Beechwood Park – Page 21 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Auchinleck Talbot v Glenafton Athletic

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot paid the penalty for missed chances as they lost out 1-0 to Glenafton in the 1st competitive game of the new season.
The Glens settled first, knocking the ball around confidently, however without looking threatening. The first effort on target came in the 9th minute when Weir conceded a free kick 35 yards out. Gray took it & drilled a powerful low shot on target that flew straight at Leishman.
Talbot put together a neat move in the 12th minute, a series of quick passes ending with Shankland squaring the ball inside to S Wilson who burst forward but ballooned his shot way over the bar.
G Wilson came close in the 16th minute. He surged free down the left & raced into the area before angling a shot across goal that flew just wide of the left post.
The referee took centre stage a minute later with a shocking decision. Menzies took G Wilson out as he looked to break into the box but instead of a free kick at the edge of the area, the ref bizarrely chose to book G Wilson for diving.
Slowly but surely Talbot were taking control of the game & ought to have taken the lead in the 29th minute. Glasgow pinched the ball midway inside the Glens half & released an early ball to send G Wilson clean through on goal; however he blazed his shot over the bar.
The Glens threatened in the 34th minute when McKernon slid the ball wide to the overlapping Park. He whipped a cross into the centre which Dallas just failed to connect with in front of goal.
Menzies had his name taken in the 38th minute for a late tackle on S Wilson.
The last chance of the half came Talbot’s way in the 41st minute. Shankland swept a corner in from the right which Hyslop met but his header clipped the top of the bar & went over.
Both sides emerged unchanged for the 2nd half & the 2nd period was only 5 minutes old when Gray picked up a caution for a late swipe at McPherson.
A minute later G Wilson nearly broke the deadlock when he gathered 25 yards out & sent a right foot shot flying just wide of McGarrity’s left post.
Dallas had a half chance soon after when he cut in from the left past McPherson & into the area but his shot sailed way over the bar.
Talbot carved out a decent opportunity in the 55th minute. Glasgow & Shankland played a one-two down the left releasing Shankland down the wing. He lifted an inch perfect cross to the back post where G Wilson ran onto it & powered a header on target but straight at McGarrity.
Down the other end Dallas created problems for the Bot defence when he got on the end of a corner & his glancing header was deflected wide of target.
The Bot’s next effort at goal came in the 63rd minute as Shankland squared it across to G Wilson who fired just wide of the right post from the edge of the box.
Both sides now made a change with Cairns on for Gray & Kemp replacing Shankland.
The Glens made a 2nd change soon after with Moore coming on for Borris.
Glasgow passed up a glaring chance to put Talbot ahead in the 68th minute. He raced onto a ball over the top to go through one on one with McGarrity but his shot was too near McGarrity who turned it wide. The resultant corner was fired in low into the centre where it was only partially cleared; coming out to Kemp on the 18 yard line. He tried to stroke it inside the left post & was only inches out as his shot slid just the wrong side of the post.
Moore & Harvey had their names taken in the 76th minute for an altercation following Moore’s late challenge.
Tucker made a double substitution in the 82nd minute, McIlroy & Armstrong replacing Glasgow & Latta.
Marlow & Kemp joined the crime count late on when they squared up near the touchline, both players receiving a yellow for their troubles.
The game looked destined to end goal less but with 1 minute remaining the Glens made the breakthrough. McGill’s shot from outside the area beat Leishman but came back off the underside of the bar. Pope challenged Andrew as he looked to latch onto the rebound & the ref pointed to the spot. DALLAS took the spot kick & although Leishman guessed the right way & got a hand to it the ball squirmed into the bottom corner to give the Glens the win.
Next up for Talbot is a weekend visit to Townhead in what should be a fiercely contested derby clash with Cumnock.

Talbot – Leishman, Harvey, Pope, McPherson, Weir, S Wilson, Hyslop, Glasgow, G Wilson, Shankland, Latta

Subs – McIlroy, Pooler, Kemp, Armstrong, McCracken

Glenafton – McGarrity, Park, Marlow, Menzies, McAusland, McKernon, Borris, Gray, Dallas, Andrew, McGill

Subs – Moore, McKnight, Cairns, Potter, Watson (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Troon

