Beechwood Park – Page 9 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Auchinleck Talbot v Johnstone Burgh

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT. PHOTO’S FROM travelandmixpixsmugmug.com

Talbot edged past Johnstone Burgh in a 2^nd round tie where the referee took centre stage with a display of staggering ineptitude.

The visitors settled quickly and had the Talbot defence breached in the 11^th minute when Connor slide a pass out to Cruden on the right and he fired a dangerous ball across the face of goal that Leishman held with Miller hovering.

On the quarter hour mark McCracken lifted a ball over the top towards Samson. It was slightly over hit but Cameron made a meal of it at the edge of his area, dropping it before managing to gather at the 2^nd attempt.

Burgh nearly took the lead in the 17^th minute. McPherson’s slack pass was pounced on and played through to Connor inside the area. He was forced wide by Leishman and played back to Gillespie at the edge of the area. He was crowded out and it broke to Crooks whose shot took a huge deflection and looked to be floating in until Leishman got across to his right to make the stop.

Two minutes later the visitors had another chance. They won a free kick out wide on the left and Brophy hit an in swinger toward the back post where Cruden just failed to connect.

In the 21^st minute the visitors were awarded another free kick – this one 30 yards out following a challenge by Ballantyne. Brophy took it again but this time his ball in was headed clear by McPherson.

Against the run of play Talbot opened the scoring in the 22^nd minute. Wardrope gathered out on the left and floated a good ball into the area to find Shankland. He controlled it on his chest and went for goal but his effort was blocked. It fell to Samson who also saw his shot blocked but it proved 3^rd time lucky as it fell to MARK SHANKLAND who rammed it into the roof of the net.

In the 28^th minute Talbot were awarded a free kick which was taken short and worked out left to Graham Wilson. He chipped it into the left of the area for Samson but it was fractionally overhit and Cameron was able to gather.

The referee, who certainly couldn’t be accused of being a homer, made the first of many dubious calls in the 32^nd minute. A ball down the right saw Samson in a race for it inside the area with the keeper and he slid in to make the challenge and the ball broke off the keeper and out to Shankland who stroked it into the empty net. However, the ref decided that Samson had fouled the keeper and booked Samson.

Two minutes later the ref again awarded Burgh a free kick in a dangerous area. Brophy swung it in from the left and it skimmed off McPherson’s head and behind for the corner. When the corner came in it was cleared but only as far as Gillespie who drilled a shot on target from 22 yards but straight at Leishman.

In the 37^th minute Leishman had his name taken for dissent.

A minute later Millar won a corner on the left when his cross was blocked. Brophy hit an inswinger that Crooks got his head to. It hit a defender and Talbot were able to clear.

The Bot came close to doubling their lead in the 40^th minute. Shankland played it through toward Samson who was just beaten to it by Andrew. However, Samson showed great persistence and closed Andrew down blocking his attempted clearance. The ball spun to Wardrope at the edge of the area and he steered a half volley just wide of the left hand post.

Talbot finished the half strongly and won a free kick 30 yards out following a foul on Boylan. Wardrope shoved it down the line to Stafford whose cross into the back post was met by Samson who headed it back across into the goal mouth. The defence were only able to clear it to Shankland but his shot was blocked behind for the corner and Burgh held on til the half-time whistle.

The 2^nd half was only 5 minutes old when the ref had the Bot support up in arms twice in succession. Talbot looked to be denied a penalty when Samson was obstructed inside the box as he tried to race onto Shankland’s through pass and when Burgh failed to clear their lines Graham Wilson was up-ended just outside the box but to the disbelief of all & sundry the ref gave the free kick to Johnstone Burgh.

The visitors almost levelled matters in the 52^nd minute. Connor spread play out right to find Brady on the overlap and when he squared it across Crooks met it 20 yards out and fired a low drive just wide of the right post.

In the 56^th minute Ballantyne picked up a yellow card for dissent after the referee awarded a free kick out on the left. Brophy curled it into the back post where Millar headed it over the bar from close range.

Talbot’s next attack saw Boylan whip a good ball across the face of the area. There were no takers in the centre but Park retrieved it on the left of the box. He cut it back to Samson who managed to turn his man but saw his shot blocked en route to goal.

Johnstone Burgh made a change in the 69^th minute with Donaldson on for Cruden.

Yet another refereeing call went against Talbot in the 71^st minute. McPherson met a cross into the Bot area and headed it up into the air. McCracken followed up and headed it clear just outside the box but the referee penalised him for winning a header and gave Burgh a free kick in a great area. Gillespie took it and his shot clipped the outside of the wall and was deflected just wide of target.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot thought they had killed the tie off with a 2^nd goal. Shankland laid the ball off to Boylan as he burst forward on the right and when he was challenged it fell to Samson who steered it across goal and into the far corner but the standside linesman raised his flag and the goal was chalked off.

In the 78^th minute Talbot made a triple substitution with Shankland, Samson and Graham Wilson making way for Taylor, Mason and Aiden Wilson.

