Beechwood Park – Page 4 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

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.

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

Subs – Smith, McAvoy, Sime, Langan, Kerr, Armstrong, Cameron (gk)

Darvel – Wilson, Barbour, Docherty, Walker, Murphy, McKenzie, A Black, J Black, McGlinchy, Allan, McDonald

Subs – Duncan, Aitken, Gilmartin, Callaghan, Culbert, Williamson, Howie

Auchinleck Talbot v Thorniewood United

Watch the goals here!

Auchinleck Talbot v Kilmarnock

Photo’s Craig McGhee.

Auchinleck Talbot v Tranent

Photo’s Madison Taylor

Scorers: McAvoy, Clark.

Auchinleck Talbot v Thornton Hibs

TALBOT: Cameron, Abed, Schoneville, Armstrong, McPherson, Trialist, Langan, Sime, Boyd (1), Smith (1), Kennedy, Walker, Nimmo (1), Gillies (1), Trialist, Slooves, Hanlon, Wardrope, Trialist, Boyle, Clark (1).

Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok

Auchinleck Talbot v Gartcairn

CLINICAL TALBOT CRUSH GARTCAIRN.

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

Talbot put their Scottish Cup exit behind them to record an excellent 4-0 win over Gartcairn on a sunny but bitterly cold Wednesday evening in front of a decent crowd which were treated to one of the best home performances of the season.

Right from the kick off you could sense that the team wanted to make a statement and it only took 7 minutes for it to come to fruition when Ali Boyle strode through the visitors midfield before releasing a pass into the feet of McAvoy who in turn shrugged off the attention of three Gartcairn defenders before stroking the ball past Pirie.

The pattern of the game continued in this vein and Gillies was unlucky not to score when he ghosted towards goals but his strike was cleared by the legs of Pirie.

On the 30th minute Talbot were two up thanks to an inch perfect 30 yard lob over the visitors defence found the unmarked Abed who with the keeper breathing down his neck fashioned a neat flick into the path of Connor Boyd who rifled the ball low into the net,

Gartcairn looked to be shell shocked by the Talbot pressure and right on half time it was 3-0 when a Lachan corner was headed towards goal by McPherson and although Pirie managed to beat the ball away Abed hammered the loose ball through a forest of legs and into the net.

The second half started the same as the first when McAvoy was thwarted by a great one hand save by Pirie, however it was only nine minutes into the second half when a superb Abed cross was missed by everyone except Gillies who galloped into the box and thundered the ball into the net.

Gartcairn did have their moments their best being a McGuigan miss from inside again and the big centre had another horror miss when a Ferguson shot from well out cannoned off the bar where it landed at the Gartcairn striker’s feet but he smashed the ball into the legs of Gavin,

There was then the usual flurry of substitutions which took the edge of the game, but Glasgow was unlucky to hit the side netting after the keeper had fluffed a clearance to his patch, and Smith was unlucky when his header into the turf bounced into Pirie’s arms.

A good night’s work and three points that keeps the interest in the league’s outcome.

TALBOT: Gavin. McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, Wilson, Lachan (Urquhart), Boyle (Armstrong) , Gillies (Smith), Boyd, McAvoy (Wardrope) , Abed (Glasgow) Unused Subs: Henry, Lennox

Gartcairn: Pirie, Stevenson, McDonald, Rumsby, Dunlop, McShane (McIlveen), Ferguson, Rielly, McGuigan, Barr, Smith (Krol)(Nicol). Unused Subs. Boyle, McNicol, Bisset GK

Auchinleck Talbot v Darvel

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

TALBOT PAY THE PENALTY

Talbot’s hopes of reaching the Junior cup final were left hanging by a thread after a disappointing night at Beechwood.

The Bot got off to a sluggish start and could have been a goal down within a minute. A ball out right found Barbour in space and he cut into the area and fired a low shot across Glavin that the keeper parried out with Slooves on hand to clear for the corner.

Darvel had another good chance in the 4th minute. A cross was whipped in from the left where Moore was free in the centre but he misjudged the flight and the ball skimmed off his head and wide.

