Competition: SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP
Gareth Armstrong
SPONSORED BY: Conway Properties Ltd. Dorothy Lawrence.
POSITION: Defender/Midfield
JOINED TALBOT: July 2017
D.O.B: 01/12/1993
TALBOT DEBUT: Glenafton Athletic (Home), 2nd August 2017, Ardagh League Cup 0-1
FIRST COMPETITIVE GOAL: Troon (Away), 12th May 2018, West of Scotland 3rd Round 3-1
FORMER CLUBS: Ayr United Academy, Ayr United (4 appearances) Troon (Loan), Troon.
Auchinleck Talbot v Glenafton Athletic
Auchinleck Talbot v Linlithgow Rose
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot will face local rivals Glenafton in this season’s Scottish cup final after narrowly overcoming Linlithgow Rose at Beechwood.
Once again there was little to choose between the sides. Linlithgow settled the quicker of the two sides but just as last week they couldn’t make it count in the final third.
The first real threat at goal came in the 11th minute when Muhsin tried his luck from outside the area. His shot cannoned off the head of S Wilson & flew over the bar.
Talbot’s first effort at goal came in the 19th minute when Young pulled his shot well wide of target from 20 yards out.
A minute later Talbot came very close to taking the lead. McNab fouled Latta out on the right touchline & Young whipped a great free kick over into the centre where G Wilson powered a header just over the crossbar.
At the other end Donaldson’s low cross caused a momentary panic when McGoldrick took a fresh air swipe when attempting to clear it but the ball ran through to Leishman.
Linlithgow put together a neat move on the half hour with Kelbie & Batchelor working a one-two before releasing the ball to Coyne. He spun & shot on target forcing a decent save from Leishman, low to his left.
Latta was a whisker away from putting Talbot in front in the 34th minute. Young released Pope down the left & he cut inside McNab before curling a dangerous low ball across the goal mouth. Latta slid in to meet it in the centre but just failed to connect.
Talbot threatened again a minute later. G Wilson slid a pass into the Rose box from the right wing to find Milliken at the corner of the 6-yard area with his back to goal. He turned & fired for goal but couldn’t keep it down & his shot sailed over Hill’s bar.
As the saying goes you have to strike while the iron is hot & Talbot succeeded in turning their purple patch into a lead in the 37th minute. A good passing move saw the Bot move the ball from left to right. G Wilson touched the ball off to Thomson & he fed it out to Latta on the right touchline. He cut it back to the edge of the area to find YOUNG in space & he curled it inside the right post to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
The lead nearly proved short lived with Rose coming close to an equaliser within a minute. Latta conceded a free kick out on the left for a foul on Donaldson & received a caution into the bargain. Donaldson lifted the free kick deep beyond the far post where Thom headed it back across goal. Talbot managed to scramble it clear but only as far as the edge of the area where Kilbie’s clever flick sent Coyne clean through on goal. He ought to have scored but stroked his shot off the base of the left post & Pope was able to clear the danger.
Talbot saw out the remainder of the half with no alarms to take a one nil lead in at the interval.
Early in the 2nd half Talbot came close to doubling their lead & effectively putting the tie beyond Linlithgow’s reach.
Young found Milliken inside the area & he pulled it back into the path of G Wilson. His first effort was blocked by a defender but he ran onto the rebound & lashed it off the top of the bar with Hill well beaten.
Linlithgow’s first chance of the 2nd half came in the 55th minute when they forced a corner on the right. Muhsin pulled it back for Batchelor to stride onto but his low drive from 20 yards was comfortably smothered by Leishman.
On the hour mark Batchelor again tried his luck from distance but with the same result as Leishman easily held his effort.
Tucker now made his first change with Hyslop replacing Thomson.
A 2nd goal would have ended the tie & Talbot nearly produced it in the 64th minute. Young sent the ball up the line to Milliken who whipped an excellent first time cross across goal. G Wilson dived to meet it inside the 6-yard box but just failed to cleanly connect with his header & the ball sped behind for a goal kick.
The visitors made their 1st change in the 69th minute with Kelly coming on for Kelbie.
Although only a goal ahead Talbot weren’t looking in any particular danger of conceding as the clock ran down. In the 76th minute Linlithgow made a further change with Swann on in place of Gray & Talbot soon followed suit with White on for Latta.
With 8 minutes remaining Rose played their last card when Small replaced Donaldson.