McCracken had his name taken in the 81^st minute when the ref awarded Johnstone Burgh their umpteenth free kick inside the Bot half and two minutes later he was joined in the ref’s notebook by Taylor who was penalised for preventing Burgh from taking a quick throw in which should have went Talbot’s way in any case.

Four minutes from time the impressive Connor strode forward into space but his shot from 25 yards didn’t trouble Leishman as it sailed well over.

Two minutes from time Taylor did well down the right cutting into the box but his cut back didn’t have enough on it and the defence were able to clear.

In the final minute of regulation time Burgh won a free kick out wide on the left. Gillespie swung a good ball over but Leishman proved equal to it.

Into injury time Talbot came very close to nabbing their 2^ndtwice in quick succession. Firstly Wardrope fed it to the right to find Boylan whose low drive was spilled by the keeper before a defender lashed the rebound behind. When the corner came in Burgh failed to clear their lines and it came to Taylor on the right who whipped a great cross to the back post. The ball broke into the path of Wardrope 8 yards out and his goal bound effort was deflected over the bar by a defender.

Despite there being no injuries to speak of the referee managed to add 5 minutes on at the end but just when it looked as though the floodlights would need to come on he finally blew up for full time.

A hard fought cup tie against tricky opponents made all the tougher by Burgh’s 12^th man who left the field to a chorus of jeers from the Bot support.

Next up for Talbot it’s back to league action when they host Cambuslang Rangers next Saturday.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Ballantyne, McPherson, McCracken, Wardrope, Park, Graham Wilson, Shankland, Samson, Boylan

Subs – Taylor, Aiden Wilson, Crawford, Smith, Mason

Johnstone Burgh – Cameron, Brady, Wallace, Andrew, Miller, Crooks, Brophy, Gillespie, Connor, Millar, Cruden

Subs – Brown, Kilbride, Young, McDonald, Daly, Donaldson, Fyfe

Sponsor Man of the Matches v Johnstone Burgh

Billy Blackmore & Friends – Mark Shankland presented by Billy Blackmore

Killie Travel Club – Neil McPherson presented by Kevin Canavan

Mauchline BC – Mark Shankland presented by Billy Eaglesham

Match Ball Sponsor – Emerald Contracts

Auchinleck Talbot v Hurlford United

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT. PHOTOGRAPHS SARAH JANE HOY

After an unintended winter break Talbot returned to winning ways – seeing off Hurlford at Beechwood to close the year out with a win.

The Bot made the perfect start – opening the scoring in the 3^rd minute. Boylan got free down the right and his cut back was met by MARK SHANKLAND who steered a low shot inside the left hand post to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.

The game’s first booking came in the 6^th minute when Miller was cautioned for going through the back of Samson.

Hurlford’s afternoon went from bad to worse with quarter of an hour gone. Reid conceded a free kick and then said something on his way past the referee that saw Mr Haswell produce a straight red and off he went to the clubhouse.

Talbot tried to take immediate advantage of the extra man and Boylan had a half chance when Boyle laid the ball into his path but he lashed his shot well over from 20 yards.

One minute later though Talbot doubled their advantage. Boyle played a good ball down the left that found KIER SAMSON racing in behind the defence and he carried on into the box and slid it under McDonald to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.

Hurlford now made a change with Bell making way for McGregor.

The Bot almost made it three in the 23^rd minute. Boylan fed it to Shankland and his pass sent Samson scurrying free down the right. He raced to the angle of the box and fired a low drive across goal that just slipped wide of the far post.

Hurlford hadn’t offered much going forward but they did have a half chance in the 31^st minute. Love got to the bye line and his cross was met by M McKenzie who scuffed his half volley and it bobbled through to Leishman.

The visitors won a free kick 30 yards out in the 34^th minute after Armstrong’s challenge on P McKenzie. Whittaker took it and got it up and over the wall but it lacked power and Leishman made a comfortable catch by his right post.

Hurlford were playing a high line and were caught out again in the 36^th minute when a ball in behind saw Samson race clear down the left. He swept it across goal where Love stretched out a leg to bundle it behind for a corner. When the corner came over to the back post it broke to McCracken but he saw his low drive at goal blocked by a defender.

In the final minute of the half a long ball up field broke off McPherson and fell to Kerr 20 yards out who managed to find the target but drilled his shot straight at Leishman. Talbot then raced to the other end where they won a corner down the right. It was pulled back for Shankland to hit but his effort was blocked and when it spun out left to McCracken his cross was too near McDonald and that was it for the 1^st half.

As the sides trooped off Henderson decided to accost the referee and met the same fate as his centre-half, receiving a straight red for his troubles.

Hurlford made a change at the start of the 2^nd half with McCracken coming on at right-back and Miller moving to the centre.

Talbot nearly made the perfect start to the half when Shankland fed the ball to the overlapping Stafford who slid a good ball across goal that the defence did well to cut out at the expense of a corner.

