Beechwood Park – Page 18 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Auchinleck Talbot v Kilwinning Rangers

Talbot will face Lesmahagow for the first silverware of the season after defeating Kilwinning 2-1 at Beechwood in the Sectional cup semi-final.

Tucker made a few changes to the starting eleven but they had no advers effect on Talbot’s performance as they continued their winning run.
The Bot made the perfect start, taking an early lead in the 4th minute. Glasgow skipped past Maitland & fired a low ball across the face of goal. It was cleared but came out to Pope who swept a cross to the back post where GARETH ARMSTRONG bulleted a header past Strain.
A promising Talbot break ended in nought in the 7th minute. Stephen Wilson raced through the midfield & tried to release Kemp in behind the defence but his pass was intercepted by Maitland.
Kilwinning ought to have equalised in the 8th minute. Talbot’s defence were caught square as Monti ran onto a ball in behind. He was through one on one with Leishman but tried to pass it into the net & Leishman made the stop.
A minute later Talbot had a half chance down the other end. Glasgow raced to the bye line & lifted a cross to the far post where McCracken headed over the bar.
The game was flowing from end to end & the Buffs threatened the Bot goal in the 12th minute. Monti got free down the right & slung a cross beyond the back post where Nisbet’s shot was deflected just wide of the right post.
Talbot’s next attack saw the Bot force a corner down the right. The defence failed to clear Glasgow’s corner & it wound its way to Kemp near the bye line. He chipped it across goal to the back post but it was well defended & the ball cleared.
Kilwinning drew level in the 21st minute. Monti’s cross found LEWIS in space at the back post & he fired an unstoppable volley past Leishman to make it 1-1.
The visitors won a free kick just outside the Bot box in the 26th minute when Monti fell over under McPherson’s challenge. Monti took the set piece but it rose harmlessly over the bar.
Two minutes later Talbot won a free kick down the right by the corner flag after a needless foul by McCloskey. Glasgow whipped it into the near post but the Buffs defence were able to clear.
Kemp had a half chance on the half hour mark. McIlroy curled a cross over from the left & Kemp met it in the centre, heading wide of target & taking a facial knock in the process. Kilwinning’s Whyte also received a head knock in the same incident & had to be bandaged up before continuing.
Harvey found himself in the book in the 38th minute for what looked to be a hard but fair tackle on Monti who managed to survive the experience despite out-rolling Jurgen Klinsman.
Three minutes before the interval Talbot came close to regaining the lead. Lyle intercepted a pass & released it to Kemp inside the Buffs half. He drove for the penalty area before firing a low shot that flew just wide of Strain’s right post.
The final attack of the half went Kilwinning’s way. Maitland dispossessed Glasgow out by the stand side touchline & floated it up the line for Monti. He cut into the area past McPherson & drilled a dangerous low ball across goal but there were no takers and so the sides went in level at the break.
The 2nd half got off to a scrappy start and it took only the 52nd minute before either side could apply any pressure. Pope lifted a free kick up the left for Glasgow to chase & he forced a corner. Glasgow whipped the corner into the near post where McIlroy just failed to connect with it.
Two minutes later Talbot looked to be on the wrong end of a dodgy offside call. Glasgow slid a pass through to send McIlroy through on the keeper only for the linesman to flag for a highly dubious offside call.
Talbot ought to have moved ahead in the 55th minute. Kemp won a corner on the left & the Buffs defence couldn’t cope with Glasgow’s delivery. The ball came to Harvey in space 6 yards out but he mishit his effort & trundled a tame shot straight at the keeper.
Pettigrew had his name taken in the 57th minute when he unceremoniously halted Stephen Wilson’s burst forward and the Bot were awarded a free kick 22 yards out. Kemp took it but shot straight into the wall.
On the hour mark Talbot managed to get in behind the Buffs rearguard. Armstrong squared it to Stephen Wilson whose slide pass found Glasgow in space on the left. He could have wen t for the shot but instead opted to play it across the 6-yard area but unfortunately there was no one to take advantage.
At the other end, Talbot had a scare in the 63rd minute when Strain’s long ball downfield found Monti on the right edge of the penalty area. He held off the challenge of Harvey & turned before firing across goal & narrowly past Leishman’s right post.
A minute later the visitors had another opportunity. Leishman had to race out of goals to beat Nisbet to a short header back to him. He managed to clear it but the ball came straight out to Lewis 40 yards from goal. He tried to lash it home from long range whilst Leishman was stranded but sent it well wide.
The crucial goal came in the 65th minute. Maitland received a caution for up-ending Glasgow 25 yards from goal. Before the free kick could be taken Tucker made a double substitution with Shankland & Graham Wilson coming on for McIlroy & Kemp. This proved to be an inspired switch as MARK SHANKLAND’S first involvement was to strike the free kick round the wall & off the inside of the right post. It cannoned across the goal line & hit off Strain before ending in the far corner of the net.
Kilwinning made their 1st change in the 69th minute with Curragh on in place of McGuinness.
Stephen Wilson picked up a caution in the 70th minute for a late challenge on Pettigrew.
Talbot had a chance to kill the tie off with quarter of an hour remaining. Graham Wilson’s header on sent Glasgow free on the left side of the box. He cut in on his right foot but lifted his shot over the bar from 15 yards.
Two minutes later Kilwinning had a chance to level. Talbot failed to clear a ball inside the area & it came to Nisbet in space on the left. He had men over inside the 6-yard area but opted for power & blazed a shot over the bar from a good area.
A minute later Nisbet squandered an even clearer chance. He latched onto a pass inside the box & took it wide of Leishman but from a tight angle he failed to hit the empty net; sending his shot into the side-netting.
The visitors should have played out the closing stages a man down when Maitland was guilty of a blatant trip but when the ref pulled him over he seemed to recall he’d already booked him & bottled out of the decision; contenting himself with issuing a lecture.
With 9 minutes remaining Talbot had another chance to extend their lead. Graham Wilson sent Shankland through on the keeper but Strain did enough to force him out wide. Shankland swung a good bal over to the far post but there was no Talbot player there to knock it home.
Pope received a caution in the 83rd minute for a foul on Monti.
As the game entered the closing stages Talbot passed up two golden chances to put the tie to bed.
In the 87th minute Armstrong showed quick feet & determination to evade a couple of challenges and make it to the bye line. He crossed the ball beyond the far post where Shankland hooked it back across goal. Graham Wilson met it in the centre but headed over the bar from 6 yards out.
Graham Wilson had another chance to get on the score sheet in the 1st minute of injury time. Glasgow broke free down the right & pulled it back for Graham Wilson who was in space 8 yards out but his low drive was too close to Strain.
Deep into injury time Tucker was forced into a late change when Glasgow had to be helped from the field with Hyslop entering the fray but he was barely on before the final whistle blew.
This cup tie was a good advert for the Junior grade, highly competitive with plenty of chances at both ends and some good goals. Next up for Talbot it is the senior Scottish cup where Wigton & Badnoch stand in the way of Talbot qualifying for the 1st round proper.

