Venue: Beechwood Park

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot had to settle for a share of the spoils in what proved a low-key affair at Beechwood.

The Bot’s first opening came in the 8^th minute. Taylor fired a dangerous cross in from the right that a Troon defender dived to head behind for the corner. Smith pulled the corner back to find Crawford and his cross took a deflection over the bar. When the 2^nd corner came in Armstrong met it at the near post but glanced his header over.

In the 10^th minute Leishman was called into action. A corner from the left was headed clear at the near post by Park and came to Gallagher in space just outside the area. He had the time to place his shot and Leishman had to dive to his right to turn his effort wide.

Twelve mins in Crawford raced free on the right and sent over a good cross but there were no takers in the centre. Samson retrieved it beyond the far post and angled it back to Lennox whose low drive was held by Burgess.

Troon were edging it in the early stages and forced a number of corners without being able to create a clear cut chance.

Talbot had a chance in the 17^th minute when Graham Wilson squared the ball to find Aiden Wilson in space. He slid it into the feet of Smith who turned his man at the edge and fired over the bar.

The visitors threatened the Bot defence in the 33^rd minute when Gallagher evaded a couple of tackles and burst down the right of the area but his ball across goal was well cut out by Armstrong.

Down the other end Talbot had a decent chance in the 36^th minute. Crawford beat McCloskey and raced clear on the wing before firing a dangerous ball into the centre that Park met but he fired well wide of target.

Five minutes from the interval Lennox came close for Talbot. Armstrong won it in the centre and slid a pass through to Lennox who sent a shot just wide of the left post from 20 yards.

Action then switched to the other end. Samson’s pass was intercepted by Jamieson who burst forward and passed it on to Josh Black. He in turn rolled it right to Ben Black whose low drive was turned round the left post by Leishman.

When the corner came over Josh Black met it at the back post but glanced his header well over.

Troon ended the half on the front foot but the half ended goal less.

Talbot couldn’t have made a worst start to the 2^nd half when they conceded a soft penalty two minutes after the re-start. Gallagher chipped the ball down the right to find Ben Black on the byline and as he knocked it into the centre he was caught late by Armstrong and the ref pointed to the spot. GALLAGHER took the spot kick and made no mistake – chipping it inside the right post to put Troon 1-0 ahead.

Two minutes later Talbot had a chance to level. Smith was found in space on the right of the box and his low strike was blocked by Burgess’s out-stretched leg at the near post.

Stafford then had his name taken for hauling back Gilroy as Troon looked to break forward.

In the 54^th minute Talbot had another chance to level. Aiden Wilson’s cross was met by Graham Wilson who laid it back into the path of Lennox 15 yards out but his shot sailed well-wide of goal.

A minute later though Talbot were back on level terms. Talbot won a free kick out on the right that Crawford shoved short down the wing to Armstrong. He lifted a cross into the centre where GRAHAM WILSON met it and looped a header over Burgess to make it 1-1.

McPherson picked up a harsh booking in the 57^th minute. He slid in and cleared the ball out for a shy and caught Ben Black with his trailing leg. The Troon man took a sore one and had to be helped from the field, to be replaced by McKernon, and Troon were awarded the free kick 30 yards out.

Josh Black took it and got it up & over the wall but wide of the left hand post.

Talbot came close to taking the lead in the 64^th minute. Crawford hoisted a high cross into the back post where Park headed it back across goal. Graham Wilson ran onto it and fired a half-volley just over the crossbar.

Five minutes later Talbot again came close. Smith beat the offside trap and raced down the left of the penalty area before angling a shot across goal and narrowly wide of the left post.

Burgess kept the visitors level pegging in the 72^nd minute with a top save. Smith gathered on the left and slipped it inside to find Lennox in the area and he hammered a shot on target that Burgess palmed wide of the right post.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot made a double switch with Park & Smith making way for Mason & Taylor.

A minute later Troon nearly went in front. The ball bounced off Aiden Wilson into the path of Gilroy who advanced to the edge of the area before placing a shot just wide of Leishman’s left post.

In the 79^th minute McCloskey was cautioned for a foul on Samson resulting in a Bot free kick wide on the right. Crawford played it into the feet of Mason on the right of the area but his touch was too heavy and it ran behind for the goal kick.

Ten minutes from time McPherson picked up a knock and couldn’t continue with Ballantye on in his stead.

Two minutes later Talbot had a half chance. Graham Wilson played it down the left to Taylor whose cutback found Mason 17 yards out and his strike was heading on target but blocked by a defender.

Three minutes from time Talbot made another couple of changes with Wardrope & Boyle on for Lennox & Armstrong.

In the final minute of regulation time Crawford drove forward and played it on to Mason on the touchline. He swung a dangerous cross into the centre that eluded everyone and sailed wide of the far post.