There was another close call in the 6th minute. A ball up the right sent Moore free and he had the time to look up and square it inside to Wilson 8 yards out. His shot was blocked by Glavin and came to Caldwell who ought to have burst the net but saw his shot cleared off the line by McPherson.

Having ridden their luck Talbot’s first break forward came in the 9th minute. Glasgow passed it into the feet of Boyd who in turn laid it off to Langan. He had a chance to shoot from just outside the area but opted to slide a pass wide to Gillies which a defender managed to put behind for a corner. The corner was taken short and played back to Boyle whose curling cross to the back post had too much on it.

Two minutes later Talbot won a free kick 25 yards out after Glasgow was tripped. He took it himself but sent his effort well over the bar.

In the 17th minute Talbot were caught out on the counter. Armstrong’s pass down the right was intercepted and Darvel broke down their left before switching it to the far side to find Moore. He raced into the area but pulled his shot well wide of target.

Two minutes later Hutton tried his luck from 20 yards and his effort skipped just wide of the left hand post.

Wilson became the first name in the ref’s notepad when he was cautioned in the 23rd minute for an aerial challenge.

A minute later McAvoy held the ball up down the left & threaded a pass through for the overlapping Gillies who fired into the side-netting.

The next chance went Darvel’s way when Moore got in behind down the right and drilled a shot across goal but well wide.

Talbot came close in the 28th minute. Glasgow played it into the feet of Boyd and his low drive from 19 yards flew just past Leishman’s left hand post.

Just when the game appeared to have settled down into a quiet spell Darvel took the lead in the 38th minute. Wilson laid it back to Caldwell who sent a pass through to MOORE who blasted it inside the right post to put Darvel ahead.

Talbot looked for an immediate response and had a half chance when the ball broke to Glasgow 15 yards out. He shifted it onto his right foot and went for goal but Leishman was well positioned to make the stop.

In the final minute of the half Armstrong conceded a free kick 25 yards out. Syme took it but his effort sailed over and the sides went in at the break with Darvel a goal to the good.

Talbot made a nervy start to the 2nd half and gifted Darvel a half chance two minutes after the restart. Wilson broke forward after Talbot lost possession and when he was challenged the ball broke loose to Barbour who hit a tame effort on target.

In the 49th minute Talbot won a corner down the left. Glasgow played his part, whipping over a dangerous in swinger but no Bot player read it and the ball flew across the 6-yard area and behind for the goal kick.

The Bot’s next attack saw Boyd whip a decent ball in off the right to find Langan at the near post but he was well marshalled and could only header wide of target.

In the 55th minute McPherson played it up the touchline to find McAvoy wide on the left. He cut inside and fired a good shot at goal that took a slight deflection as it went wide of the left post.

On the hour mark Langan did well down the left, winning it initially before playing a 1-2 and making it to the bye line but his cross into the centre was just too high for McAvoy.

Darvel made a change in the 63rd minute with Baird coming on for Walker.

A minute later Talbot found themselves up against it when they conceded a needless penalty. Murphy tussled with Schoneville and got the better of him just inside the penalty area. Slooves came across to cover but mistimed his challenge and the ref pointed to the spot. WILSON took it and gave Glavin no chance as he buried it high inside the right post to make it 2-0.

Darvel now made a further change with C Moore on for Wilson.

Talbot pushed forward looking for a way back into it and nearly reduced the deficit in the 75th minute. Gillies won a corner down the left and when it came over McPherson met it and headed it back across goal. It was heading in but hit off a defender and Leishman was able to smother it on the goal line.

Talbot now made a change with Abed on for Glasgow.

Boyle then had his name taken in the 77th minute for a foul on Murphy.

In the 79th minute McAvoy turned his man just inside the area and headed for the bye line before cutting it back where Barbour bundled it behind for a corner at the near post. When the corner came in Slooves got his head to it and headed it on to Gillies whose back header went straight at Leishman.

Talbot should have reduced Darvel’s lead in the 83rd minute. Leishman couldn’t prevent a heavy back pass from going behind resulting in a Talbot corner down the left. Langan curled a good ball into the near post where Armstrong ghosted in to meet it but glanced his header just wide.