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

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

Kilwinning Rangers – Strain, Maitland, McCloskey, Pettigrew, Whyte, McGuinness, Monti, Fleming, Nisbet, Lewis, McKenzie

Subs – Curragh, Hill, Reid, Wardrope, Keifer (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Beith Juniors

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot climbed to second in the table thanks to a battling win over Beith; the sides separated thanks to a moment of magic from Mark Shankland.

In the 1st half Beith were shooting down to the Coal Road end & aided by a stiff breeze looked to pin Talbot back.

The first chance of the match though came Talbot’s way in the 2nd minute. Stephen Wilson whipped a dangerous cross over from the right that skipped off the head of Glasgow in the centre and came to Hyslop at the far post where he guided a header wide of goal.

Leishman was tested in the 7th minute when Bradley hammered a shot on target from just outside the area. He blocked the initial shot & then reacted quickly to push it wide of the post as it spun back on goal.

Talbot threatened down the other end in the 13th minute. Graham Wilson beat Sheridan in an aerial duel & flicked the ball into the path of Glasgow who hit a 1st time volley just over the bar from 18 yards.

The Bot defence had to withstand Beith pressure in the 18th minute. Noble swept a cross over to the back post where Pope was forced to head it behind for the corner. The corner was taken deep to Green whose header for goal was blocked behind for a corner.

Talbot’s defence were on their toes and denying Beith clear cut opportunities as they did again in the 24th minute. A corner from the left was headed out & came to McGlinchey at the edge of the box but the defence were quickly out at him & his attempted shot blocked.

Glasgow used his pace to good advantage in the 28th minute, haring past Green & bursting into the box only to see his low cross blocked behind by Sheridan.

Shankland took the resultant corner & hit it to the far post where Hyslop guided a header back across goal where Green headed clear.

A minute later Talbot were on the attack again. Stephen Wilson latched onto a loose ball outside the area & fired a low drive for goal that was deflected wide for a corner. Shankland whipped the corner across the 6-yard line where Harvey met it but he glanced his header wide of the far post.

Talbot were looking threatening from set pieces & they gave the Beith defence another fright in the 33rd minute when Sheridan conceded a needless corner with a slack header. Shankland delivered it across the 6-yard line where Hyslop met it but he glanced his header wide of target.