This wasn’t a great advert for summer football, with rain lashing down for much of the night, but the fans did at least get to see some goals as Talbot fought back from two down to secure a draw against Troon.
Talbot started strongly & S Wilson made two surging runs down the right in the opening minutes leaving McClelland trailing but couldn’t find the final ball on either occasion.
The 1st real test for either keeper came in the 11th minute. A ball over the top sent Glasgow racing toward the box only to be halted by a shirt tug from Clark for which the Troon centre-half received a booking. Shankland took the free kick, bending it over the wall towards the right post where McInnes dived to his right to turn it round the post.
Troon’s keeper made another impressive stop in the 17th minute. S Wilson broke through the centre & slid it out right to find Shankland inside the box. He carried it forward before chipping for goal where McInnes rose to tip it over the bar.
Troon opened the scoring in the 20th minute. McClelland got free down the left & cut it back across the area to find FULTON with his back to goal. He had the time & space to turn & fire a low drive past Leishman.
Four minutes later and Troon doubled their lead. Talbot’s midfield were slow to react as Chatham burst forward & he was allowed to carry it to the edge of the area before releasing it to PATERSON who knocked it past the advancing Leishman.
The two quick goals stunned Talbot who struggled to make an impact. It took a set piece and a slice of luck to give Talbot a way back into the game in the 34th minute. Chatham fouled S Wilson 25 yards out. POPE took the free kick & fired a low drive at goal that took a deflection off a Troon defender & nestled into the bottom corner.
A minute from the interval Glasgow nearly levelled. Shankland helped the ball inside & Glasgow hammered it for goal from 16 yards but again McInnes was equal to it; turning it over the bar.
On the stroke of half-time Harvey had a decent chance when he met Thomson’s cross a few yards out but he headed it straight into the turf allowing McInnes an easy save.
In keeping with previous friendlies Tucker made wholesale changes at the interval bringing on 8 players; Lyle, Weir, Pettigrew, White, Hyslop, Pooler, G Wilson & Kemp joining Leishman, Whyte & Sinclair.
Talbot had two chances in quick succession to draw level; firstly Weir got on the end of Lyle’s free kick & guided an effort just wide of target & then Pooler raced onto Hyslop’s cushioned header down before firing past the left post from a tight angle.
In the 57th minute Kemp was unfortunate not to pick out G Wilson when he angled an early cross over from the left that just flew out of Wilson’s reach in front of goal.
Troon now made their 1st change with Gardiner on for Clark.
The visitors hadn’t offered much threat in the 2nd half but did hit the target in the 62nd minute. G Barbour met the keeper’s long punt down the centre & flicked it 1st time inside to Paterson whose low drive was held by Leishman.
White picked up a caution in the 64th minute for a late challenge in the centre.
Talbot’s next effort came when Wilson sped down the left & knocked it into the near post where Pooler flicked it into the side-netting.
McInnes was having a solid game for Troon & he produced another good save to deny Talbot in the 70th minute. Pettigrew’s ball down the centre found Pooler who chested it back to Wilson. He teed it up for Hyslop & his low drive was turned round the post at full stretch by McInnes.
A minute later Wilson spurned a chance to level. White played the ball through to find Pooler on the overlap & he cut it back from the bye line where Wilson side-footed wide of target.
Pooler wasted a clear opening in the 78th minute. A short back pass sent him clean through on the keeper but he drilled his shot straight at McInnes.
It looked as though Troon were going to hold on for the win but with 3 minutes remaining Talbot made the breakthrough. Kemp latched onto a ball down the centre & burst into the box before sliding it right to find WILSON free & he slotted it home to make it 2-2.
Talbot had one final chance to win it in the last minute. Wilson fired in a cross from the right which Hyslop headed wide at the near post.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Harvey, Pope, McPherson, Whyte, McCracken, S Wilson, Sinclair, Shankland, Glasgow, Thomson

Subs – Lyle, Pettigrew, Pooler, Weir, G Wilson, White, Hyslop, Kemp, Hewitt (gk)

Troon – McInnes, McCreadie, McClelland, Clark, R Barbour, Chatham, Fulton, Lamont, G Barbour, McCrea, Paterson

Subs – Phillips, Brown, Collins, Gardiner, Fraser

Auchinleck Talbot v Bonnyrigg Rose

Talbot lost out on penalties to Bonnyrigg in the inaugural Pro-turfcare trophy at Beechwood.
Technically a friendly, there was certainly no love lost in an unruly 1st half which kept the referee on his toes. The game was only 5 minutes old when Bonnyrigg’s Turner was cautioned for persistent fouling and Nelson had his name taken in the 13th minute for a late challenge on Faulds.

Next in the book was Talbot’s Lyle when he dived in with studs showing.
The 1st chance of the match came in the 18th minute when Weir lifted a great ball down the right to find Glasgow racing free down the right side of the area. He chipped it for the far corner but Andrews made a good stop; tipping it over the bar.

The final chance of the 90 falls to Talbot, as Hyslop fires a shot at goal from inside the box but the ball narrowly misses the target.

Bonnyrigg were persuaded into a change in the 26th minute. Nelson, already on a booking, got himself involved again & after a brief word from the ref, Bonnyrigg subbed him, with Currie on in his place.
The visitors had a half chance in the 32nd minute when Talbot failed to clear their lines after a shy. The ball came out to McConnell, 18 yards out, and he drilled a shot just over the crossbar.

A hefty 50/50 challenge, as Lyle tries to stop a Rose attack.

Kemp became the 4th recipient of a yellow card when he was penalised for a reckless challenge in the 36th minute.
Bonnyrigg had the ball in the net in the 37th minute when Hoskins tapped home after Leishman saved Jamieson’s glancing header but it was chalked off for offside.
A minute later Andrews was at full stretch to touch Hyslop’s low drive around his left post. Talbot could make nothing of the corner and the remainder of the half tamely fizzled out.
Similarly to last week Talbot made multiple changes at the interval. Off went Armstrong, Lyle, Faulds, Latta & Kemp & on came White, Pope, Stephen Wilson, Thomson & Pooler.

