Photographs by Paul Flynn.
Carnoustie Panmure v Auchinleck Talbot
Competition: SCOTTISH JUNIOR CUP
Auchinleck Talbot v Pollok
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Beechwood’s largest crowd of the season saw Talbot arguably produce their best performance of the season to brush Pollok aside 4-1 & march onto into the quarter-finals of the Scottish.
It took Talbot a little time to settle & the visitors made the early running. Leishman was called into action in the 4th minute when Wharton hurled a long throw into the goalmouth that he had to punch clear. The ball came back out to Wharton he drove it low across goal where Leishman smothered it.
A minute later Pollok won a free kick in a dangerous area when Gormley was caught just outside the right edge of the penalty area. Forde took it & whipped it up & over the wall but Leishman was well positioned & took it comfortably.
Talbot had another scare in the 8th minute when Rowan clipped the top of the crossbar as he swung an over hit cross over from the right touchline.
Gradually, Talbot settled & began to threaten the Lok goal. The Bot’s first real chance came in the 16th minute. Under pressure, Wharton intercepted McIlroy’s ball across the area & passed it back to Longmuir who was forced to handle it. The ref awarded Talbot an indirect free kick 6 yards out. Shankland touched it to Graham Wilson & his fierce drive was deflected over the bar off a posse of Lok players in the goalmouth.
Shankland lifted the corner over where Hyslop got a head to it & it came back out wide to Shankland on the right. He took it 1st time on the volley & Longmuir made an excellent stop to turn it round his left hand post. Shankland again took the corner & flighted it into the centre where Pollok failed to clear their lines. The ball broke to Stephen Wilson who was upended by Young as he tried to clear & the ref pointed to the spot. STEPHEN WILSON took the spot kick & placed it low inside the right post to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Talbot’s next attack saw the Bot win a free kick out on the right after Graham Wilson was fouled by Gallacher. Shankland whipped the ball over & Stephen Wilson glanced a header wide of the far post.
Pollok had a half chance in the 24th minute courtesy of Wharton’s looping long shy into the area. It glanced off Harvey’s head & came to Forde 6 yards out but he couldn’t generate any power behind his header & Leishman saved easily.
Brash became the 1st man in the book in the 26th minute when he was guilty of a reckless tackle on Hyslop.
That proved to be the Lok midfielder’s last contribution as he limped off a few minutes later to be replaced by Little.
The Lok defence got into a fankle at a Bot corner kick in the 32nd minute. Shankland hit it deep beyond the far post where Stephen Wilson guided it back across goal. Gormley mishit his attempted clearance, shanking it on target, but fortunately for Lok it came to Longmuir who knocked it clear.
Talbot doubled their lead in the 42nd minute via a wonder strike from Pope. Hyslop gathered the ball on the right & squared it across to GORDON POPE 25 yards out & he hammered a drive past Longmuir to make it 2-0.
Both sides had chances late on in the half. Firstly, Talbot threatened to put the game beyond Lok’s reach. Pope lifted a ball up the left for Graham Wilson which he controlled before rolling it back toward Shankland just inside the area but he was leaning back as he struck it & lifted his shot over the bar.
In the closing seconds of the half Forde had a similar opportunity just outside the Bot penalty box but he also leant back as he hit it & scooped his shot well over & so Talbot went in two ahead at the interval.
Pollok made a change at half-time with McCluskey coming on for Wharton.
The Bot started the 2nd half brightly, playing on the front foot, looking for a 3rd goal to kill the tie off.
In the 49th minute Stephen Wilson headed Leishman’s clearance down into the path of Graham Wilson but he lashed his shot over from 25 yards.
Two minutes later the Wilson brothers combined again. Stephen lifted the ball down the right to find Graham in space & he squared it into the centre to find Shankland who curled a shot over the bar.
Pollok came close in the 53rd minute to pulling a goal back. Leishman came off his line to punch a corner clear but it came out to Little 20 yards out & his shot was sailing into the roof of the net until Leishman dived to his left to tip it round the post.
A swift Talbot counter in the 56th minute was abruptly ended by Niang when he tripped Graham Wilson just outside the box to end his surging run, resulting in a booking for the Lok defender. Shankland took the set piece & was inches away from extending Talbot’s lead as his shot cannoned off the postage stamp corner with Longmuir well beaten.
White became the 1st Bot player to receive a caution when he was booked in the 58th minute for obstruction as he broke up a Lok attack.