One minute later Talbot ought to have taken the lead. Hyslop cushioned a header over the Beith defence to send Graham Wilson racing clean through on goal; however, he failed to make the most of it & drilled a low shot straight at the keeper.

Beith put Talbot under sustained pressure in the 37th minute. Bradley tried his luck from outside the box only to see his shot blocked. It came back out to him & he slipped it wide to Christie whose shot at goal was deflected behind for a corner. The corner was taken into the near post where Milliken attempted to glance it home but Harvey headed it behind. This time the corner was taken deep & only partially cleared with the ball coming out to Christie 16 yards from goal. He fired for goal but McPherson was quickly out to close him down & block behind for another Beith corner which was lifted into the near post where Leishman gathered.
The visitors had a half chance to take the lead in the 39th minute. A long ball down the centre flew over the head of Harvey & Collins raced onto it down the left. He went for the lob but under pressure from McPherson he hoisted it over the bar.

Just when it looked as though the 1st half would finish goalless Talbot finally made the breakthrough. In the final minute of the half Talbot were awarded a free kick 25 yards out after Hyslop was nudged in the back. MARK SHANKLAND stepped up & hit an absolute peach of a free kick; firing it over the wall & inside the left post beyond the despairing dive of Grindlay to send Talbot in ahead at the interval.

Talbot started the 2nd half purposefully & created a chance within a minute of the re-start. Pope lifted a cross to the far post where Hyslop’s header for goal was blocked. It came out to Graham Wilson who saw his effort at goal blocked by the defence.

In the 49th minute Talbot won a free kick within shooting distance when Graham Wilson was fouled just outside the penalty area. Once again Shankland took it & his effort brought out a top save from Grindlay who flew to his right to turn it wide.

Talbot’s next attack saw Shankland surge across the middle of the park being fouled all the way with the ref choosing to let play continue. He did eventually blow up for a foul by which time Graham Wilson caught Green as he tried to clear which resulted in a booking for Wilson & Green hobbling off the pitch to be replaced by N Docherty.

Shankland’s set pieces were a constant thorn in the side of Beith and he produced another in the 61st minute when his corner from the right had to be headed over his own bar by Sheridan in a desperate clearance. When he delivered the resultant corner from the left Beith did well to defend it at the back post.

Beith hadn’t offered much going forward after the break but they came within a whisker of equalising in the 69th minute. There was an element of fortune about it when Collins attempted a shot that was deflected straight into the path of Christie in space on the right & he angled a fierce drive that clipped the outside of Leishman’s left post.

Tucker made his 1st change in the 71st minute with McIlroy coming on in place of Graham Wilson.

Talbot came within inches of doubling their lead in the 76th minute. Shankland met a hanging cross from the right & guided a header across the face of goal. Hyslop slid in to meet it at the back post but just couldn’t connect.

Beith now made a further change with Collins making way for Haggerty.

With 7 minutes remaining Beith had a chance to test Leishman when they won a free kick 25 yards out but McGlinchey hit a tame effort straight into the wall.

Two minutes later a quickly taken free kick down the right sent Christie scurrying free down the right but he over-hit his cross beyond the far post. N Docherty ran onto it but lashed a wild shot way off target.

Talbot then won a free kick outside the Beith penalty area when Glasgow was up-ended by Sheridan. Pope fired it straight into the wall but the ball rebounded out to Shankland who volleyed it wide of target.

Tucker now made a late switch with Armstrong replacing the tiring Stephen Wilson.

Talbot saw out the closing minutes fairly comfortably and might have extended their lead a minute into added time. McIlroy showed great persistence to rob Sheridan at the edge of the area before slipping the ball through to Hyslop. He was in space on the left of the box but chose the wrong option trying to square it across to Glasgow rather than shooting & the defence were able to clear.

All in all, a good win for Talbot who now face two cup ties in the upcoming week, first up is the visit of Kilwinning on Wednesday night in the Sectional cup semi & then next Saturday the Bot host Wigton in the senior cup.

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

Subs – McIlroy, McCracken, Armstrong, Kemp, Hewitt

Beith Juniors – Grindlay, R Docherty, Noble, Green, Sheridan, Wilson, Christie, McGlinchey, Collins, Bradley, Milliken

Subs – Haggerty, N Docherty, McDonald, Middleton, Miller

Auchinleck Talbot v Whitletts Victoria

Talbot eased past Whitletts in this Sectional cup quarter-final tie aided by two early goals.

Right from the off it was Talbot on the attack with the Whitletts defence hard pressed to keep Talbot at bay so it was no surprise when the Bot took the lead in the 11th minute.

