Venue: Beechwood Park
Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Tired legs finally caught up with Talbot as they lost at home to Pollok in the penultimate fixture of the league campaign. Now the title chase will go down to the last day when Talbot make the short trip through to Cumnock needing a win to claim the title.
Talbot started the game in fine fettle & had a decent chance to take the lead in the 3rd minute. Glasgow paced away from Wharton down the left & cut it back across goal. It came to McIlroy with his back to goal & he was able to turn on it but sclaffed a left foot shot wide of the far post.
Two minutes later Talbot had the first effort on target. Hyslop’s ball up the centre found McIlroy just outside the penalty area & he carried it forward before stabbing a low shot on target that Longmuir held.
The Bot kept up the pressure & had a near miss again in the 7th minute when Glasgow cut in off the left & swept a dangerous cross over to the back post which just cleared the head of McIlroy before being gathered by Longmuir.
For all Talbot’s early running it was the visitors who opened the scoring in the 10th minute in their first attack. White won the ball in midfield but then gave possession away with a sloppy pass. Forde slid an early pass out right to release GARY MCCANN into space & he raced into the box, rounded Leishman, and rolled it into the empty net.
Talbot tried to get straight back into it & their next attack saw Glasgow bursting through on the left but he was just beaten to the ball by Longmuir. The game was then held up for a spell to allow treatment to the Lok keeper.
The pressure was soon back on the Lok rear-guard and Talbot came within a whisker of levelling when Graham Wilson met his brother’s square ball across goal & thumped a shot off the crossbar which a defender scrambled behind. When Glasgow’s corner came over Longmuir couldn’t claim it at the near post & it came to GORDON POPE at the far side of 6-yard box & he drilled a low shot home to make it 1-1 with 20 minutes gone.
Talbot’s tails were up again & they had a good spell of pressure. Pope directed a good cross to the back post which just flew over Hyslop’s head and a few minutes later McIlroy climbed to meet Pope’s cross only to see his header deflected wide off Wharton. When the corner came over Longmuir did well to punch it clear at the back post.
On the half hour mark Graham Wilson hit the woodwork for the 2nd time. He raced onto a ball down the left & hit it early, driving a shot off the top of the bar & over for a goal kick.
A minute later Graham Wilson forced a good stop from Longmuir when he got his head on the end of a cross from the right; the Lok keeper diving low to his left to keep it out.
Pollok threatened again in the 33rd minute when G McCann squared the ball across to Forde & he drilled a low shot on target that Leishman held inside his left post.
The visitors regained the lead in the 34th minute. They won a corner down the left which McCluskey played into the centre. Hyslop headed it clear but the ball came out to G MCCANN who arrowed a shot into the bottom corner past Leishman’s left hand to put Pollok 2-1 ahead.
Talbot re-gathered themselves and pushed forward again to find a way back into the game. It ought to have been all square three minutes from the end of the half. Glasgow cut in off the wing & curled the perfect cross into the centre. Hyslop looked certain to nod home but got too much on it and headed over the bar and so Pollok went in a goal to the good.
The 2nd half proved a half too far for Talbot & right from the off it was Pollok who made most of the running. McPherson received a yellow card in the 49th minute for a trip just outside the area. When the free kick was whipped across goal White headed it clear.
Pollok threatened again in the 53rd minute when McCluskey nearly got on the end of a diagonal pass but Leishman was swiftly off his line to gather.
Talbot had a real chance to grab an equaliser in the 55th minute. Graham Wilson was played in down the left & looked set to pull the trigger from 15 yards but instead opted to square the ball across for McIlroy allowing the defence to intercept.
McCracken became the 2nd Bot player cautioned when he received a yellow card for a trip in midfield on the hour mark.
The Bot fans had an inkling it wasn’t going to be our day in the 66th minute when Longmuir produced an outstanding save. Glasgow picked the ball up in the centre & had the time to carry it forward before unleashing a thunderbolt of a shot that looked in all the way; until Longmuir dived to his right to touch it away.
Tucker made a change in the 68th minute with Shankland coming on for White.
As the game wore on it became apparent that Talbot were running on empty & Pollok began to press. A 3rd goal would have killed the game off and Pollok nearly nabbed it in the 74th minute. G McCann waltzed in off the left & evaded a couple of challenges inside the area before squeezing off a shot for goal. It was heading in but Graham Wilson got back to make a goal line clearance.
A minute later and Pollok hit the woodwork when McGregor lobbed the ball across the face of goal and saw it hit off the face of the bar.
Talbot now made a 2nd change with Armstrong replacing McIlroy.
Shankland had a half chance to get Talbot back on level terms in the 83rd minute. Graham Wilson met Stephen Wilson’s cross from the right & he teed it up for Shankland 20 yards out but he was leaning back as he struck it & sent his shot high over the bar.
Five minutes from time Pollok had a chance to extend their lead. They won a free kick on the left when Armstrong was penalised for a trip on Gallacher. The free kick was flighted into the centre where ex-Bot favourite Young ran onto it unchallenged but he got underneath it & scooped his header well over.
Pollok ran the clock down in the closing stages with a couple of late substitutions; McCluskey receiving a caution in injury time for time-wasting as he left the field.
A disappointing result but the league still remains in Talbot’s own hands and now they know exactly what’s required on the final day. All thoughts of the league will be banished for now though as Talbot enjoy a week of rest before facing Hurlford next Sunday at Rugby Park in the Scottish Final.Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, S Wilson, Hyslop, White, Glasgow, McIlroy, G Wilson
Talbot started the game in fine fettle & had a decent chance to take the lead in the 3rd minute. Glasgow paced away from Wharton down the left & cut it back across goal. It came to McIlroy with his back to goal & he was able to turn on it but sclaffed a left foot shot wide of the far post.
