Beechwood Park – Page 3 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Auchinleck Talbot v Broxburn Athletic

TALBOT “BADGERED” OUT THE CUP.

Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Madison Taylor, Media: Lee Conn.

Talbot won on points, but unfortunately that only counts in boxing, as the Bot bowed out of the senior cup to a solitary goal.

Talbot couldn’t have asked for a brighter start and had a chance within the opening minute. A ball through the centre was flicked on and found Nimmo through on goal but Watt came quickly off his line to narrow the angle and make the block.

A minute later Talbot tested the visiting keeper again. Wardrope hit a powerful drive across goal from the right of the area that Watt pushed wide of target.

Five minutes gone and Talbot had a third opportunity to take the lead. A ball up the left found Nimmo inside the box and he cut it back into the path of Schoneville whose shot flew across the face of goal and wide of the left post.

In the 10th minute Talbot were given a warning that went unheeded when Jones won a corner down the left. When it came over Douglas met it 6 yards out but it came off the back of his head and went wide of target.

Two minutes later Jones came in off the left and played a one-two with a team-mate to create the space for an opening but pulled his shot well wide from 20 yards out.

In the 20th minute Talbot won a corner down the right when a ball down the wing skied off Rodden’s head and went behind. Wardrope took it short to Gillies who swept a cross beyond the back post which was headed back across goal. It fell to Wilson 8 yards out who side-footed it on target only for Watt to save with his outstretched leg. Talbot kept the pressure going and came within a whisker moments later when Wardrope’s effort was touched onto his right hand post by Watt.

In the 22nd minute Talbot had another effort on target. Boyle squared it across to Gillies who slipped a pass inside to Schoneville who saw his low drive held by Watt at his right hand post.

Despite Talbot’s early dominance it was the visitors who took the lead in the 26th minute. A ball up the left was being shepherded out for a goal kick by Wilson but it broke off him and went behind for the corner. When the corner came in BRASS met it going away from goal and looped a free header inside the right post to put Broxburn a goal in front.

The goal was followed by a midfield stalemate with neither side making any progress in the final third for a spell.

Five minutes before the interval though Talbot had a golden chance to level. Nimmo flicked the ball onto Boyd and he in turn fed it right to find Wardrope free on the right of the penalty area. He was clean through on the keeper but Watt came out on top – stopping his low drive with his legs.

Talbot ended the half on the front foot but couldn’t get past the Broxburn defence and went in a goal behind.

Both sides made a change at the start of the 2nd period. Boyd, who had picked up a knock in the 1st half wasn’t fit to continue, and McAvoy came on in his stead with Broxburn replacing Turner with Thomson.

Talbot started the 2nd half as strongly as they had the first and saw another decent chance go a begging in the 48th minute. Wardrope slipped the ball inside to find Nimmo inside the box and he looked to be through on goal but was out-muscled by a defender who got back to nudge him off it.

A minute later Schoneville swung the ball over to the opposite wing to find Wardrope whose first time ball in was met by McAvoy. His shot clipped the outside of the right post but the flag had went up anyway.

In the 52nd minute Talbot had another opportunity. Gillies flighted it up the left into the area where McAvoy held off his marker before drilling a low shot on target that Watt saved at his right post.

The visitors hadn’t got forward too often but did manage a shot on target in the 56th minute. Jones slid a pass in off the left to find Bell and he fired a low shot straight at Armour.

Play then switched to the other end where a ball through the centre was met by a Broxburn defender whose clearing header fell to Wardrope who fired it just wide from 25 yards out.

The home fans thought Talbot should have had a penalty in the 59th minute. McAvoy had a defender’s arms wrapped around him as he tried to bring it under control and was hauled to the deck but the ref waved play on. It broke out right where it was angled low across goal with McAvoy just failing to connect at the back post.

Broxburn’s main threat was aerial and Brass came close again in the 61st minute when he met a cross from the right but his header looped up and over the bar.

Talbot now made a double switch with Nimmo & Boyle making way for Smith & Langan.

The two subs were involved almost immediately with Langan lifting a ball down the left to find Smith bursting into the area. He cut inside and tried to get off a right foot shot but it was blocked by a defender.

In the 64th minute Smith cut it back toward Gillies who saw his shot blocked behind for a corner on the left. When the corner came over Wilson met it to head it back across only to see it cleared off the line at the right hand post.

The Bot’s next effort saw McAvoy fire a right foot effort wide of target from 16 yards.

The visitors now made another change with Wardell replacing Jones.

With quarter of an hour remaining McAvoy won Talbot a corner down the left. Langan’s corner was only partially cleared and broke to Wardrope who played it short for Slooves to have a go and his effort was blocked behind for a corner out on the right. This time the corner was sent deep where Slooves guided a header back across to the far post where Watt gathered under pressure.

Both sides now made further changes with Wardrope & Schoneville making way for Abed & Thomson and Russell on for Bell for Broxburn.

The referee had been in a lenient mood all afternoon but did finally reach for a card in the 84th minute when he booked Brass for a late barge.

Talbot pushed hard in the closing stages but with Broxburn sitting deep couldn’t find a way through their defence.

As the game entered added time Talbot had one final late chance. A shy from the left was met by Smith who laid it back into the feet of Thomson whose low drive found the target from 15 yards but was held inside the right post by the keeper.

A frustrating afternoon for Talbot who played well enough but paid the price for not taking their chances.

Next up, Talbot are back in league action next Saturday when they host Benburb at Beechwood.

Auchinleck Talbot – Armour, Clark, Schoneville, Slooves, Wilson, Boyle, Sime, Wardrope, Boyd, Nimmo, Gillies

Subs – McAvoy, Smith, Abed, Thomson, Langan, Kerr, Miller, Cameron

Broxburn Athletic – Watt, Morris, Rodden, G Page, J Page, Bell, Douglas, Brass, Turner, McCrory, Jones

Subs – Pettigrew, Wardell, Downie, Mwana, Thomson, Ellis, Millar, Russell

Auchinleck Talbot v Thorn Athletic

TALBOT HIT A MAGNIFICENT SEVEN.

Report: Jim McAuley, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.

With both clubs having no game due to the Junior Cup, a friendly match was set up to keep the wheels well oiled as Talbot were down to face Broxburn in the Scottish Cup second round next week. The choice of opposition couldn’t have fared better as the third division side had given Broxburn a run for their money the week previous in the Challenge Cup.

However this match was done and dusted in the opening 25 minutes as Talbot tore the Johnstone based club apart in a class act of deadly finishing, especially from hit man Kyle McAvoy who notched a treble in the opening quarter of the contest.

