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Venue: Beechwood Park
Auchinleck Talbot v Carluke Rovers
A bad day at the office for Talbot who struggled to get out of 2nd gear but did just enough to see off toothless opposition to advance into the 2nd round of the West of Scotland.
There was little to get the crowd excited in a drab 1st half, which although dominated by Talbot, saw the Bot fail to test the visiting keeper, largely due to poor final balls into the box.
The 1st close call came in the 18th minute for the visitors. The Bot defence failed to cope with a long punt down the centre & it ended up with Martin on the right edge of the area. He carried it forward before drilling a shot into the side-netting.
A minute later Talbot won a free kick in a decent area following a foul on Faulds. Shankland bent a great ball across to the back post but no Bot player read it & it drifted behind for a goal kick.
Talbot threatened again in the 22nd minute. Shankland swept a dangerous ball in from the left that only required a touch to send it into the net but McIlroy couldn’t quite reach it.
Cassidy had his name taken in the 26th minute for persistent fouling and he was joined in the book by Gow in the 33rd minute for a late challenge on Thomson.
In a rare flash of quality Armstrong found Shankland on the left with a great diagonal pass in the 35th minute. Shankland burst into the area & squared it across goal but El-Zubaidi beat McIlroy to it 6 yards out to clear. The ball came back out to Shankland on the left & he swerved a shot wide of the far post.
Talbot’s next attack saw Pooler latch onto a ball into the left side of the penalty area. He managed to round Hallford but was forced wide & his final ball across was knocked behind for a corner and that was about it for the 1st half.
The home support were hoping for better after the interval & were rewarded with a goal within a minute of the re-start. Pope lifted a ball down the left for McIlroy to chase. Hallford came out hoping to claim it but the ball didn’t come into the box & as the keeper hesitated McIlroy nicked it round him & made for the bye line where he floated a cross over to the far post for KLARK THOMSON to head home from close range.
A few minutes later Talbot came close again. Thomson fed the ball inside to Pooler who showed good feet to create space for himself before firing a shot just wide of the right post.
Carluke made their 1st change in the 58th minute with Vezza replacing Cassidy.
Talbot had a chance to extend their lead a minute later. Pooler played it on to McIlroy on the right of the box & Hallford did well to block his low drive with his feet.
Tucker made a double switch in the 66th minute with Steven Wilson & Pooler making way for Hyslop & Graham Wilson.
The visitors found themselves a man down in the 67th minute when Gow was guilty of a clumsy tackle on G Wilson that resulted in his 2nd yellow & a trip to the clubhouse.
It was all Talbot but as in the 1st half they were toiling to find the final ball & moves were breaking down in the final third.
Shankland was unlucky not to double Talbot’s lead in the 73rd minute when he climbed to meet Thomson’s cross from the right. He steered his header low inside the right post but Hallford made an impressive stop to turn it round the post.
It was 10 men each in the 82nd minute. The ball broke away from McCracken & he lunged into a tackle to retrieve it, catching Haddow, and receiving a straight red. Haddow was unable to continue & was replaced by Lowdon.
Talbot now made their final change with Glasgow coming on for McIlroy.
The closing stages were played out in the Carluke half but Talbot couldn’t get the better of Hallford. With 3 minutes remaining Pope’s diagonal pass found Shankland free on the right but Carluke’s keeper parried his effort away.
The keeper was involved again shortly after when he dived to cut out Fauld’s angled ball across goal.
Talbot had one final chance to grab a goal deep into injury time. El-Zubaidi conceded a free kick 22 yards out after wrestling G Wilson to the deck. Shankland took it but fired the set piece over the bar.
Talbot made hard work of it but got the win & that’s the be all & end all of cup football. Next up for Talbot it’s back to league business when they host an in form Rob Roy side.
There was little to get the crowd excited in a drab 1st half, which although dominated by Talbot, saw the Bot fail to test the visiting keeper, largely due to poor final balls into the box.
The 1st close call came in the 18th minute for the visitors. The Bot defence failed to cope with a long punt down the centre & it ended up with Martin on the right edge of the area. He carried it forward before drilling a shot into the side-netting.
A minute later Talbot won a free kick in a decent area following a foul on Faulds. Shankland bent a great ball across to the back post but no Bot player read it & it drifted behind for a goal kick.
Talbot threatened again in the 22nd minute. Shankland swept a dangerous ball in from the left that only required a touch to send it into the net but McIlroy couldn’t quite reach it.
Cassidy had his name taken in the 26th minute for persistent fouling and he was joined in the book by Gow in the 33rd minute for a late challenge on Thomson.
In a rare flash of quality Armstrong found Shankland on the left with a great diagonal pass in the 35th minute. Shankland burst into the area & squared it across goal but El-Zubaidi beat McIlroy to it 6 yards out to clear. The ball came back out to Shankland on the left & he swerved a shot wide of the far post.
Talbot’s next attack saw Pooler latch onto a ball into the left side of the penalty area. He managed to round Hallford but was forced wide & his final ball across was knocked behind for a corner and that was about it for the 1st half.