Two minutes later Talbot had the first effort on target. Hyslop’s ball up the centre found McIlroy just outside the penalty area & he carried it forward before stabbing a low shot on target that Longmuir held.
The Bot kept up the pressure & had a near miss again in the 7th minute when Glasgow cut in off the left & swept a dangerous cross over to the back post which just cleared the head of McIlroy before being gathered by Longmuir.
For all Talbot’s early running it was the visitors who opened the scoring in the 10th minute in their first attack. White won the ball in midfield but then gave possession away with a sloppy pass. Forde slid an early pass out right to release GARY MCCANN into space & he raced into the box, rounded Leishman, and rolled it into the empty net.
Talbot tried to get straight back into it & their next attack saw Glasgow bursting through on the left but he was just beaten to the ball by Longmuir. The game was then held up for a spell to allow treatment to the Lok keeper.
The pressure was soon back on the Lok rear-guard and Talbot came within a whisker of levelling when Graham Wilson met his brother’s square ball across goal & thumped a shot off the crossbar which a defender scrambled behind. When Glasgow’s corner came over Longmuir couldn’t claim it at the near post & it came to GORDON POPE at the far side of 6-yard box & he drilled a low shot home to make it 1-1 with 20 minutes gone.
Talbot’s tails were up again & they had a good spell of pressure. Pope directed a good cross to the back post which just flew over Hyslop’s head and a few minutes later McIlroy climbed to meet Pope’s cross only to see his header deflected wide off Wharton. When the corner came over Longmuir did well to punch it clear at the back post.
On the half hour mark Graham Wilson hit the woodwork for the 2nd time. He raced onto a ball down the left & hit it early, driving a shot off the top of the bar & over for a goal kick.
A minute later Graham Wilson forced a good stop from Longmuir when he got his head on the end of a cross from the right; the Lok keeper diving low to his left to keep it out.
Pollok threatened again in the 33rd minute when G McCann squared the ball across to Forde & he drilled a low shot on target that Leishman held inside his left post.
The visitors regained the lead in the 34th minute. They won a corner down the left which McCluskey played into the centre. Hyslop headed it clear but the ball came out to G MCCANN who arrowed a shot into the bottom corner past Leishman’s left hand to put Pollok 2-1 ahead.
Talbot re-gathered themselves and pushed forward again to find a way back into the game. It ought to have been all square three minutes from the end of the half. Glasgow cut in off the wing & curled the perfect cross into the centre. Hyslop looked certain to nod home but got too much on it and headed over the bar and so Pollok went in a goal to the good.
The 2nd half proved a half too far for Talbot & right from the off it was Pollok who made most of the running. McPherson received a yellow card in the 49th minute for a trip just outside the area. When the free kick was whipped across goal White headed it clear.
Pollok threatened again in the 53rd minute when McCluskey nearly got on the end of a diagonal pass but Leishman was swiftly off his line to gather.
Talbot had a real chance to grab an equaliser in the 55th minute. Graham Wilson was played in down the left & looked set to pull the trigger from 15 yards but instead opted to square the ball across for McIlroy allowing the defence to intercept.
McCracken became the 2nd Bot player cautioned when he received a yellow card for a trip in midfield on the hour mark.
The Bot fans had an inkling it wasn’t going to be our day in the 66th minute when Longmuir produced an outstanding save. Glasgow picked the ball up in the centre & had the time to carry it forward before unleashing a thunderbolt of a shot that looked in all the way; until Longmuir dived to his right to touch it away.
Tucker made a change in the 68th minute with Shankland coming on for White.
As the game wore on it became apparent that Talbot were running on empty & Pollok began to press. A 3rd goal would have killed the game off and Pollok nearly nabbed it in the 74th minute. G McCann waltzed in off the left & evaded a couple of challenges inside the area before squeezing off a shot for goal. It was heading in but Graham Wilson got back to make a goal line clearance.
A minute later and Pollok hit the woodwork when McGregor lobbed the ball across the face of goal and saw it hit off the face of the bar.
Talbot now made a 2nd change with Armstrong replacing McIlroy.
Shankland had a half chance to get Talbot back on level terms in the 83rd minute. Graham Wilson met Stephen Wilson’s cross from the right & he teed it up for Shankland 20 yards out but he was leaning back as he struck it & sent his shot high over the bar.
Five minutes from time Pollok had a chance to extend their lead. They won a free kick on the left when Armstrong was penalised for a trip on Gallacher. The free kick was flighted into the centre where ex-Bot favourite Young ran onto it unchallenged but he got underneath it & scooped his header well over.
Pollok ran the clock down in the closing stages with a couple of late substitutions; McCluskey receiving a caution in injury time for time-wasting as he left the field.
A disappointing result but the league still remains in Talbot’s own hands and now they know exactly what’s required on the final day. All thoughts of the league will be banished for now though as Talbot enjoy a week of rest before facing Hurlford next Sunday at Rugby Park in the Scottish Final.Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, S Wilson, Hyslop, White, Glasgow, McIlroy, G Wilson
Subs – Shankland, Armstrong, Pooler, Thomson, Harvey
Pollok – Longmuir, Niang, Sideserf, Wharton, Gallacher, McGregor, G McCann, McCluskey, S McCann, Forde, Young
Subs – Byrne, Brash, Rowan, Hepburn, Johnson
Auchinleck Talbot v Girvan
Auchinleck Talbot v Glenafton Athletic
This year’s title chase looks like going right down to the wire & Talbot kept themselves in the hunt with a hard earned victory over local rivals Glenafton.
Talbot started the game brightly and tested McGarrity as early as the 3rd minute. McIlroy slid the ball through to find Glasgow on the right of the area & he drilled a shot on target that McGarrity saved low to his right.
Within a minute Talbot had another chance. McIlroy ran onto the end of a cross from the left touchline but headed wide of target.