Beechwood was bathed in the autumn sun as the teams took to the field to the applause of the few hundred that had turned up to watch the up and coming David and Goliath spectacle. After winning the toss Talbot elected to play into the Bank End.

Thorn were posted a warning of the ensuing onslaught in the opening minutes when Slooves got his head to a corner kick but the ball cannoned off the back of a defender which ended safely in the hands of the keeper.

Talbot took the lead in the 8th minute when Abed’s pass was hooked into the box by Kerr which initially was cleared back towards the defender and his header out to Abed was fizzed into the box where McAvoy nipped in front of a static defence and steered the ball past McWilliams.

Andy Miller grabbed his first Talbot goal in 14 minutes as he poked a Thomson shot into the net. Talbot had won a corner which was swung into the back post and headed into the danger area by Sime. Keegan managed to head clear but the ball fell nicely to Thomson and his half volley looked like heading for net but the Miller took the deftest of touches to send the ball past McWilliams

Talbot were given a fright shortly after Stewart hammered a 50 yard pass across the field into the unmarked Jones who volleyed first time from around 14 yards, and although he connected with the ball his shot was well saved by Cameron. If the visitors thought this bit of action was a rally call then they were very much mistaken because on the 17th minute McAvoy latched onto a lovely Kerr pass, left Rae in his wake and after charging into the box he dispatched the ball way out of the keepers reach and into the net.

Thorn were rattled by now and were caught out once again as a Kerr ball up the wing was collected by Smith who left the Thorn defence in his wake, took the ball to the bye line and made an excellent pass to the unmarked McAvoy who tapped the ball past McWilliams to make it 4-0 in the opening 20 minutes.

The onslaught continued with Abed forcing McWilliams into a smart save and Sime did well to set up McAvoy but this time the big striker scooped the ball over the bar. Abed also had an effort just over the bar after he intercepted a slack ball from Rae. This proved to be the last piece of action in the second half.

The visitors had decided to replace McWilliams in nets with Tennant from their U20 side and the young keeper was soon in action when he cleared a Kerr cross and then made a great save from Ross Clark who had latched onto the loose ball. Thorn seemed to have put their first half mauling behind them and Glen Cameron had to pull off a brilliant one handed save from a Prete free kick.

Minutes before the hour mark it was 5-0 and no doubt if there had been a linesman present there was a chance the goal wouldn’t have stood as the ball looked to have came off Kerr’s hand. However the game played on which saw Smith thread a delightful ball into the path of Abed who showed a number of defenders a clean pair of heels before placing the ball well out of reach from the onrushing keeper.

Cameron and Clark gave the home support a bit of a fright when a meaningless ball by McLelland saw the two players gift Jones a chance but he shot wildly over the bar. The same player was to score Thorn’s only goal in the 64th minute when Denny went on a lung bursting run up through the Talbot ranks before picking out Jones who slid the ball into the net past the helpless Cameron. Minutes later the big keeper saved the day when Rodger robbed Langan in his own half before setting up Prete whose goal bound shot was cleared by the keeper’s legs.

Talbot’s sixth goal was a present from the Thorn defence who tried to play out of defence, however they were unaware of Mick Wardrope who nipped the ball of the defender, hit the bye line and set up Nimmo who seemed to have the ball stuck in between his feet but to the delight of the home crowd got things sorted out and poked the ball past Tennant.

With five minutes remaining Nimmo finished the scoring from the spot, when Stewart brought down the striker with a clumsy tackle and the youngster gave Tennant no chance with a finely taken penalty.

Referee Haswell’s whistle must have been a welcome noise to the Thorn lads as they were on the wrong end of a hammering , but it was a decent match despite the scoreline. A pleasing sight today was the return of Keiran Healy after a lengthy injury. Tougher things to come next week.

TALBOT: Cameron, Clark(Healey), Kerr(Hanlon), Miller, Slooves(Healy), Sime(Langan), Walker(Wardrope), Thomson(Boyle), McAvoy(Nimmo), Abed(Gillies), Smith(Boyd). Subs not used Armour, Schoneville.

THORN ATHLETIC: McWilliams 2. Stewart 3. Quinn 4. Lauchlan 5. Rae 6. Denny 7. Keegan 8. Rodger 9. McKenna 10. Prete 11. Jones (c) miller 14 mcavoy 17 mcavoy 60 abed thorn 65 78 nimmo 85 nimmo1. ThornMcWilliams 2. Stewart 3. Quinn 4. Lauchlan 5. Rae 6. Denny 7. Keegan 8. Rodger 9. McKenna 10. Prete 11. Jones (c) SUBS: 12. Dalling 13. Tennant 14. Armstrong 15. Adams 16. McLelland 17. McKnight

Auchinleck Talbot v Jeanfield Swifts

JEANFIELD SWIFTLY DESPATCHED BY IN FORM TALBOT

Report: Murray Steele. Photographs: Craig McGhee, Media Lee Conn.

Talbot turned in their best display of the season, making light work of seeing off Jeanfield Swifts to advance into the 4th round of the South Challenge cup.

The Bot started strongly, winning a corner in the 3rd minute after Nimmo’s shot at goal was blocked and then ricocheted behind off a Swifts defender.

Fergus was fortunate not to end up in the book in the 10th minute for a blatant obstruction but the ref contented himself with a stern lecture.

Swifts, wearing a dayglo shirt that would be visible through thick fog, made a slow start and didn’t threaten until the 11th minute when a good ball out wide right released their winger who fired a good early ball across goal that Schoneville cleared.

A minute later Talbot were nearly in down the right. McPherson’s ball found Nimmo inside the penalty are but he was just offside.

In the 16th minute the visitors won a free kick 35 yards from goal. Yates took it and drilled a good low effort wide of the right post.

Talbot’s next attack saw Wardrope drive a cross over from the right which Boyd headed toward goal but into the face of a stiff breeze and it ended up floating into the hands of Swinton.

The Bot had another header on target in the 20th minute. Wardrope’s corner from the right was cleared straight back out to him and his 2nd cross went over to the far post where McPherson headed it down on target where it was held by Swinton

The opening goal came in the 22nd minute. Swifts were anything but, dallying on the ball at the edge of their own area where Boyle managed to nick in and dispossess Fergus. The ball ran through to CONNOR BOYD who gave the keeper no chance from 15 yards – burying it inside the left post.

In the 25th minute Talbot doubled their lead. Langan found Boyd down the left and he slipped it wide to find Gillies whose low drive was turned behind by the keeper. When Wardrope’s corner came into the near post AIDEN WILSON met it to glance a header beyond the keeper.

