Beechwood Park – Page 17 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Auchinleck Talbot v Ayr United

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Stephen Wilson, Armstrong, White. Hyslop, Graham Wilson, Glasgow: Subs – Samson, Shankland, McIlroy , Hewitt, Waite, Kemp Ayr – Doohan, Higgens, Rose, Harvie, Geggan, Docherty, Murdoch, Crawford, McDaid, Moore, Moffat. Subs. Smith, McGuffie, Bell. Ferguson, Hilton, McCowan, Hare-Reid. The razzamatazz of televised Scottish Cup football hit Beechwood Park with a bang as Talbot entertained high flying Ayr United in a David and Goliath encounter of epic proportions. This was to be the ultimate Auchinleck fairytale for the Talbot faithful but in reality the Bot deserved the win, which set them up with another trip to Tynecastle to face Hearts.

The match started with what was expected with Ayr dominating possession, but Talbot had started with a five man midfield which seemed to nullify any Ayr attacks. As the game wore on the Bot started to come into the match and were unlucky when Graham Wilson’s turn and strike was rightly called offside much to the dismay of the 1,700 Talbot supporters crammed into a capacity Beechwood Park. The first half seemed to drift away as both clubs made some decent scoring chance the best falling to Moffat who flashed a shot wide of Leishman’s post. Ayr were hit with a blow on 36 minutes when Andy Geggan was taken off injured and replaced by Liam Smith. The second half had a wee bit more bite in it and this was proved by yellow cards to Gareth Armstrong and Andy Murdoch. Talbot made three substitutions in six minutes replacing Graham Wilson, Steven Wilson and Jamie Glasgow with Sean Mcilroy, Mark Shankland and Kier Samson. This was a brave move by the coaching staff introducing three strikers but it paid dividends when Samson was upended outside the box which gave Mark Shankland to pinpoint the unmarked Craig McCracken who headed the ball past Doohan. The remaining game seemed to take an eternity for the Talbot and their fans but when the final whistle went the team that day had recorded the biggest victory in their entire history.

Auchinleck Talbot v Cumnock Juniors

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Beechwood has not been a happy hunting ground for Cumnock over the years and so it proved again as Talbot powered past their rivals in this West of Scotland tie.
A stiff breeze & continuous rain didn’t make for ideal conditions but it didn’t stop Talbot from taking the game to the Nock from the get go.
Talbot tested the Nock defence in the opening minute when McKenna conceded a sloppy corner. Glasgow whipped it in & Niang could only head it up in the air but when Semple came through a crowd of bodies to punch it, the referee awarded a soft free kick to the defending team.
With 5 minutes gone Talbot won a free kick inches wide of the Nock penalty area. Samson weaved inside Muir who sent him tumbling & received a yellow card for his troubles. Pope took it but it wasn’t his best effort & his floated cross was easily claimed by Semple.
Cumnock weren’t at the races & it was no surprise when Talbot took the lead after 9 minutes. Pope’s deflected cross fell to Samson at the near post & he cheekily back-heeled it across the face of goal where DWAYNE HYSLOP slid it home from close range.
Talbot maintained their grip on the game & the next attack saw Glasgow lay the ball out to Pope who fired in a dangerous cross that Murdoch headed clear.
The Nock defence were looking ropy and Murdoch had to take one for the team in the 17th minute when he picked up a caution for hauling Hyslop to the deck to prevent him running onto Wilson’s ball over the top. Pope took the set piece & angled it beyond the far post to try & find Wilson but Ferry stretched to clear it away.
It was nearly two nil to the Bot after 19 minutes. Glasgow’s corner from the right found McCracken in the 6-yard area near the back post but his header drifted just wide of target.
Frustration was getting the better of Cumnock & Faulds was fortunate only to see yellow when he went right through the back of Glasgow with no attempt to play the ball.
Eventually Cumnock did succeed in crossing the halfway line with their 1st attack coming after 25 minutes. They forced a corner down the right that cleared everyone in the centre & was retrieved by Pope. He sclaffed his clearance straight to Faulds who was bundled over by Glasgow 22 yards out. Faulds drilled the free kick straight into the wall but the ref halted play as his assistant had noticed a clash in the area. Curiously, the referee appeared to signal that McKenna had used his elbow but then only booked him for it & also booked Glasgow for his part. When the set piece was re-taken, Carmichael floated it to the back post where Leishman made an easy catch.
Hyslop conceded a free kick in the 32nd minute when he caught Faulds 30 yards out. Faulds fired his shot at the wall & it spun out for the corner. When the ball came over MURDOCH climbed highest in a congested goal mouth to head home from close range & level the score.
Talbot rallied after this setback and almost regained the lead in the 36th minute when Hyslop met Glasgow’s corner at the near post only for Semple to produce a top class save to turn his header round the right post.
Three minutes later it was Cumnock’s turn to threaten from a set play when they won a corner down the left. Once again it was hung under the bar but this time Leishman got there 1st to punch clear.
Lyle had his name taken in the 40th minute for a late challenge on Ferry.
As the half drew to a close Talbot twice came close to taking the lead. In the 44th min Semple came to the visitors rescue when he kept out McIlroy’s header from Glasgow’s cross & in injury time McCracken rose to meet Glasgow’s corner unopposed but he lifted his header over the bar & the sides went in level.
Talbot started the 2nd half strongly and Glasgow was denied a certain goal within a minute of the re-start when Stephen Wilson’s ball from the right fell to him in front of goal but McKenna did well to throw himself in the way & block his shot to safety.
Two minutes later Armstrong sent Pope through on the left & he fizzed a ball across the face of goal but there was too much on it for anyone in the centre to get a touch.
The Nock fans thought their side had moved ahead in the 51st minute. Carmichael gathered out on the left & whipped a cross onto the head of Patterson who dispatched it beyond Leishman but their celebrations were short-lived as the ref had spotted that the ball was out of play before Carmichael reached it & pulled play back for a shy.
In the 54th minute Lyle released a pass to find Samson on the right. He cut into the penalty area & squared it across goal where Hyslop ran onto it to fire for goal. His shot was blocked in the goalmouth by McIlroy who with his back to goal couldn’t force it home & the chance was lost.
This proved to be the Talbot front two’s last involvement of the afternoon as Tucker made a double switch bringing on Shankland & Graham Wilson for Samson & McIlroy.
The subs didn’t take long to make their mark, Graham Wilson won a free kick 35 yard out just after the hour mark, which Shankland took. With most expecting a shot, Shankland coolly passed it wide of the wall to find Stephen Wilson racing down the right & his shot on target was beaten away by Semple.
Cumnock made their 1st change in the 65th minute with Dinwoodie replacing Murray.
A minute later Ferry had his name taken for the visitors for kicking the ball away at a Bot free kick.
Faulds should have headed for an early bath in the 69th minute. He rashly slid into a challenge on Pope & caught him late but the referee bottled the decision & didn’t produce the 2nd yellow card.
The longer the game went the more pressure Talbot exerted & it finally paid off in the 75th minute. Glasgow cut in off the left & fired a shot toward the far post that was deflected behind off the back of Niang. Glasgow went across to take the corner & his low delivery was met by GRAHAM WILSON who steered it into the bottom corner to restore Talbot’s lead.
Talbot could have killed the game off only a minute later. Stephen Wilson gathered on the right & his ball over the top found Shankland racing through on goal. He slotted it past the advancing Semple but angled his shot just wide of the far post.
Cumnock were then forced into a change when Gracie injured himself whilst fouling McCracken. He had to limp off to be replaced by McMurdo.
It was game over in the 81st minute when Talbot grabbed their third. Cumnock were on the attack but Faulds sloppy pass was easily intercepted by Pope who sent Glasgow racing down the left. He cut the ball back into the box where Pope screwed a shot across goal. His shot landed at MARK SHANKLAND 6 yards out & he blasted home to put Talbot 3-1 ahead.
Two minutes later Talbot were back on the attack when Shankland released Glasgow down the left wing. He fired a low ball across the face of goal that Dinwoodie did well to clear.
The Cumnock defence were posted missing again in the 85th minute when Shankland’s pass sent Stephen Wilson through. His 1st touch took him away from goal but he recovered to slide it back into the path of Lyle whose fierce shot was beaten away by Semple.
Tucker now made his final change with White coming on for Stephen Wilson.
Talbot saw out the remaining minutes comfortably enough to seal the win and book their place in the 3rd round of the West.
Next up for Talbot is another Ayrshire derby but of a different order of magnitude as they face Ayr United next Saturday in front of a sell-out crowd and a live TV audience.