Pope took a corner out on the right that the defence only succeeded in heading straight back to him. He had the time & space to measure his cross & curled it straight onto the head of GARETH ARMSTRONG who guided a free header home from closer range.

Before Whitletts had a chance to re-group Talbot doubled their advantage. Harvey played it out from the back to find Pope on the left & he dinked a ball over the defence to send JAMIE GLASGOW clean through & he passed the ball beyond Fraser to make it 2-0.

With Talbot two goals to the good & Whitletts unable to make any impact the half meandered on in the manner of a pre-season friendly. The referee added to the laid back feeling as he seemed to be on a bonus not to book anyone.

Glasgow did test the keeper in the 28th minute when McIlroy found him in space on the left of the area but his low drive was blocked by Fraser.

Glasgow was involved again in Talbot’s next meaningful attack, turning his man before racing clear on the right & firing a dangerous ball across the face of goal that Barbour did well to slide clear.

Shortly before half-time the woodwork prevented Talbot from stretching their lead. Donovan’s square pass was easily intercepted by Glasgow who fed the ball out to McIlroy on the left wing. He lifted a cross into the near post which Glasgow met & he bundled it goal ward only to see the ball ricochet off the bar & into the arms of the relieved keeper.

The 2nd half got off to a sluggish start with neither defence being troubled.

Gradually, Talbot stepped it up a gear and pushed the visitors back and came close to grabbing a third in the 57th minute when McIlroy met Pope’s corner at the near post but sent his effort wide of target.

Talbot’s next threat came from a set piece. Pope took a free kick out on the right & angled a superb ball across the 6-yard area which McIlroy just failed to get touch home in front of goal.

The pressure told and Talbot extended their lead in the 66th minute. Pope drilled a low corner in from the right & JAMIE GLASGOW flicked it home at the near post to make it 3-0.

A good Bot move came to nought in the 72nd minute. Hyslop headed the ball into the path of Waite who slipped a well-weighted pass to release Pope down the left. He raced into the penalty area & cut the ball back across goal but unfortunately it went between the waiting Bot players.

Tucker now made a change with Shankland coming on for Glasgow.

The referee surprised the crowd in the 74th minute when it turned out he had brought his cards with him; booking Barbour for a late challenge on Hyslop.

Shankland produced a great piece of footwork in the 78th minute to nimbly skin two Whitletts defenders before drilling an inviting ball across the face of goal that no one could turn home.

As the game entered the closing stages Talbot came close to extending their lead on several occasions. Shankland had the keeper scrambling with an inswinging corner that Fraser did well to claw away to safety with McIlroy waiting at the back post for a free header.

Shankland was then unlucky when he ran onto Waite’s pull back & curled a shot just over the bar from 15 yards.

Implausibly, the next goal went the way of Whitletts who had scarcely crossed the half-way line. Condon’s head flick beat the defence & FORSYTH strolled through on the right & slotted the ball home for a late consolation.

With two minutes remaining Shankland again tried his luck, driving a low shot from the edge of the area that Fraser turned wide of his right post.

In the final minute Talbot had one last attempt when Waite burst into the box from the left wing & tried to drive it in at the near post but Fraser turned it behind for the corner.

An easy win for the Bot in what was a fairly low-key game. By contrast Talbot’s next opponents are high scoring Beith in what should be a cracker this Saturday at Beechwood.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, McCracken, Waite, Hyslop, McIlroy, Glasgow, Armstrong

Subs – G Wilson, Shankland, S Wilson, McDowall, Hewitt

Whitletts Victoria – Fraser, Anderson, Deston, Condon, McIntyre, Buchanan, Boyd, Millar, Forsyth, Barbour, Donovan

Subs – Milligan, Mullen, Ewart

Auchinleck Talbot v Clydebank

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT.

Talbot produced their best performance of the season to date to blow away in form Clydebank in this entertaining league encounter.

The Bot nearly got off to a nightmare start. In the 4th minute McPherson slipped on the greasy surface when he went to head clear & as he lost his footing the ball skipped off his head & straight to the feet of Little who was through one on one with Leishman. Fortunately for Talbot, Little looked the gift horse in the mouth & Leishman stood tall to make the block at the expense of a corner. Talbot now had a second let off when the corner was only cleared out as far as Hepburn. He had the time & space to measure his shot from the edge of the box & curled an effort just over the bar.

Clydebank had started well & the next effort at goal came their way after 10 minutes. They won a free kick out on the left which McIndoe swirled to the back post where Vezza headed wide of the far post.

Talbot’s first real threat came in the 13th minute via a set piece. Graham Wilson was fouled out on the left & Shankland whipped a dangerous delivery into the centre that Darroch did well to head clear.