The home support were hoping for better after the interval & were rewarded with a goal within a minute of the re-start. Pope lifted a ball down the left for McIlroy to chase. Hallford came out hoping to claim it but the ball didn’t come into the box & as the keeper hesitated McIlroy nicked it round him & made for the bye line where he floated a cross over to the far post for KLARK THOMSON to head home from close range.
A few minutes later Talbot came close again. Thomson fed the ball inside to Pooler who showed good feet to create space for himself before firing a shot just wide of the right post.
Carluke made their 1st change in the 58th minute with Vezza replacing Cassidy.
Talbot had a chance to extend their lead a minute later. Pooler played it on to McIlroy on the right of the box & Hallford did well to block his low drive with his feet.
Tucker made a double switch in the 66th minute with Steven Wilson & Pooler making way for Hyslop & Graham Wilson.
The visitors found themselves a man down in the 67th minute when Gow was guilty of a clumsy tackle on G Wilson that resulted in his 2nd yellow & a trip to the clubhouse.
It was all Talbot but as in the 1st half they were toiling to find the final ball & moves were breaking down in the final third.
Shankland was unlucky not to double Talbot’s lead in the 73rd minute when he climbed to meet Thomson’s cross from the right. He steered his header low inside the right post but Hallford made an impressive stop to turn it round the post.
It was 10 men each in the 82nd minute. The ball broke away from McCracken & he lunged into a tackle to retrieve it, catching Haddow, and receiving a straight red. Haddow was unable to continue & was replaced by Lowdon.
Talbot now made their final change with Glasgow coming on for McIlroy.
The closing stages were played out in the Carluke half but Talbot couldn’t get the better of Hallford. With 3 minutes remaining Pope’s diagonal pass found Shankland free on the right but Carluke’s keeper parried his effort away.
The keeper was involved again shortly after when he dived to cut out Fauld’s angled ball across goal.
Talbot had one final chance to grab a goal deep into injury time. El-Zubaidi conceded a free kick 22 yards out after wrestling G Wilson to the deck. Shankland took it but fired the set piece over the bar.
Talbot made hard work of it but got the win & that’s the be all & end all of cup football. Next up for Talbot it’s back to league business when they host an in form Rob Roy side.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Armour, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, S Wilson, Thomson, Faulds, Pooler, McIlroy, Shankland
Subs – G Wilson, Glasgow, Hyslop, Harvey, White
Carluke Rovers – Hallford, Renwick, Gow, Lambie, El-Zubaidi, Haddow, Martin, Kane, Watt, Cassidy, Biggart
Subs – Lowdon, Vezza, Weir, Haley, Thomson (gk)
Auchinleck Talbot v Beith Juniors
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
Auchinleck Talbot v Forres Thistle
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
Auchinleck Talbot v Cumnock Juniors
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
MATCH REPORT MURRAY STEEL
Talbot edged out Cumnock in a match abundant in goals, effort & drama but lacking in quality; a typical derby in short.
The Bot couldn’t have asked for a better start, taking the early initiative & opening the scoring after only two minutes. After a good passing move Glasgow was unlucky not to score when his shot crashed off Semple’s right post with the keeper beaten but the ball rebounded out to GRAHAM WILSON who passed it into the net.
Semple prevented Talbot from doubling their lead a few minutes later. Harvey flighted a ball down the right that found Glasgow breaking down the right edge of the penalty area. He drilled a low shot on target that Semple turned around his near post.
A minute later Talbot threatened again. White fed the ball to Pope whose shot was intercepted by G Wilson. He took a touch & ran through on Semple but the ball broke away from him & the keeper was able to gather.
Talbot continued to dominate & had a good chance to double their lead in the 9th minute. Cumnock failed to clear their lines following a corner & when the ball was popped back into the box it found G Wilson in space on the left. He had a clear sight of goal but Semple successfully parried his shot; it came back out to Wilson but he hurried his 2nd effort & floated a shot across the face of goal.
Cumnock were gradually working their way back into the game but it was Talbot who produced the next near thing; almost doubling their lead in the 16th minute from a corner. Glasgow whipped the corner in from the left & G Wilson met it to glance a header on goal that was heading inside the left post until cleared off the line by Muir.
For all Talbot’s chances a one goal lead is always precarious & so it proved as Cumnock levelled in the 19th minute with their 1st real look at the Talbot goal. Lyle conceded a needless free kick out on the left & Fitzharris curled an inch perfect in swinger onto the head of BURNS who nodded home to make it 1-1 & then picked up a caution for taunting the Bot support.
The goal changed the game, deflating Talbot as it lifted Cumnock, and the visitors had a chance to take the lead in the 21st minute. Semple hoisted a long ball down the centre which broke into the path of Anson 18 yards out. He hit it 1st time, forcing a decent stop out of Leishman who had to gather at the 2nd attempt.
Talbot had lost their early fluidity & the game became something of a stalemate. Talbot had a couple of chances from set pieces within shooting distance but neither Graham Wilson or Pope could test the keeper, albeit Wilson wasn’t helped with the defensive wall standing 6 yards away.