The Bot’s next attack saw Gillies race forward, despite an attempt to haul him back, with the ref allowing play to continue. He fired a dangerous ball across goal where Whitehead slid it behind for the corner. The ref then booked a Swifts player for the earlier shirt tug.

With half an hour gone Nimmo nearly added to Talbot’s lead. His low angled drive from the left of the area was well stopped by Swinton whose outstretched leg put it over the bar.

In the 32nd minute Campbell of the visitors picked up their 2nd yellow card of the afternoon for a late challenge on Boyle.

Five minutes before the interval Swifts had a let off. Nimmo drilled a dangerous low ball across from the right of the area that hit off Yates and nearly went in for an own goal but flew just off target. When the corner came over McPherson won it at the back post but his header was safely gathered by the keeper.

In the 43rd minute Wilson chipped a good ball over the defence that nearly picked out Nimmo in behind but it just skipped away from him.

The visitors had knocked the ball around well, inside their own half, without offering any threat but did give Talbot a scare a minute before the interval. Campbell cut in off the left and drilled a powerful shot at goal that Armour spilled but the defence reacted quickly and got to the rebound first to clear with Talbot going in 2 up at the break.

Five minutes into the 2nd period Swifts made a change with Dodd coming on for Hamilton.

In the 51st minute Campbell won Swifts a corner down the left when his cross was blocked behind. When the in swinging corner came over Armour punched it clear.

Action then switched to the other end where Nimmo rattled a shot off the underside of the bar but it wouldn’t have counted as the assistant’s flag went up for offside.

In the 54th minute Nimmo was unlucky not to grab Talbot’s 3rd. His shot from 18 yards came off the right hand post and hit the keeper who knew little about it as it flew behind for the corner. When the corner came over Swinton punched it clear under pressure. McPherson gathered on the right of the box and drilled it low across where it was blocked by a defender. It came out to Langan who teed it up for Boyle but he scooped his shot well over from the edge of the area.

On the hour mark Nimmo got onto a ball down the right and fired into the side-netting from a tight angle.

A minute later Talbot had another half chance. A corner from the right was only cleared out as far as Boyle who fed it to Boyd. It was switched out wide right and when the cross came over it fell for Nimmo who fired wide of target.

The visitors now made a double change with Brown & Sutherland making way for Davies & Keast.

Talbot were unfortunate not to be out of sight and could have found their lead halved in the 66th minute when Swifts came close. Philp met it on the half-volley 19 yards out and Armour did well to tip his shot over the crossbar. When the corner came over Talbot could only clear it out to the dee where Dodd’s low drive was blocked away.

Talbot now made a triple change with Wardrope, Nimmo & Boyd being replaced by Thomson, McAvoy & Smith.

Twenty mins from time Smith won Talbot a corner down the left. When Thomson’s corner came in Swinton could only punch it clear and it was gathered on the right by Smith. His chipped cross just cleared McAvoy’s head and was gathered at the 2nd attempt by the keeper.

Two mins later Talbot broke out of defence with Thomson releasing McAvoy who burst through the centre before firing a shot wide of the left post.

Swifts now made further changes with Fergus and Campbell being replaced by Urquhart and Struthers.

In the 78th minute Boyle was caught late as he shoved it right to find Langan in space 20 yards out. Langan’s shot was blocked but the ref pulled it back for the earlier foul. Boyle took the free kick and hammered a low shot on target that Swinton shoved around his left post.

In the 80th minute Thomson won a corner down the right. Schoneville lifted it beyond the back post where McPherson floated a header back across that the keeper just managed to tip away.

Seven mins from time Clark came on for Langan and within two minutes he was up-ended by Whitehead who received a booking for his challenge.

In the 87th minute Talbot finally managed to make the game safe with a 3rd goal. Clark played it into the area where Gillies was sent crashing by Mollinson. The ref pointed to the spot and EWAN THOMSON drilled the penalty low inside the right post to make it 3-0.

In the closing minute of the match Abed came on for McPherson but had no time to make any impact before the ref’s whistle saved the players from enduring any more of the rain.

A good win for Talbot who now have a spare week before facing up to Broxburn in the senior cup at Beechwood.

Auchinleck Talbot – Armour, McPherson, Schoneville, Kerr, Wilson, Langan, Gillies, Boyle, Boyd, Nimmo, Wardrope

Subs – McAvoy, Smith, Clark, Thomson, Abed, Miller, Cameron (gk)

Jeanfield Swifts – Swinton, Mollinson, Whitehead, Brown, Hamilton, Fergus, Yates, Sutherland, Philp, McMurchie, Campbell

Subs – Davies, Keast, Struthers, Dodd, Arnold, Urquhart, Cullerton

Auchinleck Talbot v Lossiemouth United

POOR FINISHING AND COMICAL GOALS SHOCK LACK LUSTRE TALBOT.

Report: Murray Steele, Pictures: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.

Talbot have been involved in a good few cup shocks over the years but customarily as the triumphant underdog. This time the boot was on the other foot as Talbot’s unbeaten start to the season ended in an odds defying defeat to rank outsiders Lossiemouth United

This Scottish junior tie got off to an inauspicious start when Schoneville’s slack pass gifted the ball to Matczak inside the 1^st minute. He travelled through the centre before trundling a shot at goal. It looked to be heading wide but Cameron took no chances and turned it away for the corner.

Talbot’s first attack of many came in the 6^th minute. A ball over the left-back found Smith near the bye line and his cross went behind off the head of the keeper who’d raced out to make the block. When the corner came over McPherson met it but his header was comfortably saved.

Two minutes later Abed raced up the right before sliding it out to Gillies on the touchline. His cross was headed home by Smith but Gillies had went too early and the linesman’s flag put paid to Talbot’s hopes of an early opener.

In the 10^th minute Smith played it wide to find Abed who whipped over a good cross that Boyd just failed to connect with in the centre. Talbot kept the pressure on and forced a corner on the left. When Wardrope’s inswinger came in the defence failed to clear it and it fell to McPherson but he saw both his efforts at goal blocked.

Talbot nearly moved ahead in the 13^th minute. Kerr played it into Boyd’s feet on the left of the area. His low drive was blocked by Day and the rebound spun out to Gillies who steered a volley just wide of the right hand post.

The chances kept coming & Talbot kept failing to convert them. Kerr knocked it into the feet of Smith inside the area. He played it back out into the path of Boyd who lashed his shot well over the bar.