Shankland and Robertson both received yellow cards in the 51^st minute for a handbags incident out on the touchline when Hurlford’s centre-half tried to wrestle the ball away at a Talbot throw in.

The Bot had the ball in the net again in the 53^rd minute but the goal didn’t stand. Stafford was fouled outside the area and Shankland whipped a tremendous ball to the back post where Boylan powered a header on target that McDonald did well to keep out. The rebound was lashed home but the assistant’s flag went up and the celebrations were cut short.

In the 62^nd minute Wardrope played it back to Boyle on the right and he fired over a cross that just eluded Shankland & Samson in front of goal but once again the assistant flagged for offside.

Paul McKenzie picked up a yellow card in the 64^th minute for a studs showing challenge on Armstrong.

Talbot extended their lead in the 66^th minute. Samson won a corner down the left and when Wardrope swung it in CRAIG MCCRACKEN rose to glance a header past McDonald to make it 3-0.

Hurlford had a chance to reduce the deficit two minutes later when a mishit clearance fell to M McKenzie inside the box but his powder puff effort barely reached Leishman.

A minute later Talbot were a man down. Shankland slid into a challenge just outside the Hurlford box with Miller. There didn’t seem to be much in it but the ref produced a 2^nd yellow and Shankland made an early exit.

Talbot were then dealt another blow when the visitors pulled a goal back in the 70^th minute. Boyle conceded a free kick 30 yards from goal that M McKenzie curled into the area where ROBERTSON glanced a header inside the left hand post to make it 3-1.

In the 74^th minute Talbot made their first change with Graham Wilson coming on to replace Boylan.

With 8 minutes remaining Boyle picked up what seemed a harsh caution when penalised for winning the ball in the Hurlford half.

Hurlford were pushing forward looking to grab another goal to make for a nervy finish but they couldn’t produce anything in the final third.

In the final seconds Taylor came on for the tiring Samson but had no time to make any impact before the ref signalled the end.

A good three points for Talbot who are back in cup action next Saturday when they host Johnstone Burgh in the West of Scotland.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Boyle, Wardrope, Shankland, Boylan, Samson

Subs – Taylor, Graham Wilson, Crawford, Ballantyne, Ross Smith, Boyd

Hurlford United – McDonald, Miller, Love, Reid, Robertson, Whittaker, P McKenzie, Kerr, Bell, M McKenzie, Mullen

Subs – McGregor, Walker, McCracken, Taylor

SPONSOR’S MAN OF THE MATCH AWARDS

Brian McNeill and Friends – Ali Boyle pictured with Brian McNeill.

The Killie Travel Club – Keir Samson. Chris Stafford is pictured picking up Keir’s award from Jim Wilson.

Mauchline Bowling Green – Neil McPherson pictured with Liz Watson.

The Loons – Ali Boyle pictured with Kenny Burley.

Lewis Crawford won a gift voucher in the Club’s Christmas Draw and donated his prize back to his club sponsor “The Loons”. Lewis is pictured with Scott Reid from the Loons Supporters Club. A huge thank you to Lewis for this lovely gesture.

Auchinleck Talbot v JohnstoneBurgh

Auchinleck Talbot v Clydebank

Auchinleck Talbot v Neilston

MURRAYS REPORT

It took Talbot a while to get going but in the end they ran out comfortable winners over Neilston in the South Challenge cup.

It was the visitors who made the early running and they had a chance in the 6^th minute when MacKinnon swept a low ball in from the left. It broke into the path of Jones but he didn’t strike it cleanly and Leishman was able to save it by his left post.

In the 11^th minute Neilston missed a sitter. Reilly got to the bye line and cut it back to Fletcher who looked certain to score but he bundled his shot wide of the left post from 6 yards out.

Talbot’s first meaningful move came in the 16^th minute. A good move ended with Ballantyne on the left squaring the ball across the 6 yard area where it was cut out and cleared by the defence.

Neilston continued to have the upper hand without offering too much in the final third with play confined to the middle third.

In the 35^th minute Crawford picked up a caution for a foul on Fletcher.

Thirty nine mins in and Talbot took the lead following their first shot on target. Shankland slipped the ball through for Aiden Wilson whose cut back was met by Graham Wilson 15 yards out. Hay dived to his left to parry his shot but the ball broke off MACKINNON and into the net for an own goal.

Three minutes later Mackinnon found himself in the ref’s notebook following a rugby tackle on Samson. Shankland took the free kick and whipped a dangerous ball over that flew off a defender’s head and went wide of goal for the corner. Shankland’s corner into the near post was headed clear but came out to Taylor who cut in onto his left foot only to see his shot blocked.

Talbot continued to press but Neilston held out and the Bot went in 1-0 up at the interval.

Talbot stepped it up a gear or two after the half-time break and had the visitors under pressure from the off and it paid off in the 51^st minute when Talbot doubled their lead.