The Bot kept the pressure up & were helped when the Glens conceded a needless corner kick. Glasgow whipped over an in swinging cross that the defence could only knock back out to him on the left. This time he fired a cross into the near post where Graham Wilson glanced it over the bar.
The Glens first chance came in the 7th minute. McPherson was deceived by the bounce of the ball when chasing a long ball down the centre. Andrew was able to nip onto the end of it & laid it back to McCann who blazed a shot over the bar.
Talbot grabbed the opening goal in the 8th minute. Graham Wilson sent the ball out to JAMIE GLASGOW on the left side of the penalty area & he took it past McAusland before drilling an angled shot back across goal & into the far corner.
Glenafton had an effort on targe within a minute of going behind but it was a routine save for Leishman as Andrew turned in the area & shot straight at him.
McChesney made an important interception in the 18th minute to deny McIlroy a free header. Graham Wilson whipped a great cross over from the left that was heading straight for McIlroy 6 yards out but McChesney was able to stretch & head it to safety.
The visitors came close to levelling in the 23rd minute. Cairns cross took a slight deflection & floated right onto the head of McCann whose header clipped the crossbar.
Talbot’s next chance came on 28 mins. Glasgow stole the ball just inside the Glens half & raced through the centre before releasing it to his right to find Graham Wilson inside the penalty area. He could have carried in on goal but opted to hit it 1st time & belted a shot straight at McGarrity.
Down the other end Talbot had a close call when Lynnas broke down the right & squared the ball into the near post where McCann met it unopposed only to trundle a shot wide of goal.
Lyle had his name taken in the 34th minute for a late challenge on Moore out on the touchline.
The Bot’s next half chance came in the 36th minute. Pope fired a low ball into the centre which Graham Wilson steered on target but McGarrity got down well to make the block.
Within a minute the Glens were all square. They broke down the right where Lynass sent the ball across the face of goal. DALE MOORE ran onto into beyond the back post & side-footed it on target. Lyle hooked the ball clear but the linesman signalled it had already crossed the line.
Talbot almost regained the lead in their next attack. Glasgow cut in off the left wing & curled a ball over to the back post where McIlroy stretched out his boot to get on it but couldn’t make a clean enough contact to steer it inside the left post.
Shortly before the break Cairns had his name taken for a rugby tackle on Stephen Wilson but there were no further chances and both sides went in locked at the interval.
The 2nd half got off to a sluggish start with neither side making much of an impression early on. In the 53rd minute McCann crumpled theatrically in the box looking for a penalty but all he received was a yellow card.
Talbot managed to exert some pressure and force a string of corners but the Glens rearguard held firm.
In the 61st minute the first changes of the evening were made. The Glens brought on Borris for Lynass & Talbot made a double switch with Shankland replacing McIlroy & Armstrong on for White.
Glenafton could easily have found themselves a man down in the 68th minute. Cairns caught Stephen Wilson late in midfield but having already booked the Glens full-back the ref kept his cards in his pocket.
The Glens completed their changes in the 69th minute with a double substitution. McCann & Moore making way for Dallas & McGill.
Talbot’s next opportunity came from a corner. Shankland rolled it back to Armstrong who in turn teed it up for Stephen Wilson. His low drive was blocked off a defender & spun out right to Shankland who hammered it across goal where it hit off Stephen Wilson at the near post & flew just wide.
In the 73rd minute another Talbot corner saw Shankland’s cross from the left find Pope in space at the back post. He headed it down & back across goal but no Talbot player had anticipated it & the Glens defence were able to clear.
With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot’s pressure & persistence finally paid off. MARK SHANKLAND gathered out on the left & cut in on his right foot before swerving a low cross cum shot across goal. Hyslop & Graham Wilson couldn’t quite reach it but neither could McGarrity & the ball nestled into the bottom corner.
Another goal would have settled matters & Talbot went looking for it. McPherson made a great break out of defence before releasing the ball to Glasgow on the left with Menzies scrambling across to turn it behind for the corner. When the corner came over to the back post Pope got his head to it but sent it just the wrong side of the post.
As the clock ticked down it was apparent that Talbot’s punishing schedule was catching up with them, making for a nervous closing spell for the Bot support. With three minutes to go Stephen Wilson went down with cramp and had to be replaced by McCracken.
With a minute to go Talbot had a scare when McGill swung a dangerous low cross over from the left wing. It skipped off the turf just before it reached Leishman but Andy got his handling spot on & smothered the ball with Dallas waiting to snap up any rebound.
The Bot saw out injury time without any alarms to hold on for a vital win. Now they have it all to do again on Wednesday night when they host Girvan in the league.
Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, Hyslop, White, Stephen Wilson, Glasgow, McIlroy, Graham Wilson
Subs – Shankland, Armstrong, McCracken, Faulds, Thomson
Glenafton, McGarrity, McAusland, Cairns, Menzies, McChesney, McKernon, Lynnas, Park, McCann, Andrew, Moore
Subs – Borris, Dallas, McKnight, McGill, Scott
Read more: http://auchinlecktalbotfc.proboards.com/thread/8103/talbot-2-glenafton-1#ixzz5FnLZt9s9
Auchinleck Talbot v Arthurlie
MURRAYS REPORT
Talbot produced an accomplished display to cruise past a toothless Arthurlie side in this one-sided league encounter.
The first chance of the match went the way of the visitors. Harvey conceded a free kick for a foul on MacLennan but McBride made little of the set piece blasting well over from 25 yards.
From there on it was pretty much one-way traffic towards the Arthurlie goal and it was no surprise when Talbot took the lead after 8 minutes. Armstrong fizzed a low ball in from the right that broke into the path of STEPHEN WILSON who fired past Hay to put the Bot one ahead.
A few minutes after giving Talbot the lead, Wilson was caught late by Scanlon who received the first of his cards of the afternoon.
