2018/19 – Page 5 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Fraserburgh FC v Auchinleck Talbot

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot’s remarkable record against Highland League opposition continued as they battled to a deserved away win at Fraserburgh to book their place in the last 32 of the senior cup where the Bot have earned an all Ayrshire tie with Ayr United.

Fraserburgh won a couple of early corners but nothing came of them. Talbot’s first attack saw Stephen Wilson burst forward before releasing it out right in an attempt to find his brother Graham but Leask was swiftly off his line to beat him to it.

Neither side had really settled & the game sped along at a frantic pace with both sides surrendering possession on a regular basis.

The referee reached for his notebook in the 20th minute when he booked Hay for a blatant trip on Graham Wilson as he broke into the Fraserburgh half. Pope angled the free kick to the far side of the box where it broke to McCracken on the right edge of the box. He tried to fire a low ball across goal but it was cut out by a defender at the near post & went behind for a corner. Glasgow knocked the free kick into the near post where Stephen Wilson’s effort at goal was blocked. It came back out to Glasgow who drilled a shot across the face of goal & wide of the right post.

Talbot’s next attack saw Lyle make tracks down the right & swing a good cross into the centre. Christie was caught late as he cleared it resulting in a booking for McIlroy.

McIlroy was involved in Talbot’s next attack when he raced to the bye line before cutting a cross back toward Graham Wilson who bulleted a header wide of the left post.

Shortly after, Talbot had a half chance when a poor clearance came straight out to Hyslop who volleyed it wide from 22 yards out.

Graham Wilson became the 2nd Bot player cautioned when he was penalised for a tussle with Macdonald in the 32nd minute, with the Broch midfielder making the most of the situation.

Talbot were having the best of it without creating too much and the game’s next half chance fell Talbot’s way in the 41st minute. McIlroy forced a corner down the left which Glasgow swept deep beyond the far post. Hyslop guided a header back across goal where McIlroy nodded it goal ward past the stranded Leask but there wasn’t enough on it & the keeper recovered to gather on the goal line.

A minute from half-time and the home side were reduced to 10 men. Pope played it down the line into the feet of Graham Wilson. He shielded the ball from Hay before turning his marker who hauled him to the deck. The ref awarded Talbot the free kick & sent Fraserburgh’s left-back for an early bath for a second yellow card. Glasgow took the resultant free kick & curled it low into the near post. Stephen Wilson got a touch on it & looked to have flicked it home but Hay managed to hook the ball clear off the goal line to ensure the sides went in level at the break.

Talbot started the 2nd half in sprightly fashion & carved out a good chance within a minute of the re-start. Graham Wilson gathered on the left & held off the challenge of Dickson before slipping a pass through for Glasgow who shot wide of the right post.

A minute later Talbot threatened again. McPherson flighted a free kick into the penalty area where Hyslop headed it back across goal & Cowie had to head over his own bar to concede the corner.

Talbot kept the pressure on & it looked as though Stephen Wilson was poised to head Talbot into the lead when Graham Wilson’s cross found him free at the back post but he lifted his header over the bar from 5 yards out; however, it wouldn’t have counted in any case as the assistant had raised his flag for offside.

Fraserburgh had offered very little going forward but tested the Talbot defence in the 52nd minute. An angled ball from right to left nearly found its way through to Barbour but McCracken did well to cut it out & cushion a header back to Leishman.

The action then immediately switched to the other end where it looked as though McIlroy was set to break through on goal but Leask read the danger & hared off his line to clear.

McCracken had his name taken in the 53rd minute for what looked to be an innocuous challenge.

Fraserburgh made the 1st change in the 54th minute when Campbell came on in place of Johnston.

The deadlock was broken in the 59th minute and it was a goal not only worthy of winning any game but a strong contender for goal of the round. A shy from the left came into Graham Wilson who flicked it inside into the path of STEPHEN WILSON who rocketed an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.

It could have been game over two minutes later. Graham Wilson raced through the centre of the defence but with only Leask to beat he drilled his shot just wide of the left post.

Tucker now made a change with Samson replacing McIlroy up top.

Fraserburgh had produced nothing in the final third yet they nearly levelled in the 63rd minute from a set piece. They won a corner down the left & when it came over Christie floated a header goal ward but Stephen Wilson was on the right post to clear.