James Latta makes sure his opinion gets acknowledged.

It was Bonnyrigg who settled quicker after the interval & the visitors took the lead in the 49th minute. They won a free kick 25 yards out which CURRIE lifted over the wall. Leishman got across to it but the ball squirmed out his grasp & crept over the line.
Bonnyrigg made their 2nd change in the 55th minute with McIntosh coming on for McConnell.
A minute later Talbot came close to levelling. Leishman bowled it out to Pope who flighted it down the left to find Shankland inside the area. He controlled it, stepped inside past Horne, and spotting Andrews off his line chipped it for goal only to see his effort sail narrowly over the bar.

Talbot jump the highest in order to clear the danger.

Tucker now made a further change with Whyte coming on for Weir & Bonnyrigg also made a switch with Moyes on for Hoskins.
Just after the hour mark Rose made another change with Brett replacing Kidd.
Bonnyrigg nearly doubled their lead in the 68th minute. Currie whipped a free kick over to the far post where Thomson headed it clear. However, it went straight to a Rose player who crossed it into the centre where Jamieson glanced a header on target which Leishman saved to his left.

Jamie Glasgow lobs the Rose ‘keeper but, unfortunately, the ball goes agonisingly wide of the far post.

Talbot weren’t looking like scoring but then out of the blue Bonnyrigg conceded a cheap penalty for handball when a corner came in from the right. STEPHEN WILSON took it & hammered it low inside the right post to draw Talbot level after 75 minutes.
With 8 minutes to go Talbot had another shout for a penalty. Pooler squared it inside to Shankland who appeared to be shoved over as he went to hit it but the ref waved play on.

Hyslop manages to keep hold of possession.

Bonnyrigg made their final change with 4 minutes remaining when Watson came on for Jamieson.
Talbot had a chance to win it right at the death when they won a free kick out on the right. Shankland delivered it into the box & it was cleared straight back to him. This time he slid it across the box to find Hyslop in space down the left but he curled his shot wide of the left post from a good position, and so it went to penalties.

As Faulds gets fouled, ‘Pee-Wee’ calls it.

Brown put Bonnyrigg one ahead before Shankland levelled for Talbot. Leishman then saved Currie’s effort & Glasgow put Talbot 2-1 ahead. Martynuik, Hyslop & Turner all scored but then Stephen Wilson ballooned his effort over the bar. It was now effectively sudden death & Moyes put Bonnyrigg 4-3 ahead. Pope then sent the keeper the wrong way to level it.

‘Shankers’ tries his best to find his way through a very crowded Rose box.

Both Bonnyrigg’s Young & Pooler for Talbot hammered home to make it 5-5 before Brett restored Bonnyrigg’s lead. Thomson then sent the keeper the wrong way to level at 6-6.
McIntosh put Bonnyrigg 7-6 ahead despite the best efforts of Leishman who guessed correctly & got a hand to his penalty but couldn’t prevent it from crossing the line.
Something had to give & when Whyte skied his penalty it was game over.
Talbot’s pre-season continues when they host Troon on Wednesday night before travelling through to face Bo’ness next Saturday.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Armstrong, Lyle, McPherson, Weir, Faulds, Latta, Hyslop, Glasgow, Shankland, Kemp

Subs – Whyte, White, Thomson, Pope, Pooler, McIlroy, S Wilson, G Wilson, Hewitt

Bonnyrigg Rose – Andrews, Horne, Brown, Young, Kidd, Hoskins, Gray, Turner, Jamieson, Nelson, McConnell

Subs – Moyes, Brett, Martynuik, Currie, McIntosh, Watson, Young (gk)

The Bonnyrigg Rose captain lifts the inaugural Pro-Turfcare trophy after beating Talbot 7-6 on penalties.

It’s all smiles for Bonnyrigg, as they celebrate the opening goal of the game. 0-1.

With the game entering the latter stages, Talbot are awarded a penalty and up steps Steven Wilson who……

……fires the ball into the bottom right-hand corner and pulls Talbot level. 1-1.

The ball gets closely watched by the Talbot defence, as Bonnyrigg get a headed chance at goal.

Talbot to the left of me…Rose goal to the right…here I am…stuck in the Bonnyrigg box.

The Rose player takes a tumble, as Kyle Faulds tries to win the ball back.

From very close range, Andy Leishman pulls off a great save, however……

……the rebound falls into the path of a Bonnyrigg player who finds the back of the net but, thankfully for Talbot, he is deemed to be offside by the officials.

Shankland winces, as this Rose player clears his lines.

Gordon Pope races down the wing and gets onto a pass from Glasgow.

Somebody hurry up and give Gordon a high-five and don’t leave him hanging!

Whyte and McPherson look on, as Steven races back down the park.

Shnakland races into the box and gets stopped in his tracks.

A hefty mid-air challenge for Talbot’s Whyte.

So the dreaded penalty shoot-out commences and it is Bonnyrigg that is first to miss one, as Andy guesses correctly.

And that save again but from a different angle.

Next to miss a penalty was Talbot. He scored the equalising penalty within the 90 but, unfortunately, blasts this one over the bar.

Again, from a different angle, you can see how close Steven missed this penalty.