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

Subs – Graham Wilson, Shankland, Kemp, Waite, White

Cumnock Juniors – Semple, Muir, Ferry, McKenna, Murdoch, Murray, Faulds, Niang, Patterson, Gracie, Carmichael

Subs – Crawford, Dinwoodie, Reid, Dignan, McMurdo

Auchinleck Talbot v Cumnock Juniors

Christmas came early for the Bot fans as Talbot staged a stunning fight back to claim all 3 points in a seven goal thriller against Cumnock. The paying customers certainly got their money’s worth as both sides went at it hammer & tongs with added gamesmanship to add spice to the occasion.

Talbot made the early running & were denied the lead in the 7th minute when Semple produced a top drawer save at his right post to keep out McDowall’s header.

Two minutes later Talbot came close via a fluke. Leishman lifted a free kick up the left to find Graham Wilson who squared it across the edge of the box toward Kemp. In attempting to clear Murray battered the ball off Kemp & it deflected wide of the right post.

Talbot were forced into an early change when McDowall limped off after 12 minutes to be replaced by Glasgow.

Fifteen minutes in, Talbot won a corner on the right when Pope angled a free kick in toward the back post that Ferry put behind. Cumnock looked vulnerable at corners & Talbot nearly punished them when Hyslop met Stephen Wilson’s cross but he directed his header just wide of the left post.

Lundie, guilty of 3 identical late tackles in as many minutes, finally prompted the ref into action in the 19th minute when he booked him. Soon after, he ought to have been walking to the clubhouse when he deliberately batted away Graham Wilson’s ball across goal but the referee dismissed Talbot’s penalty appeal.

Stephen Wilson had his name taken in the 24th minute when he caught Ferry as he went to shoot. This sparked a melee of Nock players charging toward the ref, led by Semple, in an attempt to get Wilson sent off. Their pressure partly paid off when the ref produced an unmerited yellow card before Ferry made a Lazarus style recovery.

Cumnock had offered nothing going forward but did have an effort on target on the 27th minute, albeit it came via Lyle who sliced the ball at his own goal whilst trying to clear Semple’s long ball down the centre but fortunately it went straight at Leishman.

A minute later though and Cumnock took the lead. There appeared to be no danger as Faulds chased after a long ball down the right. McPherson was in front of him & shepherded the ball back to Leishman but the Bot keeper made a howler, dropping the ball as he came to gather & FAULDS swept it into the empty net.

Talbot pushed men forward in an attempt to get back on level terms & had a great chance to do so in the 35th minute. Kemp won the ball out on the right before feeding it in to Graham Wilson who switched play out to Glasgow on the opposite wing. He pinged a great ball across goal which Kemp raced onto but he steered his volley wide of the left post from close range.

Things went from bad to worse a minute later when Talbot conceded another soft goal. Semple hoofed the ball up field where the Bot defence failed to cut it out. The ball was gathered on the left of the area by Degnam who squared it for PATTERSON to stroke home and put the visitors 2-0 ahead.

Talbot needed to reduce the deficit and clawed a goal back in the 40th minute. Murray conceded a corner on the right & when the ball came in McCracken glanced a header toward goal that was flicked into the net off the head of GRAHAM WILSON.

The goal galvanised Talbot who spent the closing 5 minutes of the half laying siege to the Nock goal.

Lundie did well in the 42nd minute when he managed to cut out Armstrong’s dangerous cross.

A minute later Armstrong again got free on the right & whipped over a quality delivery. The ball broke to Kemp on the right of the area & he hammered a low drive on goal that Semple did well to block. The ball came out to Stephen Wilson who was up-ended as he raced into the box by Dinwoodie and the ref pointed to the spot. There was a lengthy delay before the penalty could be taken due largely to Semple who received a caution for dissent. Stephen Wilson took the spot kick but Semple guessed the right way & dived to his right to keep it out and so Talbot went in a goal down at the interval.

Talbot would have hoped to have started where they left off at the start of the 2nd but made the worst possible start; conceding a penalty in the 49th minute. Faulds was sent sprawling by a clumsy challenge from Armstrong & Patterson kept his cool from the spot, placing it down the centre to put Cumnock 3-1 ahead.

Talbot weren’t making much progress and Tucker made a switch in the 54th minute bringing on McIlroy for Kemp.

Cumnock looked comfortable in their lead and might have extended it in the 66th minute. The ball was played out to Patterson on the left & when he volleyed it back across goal Degnam ran onto it for a free header but couldn’t get above it & drifted his header well over the bar.

A minute later Talbot almost pulled one back. McIlroy helped on Leishman’s long ball and it came to Glasgow in front of goal. He lost his footing but recovered in time to prod the ball past Semple only for Murray to pop up on the goal line to make the clearance.