A second goal for Talbot would’ve ended the contest & Graham Wilson had a great chance to grab it in the 69th minute. Samson did well outside the area, swivelling free of his marker before releasing Glasgow down the right. He burst into the area & pulled it back across goal where it landed at the feet of Graham Wilson 15 yards out but he lifted his shot over the bar with Leask stranded in no man’s land.

Pope became the 4th Talbot player cautioned when he conceded a free kick 25 yards from goal in the 78th minute. Cowie took the set piece but made a hash of it; curling his shot well over the bar.

In the 83rd minute Pope surged up the left & slung over a cross that Samson met at the near post; diving to meet it & send a header wide of target.

Young then picked up a caution for the home side for a late challenge on Hyslop.

The game was becoming stretched & Talbot twice had the opportunity to catch the home side on the counter-attack. On both occasions Talbot broke down the left & had Stephen Wilson free at the back post but couldn’t find the final ball.

With a minute remaining Tucker made a further change with McDowall coming on for Graham Wilson.

There was one final moment of drama when Fraserburgh almost produced an equaliser a minute into added time. The Bot defence were caught out by a ball over the top that found Davidson inside the area & he steered a 1st time shot from 15 yards that came back off the base of Leishman’s right post before Lyle put it behind for a corner which Talbot successfully defended.

Fraserburgh threw men forward deep into injury time but it was too little too late & Talbot held on to claim the win. A fantastic achievement for the Bot who have now made the 4th round of the senior cup for the 2nd time in their history. Next week it is back to the defence of the Scottish Junior trophy when Talbot travel through to South Lanarkshire to face Blantyre Vics.

Fraserburgh – Leask, Dickson, Hay, Cowie, Christie, Macdonald, Davidson, Young, G Buchan, Johnston, Barbour

Subs – C Buchan, Harris, Campbell, Butcher, Combe, Simpson

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McCracken, McPherson, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, Glasgow, McIlroy, Graham Wilson, Armstrong