With the shoot-out now entering sudden death, Talbot had to score to stay in it but, unfortunately, Jamie Whyte sends the decisive penalty over the bar. Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Auchinleck Talbot v Kilmarnock

Beechwood park was looking at its best, basking in the July sunshine, as Talbot hosted Kilmarnock for Steven White’s testimonial.
The home fans had cause to cheer in the 5th minute when Talbot took the lead. Hyslop slid a pass into the heart of the penalty area where Talbot’s trialist, KEMP, coolly passed the ball beyond McKay to put Talbot ahead.

Talbot open the scoring through a trialist, as he manages to find space inside the Killie box and…

The visitors had an opportunity for an immediate riposte when Harvey & Pettigrew collided whilst attempting to clear. The ball fell kindly for Samizadeh on the right but he scuffed a weak shot wide of target.

…slots the ball into the bottom left-hand corner of the net. 1-0.

Kilmarnock ought to have equalised in the 11th minute. Cameron nicked in to steal the ball from Pettigrew & carried in on goal but was thwarted by Leishman who sped quickly off his line & spread himself to make the block.

With the game nearing half-time, Kilmarnock manage to find an equaliser via a stunning long range effort which smashes into the top right-hand corner. 1-1.

Talbot very nearly doubled their lead in the 17th minute from a set piece. G Wilson met Shankland’s corner & thumped a header off the underside of the bar. It bounced out to Pettigrew who steered a header on target which Queen cleared off the line.

The Killie players celebrate their equaliser.

A more direct route nearly paid off for Talbot in the 23rd minute. Leishman lofted the ball down the centre where G Wilson won it in the air. His head flick found Shankland racing down the right side of the box & he flashed a shot across goal from a tight angle.

From just outside the box, ‘G’ tries his luck from distance.

Talbot’s next chance came just after the half hour. Shankland met a shy from the right & laid it back to G Wilson who drilled a shot over the crossbar.

Craig Pettigrew gets stuck in, as he returns to Auchinleck Talbot FC.

A swift Killie counter-attack almost resulted in a leveller in the 36th minute. Graham squared the ball inside to Samizadeh who wheeled round before firing just over the bar.
The next chance came Talbot’s way when G Wilson guided a header into the path of Shankland. He held off his marker, but under pressure he could only stab his shot wide of the right post.
In the 41st minute Kilmarnock made the game’s 1st change when they replaced McKay with McDonald in nets.

Stephen Wilson shows where he wants the ball to be played.

It looked like Talbot were heading in ahead at the interval but Killie produced an outstanding goal in the dying seconds of the half to draw level. SPENCER gathered the ball 25 yards out & hammered a peach of a shot past Leishman to make it 1-1.
Tucker rang the changes at the interval, with Talbot making multiple changes. Off went Shankland, S Wilson, G Wilson, Pettigrew, Hyslop & Harvey & on came Pooler, Glasgow, McIlroy, Thomson, McPherson & Whyte.

Another Talbot returnee, Kyle Faulds, fires the ball back down the park.

White nearly rained on his own parade when a short back pass gifted a chance to Samizadeh but Leishman reacted swiftly to make the save.

Down the other end Armstrong found McIlroy inside the area. He dinked it across goal where Glasgow headed off target at the back post.
Glasgow then pounced on McClevy’s defensive error, gathering the ball out by the right corner flag when Killie’s full-back had assumed the ball was running out of play. He drove into the area & cut it back where Thomson fired over the bar from 16 yards.

This Killie player tries to get his point across.

Talbot nearly unlocked the Killie defence in the 63rd minute. Thomson won the ball 30 yards out & fed it to McIlroy who played it back into the path of Thomson as he charged into the area; however McDonald had read the danger & came quickly off his line to smother the ball at the feet of Thomson.
Killie now made a double substitution with Hawkshaw & Samizadeh making way for Lyle & Mouanda.

Although it was from close range, this Kilmarnock shot manages to sail over the bar.

Pooler set up Talbot’s next chance when he squared the ball inside to McIlroy. He looked set to score but was challenged by Mouanda as he went to hit it & his shot trundled through tamely to the keeper.
With quarter of an hour remaining White left the field to a ringing ovation from both sets of fans to be replaced by Lyle.

Kilmarnock were also forced into another change when the impressive Graham pulled up injured & hobbled off to be replaced by Scally.
Talbot finished the game strongly, dominating the last ten minutes & threatening a goal on a number of occasions.
In the 83rd minute Glasgow saw his free kick from 25 yards come back off the bar with the keeper beaten.

As the action unfolds in front of them, the Killie bench try to flag up a problem.

Four minutes later Talbot again won a free kick within shooting distance when Mouanda tripped Glasgow as he raced forward. This time rather than going for goal Glasgow slid a pass out wide of the wall to find Faulds racing down the right. He hammered it low across the 6-yard area but no one could get a touch.

A familiar face to the black ‘n’ gold army, as Sean McIlroy plays a part in the game.

In the final minute Talbot had a golden chance to win it. McIlroy held the ball up well under pressure inside the box before laying it inside to Pooler. He could’ve gone for goal himself but instead squared it across to the unmarked Glasgow who scooped it over the bar from 12 yards with the keeper stranded.
In the end, it finished honours even, with the Talbot fans happy to pay tribute to a great servant & given grounds for encouragement with a good team performance.

