SOUTH REGION CHALLENGE CUP – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Auchinleck Talbot v East Kilbride FC

TALBOT FALL AT THE FINAL HURDLE DESPITE A BRAVE ATTEMPT.

Match Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Ross Newlands.

Talbot came out 2nd best in the South Challenge final as they fell to a two goal defeat to big spending Lowland league champs East Kilbride.

The first clear chance of the afternoon came Talbot’s way in the 2nd minute. Thomson was fouled in the build-up but the referee waved play on as it had broken into the path of Gillies who carried on into the penalty area but swept his low shot wide of the left post from 15 yards. Talbot had a let off in the 6th minute when the dangerous Robertson cut in off the left onto his right foot and swerved a ball across the face of goal. There were no takers though and it sailed wide and behind for the goal kick.

In the 8th minute play swept from end to end. Firstly a Talbot attack broke down and East K countered through Robertson who won a corner down the left. It was taken short and worked square to McShane whose shot from 20 yards was blocked. Talbot now raced up field on the counter through Thomson who got free down the left and squared it across goal where it went just behind Gillies in the centre. Talbot called the keeper into action in the 10th minute. Thomson’s left to right diagonal found Abed haring free on the right. He cut it back into the path of Gillies inside the area and his low drive was blocked by Connelly.

It had been an encouraging start from Talbot but the Bot found themselves a goal behind after 13 mins. Flanagan cut in on off the right and was challenged by Wilson. Flanagan reacted quickest to the loose ball and slid it through to find BALDE on the right of the area and he gave Armour no chance as he angled it across and into the far bottom corner. Three mins later Talbot found themselves facing a free kick just outside the area when Robertson was caught by Sime. Ferguson took it, 19 yards out, at the left corner of the box but his curling effort sailed harmlessly wide.

Robertson was causing problems down Talbot’s right and E K’s next attack saw him speed down the wing before checking back and floating a dangerous cross to the back post but fortunately there was no one to take advantage. In the 19th minute Schoneville sped up the left wing and lifted a good ball into the centre which saw Hamilton clear it over his own crossbar. The resultant corner was played to the back post where it was headed clear of the box. Talbot thought they’d then won a free kick 25 yards out for an aerial challenge but to the ire of the majority of the crowd, the ref gave it the other way.

The first caution of the afternoon was awarded in the 29th minute to Spence for a trip on Schoneville. Two mins later Talbot got a scare when Flanagan managed to get away from Slooves down the right of the penalty area but his low ball across goal was cut out. In the 34th minute Balde received a yellow card for obstructing Boyle and E K’s manager Kennedy joined him in the ref’s notebook for protesting the decision.The Bot’s next attack saw Schoneville make his way to the bye line where he swung over a good cross to the back post but it went a begging as there was no one who’d read it.

In the 38th minute Armour was called into action. Flanagan cut inside off the wing and fired a left foot shot on target that Armour pushed wide of his right post. When the corner came over from the left Ferguson got his head to it but glanced it over the bar. A minute later Talbot passed up a good chance to draw level. The ref allowed an advantage as the ball ran through to Gillies and he carried it on into the penalty area but he sent his shot wide of the left post from 15 yards.

In the 40th minute Talbot won a free kick in their own half which Slooves hit up the left to find Schoneville. He delivered a good cross beyond the back post which found Abed. He took a touch rather than hit it 1st time and when he hit it his low shot was blocked. It spun out to Sime with his back to goal. He was unable to turn and get a shot away but it broke back to Thomson whose low shot was cleared by a defender. In the closing minutes of the half Robertson sent over a good cross to the back post which Schoneville headed behind for a corner which came to nothing and the sides went in with Talbot trailing by a goal.

Talbot got off to a shaky start to the 2nd period when they were almost caught out by a long ball over the top in the 47th minute. Armour wasn’t getting to it but McPherson stepped in to clear. Two mins later and it should have been two nil. Flanagan’s cut back from the right found its way to Ferguson 8 yards out. He hit the target but didn’t generate any power and Armour was able to save at his right hand post. In the 50th minute Talbot won a free kick just wide of the E K penalty area. Schoneville curled it to the far post where McPherson climbed to head it back down and across goal but he was penalised.

A minute later Armour made a good stop to keep the score at 1. Elliot gathered in the left of the area and pulled it back out to Balde 22 yards from goal. His half-volley took a deflection and Armour did well to turn it round the left post. The Bot were left with a mountain to climb in the 56th min when they conceded a needless penalty. East K had the ball down the left of the area but the move looked to have petered out; however Sime caught an attacker when trying to clear and the ref pointed to the spot. ELLIOT took it and gave Armour no chance as he tucked it inside the left post to make it 2-0.

Talbot needed a goal back and had a half chance to reduce the deficit in the 59th minute. A counter-attack saw Gillies find Thomson racing forward and he released it to his left to find the run of McAvoy. He got away from Balde and into the left of the penalty box but his final shot flew straight at Connelly. East K then squandered a chance to kill the game off in the 61st minute. A square ball from the left found Balde in space but he pulled his shot wide of target.

In the 66th minute Mimnaugh had his name taken for a late challenge on Sime. East K were guilty of being a bit over elaborate in the 69th minute. Balde slid it into the feet of Ferguson on the right of the area. He could have hit it but instead laid it square to Elliot who looked to have the goal at his mercy but took a touch and his shot from 6 yards was deflected wide for a corner. The Bot’s next attack saw Schoneville steam up the left and whip over a good cross. The defence could only clear it out as far as Thomson, 15 yards out, who met it sweetly but his pile driver was blocked en route by a defender. In the 74th minute McAvoy had his name taken for a late challenge on Hamilton.

Talbot now made a triple change with Kerr, Wardrope & Nimmo on in place of Schoneville, Boyle & Thomson. In the 77th minute Abed was impeded as he tried to burst in off the right. The ball ran through to Sime and the ref waved play on but his low ball across hit the first man and was cleared. A minute later Gillies came close to pulling Talbot back into it when he let fly from 25 yards but Connelly got across to tip it over the bar. Talbot then won a free kick out on the right for a foul on Abed which also saw Robertson receive a caution. Wardrope curled a good ball over beyond the back post where McPherson headed it back down and across but it was cleared in the centre.