Deep into added time Talbot had one final chance to claim all 3 points. Taylor’s cross was blocked by a hand and the Bot were awarded a free kick a yard wide of the box. Wardrope whipped a good ball over to the far post where a Troon defender just managed to take it off the head of the waiting Taylor and send it behind for a corner. The defence dealt with the resulting corner and Troon held out for the point.

Next up for Talbot it’s a trip to Holm Park this Saturday where they face Clydebank.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Crawford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Stafford, Armstrong, Lennox, Park, Graham Wilson, Smith, Samson

Subs – Mason, Boylan, Taylor, Wardrope, Ballantyne, Sinnamon, Boyle

Troon – Burgess, McLevy, McCloskey, Smith, Ben Black, Gilroy, Moore, Morrison, Josh Black, Jamieson, Gallagher

Subs – Richardson, Wilson, McKernon, Strain, Boyd, Marks, Gray (gk)

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Sometimes it’s just not your night, and despite a 2^nd half fight back Talbot came up a touch short as Beith won to strengthen their grip on the league title.

The game got off to a lively start in front of the bumper crowd with Beith winning a free kick out wide right following Wardrope’s challenge on Monti. Rossiter swung it into the centre where it was cleared and Talbot broke forward through Mason who sped down the right but his final ball across was too near Stott who smothered it.

In the 11^th minute Boylan got away down the left and played it across goal but there were no takers in the centre.

The opener came in the 12^th minute and it came Beith’s way. Taylor tried to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick but Monk nipped in and when Taylor caught him the referee pointed to the spot. MCGLINCHEY stepped up and gave Leishman no chance as he lashed it inside the left post.

Two minutes later Talbot won a free kick midway inside the Beith half when Rossiter held back Wardrope. Talbot worked the free kick short and played it out to Wardrope on the left. His cross was headed clear but came to Armstrong who dinked a cross beyond the far post to find Boylan and his side-footer from a tight angle was held by Stott.

Talbot’s next attack saw then win a corner down the right that was taken quickly to Taylor. He whipped a great ball in toward Mason but it was well-defended and headed over their own bar by a defender for a 2^nd corner. This one came over from the left and was head flicked on at the near post and came to Boylan who headed over.

Disaster struck for Talbot in the 19^th minute when they conceded a cheap 2^nd goal. Monti played a ball over the top that skidded off the top of Stafford’s head and with Leishman coming off his line it fell straight to MONK who had the simple task of passing it into the empty net.

The 2^nd goal rocked Talbot back on their heels and the visitors threatened again in the 26^th minute. A shy from the right found Frize who turned his man before drilling a ball across the face of goal that only needed a touch.

Two minutes later Talbot nearly got back into it via a slice of fortune. Mason gathered out on the right touchline and swung over a cross that was dipping just under the bar until Stott tipped it over. When Wardrope’s corner came in low from the left Samson met it and side-footed on target but Stott made the save.

Frize had his name taken in the 34^th minute for dissent although why he was complaining was unclear as it was a free kick for Beith.

Five minutes from the interval Talbot were guilty of being shot shy when Boylan got free on the left and delivered a good cut back into the path of Boyle. He had the space to hit it from 19 yards but opted instead to shift it to the right to pick out Wardrope. He delivered a dangerous cross into the centre but the defence headed clear under pressure.

A minute later Armstrong was cautioned for a challenge on Monti.

Talbot had a let off soon after when Monti cut in off the right and laid it back into the path of Rossiter who curled a shot well over from a good position and the sides left the field with Beith in a commanding position.

There were no changes at the interval but Talbot started the 2^nd half with the greater intensity and Monti found his name in the book two minutes after the re-start for time-wasting.

The Talbot fans were left annoyed in the 51^st minute when Taylor had his heels clipped and fell to the turf with the ref waving play on but fortunately Beith weren’t able to make anything of it.

In the 56^th minute Mason found Boylan on the left of the penalty area and his low drive was deflected wide for a corner. When Wardrope’s corner came in the defence headed out and it came to Taylor on the left whose cross to the back post just eluded Boylan.

Two minutes later Talbot won a free kick 30 yards out following a foul on Wardrope. Samson touched it off to Wardrope whose shot took a slight deflection en route and was comfortably held by Stott.

Talbot had a half chance in the 61^st minute when Taylor won a corner down the right. When the corner came in Wilson had a chance to hit it but miscued it.

Two minutes later Talbot had another opportunity. Taylor swept a good low ball in off the right that Boylan couldn’t reach at the near post. It came across to Mason who teed it back toward Wilson who blazed over the bar from 15 yards.

In the 65^th minute Wardrope laid it out to Boylan on the right and when he fired it low across goal it was deflected behind for a corner. When the corner came over Samson glanced a header wide of target.