A minute later Glasgow skipped inside off the right & drilled a low shot wide of the left post.

Rowan conceded a free kick within shooting distance in the 16th minute for a foul on Shankland and received the first caution of the afternoon into the bargain. Shankland took it & fired a low drive wide of the wall but straight at Waters.

Two minutes later Talbot won another free kick in a promising area when Vezza tripped Graham Wilson just outside the area. Again Shankland took it but he sent his shot straight into the wall.

Sean Higgins became the 2nd Bankies player in the notebook when he was cautioned for a late challenge on White.

Glasgow came close to giving Talbot the lead in the 24th minute. White headed a ball on inside the box to Glasgow who turned smartly before shooting just wide of the left post.

Moments later Talbot threatened again. McDowall broke up field & released the ball to Graham Wilson on the left. He hammered a low drive across the face of goal that Waters got a hand to as it sped out for a corner.

Talbot’s purple patch continued and they were on the front foot again in the 27th minute. McDowall feeding it out to Pope on the overlap & Darroch had to be at full stretch to clear his ball into the centre.

The visitors had a promising break in the 33rd minute. McClair raced away down the left & cut inside into the penalty area but it ended tamely with a weak shot trundled at Leishman.

The game was now swinging back Clydebank’s way & they gave the home support a fright in the 38th minute. Sean Higgins out-muscled McPherson as they chased a ball up the right & got into a good area before firing a dangerous ball across the 6-yard area that was just beyond the reach of Steven Higgins in front of goal.

Both sides kept at it in the closing stages of the half but neither side could make a breakthrough and they went in goal less at the interval.

The first goal was going to prove crucial and the Bankies had an opportunity to break the deadlock in the 52nd minute. Steven Higgins went on a mazy run into the box but instead of shooting he opted to square it to Hepburn & Talbot were able to clear.

Talbot put together a good move in the 55th minute. Glasgow played it onto Shankland & he swept a ball across the box to McDowall at the far post. He laid it inside to White who side-footed it wide of the left post.

Two minutes later and Talbot took the lead. Leishman lifted it down the left & Shankland took a great 1st touch, controlling the ball instantly & striding clear down the wing before sliding the ball into the centre where GRAHAM WILSON swept a low shot beyond Waters.

Tucker now made a change with Kemp coming on in place of Glasgow.

Talbot took firm control of the match when they doubled their advantage on the hour mark. Graham Wilson won a free kick right on the edge of the area which Shankland slid out wide to Harvey. He was clipped by Hepburn and the ref pointed straight to the spot. GRAHAM WILSON took the penalty & couldn’t have hit it any better, blazing it into the top corner of the net to make it 2-0.

Clydebank were rattled and their defence opened up again in the 63rd minute when they failed to cope with a ball down the centre. Kemp swiped at his first attempt but got fully behind his second bite of the cherry forcing Waters to turn his fierce drive over the bar.

The visitors had a half chance to reduce the deficit in the 66th minute. Waters long ball down the left broke out to Steven Higgins & he lashed a shot wide of the left post from 20 yards.

Tucker now made a second change with Hyslop replacing McDowall.

Hyslop made an early impact from the bench, sliding a pass through to Graham Wilson on the left & his low ball across the 6-yard area eluded Waters but there was no one at the back post to turn it home.

Talbot effectively killed the tie as a contest in the 74th minute when they moved 3-0 ahead.

Shankland gathered on the left & skipped past the challenge of Lightbody to the bye line before cutting the ball across goal where GRAHAM WILSON slammed it home from close range at the back post.

The Bankies had a chance to grab a consolation in the 76th minute. Steven Higgins raced onto a ball in behind the defence but was forced wide by the advancing Leishman. He laid it back to Sean Higgins whose shot was blocked & it spun back to Steven Higgins who fired a shot just over from 15 yards.

Talbot now made their final change of the afternoon with Armstrong coming on for Steven Wilson.

Little became the 3rd Bankies player to be cautioned when he received a yellow card in the 78th minute for a late challenge on White.

Talbot weren’t content to sit on their lead and as the game entered the last 10 minutes they pegged Clydebank back, forcing a series of corners. The home fans thought Talbot had won a 2nd penalty in the 81st minute when Kemp looked to be downed as he burst into the box but the referee awarded a free kick right on the edge of the area. Shankland angled a low drive toward goal that Darroch slid in to put over his own bar.

When the corner came over from the right HYSLOP rose unchallenged to power a header home to make it 4-0 to the Bot.

As the game moved into injury time Talbot had one final chance. Shankland nutmegged Lightbody on the left & headed into the box before lobbing the ball just over the bar.