In the 26^th minute Smith managed to hold off the challenge of Gryc out on the left before turning inside him and firing a shot for goal that was blocked behind off Kane. When Wardrope’s corner came over everyone missed it in the centre and it broke off Wilson near the back post and behind for the goal kick.

Talbot conceded a free kick in a dangerous area when McPherson bundled over an opponent 22 yards out. Matczak took it but fired tamely into the wall.

32 mins gone and another half chance went a begging for Talbot. Smith squared the ball into the path of Langan in space 20 yards out but he fired well over the bar.

Two minutes later Talbot passed up a golden chance. Boyd angled a ball across to find Smith in space on the right of the area but with only the keeper to beat he drilled a low shot at Day who blocked it behind for the corner. When the corner came in no one could get on the end of it but Boyd managed to retrieve the ball and Talbot managed to work the ball to Kerr at the edge of the area whose shot flew just wide of the left hand post.

In the 36^th minute Wardrope had a go from 20 yards which flew on target but straight at the keeper who parried it away.

Talbot should have been goals up but had a let off in the 37^th minute. A free kick out by the left touchline was taken by McKay whose ball down the channel found Tinnock in acres of space just inside the penalty area but fortunately for Talbot he miscontrolled it and it came up off his hand.

The Bot’s next attack saw Wardrope pounce on a poor clearance and shift it right to find Kerr. He fired it low across goal where it came off a defender but luckily for United went straight into the arms of Day.

Three minutes before the break Schoneville had a go from 25 yards but in keeping with Talbot’s long range shooting it sailed well over.

With half-time looming Talbot finally made the breakthrough. Schoneville was given time to pick out a cross and steered it onto the head of CONNOR BOYD who glanced it across goal and inside the left post to send Talbot in ahead.

Talbot started the 2^nd half strongly and had a couple of chances in the opening minutes. Firstly Boyd got on the end of Kerr’s cross at the near post only to see his header saved by Day and a few minutes later Wardrope found Langan in the box and he shoved it wide to Smith who was caught in two minds and fired it across goal in what ended up neither a shot nor a cross

In the 49^th minute Gillies had a half chance on the left of the penalty area. He fired it low on target and Day gathered at the 2^nd time of asking. A minute later Boyd got on the end of a cross from the right touchline but couldn’t find the target with his header.

In the 51^st minute Schoneville clipped a ball over the full-back to find Smith just inside the area. He lobbed it over Day and into the net but again the linesman’s flag saw it chalked off.

The visitors now made a change with Henderson on for Murray.

For all Talbot’s dominance one nil is a precarious lead and the Bot were given a warning in the 53^rd minute. A shy from the right wasn’t dealt with and broke to Tinnock inside the area who saw his low drive blocked. This encouraged Lossiemouth and a minute later Matczak beat Abed on the outside and tried to square it across goal but Cameron cut it out at his near post.

In the 55^th minute it was all square. Smith was out-muscled in the Lossie half by MACARTHUR who carried it up the right wing before curling over a cross that deceived Cameron and floated into the far corner.

Talbot looked for an immediate response and won a free kick just up from the right corner flag for a foul on Abed. Wardrope whipped it into the near post where McPherson headed just over the bar.

In the 59^th minute Kerr laid the ball back for Wardrope to hit from 20 yards but he was leaning back as he struck it and sent it well over the bar.

In the 61^st minute Wilson lost the ball inside his own half and McPherson had to scramble back to cover – conceding a corner on the right. When the corner came into the crowded back post it broke into the path of MATCZAK whose first effort came off the right post and back out to him and this time he lashed it home to put Lossiemouth United 2-1 ahead.

Talbot went looking for a quick equaliser and were nearly caught out again. Abed got free on the right but his cutback was cleared and Lossiemouth countered down the left where Matczak paced away before trying to square it into the centre only for Langan to put it behind for the corner.

In the 64^th minute Smith sent a low ball across the face that was just missed in the centre. It came out to Abed beyond the far post who saw his low drive blocked.

Talbot now made a triple substitution with Schoneville, Langan & Smith making way for Clark, Boyle & McAvoy.

Clark had a half chance to draw Talbot level in the 67^th minute but he fired it low across goal and wide of the right post. Within a minute Talbot had another chance. Wardrope played it into the feet of McAvoy at the edge of the area and his low shot slipped just past the left post.

In the 69^th minute McAvoy tried to barrel his way through the centre of the defence. It broke loose into the path of Wardrope who was defied by a tremendous reaction save from Day to turn his shot round the left hand post.

The Bot chances kept arriving and in the 71^st minute Wardrope met a cross from the left and laid it back to Clark whose shot went wide of the left hand post.

Lossiemouth now made a further change with Allen replacing Clark.

In the 73^rd minute Clark beat a couple of men only to be sent crashing 22 yards out. Wardrope took the free kick and had the keeper beaten, only to see his effort crash off the crossbar.

A minute later Boyd gathered in the box with his back to goal and laid it back for Clark to hit but he fired over.

Twelve minutes from time Talbot missed a snip to draw level. McAvoy got free on the left of the box and chipped it across the face of goal where Clark volleyed it over the bar from close range.

The Bot’s next attack saw Gillies in space wide on the left. He went for the early angled ball across goal which McAvoy just failed to reach at the back post

In the 81^st minute Talbot conceded a free kick out by the opposition dugout for an aerial challenge. McKay floated it into the box where it was headed clear and Talbot raced onto the counter. It was worked down the line to Abed who slid it across the box to find LUKE GILLIES whose drive had enough power to beat Day who got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out.

Having levelled Talbot pressed for the winner and came close in the 83^rd minute. A ball up the right found McAvoy and he swept a dangerous low ball across to the far post which Gillies just couldn’t connect with.

The Bot’s next effort came when Boyd met Abed’s cross and sent his header off target.

The visitors now made 2 further changes with Fraser & Tinnock making way for Milton & Henderson.

Five minutes from time Wardrope let fly from just outside the box and sent a powerful shot just over the bar.

In the 87^th minute Talbot conceded a poor goal to send United into the lead. Talbot were on the attack down their left when Kerr’s slack pass was intercepted. A hopeful ball was punted up into the Talbot area where a breakdown in communication saw Cameron slow to come off his line whilst McPherson left it for the keeper, allowing MATCZAK to steal in and lift it past the stranded Cameron.

Talbot now pushed everyone forward in a last gasp drive to equalise. In the 90^th minute Bot fans knew it wasn’t to be when Day produced his 2^nd worldie of a save. McAvoy met a cross from the left at the back post and his header from close range was somehow clawed round the left post by the keeper.