Talbot’s persistence paid off in the 69^th minute when they pulled one back. Boyle gathered on the right and hit a low ball into the area. The defence didn’t clear their lines and the ball broke out to GARETH ARMSTRONG 22 yards out and he sent a screamer past Stott and inside the left post to make it 2-1.

Beith hadn’t shown much in the 2^nd half but they had a chance to extend their lead in the 71^st minute. A ball over the top saw Rossiter beat the offside trap and make it into the area but his low drive was easily held by Leishman.

A minute later at the other end Mason dribbled into the Beith box down the left and had a chance to hit it but opted for the pass and the move fizzled out.

The Bot players and fans all appealed loudly, but in vain, for a penalty in the 74^th minute. Taylor’s cross from the right came across a defender who appeared to control it with his arm before clearing but the officials waved play on.

With quarter of an hour left Wardrope fired a good ball across goal from the right that Mason latched onto but his drive for target was blocked on its way by a defender.

Twelve mins from time Beith won a free kick 30 yards out wide on the right when McPherson was penalised for a shoulder charge on Rossiter. This was Rossiter’s last involvement as he left to be replaced by Langan. The free kick was swept low into the box where Frize met it but his effort lacked any power.

Talbot now made their first change with Graham Wilson on for Boylan.

In the 82^nd minute Graham Wilson picked up a yellow card when he caught Hughes and he was joined in the book moments later by McPherson.

Beith now made another change with Burns on for Monti.

Three minutes from time Talbot made a 2^nd change with Smith on for Wardrope and the sub nearly paid off a minute later when Smith’s pass sent Taylor free on the right and his low ball into the near post was met by Samson who saw his effort brilliantly saved by Stott.

As the game moved into added time Talbot kept pressing and Boyle tried his luck from 30 yards – hitting a good effort on target that Stott held.

With seconds to go Talbot were denied a stonewall penalty. Taylor tried to break along the byline only to be upended by McGlinchey but the ref and his assistant gave nothing and soon after blew up for full-time.

A disappointing result but a decent performance with Talbot leaving themselves too much to do after gifting a two goal lead. There’s no time for Talbot to dwell on it though as they’re back in action this Wednesday night when they host Troon in the league.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Taylor, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Stafford, Armstrong, Boyle, Wardrope, Mason, Boylan, Samson

Subs – Smith, Lennox, Sinnamon, Graham Wilson, Ballantyne, Crawford, Park

Beith – Stott, McGlinchey, Noble, Rough, O’Neill, Hughes, Monti, Frize, Fowler, Rossiter, Monk

Subs – Docherty, Burns, Watt, Scullion, Langan, Barclay, McKinvey (gk)

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

With a few wobbles en route Talbot got back to winning ways with an entertaining 3-1 win over the Buffs at Beechwood.

Talbot made a nervy start and gifted the visitors a chance in the 2^nd minute when Kavanagh pounced on a slack pass to race into the left of the penalty area but McPherson recovered to clear the danger.

Kilwinning had the night’s 1^st effort at goal after 9 minutes. McColm found himself in space 20 yards out but his left foot shot bobbled comfortably wide of the right post.

Twelve minutes in and Talbot missed a great chance to take the lead. A slick passing move saw the ball shuttled quickly into the final third and ended with Smith teeing it up for Samson but he fired wide of the right post from a good position.

In the 18^th minute the Buffs won a corner down the left. It was delivered to the back post and the Bot defence were unable to clear. It came to M Millar on the right of the box who fired it low & hard back across goal where it was cleared.

Down the other end Talbot had a half chance when Armstrong’s cross was only cleared as far as Boyle who drilled it first time past the right post from the edge of the area.

The Bot had a let off in the 21^st minute. A ball over the top saw McColm get in behind McPherson and race into the area. He fired it across goal where Stafford deflected it against the post whilst trying to clear. The rebound came out to Lewis but he contrived to balloon it over the bar from 8 yards out with the goal gaping.

In the 24^th minute Talbot won a free kick out wide left – midway inside the Buffs half for a foul on Taylor. It was taken quickly and shoved to Taylor who hurtled into the box where he went flying as he burst between 2 defenders. Talbot appealed for the penalty but the referee wasn’t interested.

Talbot came within a whisker of taking the lead in the 26^th minute. Taylor’s precise crossfield ball picked out Wardrope in space down the right. He whipped over a tremendous first time cross that only needed a touch but Samson was inches from connecting in front of goal.

A minute later Kilwinning missed a golden chance to take the lead. M Millar got away down the right and played it low across the face of goal where McColm bundled it wide of the right post when it looked easier to hit the target.

It was end to end stuff and moments later Talbot had a decent chance at the other end. Leishman’s long ball sailed over the defence allowing Samson to run in behind through on goal but his attempted lob was plucked out the air by the keeper.