Taylor burst in off the right and played it into the feet of Samson inside the area. He returned it back and ROSS TAYLOR hammered a low drive past the keeper to make it 2-0.

In the 55^th minute Talbot won a free kick in a good area. Crawford was caught late as he took a shot from just outside the box and the ref pulled it back for the free kick. Shankland stepped up but lifted it well over the bar.

A minute later Talbot were back on the attack. Shankland laid it out wide for Taylor and Hay had to claw his dangerous cross behind for the corner. The corner was taken short and Shankland hit an inch perfect cross to the back post but no Bot player was on hand to take advantage.

Moments later Talbot thought they’d grabbed their 3^rd of the afternoon. Taylor gathered on the right and flashed it low across the face of goal where Samson turned it home from close range but was flagged for offside.

The goal was coming though and Talbot grabbed their 3^rd on the hour mark. Taylor raced onto a ball over the top and raced past Doyle in the area before being hauled down for a stonewaller. MARK SHANKLAND took the spot kick and sent Hay the wrong way to make it 3-0.

Two minutes later Shankland had a half chance to grab another. Samson raced in off the left past Doyle and when he was challenged the ball broke out to Shankland at the edge of the area but he sent his shot well wide.

In the 64^th minute Graham Wilson received a caution for a challenge on Halliday.

Neilston now made a double switch with Convery & Jones making way Henry & Haddow. Talbot responded with a double change of their own – Park & Graham Wilson being replaced by Boylan & Wardrope.

With 20 mins remaining Talbot found themselves a man down for the 2^nd week in a row. Crawford took a heavy 1^st touch and when Smith nipped in to claim it Crawford caught him and the ref produced a 2^nd yellow card.

However, it was still Talbot looking the more likely to add to the score line and the Bot came close in the 72^nd minute. Boylan robbed Reilly of the ball deep in the Neilston half before carrying it forward and hammering a shot that flew across goal and just wide of the right hand upright.

The Bot were back on the attack in the 76^th minute. Wilson’s ball over the top found Samson racing free down the left. He darted into the box and cut it back toward Boylan but it had a shade too much pace on it.

Neilston now made a further change with Adam on for Reilly and Talbot made their final change with Mason replacing Shankland.

Eight minutes from time Talbot won a free kick out on the right touchline – wide of the penalty area. Wardrope fired a good ball over toward Boylan but a defender managed to head it behind for the corner.

In the final minute of regulation time Mason pounced on a loose ball in the Neilston half and slotted an early ball out right to find Boylan in space. He sped free down the wing but overhit his final cross.

Deep into injury time Talbot came close to making it four. A poor attempt at a back pass was intercepted by Samson inside the area but Hay did well at his right post to block the shot behind for a corner. When the corner came in it was only cleared as far as Ballantyne at the edge of the area who sent his shot over the bar in what proved to be the last chance of the match.

A good win for the Bot who travel through to the kingdom of Fife next Saturday to face Raith Rovers in the senior cup.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, Park, McCracken, Ballantyne, Taylor, Graham Wilson, Samson, Shankland, Crawford

Subs – Boylan, White, Mason, Wardrope

Neilston – Hay, Halliday, MacKinnon, Doyle, Clark, Gallacher, Convery, Smith, Fletcher, Jones, Reilly

Subs – Henry, Adam, Davis, Haddow, Hamilton

Auchinleck Talbot v Muirkirk Juniors

Talbot kept their winning streak going with a 4-1 win over Muirkirk to book their place in the 2^nd round of the West of Scotland cup.

The Bot nearly opened the scoring in the 2^nd minute. Taylor played it through the centre to find Samson but he was stretching as he hit and prodded it just wide of the left post.

In the 8^th minute Aiden Wilson forced a corner out on the left and when Taylor’s low driven corner kick came over NEIL MCPHERSON met it to side-foot it home.

The visitors had an effort on target in the 14^th minute. McPherson cleared O’Neill’s ball into the area but it came out to Collins at the edge of the box and he drilled a low shot on goal that Leishman smothered.

Crawford had a chance to double Talbot’s lead in the 17^th minute after Boyle conceded a needless corner. When the corner came over from the right Crawford met it 6 yards out but powered his header over the bar.

In the 23^rd minute Bogle produced a good save to prevent Talbot moving further ahead. Stafford drove forward before squaring the ball inside to Taylor. He slid it right to find Crawford breaking into the area and his strike was turned round the left post.

The Muirkirk keeper did well again two minutes later. Leishman bowled it out to Wardrope on the right touchline and he hit a quick diagonal pass looking to find Taylor as he raced forward but Bogle was quickly off his line to clear.

Talbot were forced into a change in the 34^th minute when Wardrope took a knock and left the field to be replaced by Graham Wilson.

Crawford had his name taken a minute later for a shirt tug on O’Neill. Clark took the resultant free kick and curled it into the goal mouth where McPherson headed clear.