As the game moved into added time there was still time for Talbot to have another 4 efforts at goal. Firstly Boyd raced down the right of the area only to see his low drive blocked by the feet of the keeper. Next to have a go was Wardrope who hammered a shot just over from 20 yards. Deep into injury time Clark had a half chance 15 yards out but sent his low drive wide of target. In the final action of the match a high ball into the box was nodded on by McPherson and met by Boyd who steered a header at Day.

A hugely disappointing result for Talbot who were left to rue too many missed chances and slack defending at the other end. There’s no time for dwelling on it though as Talbot are back in cup action next Saturday when they face a tricky away trip to Bo’ness Athletic and will be looking to bounce straight back.

Auchinleck Talbot – Cameron, Abed, Schoneville, McPherson, Wilson, Langan, Wardrope, Gillies, Boyd, Smith, Kerr

Subs – McAvoy, Nimmo, Clark, Boyle, Sime, Slooves, Armour (gk)

Lossiemouth United – Day, MacArthur, McKay, Gryc, Kane, Higgins, Clark, Fraser, Murray, Matczak, Tinnock

Subs – Cuffley, Milton, Henderson, Souter, Allen, Carr, Sim

Auchinleck Talbot v Hutchison Vale FC

TALBOT TRIUMPH IN DOUR ENCOUNTER.

Report: Murray Steele. Photographs: Craig McGhee, Media Lee Conn.

A much changed Talbot got the job done to advance past Lothian Thistle in the South Challenge cup in a tie the Bot could have won by a much more convincing margin.

Talbot started the game strongly and nearly took the lead after 4 minutes. A short corner down the left was worked to the edge of the area where Walker curled a shot just wide of the left hand post.

A minute later Smith surged forward before feeding it to his right to McAvoy who saw his shot blocked behind for a corner.

The pressure continued and Miller came close to putting it into his own net when he went to clear Abed’s ball across goal and sliced it over the crossbar. From the resultant corner Langan played it into the path of Smith who drilled a low shot wide of the left post.

In the 9^th minute Miller clipped a ball over the top and McAvoy managed to out-muscle Chisholm to claim it and pull it back toward Sime who had the ball nicked off him as he went to hit it.

The visitors hadn’t been over the half-way line up until the 13^th minute when Sime dallied on the ball and lost possession 30 yards out. It broke into the path of Ndlovu who bent a shot over the bar from 20 yards.

On the quarter hour mark Walker cut a ball back from the left to find Abed on the edge of the area who prodded a shot wide of target.

Talbot were denied what looked a stonewall penalty in the 19^th minute. Slooves was given the time & space to carry it forward and had a dig from 30 yards that Miller blocked with his arm but the officials gave nothing.

However, a minute later Talbot’s pressure finally paid off. Langan won it and raced forward into the box. He might have shot himself but instead slipped it to his right where KYLE MCAVOY hit it low across the keeper to make it 1-0.

In the 23^rd minute Talbot nearly doubled their lead. Kerr laid the ball back to Walker inside the box and his shot flew just past the left post.

The Bot’s next effort at goal came in the 27^th minute. Walker played it to Langan who found Smith bursting free down the right and he tried to angle it back across and beyond the keeper but Samuel smothered his effort.

The visitors won a free kick out wide on the left in the 31^st minute after Chisholm was caught. Ndlovu took it and curled it over to the back post where Slooves headed behind. When the corner came over Miller thumped it clear.

Cameron didn’t have much to do all afternoon but was called upon in the 34^th minute. A long ball down the centre was only partially cleared and fell to Wringe 20 yards out. He fired it first time on target and Cameron made a good stop to his right to turn it away for a corner.

This was the visitors best spell and they had another half chance soon after when Macdonald was able to turn in the box and play it back to Stewart who hit a tame effort on target.

Five minutes before the break Talbot put together a nice move that ended with Miller swinging a dangerous cross beyond the back post. Sime couldn’t quite get on the end of it and required treatment after colliding with the wall behind the goal.

In the final action of the half Smith shot wide of goal from 20 yards and the sides went in with Talbot leading 1-0.

Talbot got off to a bit of a false start to the 2^nd half conceding a few corners and free kicks without any harm being done.

In the 51^st minute Kerr whipped over a great cross from the left that Miller headed just wide of his own goal. When the corner came in from the right Slooves met it only to see his header brilliantly saved by Samuel who turned it over the bar.

The Bot’s next attack saw Kerr fire a ball across the box toward McAvoy but it broke off him and went behind for the goal kick.

Talbot then conceded a needless corner down the left which Ndlovu took and his in swinger had to be palmed away to safety by Cameron.

A 2^nd goal would have eased any worries and Talbot came close to it in the 57^th minute. A free kick down the left was met by McAvoy who headed it down into the path of Smith whose low drive was blocked by Samuel’s legs at his right hand post.

Two minutes later McAvoy won a corner down the left. Langan’s ball in wasn’t dealt with and it broke back out to Langan on the left of the area. He struck it on target but Samuel again did well to make the stop.

Lothian Thistle now made a change with Devine on for Signorini.

In the 62^nd minute Sime cushioned a header inside to find McAvoy on the right of the penalty area but his low drive went straight at the keeper.

A minute later Walker swung over a good cross from the left that Sime met in the centre – sending his header wide of the right hand post.

Talbot’s next effort came when Miller got on the end of Sime’s deep cross and floated a header back across goal that drifted over the bar.

The visitors now made a further change with Mackay on for Herd.

In the 69^th minute Talbot made a triple change with Langan, Walker & Smith making way for Boyle, Gillies & Boyd.

Shortly after Abed whipped over a great ball that only needed a touch but there was no one in the centre to convert. It was retrieved out on the left by Gillies who swung over a good cross that was well defended.

In the 74^th minute Boyle tried his luck from distance but his shot slipped wide of the right hand post.

With quarter of an hour remaining Miller of the visitors picked up a caution for kicking the ball away.

Ten minutes from time McAvoy’s cut back from the right cannoned off a defender and flew just wide of the left post. Before the corner could be taken Talbot made further changes with Wardrope & Clark on in place of Sime & Smith.

The corner was pulled back to Clark who whipped over a great ball that Chisholm headed clear from the goal mouth.

In the 84^th minute Wardrope broke down the left and sent a cross over to the far side of the box where McAvoy headed it back down and across goal but no one was there to take advantage.

Three minutes from time Kerr found Clark on the right of the penalty area. He cut inside onto his left foot and drilled a low shot on goal that produced another fine save from Samuel who turned it past the post.

A minute later Boyle played it into the feet of Clark inside the box and he teed it back into the path of Boyle whose shot went just past the left post.