It could have been game over on the hour mark. Hyslop fed the ball to Stephen Wilson inside the box & he teed it up perfectly for Graham Wilson but he blazed it over the bar from 15 yards out.
Leishman produced his 2nd impressive stop of the afternoon in the 63rd minute to deny ex-Bot player Gormley. Little whipped in a good cross from the left that fell kindly for Gormley 12 yards out, he struck it well enough back across goal but Leishman reacted sharply to throw out his right hand to claw it away.
Shankland picked up a needless yellow card in the 65th minute for kicking the ball away.
Both sides now made a switch, firstly Tucker brought on Thomson to replace White & then Pollok brought on Hepburn in place of Forde.
Talbot’s next foray into the Lok box saw McIlroy power his way down the left & fire a shot from a tight angle that Longmuir had to block at his near post.
The Lok keeper kept their hopes alive in the 72nd minute when he prevented Graham Wilson from putting Talbot three ahead. McIlroy won the ball outside the area & played it into the feet of Shankland who in turn switched it 1st time to Wilson. He cut across on his left foot & angled a shot for a far corner that Longmuir blocked with his outstretched left leg.
Hepburn received a caution in the 76th minute for a frankly embarrassing dive; throwing himself to the deck in a desperate attempt to con a penalty.
A minute later Pollok won a free kick within shooting range. Rowan squared the ball for Young to run onto & he was caught by Thomson. Gormley took it but tamely passed it back to Leishman.
Talbot now made a further change with Glasgow coming on for McIlroy.
In the 83rd minute Pollok pulled a goal back. A corner from the left was played into the near post where YOUNG met it with a diving header to make it 2-1.
Talbot responded in the best possible way to this setback, immediately going down the other end, and restoring their two goal lead. Gallacher appeared to shove Graham Wilson in the back but the ref gave nothing. The ball broke to Shankland who sent it inside to JAMIE GLASGOW & he sped past the Lok defence before slotting the ball past Longmuir to make it 3-1.
Tucker now completed Talbot’s subsitutions with Faulds coming on for Shankland.
Two minutes from time Gallacher received a caution for a very late challenge on Graham Wilson.
Talbot completed the scoring in injury time. A great passage of football saw Talbot open the Lok defence to create an opening for Stephen Wilson. His low drive was blocked but it spun to JAMIE GLASGOW who passed it into the net to make the final score 4-1.
A very accomplished display by the Bot who thoroughly deserved the win as they keep their fine run of form going. Next up for Talbot it is back to league duties as they host Arthurlie at Beechwood.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, S Wilson, Hyslop, White, McIlroy, G Wilson, Shankland
Subs – Glasgow, Thomson, Faulds, McCracken, Armstrong
Pollok Juniors – Longmuir, Niang, Byrne, Wharton, Gallacher, Brash, S McCann, Rowan, Forde, Gormley, Young
Subs – Hepburn, McCluskey, Little, Johnson (gk)
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
Cumnock Juniors v Auchinleck Talbot
Talbot firmly put Cumnock in their place with a dominant display in their Scottish cup encounter at Townhead; routing the home side 5-1 to the delight of the majority of the crowd.
Right from the off Talbot looked the hungrier side & could have taken the lead inside 3 minutes. Pope lifted a ball down the left to McIlroy who laid it inside to Hyslop. He got the break of the ball & carried on into the penalty area where he lifted a shot over the bar from 16 yards.
The opener came in the 9th minute after a messy spell of play out on the right. The ball ricocheted around before being gathered by Glasgow who surged on a diagonal run before releasing the ball to the unmarked SHANKLAND on the left of the area & he coolly passed the ball across goal past Semple to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Talbot continued to press & put together a neat move down the left in the 16th minute. Shankland & Glasgow combined well before the move was abruptly ended by a late tackle from Lundie. Shankland took the free kick & curled a dangerous ball over beyond the back post that floated out for a goal kick.
The Cumnock keeper was put to the test in the 19th minute when Shankland gathered on the left, knocked it past Murray, and lifted a cross beyond the far post where Glasgow met it only to see his effort blocked by Semple.
Esplin picked up the game’s 1st caution, in the 21st minute, for a late challenge on Hyslop 35 yards from goal. POPE took the free kick & fired a low shot straight down the centre that slipped through the hands of Semple like a bar of wet soap to put Talbot two ahead.