With nothing to lose the visitors piled forward in the closing stages making for a nervy last 5 minutes for the home support. Muhsin’s diagonal ball found Leiper free on the left of the area but he was quickly shut down by Lyle who got across to concede the corner.
The visitors threatened again in the 87th minute when Kelly made the bye line down the right. He lifted a cross onto the 6-yard line where Leiper met it but his header deflected off his own player & ran tamely through to Leishman.
In the last minute of regulation time Linlithgow had one final chance to take it to penalties. The ball broke to Leiper 15 yards out & he drilled a powerful shot at goal that forced an impressive stop from Leishman; throwing himself to his left to parry it to safety.
As the game moved into injury time Tucker made his last change with Pooler on for Milliken and shortly after the referee’s whistle signalled the end to much jubilation from the Talbot support.
Talbot were made to work hard for it but got the job done & once again the defence produced another clean sheet. This will be Talbot’s 7th Scottish final under Tucker; an amazing achievement.
Next up for Talbot is a dress rehearsal for the final itself as they tackle Glenafton on Wednesday night in a game which may have a crucial say in the destination of this season’s league title.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McGoldrick, S Wilson, Young, Thomson, Milliken, G Wilson, Latta
Subs – Pooler, Stevenson, Hyslop, White, McPherson
Linlithgow Rose – Hill, McNab, Donaldson, Thom, McKenzie, Leiper, Gray, Muhsin, Coyne, Batchelor, Kelbie
Subs – Kelly, Small, Swann, Beaumont, Bernard (gk)
Linlithgow Rose v Auchinleck Talbot
Both sides looked nervy from the off, but the home side settled quicker & did most of the pressing early on without offering any real threat.
The 1st chance of the match came in the 13th minute. G Wilson’s pass was intercepted inside the Bot half & Linlithgow chipped the ball down the right channel where Coyne raced onto it & fired for goal from a tight angle. Leishman was at his near post to turn it behind. When the corner came over Leiper had a free header but didn’t make a clean contact & he glanced it off a Bot defender & behind for a corner.
Talbot put together a good move in the 25th minute. Pope knocked it into the feet of G Wilson who shoved it through for Young on the left of the area. He lifted it past Hill into the back of the net but he’d strayed offside & the goal didn’t stand.
A minute later Young tried his luck from distance; hitting a decent effort on the half volley from 25 yards that flew over the bar.
Talbot suffered a further injury setback a minute before the interval with White making way for McCracken.
In the closing seconds of the half Linlithgow almost took the lead. Donaldson ballooned the ball into the area from the left touchline where it broke away from Lyle as he tried to control it. Muhsin tried to thread a pass through from the edge of the area that was blocked back to him & this time he drove a low shot in. Linlithgow got the break of the ball as the shot deflected into the path of Kelbie 6 yards out but Leishman produced a good stop low to his right to block his shot, and that was that for the 1st period.
Talbot’s first chance of the 2nd period came in the 55th minute. McCracken squared it to Milliken in space just outside the area but he scooped his shot over the bar.
As with the 1st half most of the play was confined to the middle third with little to trouble either defence.
The next chance came Talbot’s way in the 72nd minute. G Wilson headed the ball into the area where Latta was running into space. It looked like he was going to get his shot away as the keeper advanced but the ball ran away from him & he came off 2nd worst when he slid into a 50/50 challenge with Hill.
Young whipped a great cross over from the left with quarter of an hour remaining but it went to waste as there was no one in the centre to convert.
Talbot had a strong shout for a penalty in the 83rd minute. G Wilson picked up in midfield & fed it out to Milliken on the left wing. He lifted a great early cross over to the far side of the area where Latta was racing clear. Donaldson ran across him & looked to clip his heels but the referee dismissed Latta’s appeal & waved play on.
In the final minute of the match Talbot had one last effort at goal. A free kick on halfway was lifted down the left side of Rose’s penalty area & Harvey sent a diving header wide of target from a tight angle.
This was a game of very few chances & neither side can have any complaints about the outcome. Both sides now face a winner takes all 2nd leg clash next Saturday at Beechwood where Talbot will be hoping home advantage proves crucial.