Talbot – Leishman, Armstrong, Harvey, Pettigrew, White, S Wilson, Faulds, Hyslop, G Wilson, Shankland, Kemp

Subs – Pooler, McIlroy, Glasgow, McPherson, Whyte, Thomson, Lyle

Kilmarnock – McKay, Queen, McClevy, Dempsie, Wilson, Spencer, Graham, Hawkshaw, Cameron, Samizadeh, Jefferies

Subs – Lyle, Barr, Mouanda, McLaughlin, Scally, McCracken, McDonald

Neil McPherson gets his defence lined up for Talbot.

Klark Thompson unleashes a shot at goal from outside the box.

The Kilmarnock ‘keeper bravely makes a save at the feet of Thompson.

In a crowded Killie box, McIlroy tries his best to muscle his way through.

From near the penalty spot, Sean McIlroy fires a shot at goal.

Another trailist plays his part in the game for Talbot.

Glasgow gets fouled just outside the box.

The Kilmarnock players get their defensive wall set up.

A late chance for Talbot but Jamie can’t squeeze the ball past the ‘keeper at his near post.

A head in hand moment when another chance goes a-begging.

A fine collection of Auchinleck men enjoy the sunshine soaked action on the pitch. Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Auchinleck Talbot v Cumnock Juniors

Auchinleck Talbot v Kilwinning Rangers

It was a much changed Talbot side that faced Kilwinning at a wet and dismall Beechwood Park. This league match was a dead rubber to the Bot while the Buffs had to get something out the game to secure their play-off position.

Two amateur players Michael McConnell and Alan Paterson made the line up while it was the first start of the season for keeper Brian Hewitt. Talbot started strongly and as early as the 6^th minute Stevenson lashed a shot at goal which struck a defender and spun out for a corner. Four minutes later Shankland tried his luck at a free kick which he curled over the wall and went agonizingly past the post.

Talbot’s best chance came in the 26^th minute when McConnell was fouled outside the six yard box and although Shankland looked to over hit the free kick Hyslop managed to head the ball across the goal line but there was no takers.

The opening goal came in the 37^th minute when a ball down the wing looked to be safely headING for McCracken but the conditions underfoot saw him slip which Kilwinning took full advantage off wheN Monan was picked out and he controlled the ball on the side of his foot and curled a shot over the advancing Hewitt which hit the underside of the bar and into the net.

Talbot replaced White with Thompson at the start of the second half and made further changes with McGoldrick coming on for Hyslop, while Milliken replaced Patterson. They changes didn’t help Talbot in anyway as Kilwinning doubled their lead in the 75^th minute when a break down the left saw Hanvey being left with all the time in the world to pass the ball into the corner of Hewitt’s net.

A poor performance but good to see Hyslop on the pitch for an hour while Shankland picks up more game time.

TALBOT: Hewitt, Harvey, McCracken, McPherson, Whyte, White, Stevenson, Hyslop, O’Connell, Shankland, Paterson: SUBS: Pooler, Milliken, S.Wilson, Thomson, McGoldrick.

Auchinleck Talbot v Troon

Talbot 1 Troon 0 (H-T 0-0)

