SCOTTISH CUP – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Auchinleck Talbot v Broxburn Athletic

TALBOT “BADGERED” OUT THE CUP.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The visitors now made another change with Wardell replacing Jones.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Albion Rovers v Auchinleck Talbot

TALBOT MAKE IT “ROVER AND OUT”

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

Talbot advanced into the 2^nd round of the Scottish cup at the expense of former SPL club Albion Rovers – claiming a 2-1 win at Cliftonhill on an afternoon when the Bot should have won by a more convincing margin.

The hosts were guilty of slack defending in the 3^rd minute. Schoneville volleyed the ball forward and Reid’s attempted header back was short forcing Connelly to race out his area to clear.

The game then entered a stalemate with neither side offering any real threat in the final third.

Rovers had a good chance to take the lead in the 14^th minute. A ball down the right found Mendy inside the area and when he squared it across goal Schoneville sliced it clear. It came out to Scullion on the left who cut inside onto his right foot and whipped a cross cum shot over which McMahon met a few yards out but sent his free header sailing over the bar.

In the 17^th minute Armour hoisted it down the right where Boyd won the header on. It came to Gillies who helped it on into the path of Nimmo who lofted a shot just over the bar from 16 yards.

The opener came in the 26^th minute. Wardrope whipped over a good cross from the right that the Rovers defence headed behind for a corner. When Wardrope’s in swinging corner came into the near post the defence failed to clear – heading it straight up into the air – and as it came down McPherson directed a header at goal that came off the right hand post. ALEX NIMMO was first to react and prodded it home from close range.

The home side tried for an immediate response but McMahon’s low drive from 25 yards flew well wide of target.

In the 33^rd minute Kerr became the first player in the book. It looked like a foul to Talbot seconds before but the ref waved play on and Kerr dived in and caught McMahon late.

Albion Rovers next attack saw the ball played out wide left to find Scullion and he drilled a dangerous ball across the face of the 6-yard box that was cleared.

In the 37^th minute Boyd made it to the bye line down the left and pulled it back toward Nimmo. With his back to goal he turned and got his shot away but it was blocked by a defender.

A minute later Nimmo got free down the right and won a corner when his cut back was bundled behind off a defender. Wardrope’s deep corner was headed back into the centre by McPherson but there were no Bot players in attendance and the defence cleared easily.

Five minutes before the break McPherson headed the ball on into the path of Nimmo. He released it wide right to find Boyd racing into the area but he was caught in two minds and ended up flashing a ball across the face of goal that ended up neither a shot nor cross that drifted wide of target.

Down the other end McMahon whipped over a good cross from the right which Wilson headed clear.

The home side ended the half on the front foot but couldn’t find a way past Talbot’s defence with the Bot going in a goal ahead.

Talbot started the 2^nd half well and had a half chance in the 48^th minute. Gillies hooked the ball out wide right to find Sime and he in turn played it on to Boyd inside the penalty area but he didn’t make a clean connection and it bobbled through to the keeper.

The Bot ought to have doubled their lead in the 54^th minute. McPherson chipped it up into the area where Talbot had a penalty shout as the defender vaulted over Wardrope sending him to the turf. Nothing was given and Nimmo latched onto the loose ball and cut it back to Boyd who completely mishit it from 8 yards out in front of goal – sending it well wide of target.

A minute later Talbot threatened again. Gillies got in behind down the left and drilled it low into the near post where it was blocked by Connelly.

In the 61^st minute Langan had his name taken for a shirt tug.

Rovers now made a double substitution with Brown & Scullion making way for Paton & Kirkpatrick.

Talbot made their first changes in the 64^th minute with Smith & Boyle on for Nimmo & Langan.

In the 65^th minute Rovers won a free kick out wide on the left. Kennedy lifted a good ball into the area where Wilson managed to head it clear.

The home side now made another change with Kennedy making way for McCaw.

In the 69^th minute Talbot doubled their lead assisted by hesitant defending from the home side. The Bot won a free kick out on the left for a foul on Boyd. Wardrope flighted it into the area where it was headed clear. It came out to Boyle who lifted it back into the box where following a bout of headie tennis the ball came into the 6 yard area. Wilson made a nuisance of himself preventing the defence from clearing and the ball broke to CONNOR BOYD 8 yards out and he lashed it into the roof of the net.