Linlithgow Rose – Hill, McNab, Donaldson, Thom, McKenzie, Leiper, Gray, Muhsin, Coyne, Batchelor, Kelbie
Subs – Kelly, Small, Swann, Coogans, Bernard (gk)
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McGoldrick, S Wilson, Young, White, G Wilson, Milliken, Shankland
Subs – Pooler, Stevenson, Latta, McCracken
Linlithgow Rose
Auchinleck Talbot v Kilwinning Rangers
Auchinleck Talbot 2 Kilwinning Rangers 0 (H-T 2-0)
Talbot started this quarter-final on fire, getting off to a flying start from which Kilwinning never really recovered.
Prior to kick off it was a rowdy element of the travelling support who’d made all the noise but they were momentarily silenced as Talbot took the lead within the 1st minute.
Lyle was fouled out on the touchline by Boylan & Pope whipped an in swinging free kick into the 6-yard area where GRAHAM WILSON glanced a header home.
The Bot might have doubled their lead in the 5th minute. G Wilson’s chip sent Young clean through on the left. He could have shot but opted instead to square the ball across for Milliken but he was challenged by Kerr as he went to stroke it home.
Talbot kept the pressure on & threatened the Buffs goal again in the 8th minute. Pope slid a free kick through to Young on the left edge of the penalty area. He flighted a cross into the centre which Hyslop headed for goal, but unluckily for him it deflected up off a defender & Strain tipped it over the bar.
The Buffs first chance came in the 10th minute when they won a corner on the left. McCloskey pulled the corner back to the edge of the area to find Swift in space & his low drive was heading on target until blocked in the 6-yard box.
Talbot’s 2nd goal arrived in the 17th minute & it was a fine solo effort. Young’s pass found STEVEN WILSON on the left wing; he still had a lot to do but carried it forward before cutting into the penalty area past Swift & coolly drilled a low shot past Strain to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.
Kilwinning now made a change with Coleman on for Maitland.
Leishman had been a bystander to this point but was called into action in the 23rd minute. A shy from the right found Hogg at the bye line & he turned the ball back into the path of McGuinness. He drilled a low shot on target that Leishman smothered at the 2nd attempt.
A 3rd goal would have killed the tie off & it very nearly arrived in the 24th minute. Milliken swung a cross over from the left that the Buffs central defence made a meal of. Two players went to clear & only succeeded in getting each other’s way & directing a weak clearance straight to Young 15 yards out. He arrowed the ball on target but was denied by a wonder save from Strain low to his right. The ball rebounded up to G Wilson who looked a certainty but Strain scrambled up to block his 1st effort & when it came back to him Wilson rattled a shot off the right post from point blank range.
The Buffs defence were all at sea & Talbot’ next attack saw Young get in behind down the left before firing the ball across the face of goal but unfortunately there were no Bot players to turn it home.
Having survived by the skin of their teeth the Buffs threatened to pull a goal back in the 38th minute. Pope conceded a free kick wide on the right which McGuinness slung towards the back post. Leishman climbed highest in a crowd of players to tip it over the bar. The resultant corner was cleared but Kilwinning kept up the pressure & when a deep cross came over from the left it found Hogg who cushioned a header back across goal. It came to Kerr with his back to goal & he wheeled round & fired a shot just past the right post.
Kilwinning finished the half on the front foot but without looking like threatening Leishman’s goal & the Bot went in 2-0 ahead at the interval.
The 2nd half was barely a minute old when Milliken picked up a caution for persistent fouling.
The Buffs defence looked susceptible at set pieces & they were nearly undone again in the 49th minute when Pope lifted a free kick into the area. Harvey climbed to head it for goal & Hyslop threw himself at it but could only direct his header wide of target.
Kilwinning made their 2nd change after 51 minutes with ex-Bot player Cashmore coming on for Hogg.
A minute later Frye received his customary caution for a foul as Talbot tried to break up field.
The Buffs were forced into a further change in the 54th minute when Kerr went down inside his own half & had to limp off to be replaced by Fleeting.
Tucker made his 1st change soon after with Shankland coming on for Graham Wilson.
Strain prevented Talbot extending their lead in the 64th minute. Milliken switched play out to the right to find Hyslop in space inside the area. His cross was a tad over hit but Milliken did well to retrieve it & whipped the ball over to the back post where Hyslop’s header looked to be heading into the roof of the net until Strain touched it over the bar.
Two minutes later Talbot had another good chance. Milliken pounced on a mistake inside the Buffs half & threaded the ball through to Young inside the area. He chose not to shoot & angled it across the face of goal toward Shankland who fired it into the side netting from a tight angle.