With 9 mins remaining Nimmo did well to prod the ball on into the path of Gillies inside the area. He got on the end of it but was stretching as he went for it and his low drive was blocked by Connelly. As the clock ran down East K made a couple of changes. Firstly O’Connor came on for Flanagan and then with 3 mins remaining McKinley replaced Elliot. Talbot now also made their final changes with Mitchell on for McAvoy and Langan replacing Gillies.

Talbot had a late chance for a consolation when Kerr got away down the left and swung a good cross into the centre. It came to Nimmo 8 yards out with his back to goal and he went for the overhead kick. He made a good connection but unfortunately it went straight down the centre and Connelly held it under his bar.

It wasn’t to be for Talbot, and it’s hard to argue that East Kilbride weren’t worthy winners. Talbot now dust themselves off and go again next Saturday when they return to North Lanarkshire, this time facing Gartcairn in the league.

Auchinleck Talbot – Armour, McPherson, Schoneville, Wilson, Slooves, Sime, Boyle, Gillies, McAvoy, Thomson, Abed Subs – Nimmo, Mitchell, Kerr, Wardrope, Langan, Hanlon, Scott (gk)

East Kilbride – Connelly, Fagan, Flanagan, Balde, Elliot, Robertson, Ferguson, Mimnaugh, McShane, Hamilton, Spence Subs – McDonald, O’Connor, Livingstone, McKinley, Craik, Truesdale (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Hill O’Beath Hawthorn

TALBOT HOLD THEIR NERVE TO REACH FINAL NUMBER TWO.

Match Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Ross Newlands.

Last time at Beechwood Talbot triumphed over Thorniewood in a penalty shoot-out to book their place in the West Final. In a carbon copy, this time round Talbot went all the way through 90 mins then extra time before seeing off Hill O’Beath on pens to secure their place in the South Challenge cup final.

The Bot couldn’t have asked for a better start, taking the lead with only 3 mins on the clock. Gillies played it into the feet of KYLE McAVOY on the left of the box and he slotted it past the keeper and into the far corner to put Talbot one up.

The visitors first chance to test the home defence came in the 8th minute when Smith won a free kick out on the stand side. Elder whipped a good ball over to the back post where McAvoy headed clear. The first of many bookings came in the 10th minute when Smith was cautioned for a late challenge on Langan. From the resultant free kick McPherson squared it to Wilson who pinged it up the left channel. McAvoy headed it down into the area but Langan just failed to get on the end of it.

Two minutes later Smith went over theatrically just outside the penalty area when challenged by McPherson and the ball ran through to Armour. In the 17th minute Love became the 2nd Haws’ player in the ref’s notebook when he was cautioned for a shirt tug to prevent Sime breaking forward. The free kick was taken short by Wardrope who teed it up for Thomson and his low drive flew just wide of the left post from 30 yards. Talbot were hunting for a 2nd goal and won a free kick out wide on the left following a hand ball. Wardrope delivered a good ball into the penalty area but it didn’t fall Talbot’s way and the defence scrambled it clear.

Wardrope was unlucky not to double Talbot’s lead in the 26th minute. Langan burst forward before spreading it out wide right to find Wardrope who cut inside and fired a left foot thunderbolt that looked to be heading inside the far post but it took a slight deflection off a defender and flew wide for the corner. When the corner came over from the left McPherson met it but he was falling backwards as he hit it and sent his left foot effort over the bar from 6 yards out.

So far so good for Talbot but the Bot defence were caught out in the 29th minute with a ball over the top. Tosh was sent tumbling by Clark resulting in a free kick just outside the box and a caution for Talbot’s full-back. Reekie made a mess of the free kick – tamely hitting it low into the wall but the rebound fell for the visitors and they worked it to Smith on the left of the area. He fired it back across goal forcing a good stop from Armour. The rebound came quickly to Featherstone and he couldn’t react in time and sent his header well wide of target.

Talbot came close again in the 32nd minute. Langan carried it forward before sending it out left to find Gillies. He knocked it back to Schoneville who whipped over a great ball that skipped past Thomson & McAvoy in front of goal.

A minute later Gillies tried his luck from distance and wasn’t far away as he cracked a left foot drive just wide of the right hand upright.

In the final minute of the 1st half Featherstone’s cut back from the right was deflected into the path of Watt 18 yards out. He hit the target but Armour was able to touch it over the bar and Talbot successfully fielded the resulting corner to go in a goal ahead at the break.

The visitors made a change at the break with Galloway on for Clapperton.

In the 48th minute Talbot broke quickly after clearing a corner. Wardrope switched it from left to right trying to find McAvoy but Duffy had read the danger and raced out his box to head it clear.

Hill of Beath had a half chance in the 55th minute. Love spread it out wide right to find Gray and his cross beyond the far post was met by Smith but he failed to hit the target with his header.

A minute later slack play by the visitors saw Thomson pounce on the ball midway inside their half and break for goal. He was shepherded out wide and dispossessed by Elder but the visitors failed to clear their lines. When it came to Wardrope he burst forward only to be taken out by Watt who was yellow carded for obstruction. Wardrope lifted the free kick into the area where it found the head of McAvoy but he couldn’t get enough on it and glanced it well wide.

On the hour mark Talbot won another free kick in the Haws half and this time Elder ended up the player cautioned. Wardrope angled it into the box where McAvoy was waiting but a defender managed to get his head to it to make the interception. Hill of Beath now made their 2nd change with Adamson on in place of Smith. The game was then held up for a bit when Langan took a nasty head knock and required his head to be bandaged before play could continue.

The visitors almost levelled in the 68th minute. Adamson showed good feet down the right to get away from Langan & Schoneville before cutting it back to Tosh whose shot across goal was heading in until palmed wide by Armour. It came to Watt beyond the far post but he was closed down at the expense of a corner which Armour claimed when it came over.