Lundie & then Fitzharris picked up cautions for the visitors as the half meandered to a close; the only close call coming in the final minute of the half when Fitzharris angled a free kick onto the head of McKenzie who put it into the side-net from a tight angle.
The 2nd half opened as scrappily as the 1st departed & Talbot were rocked in the 51st minute when the referee awarded a soft penalty to Cumnock when Anson fell to the turf as he was making his way out of the box. BURNS stepped up to take the penalty & sent Leishman the wrong way to roll it home.
Glasgow picked up a caution in the 52nd minute when he clashed with Montgomerie.
Talbot needed to find a way back into the game & did so in the 55th minute. Leishman punted it down the right where Hyslop climbed to head it into the centre. GRAHAM WILSON gathered 25 yards out & worked it out his feet before lifting an unstoppable shot into the postage stamp corner.
Before play could re-start Talbot were forced into a change with the injured McCracken making way for McPherson at the heart of the Bot defence.
The visitors nearly regained the lead in the 59th minute. The Bot defence was caught flat footed by a ball over the top sending Hastings free on the left. He cut the ball back to the edge where Montgomerie met it & arrowed a shot on target that Leishman did well to save to his left.
Talbot had a chance to take the lead in the 61st minute when Hyslop helped the ball on into the path of G Wilson. He had the chance to take it 1st time but chose to bore in on goal & Lundie recovered well to challenge & put it behind.
Semple made a 2nd crucial stop from Glasgow in the 65th minute & it was the mirror image of his earlier save as he blocked with his feet inside to his right to prevent Glasgow’s low drive angling inside the post.
Cumnock then had a lucky escape from the ensuing corner when the ball was scrambled clear from the goal mouth.
Cumnock now made a change with McLaughlan replacing Hastings.
Talbot made difficulties for themselves soon after when McPherson conceded a needless corner kick with a slack back pass. When the corner came over it pinged around the area before Anson drilled a shot at goal that was deflected wide.
The referee, who had been a tad card happy all day, gave Graham Wilson an inexplicable caution in the 71st minute for a foul only he saw.
Tucker made a bold change in the 72nd minute, replacing Armstrong with McIlroy, with Glasgow switching out to the right and it paid off within two minutes as Talbot took the lead.
Harvey chipped the ball into the area where McIlroy’s instant control & quick feet bamboozled Lundie before drawing Semple in & squaring it. The Nock keeper floored McIlroy but his ball inside found GRAHAM WILSON who slotted the ball into the empty net to put Talbot back in front.
Cumnock weren’t finished though & gave Talbot a scare in the 78th minute when Anson guided a header into the path of McKenzie who saw his shot blocked.
Tucker made a further change in the 82nd minute with Thomson coming on for Glasgow.
The game ebbed & flowed in the closing stages though the ref handed a late advantage to Cumnock with a bizarre sending off with two minutes remaining. G Wilson tried to shield a ball out by the left touchline where he was clumsily floored by a barge from Lundie. A straight forward free kick to Talbot to everyone in the ground but for the optically challenged official who awarded Cumnock the free kick & sent Wilson off for what must rate as the lamest double booking I’ve seen.
Justice was served as Talbot saw out the closing minutes to register the win, a result made all the more precious by Beith’s slip up which tightens things up at the top of the table.
Next up for Talbot is the Scottish cup where Talbot host North Region opposition in the shape of Forres Juniors.
The Bot couldn’t have asked for a better start, taking the early initiative & opening the scoring after only two minutes. After a good passing move Glasgow was unlucky not to score when his shot crashed off Semple’s right post with the keeper beaten but the ball rebounded out to GRAHAM WILSON who passed it into the net.
Semple prevented Talbot from doubling their lead a few minutes later. Harvey flighted a ball down the right that found Glasgow breaking down the right edge of the penalty area. He drilled a low shot on target that Semple turned around his near post.
A minute later Talbot threatened again. White fed the ball to Pope whose shot was intercepted by G Wilson. He took a touch & ran through on Semple but the ball broke away from him & the keeper was able to gather.
Talbot continued to dominate & had a good chance to double their lead in the 9th minute. Cumnock failed to clear their lines following a corner & when the ball was popped back into the box it found G Wilson in space on the left. He had a clear sight of goal but Semple successfully parried his shot; it came back out to Wilson but he hurried his 2nd effort & floated a shot across the face of goal.
Cumnock were gradually working their way back into the game but it was Talbot who produced the next near thing; almost doubling their lead in the 16th minute from a corner. Glasgow whipped the corner in from the left & G Wilson met it to glance a header on goal that was heading inside the left post until cleared off the line by Muir.
For all Talbot’s chances a one goal lead is always precarious & so it proved as Cumnock levelled in the 19th minute with their 1st real look at the Talbot goal. Lyle conceded a needless free kick out on the left & Fitzharris curled an inch perfect in swinger onto the head of BURNS who nodded home to make it 1-1 & then picked up a caution for taunting the Bot support.