Talbot nearly added a 3rd in the 71st minute. Shankland lifted a corner to the far post where Harvey powered a header on target which Strain tipped over the crossbar.
Two minutes later Shankland’s ball sent Milliken racing free on the left. He surged into the area & fired a shot on goal that Strain blocked inside the near post.
Tucker now made a further change with Latta on in place of White.
Lyle picked up a caution in the 77th minute for a foul on Cashmore.
The closing stages saw Talbot comfortably see the game out with the Buffs unable to breach Talbot’s defence. Frustration got the better of Cashmore in injury time as he clipped Milliken late to receive a yellow card.
This was a thoroughly deserved win for Talbot who could easily have racked up a few more goals whilst never looking like conceding at the other end. Next up for Talbot is a crucial league clash as with Rob Roy as the Bot look to cut the gap at the top.
Prior to kick off it was a rowdy element of the travelling support who’d made all the noise but they were momentarily silenced as Talbot took the lead within the 1st minute.
Lyle was fouled out on the touchline by Boylan & Pope whipped an in swinging free kick into the 6-yard area where GRAHAM WILSON glanced a header home.
The Bot might have doubled their lead in the 5th minute. G Wilson’s chip sent Young clean through on the left. He could have shot but opted instead to square the ball across for Milliken but he was challenged by Kerr as he went to stroke it home.
Talbot kept the pressure on & threatened the Buffs goal again in the 8th minute. Pope slid a free kick through to Young on the left edge of the penalty area. He flighted a cross into the centre which Hyslop headed for goal, but unluckily for him it deflected up off a defender & Strain tipped it over the bar.
The Buffs first chance came in the 10th minute when they won a corner on the left. McCloskey pulled the corner back to the edge of the area to find Swift in space & his low drive was heading on target until blocked in the 6-yard box.
Talbot’s 2nd goal arrived in the 17th minute & it was a fine solo effort. Young’s pass found STEVEN WILSON on the left wing; he still had a lot to do but carried it forward before cutting into the penalty area past Swift & coolly drilled a low shot past Strain to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.
Kilwinning now made a change with Coleman on for Maitland.
Leishman had been a bystander to this point but was called into action in the 23rd minute. A shy from the right found Hogg at the bye line & he turned the ball back into the path of McGuinness. He drilled a low shot on target that Leishman smothered at the 2nd attempt.
A 3rd goal would have killed the tie off & it very nearly arrived in the 24th minute. Milliken swung a cross over from the left that the Buffs central defence made a meal of. Two players went to clear & only succeeded in getting each other’s way & directing a weak clearance straight to Young 15 yards out. He arrowed the ball on target but was denied by a wonder save from Strain low to his right. The ball rebounded up to G Wilson who looked a certainty but Strain scrambled up to block his 1st effort & when it came back to him Wilson rattled a shot off the right post from point blank range.
The Buffs defence were all at sea & Talbot’ next attack saw Young get in behind down the left before firing the ball across the face of goal but unfortunately there were no Bot players to turn it home.
Having survived by the skin of their teeth the Buffs threatened to pull a goal back in the 38th minute. Pope conceded a free kick wide on the right which McGuinness slung towards the back post. Leishman climbed highest in a crowd of players to tip it over the bar. The resultant corner was cleared but Kilwinning kept up the pressure & when a deep cross came over from the left it found Hogg who cushioned a header back across goal. It came to Kerr with his back to goal & he wheeled round & fired a shot just past the right post.
Kilwinning finished the half on the front foot but without looking like threatening Leishman’s goal & the Bot went in 2-0 ahead at the interval.
The 2nd half was barely a minute old when Milliken picked up a caution for persistent fouling.
The Buffs defence looked susceptible at set pieces & they were nearly undone again in the 49th minute when Pope lifted a free kick into the area. Harvey climbed to head it for goal & Hyslop threw himself at it but could only direct his header wide of target.
Kilwinning made their 2nd change after 51 minutes with ex-Bot player Cashmore coming on for Hogg.
A minute later Frye received his customary caution for a foul as Talbot tried to break up field.
The Buffs were forced into a further change in the 54th minute when Kerr went down inside his own half & had to limp off to be replaced by Fleeting.
Tucker made his 1st change soon after with Shankland coming on for Graham Wilson.