Cumnock looked a team drained of belief and they nearly fell further behind in the 25th minute. Talbot won a corner which was whipped into the near post where Harvey directed it onto target only for Semple to dive & turn it round the right post.
Talbot were looking very comfortable in their lead but Cumnock slowly began to make some headway & their 1st real chance of the match came in the 36th minute. Anson managed to flick the ball over McPherson & it briefly looked like he would have a sight of goal but the ball ran away from him inside the box.
It was almost game over in the 40th minute when Talbot came close twice to adding to their lead. Pope sent Shankland free on the left of the Nock penalty area & he brought the best out of Semple who did well to turn his drive round the post. When the corner came over Hyslop rose to meet it & did everything right, heading it down, but a Nock defender fortuitously got in the way & the defence cleared.
For all Talbot’s dominance the game was thrown back into the balance 3 minutes before the interval when Cumnock pulled a goal back. Talbot were caught dreaming at a Cumnock shy & when the ball was thrown in from the right ANSON met it to guide a header low inside Leishman’s right post.
On the stroke of half-time Cumnock, much against the run of play, threatened to produce a leveller. Talbot were on the attack and Steven Wilson appeared to be bundled over 25 yards out but the ref waved play on. Cumnock swiftly countered & a ball over the top found Samson running into the Bot penalty area. He had a chance to go for the shot but chose to keep going & dallied on the ball too long before being dispossessed, and so Talbot left the field a goal to the good at the interval.
The Cumnock support had been offered a flicker of hope when they pulled a goal back but it didn’t survive long in a 2nd half where Talbot were in complete control from the off.
The Bot could have extended their lead in the 49th minute. Glasgow’s slide rule pass took the Nock defence out the equation to send McIlroy free on the right but his 1st touch proved too heavy & Semple raced off his line to dive at his feet to smother the ball.
Two minutes later Shankland tried his luck from distance. White’s header found him on space on the right & he drilled a shot on target that Semple parried away.
The pressure finally told & Talbot grabbed their 3rd goal in the 54th minute. Lyle lifted a cross into the centre which glanced off a defender’s head & came out to the left. SHANKLAND ghosted past Muir & arrowed a neat finish across goal & into the bottom corner to put Talbot in command.
Any hopes of a Cumnock fightback were ended on the hour mark when Talbot moved 4-1 ahead.
The Cumnock defence were unable to clear their lines & the ball pinged back & forth 30 yards out before falling to Shankland. He deftly chipped the ball through to GLASGOW who buried it low past Semple.
Cumnock now made a double substitution bringing on Hilton & M McKenzie.
Samson did well out on the right in the 63rd minute. He controlled a long ball over the top & whipped a dangerous cross over that Lyle had to head over his own bar.
Hyslop had his name taken a minute later for a late challenge, resulting in a Cumnock free kick 25 yards from goal. Samson took it but drilled his shot straight into the wall.
An incisive counter-attack almost saw Talbot add to their lead. Glasgow brought the ball out from the back & raced into the Nock half before finding Steven Wilson on the right. He crossed it first time into the centre where McIlroy bulleted a header for goal but it went straight at Semple.
Tucker now made his 1st change with Graham Wilson on for McIlroy.
Glasgow nearly nabbed his 2nd of the afternoon in the 70th minute. He latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area & sent a low shot skidding off the outside the right post with the keeper well beaten.
Talbot made their 2nd change in the 75th minute with Faulds replacing Hyslop in midfield and a few minutes later Tucker completed his changes when Thomson came on for Steven Wilson.
The scoring was complete in the 85th minute when Talbot added their 5th goal from an unlikely source. Glasgow spread the ball out to Shankland on the left & he fired a low ball across the face of goal which LYLE bundled home from close range.
As the clock ticked down the referee took pity on the hosts with a couple of sympathy vote decisions. In the final minute of regulation time Glasgow was clearly tripped in the penalty box but the ref waved play on & deep into injury time Crawford ought to have been shown a straight red for a crude challenge on Thomson but the ref only booked him.
A great derby win for Talbot to book their place in the last 16 of the Scottish. Next week it is back to league duty & an away day at Pollok.Cumnock – Semple, Muir, Ballantyne, Lundie, Murray, Crawford, Samson, Burns, Anson, Esplin, Montgomerie
Right from the off Talbot looked the hungrier side & could have taken the lead inside 3 minutes. Pope lifted a ball down the left to McIlroy who laid it inside to Hyslop. He got the break of the ball & carried on into the penalty area where he lifted a shot over the bar from 16 yards.