A comfortable win in the end for Talbot who now return to cup duty on Monday night when they host Whitletts Vics in the quarter-finals of the Sectional cup.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, S Wilson, White, McDowall, G Wilson, Glasgow, Shankland

Subs – Kemp, McIlroy, Hyslop, Armstrong, McCracken

Clydebank – Waters, Lightbody, McIndoe, Vezza, Darroch, Little, McClair, Sean Higgins, Steven Higgins, Rowan, Hepburn

Subs – Alexander, Asghar, Paterson, Black, Morrison (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Banks O’ Dee

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot recovered well from a false start to breeze past Banks O Dee in the senior Scottish cup.

The home support were shocked in the 6th minute when the visitors took the lead. Harvey shanked a pass across the width of the park which HENDERSON intercepted before racing away from McPherson & slotting the ball past Leishman.

The Bot shrugged off this setback and were back on level terms within a minute. Stephen Wilson played it square to CALVIN KEMP outside the penalty area & he drilled a shot inside Shearer’s right post to make it 1-1.

Within a minute Talbot had a chance to take the lead. Kemp slipped the ball through to White on the right side of the area but his effort was well blocked by Shearer.

Talbot continued to press & carved out another chance in the 11th minute.

Lyle lifted the ball up the right to Kemp & he slid a pass through to McDowall on the wing. He hammered it low across the face of goal where it hit off Graham Wilson & flew over the bar.

Binnie received the 1st card of the afternoon after twenty minutes for a late challenge on Lyle.

Shortly after, Graham Wilson picked up a ridiculous caution when the referee penalised him for shielding the ball.

The action continued to flow towards the visitors goal & Talbot came very close to taking the lead in the 32nd minute. Stephen Wilson was fouled just outside the penalty area & Shankland lifted the free kick across goal where Stephen Wilson glanced a header toward goal. It hit off a defender & fell to Harvey whose shot from 6 yards was deflected behind for a corner. When the corner was swung beyond the far post McDowall met it to head it back across goal but the defence were able to scramble it clear.

Finally Talbot’s pressure paid off as they took the lead in the 38th minute. McDowall lifted in a dangerous cross from the right that Shankland slid in to meet at the back post. Shearer did well to keep out his effort but the rebound came to GRAHAM WILSON & he drilled it home to put Talbot 2-1 ahead.

A single goal lead is always precarious and despite Talbot’s dominance the sides could have went in all square at the interval. In the final action of the 1st half Banks o Dee broke swiftly down the right & forced a corner. Talbot failed to clear it at the 1st attempt & when Binnie knocked it to the far side of the 6-yard area Henderson had a chance to grab his 2nd of the afternoon but he was leaning back as he hit it & his shot went straight to Leishman.

Talbot started the 2nd half as though they meant business and only a superb stop from Shearer prevented Kemp from extending Talbot’s lead within a minute of the re-start. Shankland lifted the ball over the defence to find Kemp in space on the left & his lob was heading into the roof of the net until Shearer flicked out an arm to turn it over the bar.

The goal was only delayed though. When the corner came over the defence failed to clear it & Pope lifted it to the far side of the area where MARK SHANKLAND fired it low inside the left post to put Talbot 3-1 ahead.

The goal boosted Talbot & demoralised the visitors. It was now all Talbot and the Bot nearly added another in the 53rd minute. Shankland flighted the ball over the defence to find Kemp on the left & his right foot volley flew just wide of the post.

A few minutes later Shearer prevented Talbot from extending their lead. White got away down the right & when he cut it back across the area it fell to Shankland whose low drive was blocked by the feet of the keeper. The ball rebounded out to Kemp & he drilled it wide of target.

The visitors decided to freshen it up and made two changes in quick succession, firstly Shrive coming on for Winton & then Watt on for Binnie.

In the 68th minute they were forced to make their final change. Macleod clattered into Leishman when challenging for a cross & came off 2nd best, having to leave the field to be replaced by Buchanan.

Tucker now made a double substitution up top with Kemp & Graham Wilson making way for McIlroy and Glasgow.

Glasgow was barely on the park when he had a decent chance. He held off the challenge of Allan inside the box but fired his shot straight at the keeper.

Glasgow had another opportunity in the 74th minute. McDowall burst through the centre before releasing it out left to find Glasgow breaking into the area where his shot was parried away by Shearer.

Talbot made their final change in the 78th minute with Hyslop on for Stephen Wilson.

The sub made a quick impact, carrying the ball forward before sliding it through to Glasgow on the left. He went for the lob & was very unlucky to see it sail just wide of the far post with the keeper beaten.