In the 29^th minute Talbot had a period of concerted pressure when Taylor won a corner down the left. Wardrope whipped it into the near post where it came off a Buffs defender and went just wide of the right post. Wardrope’s 2^nd corner was hit deeper and Graham Wilson got his head on it but his header was deflected over the bar off a defender resulting in a 3^rd consecutive corner. When this one came in McCracken met it but couldn’t keep his header down.

An outstanding save from McInnes kept the scores level in the 32^nd minute. Samson gathered on the left and spotted Wardrope in space to his right. He met it perfectly and angled a low drive for the bottom corner that McInnes tipped round his right hand post.

When the corner came over McInnes made a hash of claiming it and the ball broke loose but Talbot failed to capitalise.

Kilwinning had another good chance in the 37^th minute. The ball broke off a Talbot defender and came through to McColm 12 yards out but he was stretching as he hit it and sent his volley over the bar.

Despite all the chances at both ends it looked like the first half was going to end goalless until Talbot nabbed the lead a minute from the break. ROSS TAYLOR cut inside off the right and steered a low left foot shot inside the near post to send Talbot in a goal ahead at the interval.

Talbot started the 2^nd half positively and had a couple of half chances early on. In the 48^th minute Stafford won a corner on the right which Wardrope sent into the centre where McCracken side-footed it on target but straight at the keeper. In the 51^st minute Armstrong found Taylor wide on the left and his cross into the back post was only headed out as far as Wardrope whose half-volley was deflected wide of target.

It was all level in the 54^th minute. Kavanagh turned Stafford out on the touchline and whipped over a good cross that LEWIS met in the centre to head high inside the right post to make it 1-1.

Teams are often at their most vulnerable just after they score and so it proved again as Talbot regained the lead within 2 minutes. Wardrope’s cross from the right touchline was met by KIER SAMSON at the far post where he out-jumped his marker to guide a header inside the post.

The game was still in the balance and Talbot had a let off in the 58^th minute when Kavanagh sent a low ball in from the left that ran across the face of goal before Graham Wilson cleared.

In the 59^th minute the visitors picked up a yellow card for a late challenge on Boyle.

The Buffs came close to levelling in the 63^rd minute. Lamont did well down the right and when he cut it back into the area McColm ran onto it and fired just wide of the right post.

With 20 mins remaining Leishman was called into action when he dived low to his left to turn away a shot from just outside the penalty area – resulting in a corner for the Buffs.

From the corner Talbot sprang onto the counter-attack and ROSS SMITH sped into the Buffs penalty area and tucked a low shot inside the right post to give Talbot a two goal cushion.

With 12 minutes remaining Talbot made a triple change with Samson, Smith & Wardrope making way for Mason, Lennox & Aidan Wilson.

A minute later Boyle picked up a yellow card for a late challenge.

Talbot managed the game well in the closing stages with the Buffs only effort being a long ranger wide of target. Three minutes from time Talbot made one final change with Ballantyne replacing Graham Wilson.

A good win for Talbot who now move onto Wednesday night’s re-arranged fixture against the Glens at New Cumnock.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Taylor, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Boyle, Wardrope, Samson, Smith, Graham Wilson

Subs – Boylan, Mason, Lennox, Aidan Wilson, Crawford, Ballantyne, Sinnamon

Kilwinning Rangers – McInnes, Loudon, Wood, MacCalman, Torrance, Marshall,  M Millar, Lewis, McColm, Lamont, Kavanagh

Subs – MacIntyre, El- Zubaidi, Collins, C Millar, Stuart, Hale, Henderson

MURRAY’S REPORT

Talbot slumped to a disappointing home defeat to Clydebank that leaves the Bot’s title hopes hanging by a thread.

The Bot couldn’t have asked for a better start – taking the lead within a minute. A cross into the box was headed clear and landed at McMahon whose poor 1^st touch gifted it to MICHAEL WARDROPE who buried a shot high into the net from the edge of the area.

In the 7^th minute Boyle burst into the area down the left & managed to force a corner. Wardrope swept it over to the back post but the defence did well to head it clear.

Two minutes later N Little threaded a pass through for Weir but he’d went too early and wandered offside and Leishman managed to parry his shot away in any case.

The Bot had a half chance in the 10^th minute. Samson pounced on hestitant defending to win the ball inside the box and shoved it right to find Boyle in space. He tried to drill it across the face of goal but it was blocked behind for a corner. The corner was taken quickly to Samson who tried to score from  a tight angle only to see his shot blocked behind for a 2^nd corner. When the 2^nd corner came in the Bankies defence couldn’t initially head it clear but Talbot failed to take advantage & the ball was eventually cleared.

Leishman had to look lively in the 11^th minute when N Little fired a snapshot from 19 yards that Leishman saved low to his right.