The goal changed the game, deflating Talbot as it lifted Cumnock, and the visitors had a chance to take the lead in the 21st minute. Semple hoisted a long ball down the centre which broke into the path of Anson 18 yards out. He hit it 1st time, forcing a decent stop out of Leishman who had to gather at the 2nd attempt.
Talbot had lost their early fluidity & the game became something of a stalemate. Talbot had a couple of chances from set pieces within shooting distance but neither Graham Wilson or Pope could test the keeper, albeit Wilson wasn’t helped with the defensive wall standing 6 yards away.
Lundie & then Fitzharris picked up cautions for the visitors as the half meandered to a close; the only close call coming in the final minute of the half when Fitzharris angled a free kick onto the head of McKenzie who put it into the side-net from a tight angle.
The 2nd half opened as scrappily as the 1st departed & Talbot were rocked in the 51st minute when the referee awarded a soft penalty to Cumnock when Anson fell to the turf as he was making his way out of the box. BURNS stepped up to take the penalty & sent Leishman the wrong way to roll it home.
Glasgow picked up a caution in the 52nd minute when he clashed with Montgomerie.
Talbot needed to find a way back into the game & did so in the 55th minute. Leishman punted it down the right where Hyslop climbed to head it into the centre. GRAHAM WILSON gathered 25 yards out & worked it out his feet before lifting an unstoppable shot into the postage stamp corner.
Before play could re-start Talbot were forced into a change with the injured McCracken making way for McPherson at the heart of the Bot defence.
The visitors nearly regained the lead in the 59th minute. The Bot defence was caught flat footed by a ball over the top sending Hastings free on the left. He cut the ball back to the edge where Montgomerie met it & arrowed a shot on target that Leishman did well to save to his left.
Talbot had a chance to take the lead in the 61st minute when Hyslop helped the ball on into the path of G Wilson. He had the chance to take it 1st time but chose to bore in on goal & Lundie recovered well to challenge & put it behind.
Semple made a 2nd crucial stop from Glasgow in the 65th minute & it was the mirror image of his earlier save as he blocked with his feet inside to his right to prevent Glasgow’s low drive angling inside the post.
Cumnock then had a lucky escape from the ensuing corner when the ball was scrambled clear from the goal mouth.
Cumnock now made a change with McLaughlan replacing Hastings.
Talbot made difficulties for themselves soon after when McPherson conceded a needless corner kick with a slack back pass. When the corner came over it pinged around the area before Anson drilled a shot at goal that was deflected wide.
The referee, who had been a tad card happy all day, gave Graham Wilson an inexplicable caution in the 71st minute for a foul only he saw.
Tucker made a bold change in the 72nd minute, replacing Armstrong with McIlroy, with Glasgow switching out to the right and it paid off within two minutes as Talbot took the lead.
Harvey chipped the ball into the area where McIlroy’s instant control & quick feet bamboozled Lundie before drawing Semple in & squaring it. The Nock keeper floored McIlroy but his ball inside found GRAHAM WILSON who slotted the ball into the empty net to put Talbot back in front.
Cumnock weren’t finished though & gave Talbot a scare in the 78th minute when Anson guided a header into the path of McKenzie who saw his shot blocked.
Tucker made a further change in the 82nd minute with Thomson coming on for Glasgow.
The game ebbed & flowed in the closing stages though the ref handed a late advantage to Cumnock with a bizarre sending off with two minutes remaining. G Wilson tried to shield a ball out by the left touchline where he was clumsily floored by a barge from Lundie. A straight forward free kick to Talbot to everyone in the ground but for the optically challenged official who awarded Cumnock the free kick & sent Wilson off for what must rate as the lamest double booking I’ve seen.
Justice was served as Talbot saw out the closing minutes to register the win, a result made all the more precious by Beith’s slip up which tightens things up at the top of the table.
Next up for Talbot is the Scottish cup where Talbot host North Region opposition in the shape of Forres Juniors.
Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McCracken, White, Armstrong, S Wilson, G Wilson, Glasgow, Hyslop
Subs – McIlroy, Pooler, Shankland, Thomson, McPherson
Cumnock – Semple, Woods, Muir, Lundie, McKenna, Montgomerie, Fitzharris, Burns, Anson, McKenzie, Hastings
Subs – McLaughlan, Shirkie, Johnston (gk)
Read more: http://auchinlecktalbotfc.proboards.com/thread/7887/talbot-3-cumnock-2-1#ixzz4wMCVpyuw
Auchinleck Talbot v Clydebank
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT
Talbot turned in a 5 star performance to breeze past Clydebank at Beechwood in this one sided league encounter.
The 1st half chance of the afternoon came Clydebank’s way when a weak headed clearance fell to Lafferty 20 yards out & he drilled a low shot straight at Leishman.
Talbot then put together a good move which ended with Shankland sliding the ball through for Glasgow & Morrison did well to block his shot with his feet.
The Bankies keeper was tested again in the 13th minute. Shankland laid the ball back to Pope & he whipped a fierce low cross over that the keeper dived to punch clear. Fortunately for him, it hit off one of his defenders & ricocheted back to the keeper.