In the final minute of regulation time a ball in from the left found McAvoy in the area. He turned on it and powered a shot narrowly past the left hand post.

Deep into injury time Talbot had a late scare when they conceded a free kick out on the right on the bye line for which Gillies received a caution but the visitors could make nothing of it and Talbot saw it out for the win.

Next up for Talbot it’s back to league duty when they travel through to North Glasgow to face Drumchapel United.

Auchinleck Talbot – Cameron, Miller, Kerr, Slooves, Wilson, Langan, Sime, Walker, McAvoy, Smith, Abed

Subs – Boyd, Wardrope, Gillies, Boyle, Clark, McPherson, Armour

Lothian Thistle H.V – Samuel, Herd, Macdonald, Maxwell, Wringe, Stewart, Chisholm, Signorini, Walton, Ndlovu, Miller

Subs – Clapperton, Harrison, Mackay, Morrison, Jelen, Devine, Davidson

Auchinleck Talbot v Beith Juniors

DEADLOCK AT BEECHWOOD

Report: Murray Steele, Photo’s Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.

Talbot paid the penalty for failing to take their chances and had to settle for a point a piece after a frustrating night at Beechwood.

Beith were the first to settle and threatened in the 2nd minute when the ball was squared out to Lovering on the left wing. He got wide of McPherson and drilled it across goal where Armour smothered it at the near post.

A minute later the visitors won a free kick 30 yards out on the right. Monti whipped it in but Slooves headed it to safety.

Talbot’s first attack came in the 4th minute. A ball over the top found Gillies on the left of the area but he snatched at his shot and fired it across goal and well wide.

Two minutes later Gillies fired over a good cross from the left which Stott claimed under pressure from McAvoy.

Moments later Talbot came close to taking the lead. Schoneville’s ball in behind found Boyd on the left of the box. He rolled it back into the path of Wardrope whose powerful drive from 15 yards was turned round the right post by Stott.

In the 9th minute a long ball up the centre caused the Bot defence problems. Slooves was deceived by the bounce of the ball allowing Stuart to nip in behind him but he was crowded out and the defence managed to clear.

Beith spurned a decent chance in the 11th minute. Docherty gathered down the right and sent it back to Frize. His cross into the centre was met by Scullion who steered a free header well wide of goal.

The game was being played at a frantic pace with play switching from end to end without either keeper being asked any questions at this stage.

Eighteen mins in McAvoy & Boyd combined well down the right with Boyd’s final pass to McAvoy just a touch too heavy allowing Stott to race off his line to smother it.

A minute later Talbot won a free kick just wide right of the Beith box for handball. Wardrope knocked in a good delivery that forced Stuart to head over his own crossbar.

In the 20th minute Gillies floated a cross over beyond the far post that was met by Wardrope. He chipped it back across goal where McAvoy met it, but under pressure, he could only glance his header wide of the right post.

Langan received what looked to be a harsh yellow card when he was penalised for a coming together after 25 mins. The ref awarded Beith the free kick 30 yards which Monti fired on target. It flew straight at Armour who couldn’t hold it but when Beith’s forward went for the rebound the assistant’s flag went up for offside.

Talbot came close to fluking the lead in the 31st minute. A ball into the Beith box was cleared but came out to Wilson who got to the ball first midway in Beith’s half and his up & under dropped just over the crossbar onto the roof of the net.

Scullion had his name taken in the 37th minute for a shirt tug on Langan as he broke forward.

Two mins later Beith won a free kick down the right when Slooves caught Stuart. Monti crossed it into the area where McPherson headed it clear. Talbot now broke swiftly through Clark who was taken down late by Frize – resulting in a booking for Beith’s captain.

In the closing minute of the half Talbot won a free kick midway in the Beith half for a foul on Wardrope. Langan took it and angled a great ball beyond the far post to pick out McAvoy who steered it low across the face of goal but no one gambled on it and the ball sped wide for a goal kick and the half ended goalless.

Both sides made a change at the start of the 2nd half with Boyle on for Langan for Talbot and Noble replacing Findlay for the visitors.

The Bot started the 2nd half positively and had a half chance in the 48th minute. McAvoy gathered deep on the right and played it back to McPherson who pinged over a dangerous cross that Gillies nodded wide of the left post under pressure.

A minute later Schoneville charged down the wing and won a corner out on the left. Wardrope swung it over to the back post where it fell for McAvoy but he blazed his shot off target from close range.

In the 51st minute Wardrope tried his luck from distance with a snapshot from 30 yards. It hit off Boyd who reacted quickly to control it and drill a shot on target which Stott turned round his left hand post.

When Wardrope’s corner came over McPherson lost his marker but sent his header over the bar from a good area.

Beith’s first chance of the 2nd period came in the 52nd minute. Docherty attempted a lob from a tight angle but was challenged as he went to hit it and it went behind for a corner. When the corner came over from the left Talbot cleared it & launched a swift counter through Wardrope. He threaded it through toward Gillies on the left of the box who beat Stott to it and when the keeper caught him the ref pointed to the spot. Boyd took the spot kick and went the right way – getting down low to his left to make the save.

Beith now made a double change with Frize & Scullion making way for Brown & Lewis.

Talbot’s next attack saw the Bot win a free kick out on the right. Wardrope swept a good ball into the heart of the box which was well defended.

Sometimes it’s just not your day, and the Bot fans were getting that feeling when the Beith goal led a charmed life on the hour mark. Clark pulled it back from the right to McAvoy in front of goal but he couldn’t get his shot away on a crowded 6-yard line. It broke to Boyd who saw his shot blocked by a defender and came out to Boyle who drilled a low shot on target that was cleared off the line.

Two minutes later Talbot had another good chance. Schoneville did well out wide before sliding a low ball across the face of goal where Boyd took a fresh air swipe at it near the back post.

In the 66th minute Schoneville’s rushed clearance fell to Stuart on the right and he squared it inside to Docherty who had the ball nicked off him as he went to hit it.

Talbot’s next attack saw McAvoy feed the ball inside off the right to find Clark. He carried it into the area but stumbled as he went to hit it.

In the 73rd minute Talbot came within a whisker of taking the lead. McAvoy latched onto a long ball over the defence and from the left of the area hammered it back across goal on the half-volley. Stott managed to get something on it and his shot came off the base of the bar and Talbot were penalised when going for the rebound.

A minute later Talbot conceded a needless corner due to a breakdown in communication. Noble’s ball up the left had too much on it and was heading straight out for a goal kick but Wilson sliced it behind when trying to clear. When the corner came over Lovering got his head to it but it sailed over.