Tucker now made a double change with Smith & Urquhart coming on for Boyd & Langan.

Darvel now made another change with Aitken replacing J Moore.

Five minutes from time Talbot won a free kick 30 yards out when Abed was fouled as he raced forward. Schoneville took it but sent his effort wide of the right post.

Deep into added time Darvel had a gilt edged chance to extend their lead. Armstrong’s risky square pass across the area was intercepted by Aitken but Glavin managed to block his shot from 15 yards and C Moore’s follow up was then blocked by a defender.

It wasn’t Talbot’s night and there can be no complaints about the result. Hope springs eternal though and will just have to give it everything next Friday to try to turn the tie around.

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, Armstrong, Langan, Boyle, McAvoy, Boyd, Glasgow, Gillies

Subs – Smith, Abed, Urquhart, Wardrope, Kennedy, Nimmo, Henry (gk)

Darvel – Leishman, Barbour, Bronsky, Syme, Sideserf, Walker, Murphy, Hutton, Caldwell, Moore, G Wilson

Subs – O’Halloran, Cairns, Aitken, C Moore, Baird, A Wilson (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok

FOOTBALL BLOWN AWAY

Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Madison Taylor (Photo 2). Media: Lee Conn.

Talbot’s reign as West of Scotland cup holders ended at a blustery Beechwood as they lost a penalty shoot-out to Pollok.

It was clear from the outset that the conditions were going to play a part and Talbot had the strong wind at their backs in the 1^st half as they shot toward the Beechwood Road end.

The first chance of the game came in the 3^rd minute when Boyle fired from distance forcing Longmuir to turn it round his left hand post.

Two minutes later Glasgow fed it wide to Gillies who fired a cross into the near post which Longmuir gathered.

Pollok had a chance to take the lead in the 6^th minute. A free kick was hoisted into the Talbot box where Forde challenged Wilson in the air. The ball broke loose and came back to Docherty who pulled his shot wide.

In the 11^th minute route one football nearly undid Talbot. Longmuir sent it down the centre where Forde won the flick on to send Docherty racing through on goal. He took it wide of Glavin and tried to pass it into the net but McPherson had tracked back and cleared it behind for the corner.

With quarter of an hour gone McAvoy forced a corner down the left. Glasgow whipped it beyond the far post where McAvoy headed it back across goal. It came across to Slooves who headed it back across again. The defence partially cleared it and it came out to Boyle at the edge whose half-volley went straight at Longmuir.

Schoneville had his name taken in the 20^th minute when he caught Docherty out on the touchline. Mullen took the free kick and whipped over a good ball that hit off Burns and ran through to Glavin.

The visitors moved ahead in the 22^nd minute. A cross from the right saw Main beat Slooves in the air and his knock down fell for DOCHERTY who steered a low shot past Glavin.

Pollok almost caught Talbot out again in the 29^th minute. They countered after a Talbot corner and the ball was played out to Docherty on the left. He cut inside but his shot was blocked.

In the 34^th minute Talbot won a free kick 35 yards out after McPherson was fouled. Glasgow delivered a good ball into the area where Burns stretched to clear it over his own bar. When the corner was fired in low to the near post the Lok defence couldn’t clear their lines but Talbot were unable to get on it and Pollok eventually got it clear.

The Bot’s next attack saw McAvoy do well out on the right before sending it inside to find Boyle. He fired it across to find Glasgow on the left of the area and his shot was deflected behind for the corner. Glasgow went for the in swinger and nearly scored direct from the corner but Forrester managed to head it off the line.

A minute later Talbot won a free kick out on the right for a foul on McPherson. Before it could be taken there was a clash between McPherson & McGregor just outside the area. When the dust settled the ref booked McPherson & Pollok’s Main.

In the 40^th minute McAvoy got to the bye line down the left and pulled it back toward Gillies but a defender managed to put it behind for the corner. Glasgow again bent it in under the crossbar but this time Longmuir did well to punch it clear.