With 20 mins remaining Talbot won a free kick 25 yards out after Clark was bundled over. Wardrope took it short to Gillies and he hammered it low on target but straight at Duffy who held it.

The game was all square a minute later. Galloway played it on to Featherstone and he in turn fed it on to Elder on the left wing. He pulled it back and TOSH side-footed it home from 12 yards. Moments later the visitors threatened to take the lead. A ball up the centre wasn’t dealt with and when it broke loose it came to Tosh 25 yards out. He hit it on the volley and Armour helped it on over the crossbar.

With a quarter of an hour to go Sime sent Schoneville clear down the left but his cross to the far post was just a shade too heavy for anyone to get on the end of it and went behind for a goal kick.

In the 78th minute Baur received a caution for a shove in the back of Thomson and within a minute Hill of Beath were down to 10 after Elder received a 2nd yellow card for a late tackle on Clark. Talbot now made a double switch with Langan & Thomson making way for Boyle & Abed. The visitors also made another change with Mitchell on for Featherstone.

The Bot’s man advantage was short-lived and it was 10 aside when Clark picked up his 2nd caution of the afternoon for a mistimed challenge.

Five minutes from time Abed’s pass found McAvoy in space on the left of the area. He tried to replicate his earlier goal with a right foot shot back across goal but this time a defender got across to block and it came back off McAvoy for the goal kick.

As the game moved into injury time there were late chances at both ends. Sime played it into the feet of Wardrope and he cut in onto his left foot and drilled a low effort just wide of the left hand post.

Deep into added time the visitors won a corner down the right. Galloway fired it in low where it was cleared outside the area. Abed got onto it and appeared to be clearly pulled back by Love. The ref waved play on though and a Haws player hit it on the half-volley from 25 yards and it flew just wide of the left post. There was plenty of time to be added, not only for Langan’s earlier injury, but also for a further clash of heads in added time which saw both Sime & Love require treatment, but finally it was all over and into extra time.

Talbot made a change in extra time with Kerr coming on for Sime.

Hill of Beath had a great chance to take the lead in the 100th minute. Tosh was sent clean through down the left but with only Armour to beat he shanked his shot wide of target. Two minutes later Talbot came close at the other end. Wardrope forced a corner down the right which Schoneville delivered beyond the far post. Wilson met it and headed it back across goal but it went just wide of the left post.

There were now further changes for both sides with Allum on in place of Watt and Slooves on for Schoneville.

Talbot seemed to find their 2nd breath in the 2nd period of extra time and if anyone looked like going on to win it was Talbot.

Gillies was unlucky when he charged forward and let fly with a rocket of a shot that just cleared the bar.

Next up for Talbot Slooves hit a good long diagonal ball to pick out Wardrope down the right and he came close to putting Talbot back in front but his low angled drive flew across goal and past the right hand post. Talbot kept pushing and with the clock running down McPherson burst forward from the back and played it into McAvoy but his tiring legs couldn’t get on the end of it.

In the final minute of extra time the Haws made a final change with Penman on to replace Duffy for the penalty shoot-out.

Talbot were first to go and Wardrope gave Penman no chance as he buried it inside the left hand post.

Mitchell was up next for the visitors and smacked his inside the same post to level it.

McAvoy was next up for Talbot and again gave the keeper no chance as he fired it inside the right post.

It was now Adamson’s turn and once again it was a well-struck effort with Armour helpless as it went to 2-2.

Gillies took Talbot’s 3rd and confidently tucked it away inside the right post to put Talbot ahead.

Thus far all the penalties had been top drawer but the pressure got the better of Galloway as he pulled his shot well wide of the right post.

Kerr now stepped up to hit Talbot’s 4th and again gave Penman no encouragement as he placed it inside the right post.

Allum now had to score for the visitors but Armour went the right way making a flying save to his right to keep it out and secure the win for Talbot.

A hard fought victory that came at some cost with knocks to Langan & Sime and a lot of tired legs by the end. Next up for Talbot it’s back to league duty as the Bot head through to face Clydebank on Tuesday night.

Auchinleck Talbot – Armour, Clark, Schoneville, Wilson, McPherson, Sime, Wardrope, Langan, McAvoy, Gillies, Thomson

Subs – Abed, Nimmo, Boyle, Mitchell, Kerr, Slooves, Hanlon

Hill of Beath Hawthorn – Duffy, Gray, Elder, Reekie, Baur, Love, Featherstone, Clapperton, Watt, Tosh, Smith

Subs – Mitchell, Galloway, Adamson, Runciman, Luke, Allam, Penman (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Kirkintilloch Rob Roy

TALBOT SECURE SEMI-FINAL SPOT IN THE SOUTH CHALLENGE CUP.

Match Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Ross Newlands.

Talbot made it to their 2nd semi-final within a week as they eased past Rob Roy to book a last four meeting with Hill o Beath Hawthorn in the South Challenge cup.

The Bot nearly got off to a perfect start when they came close in the 3rd minute. Clark cut in off the right and squared it across to Boyle who turned smartly at the edge of the area and drilled a low shot just wide of the right post.

Six mins gone and Schoneville delivered a high hanging cross under the crossbar which Aitken failed to claim but there was no Bot player to take advantage and it was scrambled clear.

Rob Roy offered little all afternoon in an attacking sense and there one shot on target came in the 13th minute. McPherson’s clearance broke into the path of Pirrie who hit it first time from 20 yards and as it skipped off the turf Armour turned it wide of the right post.

In the 24th minute Talbot won a free kick 30 yards from goal following a foul on Wardrope. He took the free kick and curled a cross into the centre which Aitken punched clear. The visitors now broke quickly up field through Kettings but the move broke down with Clark intercepting and Thomson received a caution for catching him late as he cleared it.

Talbot had an effort on target in the 27th minute. Boyd held it up well down the right before bringing Clark into play. He darted inside, and might have went for goal himself, but instead shoved it to his left to find Gillies whose low shot was held at his near post by Aitken.