The opener came in the 9th minute after a messy spell of play out on the right. The ball ricocheted around before being gathered by Glasgow who surged on a diagonal run before releasing the ball to the unmarked SHANKLAND on the left of the area & he coolly passed the ball across goal past Semple to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Talbot continued to press & put together a neat move down the left in the 16th minute. Shankland & Glasgow combined well before the move was abruptly ended by a late tackle from Lundie. Shankland took the free kick & curled a dangerous ball over beyond the back post that floated out for a goal kick.
The Cumnock keeper was put to the test in the 19th minute when Shankland gathered on the left, knocked it past Murray, and lifted a cross beyond the far post where Glasgow met it only to see his effort blocked by Semple.
Esplin picked up the game’s 1st caution, in the 21st minute, for a late challenge on Hyslop 35 yards from goal. POPE took the free kick & fired a low shot straight down the centre that slipped through the hands of Semple like a bar of wet soap to put Talbot two ahead.
Cumnock looked a team drained of belief and they nearly fell further behind in the 25th minute. Talbot won a corner which was whipped into the near post where Harvey directed it onto target only for Semple to dive & turn it round the right post.
Talbot were looking very comfortable in their lead but Cumnock slowly began to make some headway & their 1st real chance of the match came in the 36th minute. Anson managed to flick the ball over McPherson & it briefly looked like he would have a sight of goal but the ball ran away from him inside the box.
It was almost game over in the 40th minute when Talbot came close twice to adding to their lead. Pope sent Shankland free on the left of the Nock penalty area & he brought the best out of Semple who did well to turn his drive round the post. When the corner came over Hyslop rose to meet it & did everything right, heading it down, but a Nock defender fortuitously got in the way & the defence cleared.
For all Talbot’s dominance the game was thrown back into the balance 3 minutes before the interval when Cumnock pulled a goal back. Talbot were caught dreaming at a Cumnock shy & when the ball was thrown in from the right ANSON met it to guide a header low inside Leishman’s right post.
On the stroke of half-time Cumnock, much against the run of play, threatened to produce a leveller. Talbot were on the attack and Steven Wilson appeared to be bundled over 25 yards out but the ref waved play on. Cumnock swiftly countered & a ball over the top found Samson running into the Bot penalty area. He had a chance to go for the shot but chose to keep going & dallied on the ball too long before being dispossessed, and so Talbot left the field a goal to the good at the interval.
The Cumnock support had been offered a flicker of hope when they pulled a goal back but it didn’t survive long in a 2nd half where Talbot were in complete control from the off.
The Bot could have extended their lead in the 49th minute. Glasgow’s slide rule pass took the Nock defence out the equation to send McIlroy free on the right but his 1st touch proved too heavy & Semple raced off his line to dive at his feet to smother the ball.
Two minutes later Shankland tried his luck from distance. White’s header found him on space on the right & he drilled a shot on target that Semple parried away.
The pressure finally told & Talbot grabbed their 3rd goal in the 54th minute. Lyle lifted a cross into the centre which glanced off a defender’s head & came out to the left. SHANKLAND ghosted past Muir & arrowed a neat finish across goal & into the bottom corner to put Talbot in command.
Any hopes of a Cumnock fightback were ended on the hour mark when Talbot moved 4-1 ahead.
The Cumnock defence were unable to clear their lines & the ball pinged back & forth 30 yards out before falling to Shankland. He deftly chipped the ball through to GLASGOW who buried it low past Semple.
Cumnock now made a double substitution bringing on Hilton & M McKenzie.
Samson did well out on the right in the 63rd minute. He controlled a long ball over the top & whipped a dangerous cross over that Lyle had to head over his own bar.
Hyslop had his name taken a minute later for a late challenge, resulting in a Cumnock free kick 25 yards from goal. Samson took it but drilled his shot straight into the wall.
An incisive counter-attack almost saw Talbot add to their lead. Glasgow brought the ball out from the back & raced into the Nock half before finding Steven Wilson on the right. He crossed it first time into the centre where McIlroy bulleted a header for goal but it went straight at Semple.
Tucker now made his 1st change with Graham Wilson on for McIlroy.