Cumnock now made their one and only change with player-manager Burns coming on in place of Dinwoodie.

Talbot had a penalty appeal waved away in their next attack. Pope’s cross to the far post was headed back across the area by Armstrong where Stephen Wilson appeared to be nudged in the back but the ref waved play on.

It was game on in the 69th minute when Talbot pulled one back. Armstrong raced onto McPherson’s ball down the right & cut it back toward the near post where Stephen Wilson’s effort at goal was blocked by Lundie. The rebound came straight to SEAN MCILROY who blasted it into the roof of the net.

Hyslop picked up a ridiculous caution in the 75th minute when he beat Faulds fair & square in an aerial challenge and he was joined in the book a few minutes later by Patterson for yapping at the ref.

Cumnock were either tiring rapidly or trying to run the clock down, the choice is yours, as they took turns at going down with cramp.

In the 83rd minute Talbot won a corner down the right when Graham Wilson’s cut back toward McIlroy was knocked behind by Lundie. When the corner came over CRAIG MCCRACKEN met it on the volley and rifled it into the roof of the net for a finish a centre-forward would’ve been proud of.

Cumnock were now all over the place and Talbot nearly snatched the lead in the 85th minute. Once again Cumnock failed to cope with a corner into the box & the ball came across the face of goal to McIlroy who saw his shot from close range headed off the line at the right post.

The visitors weren’t totally done for though and gave Talbot a scare in the 86th minute when they caught Talbot on the counter. Faulds was played in down the right & he drilled a low ball across the 6-yard line where Patterson just failed to connect.

Two minutes from time and Talbot completed their come back. Armstrong played the ball out to Stephen Wilson on the right & he slung a cross into the box. The ball bounced off Reid & came to GRAHAM WILSON with his back to goal who swivelled round & steered a left foot volley past the keeper into the far corner. This sparked wild celebrations from the Bot players & fans & a booking for Graham Wilson for taking off his shirt which was a small price to pay.

Talbot had to claim the points the hard way but that only makes the victory all the sweeter and as an added bonus results elsewhere in the league went Talbot’s way. Next up for Talbot is an away day as they travel to face Cambuslang Rangers in the league.

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

Subs – McIlroy, Samson, White, Shankland, Glasgow

Cumnock Juniors – Semple, Reid, Ferry, Lundie, Murray, McKenna, Montgomery, Dinwoodie, Patterson, Faulds, Degnam

Subs – Hunter, Muir, Anson, Brotherston, Burns

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Auchinleck Talbot v Renfrew

Talbot cruised to victory over Renfrew in this low key league encounter at Beechwood.
It didn’t take Talbot long to create the 1st opening. Glasgow blazing over the bar from 15 yards when a corner kick fell to him inside the penalty area after only two minutes.
A minute later Henry came to the visitors rescue when he slid in with a crucial tackle to put the ball behind for a corner just when Graham Wilson looked poised to shoot on target.
Talbot were well in control without producing anything incisive in the final third though Talbot ought to have taken the lead in the 14th minute. A cross from the right found Stephen Wilson in space 12 yards out but he tried to pass it into the net & Burgess managed to block it.
Within a minute Talbot had another great chance to break the deadlock. Wylie handled inside the box & the ref pointed straight to the spot. Graham Wilson took it but his shot clattered off the bar.
The opening goal did finally come in the 18th minute. Glasgow lifted an accurate cross in from the left & GRAHAM WILSON steered a free header beyond Burgess to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Stephen Wilson ended in the referee’s notebook in the 22nd minute for a late challenge which resulted in a Renfrew free kick 30 yards out. Campbell took the set piece but failed to make anything of it; hitting a tame shot into the wall.
Renfrew then passed up a great chance to level. Talbot were caught out by a long throw from the right which McIntosh head flicked on. The ball came to McKenna 8 yards out, straight in front of goal, but he fired his shot straight at Leishman.
Waite became the 2nd Bot player on a yellow card when he was cautioned in the 25th minute for a shirt tug.
Talbot’s next threat came in the 34th minute. Glasgow attempted to slide a pass through the centre to find Graham Wilson. The defence cut it out but the ball came straight back to Glasgow who ran at the defence & would have been clean through but for a last gasp challenge from Henry.
The game floated along without much of anything happening until the closing moments of the half. In the 1st minute of injury time Waite had a chance to extend Talbot’s lead when Stephen Wilson’s chip opened the defence. Wait looked favourite to get there before Burgess but Renfrew’s keeper beat him to the ball outside the box to clear to safety.
Deep into injury time Renfrew were fortunate not to be a man down. Borris looked to have elbowed Stephen Wilson on the touchline but the referee only cautioned him & then called an end to a tepid 1st half.
Both sides came out unchanged after the interval but Talbot made a switch early in the half with McDowall coming on for Waite.
Glasgow had a chance to double Talbot’s lead in the 50th minute. Graham Wilson laid the ball inside into his path but he scooped his shot well over from the edge of the area.
Renfrew now made their 1st change with O’Keefe coming on to replace Borris.
The officials angered the Bot support in the 56th minute when they ignored a blatant foul on Glasgow out by the touchline & then Renfrew broke down the park & won a free kick 25 yards out from goal which also resulted in McPherson’s name going into the ref’s book. Once again it was Campbell on free kick duties but his 2nd effort mirrored his 1st & was hit tamely into the wall.
Talbot doubled their lead on the hour mark. McIlroy got free down the left & hung a cross up to the back post where Graham Wilson sent a header crashing off the bar. The ball rebounded out & JACK MCDOWALL was in the right spot to head home from close range.
Renfrew responded to this by making their 2nd change with Maxwell on for Hardie.
Talbot made a double switch in the 66th minute with McIlroy & Stephen Wilson making way for Samson & White.
The scoring was completed in the 69th minute. Talbot put together a slick passing move which ended with White’s pass finding JAMIE GLASGOW in space on the left of the area & he powered a shot beyond Burgess to put Talbot 3-0 up.
Leishman didn’t have much to do all afternoon but was called upon in the 71st minute. Maxwell darted in off the left & fired a shot on target from 20 plus yards but Leishman was behind it all the way.
In the Renfrew goal Burgess was at full stretch to thwart Talbot’s next attack. Leishman bowled the ball out to Pope whose ball sent Graham Wilson free on the left. He swung over a dangerous cross that Renfrew’s keeper had to claw to safety.
Healy had his name taken in the 76th minute for whipping the feet from under Glasgow.
Graham Wilson had a great opportunity to grab his 2nd and Talbot’s 4th of the afternoon in the 78th minute. White’s pass sent Samson haring free down the right. He raced into the penalty area before squaring it to Graham Wilson who hoisted his shot over the bar with the keeper stranded.
In the 83rd minute Talbot came close again. Samson broke clear on the left & played a great ball across the face of goal where Glasgow just failed to reach it for a tap in.
As the game moved into stoppage time Talbot had one final chance to add to their lead. Graham Wilson gathered on the left of the area & chipped it to the far post where Glasgow’s header flew into the side-netting.
A comfortable win for the Bot who managed to ease past Renfrew without ever looking like hitting top gear. Next week promises to be a tougher proposition when Talbot make yet another long trek north in the senior cup to face Fraserburgh.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Stephen Wilson, Armstrong, Waite, McIlroy, Graham Wilson, Glasgow