There was no response from the home side with Talbot looking comfortable in their lead.

In the 74^th minute Rovers made another double substitution with Reid and Mendy being replaced by McMillan & Ross.

Two minutes later the home side’s Duncan received a caution for a shirt pull on Smith.

Ten minutes from time McAvoy came on for Boyle up top for Talbot.

In the 82^nd minute there was a slight hold up due to a problem with the Rovers goal. Talbot had successfully defended a corner and countered through Smith forcing a corner down the right. Kerr tried to whip it inside the near post put it into the side-netting which came away with a couple of Rovers players having to conduct a repair on the nets before play could resume.

Talbot were looking the likelier to score and in the 87^th minute McPherson carried it out from the back and lifted a good ball across towards McAvoy who was just beaten to it by Connelly who raced out his area to head it clear.

Having been on easy street Talbot fans were left fretful late on when Rovers pulled a goal back in the 88^th minute. They nearly scored when McMillan met a hanging cross from the right and headed it back across goal only for Schoneville to clear off the line. The ball came outside the Bot area where it was squared across to FERNIE on the right and he gave Armour no chance with a low drive that flew across goal and went in off the right hand post.

As the game headed into added time Talbot had a gilt edged chance to put the game beyond doubt. A ball up the right found McAvoy in behind and he did well to hold off Home before cutting it back to Smith just outside the 6-yard area. His first attempt was blocked by a defender straight back to him and he looked a cert to score but volleyed it way over the bar.

The ref kept Talbot waiting adding a good 5 minutes of added time but Rovers never threatened the Bot goal and Talbot saw the game out to book their place in today’s draw.

A well-deserved win for the Bot who will be hoping for a home draw later this afternoon. Next up for Talbot they are back on the road and back in cup action as they travel through to the east end of Glasgow to face Vale of Clyde in the West.

Albion Rovers – Connelly, Fernie, Lavery, Reid, Home, Kennedy, McMahon, Duncan, Scullion, Brown, Mendy

Subs – McMillan, Kirkpatrick, McCaw, Mackintosh, Ross, Tran, Walker (gk)

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

Subs – Thomson, McAvoy, Boyle, Smith, Walker, Miller, Slooves, Hanlon, Cameron (gk)

Haddington Athletic v Auchinleck Talbot

SECOND HALF DISPLAY SINKS THE “HI HI”

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

A strong 2^nd half and a Connor Boyd hat-trick did the job for Talbot as they beat Haddington 4-1 to progress into the 1^st round draw of the Senior Scottish.

Talbot started brightly forcing a couple of early corners but failed to make the most of them.

There was nothing for either keeper to do in the early exchanges and the first effort on target came in the 15^th minute when the home side won a free kick 22 yards out for a foul on Davies. He took it himself but his shot lacked any power and ended up a passback at Armour.

Two minutes later Talbot took the lead. Abed swung over a good cross from the left which KYLE MCAVOY met in the centre to plant a low header past Stirling.

Unfortunately Talbot couldn’t build on the opener and gradually the home side came more into it without really troubling the Talbot goal.

In the 28^th minute Davies cut in off the left and hit a low drive for goal but it was blocked by a defender.

Schoneville had his name taken in the 32^nd minute for a foul on Kennedy. The free kick was swept over to the back post where Wilson headed it behind for the corner and when the corner came over Slooves headed it clear.

In the 42^nd minute Talbot nearly doubled their lead. Abed caught Russell in possession just inside his own half and spotting the keeper off his line went for the early shot which sailed just over the bar with the keeper scrambling back.

Just when it looked as though Talbot were going to go in ahead at the break Haddington equalised with a quality strike. After a bout of headie tennis Talbot failed to clear it and the ball landed at the feet of KENNEDY 20 yards out and he gave Armour no chance with a shot that curled just inside the right post to send the sides in 1-1 at the interval.

Talbot made a positive start to the 2^nd half with Gillies cutting in off the left flank and angling a dangerous ball across goal that Aitchison cleared over his own crossbar. The resultant corner was over hit and went out for a shy. A few minutes later Boyd won Talbot a corner down the left but this time it was headed clear at the near post.