Realistically Talbot needed a win over Troon to stay in the hunt for the league title, and they did it the hard way, taking all 3 points courtesy of a last minute winner after playing the last half hour with ten men.
With a lot at stake for both sides this game had a very cagey opening with little happening.
The first chance came Troon’s way in the 12th minute. Milliken’s attempted crossfield to Pope was intercepted & Barbour raced clear down the right. He played it inside to Curragh who drilled a low shot inside on target that Leishman held inside his left post.
Lyle had his name taken in the 13th minute when he nudged Nisbet off the ball as they both chased a ball over the top. Keenan took the free kick but hit a tame effort straight into the wall and he was fortunate not to end up in the ref’s notebook moments later when he barged McPherson over.
Wilson became the 2nd Bot player cautioned, when he was booked for an innocuous challenge on Nisbet in the 18th minute. This time Barbour took the set piece & his low drive clipped the outside of Talbot’s wall, forcing a full length diving save from Leishman to prevent it heading inside the left post.
Talbot did have the ball in the net in the 20th minute but it was ruled out for offside. Pope curled a free kick into the area where Young guided a header back across goal. It looked as though it may have been drifting inside the right post on its own but McCracken slid in to make sure, and he had strayed offside.
In Talbot’s next attack, Wilson showed quick feet to burst through the midfield & race toward the Troon box but his final shot sailed high over the bar.
A close offside call thwarted Talbot in the 25th minute. Pooler slid the ball through to Milliken on the left, who looked onside as he bore down on Fraser but as he knocked the ball past the advancing keeper the flag had went up & although the ball ended in the net it didn’t count.
Troon came close to taking the lead in the 32nd minute. Keenan’s pass picked out Nisbet down the right. He made for the bye line where he slung a cross over that clipped the top of the bar.
Pooler missed a golden chance to put Talbot ahead in the 34th minute. He easily intercepted Armstrong’s casual back pass to go clean through on the keeper, however he failed to take it round him & Fraser was able to smother the ball.
Talbot tested the visiting keeper again in the 40th minute. McCracken met Pope’s free kick into the area & powered a header on target that Fraser initially fumbled but gathered at the 2nd attempt.
The final chance of the half came a minute before the interval. Milliken ran onto Pope’s ball over the top, beating Fraser to it, and knocking it wide past the keeper. He gathered out on the left & swung a cross over to the back post for Thomson but it sailed over him.
Talbot had a good chance to grab the opener early in the 2nd half. Pope played the ball into the feet of McCracken inside the box & he returned the ball back to Pope. He slid the ball through to the unmarked Thomson who got his shot all wrong, tamely side-footing wide from a good area.
Keenan received a caution in the 55th minute for an aerial challenge, conceding a free kick just outside the area. Pope’s free kick struck the defensive wall & spun behind for the corner. Young whipped a dangerous corner over which Chatham headed just over his own bar.
Talbot’s task was made considerably harder in the 59th minute when they were reduced to 10 men. Wilson went charging forward down the right & dived into the tackle when the ball was running away from him. It looked as though he played the ball & his foot never left the ground, but the ref deemed it a 2nd yellow and off he went; a shocking decision, particularly as his 1st booking was a joke.
Troon failed to make the most of a good chance in the 63rd minute. Leishman bowled the ball out to McPherson 30 yards from goal but he slipped allowing Maley to nick the ball. He spotted Leishman stranded off his line & went for the early shot but hit it too near Leishman who was able to make the stop.
Talbot made a change in the 66th minute with Shankland on for Thomson.
The visitors made an attacking substitution in the 69th minute, taking Spence off & throwing Forsyth on to play up front.
The change almost paid off a minute later. Forsyth broke down the right, winning a corner, and when the corner came over & Talbot failed to clear their lines, he slid in to stab the ball just wide of the right post.
Curragh messed up a real chance to put Troon ahead in the 72nd minute. He raced clear on the left & simply had to square it across for Forsyth to roll it into the empty net but instead opted to try & go it alone. He lost control of the ball, dived to try & win a penalty, and ended with nothing but a yellow card for his troubles.
With quarter of an hour remaining Milliken climbed to beat Fraser to Pope’s hanging cross but his header drifted wide of target.
Tucker now made his 2nd switch with Stevenson coming on to replace McCracken & moments later Troon followed suit bringing Ure on for Maley.
Troon’s two subs combined in the 81st minute when Forsyth laid the ball back for Ure who fired wide from 20 yards.
Talbot’s next attack saw Shankland cut inside off the left & shoot for goal, his shot taking a slight deflection off Armstrong as it flew just wide of the left post.
Just when it looked as though the game was going to finish goal less, Talbot produced a dramatic late winner. Stevenson raced away from Chatham down the right & cut it back across the penalty area to find MILLIKEN in space 16 yards out. He worked it onto his left foot before drilling a shot past Fraser with the aid of a deflection off Armstrong.
There were contrasting emotions at the final whistle with Bot players celebrating a win that keeps them in the title hunt whilst the Troon players slumped to the surface as this defeat sealed their relegation.
Next up for Talbot is a mid-week trip to Darvel in the quarter-final of the West.Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, White, Young, S Wilson, Milliken, Pooler, ThomsonSubs – Stevenson, Shankland, Whyte, McLuckie, Hewitt

Troon – Fraser, Armstrong, Brown, Keenan, Collins, Chatham, Barbour, Spence, Curragh, Maley, Nisbet

Subs – Forsyth, Phillips, Simpson, Ure

After making a blistering run down the wing, Stevenson picks out Milliken free in the box and Keir unleashes a thunderous shot towards goal and……

……bursts the back of the net and scores, what could end up being, a very crucial goal in this interesting title race. 1-0.

The Cheshire Cat has got nothing compared to this winning smile from Milliken after scoring his VERY late goal for Talbot.

It’s smiles all round, as everybody celebrates Milliken’s winning goal.

McCracken jumps the highest and heads a strong header towards goal……

……and, although the ‘keeper saves the header, he fumbles the ball but manages to re-gather it just before White gets his foot to the ball.

Stephen White’s headed shot gets cleared off the line by Troon.

After a Troon mistake, Talbot’s Dylan Pooler finds himself one-on-one with the ‘keeper but fails to get his shot past him.

Protect yourself time, as the Talbot wall tries to block this Troon free-kick.

Gordon Pope finds himself free in the box and gets his head to the ball.

From outside the box, Craig McCracken tries a long range effort but fails to burst the net.

Troon try a shot from very close range but are deemed to be offside.

As the rain starts to come down, McCracken slides in at the back post but is unfortunately, found to be offside.

Andy Leishman uses his height and makes sure the danger is cleared.

Shankland tries to find a way through a congested Troon defence.

As a free-kick has been given against Talbot, the player’s faces certainly show they disagree with the decision.

As McCracken fends off Gavin Collins, Pope heads the ball back across the face of goal.

A midfield tussle, as Keir tries to win the ball back.

Milliken tries to get his feelings across after a decision against him.