The Bot had a decent chance to take the lead in their next attack. Gillies dummied a ball out left to release Schoneville on the overlap. He swung over a good cross that Boyd met 6 yards out but he misjudged the flight and didn’t make a clean contact with his head.

In the 31st minute a shy from the right found Boyd and he dropped his shoulder to race past his man into the area where he tried to square it across goal only for it to be cut out by a defender.

A minute later Schoneville floated over a cross from the left which Gillies met but his header sailed well wide of goal.

With 37 mins gone Talbot forced a good stop out of the keeper. Gillies pounced on hesitant defending to steal the ball and fired it low into the near post where Thomson slid in to meet it but his shot was blocked at his right hand post by Aitken.

Two mins later Wardrope’s pass found Clark just outside the area. He spread it out wide to Sime whose cross just floated over Boyd’s head in the middle.

Five mins from the interval Talbot passed up a good chance to take the lead. A corner from the right came off a defender’s head and fell to Boyd 6 yards from goal but untypically he didn’t react in time and the ball ran past him and the chance was lost.

Talbot were pushing hard now and threatened again in the 43rd minute. Schoneville fed it on to Gillies who whipped in a dangerous ball off the left that Scott did well to clear.

In the final minute of the half Boyd missed a pinch to send Talbot in a goal up. Clark was challenged at the edge of the area and it broke to Sime. His low shot took a deflection off a defender and landed right at the feet of Boyd 8 yards out but he poked his shot just wide of the left hand post and the sides went in level at the break.

The Bot were dominant right from the restart and had the visitors pegged back defending the clubhouse end. In the 52nd minute Talbot won a free kick out wide on the left following a foul on Sime. Wardrope delivered it to the far post where Boyd met it to power a header on goal that produced a decent stop from Aitken.

The Rabs made a double change in the 54th minute with Thomson & Macnair making way for Wilson & Cameron and Talbot followed suit soon after with Langan & McAvoy on in place of Boyle & Thomson.

The Talbot changes paid off almost immediately when McAvoy was sent tumbling in the box by a clumsy challenge from McKenna. The ref awarded the spot kick and KYLE MCAVOY buried it low inside the right post to put Talbot 1-0 ahead with 58 mins played.

In the 62nd minute Sime sent over a hanging cross from the left corner flag. It came to Wardrope on the right of the penalty area and he fired a half-volley on target that Aitken clutched under his crossbar.

With 64 mins gone Cameron conceded a free kick 15 yards from goal out on the right touchline for a foul on Wardrope. Schoneville took it and bent a ball to the back post where NEIL MCPHERSON ghosted in to head home from close range and double Talbot’s lead.

In the 69th minute the visitors made a further change with Allan coming on for McKenna.

The Rabs had a chance to test the Bot defence in the 70th minute when Schoneville conceded a free kick out on the right. Pirrie whipped it over toward the back post where McPherson headed it clear.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot made a further two changes with Wardrope & Boyd making way for Nimmo & Abed.

In the 79th minute Kettings picked up a yellow card when he halted Abed as he burst into the Rabs half. The resultant free kick was lofted into the box where it was cleared and fell to Langan 30 yard from goal and he fired a shot on target that Aitken held.

The Bot had a chance to extend their lead in the 81st minute. Langan shoved it into the path of McAvoy who had Gillies free to his left but opted to go for goal and fired a low shot straight at Aitken.

For all that it had been one-way traffic a goal back for the Rabs would have ensured a nervy ending and the visitors had a half chance to pull one back in the 82nd minute. The Bot defence were caught napping allowing Wilson too much space 15 yards out. He chose to help it on to his right to Cairney-Smith but he failed to trouble Armour – firing it well wide of the left post.

In the closing minutes Talbot twice came close to grabbing another goal. In the 88th minute Nimmo cut inside on the left of the area and hit a curling right foot shot that produced a good save from Aitken. The rebound came out to McAvoy but his low drive at goal was blocked.

A minute later Nimmo’s cut back from the right of the area found Sime in space and he tried to place it low inside the left post only for Aitken to get down well to make the save and push it wide.

A good win for Talbot that saw the Bot keep a 2nd successive clean sheet. Next week it’s back to league duty as Talbot travel through to Govan twice in quick succession, heading to New Tinto park on Wednesday night to face St Cadoc’s and then repeating the journey on the Saturday as they face Benburb.

Auchinleck Talbot – Armour, Clark, Schoneville, Wilson, McPherson, Sime, Boyle, Gillies, Boyd, Thomson, Wardrope

Subs – McAvoy, Nimmo, Abed, Langan, Hanlon, Slooves, Hewitt (gk)

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy – Aitken, Baber, Thomson, Scott, Kerr, Kettings, Macnair, Bowman, Pirrie, Cairney-Smith, McKenna

Subs – Wilson, Gibson, Cameron, Duffy, Allan, Pursley, Cookson (gk)

Kenzie Mitchell

SPONSORED BY:

JOINED TALBOT: February 2025

D.O.B: 31/03/2008

TALBOT DEBUT: 22nd February 2025 v Muirkirk Juniors (Away) West of Scotland Cup 1/4 Final.

FIRST TALBOT GOAL:

FORMER TEAMS: On loan from Ayr United

BIO: Former St Mirren youth academy player, recently signed by Ayr boss Scott Brown, he made his debut for the club in Ayr’s 8-0 thrashing of Broxburn in the Scottish Cup back in January.

Auchinleck Talbot v Larkhall Thistle

TALBOT THROUGH TO ROUND SIX

Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Ross Newlands.

A wind assisted Talbot blew away Larkhall in the second half to book their place in the quarter finals of the South Challenge cup in the final competitive fixture of 2024.

Talbot made a decent start & threatened in the 2nd minute when Boyd headed on into the path of McAvoy who flashed a low pass across the face of goal that just eluded Thomson at the back post.

A minute later Talbot came close again. Sime won it on the left & played it into McAvoy who cut inside and rifled a low shot across goal and just wide of the left hand post.