Haddington had a half chance in the 55^th minute. Davies came inside onto his right foot but pulled his shot wide of target.

The Bot regained the lead in the 57^th minute. McAvoy’s head flick found Wardrope inside the penalty area. He cut in past Russell and squared it across to CONNOR BOYD who drilled it low back across goal and into the bottom corner.

The next goal was going to be crucial and Talbot nearly grabbed it on the hour mark. Boyd’s header on found McAvoy in behind the defence and he took it first time but the keeper did well to get a hand to it to deflect it wide.

Stirling came to Haddington’s rescue again 2 minutes later. A long ball over the defence found Boyd racing into the area but the keeper was quickly off his line to dive at his feet and retrieve the situation.

Talbot now made their first change of the match with Clark coming on for McAvoy.

The home side came close twice in quick succession to levelling the tie. A ball through the centre found Windram racing between the central defenders but he got the ball stuck between his feet and couldn’t continue on into the box. Talbot were unable to clear their lines and the ball was shifted out left to Davies who jinked inside and angled a low drive at goal that Armour brilliantly turned around the left post.

When the corner came over Talbot failed to clear it and it came to Davies out on the left. He cut it back into the path of Simpson who drilled a powerful shot on target which was again well stopped by Armour.

Tucker now made a triple substitution to freshen things up with Schoneville, Abed & Wardrope making way for Kerr, Smith & Langan.

In the 77^th minute Talbot got the crucial 3^rd goal to put the tie beyond Haddington. Haddingt

on were guilty of being ponderous in defence & Smith punished them when he nicked it off Aitchison inside the box and laid it across goal for CONNOR BOYD to tap home from close range.

Haddington now made a double change with Aitchison & Bathgate making way for Tait & McGarrey.

With 10 minutes remaining Talbot made it 4-1. Smith slipped the ball through the defence to find CONNOR BOYD and he stroked it past the keeper to complete a 2^nd half hat-trick.

Talbot now made a further change with Sime on for Boyle.

Six minutes from time Langan curled over a cross from the left that nearly went straight in but just sailed beyond the far post.

The Bot’s next attack saw Smith in on goal but he took a fresh air swipe at it and the keeper was able to gather it.

In the final minute of regulation time Gillies drilled a low ball across the face of goal where the keeper beat Smith to it but couldn’t hold it. The ball broke loose to Clark but Stirling recovered quickly and managed to smother it.

In added time Talbot had a couple of chances to add to their tally. A good move down the right between Smith, Clark & Boyd ended with Clark shoving the ball wide to Boyd who fired wide from a tight angle.

Deep into injury time Smith raced onto a ball in behind the defence only to see his low strike well saved by Stirling’s outstretched leg.

A good win for Talbot in the end with a few wobbles on the way. Next up Talbot are back at home in the Scottish Junior cup where they host Lossiemouth United.

Haddington Athletic – Stirling, C Robertson, King, Reid, Aitchison, Russell, Simpson, Bathgate, Windram, Davies, Kennedy

Subs – Tait, Peffers, M Robertson, McGarrey, Thomas, Rose, McLellan (gk)

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

Subs – Smith, Sime, Nimmo, Langan, Clark, Kerr, Hanlon, Cameron (gk)

Andrew Miller

SPONSORED BY: Margaret McGurk. G.S.C 2012 Coaches.

JOINED TALBOT: August 2024

D.O.B: 8th June 2006

TALBOT DEBUT: 17th August 2024, South Challenge Cup v Huchison Vale, won 1-0

FIRST TALBOT GOAL:

FORMER TEAMS: Kilmarnock,

Haddington Athletic

Corey Armour

SPONSORED BY: Lillian White. Tanner Financial Advice Ltd

JOINED TALBOT: July 2024

D.O.B: 12th June 2016

TALBOT DEBUT: 27/07/2024 v Darvel, WOSL Premier League Won 2-0

FIRST TALBOT GOAL:

FORMER TEAMS: Kilmarnock, Maybole.

Corey is currently on loan from Kilmarnock for the season after a short loan spell with Maybole. Has enjoyed some senior experience with the Kilmarnock B side in the Scottish Challenge Cup