The opening goal came in the 17th minute as Talbot swiftly turned defence into attack. A ball out of defence found G Wilson out on the right & he touched it back to Shankland whose 1st time pass sent him racing clear of the static defence who were trying to play offside. GRAHAM WILSON carried on into the area before sliding it past Morrison to put Talbot one ahead.
Talbot’s next effort at goal came after 24 minutes. Glasgow gathered in the centre before spreading it out to the left to find Faulds. He cut inside on his right foot & fired a low shot on target that Morrison held.
The visitors threatened the Bot goal in the 27th minute when Lafferty sent Deas through on the left edge of the area but Stephen Wilson got back to divert his cross behind for a corner. The corner was hit deep beyond the back post where Verra rose unchallenged to meet it & Leishman had to tip his header over the bar.
A minute later another Talbot counter almost saw the Bot double their lead. Glasgow pursued a ball down the left touchline that Verlaque appeared to have under control. However, the Bankies full-back made the mistake of trying to usher it out for a throw in & Glasgow nicked the ball off him, raced into the area & attempted to pass it beyond Morrison who got down to make the save.
Talbot had a great chance to grab their 2nd in the 35th minute. Stephen Wilson slid the ball out to Glasgow on the right & when he fired it low across the 6-yard area the defence failed to clear & it came to Graham Wilson at the back post who lifted his shot over the bar.
For the most part Talbot were well in control but did have a scare just before the interval. Watt took a corner from the left that the defence cleared but it came straight back out to him. This time he curled a dangerous ball over that Pope managed to clear inside the 6-yard area & Talbot left the field a goal to the good.
The 2nd half was only three minutes old when Talbot moved 2-0 ahead. Glasgow ran onto a ball down the centre & looked to be tumbled inside the area by Verlaque as he went to hit it. Play went on & the ball spun out to GRAHAM WILSON on the right who slammed it past Morrison from a tight angle.
Tucker was forced into a change in the 50th minute with Faulds limping off to be replaced by Thomson.
Paterson had his name taken in the 56th minute. Glasgow beat him for pace just outside the box & he wrestled him to the ground. Shankland took the resultant free kick & angled a ball into the goal mouth where HYSLOP beat Gow to it to power a header home from close range.
Clydebank made a double switch in the 59th minute with Pearson on for Verlaque & Miller replacing the injured Lafferty.
Tucker made his 2nd change of the afternoon shortly after with Kemp coming on for Glasgow & Clydebank completed their changes in the 68th minute when Allan replaced Shelvey.
It looked like Graham Wilson was on for a hat-trick in the 70th minute when Shankland’s defence splitting pass sent him clean through on the keeper but a dubious offside call came to the visitors rescue.
Talbot’s next effort at goal came in the 76th minute. Stephen Wilson squared the ball across for Pope to run onto & he hammered a shot wide of the right post.
Tucker now made Talbot’s final change with McIlroy coming on for Graham Wilson.
Morrison prevented Hyslop from claiming his 2nd of the day in the 78th minute when he managed to tip his left foot drive over the crossbar. Talbot took the corner quickly, playing it back to Shankland who bent in a cross cum shot from the left which Morrison did well to put over the bar.
When the 2nd corner came over it fell to McCracken who did well to create space for a shot only to see his powerful drive blocked by a defender. The ball spun to Hyslop who hit it on the volley but his effort was also blocked by a Bankies defender.
It was no great surprise when Talbot grabbed their fourth in the 83rd minute. Shankland met a ball down the right & coolly flicked it 1st time into the path of SEAN MCILROY who charged into the area, side-stepping Verra’s challenge & nutmegging Gow before lifting it past Morrison from close range.
Unsurprisingly Clydebank’s heads were down & their players started to argue amongst themselves. Johnston then had his name taken when he had a go at the officials.
In the final minute Talbot wrapped up an impressive display with their 5th goal. Kemp’s long diagonal ball found Shankland racing down the left & he ran into the box before unselfishly chipping it over the keeper for MCILROY to knock home from a few yards out.
This was an emphatic win for Talbot, who will no doubt face a much sterner test next week when they travel to brave the Bellsdale slope & a high-flying Beith side.
Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McCracken, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, Faulds, Graham Wilson, Shankland, Glasgow
Subs – McIlroy, Pooler, Kemp, Thomson, White
Clydebank – Morrison, Verlaque, Paterson, Verra, Darroch, Gow, Johnston, Deas, Shelvey, Lafferty, Watt
Subs – Pearson, Black, Allan, Miller, Lumsden (gk)
Auchinleck Talbot v Hurlford United
Read more: http://auchinlecktalbotfc.proboards.com/thread/7841/auchinleck-talbot-4-hurlford-united#ixzz4r2M6rabzA 2nd half goal blitz saw Talbot come from behind to claim a 4-1 victory over a ten man Hurlford side & get their 1st points on the board in this season’s Super League.
Talbot started impressively & carved out a good chance within two minutes. Stephen Wilson hared up the centre before slipping a pass out left to release Glasgow. He drilled a low shot across goal that forced a good stop from Brown.