Strain prevented Talbot extending their lead in the 64th minute. Milliken switched play out to the right to find Hyslop in space inside the area. His cross was a tad over hit but Milliken did well to retrieve it & whipped the ball over to the back post where Hyslop’s header looked to be heading into the roof of the net until Strain touched it over the bar.
Two minutes later Talbot had another good chance. Milliken pounced on a mistake inside the Buffs half & threaded the ball through to Young inside the area. He chose not to shoot & angled it across the face of goal toward Shankland who fired it into the side netting from a tight angle.
Talbot nearly added a 3rd in the 71st minute. Shankland lifted a corner to the far post where Harvey powered a header on target which Strain tipped over the crossbar.
Two minutes later Shankland’s ball sent Milliken racing free on the left. He surged into the area & fired a shot on goal that Strain blocked inside the near post.
Tucker now made a further change with Latta on in place of White.
Lyle picked up a caution in the 77th minute for a foul on Cashmore.
The closing stages saw Talbot comfortably see the game out with the Buffs unable to breach Talbot’s defence. Frustration got the better of Cashmore in injury time as he clipped Milliken late to receive a yellow card.
This was a thoroughly deserved win for Talbot who could easily have racked up a few more goals whilst never looking like conceding at the other end. Next up for Talbot is a crucial league clash as with Rob Roy as the Bot look to cut the gap at the top.
Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McGoldrick, White, Young, S Wilson, G Wilson, Milliken, Hyslop
Subs – Shankland, Pooler, Latta, Stevenson, McPherson
Kilwinning – Strain, Maitland, McCloskey, Kerr, Swift, Hanvey, Frye, McGuinness, Hogg, Lewis, Boylan
Subs – Fleeting, Cashmore, Coleman, Burns
Auchinleck Talbot v Luncarty
Talbot breezed past Luncarty to make it through to the last 8 of the Scottish cup; one of three Ayrshire sides in the quarter-finals.
Right from the off it was Talbot who dominated proceedings. The 1st effort at goal coming in the 3rd minute when Shankland laid the ball off for McCracken & he rocketed a powerful shot on target that flew straight at Bruce.
Soon after, the home defence were tested again when Pope fired a dangerous cross into the near post, with D Kelly clearing under pressure from G Wilson.
For all Talbot’s territorial dominance Luncarty were proving to be difficult to break down with eleven men behind the ball anytime Talbot ventured over the halfway line.
The 1st caution of the match came in the 19th minute when Talbot’s Harvey was penalised for a late tackle.
Talbot ought to have taken the lead in the 24th minute. Lyle released Young down the right & Hyslop met his cross inside the near post but glanced a free header wide of the far post.
The Bot’s next effort at goal came from Lyle. Young slipped the ball to him inside the area & he turned before firing a left foot shot straight at Bruce from 15 yards.
With half an hour gone a 2nd Talbot player found himself in the ref’s notebook when Shankland was cautioned for dissent & a few minutes later S Wilson added to the crime count when booked for a shirt tug.
Talbot won a free kick in a promising area when McCracken was up ended just outside the box. Shankland took the set piece but suffice to say it wasn’t his finest effort as he floated a tame effort over the wall that Bruce easily saved.
The opening goal came in the 35th minute. Shankland whipped a great ball over from the left that G Wilson fired on target, forcing a fine instinctive save from Bruce. The ball came back out to Wilson who laid it back to YOUNG & he slotted it away into the bottom corner.
Three minutes later Talbot came close to adding a second goal. Pope lifted a tremendous diagonal ball over the defence which Hyslop threw himself at but he just failed to connect.
The game continued to be one-way traffic but for all their possession Talbot couldn’t find a way through & went in at half-time with a slender 1-0 lead.
Talbot started the 2nd half strongly & threatened within a minute. Young held the ball up before finding Pope on the left & his 1st time ball into the centre broke off G Wilson & fell kindly for the keeper.
Luncarty hadn’t offered any threat but they did put together a nice move in the 50th minute, although it was let down by the final effort as McAllister ballooned his shot over the bar.
A minute later Dobie became the 1st Luncarty player cautioned when he was penalised for a body check on Hyslop.
It should’ve been game over in the 56th minute. G Wilson played a good ball out left to find Young in space. Shankland met his cross in the centre but managed to glance his header wide when it looked easier to hit the target.
Luncarty’s Reid now had his name taken for a late challenge on S Wilson.