Banks O Dee had been on the back foot for the most part but did produce a dangerous attack in the 84th minute. Buchanan gathered on the left & played a defence splitting ball in behind the defence trying to find the run of Henderson. However, Leishman read the danger & was quickly off his line to beat him to it.

Talbot had a late chance to add a fourth in the 86th minute. McIlroy squared the ball across the face of goal where Hyslop flicked it over the bar from close range.

Talbot could have won by a few more but got the job done after a shaky start. Next up, it is back to midweek cup duty when Talbot face old rivals Cumnock in the Ardagh.

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

Subs – Glasgow, McIlroy, Hyslop, Armstrong, Waite, McCracken, Hewitt (gk)

Banks o Dee – Shearer, Gilmour, White, Allan, Duguid, Winton, Henderson, Hamilton, Macleod, Philipson, Binnie

Subs – Buchanan, Shrive, Watt, Sahalevitis (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Troon

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot fans left with mixed emotions after this league encounter, partly relieved to have taking anything from the game whilst simultaneously disappointed at a failure to convert a late penalty which would have seen Talbot snatch a late winner.
The Bot got off to a good start, Armstrong’s cross finding McIlroy free in the box & Johnstone had to be at his best to throw himself to his left to keep out his header. Soon after, Waite had a half chance from the edge of the area when he connected with a cutback from the right but steered it wide of target.
Talbot’s next effort came from Pope who tried his luck from 20 yards. He didn’t catch it cleanly, but still forced a stop from Johnstone who had to turn it wide of his right post.
Unfortunately, this early flurry of chances proved a false dawn and as the half wore on Troon began to get a grip on the midfield, dominating possession. For all their possession, they were unable to make much headway in the final third.
They did threaten the Talbot goal in the 22nd minute from a set piece. McCreadie whipped a dangerous free kick in from the right towards Nade & Harvey did well to beat him to it & head over his own bar.
Hyslop had his name taken in the 25th minute for a mis-timed tackle on McCrae. Several Troon players intervened in an attempt to get Hyslop sent off, including Stevenson, who picked up a yellow card for his part in the fracas.
Glasgow found himself in behind the Troon defence in the 28th minute when a ball over the top of the defence skidded off the top of McInally’s head but he failed to control it & the ball sped through to the keeper.
The next chance came Talbot’s way after half an hour. Kemp fed the ball out to Waite who returned it back inside to Kemp who lifted a shot over the target from the edge of the area.
Keenan had his name taken in the 31st minute for a late challenge on Kemp.
Both sides huffed & puffed for the remainder of the half without creating anything & the 1st half finished goal less.
Talbot got off to the worst possible start to the 2nd half, falling behind three minutes after the re-start. McCrae lifted a ball into the area over the head of Lyle. NADE gathered it & had the strength to hold off Lyle & McPherson before slamming it home.
Troon were content to sit on their lead & were looking comfortable doing so, at least until the hour mark when Glasgow passed up a good chance to equalise. McIlroy rose to meet a ball down the left & his head flick sent Glasgow racing clean through. Johnstone raced off his line to narrow the angle & Glasgow opted for the early shot, blasting over the bar from the edge of the area.
A minute later Talbot had another opportunity. Glasgow’s effort at goal was deflected behind for a corner & when it was swung in Hyslop met it to power a header on target which Johnstone blocked in the goal mouth.
Tucker now made a double switch with Armstrong & Kemp making way for Shankland & Stephen Wilson.
Wilson was involved soon after coming on, meeting a partially cleared corner 18 yards out to hammer a first time effort wide of the left post.
Troon were forced into a change in the 68th minute when Pooler limped off with cramp to be replaced by Simpson.
Harvey had his name taken in the 71st minute for what looked like a hard but fair challenge midway inside the Bot half.
A minute later Talbot made their final change with Graham Wilson on for Waite.
Talbot were given a boost in the 76th minute when Stevenson went in for a clumsy aerial challenge & received a 2nd yellow & an early trip to the clubhouse.
Troon now completely retreated into their defensive shell & looked to hold onto what they had with Talbot dominating territorially.
Troon’s defence withstood the pressure well but finally cracked in the 86th minute when Talbot levelled. Stephen Wilson lifted a ball in from the right which SEAN MCILROY met with his back to goal & hooked it over his shoulder past the stranded Johnstone.
A minute after levelling Talbot were presented with a golden chance to seal a late win. Graham Wilson burst down the left side of the box only to be sent sprawling by McCreadie & the ref pointed to the spot. Pope took the spot kick but suffice to say it wasn’t his finest, low down the centre & Johnstone was able to block it. The rebound came back to Pope who looked odds on to finish at the 2nd time of asking but Johnstone spread himself well to deflect Pope’s effort over the bar.
Talbot kept pushing & Troon had to survive a further late scare when Shankland’s in swinging corner looked to be sailing straight into the net but once again Johnstone came to the rescue clawing it away from the goal line.
Next up for Talbot it is the William Hill Scottish cup preliminary round where they host Banks o Dee at Beechwood this Saturday.

Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, Hyslop, Waite, Armstrong, Glasgow, McIlroy, Kemp

Subs – S Wilson, G Wilson, McDowall, Shankland, Hadden

Troon – Johnstone, McCreadie, McInally, Keenan, Syme, Chatham, McCrae, Stevenson, Nade, Pooler, Love

Subs – Simpson, Clark, Strachan, Lamont

Auchinleck Talbot v Hurlford United

Talbot progressed to the knock out stages of the West League Cup with a solid win over Hurlford United. With Craig McCracken injured and Ross Harvey working Gareth Armstrong was moved to a sweeper roll alongside Neil McPherson. Their was a first start for Sean McIlroy while David Waite was given the nod in the centre of the park.

Talbot showed their intentions when Kemp shot narrowly past the post, but it was Andy Leishman who was the early saviour when he saved at the feet of Robertson after the big striker pounced on a Lyle passback. Sean McIlroy was to open the scoring on 19 minutes when Glasgow caused havoc in the visitors box and when the ball was partially cleared the big striker gathered the ball six yards out and slid the ball past the keeper. Hurlford equalised a minute later when a speculative ball upfield took a wicked deflection off Pope and landed at the feet of Watt who passed the ball into the net well away from Leishman.

Talbot retained their lead on 34 minutes when Pope curled a superb ball into the box where the unmarked Dwayne Hyslop headed into the net.

The second half was void of any clear cut chances except a Robertson header that Leishman briliantly saved. With Hurlford pushing forward for another goal the Talbot defence stood firm, and nearly extended their lead when Graham Wilson forced the keeper into a decent stop.

Auchinleck Talbot v Darvel Juniors

Talbot got a lesson on finishing when Darvel stuck away two goals from a limited amount of chances, while the Bot huffed and puffed for 90 minutes squandering decent attempts with their cause not helped by a spirited goal keeping display by the visiting keeper.

Darvel were one up in a matter of seconds when a hoof upfield wasn’t cleared by Lyle where his poor touch set up Paul Cameron who drilled the ball past Leishman. Talbot fight back and on 18 minutes the keeper did well to parry a Shankland free kick. McCracken picked up an injury on 30 minutes and was replaced by Pope and Minutes later Armstrong saw his rocket shot well saved by Marky. Darvel went further ahead when Stewart Davidson stroked a free kick past Leishman. to make it 2-0. With the first half coming to a close Shankland was unlucky to see his attempt blocked on the line.

The second half nearly started like the first when Leishman did well to block the ball from the Darvel number nine. from then on it was all Talbot but Marky saved from a number of Talbot attempts. With 10 minutes remaining Shankland threw Talbot a lifeline when he thundered a shot past the keeper. Credit to the Bot as they threw everything forward but the visiting defence stood solid.

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Auchinleck Talbot v Bo’ness United

Talbot surrendered a two goal lead and will definately rue the raft of chances they missed throughout the game. Mark Shankland put Talbot ahead after 13 minutes with a 25 yard thunderbold and two minutes later Gordon Pope hooked a volley high into the net from eight yards. Bo’ness who had landed with eleven players and a substitute keeper pulled a goal on the stroke of half time when a shot deflected off Craig McCracken and past Leishman.

The second half had Talbot bossing most of the game with no end result and as the game drew to a close Willie Lyle had the misfortune to see another shot go past Leishman for the second own goal.

Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson (S.Wilson) Smith, McCracken, McDowell (White), Hyslop (Donovan), Kemp (G.Wilson), Shankland, Waite.

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Auchinleck Talbot v Craigmark Burntonians

Craigmark were late opponents after Blantyre Vics had to call off and all credit to them as they proved a hard nut to crack, even going in at half time 1-0 up. The visitors were short of a goalkeeper and were helped out by our own Brian Hewitt who produced at least five top drawer stops in the first half. He looked to be continuing the trend in the second half until Dwayne Hyslop got his head to Calvin Kemp header. Talbot took the lead when Steven White found himself in space in the visitors box and slipped the ball past Hewitt. With minutes remaining Graham Wilson got onto another Kemp cross to finish the scoring.
Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Trialist, Trialist, McDowall, Shankland, McCracken, Trialist, Kemp, Waite. SUBS: Harvey, G.Wilson, White, McPherson, Hyslop