Beechwood Park – Page 9 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

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.

Auchinleck Talbot v Craigmark Burntonians

Auchinleck Talbot v Coldstream FC

MURRAYS REPORT

Coldstream is barely in Scotland and The Streamers were barely in this year’s Scottish cup as the Bot swept them aside to book their place in Monday’s 1st round draw.

Talbot got the quick start they’d been looking for and won a penalty in the 5th minute. Taylor fed the ball to Samson who cut inside Gay and burst into the area. His square ball across goal was intercepted but came straight back to him and when Fox up-ended him the ref pointed straight to the spot. KIER SAMSON took it himself and coolly sent the keeper the wrong way as he passed it inside the right hand post.

Two minutes later and Talbot doubled their lead with a well-worked goal. Armstrong’s pass found Wardrope who in turn fed it into the feet of ROSS TAYLOR who turned smartly before sending a curling shot beyond the keeper from 25 yards to make it 2-0.

The early goals had all but settled the tie and Talbot began to knock the ball about content to keep possession.

Sixteen minutes in and Talbot added a third. The defence managed to head Ballantyne’s cross clear but Talbot regained it and Armstrong squared the ball into the path of ROSS TAYLOR who hit a low drive from 20 yards that Turnbull got a hand to but couldn’t keep out.

Coldstream tried to rally and created a half chance in the 19th minute. Windram did well on the left wing and hit an early ball into the area that Aitchison laid back toward Ingram but his shot was blocked away.

Talbot came close twice in short order in the 23rd minute as they forced a string of corners. From the 2nd corner Glasgow tried an acrobatic half volley that looked to be rocketing into the top of the net until it cannoned off the head of a defender and over the bar. Wardrope took the next corner short and angled it back into the path of Stafford who clipped a shot just over the bar.

Leishman had been spectating for the most part but was called into action in the 27th minute. Brannan hit an accurate long diagonal ball to find Windram on the left edge of the Talbot area. He drilled a low powerful shot on target but straight at Leishman who had his near post covered.

Talbot kept pressing and had half a chance in the 36th minute when Taylor swept over a dangerous cross from the right toward Samson but he opted to go for the scissor kick rather than with his head and failed to make contact.

A minute later Glasgow brought a good save out of the keeper when he danced past Brannan’s challenge inside the area and fired a shot back across goal from a tight angle that Turnbull did well to stop.

As the half drew to a close Wardrope tried his luck from 18 yards but it lacked the power to test Turnbull and then Taylor pounced on a loose ball following a Bot corner but sent his curling shot over the bar with the Borderers able to hang on to go in 3 down at the interval.

Talbot made a change early in the 2nd period with Crawford coming on for Stafford in the 50th minute.

Two minute later Talbot had a chance to extend their lead. The Bot won a free kick out on the right touchline for Gay’s foul on Armstrong. Wardrope flighted it over toward the back post where Wilson met it but he sent his header over the crossbar.

Coldstream had a decent chance to pull one back in the 55th minute when Aitchison bulled his way through the centre of the Bot defence. The ball broke out wide right to Briggs in space but he failed to take advantage – pulling his shot across goal and wide of the far post.

The visitors defence weren’t doing a great job of guarding their goal and Talbot nearly added a fourth in the 58th minute. Crawford clipped a good ball in behind the defence for Glasgow to chase and he cut it back to find Wilson racing onto it but Turnbull did well to turn his shot away.

The chances were falling thick & fast and Talbot had another go in the 61st minute. A shy from the right was met by Wilson who laid it into the feet of Glasgow who steered a left foot shot wide of goal from the edge of the box.

Two minutes later Talbot came close again. A neat passing move ended with Samson being released down the left. He beat Brannan on the outside and stood a cross up to the back post where Ballantyne glanced a header wide.

In the 66th minute Talbot made a double swap up top with Wilson & Samson making way for Mason & Boylan. The visitors also made a change with Bullen limping from the field after suffering cramp to be replaced by Wright.

68 mins in and Talbot’s pressure told as they added a fourth. McCracken hit a good ball down the right to find Mason speeding in behind the defence and as Glasgow went to meet his cut-back he was bundled over from behind for Talbot’s 2nd penalty of the afternoon. ROSS TAYLOR slotted it away low to Turnbull’s left to complete his hat-trick.

Coldstream now made a further change with Paterson on for Briggs.

Talbot grabbed their fifth goal of the afternoon in the 71st minute. Glasgow sent an early ball over from the left to find Boylan inside the box who appeared to be fouled by the defender; however, he kept his feet and got away from him and fired a shot that Turnbull blocked at his near post but he could do nothing to prevent BRYAN BOYLAN passing the rebound into the empty net.

Talbot now made their final change with McPherson coming on for McCracken.

It was nearly six for Talbot soon after when Mason did well out on the left to nip in and rob the ball from Brannan as he tried to let it run out for a goal kick. He angled the ball back into the path of Glasgow who swept a shot just over the crossbar.

Talbot got their sixth goal in the 81st minute. Mason gathered it on the left before cutting in field and driving towards the box before releasing it to JAMIE GLASGOW whose low side-footed effort managed to sneak past Turnbull who got his hand to it but couldn’t prevent it trundling home.