Subs – Samson, McDowall, White, Hyslop, Hewitt

Renfrew Juniors – Burgess, Wylie, Maclennan, Henry, Campbell, Healy, Borris, Benton, McKenna, Hardie, McIntosh

Subs – Innes, O’Keefe, Chisholm, Maxwell, McLeay

Auchinleck Talbot v Lesmahagow Juniors

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Auchinleck Talbot v Cove Rangers

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

The bookies don’t often get it wrong but Talbot made a mockery of their long shot odds as they maintained their unbeaten record against Highland League opposition; defeating high-flying & high spending Cove Rangers to reach the 3rd round of the senior cup.

Talbot started a little nervously and weren’t helped when the referee produced a harsh early yellow card for Harvey after only 3 minutes. There wasn’t much in the way of goal mouth incident in the opening exchanges with play largely confined to midfield.

The first effort at goal came in the 12th minute after Talbot won a corner on the left. Glasgow lifted it beyond the far post where Hyslop climbed to head it back across the area. It came to Glasgow on the left edge of the area & he curled a right foot shot off target.

Cove’s first effort at goal came in the 16th minute. Park clipped a neat chip into the box where Brown met it; hooking the ball over the bar from 12 yards out.

Talbot had a wonderful opportunity to take the lead in the 20th minute. Armstrong’s slide rule pass opened the defence sending Kemp racing through one on one with the keeper but McKenzie came out on top on this occasion with Kemp’s shot cannoning off the chest of the keeper as he advanced off his line.

Their keeper was called into action again a minute later when Talbot won a free kick out on the right. Pope bent a cross in under the bar that McKenzie claimed confidently.

Talbot had hit their stride now and were having the best of it and threatened the Cove goal again in the 26th minute. A ball down the right found Wilson racing free inside the area & he managed to take it round the keeper and head for the bye line. He floated a cross over that McIlroy headed home from close range but the linesman had spotted the ball had drifted behind before he crossed it and awarded a goal kick.

Masson became the first of numerous Cove players to enter the ref’s notebook when he received a caution in the 32nd minute for a needless barge into Stephen Wilson.

The Cove keeper was much the busier of the two & was called upon again in the 34th minute when Glasgow dinked a ball over the defence to find McIlroy racing through on the left of the area. However, McKenzie had spotted the danger & was quickly off his line to make the block & put it behind for a corner. Talbot kept the pressure on, forcing 3 corners in quick succession, but the Cove defence stood up to it.

In a rare Cove attack Park won a corner down the right when his cross deflected behind off Glasgow. Park drilled the corner in at pace & Leishman could only parry it away. The ball bounced out to Masson who launched a wild shot over the bar & nearly over the houses behind the goal.

A promising Talbot break was ended in the 39th minute when Watson took out Kemp after the Talbot man side-stepped him, resulting in a Bot free kick and a booking for Cove’s centre half.

The free kick was floated into the area where Hyslop nodded it on into the goal mouth where it was smashed clear.

Beechwood erupted when Talbot took the lead in the 41st minute. McIlroy laid the ball off into the path of STEPHEN WILSON & he strolled through before smashing a powerful drive that McKenzie got both hands to but couldn’t prevent sailing beyond him & inside the far post.
The celebrations had barely died down when Talbot almost doubled their lead. A shy from the right was thrown into the feet of Kemp 25 yards out & he turned before drilling a shot just wide of the left hand post.

Soon after, the ref blew for half-time & Talbot trooped off deservedly in front to the delight of the vast majority of the crowd.

The second half was only four minutes old when Park became the latest Cove player booked for a late tackle just inside the Talbot half.

The visitors were handed a way back into the game in the 52nd minute when they were awarded a soft penalty decision. McPherson was adjudged to have brought down Brown as he was set to shoot & the ref booked the Talbot man & pointed to the spot. MEGGINSON took the spot kick & his low drive beat Leishman who guessed the right way & got a hand to it but couldn’t prevent it sneaking inside the right post. In a fit of petulance Megginson chose to celebrate the equaliser by running up the sidelines & taunting the Bot support.

The goal gave Cove a boost and two minutes later they had a half chance to take the lead. Milne cut inside off the left wing into the area & fired a shot over the bar.

Cove then picked up a two for one booking deal. Ross receiving a caution for shoving his arm into Wilson’s face & Brown joining him in the book for protesting against the decision.

The Cove crime count mounted in the 57th minute when Megginson received a yellow card for a late challenge on Hyslop and Yule should have joined him a minute later for a blatant trip on Wilson but this time the ref kept his cards in his pocket.

The visitors now made a change with Ferguson coming on for Masson.

Talbot had settled again after the disappointment of the equaliser and threatened the Cove goal on the hour mark. Armstrong evaded a couple of challenges before slipping the ball through to Kemp on the right of the area & his fierce low ball across goal just eluded McIlroy in the centre. The defence failed to clear it properly & the ball came out to Lyle. Talbot’s captain isn’t renowned for his goal scoring but he let fly from 30 yards & hit a daisy cutter that flew just wide of the right post.

Talbot made the crucial breakthrough in the 61st minute. McIlroy gathered it on the right & played it into CALVIN KEMP who skipped past a couple of challenges before lashing a low shot beyond McKenzie & into the bottom corner.

Cove now made their second change of the match with Macrae replacing Brown up front.

Another goal for Talbot would’ve put the Bot firmly in command & they nearly got it in the 67th minute. Kemp lifted a ball over the defence to find McIlroy in space down the left. He held it up before cutting it back across the area where Kemp had continued his run & slid a shot just past the right hand post.

A minute later and it was very nearly all square. A swift Cove counter-attack saw the ball played to Megginson inside the area. Leishman did well, diving low to his left, to keep out his strike but Macrae looked odds on to tuck home the rebound only for Lyle to appear from nowhere & make a crucial goal line clearance to block Macrae’s shot.

Action then switched to the other end where Kemp’s chip found McIlroy inside the area but his shot at goal was blocked off a defender.

Wilson received a yellow card in the 73rd minute when he caught Ross as he was clearing the ball up field.