The action then flowed to the other end where Aiden Wilson’s pacy cross found Graham Wilson inside the area. He laid it back for Boyle to hit but his shot was blocked by a defender and sailed straight at the keeper.

Clydebank had a chance to draw level on the quarter hour mark. Weir got away on the right only for McPherson to get back and make the challenge. Weir reacted 1^st to the loose ball and cut inside the area before sliding a shot across goal and wide of the far post.

In the 17^th minute Talbot won a free kick out wide on the right for a foul on Samson. Wardrope whipped it into the middle where it was headed clear. The ball came out to McPherson on the right wing and he drilled a low shot on target that Donnelly held at his near post.

Talbot had a chance to double their lead soon after. Samson charged down Niven’s attempted clearance & fed the ball out right to Taylor. He cut inside and then squared it for Graham Wilson but his shot from 15 yards lacked the pace to trouble the keeper.

The Bot’s next attack saw Taylor back-heel the ball into the path of the overlapping Stafford whose low cross was held by Donnelly at his left hand post.

In the 24^th min Niven shanked a clearance that drifted to the byline. Donnelly was unable to pick it up & Taylor gathered and went for the early cross that Donnelly gathered under his bar.

Two mins later Clydebank threatened a leveller. A long ball up the left came off the top of Stafford’s head and the Bankies gathered and played it across to Low on the right of the area whose shot back across goal was pushed away by Leishman.

The first yellow card of the evening came in the 27^th minute when Hodge was cautioned for a professional foul on Graham Wilson 30 yards out. Wardrope took the resultant free kick but his ball in was headed clear.

Clydebank were awarded a free kick out on the stand-side touchline for high feet by Graham Wilson. Gallacher whipped the ball over and McPherson headed it behind for a corner. When the corner came in from the left it was met by C LITTLE who steered a low shot inside the left post to level the score with 32 mins gone.

In the 38^th minute Taylor found Armstrong overlapping on the right & he swung a dangerous cross over that the defence coped with well.

On the stroke of half-time Clydebank came close to taking the lead. Weir won a corner down the right which was delivered into the near post where N Little glanced a header just wide.

Talbot started the 2^nd half positively and had a chance in the 48^th minute. Taylor got the better of McHugh out on the right and squared the ball across to Graham Wilson whose shot from 12 yards was deflected just wide of the left post. Wardrope took the corner and it looked an easy take for Donnelly who dropped the ball under no pressure but no Bot player was able to take advantage.

Taylor was then involved at both ends of the field – firing a low ball in from the right that Donnelly held at his near post – and then receiving a booking for a late challenge on Low near the touchline. When Gallacher’s free kick came in Taylor headed clear.

With 53 mins gone Talbot had an effort on target after Taylor managed to win the ball out wide and square it to Boyle at the edge of the area whose shot was well-saved by Donnelly.

Down the other end N Little had a chance for the visitors in the 57^th minute. A cutback from the right landed at his feet inside the box but he pulled his half-volley wide of the right post.

On the hour mark McMahon received a yellow card for diving.

Talbot had a good claim for a free kick just outside the box turned down in the 63^rd minute. Wardrope slid a ball through on the right and as the defender slid in to clear it the ball struck his arm but the ref waved play on.

The visitors made the game’s first change after 68 mins when Mulgahy replaced Weir up front.

A minute later Talbot had a half chance when Boyle won a header on. It came to Graham Wilson 20 yards out with his back to goal and he wheeled and hit a first time shot just over the bar.

The deciding goal came in the 72^nd minute. McCracken slipped when trying to clear at the edge of the area and the ball broke straight to a Bankies player. He slid a pass to N LITTLE in space on the right and he fired it low past Leishman to put Clydebank 2-1 ahead.

Talbot tried for an immediate response and won a free kick just outside the area for Low’s foul on Wardrope for which he also received a booking. Wardrope took it and swerved a great ball to the back post but no Bot player was attacking it and C Little headed behind.

In the 77^th minute Talbot made a triple change with Armstrong, Samson & Graham Wilson making way for Healy, Boylan & Mason.

11 minutes from time Stafford powered a ball in from the right that was blocked before a Bankies defender cleared it just over their own bar.

The Bot had a chance to draw level in the 82^nd minute. Wardrope took it on his chest before sending a looping cross beyond the far post to Boylan who fired a low shot into the side-netting.

With four minutes remaining Talbot had one final opportunity to test the Bankies when Boylan won a free kick 15 yards out – wide of the penalty area; however, Wardrope didn’t make the most of it and his low ball in failed to beat the first man.

Clydebank saw out the remainder of the match to secure all 3 points.