Talbot pressed hard for the remainder of the half but had nothing to show for it other than a few corners won. In the last action of the half Boyd got to the bye line down the right and pulled a cross back for Glasgow who headed over the bar and Talbot trooped in a goal behind at the break.

Whatever the management said during the interval did the trick and Talbot made the perfect start to the 2^nd half – levelling within a minute. Boyd drilled it across the face of goal where KYLE MCAVOY turned it home from close range.

In the 49^th minute Talbot broke down the left where Glasgow sent it on to Gillies whose ball into the penalty area was turned behind for the corner. When the corner came over Armstrong met it and headed on target where it was safely held by Longmuir.

It was then Talbot’s turn to defend a couple of wind assisted in swinging corners which the defence did well. From the 2^nd corner Talbot sprung onto the counter through Glasgow. He was cynically taken out by Mullen but the ref gave a good advantage allowing Gillies to carry on forward. He fed it on to McAvoy whose pass sent Boyd clean through on goal. He took it wide of Longmuir but with the goal gaping fired it over the crossbar. The referee then booked Mullen for the earlier foul.

In the 54^th minute McAvoy tried his luck from 20+ yards and forced a save from Longmuir who had to touch it over the bar. When the corner came over Armstrong met it and his header was brilliantly saved by Longmuir who kept it out at his left hand post.

Talbot weren’t to be denied though and within a minute moved in front. Glasgow played it on to Schoneville down the left and his low ball into the near post saw KYLE MCAVOY nick in front of Forrester to turn it home.

In the 58^th minute Burns received a caution for a foul on Armstrong just inside the Lok half. The free kick was floated into the area where Mullen panicked and put it behind for the corner. Glasgow dinked the corner into the middle where it just cleared the head of Gillies before being gathered by Longmuir.

Talbot were playing well on the break and did so again in the 62^nd minute. Mullen’s low shot was blocked and the Bot broke forward through McAvoy who was body checked by Forrester on halfway – resulting in a booking for the Lok centre-half.

Three minutes later Forrester was heading to the clubhouse early when he caught Gillies late and was shown a 2^nd yellow card.

Talbot now made a change with Langan on for Boyle.

In the 66^th minute Schoneville whipped a great ball across goal to the back post but no one could get on the end of it.

Three minutes later Pollok won a free kick in a dangerous area. Main cut in off the left and won the free kick off Boyd who was booked for the challenge. Forde took it but failed to make the most of it – firing well over the bar.

Pollok now made a double substitution with Duncanson & Henry replaced by Nelson & Gallacher.

Glavin was called into action in the 71^st minute when Faulds shot from 25 yards. Glavin got down low to make the stop and the defence swept it behind for a corner.

In the 77^th minute Talbot made a double switch with Abed & Wardrope on for Gillies and Glasgow.

A minute later Pollok drew level. Faulds fired a low drive from distance that was blocked inside the area where it fell to MAIN who sent a left-footed shot inside the right post.

Talbot nearly responded immediately as McAvoy burst through the defence into the right of the area but his shot flew just wide and into the side-netting.

Talbot completed their changes in the 81^st minute with Smith & Urquhart on for Boyd & Armstrong.

In the 84^th minute Abed surged forward before finding Wardrope out on the left. He cut in and curled a dangerous cross into the centre that was slashed behind for a corner kick.

In the closing stages Talbot were wobbling and Faulds had a half chance when Schoneville failed to clear his lines but fired over the bar.

With 2 minutes remaining Gallacher had a late chance to win it. A ball over the top found him in behind down the left but his shot across goal went wide of the far post.

Deep into injury time Talbot came close to snatching a late winner. Smith burst forward into the box before sending it to his right to find McAvoy whose low drive was blocked by Longmuir’s legs and so with the game deadlocked it went to penalties.

Pollok scored first through Mullen before Wardrope levelled for Talbot. Gallacher restored Pollok’s advantage with Smith next up for Talbot. Smith’s first effort was comfortably saved by Longmuir but as the ball had moved in the wind on his approach the ref ordered a retake but Smith’s 2^nd effort was also easily saved.