Talbot continued to push forward and their next attack saw Glasgow race past Milne & break into the Cove half. He played it out wide to Kemp who angled the ball back to Glasgow who’d continued his run into the area but he was stretching as he hit it & could only send a low drive straight at McKenzie.

Tucker made a double substitution in the 80th minute with Samson coming on to make his debut in place of Kemp & White replacing Glasgow.

Cove gave the home fans a bit of a fright in the 82nd minute when Macrae held off the challenge of Harvey on the right of the penalty area but he fired his shot into the side-netting from a tight angle.

As the game reached the closing 5 minutes Talbot had two good chances to put the game beyond Cove. In the 87th minute White joined the attack & released a good ball through to Samson on the right of the area & he stabbed a low shot narrowly past the left hand post.

A minute later Talbot caught Cove out with a well worked counter. McIlroy carried it forward before releasing it to Samson on the left of the area. He skipped in past Redford & with only McKenzie to beat tried to pass it into the net but side-footed it just wide of the keeper’s right post.

In the final minute of regulation time Talbot nearly paid the price for failing to kill off the tie when Cove came close to a late equaliser. Park sent in a ball from the right that Hyslop failed to cut out. The ball landed at the feet of Yule 15 yards out & he cracked a low drive off Leishman’s right post.

However, that proved to be Cove’s last chance & Talbot saw out the remaining injury time with no alarms to claim the win.

A very good team performance from the Bot whose opponents sit atop the Highland League having won 9 out of 9 in their own league.

Next up for Talbot it is back to the defence of their Scottish Junior title as they face Lesmahagow next Saturday at Beechwood.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, Glasgow, McIlroy, Kemp, Armstrong

Subs – Samson, McDowall, McCracken, White, Waite, Hewitt (gk)

Cove Rangers – McKenzie, Redford, Milne, Ross, Watson, Kelly, Park, Yule, Megginson, Brown, Masson

Subs – Ferguson, Macrae, Milne, Macleod, McCafferty (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Glenafton Athletic

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot’s unbeaten run came to a tame end as they drew a blank at home against 10 man Glenafton.

The first chance of the afternoon came Glenafton’s way in the 7th minute. McCann burst forward into the area & slid a shot just wide of the right post.

Twelve minutes in & McCracken lost out in a 50/50 to Dallas whose run towards the area was halted by McCracken’s foul; conceding a free kick just outside the area. MCAUSLAND struck it & gave Leishman no chance as he whipped it over the wall & into the net off the underside of the bar.

Two minutes later the Glens won a free kick in an almost identical position when McDowall floored Dallas. McDowall received a caution for the challenge but McAusland couldn’t repeat his earlier set-piece & this time fired it well over the bar.

Talbot’s first meaningful attack came in the 16th minute when Glasgow surged through the centre before releasing it out to McIlroy on the left. He carried it into the area where his low cross was deflected behind for a corner. Shankland hoisted the corner into the centre where McGarrity gathered it under pressure.

The visitors were forced into a change in the 18th minute. McChesney limping off the pitch to be replaced by Frye.

Glasgow was denied the equaliser in the 20th minute thanks to a fine save from McGarrity. Glasgow latched onto a headed clearance & arrowed a drive from 25 yards that was flying inside the right post until McGarrity dived across to push it wide.

McAusland’s pace caused Talbot problems in the 24th minute. He charged out from the back & raced deep into the Talbot half before sliding it to Moore on the left of the penalty area. His shot at goal was deflected into the air before finally being cleared.

Cairns talked himself into the ref’s book in the 27th minute for chirping at the referee and four minutes later received his marching orders when he tripped Hyslop outside the penalty area. Tucker now made a change with McDowall leaving the field to be replaced by Armstrong.
Shankland lifted the free kick over the wall & on target but it lacked the power to seriously trouble McGarrity who gathered to his right.

Talbot were struggling to make the extra man count & the game meandered on towards half time with Glenafton content to sit in & defend their lead. In the closing stages of the half Talbot produced a couple of promising attacks. In the 43rd min Lyle lifted a ball up the line to find Stephen Wilson. He beat Murphy & lifted a cross into the centre where Hyslop headed on target but it lacked the power to test McGarrity. As the half move into added time Shankland played it into McIlroy on the left of the area & his shot at goal was deflected just wide off McAusland. Glenafton successfully defended the resulting corner to go in ahead at the interval.

Talbot came out the traps quickly at the start of the 2nd half carving out a chance within a minute of the re-start. Glasgow ran at the defence before sliding it out to Stephen Wilson on the right. He knocked it low into the near post where McIlroy side-footed it on target but straight at McGarrity.
A minute later Talbot won a corner down the left. McGarrity was unable to gather Shankland’s cross under pressure from Hyslop & the ball came out to Pope who hooked a shot over the bar from 12 yards.

McCracken had a half chance to get Talbot back on terms in the 48th minute. Talbot won a free kick out on the right touchline which Harvey angled into the area. McCracken met it unchallenged but got his header all wrong & sent it well wide of target.

With Glenafton sitting deep it was all Talbot but the Glens defence were giving little away.

Talbot did test McGarrity in the 55th minute when Glasgow laid the ball back to Shankland on the left. He swept a cross over beyond the back post where Stephen Wilson bulleted a header on goal that McGarrity turned round his left post.

Stephen Wilson looked a gift horse in the mouth in the 57th min when he passed up a golden chance to level. McGarrity bowled the ball out to Murphy & the stand in left-back lost the ball when he tried to take on Wilson. He ran on into the box but with only the keeper to beat he fired a shot straight into the midriff of the advancing McGarrity.

Glenafton made their 2nd change in the 59th minute with Marlow replacing Murphy.

Moore received a caution in the 63rd minute for a late challenge on Hyslop. Tucker now made his 2nd change with Kemp coming on for McIlroy.

A minute later Dallas also received a yellow card for a trip on Hyslop.

The Glens completed their substitutions in the 69th minute when Orsi replaced Dallas.

Talbot’s next effort at goal came in the 72nd minute when Shankland cut in off the left touchline & fired just over the bar from 20 yards. This proved to be his last involvement as he was subbed soon after & replaced by Graham Wilson.

The 2nd half had been all Talbot but without the Bot being able to create many clear cut chances. Glasgow had a half chance in the 76th minute when the ball came to him on the left of the penalty area but his shot at goal took a deflection on its way through, taking the sting out of it & McGarrity made a comfortable save.

McGarrity hadn’t put a foot wrong but made his one & only error in the 77th minute when he allowed a high cross to slip out his hands & over the bar for a corner.

Frye took one for the team when cautioned in the 79th minute when he cynically took out Glasgow as he raced up field.