Five minutes in and Talbot squandered a good chance to grab the opener. Gillies swept over a good cross from the left which McAvoy knocked down towards Boyd 8 yards out. He could have hit it but opted to take a couple of touches and the chance was lost.

The visitors had offered little but had a chance to test the Bot defence in the 8th minute when they won a free kick just wide left of the Bot penalty area. Jones took it and angled a low ball into the near post where Schoneville reacted first to clear.

In the 14th minute Boyd turned his man down the left of the area and drilled it low across the 6-yard area where the defence managed to clear. Talbot kept the pressure up, regaining possession outside the box and ending with Sime firing into the side-netting.

Four mins later Talbot threatened down the right. McPherson clipped a ball down the wing to find Boyd whose clever touch inside released Thomson into space. He dinked a good cross beyond the back post but no one had gambled on it and it drifted behind.

Twenty mins in and Talbot won a corner down the left which was taken short allowing Langan the angle to swing a cross into the centre which Alexander could only palm away. It came out to Slooves who fired an effort at goal from 12 yards but his shot was blocked by a defender.

With half an hour gone Sime carried the ball forward from midfield and fired on target but drilled his shot straight at the keeper.

The Bot’s next attack saw Boyd latch onto a ball down the left and cut it back into the path of McAvoy who took a fresh air swipe at it.

Within a minute Talbot had another half chance. Gillies whipped over a good cross from the left which Thomson met at the back post but he was stretching to reach it and couldn’t control his effort.

In the 39th minute Sime angled a ball across goal from the left of the area but it had too much on it for McAvoy to get on the end of it.

Three minutes before the break Larkhall tested Armour for the first time. Schoneville couldn’t get any distance on his clearing header from a cross from the left and it went straight out to Jones wide on the right. He fired it low into the near post where Armour gathered it.

Action then switched to the other end where Talbot came close to the opener. Boyd did well on the right, whipping over a good cross which broke to Gillies on the left of the area. He fired it low back across goal but just wide of the left hand post.

A minute from the break McAvoy picked up what looked to be a harsh caution when he was a fraction late going for a loose ball in the Larkhall penalty area and soon after the ref signalled an end to the first half.

During the interval the weather took a decided turn for the worse and the teams came back out to sheets of rain being driven toward the clubhouse by a gale force wind.

The 2nd half was only five minutes old when Talbot made their first change with Nimmo coming on in place of McAvoy.

The wind was quite literally in Talbot’s sails and nearly led to the opener in the 55th minute. Gillies swung in a cross from the left that nearly caught Alexander out with the keeper forced to tip it over the bar.

In the 62nd minute Talbot made the breakthrough. CONNOR BOYD raced up the right and slung it low into the near post where Alexander only succeeded in parrying it inside his own post and into the back of the net.

Before Larkhall had a chance to regroup Talbot doubled their lead in the 65th minute. Gillies touched it inside to RUARIDH LANGAN whose swirling effort from 20 yards curled over the keeper to make it 2-0.

A minute later Talbot had a chance to add to their lead. McPherson fired a good low ball across goal to find Gillies beyond the far post and he side-footed it on target but it went straight to the keeper.

In the 70th minute Larkhall made a double switch with Mackiewicz & McLeod departing for the visitors to be replaced by Stevenson & McVey.

Two minutes later Talbot added their third to put the game beyond any doubt. Thomson cut in off the right and swept over a left foot cross to find ALEX NIMMO in the centre and he guided his header into the roof of the net to make it 3-0.

Talbot now made a couple of changes with Kerr and Clark joining the fray.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot won a free kick 35 yards out for a foul on Langan. McPherson touched it short to Kerr who fired a low shot wide of the left hand post.

Talbot now made their final change with Miller coming on for Slooves.

Eleven minutes from time Talbot completed the scoring. Clark squared it inside off the left to find RUARIDH LANGAN who fired it low inside the right post from 20 yards to put Talbot 4-0 ahead.

The Bot came close to adding to their tally in the 81st minute. A free kick out on the right was curled in by Kerr and found McPherson who headed it down into the turf and on target only for Alexander to tip it over the bar.

A minute later Schoneville had a go from distance forcing another stop from the keeper who got down low to his left to push his shot wide.

Larkhall pushed forward in the dying stages looking for a consolation but the Bot defence held firm for the clean sheet and saw the tie out.

A good win for the Bot on a day that was an advert for the advantages of summer football. That’s it for 2024 as far as competitive football with Talbot heading through to Ardrossan next Saturday for a friendly. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all at Talbot.

Auchinleck Talbot – Armour, McPherson, Schoneville, Slooves, Wilson, Langan, Sime, Gillies, Boyd, McAvoy, Thomson

Subs – Nimmo, Abed, Boyle, Clark, Kerr, Miller, Hanlon

Larkhall Thistle – Alexander, Jones, O’Kane, McMillan, McCrae, Kennedy, Phairs, Mackiewicz, McLeod, Morris, Carlin

Subs – Reid, Lindsay, Inglis, Fraser, Stevenson, McVey, Campbell (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Cumbernauld United

LATE SHOW SINKS CUMBERNAULD

Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Ross Newlands.

Talbot made it to the last 16 of the South Challenge cup but did it the hard way seeing off Cumbernauld with a late goal.

The opening spell was high on commitment but low on quality with neither side able to retain possession or threaten in the final third.

The first clear chance came Talbot’s way in the 10^th minute. Gillies fizzed a low ball in off the left which Law pushed out into the path of Abed. He tried to place it back across goal but his shot was blocked by a defender.

A minute later Boyd’s low drive from the left of the area forced a decent stop out of Law who turned it round his right post.

The visitors had rarely visited Talbot’s half but came within a whisker of taking the lead with quarter of an hour gone. Kearney let fly from 30 yards out and Armour did well to get across and tip it onto the crossbar and behind for the corner kick. Once again Talbot were troubled by corners – the first one in off the left wasn’t cleared initially and ended up being knocked behind following a scramble in the 6 yard area. When the 2^nd corner came over beyond the back post it fell to Brodie who volleyed it over the bar.