The crucial 2nd goal arrived in the 58th minute. McCracken fed the ball through to G WILSON on the right side of the area & he drilled a low shot into the opposite corner to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.
Luncarty reacted to this with a double substitution with Walker & Whytock making way for Gray & McLaren.
Talbot came close again in the 62nd minute. Young touched a free kick off to the side for Pope to hit & his shot flew just over the bar from 30 yards.
Talbot’s 3rd goal arrived in the 65th minute & had more than a touch of fortune about it. McCracken fired a shot from the edge of the area that took a major deflection off WALKER before spinning in under the bar for an own goal.
With the tie safely won Tucker made a triple substitution after 74 mins with Young, Shankland & Steven Wilson being replaced by White, Stevenson & Pooler.
Bruce prevented Talbot from adding to their lead in the 78th minute. Pooler cut into the area & pulled the ball back for Wilson. He was challenged but the ball came out to Lyle & his effort was flying into the roof of the net til Bruce tipped it over the bar.
The final goal came in the 81st minute. Pooler flicked the ball into the path of Stevenson who sped through the centre before releasing it to his left to find G WILSON. He carried on into the box before drilling a low shot across the keeper to make it 4-0.
Luncarty’s keeper had picked up a knock & after a short delay was replaced Stewart.
Talbot twice came close to adding to their tally in the closing stages. Firstly, White hit a daisy cutter from 20 yards that flew just past the right post & then Stevenson latched onto a weak headed clearance before firing a shot just over the bar.
This was a comfortable win for Talbot who dominated from first to last to send the fans home happy. Next for Talbot is a sterner challenge as they head up to Bellsdale to face Beith in the league.
Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McGoldrick, McCracken, Young, Hyslop, G Wilson, Shankland, S Wilson
Subs – Stevenson, Pooler, White, Latta, Boyle
Luncarty – Bruce, D Kelly, Dobie, McAllister, Dolzanski, Gordon, Walker, Reid, Whytock, Doig, Montgomery
Subs – Stewart, Nicol, McLaren, G Kelly, Gray
Luncarty
Beith v Auchinleck Talbot
Beith 0 Talbot 1 ( H-T 0-0)
Beith paid the penalty in this cup tie as Talbot edged them out in a match where two spot kicks proved crucial to the outcome.
It was the Bot who settled first & made the early running as they shot down the Bellsdale slope. Frize was fortunate to escape an early booking when he went right through Hyslop 30 yards from goal. Graham Wilson took the resultant free kick & got it up & over the wall but straight at Grindlay who made an easy save.
The home side came close in the 7th minute. Frize read Leishman’s long throw & intercepted it on the right wing. The ball was swung into the centre where McPherson ran onto it but his shot lacked fizz & was easily saved by Leishman.
A minute later Hyslop looped a header wide when he met McGoldrick’s free kick inside the penalty area.
It looked to be advantage Beith in the 11th minute. A ball into the heart of the penalty area was cleared but cannoned off a player at the edge of the area & fell kindly for McGlinchey inside the box. He went down under Lyle’s challenge & the ref pointed to the spot. Christie struck it on target but Leishman went the right way & dived low to his left to turn it wide.
Talbot threatened the Beith goal on the quarter hour mark. McCracken led a counter-attack down the left before finding Milliken. He cut the ball back into the area where Young met it sweetly & his low drive was goal bound until it was blocked off a defender. It came back out to Young who squared it across to Steven Wilson who lifted a shot over the bar from 18 yards.
Beith’s defence had to be at the top of their game in the 24th minute when Milliken gathered out on the right & whipped a tremendous cross into the centre. Graham Wilson went for it at the near post but was just beaten to the ball by a whisker by McLaughlin who headed clear.
Frize had a lucky escape soon after. Already on a yellow card he blatantly tripped Steven Wilson as he raced forward but the ref decided it wasn’t worth a 2nd caution.
The penalty apart, Beith hadn’t offered much of a threat but they did come close on the half hour mark. A Beith corner was headed clear by Boyle but came out to J Wilson who met it on the volley & sent a shot just over the bar.
MacDonald became the 2nd Beith player cautioned when he up-ended McCracken as he bore down on the Beith box, resulting in a free kick 20 yards out. G Wilson took it but his shot clipped the top of the wall.
In the 42nd minute Beith almost capitalised on a slice of luck inside the Talbot box. McGlinchey’s mishit shot broke into the path of McPherson 15 yards out but he hesitated for a fraction & was challenged as he hit it with the ball spinning high into the air where it was gathered by Leishman.