As the game entered the final stages Talbot were piling men forward but a combination of resolute defending & a lack of quality in the final third was keeping the Glens lead intact.

With four minutes remaining Talbot came close when Stephen Wilson headed Pope’s cross back across goal. Hesitant defending from the Glens saw Glasgow able to run onto the loose ball on the 6-yard line only to see his effort at goal deflected over the bar.

Talbot fans knew it wasn’t going to be our afternoon in the 88th minute. Glasgow lifted the ball over to Stephen Wilson on the right who laid it back into the feet of Kemp. He hammered a shot from 20 yards but McGarrity was in the right spot to tip it over the bar.

A disappointing afternoon for Talbot who saw plenty of the ball but couldn’t find a way past a determined defence & in form keeper. Next up for Talbot it is a trip to Newlandsfield next Sunday to face Lesmahagow in the Sectional cup final.

Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McCracken, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, McDowall, McIlroy, Glasgow, Shankland

Subs – Kemp, Graham Wilson, Armstrong, White, McPherson

Glenafton Athletic – McGarrity, McAusland, Cairns, Menzies, McChesney, Park, Moore, Hawkshaw, Dallas, McCann, Murphy

Subs – Lynass, Frye, Marlow, Andrew, Orsi

Auchinleck Talbot v Forfar West End

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAY’S REPORT

Talbot weren’t quite at their best but did enough to see off the challenge of Forfar West End to progress to the 3rd round of the Scottish Junior cup.
The Bot got off to a strong start & only the woodwork prevented Talbot from taking the lead in the 6th minute. Clark up-ended Glasgow 25 yards out receiving a yellow card in the process. Shankland took the free kick & his effort crashed off the face of the bar with the keeper well beaten.
The next effort at goal came in the 11th minute. Harvey pinged an accurate diagonal ball to find Glasgow on the left of the area. He cut inside his marker & fired a shot on target that Thain batted away.
Talbot opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Pope lifted a ball into the area to find SEAN MCILROY. His 1st touch broke off Clark back into his path & he slotted a low shot under the advancing Thain to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Two minutes later Forfar’s keeper came to their rescue. Armstrong played a well-weighted ball up the right toward McIlroy. He raced clear of the defence but Thain sped out his box to clear it out for a shy.
It was all Talbot at this stage & Pope nearly added to Talbot’s lead when he let fly from long range but his shot skidded wide of the right post.
Harvey had Talbot’s next effort in the 23rd minute. Talbot won a corner out on the right that Shankland lifted to the far post. The Forfar defence cleared it but only as far as Armstrong who returned it out to Shankland on the wing. He curled a cross beyond the far post where Harvey slid in to fire it just wide.
The visitors hadn’t offered much but they did put together a slick move in the 32nd minute. A series of passes ended with Wilson cutting the ball back to Montgomery who drilled a shot straight at Leishman from 15 yards.
Five minutes later they had another attempt at goal. Thain launched it down the centre where A Walls headed it on into the path of Batchelor who hit it 1st time for 20 yards but angled his shot well wide of target.
Talbot ought to have doubled their lead in the 39th minute. The Forfar defence couldn’t clear a corner & the ball was played back out to Shankland. He swept an inch perfect cross over which Hyslop met 5 yards out but he glanced his header wide of the far post.
Two minutes later Talbot came close again from a corner. Shankland’s corner found Hyslop & he hooked it back across goal. It broke to McIlroy whose low drive was deflected wide of goal. When the 2nd corner came in Armstrong met it beyond the back post but his shot on goal was blocked.
Allan became the 2nd Forfar player in the book when he picked up a caution in the 43rd minute.
Hyslop had a half chance to put Talbot two ahead in the 44th minute. Pope flighted a free kick over to the back post where Hyslop powered a header over the bar.
Talbot paid the price for failing to take their chances when the visitors levelled with the last kick of the half. Montgomery picked up on the left of the area & squared the ball inside. BATCHELOR ran onto it & his shot took a massive deflection off McCracken to send Leishman the wrong way & send the sides in level at the interval.
Talbot started the 2nd half as though they meant business and twice in as many minutes were denied by fine saves from Thain. The keeper produced a top stop to dive low to his left to deny McIlroy when he turned & fired at goal and a minute later he spread himself well to block Glasgow’s net bound volley.
Lyle came to Talbot’s rescue in the 51st minute. Batchelor showed quick feet to dance into the Talbot area & create the space to get his shot away but Lyle dived in to block his shot away to safety.
Armstrong failed to make the most of a half chance in the 57th minute. Stephen Wilson lifted it up the centre to find McIlroy with his back to goal. He held it up before releasing it out to Armstrong in space on the right but he fired well wide of the left post.
Talbot regained the lead in the 59th minute thanks to a defensive howler. C Walls got in his keeper’s way inside the box & as they collided SEAN MCILROY was perfectly placed to roll it into the empty net.
Petrie conceded a free kick in the 65th minute for a late tackle on Stephen Wilson 25 yards out. With everyone anticipating a shot Shankland slid the ball wide of the wall to find Pope on the overlap & he crashed a shot over the bar from a tight angle.
The Bot’s next attack saw Pope sling a cross over to the far side of the area where Armstrong cushioned it down into the path of Glasgow. He tried to side-foot it home but a defender succeeded in blocking his shot at goal.
Both sides now made a change with McDowall on for Armstrong & Kemp replacing A Walls for the visitors.
The change immediately paid off as Talbot extended their lead in the 72nd minute. Shankland lifted a cross beyond the back post where McDowall headed it back across goal. HYSLOP met it in the centre & glanced a header beyond Thain.
In the 76th minute Talbot made a further change with Kemp coming on for Glasgow.
The game appeared to be over but the visitors had other ideas & reduced the leeway with 10 minutes remaining. They won a free kick out on the left which was angled into the centre where McMahon glanced a header off the bar. When the rebound came out MCMAHON reacted quickest to prod it home from close range.
Tucker made Talbot’s final change in the 83rd minute with White on in place of Shankland.
Talbot finally killed the tie off in the 85th minute thanks to a superb finish. McIlroy flicked a ball on into the path of CALVIN KEMP on the left 30 yards out. He hit it 1st time, lifting a shot over the stranded keeper & into the roof of the net to make it 4-2.
Two minutes later Talbot nearly added to their lead. Kemp’s cross was headed off his own bar Robertson & when it rebounded out McDowall hammered a shot at goal that was deflected just wide.
In the closing stages Talbot picked up two late bookings, firstly Kemp for kicking the ball away & then White for a trip on Montgomery but there were no further chances for either side & Talbot saw the game out for the win.
Not a vintage display but a deserved win & Talbot now return to league action next Saturday when they host Glenafton.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McCracken, Stephen Wilson, Armstrong, Hyslop, McIlroy, Shankland, Glasgow

Subs – Kemp, McDowall, White, McPherson, Hewitt (gk)

Forfar West End – Thain, C Walls, Robertson, Clark, McMahon, Allan, Petrie, Wilson, Batchelor, Montgomery, A Walls

Subs – Hart, Reynolds, Weir, Kemp, George

Auchinleck Talbot v Kilwinning Rangers

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot continued with their winning streak thanks to a hard fought 3-1 win over the Buffs.