Next up for Talbot it’s an away day this Saturday to Strathclyde Park where they face Caledonian Braves for a  place in the last four of the South Challenge cup.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Taylor, Boyle, Graham Wilson, Samson, Wardrope

Subs – Mason, Smith, Boylan, Healy, Park, Crawford, Lennox

Clydebank – Donnelly, Hodge, Niven, C Little, McHugh, McMahon, Low, Gallacher, N Little, McKinlay, Weir

Subs – Green, Eze, Slattery, Kelly,McGonigle, Higgins, Mulgahy

MURRAY’S REPORT

Talbot dropped two points on a frustrating night at Beechwood as they were held to a draw by Irvine Meadow.

The first real chance of the evening came in the 7^th minute for the visitors. Byrne swung a cross into the box that was headed clear but came straight to Faulds 25 yards out and he drilled a shot over the bar.

Talbot’s first effort at goal came after 11 minutes. Talbot were awarded a free kick out on the left touchline which Wardrope whipped into the centre where McPherson headed off target.

Two mins later Talbot won a corner on the right when an attempted clearance hit off Mason and spun across the area and behind. Wardrope’s corner was cleared out straight back to him and his 2^nd cross found the head of Samson who glanced a header on target that was comfortably held by Waters.

Meadow’s keeper was tested in the 20^th minute when Boylan curled over a cross from the right that was drifting under the bar until Waters tipped it over.

Shortly after Boylan had another effort at goal when he had a pop from 25 yards that Waters held.

The first booking arrived in the 24^th minute when Aiden Wilson was penalised for a challenge on Faulds.

Meadow took the lead in the 29^th minute. Graham climbed to meet a ball down the centre and nodded it down into the path of BOYD on the right of the area and he drilled a low shot inside the left hand post.

Talbot looked for an immediate response and had a half chance in the 31^st minute. Mason hit a good cross into the near post where Samson steered a header on target but Waters was well positioned to make the save.

The visitors had a chance to double their lead in the 33^rd minute. Graham cushioned a header down to Boyd on the left of the area and he lifted a cross to the far side to find Wallace in space but his shot was blocked behind for a corner.

Meadow caught Talbot napping when they took the corner short to Boyd and he was able to lift a cross beyond the far post where Findlay saw his header deflected behind.

Talbot had a chance to draw level on the counter in the 38^th minute. Mason broke into the left of the penalty area and his shot took a deflection en route but Waters made a good stop at his near post.

In the 42^nd minute Talbot won a free kick 30 yards from goal when Faulds went through the back of Boyle. Wardrope touched it off into the path of Samson whose shot was blocked and spun out to the left of the penalty area. McPherson met it and hammered a low ball 1^st time across the face of goal but no one had anticipated it and the ball sped across and out for a shy.

A minute before the break Waters produced a top class save to keep Meadow ahead. Armstrong ran onto a ball 30 yards out and arrowed a shot that was heading into the top corner but the keeper managed to tip it over at full-stretch.

When the resultant corner came over McCracken managed to get his head on it but couldn’t make a clean contact and nodded wide.

As the half moved into added time Talbot had one last chance to level. The ball dropped to Mason on the left of the box with his back to goal and he wheeled and fired for goal but lifted it over the bar and Meadow went in ahead at the interval.

There were no changes at the break and the 2^nd half got off to a sluggish start with neither side making any headway. The Bot fans were looking for a card in the 51^st minute when Faulds went in late on Wardrope but the referee contented himself with awarding the free kick 35 yards out. Wardrope’s 1^st effort hit the wall and at the 2^nd attempt he whipped a good cross over to the back post. There were no takers but Mason gathered out on the right, near the byline, and raced for the area before being bundled over just outside the box by Faulds, who this time was shown a yellow card.

Wardrope took the free kick and lifted it to the far post but it was fractionally too high.

McCracken had his name taken in the 55^th minute for a shirt tug on Graham as he broke forward. L Kerr took the free kick and drilled a bouncing shot on target from 30+ yards that Fisher gathered at the 2^nd attempt.

Meadow found themselves a man down in the 57^th minute. Faulds tripped Samson just outside the penalty box and made the short trip to the dressing room for a 2^nd booking.

Wardrope shoved the resultant free-kick square to Samson who sliced a shot well-wide of the left post.

Meadow now made a change with Graham making way for O’Donnell.

Talbot threatened an equaliser on the hour mark. Wilson’s low ball into the area broke kindly for Boyle who fed it to his right to find Boylan in space. He floated a cross toward the back post but the defence did well to head it clear from under the bar.

Sixty-two mins in and Talbot were awarded a penalty for a foul on Samson on the left of the penalty area. AARON MASON stepped up to hit it and gave the keeper no chance as he slotted it inside the left hand post to make it 1-1.

The Bot had a chance to take the lead in the 65^th minute. Boylan made the byline down the right and hit a great cross beyond the far post where Wardrope directed a free header over from a tight angle.