Help required here folks….this picture is crying out for a good caption but I can’t think of one. : )

A lunging tackle is made, as Dylan Stevenson races forward.

Steven Wilson tries to evade this tackle from Troon.

After losing such a late goal, the Troon players can only feel gutted at such a loss.

Their heads may be down after losing but the Troon players can raise their heads and be proud for the effort they put into the game.

Mark Shankland raises a victorious fist into the air, as he walks off the pitch at full time.

A winning smile from the man of the moment, Keir Milliken. Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Auchinleck Talbot v Ardrossan Winton Rovers

Auchinleck Talbot 7 Ardrossan Winton Rovers 1 (H-T 6-0)

Talbot made short shrift of Ardrossan in this Ayrshire cup tie; cruising past their lower league opponents with plenty to spare.
Goals have been in short supply of late but it only took Talbot half a minute to take the lead in this tie. Pope swung a cross over to find DYLAN STEVENSON in space 6 yards out & he side-footed home at the back post to make it 1-0.
Talbot doubled their lead after 12 minutes. McPherson pinged a good ball down the right to find Pooler & he squared it across the penalty area where KLARK THOMSON ran onto it & slotted home.
Davidson had his name taken in the 19th minute for a swipe at Stevenson as he broke down the right. Young whipped the free kick into the 6-yard area where it broke for JAMES WHITE in front of goal & he slammed it home to score on his debut.
Davidson was heading for an early bath in the 22nd minute when he picked up a 2nd yellow card. He clipped the heels of Thomson as he was bearing down on goal; leaving the ref little choice but to send him off & award the penalty, which KEIR MILLIKEN duly dispatched into the back of the net.
With the game effectively over as a contest Talbot used their extra man to good effect; knocking the ball about at their ease as they dominated possession.
It was 5-0 to Talbot in the 36th minute. Young picked up 30 yards from goal & clipped an accurate pass straight to the feet of STEVENSON who strolled onto it & passed the ball into the net.
Four minutes before half-time & Talbot make it 6 with STEVENSON grabbing his hat-trick. McCracken played him in behind the defence & he buried his shot low inside the right post.
Ardrossan made a change at the start of the 2nd half with Colligan on in place of McGregor.
Talbot continued as they’d left off; camped in the Winton half looking to add to their tally. Ross fired Stevenson’s dangerous cross over his own crossbar and minutes later Pope tested Caddis with a swerving drive from 20 yards.
Tucker made a double substitution in the 57th minute with Young & Milliken departing the scene to be replaced by Steven White & Wilson.
The 7th goal arrived in the 63rd minute. Stevenson won a corner on the right & when it came over Wilson guided a header off the foot of the left post & POOLER was on hand to tap home the rebound.
Ardrossan had offered little to no threat but they did succeed in snatching a consolation effort in the 66th minute when they were awarded a penalty for handball. COLLIGAN took it & thumped the spot kick home via the underside of the bar.
With 20 mins remaining Shankland made his return to action when he came on in place of Pooler.
Talbot could, and probably should, have added to their goal haul in the closing 20 minutes. Firstly, Wilson nicked the ball off a defender inside the area & fired a cross onto the head of Stevenson which he directed over the bar.
Wilson had a good chance to get on the score sheet in the 72nd minute when Pope’s cross found him in front of goal but he placed his header over the crossbar.
A minute later he had an even better chance when Shankland curled the perfect cross over from the left, however he steered his free header well wide of the right post.
Wilson did have the ball in the net in the 76th minute but it was correctly chalked off for offside. Caddis spilled Shankland’s shot from 20 yards & Wilson tucked in the rebound but the linesman’s flag went up straight away.
Pope came close to adding to Talbot’s lead in the 85th minute when he arrowed a left foot shot just wide of the left hand post.
The final chance of the evening came two minutes from time. Shankland lifted a cross to the far post where Wilson turned smartly before firing over the bar.
This was a very comfortable night for Talbot which hopefully will have bolstered the squad’s confidence going into Troon’s visit to Beechwood this Saturday.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, J White, Thomson, Young, McCracken, Pooler, Milliken, Stevenson

Subs – S Wilson, Shankland, S White, McLuckie, Hewitt

Ardrossan Winton Rovers – D Caddis, Ross, Easdon, Lennox, McGregor, Davidson, Tan, Kearns, R Caddis, Cairnie, McMahon

Subs – Colligan, Davidson, McNeil, Jamieson, Neil

Auchinleck Talbot v Glenafton Athletic

Auchinleck Talbot v Linlithgow Rose

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot will face local rivals Glenafton in this season’s Scottish cup final after narrowly overcoming Linlithgow Rose at Beechwood.

Talbot mascot for the day, Russell Hendry, stands proudly with both team captains and the match official before kick-off.