The referee again erred on the side of leniency a minute before the interval. MacDonald should have received a 2nd yellow card for his late challenge on Milliken but the ref kept his cards in his pocket & contented himself with awarding the free kick. McCracken fired in a low shot from 30 yards that was blocked clear & the sides went in goal less at the interval.
The opening spell of the 2nd half was evenly contested with both sides having half chances to take the lead. Firstly Milliken cut into the area from the right & fired on target but sent his shot straight at Grindlay then down the other end MacGowan met McGlinchey’s hanging cross but hit a tame shot at Leishman.
Beith made the game’s 1st change in the 58th minute when Burke came on in place of McMenamin.
Graham Wilson very nearly provided the breakthrough in the 61st minute. He jinked inside the box off the left wing before firing narrowly over the bar.
Milliken picked up a yellow card in the 64th min for dissent when Beith won a free kick out on the right. MacGowan curled an in swinger into the box which Milliken headed over the bar. When the corner came over McLaughlin ran onto it but steered his free header over the bar from 8 yards.
Beith made a double switch in the 67th minute with McLean on for McPherson & Watt replacing MacDonald.
Two minutes later Talbot had a chance to take the lead. Graham Wilson released Young in space on the left of the area. He might have gone for the shot but instead opted to square it across the face of goal & the defence were able to clear.
Talbot enjoyed a bit of good fortune in the 70th minute. Watt got free on the right & sped a dangerous low ball across the 6-yard area. Christie was lurking unmarked at the back post but the ball clipped off McGoldrick’s heel & out to Harvey who completed the clearance.
A few minutes later Leishman produced his 2nd crucial save of the afternoon. A corner from the right came over into a packed penalty box & McLaughlin met it to direct an overhead kick on target. It looked a goal all the way until Leishman threw out his right arm to turn it away.
Tucker made his 1st change in the 81st minute with Shankland coming on for the tiring Milliken.
Shankland was only on the pitch two minutes before being flattened by J Wilson who received a yellow card for his troubles.
With 5 minutes to go Tucker made his 2nd change with White replacing McCracken in midfield.
Young nearly won it for Talbot soon after. Boyle met a ball in from the left & headed it back across goal where Young’s volley flew just past the right upright with the keeper beaten.
Just when it looked as though the game was heading for a replay Talbot made the breakthrough. White gathered by the right touchline & slipped the ball up the wing. The Beith defence were looking for an offside flag that never came & G Wilson carried on into the area where he took it wide of the keeper who sent him crashing to the deck. The ref pointed to the spot but there was a lengthy delay before it could be taken to allow treatment for Grindlay. The delay didn’t faze STEVEN WILSON who coolly stepped up & slotted the penalty home.
Beith threw bodies forward as the game moved into injury time but it was too little, too late & the Bot defence stood firm to knock the holders out.
This was an impressive away win against tough opposition & hopefully Talbot can kick on from this & maintain a similar level of performance next Saturday when they visit Hurlford in the league.
It was the Bot who settled first & made the early running as they shot down the Bellsdale slope. Frize was fortunate to escape an early booking when he went right through Hyslop 30 yards from goal. Graham Wilson took the resultant free kick & got it up & over the wall but straight at Grindlay who made an easy save.
The home side came close in the 7th minute. Frize read Leishman’s long throw & intercepted it on the right wing. The ball was swung into the centre where McPherson ran onto it but his shot lacked fizz & was easily saved by Leishman.
A minute later Hyslop looped a header wide when he met McGoldrick’s free kick inside the penalty area.
It looked to be advantage Beith in the 11th minute. A ball into the heart of the penalty area was cleared but cannoned off a player at the edge of the area & fell kindly for McGlinchey inside the box. He went down under Lyle’s challenge & the ref pointed to the spot. Christie struck it on target but Leishman went the right way & dived low to his left to turn it wide.
Talbot threatened the Beith goal on the quarter hour mark. McCracken led a counter-attack down the left before finding Milliken. He cut the ball back into the area where Young met it sweetly & his low drive was goal bound until it was blocked off a defender. It came back out to Young who squared it across to Steven Wilson who lifted a shot over the bar from 18 yards.