In the 78th minute Beith made a further change with Malcolm on in place of Docherty.

With 10 mins to go Talbot made a triple change with Clark, Wardrope & McAvoy making way for Sime, Abed & Smith.

Abed was unlucky just after coming on when he slipped a pass through that released Boyd in behind the defence down the left that fell foul of a dubious offside call.

Three minutes from time Rough received a caution for a barge on Smith out on the right. Schoneville took the set piece and swung it into the centre where Stott came off his line to punch clear.

Deep into added time Talbot had a late scare. A shy from the left wasn’t cleared and it broke to Brown whose low drive from 15 yards produced a good stop from Armour low to his left.

There was time for one further caution when Malcolm was booked for a late challenge on Schoneville before the ref signalled the end.

A frustrating night for Talbot who will feel that they ought to have claimed all 3 points. Next up it’s back to Beechwood on Saturday when Talbot host Hutchison Vale in the South Challenge cup.

Auchinleck Talbot – Armour, McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, Wilson, Langan, Wardrope, Gillies, Boyd, McAvoy, Clark

Subs – Smith, Abed, Kerr, Boyle, Sime, Armstrong, Cameron (gk)

Beith – Stott, Findlay, Lovering, Little, Rough, Dunne, Monti, Frize, Docherty, Scullion, Stuart

Subs – Noble, Emordi, Brown, Lewis, Malcolm, O’Donnell, McLellan (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Cumnock Juniors

SMASH AND GRAB TALBOT BREAK CUMNOCK HEART’S

Report: Murray Steele, Photo’s Craig McGhee/Madison Taylor, Media: Lee Conn

Talbot never really got going in this derby clash but it was smiles all round at the final whistle as the Bot claimed all 3 points thanks to a last minute winner.

Talbot started sluggishly and there wasn’t much incident in the opening spell. Boyle picked up what looked to be a harsh caution in the 9^th minute for a challenge just inside the Cumnock half.

The first real threat came in the 11^th minute when McCluskey fed it on to the overlapping Ellis whose ball across was well cut out by McPherson.

In the 21^st minute McCluskey beat Gillies on the outside and cut it back toward Conn at the near post but he took a poor 1^st touch and Talbot were able to clear.

Craig had his name taken in the 25^th minute for a body check on Boyle as he looked to carry it forward.

Talbot passed up an opportunity to test the visiting defence in the 31^st minute. Wardrope burst forward on the counter and had Clark free to his right but his attempted pass was cut out.

Down the other end McCluskey found Chalmers just outside the area and he fired his shot well wide of the right post.

Neither goal had been remotely threatened as yet but Gillies did go close in the 33^rd minute when he drilled a shot from 20 yards just past Currie’s right hand post.

Cumnock went long with their next attack, punting it down the centre where Wilson could only head it out as far as Conn who fired it narrowly wide of Armour’s left post.

Wilson of Cumnock became the 3^rd booking of the afternoon when he was penalised for a late challenge on Wardrope.

The first save of the match came in the 38^th minute. Clark sent it out wide right to Wardrope who floated it across goal to find Boyd unmarked. He tried to place it and Currie was able to get down to his right to turn it round the post.

In the closing minute of the half Cumnock had a chance to take the lead. Wilson failed to cut out a long ball down the right and it broke kindly for Chalmers inside the area but he tried to pass it in and Armour was able to turn it round the left post. When the corner came over Brownlie met it but sent his header straight at Armour and the sides went in goal less at the interval.

Talbot made a change during the break with the injured McAvoy being replaced by Smith.

The 2^nd half got off to a false start where Talbot were concerned with Cumnock making the early running. In the 51^st minute Wilson spread it out wide to Watt who cut inside and won a free kick just outside the area when he was caught by Schoneville. McCluskey took the free kick and whipped it across goal where ELLIS powered a header home from close range to give Cumnock the lead.

In the 59^th minute Watt got the better of Clark down the wing before sliding a low ball into the near post that Talbot managed to clear at the expense of a corner.

Sixty-two minutes in and Talbot made a triple substitution with Clark, Wardrope & Boyle making way for Abed, Langan & Sime.

The subs were barely on the park when Talbot drew level. Smith shoved a short ball down the line to find Gillies breaking down the left and he fired a dangerous low ball toward the back post where a Nock defender only succeeded in playing it into the path of CONNOR BOYD who slotted it home to make it 1-1 and was then booked in the aftermath.

The visitors threatened to regain the lead in the 66^th minute. McPherson’s clearance didn’t make any distance and came to Chalmers wide on the left. He angled it across goal where Mackenzie just failed to connect with it and it ran behind for the goal kick.

Two minutes later Cumnock won a free kick out by the right corner flag when Schoneville was penalised for a shove. McCluskey delivered a good ball into the centre where McPherson was quickest to react to head it clear.

In the 73^rd minute Talbot had a let off. Watt wriggled past Schoneville and carried on into the area before playing a dangerous ball across goal which Sime did well to clear.

A minute later Mackenzie got on the end of a shy from the left but glanced his header wide at the near post. Cumnock now made a change with Dykes on for Mackenzie.

With quarter of an hour remaining Smith met it on the half-volley at the edge of the area and his shot deflected behind for the corner. Langan swept it into the centre where the Nock defence had trouble clearing their lines. It came back out left to Langan and he prodded it to Smith whose curling cross was headed clear at the near post.

Talbot now made a further change with Kerr replacing Schoneville.

In the 79^th minute Smith tried his luck from 20 yards but his effort sailed well wide of target.

Cumnock then squandered an opening down the other end when Conn found himself in space wide on the right but hit over a poor cross. This proved to be his last involvement as he made way for Jack.

Seven minutes from time Wilson latched onto Kerr’s attempted clearance and fired for goal from 22 yards but hit it straight at Armour who saved comfortably.

Play then switched to the other end where Abed paced clear down the right and pulled it back across goal but there was no one in the centre.

The game was getting stretched and Cumnock threatened on the counter-attack. The ball was swept out to Chalmers wide on the left who had Dykes free at the back post but his pass was intercepted.

Smith then had a half chance for Talbot on the left of the Nock penalty area but his shot was easily held by Currie at his near post.

Talbot grabbed the winning goal in the 89^th minute. Boyd sent the ball out wide right to Smith and when he cut it back TAREK ABED met it on the half-volley, firing it into the ground and high into the net past the helpless Currie.

The drama wasn’t quite over though and Talbot were nearly punished for indecisive defending when Jack was able to juggle the ball across the penalty area where his final shot was deflected wide for a corner.