Glasgow nearly nabbed his 2nd of the afternoon in the 70th minute. He latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area & sent a low shot skidding off the outside the right post with the keeper well beaten.
Talbot made their 2nd change in the 75th minute with Faulds replacing Hyslop in midfield and a few minutes later Tucker completed his changes when Thomson came on for Steven Wilson.
The scoring was complete in the 85th minute when Talbot added their 5th goal from an unlikely source. Glasgow spread the ball out to Shankland on the left & he fired a low ball across the face of goal which LYLE bundled home from close range.
As the clock ticked down the referee took pity on the hosts with a couple of sympathy vote decisions. In the final minute of regulation time Glasgow was clearly tripped in the penalty box but the ref waved play on & deep into injury time Crawford ought to have been shown a straight red for a crude challenge on Thomson but the ref only booked him.
A great derby win for Talbot to book their place in the last 16 of the Scottish. Next week it is back to league duty & an away day at Pollok.Cumnock – Semple, Muir, Ballantyne, Lundie, Murray, Crawford, Samson, Burns, Anson, Esplin, Montgomerie
Subs – S McKenzie, Hilton, M McKenzie, Hunter, Johnston (gk)
Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, S Wilson, White, Hyslop, McIlroy, Glasgow, Shankland
Subs – G Wilson, Faulds, Thomson, McCracken, Armstrong
Read more: http://auchinlecktalbotfc.proboards.com/thread/7979/cumnock-1-talbot-5-2#ixzz55VXwtTOg
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
Cumnock Juniors v Auchinleck Talbot
Hill O’ Beath v Auchinleck Talbot
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT
Talbot fans of a certain age could have been forgiven for thinking the omens weren’t good for this Scottish tie as the last time Talbot travelled through to Keirs Park in blustery conditions it didn’t end well. This time however was a different story as Talbot bested their opponents & the elements to ease to a 2-0 win.
With the wind at their backs Talbot pushed the hosts back right from the off, with the Haws finding it difficult to get out of their half. The home defence was stretched as early as the 4th minute with Connors heading Lyle’s dangerous cross clear in the centre. Soon after, Talbot had their 1st effort on target when Glasgow met Hyslop’s cross but steered his header straight at Hall.
Stephen Wilson was unfortunate not to open the scoring in the 8th minute. A free kick was taken short & knocked back to Wilson whose curling shot had the keeper well beaten only to cannon off the woodwork.
The pressure told & a minute later Talbot took the lead. G Wilson fed the ball out to JAMIE GLASGOW on the right of the area & he took full advantage of the time & space to drill a low shot past Hall into the opposite corner.
The Haws didn’t have time to settle before Talbot doubled their advantage in the 11th minute. Shankland scampered down the wing before firing it across the face of goal where GRAHAM WILSON bundled it home at the back post.
Talbot were well in control & nearly added to their lead in the 18th minute. Hay’s attempted clearance was caught by the wind & blown back toward his own goal where G Wilson latched onto it & volleyed just wide of target from 18 yards.
The home side offered their 1st threat of the afternoon in the 21st minute. A long throw from the right was flicked across goal but there were no takers. Wright gathered it out on the left & swung a cross into the box which Watt headed wide of target.
Hill of Beath had an effort on target in the 25th minute. Harvey didn’t get much distance on a headed clearance & it came out to Schiavone who fired a low drive on goal which Leishman held.
The 1st booking of the afternoon came a minute later when HOB’s Leishman was cautioned for a foul on Graham Wilson.
A third goal would have ended the game as a contest & Talbot came close to grabbing it in the 33rd minute. White did well down the right & slung a cross into the box that the defence struggled to clear. It came out to Shankland on the left & he curled over a ball that Hyslop just failed to connect with in front of goal.
Wright became the 2nd Hill of Beath player booked when cautioned for a late challenge in midfield.
Talbot almost made the hosts pay from the resultant free kick with Pope’s delivery finding the head of Hyslop. He headed it back down to Glasgow whose 1st time effort flew just over the bar.
There hadn’t been too many close calls around the Talbot box but the hosts did come close in the 37th minute. Watt managed to turn McPherson just outside the box & his shot took a nick off McPherson & deflected just wide of Leishman’s left post. When the corner came over Dair met it & directed it on target but Leishman was well positioned to clutch it high inside his left hand post.
In the closing stages of the half Talbot twice came close to adding to their lead. Firstly, Shankland left Leishman in his wake before sliding the ball into the near post where Stephen Wilson was just beaten to it by Connors who stretched to knock it behind.
