. Stephen Wilson carried it forward before playing it into MARK SHANKLAND on the right of the area. He chipped it over the static Lennox and it sailed in under the bar to make the final score 6-1 to the Bot.

A good win for Talbot who are back in cup action at Beechwood next Saturday when they face Whitletts Vics in the quarter-final of the Sectional Cup.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Young, White, Armstrong, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Samson, Glasgow

Subs – Shankland, McKinlay, Healy, McDowall, Pearson, Aiden Wilson, Hewitt (gk)

Dundonald Bluebell – Lennox, Durie, Drummond, Mackie, Nimmo, Chris Gay, Rogerson, Wallace, Calum Smith, Matt Gay, Ness

Subs – Wilson, Jeffries, Hendry, John Smith, Crowe (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Kello Rovers

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.

Auchinleck Talbot v Glenafton Athletic

Tucker roars out the orders from the dugout.

Stevie Wilson flicks the ball on inside the Glen’s box.

Samson tries his luck with a lobbing header from inside the box.

‘Big Neilly’ keeps his eyes firmly on the ball.

Mark Shankland very nearly scores direct from a corner but is denied by the near post.

Keir Samson can only watch, as McGarrity gets a strong hand to the ball.

Although surrounded on all sides, Samson still manages to fire off a shot from inside the box.

‘Shankers’ fires off a shot at goal where…

…it gets blocked by the ‘keeper but, fortunately, Samson slides in to the rebound and slots home the opener. 1-0.

Keir looks to check, as the Glens’ players shout for offside but the goal is given by the officials.

Keir Samson gets a shot away from a difficult angle but…

…can barely watch, as his shot gets deflected narrowly wide.

Talbot double their lead through Dylan Young, who nods the ball home from right on the line. 2-0.

Dylan celebrates his goal with Samson, as the Talbot faithful are all smiles.

McGarrity gets a strong hand to the ball in order to stop Stephen Wilson’s powerful close-range header from hitting the back of the net.

‘Gee’ races into the box and fires in a thunderous shot at goal but he fails to find the back of the net.

Findlay Frye pulls a goal back for the Glens’ from the spot, after a handball from Talbot. 2-1.

Keir does his best to win the ball back from McChesney.

An exchange of ‘different views’ between Craig McEwan and opposing fans during a break in play, as Ally Park tries to calm everybody down.

Ex-Talbot player, Mick McCann, tries to get his point across to ‘Whitey’.

After a poor clearance from the Glens’ ‘keeper, Samson capitalises, races in and finds the back of the net. 3-1.

The Glen’s players and fans sink into despair, as Keir races away to celebrate his second goal.

Jamie Glasgow gets shoved to the ground, as ‘Popey’ gives the Glens’ player some serious daggers.

Hamish McKinley tries a shot a goal with a volley from inside the box.

Although under pressure from McChesney, Hamish gets set to pull the trigger and smash home Talbot’s fourth. 4-1.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

Auchinleck Talbot v Glenafton Athletic

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)

Jamie Glasgow squanders a great chance for Talbot early in the first half.

Stephen Wilson breaks free and races into the Glen’s box.

Glasgow vents his frustration at the linesman.

Gareth Armstrong gets involved in a wee tussle with Ally Park.

Lyle makes sure there is no way through for Glenafton.

Talbot take the lead from the spot, as Gordon Pope fires the ball home. 1-0.

‘Popey’ wheels away after netting the opener.

The Talbot bench look on, as Talbot try to keep hold of the ball.

‘Gee’ can only watch, as his chance gets gathered up by McGarrity.

A couple of points gets raised between these Glenafton players.

Jack McDowell muscles his way up the wing.

Up steps Gordon again and he doubles Talbot’s lead from the spot. 2-0.

Pope seals the goal with a kiss, as he celebrates scoring his and Talbot’s second.

Jamie races down the wing and fires in a low cross.

Andy Leishman pulls off a tremendous save to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Jack McDowell tries to fire the ball down the middle of the park.

It’s three-sy for Talbot, as Hamish McKinley slots home number three. 3-0.

Hamish and Graham race away to celebrate Talbot’s third goal.

It’s all smiles for Talbot, as everybody races to congratulate Hamish.

Stephen Wilson tries his luck from inside the box.

‘Shankers’ laps up the applause after smashing home Talbot’s fourth. 4-0.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok

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.