A minute later Talbot were on the attack again. A pass found Boyle inside the penalty area and he in turn spread it out right to Boylan whose cross sailed across goal to the back post but there was no one on hand to take advantage.

In the 67^th minute Talbot won a free kick wide right of the penalty area following Byrne’s hand-ball but were unable to make anything of the set piece.

Boyle had his name taken in the 71^st minute for a late challenge in the centre.

Talbot now made a double switch with Boyle & Mason making way for Taylor & Graham Wilson.

With quarter of an hour remaining Meadow made a change with McNair coming on for L Kerr.

The visitors turned defence to attack in the 76^th minute. Waters did well to punch Wardrope’s corner clear under pressure and Meadow moved swiftly up the park where Boyd switched it left to find McNair racing forward but Aiden Wilson made a timely tackle to put it behind for the corner.

In the 79^th minute Findlay & Samson clashed as they chased a through ball but the referee opted just to have a word with them.

Talbot moved ahead in the 82^nd minute. Armstrong slid a pass into the feet of ROSS TAYLOR on the right of the box and he cut inside on his left foot and drilled a low shot across goal into the opposite corner.

Meadow now made a double change with Lennox & Urquhart off and I Kerr & Stewart on and Talbot made a further change with Crawford replacing Boylan.

Five minutes from time Talbot conceded a soft goal to make it 2-2. A ball driven into the box deflected off Stafford and spun high toward goal. The ball beat Fisher and cannoned off the underside of the bar and MCNAIR prodded home from close range.

Talbot now threw everything but the kitchen sink at Meadow in an attempt to grab a late winner.

McNair picked up a yellow card for a foul out on the right and Wardrope guided a great diagonal ball in that sailed across goal with neither Crawford or Samson able to get a touch on it.

Two minutes from time Stewart received a yellow card for a late challenge on McPherson.

With a minute to go Samson had a chance for Talbot when he found himself in space 15 yards out but he directed his shot wide of the right post.

Deep into injury time Talbot came within a whisker of winning it. Wardrope rifled a shot from the edge of the area that Waters could only watch as it crashed off the underside of the crossbar and bounced out to safety.

A disappointing night for Talbot who now turn their focus to Saturday when they travel to Loch Park to face Glenafton.

Auchinleck Talbot – Fisher, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Boyle, Wardrope, Samson, Boylan, Mason

Subs – Graham Wilson, Taylor, Lennox, Crawford, Ballantyne, Park, Leishman

Irvine Meadow – Waters, Wallace, Byrne, Wharton, Findlay, Lennox, Faulds, Urquhart, Graham, L Kerr, Boyd

Subs – O’Donnell, McMillan, I Kerr, Slooves, McNair, Stewart, Bysouth

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT. SARAH JANES PHOTO’S
Talbot’s impressive start to 2023 continued with a hard fought win over Pollok at Beechwood Park. A result that saw Talbot climb to 3rd in the table and move above Pollok on goal difference with 5 games in hand over the Lok.

The first effort of the afternoon came in the 7th minute. Burns beat Samson in the air down the standside and the header came through to Lyon who dragged a shot well wide of target from 25 yards.

With quarter of an hour on the clock Lumsden was tested when Taylor’s hanging cross from the left was drifting under the crossbar forcing the Lok keeper to tip it over and behind for the corner. The corner was hit deep where Samson headed it back across goal. The defence failed to clear their lines & Mason prodded a shot across goal that Burns turned over his own bar.

Talbot’s next effort came in the 19th minute. A shy from the right found Stafford who played it into the feet of Samson inside the area. He wheeled round and drilled a low shot on target that Lumsden saved low to his right.

A minute later, the first of many bookings occurred when Armstrong was penalised for a shirt tug on Lyons. Twenty two mins in Talbot received their 2nd caution of the afternoon when Mason was shown a yellow for a challenge on Esplin.

Pollok were nearly in a moment later. Christie squared the ball across to Forde who slipped a pass through for G McCann on the left of the penalty area; however, McPherson recovered quickly to get across him and the ball ran harmlessly through to Leishman.

Route one nearly paid off for the Lok in the 24th minute. Lumsden’s long punt down the right landed at Lyon just inside the box whose lobbed effort was tipped over the bar by Leishman.

When the corner came in a Pollok head got on the end of it and steered a header toward target. Forde got a slight flick on it but not enough to deflect it past Leishman.

Esplin had his name taken in the 27th minute for a late challenge on Samson.

The opening goal came Talbot’s way in the 29th minute. Stafford won the ball deep in Pollok’s half and spread it out to the right for Samson. He fired it low into the centre where Mason’s shot was well-saved by Lumsden but GRAHAM WILSON was on hand to tuck the rebound home from close range.

A touchline stramash in the 34th minute saw a number of players from both sides involved with the end result being a booking apiece – Wardrope for Talbot and Burns for the visitors.