The Bot could have doubled their lead in the 16th minute. Daly ought to have cleared a ball down the right of the area but tried to shepherd it out of play for a goal kick allowing McIlroy to nick in & send it back across the face of goal. It came to Glasgow with his back to goal who wheeled round before firing over the bar from 8 yards.
Two minutes later the woodwork came to the rescue of the beleaguered visitors. Wilson was fouled 25 yards out and Shankland steered his free kick over the wall & wide of the helpless Hay but it came off the right hand post & was booted clear.
The procession of Talbot chances continued in the 22nd minute. Talbot pressure resulted in a succession of corners, from the 2nd of which Hyslop rose to meet Shankland’s cross & head it down back the way it’d come but it bounced wide of target.
Two minutes later the Bot came close again. Glasgow started the move on the left, switching it across to Lyle on the opposite wing and when the ball came back across the area Glasgow’s side-footed effort looked destined for goal but unfortunately it was inadvertently blocked en route by McIlroy.
For all Talbot’s dominance it could have been all level in the 27th minute when hesitant defending allowed Roulston the time & space to run onto a loose ball just inside the area & his low drive was deflected just past Leishman’s left post.
Talbot were soon back on the ascendancy and won a free kick within striking distance when Glasgow was shoved in the back. Shankland took it & struck a low shot wide of the wall that Hay pushed around his post.
Hyslop met the resultant corner & powered a header on target that Hay parried to safety.
The Bot threatened the Lie goal again on the half mark from another corner. Shankland lifted it into the near post where Armstrong floated a header goal ward with Hay forced to backpedal to tip it over the bar.
Leishman had been spectating for the most part but had to look smart in the 33rd minute when Lyle was a touch short with a passback; racing off his line to beat Marks to the ball & taking a knock in the process.
Talbot’s 2nd goal duly arrived in the 38th minute from a set piece. Scanlon conceded a free kick for a foul on Glasgow & Pope bent an in swinger over from the right that SEAN MCILROY took on his chest before placing a low shot past Hay to make it 2-0.
Scanlon’s afternoon came to an abrupt end in the 42nd minute when he received a 2nd yellow & an early bath for clipping the heels of Stephen Wilson as he raced forward.
The final action of the half saw Armstrong square the ball across to Pope who teed it up for Harvey & he hammered a shot just over the bar.
Two goals adrift & a man down, it was no surprise that Arthurlie made a change at the break, with McGoldrick entering the fray for a cameo appearance.
The 2nd half continued in the same vein as the 1st with Talbot on the front foot and the Lie defence were stretched again two minutes after the re-start. A good Bot move ended with Armstrong sliding the ball through to the overlapping Lyle & his dangerous cross into the centre was headed behind by Daly.
Talbot kept the pressure up & nearly added to their lead soon after from one of the many corners they forced throughout the 90. Shankland pulled the corner back to the unmarked Lyle & Hay did well to touch his chip over the crossbar.
The game was effectively over in the 51st minute when Talbot added a 3rd goal. McIlroy gathered down the left & held it up before releasing Pope into the area. He lifted a cross to the back post where Glasgow’s volley crashed back off the bar & DWAYNE HYSLOP reacted first to force it home from close range.
A minute later & Glasgow had an opportunity to put Talbot further ahead. He got free down the right but drilled his shot into the side-netting from a tight angle.
Hay prevented Stephen Wilson from adding to Talbot’s lead in the 55th minute. An Arthurlie corner saw Talbot race to the other end when Shankland sent Glasgow racing away on the counter. He fed the ball through to Wilson who nutmegged Daly to go through on Hay but the Lie keeper was quickly off his line to spread himself & make a good stop to block Wilson’s shot.
Tucker made a double switch in the 59th minute with Graham Wilson & McCracken coming on for McIlroy & Hyslop.
McCracken came close to adding to Talbot’s tally in the 62nd minute when he ran onto Shankland’s corner from the right but directed his header just wide of Hay’s left post.
Athurlie’s Herculean task became mission impossible within the space of a couple of minutes. McGoldrick was booked for a shirt tug on Stephen Wilson in the 65th minute & before the ref’s ink was dry in his notebook he received a 2nd yellow for a late challenge on Stephen Wilson, reducing the visitors to 9 men.
Talbot’s 4th goal came in the 73rd minute from their umpteenth corner. Shankland took a corner from the left & angled it back to find STEPHEN WILSON in space at the edge of the area & he curled a beauty past Hay inside the left post.
Tucker now made his final change with young Logan Campbell making his 1st team debut when he came on for Glasgow.
Shankland tested the Lie keeper in the 76th minute when he fired a shot from the left across goal that Hay touched past his far post.
Two minutes later Pope joined the attack to drive a shot just over the bar from 20 yards.
Talbot kept the momentum going & nearly added to their lead in the 81st minute. Pope sent Shankland scampering clear down the left & he fired it low across the area to Graham Wilson. It broke off him & came to Campbell who fired a shot at Hay.
The Bot came close twice more in the closing stages to aiding their goal difference. Firstly in the 85th minute when Graham Wilson met a cross from the left only to see his header fly off the crossbar before being cleared and then a few minutes later when Shankland pulled the ball back to Pope whose fierce drive was tipped over the bar.
This was a good win for Talbot who now travel through to Hurlford on Monday night on league duties in a game given added spice by the impending showdown at the end of May.
Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, Armstrong, McIlroy, Shankland, Glasgow
Subs – Graham Wilson, Campbell, White, McLuckie, McCracken
Arthurlie – Hay, Burns, McBride, Buchanan, Bohme, Scanlon, Roulston, Lyon, Marks, Daly, Maclennan
Subs – McKenzie, O’Halloran, Wilson, McGoldrick, Mohamed
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
Auchinleck Talbot v Lochee United
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
MURRAYS REPORT
Talbot paid the penalty for failing to convert a penalty as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Lochee that leaves the Bot down but not out.