In the final minute of the half Taylor gathered out on the left and passed it inside to Samson who in turn teed it up for Shankland who drove it over the bar from 20 yards and the sides went in with Talbot a goal ahead.

Talbot made a positive start to the 2^nd half with Taylor skinning his man down the left and sliding it inside for Samson who fell foul of a marginal offside call.

In the 49^th minute Armstrong’s ball in behind found Samson racing down the left and his ball across goal was bundled behind for a corner by Boyle at the back post. When the corner came in McPherson met it and his header was cleared off the line just inside the left post.

Muirkirk gave the small band of travelling fans something to shout about when they grabbed the equaliser in the 50^th minute. The defence didn’t clear a ball into the area and as it broke off a defender it landed at the feet of COLLINS on the left of the box and he placed it into the top corner to make it 1-1.

The loss of the goal galvanised Talbot and they moved back in front in the 53^rd minute. Stafford was fouled out by the touchline and when Shankland whipped the free kick into the box KIER SAMSON swept it home from close range.

Clark then picked up a caution for a late sliding tackle on Taylor as he broke forward.

In the 57^th minute Talbot won a free kick 30 yards from goal out on the right following a foul on Shankland. He took it himself and delivered it beyond the back post where NEIL MCPHERSON met it to squeeze a header inside the right post from a tight angle.

On the hour mark Muirkirk made a change with Gray coming on for Hay.

Talbot were controversially reduced to 10 men in the 62^nd minute. Armstrong went into a full blooded challenge on Wight which seemed hard but fair, taking the ball first, but the referee shocked the home fans when he produced a straight red.

The loss didn’t change the momentum of the game and Talbot continued to push forward and nearly added to their lead in the 65^th minute. Graham Wilson hit the bye line before pulling it back to Taylor who saw his first effort blocked and his subsequent attempt cleared off the line.

Muirkirk made a triple change in the 66^th minute with Peck, Monan and McLean coming on for Marriott, Wight and Gordon.

Taylor did well in the 70^th minute, turning Bryan inside out inside the area, before firing just wide of the right post.

A minute later Talbot did grab their 4^th goal to put the game beyond any doubt. Aiden Wilson’s cross was headed behind for a corner on the left which Shankland delivered to the back post where NEIL MCPHERSON met it unchallenged to head home for his hat-trick.

In the 76^th minute Bryan conceded a free kick 19 yards out for a barge on Samson. Shankland went for goal but his shot slipped just wide of the right post and into the side-netting.

Ten minutes from time Shankland’s disguised pass opened up the defence as Crawford raced down the right. He cut it back into the path of Samson whose shot was blocked behind for a corner.

With 7 minutes remaining Talbot made a double change. Samson and Shankland making way for the return of Boyd from injury and Fairbairn from the under 20 squad.

Fairbairn made an immediate impact bursting forward on the right before helping the ball onto Boyd who saw his shot blocked.

In the final minute of regulation time Muirkirk had a good chance to snatch a late consolation effort. Monan met O’Neill’s cross from the right but sent his header just over the bar.

Deep into injury time Fairbairn slid a pass through to Taylor inside the area and he managed to get away from a couple of challenges before hitting a low drive on target that Bogle held.

A comfortable enough win in the end for Talbot who are back on cup duty next Saturday when they host Neilston in the South Challenge cup.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Ballantyne, Armstrong, Wardrope, Taylor, Samson, Shankland, Crawford

Subs – Graham Wilson, Fairbairn, White, Mason, Boyd

Muirkirk – Bogle, Collins, Marriott, Bryan, Boyle, Rough, O’Neill, Hay, Wight, Gordon, Clark

Subs – Peck, Monan, Patton, Gray, McLean, Bishop

Auchinleck Talbot v Glenafton Athletic

Tucker must have fired a rocket or two at half-time as Talbot went from a damp squib of a first half to a different level after the break to run out comfortable winners over Glenafton.

The opening effort came in the 3^rd minute when Stevenson hurtled a shot on target from 40 yards that flew straight at Leishman.

Talbot’s first threat came in the 10^th minute when Shankland fed the ball to Boylan down the left and he played it low into the centre where Park just failed to reach it and Markey gathered.

Two minutes later a Glens defender was caught on the ball by Boylan who robbed him before sliding it to Shankland in space to his right. He blasted it on target where Markey blocked it with his legs.

With quarter of an hour gone Talbot fell behind, thanks in large part to the assistant ref. A ball in behind down the right found KERR who looked a couple of yards offside but the flag stayed down and he ran on before slotting the ball past Leishman.

Two minutes later Talbot won a free kick in a good area when Wardrope was fouled just outside the area. Shankland took it but his shot hit off the wall and spun behind for the corner.

In the 24^th minute Talbot nearly drew level through an own goal. Wardrope played it out left to Aiden Wilson and he in turn fed it up the line to Graham Wilson whose dangerous cross hit off McMullin and went just wide of the right post.