Two minutes before the interval Talbot nearly doubled their lead. A free kick was lifted high up the left where Wilson climbed to head it down into the path of Samson. His low drive was heading in but Lumsden produced a fine save low to his left to turn it round the post.

Pollok had the final chance of the half right on the stroke of half-time. A ball into the penalty area broke to Forde on the left of the box but his low drive went straight at Leishman and Talbot left the field a goal to the good.

Talbot made a change at the interval with Boylan coming on in place of Mason.

Pollok had an early chance in the 2nd half when McCracken failed to cut out a ball up the right. It came to G McCann in space but he floated a poor cross straight at Leishman.

Talbot then came close to grabbing a 2nd in the 49th minute. Boylan gathered on the left and whipped a great cross into the centre where Samson just failed to connect with it.

In the 57th minute Pollok won a free kick out wide on the left. Mullen whipped in a dangerous ball that Leishman had to punch clear. It came out to Barr whose pass clipped off Wardrope and behind for a corner. When the corner came over a Pollok player managed to get his head on it but under pressure sent the header well-wide of goal.

A swift counter saw Talbot get in behind the Lok defence in the 59th minute. Wardrope sent a good ball down the right to find Boylan who cut inside onto his left and drilled a shot on target that Lumsden turned round his left post. When Wardrope’s corner came into the near post Wilson met it but didn’t make clean contact and his header flashed across the 6-yard area.

Pollok could have, and arguably should have been a man down in the 61st minute. Boylan burst beyond the defence and was heading for the penalty box when he was hauled down by Rumsby who escaped with a caution.

Lumsden was having a good afternoon and he came to Lok’s rescue again in the 63rd minute. Wardrope delivered a great cross from the left toward Samson but the keeper got there first to tip it away.

Taylor became the latest name in the ref’s book when he was cautioned in the 64th minute for a shirt pull.

Pollok now made a double change with Barr & Forde making way for S McCann & Buchanan.

Taylor had picked up a knock and left the field in the 67th minute to be replaced by Healy.

Pollok levelled the score in the 70th minute. Lumsden hoisted a long ball down the left where S McCann rose to head it down into the path of G MCCANN who fired it low past Leishman into the opposite corner.

Two minutes later the ref was busy writing again – firstly booking Wilson for an aerial challenge and then carding Pollok’s Gow for dissent.

Tucker now made another change with Shankland coming on for Wilson.

In the 81st minute Pollok failed to make the most of space when Mullen found Christie in behind on the right but his cross failed to beat the 1st man.

Talbot took full advantage regaining the lead a minute later. Armstrong switched the ball out to find Samson on the right touchline and when his cross came over BRYAN BOYLAN guided a header inside the left post to put Talbot 2-1 ahead.

Pollok now made further changes with Burns & Lyon making way for Sideserf & Duff.

Five minutes from time Healy received a yellow card for a challenge on Buchanan. Mullen took the resultant free kick and knocked it over beyond the back post where it reached Christie who was crowded out before he could get a shot away.

Action then switched to the other end where Shankland fired a dangerous low ball across the face of goal that Gow cut out at the expense of a corner.

Talbot now made their final change with Park on for Boyle.

Pollok pushed bodies forward looking for a late equaliser but the Talbot defence stood firm and the Bot held on for all 3 points.

A feisty game and a hard earned 3 points for the Bot to keep the title chase going. Next week the Bot are off to Cumbernauld to face Rob Roy.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Taylor, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Wardrope, Boyle, Mason, Samson, Wilson

Subs – Shankland, Boylan, Smith, Healy, Crawford, Sinnamon, Park

Pollok – Lumsden, Mullen, Burns, Rumsby, Gow, Esplin, Christie, Barr, Forde, Lyon, G McCann

Subs – Menzies, S McCann, Nelson, Buchanan, Duff, Sideserf, Longmuir

SPONSOR’S MAN OF THE MATCH AWARDS

Martin Speirs & Friends award was won by Chris Stafford and presented by Greg Whisker

Alex Duffy & Friends award was won by Bryan Boylan. Ally Park picked up the award from Colin Barton on Bryan’s behalf.

Graham & Yvonne Wilson & Friends award was won by Ali Boyle and presented by Yvonne Wilson.

The Old Crocks award was won by Chris Stafford and presented by Max Kuberski.

The Loons award was won by Neil McPherson and presented by Andrew McPheators.

Mauchline BC & The Killie Travel Club award was won by Graham Wilson and presented by Johnnie Eaglesham & Allan Campbell.

Tom & Kevin Brown, Gordon Lees and Billy Harvey’s award was won by Ally Park and presented by Gordon Lees.

Mark Shankland & Friends award was won by Mark and presented by Jake Drummond.