McGregor was next up and he made no mistake to put Pollok 3-1 ahead. McAvoy slotted his pen inside the right post to pull it back to 3-2 and Talbot were then given a glimmer of hope when Forde ballooned his effort over the bar; however Longmuir guessed correctly and got down to his right to save Schoneville’s penalty and Main then scored from the spot to seal the win for Pollok.

A disappointing result for Talbot but there’s no time to dwell on it as the Bot are back in semi-final action this coming Friday when they host Darvel in the first of a double header in the Junior cup.

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, Wilson, Armstrong, Boyle, McAvoy, Boyd, Glasgow, Gillies

Subs – Smith, Langan, Wardrope, Abed, Urquhart, Henry (gk)

Pollok – Longmuir, Mullen, Duncanson, Forrester, Burns, Faulds, McGregor, Henry, Forde, Docherty, Main

Subs – Duff, Maley, Lindsay, Nelson, McKinstray, Gallacher, Fry (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Beith Juniors

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

POINTS SHARED IN TWO GOAL THRILLER

Talbot had to settle for a share of the spoils after an end to end encounter against Beith which saw both keepers pull off vital saves.

With both sides looking for the win the opening exchanges were frantic but nervy with neither side settling

The first promising attack from either side came in the 9th minute when Boyd slung a ball into the box from the right. It came to Boyle who couldn’t get a shot away and he sent it back out wide to Boyd who curled a great cross over to the back post but unfortunately no one had read it.

A minute later though Talbot took the lead in style. Schoneville started and finished the move; robbing Monti of the ball before feeding it on to Gillies who in turn sent it into the feet of McAvoy. He returned it back to SCOTT SCHONEVILLE who drilled an unstoppable low drive past Stott into the far corner.

Two minutes later Talbot came agonisingly close to a second. McAvoy’s shot was deflected behind for a corner on the right and when Wardrope sent it over McPherson rose highest to meet it only to see his header cannon off the top of the bar.

In the 13th minute Talbot were on the back foot when Mason won a free kick out wide on the right. Monti’s first ball in was a poor one but it came back out to him and his 2nd cross found Dunne on the left of the area. He hooked it across goal where McPherson headed it wide of the left post for the corner

A minute later the visitors had a half chance down their left. A diagonal ball found Mason inside the area and he cut inside and curled a shot over the bar.

It should have been all square in the 17th minute. Diver passed it inside to Wilson who fired it on target. Glavin did well to get a hand to it to send it wide but it landed beyond the far post where Monti looked set to equalise but he failed to hit the target.

Beith were on top and had another chance moments later. Diver managed to block Sloove’s attempted clearance and squared it inside for Mason. He lost his footing and appeared to handle it but the ref waved play on and he hit the target from a tight angle but didn’t really test Glavin.

McAvoy had his name taken in the 19th minute following an Oscar worthy piece of histrionics from Noble who made a Lazarus like recovery once the card was shown.

In the 24th minute Glavin produced an impressive stop to maintain Talbot’s lead. Mason’s low ball into the area was cleared by Wilson but came out to Rough in space 30 yards out and he hammered a shot goalward which Glavin tipped over the bar

Talbot’s next attack saw a shy from the right met by Wardrope who cut inside and went for goal only to see it blocked behind for the corner. When the corner came over Boyd met it but could only head wide of the far post.

There were then chances at both ends. Firstly Langan did well on the left before flighting a cross to the far corner of the 6-yard box which proved just too high for Wardrope to control his header and get it on target then the Bot were immediately caught out by a long punt down the centre which saw Mason get in behind the defence but his shot slipped wide of the left post.

The Bot nearly added a 2nd in the 35th minute. Langan nicked it off Dunne as he tried to make his way forward and quickly switched play to find Wardrope on the right of the area. He cut inside and drilled a low shot on goal that Stott saved with his outstretched leg.

Two minutes later Talbot again came close. Gillies raced down the left and swung over a dangerous cross that beat everyone and came back off the bar. When it rebounded out the defence failed to clear it and it broke to Boyle who fired wide of the left post.