Hurlford were dealt a blow in the 12th minute when they went a man down.
Glasgow’s pass sent Graham Wilson running through on goal & he was brought down just outside the penalty area by Glen Mitchell who was sent packing for denying a goal scoring opportunity.
Shankland took the free kick but it wasn’t his best & Brown made a comfortable save.
Hurlford hadn’t shown much going forward but they did threaten in the 20th minute. Watt got free down the right & fired a dangerous ball across the penalty area that was just too far ahead of Danny Mitchell in the centre.
In the 23rd minute Talbot won a free kick out on the left touchline, wide of the Hurlford box, after McKnight fouled Hyslop. Shankland curled it beyond the far post where McCracken tried to head it back across goal but his header hit off a defender & went for a corner.
Danny Mitchell received a caution in the 24th minute for a late challenge on Stephen Wilson. Wilson tried to run off the injury, but it became apparent he wasn’t 100% & he was replaced in the 28th minute by Faulds.
Faulds came close to breaking the deadlock in the 35th minute. He gathered outside the box & hammered a shot that flew just wide of the left upright.
Talbot came even closer in the 42nd minute. Glasgow swiped & missed it, the ball broke to Shankland & he hit a shot off the foot of the right post.
In the last minute of the half Talbot won a free kick 25 yards out when Robertson impeded Graham Wilson. Brown raced off his line to remonstrate with the officials and was booked for his troubles. Shankland took the set piece but his shot hit the wall & this proved to be the last action of the 1st half.
Talbot made a strong start to the 2nd half & threatened through Shankland in the 47th minute. He cut in from the left & curled a great ball to the far post but there were no takers & it sailed behind for a goal kick.
A minute later Talbot passed up a real chance to take the lead. Shankland played it into the feet of Wilson & he teed it up for Glasgow 10 yards out but Brown managed to block his low drive.
Hurlford had an effort on target in the 52nd minute. A diagonal ball found Roberts on the left of the penalty area & he blasted a shot straight at Leishman who parried it away.
At the other end Talbot came close a few minutes later. Shankland cut the ball back for Glasgow & Brown did well to touch his shot wide of the right post.
It was ten man Hurlford who took the lead in the 57th minute. Watt drove into the penalty box & cut it back toward McKenzie. He was tackled as he went to hit it but the ball fell to ROBERTS & he slammed it into the bottom corner.
Talbot nearly produced a leveller two minutes later. Shankland set it up for Wilson & his left footed strike flew just past Brown’s left post.
Wilson came close again in the 62nd minute. Roberts headed the ball back toward his own area & Wilson latched onto it, firing a low drive that was deflected just wide of the post.
Tucker now decided to go for broke, bringing on a forward for a defender, with McPherson making way for McIlroy.
Talbot were pushing forward in numbers but couldn’t breach the Ford defence. Pope lifted a dangerous cross into the back post which Brown couldn’t take. It was fed back to Shankland but his shot was blocked.
Pope was next to try his luck, cutting inside on his right foot but his shot was blocked inside the area.
Committing bodies forward left Talbot vulnerable at the back & they had two lucky escapes in the 69th minute. Roberts burst into the area & cut it back from the bye line but Watt’s shot was a poor one. Talbot then immediately gifted the ball straight back to Hurlford at the edge of the penalty area & McKenzie tested Leishman with a low drive that he held at the 2nd attempt.
Talbot made their final change with 20 minutes remaining; Kemp coming on for Glasgow.
With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot tested the Ford defence when Wilson sent Shankland away on the left. He whipped a cross over that McKillen put over his own bar.
Hurlford now made a change with Fisher coming on for McKenzie, who was booked on his way off the park for time-wasting.
A slice of luck, and some dodgy goal keeping, saw Talbot draw level in the 77th minute.
Talbot won a corner on the left that Shankland sent into the area. It was cleared straight back out to SHANKLAND & this time he curled a cross over that eluded Wilson & McIlroy in front of goal & sailed past Brown who seemed to anticipate the Bot players getting a touch on it.
Within the space of a minute Talbot turned the game on its head as they took the lead. KEMP rattled an unstoppable effort from the right of the area that flew inside the right post to put Talbot 2-1 in front.
The game was effectively over as a contest in the 83rd minute. Robertson nudged Shankland over inside the box as he went for a high ball & the ref pointed to the spot. GRAHAM WILSON buried it past Brown to put Talbot 3-1 ahead.
Talbot completed the scoring with 5 minutes remaining. Pope flighted a cross over to the back post where MCILROY met it to volley home.
A good comeback from Talbot who following Kilwinning’s expulsion from the Ardagh now travel to Fullarton Park on Wednesday night to face Irvine Victoria.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Harvey, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Stephen Wilson, White, Glasgow, Graham Wilson, Shankland, Hyslop
Subs – McIlroy, Kemp, Thomson, Weir, Faulds
Hurlford United – Brown, McKnight, McKillen, Glen Mitchell, Robertson, Jenkins, McKenzie, Danny Mitchell, Roberts, Watt, Liddingston
Subs – Hodge, Marks, Molloy, Agnew, Fisher
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
Auchinleck Talbot v Muirkirk Juniors
A history making night for Talbot as they overwhelmed Muirkirk 16-0 to record the Bot’s biggest ever win.