Talbot started the game strongly and had a decent chance to take the lead after 4 minutes. Shankland robbed a Lochee player of the ball midway inside their half before feeding the ball onto Graham Wilson. He laid it out left to send Glasgow clean through but he drilled his shot straight into the side-netting.
The next goal threat came in the 14th minute when Shankland whipped a superb cross in from the left touchline that Lunan headed over his own bar.
Pope had an effort on target in the 18th minute. His first effort was blocked straight back to him & he fired a shot straight at Fotheringham on his weaker right foot.
Lochee hadn’t offered any real threat but they did give the home fans a nervy moment in the 23rd minute. Lawson knocked a dangerous cross in from the right that had Lyle in difficulties. He mishit his clearance, sending it out wide to Cameron who cut it across the area to McComiskie and his shot took two deflections before spinning behind for the corner.
The visitors were content to sit in and Talbot were struggling to make to any impression as the minutes ticked by without either keeper being called into action.
In the 39th minute Lochee gave the home fans a fright thanks to a long punt up the right. There seemed little danger but when Leishman came out to the edge of his area to take it, he misjudged the bounce of the ball as it spun past him but he did well to recover; diving back to take it.
Smith had his name taken in the 44th minute, not so much for his foul on Graham Wilson, as for an accumulation of offences.
In the final minute of what had been a fairly drab 1st half Fotheringham produced a save of the season contender to prevent Talbot taking the lead. White squared the ball across to Pope who let fly from 30 yards. His shot was screaming into the top corner until Fotheringham flew through the air to tip it over the bar, and so the sides went in all square at the interval.
Whatever Tucker said during the break perked the team up and Talbot came out all guns blazing at the start of the 2nd half. A nice passing move ended with Pope sending Shankland free on the left. He drilled it low first time across the face of goal where Lunan blazed it inches over his own bar.
Talbot were awarded a penalty in the 51st minute. Shankland whipped a corner in from the left & Harvey was pulled down as he tried to get on the end of it. The referee pointed to the spot and booked Lunan for the shirt tug.
Stephen Wilson stepped up to take the penalty but his spot kick was at a good height for the keeper and Fotheringham dived to his right to turn it away.
Undeterred by this setback, Talbot kept pushing forward and came close again a minute later. Glasgow cut in off the right & traversed across the area before firing a left foot shot that Fotheringham did well to turn past his right post.
It was all Talbot at this stage and the Bot threatened again in the 58th minute. Stephen Wilson out-paced Kirk & lifted a deep cross beyond the far post which Shankland met 1st time on the volley, only to see his shot blocked away by McNally.
Talbot had a let off on the hour mark. Cameron knocked the ball out left to find Lawson in space & his cutback went straight into the path of Deasley in front of goal but he snatched at the chance & mishit a tame effort straight at Leishman.
Graham Wilson had his name taken in the 63rd minute for persistent fouling.
Talbot’s next goal threat came in the 67th minute when Shankland gathered on the left & fed it back to Pope whose cross cum shot swerved just wide of the far post.
Tucker made a change in the 71st minute with McIlroy coming on in place of Graham Wilson.
The next opportunity for Talbot came via a corner kick. Shankland pulled the ball back to meet the run of Stephen Wilson & his low drive was blocked inside the 6-yard area by a Lochee defender.
Lochee now made a change with Birse replacing Deasley.
As the game moved into the closing stages Talbot kept pushing forward looking for a late winner. In the 85th minute Lyle went galloping down the right touchline before pulling the back across the area. Shankland latched onto it & attempted to curl a right foot shot into the top corner. It looked to be heading in but Lunan was in the right spot to deflect it over the bar off the top of his head.
In the 89th minute Talbot again came close. Glasgow turned smartly inside the area & drilled a low shot at goal. It took a deflection off McIlroy and with Fotheringham already going the other way it looked like it may be trickling into the net but the keeper recovered to dive to his left to smother the ball.
The Bot were back on the attack moments later. White powered a shot at goal from the edge of the box which was once again blocked by the head of Lunan. The ball span high in the air and Fotheringham had to help it over the bar.
The game looked to be heading for a stalemate but in the 2nd minute of added time a moment of defensive slackness allowed the visitors to snatch a late win. The Bot defence were caught square trying to play offside & BIRSE timed his run to race onto a ball chipped through the centre & slot it low into the bottom corner.
A tough one to take for Talbot and their fans but the tie is still far from over and Talbot will travel through to Lochee next Saturday with everything still to play for.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, Stephen Wilson, White, Hyslop, Graham Wilson, Shankland, Glasgow
Subs – McIlroy, Pooler, McCracken, Armstrong, Hewitt (gk)
Lochee United – Fotheringham, Webster, Kirk, Lunan, Cameron, McNally, Lawson, Ritchie, McComiskie, Smith, Deasley
Subs – Davie, Stewart, Birse, Reid, Millar
Auchinleck Talbot v St Rochs
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
Auchinleck Talbot v Arthurlie
Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Beechwood’s largest crowd of the season saw Talbot arguably produce their best performance of the season to brush Pollok aside 4-1 & march onto into the quarter-finals of the Scottish.
It took Talbot a little time to settle & the visitors made the early running. Leishman was called into action in the 4th minute when Wharton hurled a long throw into the goalmouth that he had to punch clear. The ball came back out to Wharton he drove it low across goal where Leishman smothered it.
A minute later Pollok won a free kick in a dangerous area when Gormley was caught just outside the right edge of the penalty area. Forde took it & whipped it up & over the wall but Leishman was well positioned & took it comfortably.
Talbot had another scare in the 8th minute when Rowan clipped the top of the crossbar as he swung an over hit cross over from the right touchline.