Once again there was little to choose between the sides. Linlithgow settled the quicker of the two sides but just as last week they couldn’t make it count in the final third.
The first real threat at goal came in the 11th minute when Muhsin tried his luck from outside the area. His shot cannoned off the head of S Wilson & flew over the bar.
Talbot’s first effort at goal came in the 19th minute when Young pulled his shot well wide of target from 20 yards out.
A minute later Talbot came very close to taking the lead. McNab fouled Latta out on the right touchline & Young whipped a great free kick over into the centre where G Wilson powered a header just over the crossbar.
At the other end Donaldson’s low cross caused a momentary panic when McGoldrick took a fresh air swipe when attempting to clear it but the ball ran through to Leishman.
Linlithgow put together a neat move on the half hour with Kelbie & Batchelor working a one-two before releasing the ball to Coyne. He spun & shot on target forcing a decent save from Leishman, low to his left.
Latta was a whisker away from putting Talbot in front in the 34th minute. Young released Pope down the left & he cut inside McNab before curling a dangerous low ball across the goal mouth. Latta slid in to meet it in the centre but just failed to connect.
Talbot threatened again a minute later. G Wilson slid a pass into the Rose box from the right wing to find Milliken at the corner of the 6-yard area with his back to goal. He turned & fired for goal but couldn’t keep it down & his shot sailed over Hill’s bar.
As the saying goes you have to strike while the iron is hot & Talbot succeeded in turning their purple patch into a lead in the 37th minute. A good passing move saw the Bot move the ball from left to right. G Wilson touched the ball off to Thomson & he fed it out to Latta on the right touchline. He cut it back to the edge of the area to find YOUNG in space & he curled it inside the right post to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.

Whether he meant it or not, ‘Butch’ makes the vital breakthrough for Talbot, as he fires a cross-come-shot into the Linlithgow box and the ball manages to dip over the ‘keeper and into the back of the net. 1-0.

And from this angle, you can see how ‘Butch’s’ shot evades everybody and careers into the far post before ending up in the back of the net.

Milliken is all smiles, as he and his team-mates congratulate ‘Butch’ on scoring what ended up being the winning goal. You’ve got to Auchin’ Love It!!!!

The lead nearly proved short lived with Rose coming close to an equaliser within a minute. Latta conceded a free kick out on the left for a foul on Donaldson & received a caution into the bargain. Donaldson lifted the free kick deep beyond the far post where Thom headed it back across goal. Talbot managed to scramble it clear but only as far as the edge of the area where Kilbie’s clever flick sent Coyne clean through on goal. He ought to have scored but stroked his shot off the base of the left post & Pope was able to clear the danger.
Talbot saw out the remainder of the half with no alarms to take a one nil lead in at the interval.
Early in the 2nd half Talbot came close to doubling their lead & effectively putting the tie beyond Linlithgow’s reach.
Young found Milliken inside the area & he pulled it back into the path of G Wilson. His first effort was blocked by a defender but he ran onto the rebound & lashed it off the top of the bar with Hill well beaten.
Linlithgow’s first chance of the 2nd half came in the 55th minute when they forced a corner on the right. Muhsin pulled it back for Batchelor to stride onto but his low drive from 20 yards was comfortably smothered by Leishman.
On the hour mark Batchelor again tried his luck from distance but with the same result as Leishman easily held his effort.
Tucker now made his first change with Hyslop replacing Thomson.
A 2nd goal would have ended the tie & Talbot nearly produced it in the 64th minute. Young sent the ball up the line to Milliken who whipped an excellent first time cross across goal. G Wilson dived to meet it inside the 6-yard box but just failed to cleanly connect with his header & the ball sped behind for a goal kick.
The visitors made their 1st change in the 69th minute with Kelly coming on for Kelbie.
Although only a goal ahead Talbot weren’t looking in any particular danger of conceding as the clock ran down. In the 76th minute Linlithgow made a further change with Swann on in place of Gray & Talbot soon followed suit with White on for Latta.
With 8 minutes remaining Rose played their last card when Small replaced Donaldson.
With nothing to lose the visitors piled forward in the closing stages making for a nervy last 5 minutes for the home support. Muhsin’s diagonal ball found Leiper free on the left of the area but he was quickly shut down by Lyle who got across to concede the corner.
The visitors threatened again in the 87th minute when Kelly made the bye line down the right. He lifted a cross onto the 6-yard line where Leiper met it but his header deflected off his own player & ran tamely through to Leishman.
In the last minute of regulation time Linlithgow had one final chance to take it to penalties. The ball broke to Leiper 15 yards out & he drilled a powerful shot at goal that forced an impressive stop from Leishman; throwing himself to his left to parry it to safety.
As the game moved into injury time Tucker made his last change with Pooler on for Milliken and shortly after the referee’s whistle signalled the end to much jubilation from the Talbot support.
Talbot were made to work hard for it but got the job done & once again the defence produced another clean sheet. This will be Talbot’s 7th Scottish final under Tucker; an amazing achievement.
Next up for Talbot is a dress rehearsal for the final itself as they tackle Glenafton on Wednesday night in a game which may have a crucial say in the destination of this season’s league title.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McGoldrick, S Wilson, Young, Thomson, Milliken, G Wilson, Latta

Subs – Pooler, Stevenson, Hyslop, White, McPherson

Linlithgow Rose – Hill, McNab, Donaldson, Thom, McKenzie, Leiper, Gray, Muhsin, Coyne, Batchelor, Kelbie

Subs – Kelly, Small, Swann, Beaumont, Bernard (gk)