The goal glut started early with the Bot taking the lead inside 3 minutes. Kemp flighted a cross straight onto the head of HYSLOP & he guided a header back across goal to make it 1-0.
Talbot doubled their lead after 6 minutes. A ball over the top found G WILSON racing into the area & he slotted it past the advancing keeper to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.
In the 9th minute Talbot were awarded a penalty after J Anderson sent Kemp to the turf inside the box. SHANKLAND took the spot kick & fired it low past Wilson to make it 3-0.
A minute later it was almost four. Wilson fired a dangerous ball in from the left which Shankland just failed to meet in the centre. It came to McCracken wide of the far post & he clattered a shot off the upright. McCracken reacted first to reach the ball out on the right & played it back across goal where Wilson did well to foil Thomson; blocking his shot at his left post.
The goal was only marginally delayed though & Talbot moved 4-0 ahead in the 11th minute. SHANKLAND floated a delightful lob over the helpless keeper from the left side of the penalty area.
On the quarter hour mark Talbot went 5-0 ahead. Harvey lifted a cross in from the left touchline & WEIR beat Wilson to it in the air to nod it into the empty net.
Muirkirk made a change in the 20th minute with Beveridge replacing Steveson.
Just when Muirkirk thought things couldn’t get any worse they did. Hyslop’s ball up the left wing sent G Wilson scurrying free & he was taken out by Muirkirk’s keeper. The referee judged it worthy of a straight red and off went the goalie. Muirkirk now took Peck off in order to bring on their sub keeper, Platt.
Talbot were knocking the ball around like a training exercise, with Muirkirk chasing shadows, and the only wonder is it took until the 36th minute for goal number 6 to arrive.
Hyslop found Shankland on the left & he squared it across the 6 yard area where G WILSON ran onto it to squeeze a shot past Platt.
A minute later Muirkirk had their one & only chance of the evening. Ballantyne skipped past Weir inside the area & his effort was deflected against the outside of Leishman’s right post.
Talbot’s 7th goal and Muirkirk’s 2nd red card both arrived in the 44th minute. McIntyre conceded a penalty for up-ending Kemp inside the area & once again Shankland took it. This time he hit it low to the keeper’s right & Platt guessed right to make the save. The ball rebounded back to Shankland who was poised to knock it home from close range until barged to the deck by Millar who got his marching orders for denying a clear goal scoring opportunity. G WILSON now took over from the spot & buried it to make the half-time score Talbot 7 Muirkirk 0.
Tucker made 3 changes at the interval with McIlroy, Glasgow & Pope coming on for G Wilson, Shankland & Weir.
The three subs were all involved within a minute of the re-start, McIlroy sending the ball in from the left, Glasgow touching it back & Pope driving a shot just over the bar.
Talbot’s 8th came in the 49th minute. McIlroy had the time & space to pick out a cross & find the unmarked GLASGOW in the centre & he steered a header home from close range.
Three minutes later Talbot extended their lead. Harvey raced down the right before cutting the ball back to GLASGOW who swept it home from 15 yards.
The Bot made it to double figures in the 55th minute. Once again McIlroy got free down the left & knocked it into the centre. Glasgow teed it up for KEMP who drilled a low shot past Platt to make it 10 nil.
There was no let up from Talbot & the 11th goal arrived after 68 minutes. Pope dinked a perfectly weighted ball over the defence which MCILROY guided inside the right post.
Talbot made it a round dozen in the 76th minute. Pettigrew played a good ball down the left to release GLASGOW & he calmly passed it into the net to complete his hat-trick.
One minute later & Talbot grabbed their 13th, a top quality finish from MCILROY who met Harvey’s ball over from the right & volleyed it first time into the roof of the net.
The goals were now arriving with the regularity of PPI nuisance calls and in the 79th minute Talbot stretched their lead to 14 to no reply when McIlroy cut the ball back across goal where GLASGOW met it, back to goal, and turned before shooting home.
The Bot very nearly made it 15 in the 82nd minute. Muirkirk’s sub, S Anderson, was woefully short with an attempted passback allowing Kemp to intercept inside the area. He crashed a shot off the base of the left post which flew back out to Glasgow who slid it wide of the far post with the goal gaping.
Talbot equalled their biggest ever winning margin a minute later. KEMP was hauled back just outside the Muirkirk penalty area & took the resultant free kick; striking it just inside the right post to leave the keeper with no chance.
Two minutes from time Talbot completed the rout, assisted by a blunder from a Muirkirk defender, who attempted to head it back to his keeper. He only succeeded in sending GLASGOW free on the right side of the penalty area & he stroked it home to score his 5th and Talbot’s 16th.