Talbot came close to the opener in the 20^th minute. Gillies cut the ball back from the left bye line to find Nimmo in the heart of the area and his shot slipped just wide of the left hand post.

In the 24^th minute Nimmo won Talbot a corner down the left. Wardrope caught the defence napping when he passed it in short to find Abed whose curling right foot effort came off the left post and came at Boyd who headed the rebound over.

The game again then became a midfield slog with neither side offering any threat. The next meaningful attack came in the 34^th minute when Brodie whipped in a dangerous cross from the right. Slooves headed it clear but it came out to a Nauld player and a bout of headie tennis ensued before it was finally cleared.

The Bot had a good chance to take the lead in their next attack. Boyd met a ball up the centre and flicked it on into the path of Abed who burst through on the keeper but Law did well to block his shot low to his left and the rebound cannoned back off Abed and behind for the goal kick.

In the 39^th minute Boyd came close when he gathered outside the area and fired just over the bar.

Three minutes from half-time Talbot nearly gifted the visitors an opening out of nothing. There appeared no danger when the ball was pinged up the left for Cunningham to chase. Armour seemed in control of it but tried to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick allowing Cunningham to keep it in. Fortunately McPherson got back to make the challenge to halt Cunningham’s progress and the ball broke through to Armour.

In the final action of the half Nimmo met a ball up the right and cushioned a header inside to find Boyd in the penalty area but the keeper had read the danger and was quickly off his line to smother at Boyd’s feet and the half ended goal less.

Talbot made a change at the start of the 2^nd half with Langan coming on for Nimmo.

The half got off to a rocky start for Talbot when they were almost caught out within a minute. A ball in behind the defence just eluded Cunningham who couldn’t get a touch on it as it ran through to Armour.

In the 50^th minute Wardrope fed the ball out wide to McPherson whose cross into the near post was met by Boyd who saw his effort deflected wide of the left hand post.

Two minutes later Wilson’s ball up the left came off the top of Whitmore’s head to Boyd on the left of the area. He swung over a good cross which was well cleared by Watt who headed it away in the centre at full stretch.

A good passage of possession in the 58^th minute ended with Talbot winning a corner down the right through Abed. When Wardrope swept it over to the far post McPherson looked certain to score but steered a free header over the bar from 5 yards.

In the 61^st minute the visitors made a change with Hughes replacing Cunningham.

Two minutes later Lafferty had his name taken for a shove on Clark resulting in a Bot free kick 22 yards out. Gillies tapped it square for Wardrope to hit but his shot was charged down.

With 66 mins gone the visitors made a further change with Bowie on for Lafferty.

The first goal looked like it might be the only goal and the visitors nearly nabbed it in the 69^th minute. An accurate diagonal ball found Kearney racing into space down the left and he hit it early with his shot clipping the outside of the right post and behind for the goal kick.

Talbot now made a triple change with McAvoy, Thomson & Schoneville coming on for Abed, Kerr & Wardrope.

In the 71^st minute Gillies whipped in a great cross off the left but there were no takers in the middle and Cumbernauld broke quickly to the other end where Hughes cut in off the left but shot tamely straight at Armour.

The Bot’s next attack saw Schoneville fire a low ball into the area that broke to Sime on the left of the penalty area but he snatched at his shot and pulled it well wide.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot passed up a good chance to take the lead. The ball was played in off the left to find McAvoy who managed to tie up his marker with the ball running through to Sime in a good area. He only had the keeper to beat but his low drive went straight at Law.

In the 81^st minute Talbot squandered another clear chance and the Bot fans were beginning to think it just wasn’t going to go in. Thomson won a corner down the right and when he swept the corner over Slooves met it inside the front post where he glanced a header across goal and wide of the right post.

Cumbernauld now made another change with McClair replacing Mackie.

In the 87^th minute Hogg took one for the team when he received a caution for hauling back McAvoy as he threatened to burst forward.

Just when it looked like the game was heading for extra time Talbot grabbed a late winner. Schoneville did well to wriggle free down the left and pulled it back to find CONNOR BOYD who steered a shot high inside the left post to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.

There was still time for a late scare in added time. The impressive Kearney tried his luck with a first time volley from out wide on the left that forced Armour to turn it round the post. The visitors could make nothing of the corner and Talbot had the last attack of the afternoon deep into added time when McAvoy raced down the right and angled a ball across the face of goal which was just out of Boyd’s reach.

Another afternoon where Talbot failed to put away decent chances but a welcome win after a couple of draws on the bounce. Next up for Talbot it’s an away day at Yoker to face in form Clydebank in the league.

Auchinleck Talbot – Armour, McPherson, Kerr, Slooves, Wilson, Wardrope, Sime, Gillies, Boyd, Nimmo, Abed

Subs – McAvoy, Thomson, Walker, Langan, Boyle, Schoneville, Clark

Cumbernauld United – Law, Whitmore, McLachlan, Watt, Stobie, Hogg, Brodie, Lafferty, Cunningham, Mackie, Kearney

Subs – Hughes, Burns, McClair, Bowie, Brennan, Smith (gk)

Auchinleck Talbot v Jeanfield Swifts

JEANFIELD SWIFTLY DESPATCHED BY IN FORM TALBOT

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

Talbot turned in their best display of the season, making light work of seeing off Jeanfield Swifts to advance into the 4th round of the South Challenge cup.

The Bot started strongly, winning a corner in the 3rd minute after Nimmo’s shot at goal was blocked and then ricocheted behind off a Swifts defender.

Fergus was fortunate not to end up in the book in the 10th minute for a blatant obstruction but the ref contented himself with a stern lecture.

Swifts, wearing a dayglo shirt that would be visible through thick fog, made a slow start and didn’t threaten until the 11th minute when a good ball out wide right released their winger who fired a good early ball across goal that Schoneville cleared.

A minute later Talbot were nearly in down the right. McPherson’s ball found Nimmo inside the penalty are but he was just offside.