Talbot were then forced into an early change after McAvoy couldn’t shake off an injury and had to leave to be replaced by Smith.

It looked like Talbot were going to take a lead in at the break but Beith grabbed a leveller in the 45th minute. Wilson cut in off the left and

played a one-two with Monti and when the ball was returned to him he was set to hit it till Aiden Wilson dived in to turn it behind for the corner. When the corner came over from the left DUNNE was left unmarked and he nodded home to make it 1-1.

Talbot then nearly regained the lead in 1st half injury time. Smith pounced on a defensive error and fired a low shot on target which Stott saved. The rebound came out to Wardope on the right of the area and he lashed a shot at goal that Stott managed to tip over the bar and the sides went in deadlocked at the break.

The visitors made the early running in the 2nd half without any real threat in the final third.

In the 53rd minute McPherson made a good surge through the centre past several Beith players before being halted just outside the penalty area when he took on one man too many.

Two minutes later Diver had a half chance when he cut onto his left foot and drilled a shot on target which Glavin blocked.

The Bot’s next attack saw a ball in behind find Smith down the right. He swept it across goal but it had a tad too much on it for Boyd to bring under control and the move petered out

In the 58th minute Boyd & Smith combined down the right to create a half chance for Boyle who blazed wide from 16 yards.

A minute later Boyle had another chance and this time his shot arrowed on target from 30 yards but Stott did well diving to his right to turn it wide of his post.

On the hour mark Talbot made a change with Glasgow on for Gillies.

Talbot had a scare in the 63rd minute. Wilson’s low cut back from the left resulted in a corner and when it came over it fell to Mason whose low shot was blocked by Glavin. The ball spun up toward goal but Boyd was back covering and cleared it out the 6-yard area.

Beith now made a change with Monk on in place of Monti.

In the 67th minute a shy down the right was thrown into Diver who laid out first time wide to Dunne. He whipped a good ball to the back post but there were no takers

Diver had been blocking Glavin from taking kick outs all game but the ref finally deigned to notice in the 73rd minute and booked Beith’s forward.

Tucker now made a double change with Langan & Wardrope making way for Armstrong & Urquhart.

In the 76th minute Armstrong sent the ball out wide left to find Glasgow and he delivered a good cross to the far post which Talbot failed to take advantage of.

The Bot’s next attack saw them countering through Urquhart who burst forward through the middle before releasing it wide to Boyd. He tried to square it inside the area to Smith but it was just behind him.

Talbot kept the pressure on and moments later Glasgow again sent a dangerous cross in from the left but this time Stott came off his line to punch it clear.

In the 81st minute Beith made a change with Findlay on for Noble.

A minute later Beith won a free kick 35 yards out when Urquhart caught Mason. Wilson took it and hit it well but it flew just high & wide of the right hand upright.

With 4 minutes remaining Frize received a caution when he hauled back Boyd as he burst forward resulting in a Bot free kick 30 yards out wide on the left. Glasgow floated it in where the defence could only partially clear it and it broke to Smith on the right of the area whose low drive was deflected behind for the corner. When the corner came into the back post Armstrong met it and headed it down and back across goal where it was turned behind for another corner which this time came to nothing.

Neither side had settled for a draw and in the closing minutes Talbot forced a string of corners as they pressed for a late winner which Beith managed to withstand. In the final minute of regulation time Beith’s Wilson knocked over a dangerous cross from the left that Glavin had to punch clear.

As the game moved into added time both sides picked up a caution a piece. O’Neil for wrestling Boyd to the deck and then Glasgow for dissent.

Deep into injury time Talbot had one last attack. Schoneville got forward and whipped a great cross into the back post but it didn’t break Talbot’s way and soon after the final whistle blew with honours even.

A good display by Talbot who might on another day have taken all 3 points. Next up for the Bot is a Tuesday night trip up to Loch Park to face the Glens.

Auchinleck Talbot – Glavin, McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, Wilson, Langan, Boyle, Wardrope, Boyd, McAvoy, Gillies

Subs – Glasgow, Smith, Urquhart, Armstrong, Abed, Kennedy, Henry (gk)