The Bot nearly got off to a flier in the 2nd minute. Leishman launched a free kick down the centre where Graham Wilson beat Whyte in the air. He glanced it out to the right to find Stephen Wilson in space & he drilled a shot just over the bar.

The Buffs defence were found wanting at Talbot’s next set piece in the 6th minute. A free kick was flighted into the area where Graham Wilson flicked it across goal. Harvey ran onto it in front of goal but couldn’t make enough contact to knock it past Strain.

It was all Talbot in the early stages & Kemp tried a cheeky effort in the 7th minute; attempting to lob it home from 30 yards when the ball came to him on the right but he didn’t get enough behind it & Strain was able to backpedal & claim it.

The next chance also came Talbot’s way. A swift counter saw Graham Wilson racing free down the left & making a beeline for the box. Only Whyte stood between him & a clear run on Strain but the defender timed his challenge perfectly to steal possession.

The Kilwinning goal had a lucky escape in the 16th minute when Talbot came close twice in quick succession. Pope had Strain beaten all ends up with his rasping drive from the left of the area that cannoned off the right hand post. It rebounded across the 6-yard area where Hyslop sidefooted it on target only for Maitland to clear it off the line.

Kilwinning’s 1st meaningful foray into the Talbot half came after 23 mins. Boylan hared free down the right touchline & played a good ball across goal which Lyle shepherded behind for a corner.

Talbot’s next glimpse of goal came in the 27th min when Graham Wilson met a free kick from the left to glance a header over the bar.

The visitors gave Talbot a scare on the half hour mark when the Bot were caught napping at a short corner. The ball was pulled back to Lewis who burst into the left side of the penalty area & fired over from 15 yards.

The Talbot defence were put to the test in the 34th min when Harvey conceded a free kick just outside the right edge of the box for a foul on Curragh. Monti took it & swung a dangerous cross into the centre where Pope climbed to head it clear.

The opening goal came Talbot’s way in the 35th minute. McPherson brought it out from the back & slid a pass out to Kemp on the right. He attempted to thread a pass through to Stephen Wilson that was partially blocked. The ball ran through toward goal & STEPHEN WILSON reacted first to get on the end of it & prod it past Strain from close range.

Two minutes later Stephen Wilson had a chance for his second. He raced onto a pass through the centre & knocked it past Strain who had rushed out his area but Maitland recovered to beat him to it & knock it behind for a corner.

Boylan had his name taken in the 38th minute for a late challenge on Shankland on the left wing. Shankland took the free kick & angled a great ball across goal. Hyslop was inches from connecting in front of goal & Strain did well to push it wide of the left post.

Lewis joined Boylan in the ref’s notebook in the 40th minute for a late tackle on Hyslop.

Talbot had a chance to extend their lead in the 41st minute. A short corner was worked to Shankland whose in swinging cross found Graham Wilson 6 yards out but he could only glance his header wide.

Down the other end Talbot were nearly caught out a minute later. A corner from the left flew across the face of goal with no takers. McPherson tried to shield it out for a goal kick but Nisbet managed to nip in & steal it. He cut it back toward Pettigrew whose low drive was diverted behind.

Kilwinning took the corner quickly & Pope conceded a free kick just wide of the area and picked up a booking into the bargain for a trip. Monti delivered the ball beyond the back post & Maitland headed it back across goal where White cleared.

In the final minute of the half Nisbet received a yellow card for a poor tackle on Lyle. Shankland whipped a tremendous free kick into the centre where Kemp just failed to connect. The ball spun up into the air 6 yards out where both sides tussled for it & the referee took the easy option & awarded a free kick to the defending side and so Talbot went in a goal to the good at the interval.

Talbot started the 2nd half strongly & very nearly doubled their lead in the 47th minute. Shankland floated a free kick down the centre which the defence could only clear out to the edge of the area. It came to White who steered a shot for goal that flew just wide of the left post.

Two mins later Talbot had another chance. A shy from the right broke into the path of Kemp. He burst forward but chose the wrong option; trying to square it across goal rather than shooting.

The Buffs won a free kick in a good area in the 50th minute when Boylan was obstructed just outside the box. Monti lifted it up & over the wall but Leishman got across to his left to turn it over the bar.

Talbot won a free kick in a very similar position when Kemp was bundled over. Shankland took it & fired a shot over the bar.

Kilwinning now made their 1st change with Wardrope coming on for Nisbet.

The two sides picked up a further caution apiece with Lyle having his name taken for a foul out by the touchline & Whyte following him into the book soon after for a shirt tug on Graham Wilson.

The visitors levelled the score on the hour mark. Two Bot players went for the same ball in the air & only succeeded in diverting the ball out to Boylan. He shoved it out left to WARDROPE who cut inside on his right foot & bent an unstoppable shot inside Leishman’s left post.

Tucker responded by making a change with Glasgow replacing Kemp.

Wardrope joined his teammates in the ref’s notepad when he was guilty of a blatant foul in the 63rd minute.

Kilwinning now opted to make a further change with McKenzie on in place of Whyte.

The Buffs were having a good spell & had a half chance to take the lead in the 70th minute. Boylan fired over a cross that the defence could only head out as far as Lewis. He met it 18 yards out but drilled a low shot straight at Leishman.

Tucker now made another change with McIlroy on for Shankland.

Just when the game appeared to be drifting away Talbot hit Kilwinning with a double whammy.

Talbot regained the lead in the 75th minute.The Buffs defence was undone by a simple ball lifted down the middle.GRAHAM WILSON raced onto it inside the area & knocked it round Strain before slotting the ball into the empty net.

Before the dust had time to settle Talbot grabbed their 3rd. The Bot won a corner down the left & when it was delivered to the back post DWAYNE HYSLOP rose to power a header on goal that Strain got a hand to but couldn’t keep out.

Both sides now made their final changes, Kilwinning bringing McGuinness on for Fleming & Talbot replacing Pope with Armstrong.

White received a caution in the 82nd minute for a foul on Pettigrew.