Gradually, Talbot settled & began to threaten the Lok goal. The Bot’s first real chance came in the 16th minute. Under pressure, Wharton intercepted McIlroy’s ball across the area & passed it back to Longmuir who was forced to handle it. The ref awarded Talbot an indirect free kick 6 yards out. Shankland touched it to Graham Wilson & his fierce drive was deflected over the bar off a posse of Lok players in the goalmouth.
Shankland lifted the corner over where Hyslop got a head to it & it came back out wide to Shankland on the right. He took it 1st time on the volley & Longmuir made an excellent stop to turn it round his left hand post. Shankland again took the corner & flighted it into the centre where Pollok failed to clear their lines. The ball broke to Stephen Wilson who was upended by Young as he tried to clear & the ref pointed to the spot. STEPHEN WILSON took the spot kick & placed it low inside the right post to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Talbot’s next attack saw the Bot win a free kick out on the right after Graham Wilson was fouled by Gallacher. Shankland whipped the ball over & Stephen Wilson glanced a header wide of the far post.
Pollok had a half chance in the 24th minute courtesy of Wharton’s looping long shy into the area. It glanced off Harvey’s head & came to Forde 6 yards out but he couldn’t generate any power behind his header & Leishman saved easily.
Brash became the 1st man in the book in the 26th minute when he was guilty of a reckless tackle on Hyslop.
That proved to be the Lok midfielder’s last contribution as he limped off a few minutes later to be replaced by Little.
The Lok defence got into a fankle at a Bot corner kick in the 32nd minute. Shankland hit it deep beyond the far post where Stephen Wilson guided it back across goal. Gormley mishit his attempted clearance, shanking it on target, but fortunately for Lok it came to Longmuir who knocked it clear.
Talbot doubled their lead in the 42nd minute via a wonder strike from Pope. Hyslop gathered the ball on the right & squared it across to GORDON POPE 25 yards out & he hammered a drive past Longmuir to make it 2-0.
Both sides had chances late on in the half. Firstly, Talbot threatened to put the game beyond Lok’s reach. Pope lifted a ball up the left for Graham Wilson which he controlled before rolling it back toward Shankland just inside the area but he was leaning back as he struck it & lifted his shot over the bar.
In the closing seconds of the half Forde had a similar opportunity just outside the Bot penalty box but he also leant back as he hit it & scooped his shot well over & so Talbot went in two ahead at the interval.
Pollok made a change at half-time with McCluskey coming on for Wharton.
The Bot started the 2nd half brightly, playing on the front foot, looking for a 3rd goal to kill the tie off.
In the 49th minute Stephen Wilson headed Leishman’s clearance down into the path of Graham Wilson but he lashed his shot over from 25 yards.
Two minutes later the Wilson brothers combined again. Stephen lifted the ball down the right to find Graham in space & he squared it into the centre to find Shankland who curled a shot over the bar.
Pollok came close in the 53rd minute to pulling a goal back. Leishman came off his line to punch a corner clear but it came out to Little 20 yards out & his shot was sailing into the roof of the net until Leishman dived to his left to tip it round the post.
A swift Talbot counter in the 56th minute was abruptly ended by Niang when he tripped Graham Wilson just outside the box to end his surging run, resulting in a booking for the Lok defender. Shankland took the set piece & was inches away from extending Talbot’s lead as his shot cannoned off the postage stamp corner with Longmuir well beaten.
White became the 1st Bot player to receive a caution when he was booked in the 58th minute for obstruction as he broke up a Lok attack.
It could have been game over on the hour mark. Hyslop fed the ball to Stephen Wilson inside the box & he teed it up perfectly for Graham Wilson but he blazed it over the bar from 15 yards out.
Leishman produced his 2nd impressive stop of the afternoon in the 63rd minute to deny ex-Bot player Gormley. Little whipped in a good cross from the left that fell kindly for Gormley 12 yards out, he struck it well enough back across goal but Leishman reacted sharply to throw out his right hand to claw it away.
Shankland picked up a needless yellow card in the 65th minute for kicking the ball away.
Both sides now made a switch, firstly Tucker brought on Thomson to replace White & then Pollok brought on Hepburn in place of Forde.
Talbot’s next foray into the Lok box saw McIlroy power his way down the left & fire a shot from a tight angle that Longmuir had to block at his near post.
The Lok keeper kept their hopes alive in the 72nd minute when he prevented Graham Wilson from putting Talbot three ahead. McIlroy won the ball outside the area & played it into the feet of Shankland who in turn switched it 1st time to Wilson. He cut across on his left foot & angled a shot for a far corner that Longmuir blocked with his outstretched left leg.
Hepburn received a caution in the 76th minute for a frankly embarrassing dive; throwing himself to the deck in a desperate attempt to con a penalty.
A minute later Pollok won a free kick within shooting range. Rowan squared the ball for Young to run onto & he was caught by Thomson. Gormley took it but tamely passed it back to Leishman.
Talbot now made a further change with Glasgow coming on for McIlroy.
In the 83rd minute Pollok pulled a goal back. A corner from the left was played into the near post where YOUNG met it with a diving header to make it 2-1.
Talbot responded in the best possible way to this setback, immediately going down the other end, and restoring their two goal lead. Gallacher appeared to shove Graham Wilson in the back but the ref gave nothing. The ball broke to Shankland who sent it inside to JAMIE GLASGOW & he sped past the Lok defence before slotting the ball past Longmuir to make it 3-1.
Tucker now completed Talbot’s subsitutions with Faulds coming on for Shankland.
Two minutes from time Gallacher received a caution for a very late challenge on Graham Wilson.
Talbot completed the scoring in injury time. A great passage of football saw Talbot open the Lok defence to create an opening for Stephen Wilson. His low drive was blocked but it spun to JAMIE GLASGOW who passed it into the net to make the final score 4-1.