Five minutes from time Boylan almost added to Talbot’s tally. A good early ball in behind found Boylan racing free on the right. He tried to hit it across the face first time and when the defence cut it out it came straight back to him, only this time he cut onto his left foot and fired a shot for the far corner that Turnbull turned round the post.

Three minutes from time Talbot completed the scoring as they grabbed their seventh of the afternoon. Wardrope slipped a good pass into the feet of Crawford who sped forward down the right before squaring it to the unmarked AARON MASON who passed it inside the left hand post to make it 7-0.

A good afternoon’s work for Talbot who did what they had to. Next week its back to league action as Talbot travel through to Springburn to face Petershill.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Ballantyne, Healy, McCracken, Armstrong, Wardrope, Taylor, Wilson, Samson, Glasgow

Subs – Boylan, Mason, Crawford, McPherson, Park, Halliday

Coldstream – Turnbull, Brannan, Fox, Gay, Hume, Heugh, Bullen, Ingram, Briggs, Windram, Aitchison

Subs – Taylor, Wright, Bonnington, Whitehead, Paterson, Ainslie

Auchinleck Talbot v Darvel

MURRAY’S REPORT

A bad day at the office for Talbot who slumped to a 3-0 defeat with the damage being done in the last 5 minutes of the 1^st half.

The game started positively flowing from end to end with both sides having early chances. Darvel had an opportunity in the opening minute when they won a free kick out on the left touchline. It was swept into the centre where Ferguson steered a free header over the bar.

In the 3^rd minute Talbot had a good chance to take the lead. Graham Wilson did well in the build-up holding the ball up before sliding a pass left to send Samson through on goal but Truesdale produced a fine stop – saving with his outstretched leg to deny Samson.

Two minutes later and Samson had a golden chance for the opener. Graham Wilson touched the ball on into his path to send him clear through the centre and in on goal but he took a slightly heavy 1^st touch and Truesdale was quickly off his line to make the block.

It was then Darvel’s turn to threaten when a shy from the right found Mackenzie in the area and he spun McPherson before firing a shot across goal and wide of the far post.

Stafford had his name taken in the 9^th minute when he obstructed Stirling as he burst forward. McShane took the resultant free kick but sent it well wide of target.

Talbot conceded a soft corner in the 16^th minute and nearly paid for it when the corner in ricocheted into the path of Mackenzie but he fired a half volley over the bar from 8 yards.

The Bot’s next attack saw Graham Wilson show good close control before releasing Samson down the left and he saw his shot blocked behind for the corner. When the corner came over deep beyond the far post McCracken glanced a header wide of target.

In the 34^th minute Samson fashioned a chance out of nothing when his persistence saw him close down & dispossess Eadie. He raced into the area and cut it back to Park but he went for the wrong option trying to square it into the centre rather than shooting and the chance was lost.

Three minutes later Graham Wilson angled a good 1^st time ball over beyond the far post where Taylor met it and volleyed wide of the left post.

The game began to slip away from Talbot in the 40^th minute when Armstrong lunged into a tackle on Mackenzie. The referee produced a straight red and things went from bad to worse for Talbot as they conceded the opener a minute later. Darvel won a corner on the right and when it came over a Darvel player headed it on in the crowded 6-yard box and MEGGETT prodded it home from close range to give Darvel the lead.

It was all over bar the shouting deep into 1^st half injury time when Darvel doubled their lead. The ball was switched left to right to find Meechan in space and he had time to look up and drill it across the face of goal where MACKENZIE turned it home at the near post to send Darvel in 2 ahead at the interval.

Tucker made a switch during the break with Wardrope on in place of Park.

The 2^nd half was a bit of a non-event with Darvel content to keep possession for the most part. Taylor picked up a caution in the 55^th minute for clipping the heels of Stirling and he was joined in the book a minute later by Meggett who was penalised for kicking the ball away after shoving over Samson.

Darvel nearly added to their lead in the 57^th minute. Ferguson beat Leishman to a ball down the left and slid it for goal from a tight angle but Aiden Wilson got back to clear.

Talbot were offered a glimmer of hope in the 64^th minute. Taylor met Aiden Wilson’s hanging cross only to be bundled over inside the box. The ref pointed to the spot but when it’s not your day it’s not your day and Graham Wilson’s tame spot kick was easily saved by Truesdale.

Two minutes later and Darvel completed the scoring. STIRLING gathered the ball 30 yards out and surged forward into the area before firing a shot in off the underside of the bar.

With the game gone Talbot made a slew of changes bringing on Glasgow and Boylan for Taylor and Samson and late on making a further double change with Ballantyne and Crawford getting a run out in place of Stafford and McPherson.

A disappointing afternoon but Talbot will look to dust themselves down and get back to winning ways next Saturday when they travel through to Somervell Park to face newly promoted Cambuslang Rangers.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Park, Healy, Graham Wilson, Samson, Taylor

Subs – Glasgow, Boylan, Wardrope, Crawford, Ballantyne, Heaney

Darvel – Truesdale, Eadie, Allan, Meggett, McShane, Stirling, Mackenzie, Meechan, Ferguson, Robertson, Caldwell

Subs – Ferguson, Miller, C Truesdale, Moore