Beith’s defence had to be at the top of their game in the 24th minute when Milliken gathered out on the right & whipped a tremendous cross into the centre. Graham Wilson went for it at the near post but was just beaten to the ball by a whisker by McLaughlin who headed clear.
Frize had a lucky escape soon after. Already on a yellow card he blatantly tripped Steven Wilson as he raced forward but the ref decided it wasn’t worth a 2nd caution.
The penalty apart, Beith hadn’t offered much of a threat but they did come close on the half hour mark. A Beith corner was headed clear by Boyle but came out to J Wilson who met it on the volley & sent a shot just over the bar.
MacDonald became the 2nd Beith player cautioned when he up-ended McCracken as he bore down on the Beith box, resulting in a free kick 20 yards out. G Wilson took it but his shot clipped the top of the wall.
In the 42nd minute Beith almost capitalised on a slice of luck inside the Talbot box. McGlinchey’s mishit shot broke into the path of McPherson 15 yards out but he hesitated for a fraction & was challenged as he hit it with the ball spinning high into the air where it was gathered by Leishman.
The referee again erred on the side of leniency a minute before the interval. MacDonald should have received a 2nd yellow card for his late challenge on Milliken but the ref kept his cards in his pocket & contented himself with awarding the free kick. McCracken fired in a low shot from 30 yards that was blocked clear & the sides went in goal less at the interval.
The opening spell of the 2nd half was evenly contested with both sides having half chances to take the lead. Firstly Milliken cut into the area from the right & fired on target but sent his shot straight at Grindlay then down the other end MacGowan met McGlinchey’s hanging cross but hit a tame shot at Leishman.
Beith made the game’s 1st change in the 58th minute when Burke came on in place of McMenamin.
Graham Wilson very nearly provided the breakthrough in the 61st minute. He jinked inside the box off the left wing before firing narrowly over the bar.
Milliken picked up a yellow card in the 64th min for dissent when Beith won a free kick out on the right. MacGowan curled an in swinger into the box which Milliken headed over the bar. When the corner came over McLaughlin ran onto it but steered his free header over the bar from 8 yards.
Beith made a double switch in the 67th minute with McLean on for McPherson & Watt replacing MacDonald.
Two minutes later Talbot had a chance to take the lead. Graham Wilson released Young in space on the left of the area. He might have gone for the shot but instead opted to square it across the face of goal & the defence were able to clear.
Talbot enjoyed a bit of good fortune in the 70th minute. Watt got free on the right & sped a dangerous low ball across the 6-yard area. Christie was lurking unmarked at the back post but the ball clipped off McGoldrick’s heel & out to Harvey who completed the clearance.
A few minutes later Leishman produced his 2nd crucial save of the afternoon. A corner from the right came over into a packed penalty box & McLaughlin met it to direct an overhead kick on target. It looked a goal all the way until Leishman threw out his right arm to turn it away.
Tucker made his 1st change in the 81st minute with Shankland coming on for the tiring Milliken.
Shankland was only on the pitch two minutes before being flattened by J Wilson who received a yellow card for his troubles.
With 5 minutes to go Tucker made his 2nd change with White replacing McCracken in midfield.
Young nearly won it for Talbot soon after. Boyle met a ball in from the left & headed it back across goal where Young’s volley flew just past the right upright with the keeper beaten.
Just when it looked as though the game was heading for a replay Talbot made the breakthrough. White gathered by the right touchline & slipped the ball up the wing. The Beith defence were looking for an offside flag that never came & G Wilson carried on into the area where he took it wide of the keeper who sent him crashing to the deck. The ref pointed to the spot but there was a lengthy delay before it could be taken to allow treatment for Grindlay. The delay didn’t faze STEVEN WILSON who coolly stepped up & slotted the penalty home.
Beith threw bodies forward as the game moved into injury time but it was too little, too late & the Bot defence stood firm to knock the holders out.
This was an impressive away win against tough opposition & hopefully Talbot can kick on from this & maintain a similar level of performance next Saturday when they visit Hurlford in the league.
Beith – Grindlay, MacDonald, McMenamin, McLaughlin, Sheridan, J Wilson, McGlinchey, Frize, McPherson, Christie, McGowan
Subs – McLean, Watt, Collins, Burke, Martin
Talbot – Leishman, Harvey, Lyle, McGoldrick, Boyle, McCracken, Hyslop, S Wilson, Milliken, G Wilson, Young
Subs – Shankland, White, Stevenson, McPherson, Pope