It was Glenafton’s turn to threaten the Bot goal in the 32^nd minute. Stevenson won a free kick 35 yards out which Paton played into the area. McPherson managed to head it clear but Glenafton retrieved it outside the area and played it to Stevenson on the right. He got past his man and knocked over a dangerous cross that was heading for Kerr at the back post til McCracken got a slight touch on it to put it behind for the corner.

A defensive blunder gave Talbot their next opening. McMullin’s back pass was too heavy and Markey was at full stretch to prevent it going out for a corner; however he only succeeded in playing the ball straight to Boylan. He passed it to Shankland who swept a cross over to the back post but there were no takers.

In the 40^th minute Rowe had his name taken for taking out Park and moments later Shankland was up in arms when he latched onto Wardrope’s through ball and thought he was clean through only for a marginal offside call to go against him.

Shortly before half-time McCracken took a knock when challenging Murphy but was able to run it off and the sides went in with Glens having a slender lead at the break.

Talbot made a change during the break with Samson on in place of Boylan.

The Bot made the perfect start to the 2^nd half – drawing level within a minute of the restart. From a shy on the left Graham Wilson played it on to Shankland who hit the bye line and swung over a cross for KIER SAMSON to head home from close range.

In the 49^th minute Talbot had a good chance to take the lead. Graham Wilson fired a ball in from the left that saw shouts for handball. Nothing was given and the ball broke to Shankland 12 yards out but he sent his right foot shot wide of the left post.

The Glens then nearly regained the lead in their next attack. The defence stood off Sean McKenzie and he slid a pass in behind to send Kerr through on the keeper but Leishman spread himself to make a big save.

Talbot were soon back on the attack and the Glens defence did well in the 52^nd minute to cut out Samson’s cross before it found Shankland in space in front of goal.

Two minutes later Wardrope gathered on the left and swung a good cross over to the far post which just eluded Graham Wilson and Samson.

The Bot’s next chance came from a well-worked counter-attack. Wardrope hit a good early ball to find Samson racing down the left and he switched it to the far side of the area to pick out Shankland racing in on goal but Markey got down to make a good save to deny him but there was nothing he could do seconds later when the ball came out to MICHAEL WARDROPE 25 yards from goal who arrowed a shot across goal and into the far corner to put Talbot ahead after 56 mins.

Within a minute Talbot nearly added to their lead. Armstrong’s pass found Shankland in space inside the box and his angled drive took a slight deflection as it headed wide of the right hand post. Wardrope took the resultant corner and delivered it into a good area but no one could get a touch on it.

The chances kept coming and Markey produced a good stop in the 59^th minute to prevent Talbot extending their lead. Samson raced onto Shankland’s cutback and drilled a powerful shot on target that the keeper managed to block.

In the 62^nd minute route one almost paid off for the Bot. Samson challenged for Leishman’s long ball down the centre and the ball broke back to the feet of Park. He dinked a pass through the defence for Samson that had just a fraction too much on it for him to get on the end of it and Markey was able to gather.

A minute later Armstrong chipped a ball down the right that Shankland headed on into the path of Samson whose low drive produced a fine save from Markey who turned it behind. When Wardrope’s corner came over MARK SHANKLAND met it inside the front post to glance a header home to make it 3-1.

Glenafton now made a change with Cameron McKenzie coming on for Stevenson and Talbot made their 2^nd change soon after with Taylor on for Shankland.

In the 69^th minute Taylor cut in off the left and fired a shot at goal that was blocked into the path of Wardrope on the right. His cross took a deflection as it dropped just over the bar to land on the roof of the net.

The Glens now made a further change with Kerr making way for Blyth.

With quarter of an hour remaining McPherson did well, out-muscling Cameron McKenzie before lifting a ball over the defence that Markey had to race out his area to head clear to prevent Taylor getting on the end of it.

A minute later Glenafton had a chance to pull one back when Sean McKenzie’s cutback from the right found Blyth in space inside the area but he lashed his shot over the bar.

Talbot now made a double switch with Park and Graham Wilson making way for Ballantyne & Crawford.

With 10 minutes remaining McKee swung a good cross beyond the back post where Cameron McKenzie headed it back down and across. Paton was first to it but his shot for goal was blocked by McCracken.

Six minutes from time Armstrong picked up a yellow card for a challenge on Blyth.

A minute later Talbot were in behind the Glens defence when Armstrong’s header found its way through to Samson who hit it first time sending it wide of the right hand post.

Two minutes from time Talbot had a strong penalty appeal dismissed. A ball was flighted in behind the defence for Samson to chase. Pettigrew just got there first but then stumbled and appeared to handle the ball on the deck but the referee waved play on.

Deep into injury time Talbot almost added a fourth. Ballantyne’s ball in from the left broke to Taylor in space on the left of the area and he tried to pass it into the far corner only for Markey to dive to his left to make the stop.