The visitors were dealt a body blow in the 84th minute. McKenzie cut in off the left & fired a shot for goal that took a deflection en route & landed tamely at Leishman. Meanwhile Wardrope had crumpled to the turf 6 yards out with no one near him.It wasn’t apparent what had happened but as he lay prostrate in the box it became obvious he had picked up a serious injury. The game was halted for quarter of an hour whilst he was tended to before being stretchered off to the accompaniment of a round of applause from both sets of supporters.

When the game eventually re-started it had an anticlimactic feel to it with the crowd still subdued after the injury.

As the game entered the closing stages Talbot might have added to their lead on a couple of occasions.

Firstly Hyslop had a headed chance from Glasgow’s corner but this time he headed over from 6 yards out.

Then Glasgow went on a mazy run, cutting in off the left past several challenges before sliding the ball to Stephen Wilson. He in turn laid it back to Glasgow whose low drive was smothered by Strain.

A good win & 3 points for Talbot which keeps them on the tail of early pacesetters Hurlford. Next up for Talbot is the long road north as they literally travel the length & breadth of the country to face Wick Academy of the Highland League in the Senior cup.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, S Wilson, White, Hyslop, G Wilson, Kemp, Shankland

Subs – McIlroy, Glasgow, Armstrong, McDowall, McCracken

Kilwinning Rangers – Strain, Maitland, McLevy, Pettigrew, Whyte, Fleming, Monti, Lewis, Curragh, Nisbet, Boylan

Subs – McGuinness, Wardrope, McKenzie, McCloskey, Hill

Auchinleck Talbot v Wigton & Bladnoch

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAYS REPORT

This Scottish tie proved a mismatch as Talbot overwhelmed a game but outclassed Wigton side to rack up double figures.

From the off it was all Talbot. Waite, spotting the keeper off his line, tried an ambitious lob from halfway inside the opening minute that sailed over the bar.

A few minutes later Shankland had an opportunity when he met Waite’s cutback but side-footed it wide of the near post.

Harvey had a chance to open the scoring in the 6th minute. He met Shankland’s corner from the right but bulleted a header wide of the left hand post.

The one-way traffic continued and Talbot calme close twice in quick succession in the 8th minute. Firstly, Leith had to parry away Pope’s drive from the right side of the box and when it rebounded out it came to McCracken who drilled a shot just wide of the right post.

It was no surprise when Talbot finally took the lead in the 13th minute. Shankland switched play out to Waite on the right & he fed it onto Kemp who squared it across goal for the unmarked GRAHAM WILSON to place home from 6 yards out

Talbot doubled their lead in the 17th minute. Shankland was fouled as he burst forward resulting in a free kick 25 yards from goal & for the 3rd game in a row MARK SHANKLAND produced a top class set piece firing an unstoppable shot over the wall & inside the keeper’s left hand post.

The 3rd goal arrived in the 27th minute. A neat passing move saw the ball worked out to Graham Wilson on the left wing & when he drilled it low across goal toward the waiting Kemp DOUGAN intercepted to turn it past his own keeper at the near post.

Another opportunity came Talbot’s way in the 32nd minute. Shankland whipped over a corner that McCracken headed back across goal but wide of the right post.

The visitors were forced into a change in the 37th minute when Forbes limped off to be replaced by Hall.

A minute later Talbot added their 4th goal. Shankland delivered a corner from the left & GRAHAM WILSON nipped in at the near post to head home from close range.

Talbot made it 5-0 after 40 minutes. Shankland met a cross from the right & cushioned a header back across goal where STEVEN WHITE ran onto it to nod home.

On the stroke of half-time Talbot added a 6th goal. Graham Wilson laid the ball square to CALVIN KEMP and he drilled a low shot inside the left post to send Talbot in 6-0 ahead at the interval.

Talbot started the 2nd half as they’d ended the first with wave after wave of attacks.

McCracken had a chance in the 49th minute when he met Shankland’s free kick inside the area but his header flew over the bar.

Tucker made a change in the 51st minute with McIlroy on in place of Kemp.

McIlroy won a free kick 25 yards from goal in the 55th minute after he had his heels clipped as he raced toward the box. MARK SHANKLAND took the resultant free kick & hammered it home off the underside of the bar to make it 7-0.

Talbot nearly extended their lead in the 59th minute. McCracken met Shankland’s corner from the right & did everything right, heading it down for the corner, but Leith made a good save with his feet to deny him.

On the hour mark Talbot had another close call. Shankland floated the ball over the defence to find McIlroy running into the area. He angled a shot across goal and just wide of the far post.

In the 63rd minute Talbot made their 2nd change with Glasgow replacing Graham Wilson.

The Wigtown goal led a charmed life in the 64th minute. The ball broke off Glasgow on the left of the area inside to Shankland who saw his low drive blocked by the keeper. The rebound landed at the feet of Waite & his shot was heading on target until deflected just wide of the right post.

When the corner came over it fell to Pope in space just at the edge of the area & he lobbed a shot just over the crossbar.

The 8th goal arrived in the 66th minute. Pope whipped a cross into the centre where SEAN MCILROY bulleted a header home.

Talbot made their final change in the 70th minute with Stephen Wilson on for White. A few minutes later Wigtown made their 2nd change with McLean replacing Kyle.

The Bot made it 9-0 in the 74th minute. Shankland’s corner found DWAYNE HYSLOP free inside the area & he guided home a free header from close range.

Wigtown made their final change in the 79th minute when Jamieson picked up an injury and had to make way for McColm.

Glasgow tested the keeper in the 80th minute. Hyslop barreled into the box & although he was halted the ball broke right into the path of Glasgow whose low drive forced a good stop from Leith.

Shankland looked set for the hat-trick in the 84th minute. Stephen Wilson burst into the area & squared it to McIlroy. He in turn teed it up for Shankland but he blazed his shot over from 12 yards.

Pope nearly got on the score sheet in the 86th minute. He latched onto a weak clearance, meeting it on the half volley 18 yards out to send a shot flying narrowly over the bar.

With two minutes remaining Talbot made it to double figures. Waite swept over a cross that Leith punched clear under pressure from Shankland. The ball came out to SEAN MCILROY who took a touch before blasting it into the roof of the net.

A very comfortable win for Talbot who now return to league duty as they travel through to Glasgow to face Pollok next Saturrday.

Talbot – Leishman, Armstrong, Pope, Harvey, McCracken, White, Hyslop, Shankland, Graham Wilson, Kemp, Waite

Subs – Stephen Wilson, McIlroy, Glasgow, McPherson, Lyle, McDowall, Hewitt (gk)

Wigtown – Leith, Cluckie, Robertson, Garrett, Henry, McClorey, Kyle, Forbes, McClymont, Dougan, Jamieson

Subs – Hall, McColm, Irons, McLean, Fingland, M Dongan (gk)