In the final minute of the half Graham Wilson raced clear down the left & drove a low ball across the face of goal which Stephen Wilson just couldn’t reach at the far post & so the sides went in separated by Talbot’s two early strikes.
The 2nd half was only 3 minutes old when Hyslop became the 1st Talbot player booked; cautioned for a late challenge on Grierson.
The referee made the wrong call in the 53rd minute. Under pressure, Dair slid the ball back to his keeper who picked it up, but the ref ignored Talbot’s appeals for an indirect free kick.
Even playing into the stiff breeze Talbot were having the best of it & carrying more of a goal threat. Hall came to his side’s rescue in the 54th minute when Graham Wilson got free down the right & carried it forward before drilling a powerful shot on target that the keeper held at the 2nd attempt.
Two minutes later the keeper produced a top class save to defy Shankland. A shy from the left bounced its way to Shankland outside the area & his half volley looked destined for the net til Hall dived full length to turn it round the post.
Talbot had a scare down the other end when Leishman misjudged a swirling cross from the left. He got a hand to it at the back post & clawed it away where it hit off Schiavone & went behind for a goal kick.
The home side made their 1st change on the hour mark with Denton coming on in place of Schiavone.
Hill of Beath’s slim hopes of a comeback were dealt a blow in the 68th minute when they were reduced to 10 men. Leishman went right through the back of Graham Wilson & the full-back was sent to the clubhouse for his 2nd yellow of the afternoon.
The Wilson brothers combined well together in the 70th minute, Stephen finding Graham on the right & Graham sliding the ball on through as Stephen continued his run; however Hall had spotted the danger & was quickly off his line to beat S Wilson to it.
Hill of Beath had a half chance in the 71st minute when they won a corner on the right. It was played into the near post where Elder headed it wide under pressure from Hyslop.
A minute later Talbot nearly made it three. Hyslop played in Glasgow down the right & he drilled it low inside the near post where Hall made another fine save; blocking with his feet.
Hill of Beath now made a further change with Mitchell replacing Hay & Talbot made their 1st switch with Armstrong coming on for Shankland.
Hay produced a good cross in the 80th minute when he flighted a ball in from the left but it sailed just over the head of Elder & went behind for a goal kick.
Tucker now made a 2nd change with McIlroy replacing Glasgow.
The home side had one final chance to narrow the gap in the 85th minute. A free kick from the right was angled to the back post where Elder powered a header wide from close range.
As the game moved into the closing stages Talbot made their final change with Faulds on for Hyslop.
Not a day for pretty football or the purist but Talbot got the job done & made light work of a tricky away tie. Next up for Talbot it is back to league duties where they end the year with the visit of Kilwinning Rangers.
With the wind at their backs Talbot pushed the hosts back right from the off, with the Haws finding it difficult to get out of their half. The home defence was stretched as early as the 4th minute with Connors heading Lyle’s dangerous cross clear in the centre. Soon after, Talbot had their 1st effort on target when Glasgow met Hyslop’s cross but steered his header straight at Hall.
Stephen Wilson was unfortunate not to open the scoring in the 8th minute. A free kick was taken short & knocked back to Wilson whose curling shot had the keeper well beaten only to cannon off the woodwork.
The pressure told & a minute later Talbot took the lead. G Wilson fed the ball out to JAMIE GLASGOW on the right of the area & he took full advantage of the time & space to drill a low shot past Hall into the opposite corner.
The Haws didn’t have time to settle before Talbot doubled their advantage in the 11th minute. Shankland scampered down the wing before firing it across the face of goal where GRAHAM WILSON bundled it home at the back post.
Talbot were well in control & nearly added to their lead in the 18th minute. Hay’s attempted clearance was caught by the wind & blown back toward his own goal where G Wilson latched onto it & volleyed just wide of target from 18 yards.
The home side offered their 1st threat of the afternoon in the 21st minute. A long throw from the right was flicked across goal but there were no takers. Wright gathered it out on the left & swung a cross into the box which Watt headed wide of target.
Hill of Beath had an effort on target in the 25th minute. Harvey didn’t get much distance on a headed clearance & it came out to Schiavone who fired a low drive on goal which Leishman held.
The 1st booking of the afternoon came a minute later when HOB’s Leishman was cautioned for a foul on Graham Wilson.