A very accomplished display by the Bot who thoroughly deserved the win as they keep their fine run of form going. Next up for Talbot it is back to league duties as they host Arthurlie at Beechwood.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, S Wilson, Hyslop, White, McIlroy, G Wilson, Shankland
Subs – Glasgow, Thomson, Faulds, McCracken, Armstrong
Pollok Juniors – Longmuir, Niang, Byrne, Wharton, Gallacher, Brash, S McCann, Rowan, Forde, Gormley, Young
Subs – Hepburn, McCluskey, Little, Johnson (gk)
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
Auchinleck Talbot v Kilbirnie Ladeside
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot narrowed the gap at the top of the table thanks to a five star performance against Kilbirnie at Beechwood.
The opening spell was fairly tight, with neither side able to test the opposing keeper, and play largely confined to the middle third of the pitch.
Talbot put together a decent move in the 12th minute when Glasgow pounced on a loose ball midway inside the Kilbirnie half. He played it 1st time out to McIlroy on the left & he swung a cross over onto the head of S Wilson who attempted to cushion it down to Glasgow but it ran through to Hughes.
The Bot’s next attack saw White leave a couple of defenders flat-footed when he turned outside the box to create the space for a shot but he blasted his effort well-wide of target.
The opening goal came in the 21st minute. Talbot won a free kick out on the left that was played into the area. The Blasties defence failed to clear their lines & the ball came to Shankland on the left of the area. He fired it low across the 6-yard area where McIlroy stretched out a leg to send it crashing off the bar. HYSLOP was 1st to react to the rebound, taking a touch before hammering it home with his left foot to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Five minutes later the Blasties defence was all at sea again. Glasgow skipped past Juskowiak & raced for the penalty area where he was obstructed by O’Byrne, resulting in a free kick 20 yards out & a booking for Kilbirnie’s centre-half. Shankland took the set-piece & was unlucky not to add to Talbot’s lead. His shot was heading inside the right post but Hughes flew across to push it wide.
Glasgow had a chance to double Talbot’s lead in the 31st minute. He raced onto McIlroy’s knock down & lobbed the ball over Hughes who was stranded well off his line but his shot sailed wide of target.
Two minutes later Talbot won a free kick wide of the penalty area when McIlroy had his heels clipped. Shankland whipped a great ball over to the back post where McKinnon headed it behind.
Talbot continued to look the likelier & their next attack saw Wilson find Lyle in space on the right. He slung a good cross to the back post where Shankland slid in to meet it but at full stretch he couldn’t direct it on goal.
Kilbirnie had been very shot shy but did produce a good effort two minutes before the break. Scullion gathered 30 yards from goal & blasted a shot just wide of Leishman’s right post.
The 2nd half started fairly evenly but gradually Talbot began to push the visitors back & test their defence. In the 52nd minute Wilson played in Glasgow down the right & he squared it to McIlroy inside the box who saw his shot blocked behind off O’Byrne.
Shankland took the resultant corner & fired it low into the corner of the 6-yard area where Wilson ran onto it. He side-footed it on target but was denied by Hughes who made a fingertip save to turn it round his left post.
Kilbirnie made a change in the 59th minute with Roberts coming on in place of Juskowiak.
A minute later the visitors came close to drawing level through a set-piece. They won a free kick out wide on the left & Scullion drilled a dangerous low shot across goal which Leishman pushed away with Williamson lurking.
Kilbirnie were reduced to 10 men in the 61st minute. Shankland out-muscled McKinnon outside the area & as he was about to race through on the keeper McKinnon hauled him to the deck, leaving the ref no choice but to send him on a short walk to the clubhouse.
Shankland took the free kick & once again struck it well; firing it round the wall & against the base of the left hand post.
Talbot were unfortunate not to be out of sight but with only a goal in it Kilbirnie weren’t out of it & they gave Talbot a scare in the 64th minute. A corner from the right was whipped into the area & Talbot could only partially clear it. The ball came out to Scullion whose volley looked to be heading on target but was blocked away by Harvey.
The game was as good as over in the 69th minute when Talbot moved 2 goals ahead. Glasgow raced onto a ball down the right & spotting Hughes stranded off his line he went for the lob. His effort sailed over O’Byrne on the goal line & cannoned back out off the crossbar where MCILROY met it to tuck the rebound away.
Tucker now made his 1st switch with Faulds coming on in place of White.
Kilbirnie made their 2nd change of the afternoon after 73 mins with Crerand replacing McGill.
Shankland had a chance to get on the scoresheet in the 75th minute. He released Glasgow down the left & when is cross came over O’Byrne sliced his clearance. It came to McIlroy who teed it up for Shankland but he mishit his shot wide from 15 yards.
Talbot now made two further changes in quick succession with Thomson on for Shankland & then Armstrong replacing Lyle.
Two of Talbot’s subs were involved in Talbot’s next chance in the 81st minute. Pope sent Thomson away on the left & when his cross floated to the back post Faulds looked set to score as he ran onto it but steered his header wide of goal.
The 3rd goal finally arrived in the 84th minute. Thomson lifted the ball through to Glasgow down the left. He took it round the keeper, gathered the ball on the bye line before floating a cross into the centre where THOMSON beat O’Byrne to it to bundle home from close range.
Talbot added a 4th goal in the 87th minute. Thomson chased onto a ball down the left & laid it back to Pope. He whipped a cross over which FAULDS directed back across & into the bottom corner.
Within a minute Talbot wrapped the game up with their fifth of the afternoon. Pope slid the ball into Faulds inside the area & he laid it back to GLASGOW who provided the perfect finish; drilling the ball inside the right post from 20 yards.