A good win for Talbot who similarly to last week could have won by a bigger margin. Next up Talbot are on their travels as they head through to Kilwinning on Wednesday night to face the Buffs.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Wardrope, Park, Graham Wilson, Boylan, Shankland

Subs – Taylor, Samson, Mason, Crawford, Ballantyne, White

Glenafton Athletic – Markey, El-Zubaidi, McMullin, Pettigrew, Rowe, Paton, McKee, S McKenzie, Kerr, Stevenson, Murphy

Subs – Caldwell, Blyth, Nisbet, Martin, Okane, C McKenzie

Auchinleck Talbot v Darvel

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot produced their A game when it mattered to see off Darvel in an enthralling Scottish Junior cup tie at Beechwood.

The Bot had the 1^st chance of the afternoon. Graham Wilson’s ball up the left found Boylan and he held it up before squaring it across to Park who snatched his shot well wide of target.

Eight minutes in and the referee, for the first but not the last time, infuriated the home support when he harshly booked Graham Wilson for backing in at a shy.

In the 12^th minute Boylan had an opportunity when he pounced on a loose square pass by the Darvel defence but he drilled his shot straight at Avici.

A minute later Talbot won a corner down the left when Shankland caught a defender dawdling on the ball. The corner was taken short and Wardrope swung a great cross beyond the far post where Armstrong rose to head it back across goal but it cannoned off Boylan and behind for the goal kick.

Darvel’s first chance came in the 14^th minute when McGowan won a corner down the left. When the corner came over toward the back post Robertson got his head to it but his header back across goal drifted well wide of target.

The referee angered the Bot support again in the 16^th minute. Talbot thought they’d won a free kick around halfway for a foul on Wardrope but the referee booked Talbot’s midfielder for diving.

Two minutes later Darvel threatened down the right when Reilly fed it back to Morrison and his dangerous cross was sliced behind by Stafford.

Consistency was obviously not a consideration for the ref in the 21^st minute when Eadie threw himself down looking for a foul and the ref waved play on but chose not to book the Darvel man.

In Darvel’s next attack McShane had a chance to shoot from just outside the box but instead tried to slip a pass through to Morrison but McPherson read it and got across to clear it.

Darvel were having a good spell of pressure and they had a half chance in the 22^nd minute when Stirling squared the ball across to Reilly 20 yards out but his shot was blocked en route by Armstrong.

No could accuse the referee of being a homer and he had the Bot fans up in arms again in the 24^th minute when Graham Wilson was caught late in a sliding tackle. It was a foul and probably a booking but the ref gave nothing.

In the 29^th minute McShane won Darvel a corner down the right. When it came over it landed at Robertson on the left of the area and his deflected cross skipped off the head of McCracken and Leishman beat it away only for it to hit off a Bot defender and go just wide of the post.

On the half hour mark, Shankland thought he’d beaten the offside trap as he burst through the middle but the assistant flagged for offside and Shankland was then cautioned for dissent.

Two minutes later Talbot grabbed the opener. Leishman knocked it forward and Graham Wilson then Shankland helped it on to find Boylan inside the penalty area. He cut inside Meechan who sent him tumbling and the ref pointed to the spot. MARK SHANKLAND took it and kept a cool head to dink a panenka down the centre to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.

Unfortunately, the Bot’s lead proved to be short-lived as Talbot gifted Darvel an equaliser in the 36^th minute. There appeared to be no danger when Darvel hit a long diagonal ball from left to right but Aiden Wilson and Leishman got into a fankle just outside the penalty area and STIRLING was left with the simple task of passing the ball into the empty net.

However 3 minute later Talbot regained the lead thanks to a howler from Avici. For reasons unknown the Darvel keeper collected a back pass and attempted to run with it only for BRYAN BOYLAN to stick in a leg to steal it and roll into the empty goal.

The Bot could have extended their lead shortly before the break. Shankland slid a great square pass inside to find Wardrope running onto it inside the area but his shot went straight at the keeper and the sides went in with Talbot a goal to the good.

Talbot came out flying in the 2^nd half and had a good chance to move 2 ahead in the 47^th minute. Boylan got free on the right of the area and he pulled it back to the unmarked Shankland but his effort from 12 yards was well-saved by Avici. The referee then booked Meechan who had committed a foul in the build-up.

In the 53^rd minute Talbot missed a golden chance to extend their lead. Stafford’s ball down the right was met by Boylan who laid off to Shankland. He in turn back-heeled the ball to Boylan who took it round the keeper and tried to pass it into the net only for a Darvel defender to clear it off the goal line.

Talbot were breaching the Darvel defence at will and in the 55^th minute a good ball in behind the defence sent Boylan free down the left but he fired his shot wide of target.

Boylan had his name taken in the 58^th minute for dissent.

With an hour gone Talbot came close again to grabbing their third. Graham Wilson hooked the ball down the left to send Boylan through one on one with the keeper. His low drive was blocked by Avici and spun to Shankland whose follow-up effort was cleared off the line.