A third goal would have ended the game as a contest & Talbot came close to grabbing it in the 33rd minute. White did well down the right & slung a cross into the box that the defence struggled to clear. It came out to Shankland on the left & he curled over a ball that Hyslop just failed to connect with in front of goal.
Wright became the 2nd Hill of Beath player booked when cautioned for a late challenge in midfield.
Talbot almost made the hosts pay from the resultant free kick with Pope’s delivery finding the head of Hyslop. He headed it back down to Glasgow whose 1st time effort flew just over the bar.
There hadn’t been too many close calls around the Talbot box but the hosts did come close in the 37th minute. Watt managed to turn McPherson just outside the box & his shot took a nick off McPherson & deflected just wide of Leishman’s left post. When the corner came over Dair met it & directed it on target but Leishman was well positioned to clutch it high inside his left hand post.
In the closing stages of the half Talbot twice came close to adding to their lead. Firstly, Shankland left Leishman in his wake before sliding the ball into the near post where Stephen Wilson was just beaten to it by Connors who stretched to knock it behind.
In the final minute of the half Graham Wilson raced clear down the left & drove a low ball across the face of goal which Stephen Wilson just couldn’t reach at the far post & so the sides went in separated by Talbot’s two early strikes.
The 2nd half was only 3 minutes old when Hyslop became the 1st Talbot player booked; cautioned for a late challenge on Grierson.
The referee made the wrong call in the 53rd minute. Under pressure, Dair slid the ball back to his keeper who picked it up, but the ref ignored Talbot’s appeals for an indirect free kick.
Even playing into the stiff breeze Talbot were having the best of it & carrying more of a goal threat. Hall came to his side’s rescue in the 54th minute when Graham Wilson got free down the right & carried it forward before drilling a powerful shot on target that the keeper held at the 2nd attempt.
Two minutes later the keeper produced a top class save to defy Shankland. A shy from the left bounced its way to Shankland outside the area & his half volley looked destined for the net til Hall dived full length to turn it round the post.
Talbot had a scare down the other end when Leishman misjudged a swirling cross from the left. He got a hand to it at the back post & clawed it away where it hit off Schiavone & went behind for a goal kick.
The home side made their 1st change on the hour mark with Denton coming on in place of Schiavone.
Hill of Beath’s slim hopes of a comeback were dealt a blow in the 68th minute when they were reduced to 10 men. Leishman went right through the back of Graham Wilson & the full-back was sent to the clubhouse for his 2nd yellow of the afternoon.
The Wilson brothers combined well together in the 70th minute, Stephen finding Graham on the right & Graham sliding the ball on through as Stephen continued his run; however Hall had spotted the danger & was quickly off his line to beat S Wilson to it.
Hill of Beath had a half chance in the 71st minute when they won a corner on the right. It was played into the near post where Elder headed it wide under pressure from Hyslop.
A minute later Talbot nearly made it three. Hyslop played in Glasgow down the right & he drilled it low inside the near post where Hall made another fine save; blocking with his feet.
Hill of Beath now made a further change with Mitchell replacing Hay & Talbot made their 1st switch with Armstrong coming on for Shankland.
Hay produced a good cross in the 80th minute when he flighted a ball in from the left but it sailed just over the head of Elder & went behind for a goal kick.
Tucker now made a 2nd change with McIlroy replacing Glasgow.
The home side had one final chance to narrow the gap in the 85th minute. A free kick from the right was angled to the back post where Elder powered a header wide from close range.
As the game moved into the closing stages Talbot made their final change with Faulds on for Hyslop.
Not a day for pretty football or the purist but Talbot got the job done & made light work of a tricky away tie. Next up for Talbot it is back to league duties where they end the year with the visit of Kilwinning Rangers.
Hill of Beath Hawthorn – Hall, Leishman, Grierson, Connors, Dair, Wright, Hay, Reid, Elder, Watt, Schiavone
Subs – Harrower, Allan, Denton, Mitchell, Morgan (gk)
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, White, S Wilson, Hyslop, G Wilson, Shankland, Glasgow
Subs – McIlroy, Armstrong, Faulds, Thomson, Hewitt (gk)
Hill O’ Beath v Auchinleck Talbot
Hill O’ Beath v Auchinleck Talbot
Hill O’ Beath v Auchinleck Talbot
Hill O’ Beath
Auchinleck Talbot v Forres Thistle
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