In the 16th minute the visitors won a free kick 35 yards from goal. Yates took it and drilled a good low effort wide of the right post.

Talbot’s next attack saw Wardrope drive a cross over from the right which Boyd headed toward goal but into the face of a stiff breeze and it ended up floating into the hands of Swinton.

The Bot had another header on target in the 20th minute. Wardrope’s corner from the right was cleared straight back out to him and his 2nd cross went over to the far post where McPherson headed it down on target where it was held by Swinton

The opening goal came in the 22nd minute. Swifts were anything but, dallying on the ball at the edge of their own area where Boyle managed to nick in and dispossess Fergus. The ball ran through to CONNOR BOYD who gave the keeper no chance from 15 yards – burying it inside the left post.

In the 25th minute Talbot doubled their lead. Langan found Boyd down the left and he slipped it wide to find Gillies whose low drive was turned behind by the keeper. When Wardrope’s corner came into the near post AIDEN WILSON met it to glance a header beyond the keeper.

The Bot’s next attack saw Gillies race forward, despite an attempt to haul him back, with the ref allowing play to continue. He fired a dangerous ball across goal where Whitehead slid it behind for the corner. The ref then booked a Swifts player for the earlier shirt tug.

With half an hour gone Nimmo nearly added to Talbot’s lead. His low angled drive from the left of the area was well stopped by Swinton whose outstretched leg put it over the bar.

In the 32nd minute Campbell of the visitors picked up their 2nd yellow card of the afternoon for a late challenge on Boyle.

Five minutes before the interval Swifts had a let off. Nimmo drilled a dangerous low ball across from the right of the area that hit off Yates and nearly went in for an own goal but flew just off target. When the corner came over McPherson won it at the back post but his header was safely gathered by the keeper.

In the 43rd minute Wilson chipped a good ball over the defence that nearly picked out Nimmo in behind but it just skipped away from him.

The visitors had knocked the ball around well, inside their own half, without offering any threat but did give Talbot a scare a minute before the interval. Campbell cut in off the left and drilled a powerful shot at goal that Armour spilled but the defence reacted quickly and got to the rebound first to clear with Talbot going in 2 up at the break.

Five minutes into the 2nd period Swifts made a change with Dodd coming on for Hamilton.

In the 51st minute Campbell won Swifts a corner down the left when his cross was blocked behind. When the in swinging corner came over Armour punched it clear.

Action then switched to the other end where Nimmo rattled a shot off the underside of the bar but it wouldn’t have counted as the assistant’s flag went up for offside.

In the 54th minute Nimmo was unlucky not to grab Talbot’s 3rd. His shot from 18 yards came off the right hand post and hit the keeper who knew little about it as it flew behind for the corner. When the corner came over Swinton punched it clear under pressure. McPherson gathered on the right of the box and drilled it low across where it was blocked by a defender. It came out to Langan who teed it up for Boyle but he scooped his shot well over from the edge of the area.

On the hour mark Nimmo got onto a ball down the right and fired into the side-netting from a tight angle.

A minute later Talbot had another half chance. A corner from the right was only cleared out as far as Boyle who fed it to Boyd. It was switched out wide right and when the cross came over it fell for Nimmo who fired wide of target.

The visitors now made a double change with Brown & Sutherland making way for Davies & Keast.

Talbot were unfortunate not to be out of sight and could have found their lead halved in the 66th minute when Swifts came close. Philp met it on the half-volley 19 yards out and Armour did well to tip his shot over the crossbar. When the corner came over Talbot could only clear it out to the dee where Dodd’s low drive was blocked away.

Talbot now made a triple change with Wardrope, Nimmo & Boyd being replaced by Thomson, McAvoy & Smith.

Twenty mins from time Smith won Talbot a corner down the left. When Thomson’s corner came in Swinton could only punch it clear and it was gathered on the right by Smith. His chipped cross just cleared McAvoy’s head and was gathered at the 2nd attempt by the keeper.

Two mins later Talbot broke out of defence with Thomson releasing McAvoy who burst through the centre before firing a shot wide of the left post.

Swifts now made further changes with Fergus and Campbell being replaced by Urquhart and Struthers.

In the 78th minute Boyle was caught late as he shoved it right to find Langan in space 20 yards out. Langan’s shot was blocked but the ref pulled it back for the earlier foul. Boyle took the free kick and hammered a low shot on target that Swinton shoved around his left post.

In the 80th minute Thomson won a corner down the right. Schoneville lifted it beyond the back post where McPherson floated a header back across that the keeper just managed to tip away.

Seven mins from time Clark came on for Langan and within two minutes he was up-ended by Whitehead who received a booking for his challenge.

In the 87th minute Talbot finally managed to make the game safe with a 3rd goal. Clark played it into the area where Gillies was sent crashing by Mollinson. The ref pointed to the spot and EWAN THOMSON drilled the penalty low inside the right post to make it 3-0.

In the closing minute of the match Abed came on for McPherson but had no time to make any impact before the ref’s whistle saved the players from enduring any more of the rain.

A good win for Talbot who now have a spare week before facing up to Broxburn in the senior cup at Beechwood.

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

Subs – McAvoy, Smith, Clark, Thomson, Abed, Miller, Cameron (gk)

Jeanfield Swifts – Swinton, Mollinson, Whitehead, Brown, Hamilton, Fergus, Yates, Sutherland, Philp, McMurchie, Campbell

Subs – Davies, Keast, Struthers, Dodd, Arnold, Urquhart, Cullerton

Bo’ness Athletic v Auchinleck Talbot

TALBOT TO THE FOUR.

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

Talbot bounced back well from last week’s disappointment to sweep aside Bo’ness Athletic in the 2nd round of the South Challenge cup.

The Bot could have grabbed an early opener. A ball over from the left found Sime 6 yards out but his side-footed finish went straight at the keeper.

The Bot’s next attack saw Wardrope find Smith free on the right. He had Sime in space on the far side but went for the shot and his effort was blocked.