As wins go this was about as comprehensive as it gets, Talbot utterly dominating the 90 minutes, and turning that dominance into goals. Next up for Talbot it is the start of the league campaign as the Bot travel through to Cumbernauld for a tricky away fixture against Rob Roy.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Weir, Harvey, McPherson, Pettigrew, Thomson, Hyslop, McCracken, G Wilson, Shankland, Kemp
Subs – McIlroy, Glasgow, Pope, S Wilson, White
Muirkirk – Wilson, Ross, Peck, Rodgers, McIntyre, J Anderson, McGuire, Millar, Condon, Ballantyne, Steveson
Subs – Campbell, Beveridge, S Anderson, Barrie, Platt
Auchinleck Talbot v Kello Rovers
Talbot cruised to a 4-0 win over Kello Rovers that all but guarantees them a place in the last 8 of the Ardagh cup.
For all the comfort of the final margin, Kello ought to have taken the lead within seconds of the start. Hampson charged forward before releasing it right to find Wilson free inside the box but he drilled his low shot across target & wide of the right post.
Talbot opened the scoring with their 1st meaningful attack in the 5th minute. Weir carried it out from the back, deep into the Kello half before sliding it through to Pooler on the right. He cut it back toward Weir whose shot was blocked but the ball spun into the path of MCILROY who slotted it inside the left post.
The Bot doubled their advantage after quarter of an hour. Armstrong floated a high cross to the back post which Dunsmuir failed to cut out. The ball came to Pooler who squared it across goal for MCILROY to pass into the empty net to make it 2-0.
Kello had an effort on goal in their next attack. Weir diverted a ball into the path of Fleming & he struck a low drive straight at Leishman from 20 yards.
Kemp then came close for Talbot. He closed down Bennie, blocking his attempted clearance & carrying on into the area where he fired narrowly past Dunsmuir’s left post.
The 3rd goal came in the 22nd minute when MCILROY rose to power home Kemp’s corner kick to score a quick fire hat-trick.
Kello had an opportunity to reduce the deficit in the 26th minute when they were awarded a free-kick 30 yards out. Hampson’s shot flew into the wall & the ref harshly judged that Weir had deliberately handled it, booking Weir, and awarding Kello a free kick right on the edge of the area. This time Shaw took it but sent his effort well over the bar.
Talbot threatened to extend their lead in the 31st minute. Kemp pulled a corner back into the path of Pope & Dunsmuir had to dive full length to turn his drive round the post.
Kello were having problems defending corners & Talbot nearly scored again a minute later when Pooler met a corner at the near post & glanced a header just over.
Pooler created Talbot’s next opening when his reverse pass sent Kemp racing through on the left where he shot across goal & past Dunsmuir’s left post.
Talbot continued to dominate and came close a couple of times before the interval. Lyle & McIlroy worked the ball down the right before Lyle fired a dangerous ball into the near post which was blocked behind for a corner. The corner was pulled back to Pettigrew who ran onto it & steered a shot on target which was cleared off the line inside the right post.
The visitors had a chance in the 44th minute when Hampson latched onto a long ball down the centre. He took it in his stride & fired an early shot just wide of Leishman’s left post.
In the final action of the half Kemp broke in behind the Kello defence but couldn’t beat Dunsmuir who saved his low drive with his feet.
Kello made a change at the start of the 2nd half with Miller coming on in place of Fleming.
The visitors were forced into a 2nd change in the 53rd minute when Hampson pulled up injured & had to go off to be replaced by Mathieson.
Dunmsuir prevented McIlroy from grabbing his & Talbot’s 4th after 56 minutes. Lyle lifted a ball down the right to find McIlroy inside the area & he hammered a fierce shot on target that Kello’s keeper parried behind for a corner.
Talbot now made their own changes, firstly Thomson coming on for Steven Wilson & a few minutes later a double switch with Graham Wilson & Shankland replacing Kemp & Pooler.
The next attack saw Shankland making tracks down the left before crossing to the far post where McIlroy headed past the post.
Pope tested the keeper in the 68th minute, showing quick feet to beat a couple of men, and then drilling a low drive from outside the area which Dunsmuir smothered.
Wilson had a good chance a minute later to add to Talbot’s lead. A ball over the defence found him running free on the left of the area but he pulled his shot wide of the far post.
It was all Talbot and the Bot came close again in the 76th minute. Shankland swept a cross in from the right that found Wilson in front of goal but he steered his header wide of target.
Just as in mid-week Talbot finished the game with 10 men after McIlroy picked up a knock late on.
The final goal came a minute from time. Thomson released Pope down the left wing & when he cut it back to the edge of the area SHANKLAND stroked it into the roof of the net to make it 4-0.
Next up for Talbot is a Wednesday evening trip to Muirkirk to complete the Ardagh group stages.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Pettigrew, Weir, S Wilson, White, Armstrong, McIlroy, Pooler, Kemp
Subs – Shankland, G Wilson, Thomson, Glasgow, McPherson
Kello Rovers – Dunsmuir, Bennie, Pagan, Ramage, Bell, Costello, Hampson, Shaw, Wilson, Fleming, Hill
Subs – Miller, Thomson, Mathieson, Paterson
REPORT BY MURRAY STEEL
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)