This was a great way for Talbot to end their run of poor results against Kilbirnie, with a comprehensive win that does the goal difference no harm. Next week Talbot travel through to Townhead to face Cumnock in the Scottish & with both sides in good form it promises to be a lively afternoon.Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, White, S Wilson, Hyslop, McIlroy, Glasgow, ShanklandSubs – Armstrong, Thomson, Faulds, McCracken, Hewitt (gk)
The opening spell was fairly tight, with neither side able to test the opposing keeper, and play largely confined to the middle third of the pitch.
Talbot put together a decent move in the 12th minute when Glasgow pounced on a loose ball midway inside the Kilbirnie half. He played it 1st time out to McIlroy on the left & he swung a cross over onto the head of S Wilson who attempted to cushion it down to Glasgow but it ran through to Hughes.
The Bot’s next attack saw White leave a couple of defenders flat-footed when he turned outside the box to create the space for a shot but he blasted his effort well-wide of target.
The opening goal came in the 21st minute. Talbot won a free kick out on the left that was played into the area. The Blasties defence failed to clear their lines & the ball came to Shankland on the left of the area. He fired it low across the 6-yard area where McIlroy stretched out a leg to send it crashing off the bar. HYSLOP was 1st to react to the rebound, taking a touch before hammering it home with his left foot to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Five minutes later the Blasties defence was all at sea again. Glasgow skipped past Juskowiak & raced for the penalty area where he was obstructed by O’Byrne, resulting in a free kick 20 yards out & a booking for Kilbirnie’s centre-half. Shankland took the set-piece & was unlucky not to add to Talbot’s lead. His shot was heading inside the right post but Hughes flew across to push it wide.
Glasgow had a chance to double Talbot’s lead in the 31st minute. He raced onto McIlroy’s knock down & lobbed the ball over Hughes who was stranded well off his line but his shot sailed wide of target.
Two minutes later Talbot won a free kick wide of the penalty area when McIlroy had his heels clipped. Shankland whipped a great ball over to the back post where McKinnon headed it behind.
Talbot continued to look the likelier & their next attack saw Wilson find Lyle in space on the right. He slung a good cross to the back post where Shankland slid in to meet it but at full stretch he couldn’t direct it on goal.
Kilbirnie had been very shot shy but did produce a good effort two minutes before the break. Scullion gathered 30 yards from goal & blasted a shot just wide of Leishman’s right post.
The 2nd half started fairly evenly but gradually Talbot began to push the visitors back & test their defence. In the 52nd minute Wilson played in Glasgow down the right & he squared it to McIlroy inside the box who saw his shot blocked behind off O’Byrne.
Shankland took the resultant corner & fired it low into the corner of the 6-yard area where Wilson ran onto it. He side-footed it on target but was denied by Hughes who made a fingertip save to turn it round his left post.
Kilbirnie made a change in the 59th minute with Roberts coming on in place of Juskowiak.
A minute later the visitors came close to drawing level through a set-piece. They won a free kick out wide on the left & Scullion drilled a dangerous low shot across goal which Leishman pushed away with Williamson lurking.
Kilbirnie were reduced to 10 men in the 61st minute. Shankland out-muscled McKinnon outside the area & as he was about to race through on the keeper McKinnon hauled him to the deck, leaving the ref no choice but to send him on a short walk to the clubhouse.
Shankland took the free kick & once again struck it well; firing it round the wall & against the base of the left hand post.
Talbot were unfortunate not to be out of sight but with only a goal in it Kilbirnie weren’t out of it & they gave Talbot a scare in the 64th minute. A corner from the right was whipped into the area & Talbot could only partially clear it. The ball came out to Scullion whose volley looked to be heading on target but was blocked away by Harvey.
The game was as good as over in the 69th minute when Talbot moved 2 goals ahead. Glasgow raced onto a ball down the right & spotting Hughes stranded off his line he went for the lob. His effort sailed over O’Byrne on the goal line & cannoned back out off the crossbar where MCILROY met it to tuck the rebound away.
Tucker now made his 1st switch with Faulds coming on in place of White.
Kilbirnie made their 2nd change of the afternoon after 73 mins with Crerand replacing McGill.
Shankland had a chance to get on the scoresheet in the 75th minute. He released Glasgow down the left & when is cross came over O’Byrne sliced his clearance. It came to McIlroy who teed it up for Shankland but he mishit his shot wide from 15 yards.
Talbot now made two further changes in quick succession with Thomson on for Shankland & then Armstrong replacing Lyle.
Two of Talbot’s subs were involved in Talbot’s next chance in the 81st minute. Pope sent Thomson away on the left & when his cross floated to the back post Faulds looked set to score as he ran onto it but steered his header wide of goal.
The 3rd goal finally arrived in the 84th minute. Thomson lifted the ball through to Glasgow down the left. He took it round the keeper, gathered the ball on the bye line before floating a cross into the centre where THOMSON beat O’Byrne to it to bundle home from close range.
Talbot added a 4th goal in the 87th minute. Thomson chased onto a ball down the left & laid it back to Pope. He whipped a cross over which FAULDS directed back across & into the bottom corner.
Within a minute Talbot wrapped the game up with their fifth of the afternoon. Pope slid the ball into Faulds inside the area & he laid it back to GLASGOW who provided the perfect finish; drilling the ball inside the right post from 20 yards.
This was a great way for Talbot to end their run of poor results against Kilbirnie, with a comprehensive win that does the goal difference no harm. Next week Talbot travel through to Townhead to face Cumnock in the Scottish & with both sides in good form it promises to be a lively afternoon.Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, White, S Wilson, Hyslop, McIlroy, Glasgow, ShanklandSubs – Armstrong, Thomson, Faulds, McCracken, Hewitt (gk)
Kilbirnie Ladeside – K Hughes, C Hughes, Mackinnon, Bembo, O’Byrne, Juskowiak, McGill, Touhy, Finlay, Scullion, Williamson
Subs – Roberts, Crerand, Stokes, Halliday, Wilton