Deep into injury time Cumnock had a final chance to draw level. A long ball thumped up the centre could have been left to run through to the keeper but in the absence of a shout Wilson tried to head it clear. His header fell to McCluskey wide on the right but he was caught in two minds and his angled ball across goal ended up skimming behind for the goal kick with Talbot able to hold on for all 3 points.

Whilst nowhere near their A game, Talbot will be happy to have claimed the victory and now move on to next Saturday when they travel through to Blair Park to face Hurlford.

Auchinleck Talbot – Armour, McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, Wilson, Boyle, Wardrope, Gillies, Boyd, McAvoy, Clark

Subs – Smith, Abed, Langan, Sime, Kerr, Glasgow, Cameron (gk)

Cumnock – Currie, Watt, Ellis, Craig, Brownlie, Wilson, Chalmers, Buchanan, Mackenzie, McCluskey, Conn

Subs – Jack, Dykes, Wright, Scott, Strain (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Darvel

SECOND HALF DOUBLE GIVES TALBOT THE POINTS.

Report. Murray Steele, Photo’s Craig McGhee, Media Lee Conn.

Talbot got their league campaign off to a flying start with a 2-0 win over Darvel at a sunny Beechwood.

The visitors made the quicker start and won a corner within the opening minute which the Talbot defence headed clear the back post.

Talbot’s first attack came in the 6^th minute when a ball in behind the Darvel defence found Boyd wide on the left. He cut inside onto his right foot and fired a shot across goal and wide of the target.

In the 14^th minute Wardrope fired a low ball across to find Schoneville and he drilled a shot wide from 20 odd yards.

Down the other end Darvel put together a good passing move that ended with McGlinchey curling over a dangerous cross from the left that Wilson headed behind for a corner which Talbot successfully dealt with.

Neither keeper had been tested as yet but that changed in the 24^th minute when Boyle passed it short into Wardrope. He let fly from distance and Wilson did well to tip his effort over the crossbar. When the resultant corner came over from the right it eluded everyone in the centre and came to Boyd beyond the far post. He angled a shot on target that had the keeper beaten but a defender was in the right spot to clear it off the line.

The Bot came close again in the 27^th minute. Wardrope won a corner down the right and when it came over Slooves met it but sent his header over the bar.

Talbot’s purple patch continued and Wilson was tested again from long range when Aiden Wilson hit a low drive from 30 yards that the Darvel keeper had to turn wide of his left hand post.

Once again Wardrope’s corner caused problems for Darvel. This time McPherson ran onto the end of it but sent his header over.

The visitors had a let off in the 37^th minute when McPherson robbed Barbour of possession down by the corner flag. He sent a low ball in across goal that saw a defender slice his clearance but fortunately for Darvel it went straight to the keeper.

Two minutes later Darvel gave the Bot support a nervy moment when they won a free kick 25 yards out. It was fired in low & on target and took an awkward bounce just before it reached Armour & the keeper wasn’t able to hold it. The rebound came out to McDonald who headed it on target but Armour recovered quickly to make the stop.

In the 42^nd minute McGlinchey tried an ambitious effort from distance that sailed wide of the left hand upright.

A minute later Talbot were back on the attack through Schoneville who hit a fierce drive on target. Wilson parried it and a defender reacted quickest to head it behind for the corner. Again, the corner found a Talbot head and this time Boyd glanced a header wide of the far post.

In the final minute of the half Murphy’s crossfield pass found A Black inside the left edge of the Talbot penalty area and he drilled his shot into the side-netting from a tight angle.

As the half drew to a close Talbot passed up a golden chance to take the lead. Boyd’s effort at goal was deflected behind for a corner which the defence could only clear out as far as Wardrope whose curling effort was tipped around the right hand post by Wilson. When the corner came over from the left it went deep beyond the far post where McPherson steered a header back across but Gillies sent a free header over the bar from close range and the sides went in level at the interval.

The 2^nd half got off to a fairly even start with Talbot edging it without either side looking too threatening until the 55^th minute when Talbot grabbed the opener.

A shy down the left was met by Boyd whose head flick found ROSS CLARK running in behind the defence and spotting Wilson off his line he went for the early lob. Wilson managed to get his fingertips to it but couldn’t prevent it from sailing into the net to put Talbot ahead.

Talbot took full advantage and five minutes later doubled their lead. A ball down the right was helped on by Abed into the path of Clark. He fed it out wide to Boyd who whipped over a great ball into the near post where LUKE GILLIES steered it past Wilson.

In the 63^rd minute Allan went for goal from 35 yards – firing a powerful effort over the crossbar.

Darvel now made a triple substitution with Walker, McKenzie & J Black making way for Aitken, Culbert & Williamson.

The Bot’s next attack saw Wardrope find Boyd in space on the left of the penalty area; however his first touch saw it get stuck between his feet and when he got his shot off at the 2^nd attempt it flew across goal and well wide

Talbot made their first changes in the 67^th minute with Wardrope & Abed being replaced by Langan & Smith.

Smith was involved in Talbot’s next attack – taking a good 1^st touch before laying it out wide to find Schoneville on the overlap. He fired it low across goal where Boyd dummied at the near post but the defence were able to clear.

Tucker now made further changes with Boyd & Clark heading off to be replaced by McAvoy & Sime.

McAvoy was barely on the park when he had a half chance. A shy from the left found him at the edge of the area but he didn’t catch his shot cleanly and it lacked the power to beat the keeper.

With quarter of an hour remaining Darvel won a free kick 30 yards out. Allan took it and fired it straight down the middle where Armour turned it over the bar. Darvel made nothing of the resultant corner and both sides now made further changes – Armstrong coming on for Gillies for the Bot and Darvel replacing Murphy & McDonald with Gilmartin & Callaghan.

The referee had kept his cards in his pocket all afternoon but Smith received the game’s only caution four minutes from time for preventing a quick free kick.

Two minutes from time Talbot came close to adding to their lead. Schoneville went on a lung-bursting run up the left evading several challenges before cutting it back into the path of McAvoy. He took his time and tried to pass it inside the right hand post but for the 2^nd time of the afternoon a Darvel defender was in the right spot to make a goal line clearance.

The game ended with Talbot on the attack – winning a free kick 22 yards out on the right. Langan swept a dangerous ball into the centre which the defence did well to head clear before the referee blew up for full-time.

A positive start for the Bot who could have won by a few more if they’d been a bit more clinical with their heading. Next up for Talbot it’s a Tuesday night trip through to Keanie Park to face Johnstone Burgh.