In the 12^th minute a pass down the right found Wardrope breaking in behind the defence. He carried on into the box and might have went for goal but opted to square it across goal where a defender managed to cut it out.

Quarter of an hour in Talbot had another decent chance to take the lead. Schoneville whipped over a great cross from the left that Boyd met at the near post but his header flew wide of the right hand post.

In the 26^th minute McPherson became the first name in the book when he was cautioned for kicking the ball away after conceding a free kick just wide of the box. Ogilvie took it and his cross was headed clear by Schoneville.

Half an hour gone and Wright received a yellow card for a blatant shirt tug just inside the Bo’ness half.

A minute later Talbot passed up a golden chance to score. A ball straight down the middle cleared the defence and found Smith at the edge of the area. The keeper had raced out to close the angle and anywhere over him or to either side was a certain goal but Smith’s shot flew into his midriff.

In the 39^th minute Sime gathered out on the right and curled a left foot cross over to the back post where Gillies headed wide.

Within a minute Talbot had another half chance. Smith tried to slip a ball through to Boyd inside the area that was well cut out. Gillies retrieved it wide on the left and swung over a cross that Smith glanced wide of target.

Neither side could make any further headway in the closing minutes of the half and the teams went in goal less at the interval.

The home side made a change at the start of the 2^nd period with Wilsdon coming on.

Talbot’s team talk at half-time seemed to do the trick and the Bot were on the front foot from the start of the 2^nd half. In the opening minute Wright barged Boyd over conceding a free kick out wide on the left. Wardrope squared it inside to Smith who cut into the left of the area and dinked a ball across goal that a defender lashed over his own bar. When Wardrope’s corner came over it just cleared Slooves’ head at the back post.

In the 48^th minute Talbot won a penalty. Boyd headed it down & inside to Smith who rolled a pass into the heart of the box. Both Boyd & Sime went for it & Sime was taken down by Wright’s sliding challenge. The ref pointed to the spot and probably should have sent Wright packing for a 2^nd bookable offence. MICK WARDROPE took the spot kick and sent Currid the wrong way to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.

Talbot doubled their lead in the 55^th minute. Gillies played it on to find Boyd on the right of the area and he cut it back into the path of AUSTIN SIME who slotted home to make it 2-0.

Bo’ness had offered little threat but did have a half chance in the 57^th minute. Heaver’s cross from the left was headed clear and came out to Mitchell 19 yards out who drove it low and wide of the right post.

Talbot were then immediately back on the attack when a ball over the top towards Smith forced Currid to race out his area to make the block.

On the hour mark Wilsdon received a caution for nearly pulling the shirt off the back of Wardrope.

Bo’ness now made a further change with Husband on for Weir.

Talbot were in cruise control but calamity struck in the 63^rd minute when the Bot conceded a goal straight out of the what happened next round from A Question of Sport. A hit & hope ball was played from the home side’s left back area up the centre and there appeared to be no danger. However, Armour had raced out his area to clear with Slooves leaving it for the keeper only for the ball to sail past Armour who couldn’t catch up with it as it carried on into the empty net to make it 2-1.

The goal momentarily fazed Talbot and in the 64^th minute Husband cut in on his left foot and fired over the bar from 25 yards out.

Three minutes later and it was almost all square. Abed surged out from the back into the centre of the pitch only to see his pass intercepted. Athletic countered and Nimmo saw his effort from 20 yards curl just wide of the left hand post.

Abed seemed to have picked up a knock and had to be replaced with Clark coming on at right-back and the home side also made a further change with Sharples on for Ogilvie.

In the 71^st minute a ball up the right found Nimmo who managed to cut inside past Schoneville but McPherson got across to cover. He thought he’d cleared his lines but despite his protests and in the absence of any linesmen the ref awarded the corner to Bo’ness. Talbot didn’t clear their lines initially and the ball pinballed around for a bit before being cleared.

Talbot’s next attack saw Smith touch the ball off to Clark on the right of the area. He looked to be in for a shot at goal but a well-timed tackle saw it put behind for the corner.

In the 75^th minute Gillies was fouled in the air 25 yards out but play was allowed to go on through Smith who saw his shot from the left of the area blocked behind for a corner. When Wardrope’s corner came over Slooves looked set to score but headed over the bar from 6 yards out.

Talbot now made a double change with Sime & Smith making way for Langan & Nimmo.

Bo’ness won a corner down the right in the 79^th minute. When the corner came over Smith met it but glanced his header well wide of the right post.

In the 83^rd minute Talbot made their final change with McAvoy replacing Boyd. The sub was involved immediately – meeting a free kick to cushion header inside to Wardrope whose shot found the target but lacked the power to test the keeper.

It was game over in the 84^th minute when Talbot grabbed their 3^rd of the afternoon. KYLE MCAVOY was allowed to turn just outside the box and he drilled a low shot across the keeper and inside the right post to make it 3-1.

Three minutes from time Talbot broke down the right through McAvoy. It was then switched square to find Schoneville on the opposite wing who fed it onto the overlapping Gillies. He fired it across goal but got too much on it.

A minute later Gillies lifted a dangerous cross over from the left that McAvoy just failed to connect with in front of goal.

A minute from time Talbot wrapped it up with their 4^th goal. A free kick was floated into the box where the keeper came from his line to gather. Nimmo beat him to it and got the slightest of head flicks to lift it over him where LUKE GILLIES headed it into the empty net.

A comfortable away win for Talbot who controlled most of the match, bar for a sticky spell after conceding. Next up for Talbot it’s back to league duties when they travel to the coast to face Largs

Bo’ness Athletic – Currid, Mitchell, Smith, Wright, Woodburn, Nimmo, Weir, Ogilvie, Cunningham, Macdonald, Heaver. SUBS – Husband, Wilsdon, Cameron, Shanks, Sharples

Auchinleck Talbot – Armour, Abed, Schoneville, McPherson, Slooves, Boyle, Wardrope, Gillies, Boyd, Smith, Sime. Subs – McAvoy, Nimmo, Langan, Clark, Kerr, Walker, Cameron