Darvel weren’t at the races and made a quadruple substitution in the 62^nd minute with Mackenzie, Morrison, Reilly and McGowan making way for Moore, Caldwell, Glasgow and Allan.

Talbot nearly paid for their missed chances in the 68^th minute. Stirling cut in off the left and cut it back to Glasgow whose shot clattered the right hand post.

Having survived that scare Talbot then nearly scored at the other end. Boylan beat his ma on the right side of the box and angled a low drive across goal but once again Avici produced a good stop.

Moments later Boylan got in behind the defence and took it wide of the keeper before chipping it back towards Shankland but McShane got there first to volley it over his own bar..

In the 71^st minute Talbot made a double switch up top with Shankland and Boylan making way for Samson and Taylor.

Moore then became the latest name in the book for a clumsy aerial challenge on McCracken.

Avici was single-handedly defying Talbot and the keeper reacted quickly again in the 74^th minute when Wardrope slid a pass through to Samson in the centre of the box; the keeper racing off his line to make the block and taking a knock for his trouble.

With 10 minutes to go Darvel broke down the right and Meechan’s low ball into the box was sliced over his own bar by Armstrong. When the corner came over Leishman took it comfortably.

In the 83^rd minute the ref waved away strong Talbot claims for a free kick and possible red card when Avici raced to the edge of his area and appeared to grab the ball outside the box to prevent Samson from getting to it but the ref ignored Talbot’s appeals.

A minute later the game was done & dusted as Talbot finally grabbed their third. Taylor climbed well to meet a ball chipped into the area and headed it back down and across for KIER SAMSON to fire past the keeper.

Darvel’s misery was complete in the 88^th minute when they were reduced to 10 men. Allan forearm smashed Taylor as they chased after a ball in the Bot half and the ref produced a straight red.

From the resultant free kick Talbot flighted the ball up the centre where it broke back to Park who struck it well but his effort flew over the bar from 25 yards.

An excellent win for Talbot, who could and should have won by a more convincing margin, and now face the short trek to Cumnock in the next round.

Next up though it’s back to league business when Glenafton visit Beechwood next Saturday with Talbot looking to keep their momentum going against their local rivals.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Wardrope, Park, Graham Wilson, Boylan, Shankland

Subs – Taylor, Mason, Samson, Ballantyne, Crawford, White

Darvel – Avici, Meechan, Eadie, Meggatt, McGowan, Reilly, Robertson, McShane, Morrison, Mackenzie, Stirling

Subs – Allan, Kirkpatrick, Moore, Truesdale, Caldwell, Glasgow, Scott

Auchinleck Talbot v Craigmark Burntonians

Talbot took the lead early doors when first Shankland was unlucky to see his shot just dip over the bar and then Samson opened the scoring minutes later from inside the box. Craigmark proved they were not here to make up the numbers and Liam Caddis forced Leishman into a smart save.

Samson added his second goal when Wardrope made a lung bursting run down the wing and his cross into the box is tapped home by the striker. Craigmark early halved the deficit when Ryan Caddis shot for goal but Leishman was equal to the shot.

The first half finished 2-0 but minutes after the start Graham Wilson headed a Shankland cross past Dylan Caddis to end the game as a competition. Taylor made a change to proceedings when he came on and it was not surprising he got his goal when keeper Caddis brought him down in the box and the substitute made no mistake from the spot. The game was done and dusted when Mason got his head to a Wardrope corner giving Caddis no chance.

Auchinleck Talbot v Kirkintilloch Rob Roy

Rob Roy made an explosive start to the game as early as the fifth minute Leishman was called into action after Cairs thundered a shot at goal after the initial work by McNab. Talbot soon hit back and Boylan was unlucky not to latch onto a Mason pass in the box. Leishman was soon earning his corn again when he stopped a Baber volley that should have been netbound. A free kick won by Samson nearly paid dividends when Wardrope was unlucky not to score, his strike just going over the bar. With half time looming Mason nearly put Talbot ahead when he first timed a Samson header just past the post. Disaster struck before the break when Ballantyne was red-carded for what was most described as a 50/50 challenge on the Cairns but referee Gentles thought otherwise.

Beechwood erupted at the last chance of the first half when Wardrope’s cross into the box was headed high into the air the keeper collected and then dropped the ball before mysteriously dropping to the ground where he was awarded a foul.

Talbot switched the pack for the second half bringing on Graham Wilson for Mason and moving Ally Park to left back, but the change had little time to settle when a Dillon Young headed the opener ito the net from a Rab’s corner, and minutes later they were 2-0 when Robbie Young slotted home to leave Talbot reeling. Talbot tried to hit back but Armstrong and Wardrope guided some decent chances over the bar.

The sides were equalled when Granger was sent off for the visitors, and Talbot brought Taylor and Shankland on to replace Wardrope and Boylan. With minutes remaining Talbot were thrown a lifeline when Samson was brought down in the box and he buried the penalty kick past McAllistar. However it was too little too late as Talbot sunk to their second home league defeat.