Subs – Samson, McDowall, White, Kemp, Waite, Harvey, Hewitt

Auchinleck Talbot v Renfrew

Talbot cruised to victory over Renfrew in this low key league encounter at Beechwood.
It didn’t take Talbot long to create the 1st opening. Glasgow blazing over the bar from 15 yards when a corner kick fell to him inside the penalty area after only two minutes.
A minute later Henry came to the visitors rescue when he slid in with a crucial tackle to put the ball behind for a corner just when Graham Wilson looked poised to shoot on target.
Talbot were well in control without producing anything incisive in the final third though Talbot ought to have taken the lead in the 14th minute. A cross from the right found Stephen Wilson in space 12 yards out but he tried to pass it into the net & Burgess managed to block it.
Within a minute Talbot had another great chance to break the deadlock. Wylie handled inside the box & the ref pointed straight to the spot. Graham Wilson took it but his shot clattered off the bar.
The opening goal did finally come in the 18th minute. Glasgow lifted an accurate cross in from the left & GRAHAM WILSON steered a free header beyond Burgess to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Stephen Wilson ended in the referee’s notebook in the 22nd minute for a late challenge which resulted in a Renfrew free kick 30 yards out. Campbell took the set piece but failed to make anything of it; hitting a tame shot into the wall.
Renfrew then passed up a great chance to level. Talbot were caught out by a long throw from the right which McIntosh head flicked on. The ball came to McKenna 8 yards out, straight in front of goal, but he fired his shot straight at Leishman.
Waite became the 2nd Bot player on a yellow card when he was cautioned in the 25th minute for a shirt tug.
Talbot’s next threat came in the 34th minute. Glasgow attempted to slide a pass through the centre to find Graham Wilson. The defence cut it out but the ball came straight back to Glasgow who ran at the defence & would have been clean through but for a last gasp challenge from Henry.
The game floated along without much of anything happening until the closing moments of the half. In the 1st minute of injury time Waite had a chance to extend Talbot’s lead when Stephen Wilson’s chip opened the defence. Wait looked favourite to get there before Burgess but Renfrew’s keeper beat him to the ball outside the box to clear to safety.
Deep into injury time Renfrew were fortunate not to be a man down. Borris looked to have elbowed Stephen Wilson on the touchline but the referee only cautioned him & then called an end to a tepid 1st half.
Both sides came out unchanged after the interval but Talbot made a switch early in the half with McDowall coming on for Waite.
Glasgow had a chance to double Talbot’s lead in the 50th minute. Graham Wilson laid the ball inside into his path but he scooped his shot well over from the edge of the area.
Renfrew now made their 1st change with O’Keefe coming on to replace Borris.
The officials angered the Bot support in the 56th minute when they ignored a blatant foul on Glasgow out by the touchline & then Renfrew broke down the park & won a free kick 25 yards out from goal which also resulted in McPherson’s name going into the ref’s book. Once again it was Campbell on free kick duties but his 2nd effort mirrored his 1st & was hit tamely into the wall.
Talbot doubled their lead on the hour mark. McIlroy got free down the left & hung a cross up to the back post where Graham Wilson sent a header crashing off the bar. The ball rebounded out & JACK MCDOWALL was in the right spot to head home from close range.
Renfrew responded to this by making their 2nd change with Maxwell on for Hardie.
Talbot made a double switch in the 66th minute with McIlroy & Stephen Wilson making way for Samson & White.
The scoring was completed in the 69th minute. Talbot put together a slick passing move which ended with White’s pass finding JAMIE GLASGOW in space on the left of the area & he powered a shot beyond Burgess to put Talbot 3-0 up.
Leishman didn’t have much to do all afternoon but was called upon in the 71st minute. Maxwell darted in off the left & fired a shot on target from 20 plus yards but Leishman was behind it all the way.
In the Renfrew goal Burgess was at full stretch to thwart Talbot’s next attack. Leishman bowled the ball out to Pope whose ball sent Graham Wilson free on the left. He swung over a dangerous cross that Renfrew’s keeper had to claw to safety.
Healy had his name taken in the 76th minute for whipping the feet from under Glasgow.
Graham Wilson had a great opportunity to grab his 2nd and Talbot’s 4th of the afternoon in the 78th minute. White’s pass sent Samson haring free down the right. He raced into the penalty area before squaring it to Graham Wilson who hoisted his shot over the bar with the keeper stranded.
In the 83rd minute Talbot came close again. Samson broke clear on the left & played a great ball across the face of goal where Glasgow just failed to reach it for a tap in.
As the game moved into stoppage time Talbot had one final chance to add to their lead. Graham Wilson gathered on the left of the area & chipped it to the far post where Glasgow’s header flew into the side-netting.
A comfortable win for the Bot who managed to ease past Renfrew without ever looking like hitting top gear. Next week promises to be a tougher proposition when Talbot make yet another long trek north in the senior cup to face Fraserburgh.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Stephen Wilson, Armstrong, Waite, McIlroy, Graham Wilson, Glasgow

Subs – Samson, McDowall, White, Hyslop, Hewitt

Renfrew Juniors – Burgess, Wylie, Maclennan, Henry, Campbell, Healy, Borris, Benton, McKenna, Hardie, McIntosh

Subs – Innes, O’Keefe, Chisholm, Maxwell, McLeay

Kilwinning Rangers v Auchinleck Talbot

It took penalties to decide the outcome of a pulsating West of Scotland Match at Abbey Park where Talbot had the upper hand but failed to finish the match due to poor finishing and some excellent goal keeping by ex-Talbot keeper Adam Strain. Talbot had to re-shuffle the pack due to a call off by Ross Harvey who had picked up an injury against Lesmahagow and replaced him with Craig McCracken in the centre of defence. It was business as usual for skipper Willie Lyle who returned to the side after being rested against Lesmahagow. Talbot suffered an early setback when Dwayne Hyslop picked up a bad injury when it looked like he took a set of studs into his face, and was instantly replaced by David Waite. The youngster automatically made himself known with a number of probing runs down the right wing where he whipped a few tantalising balls into the box but there were no takers. In fact the first half was devoid of any goalmouth action except where a pinpoint cross by Gordon Pope was misread by Sean McIlroy who headed the ball past Strain’s goal when it looked like it was easier to score than miss.

The second half started a lot brighter for Talbot when they upped the ante and Strain made a superb block at the feet of Calvin Kemp. The Talbot striker later passed up a great chance to open the scoring when he was adjudged to be onside during a Talbot attack, but made the mistake of not playing to the whistle and scuffed a hurried shot well off target. Changes were soon made with Graham Wilson and Keir Samson replacing Calvin Kemp and Sean McIlroy. Talbot continued to dominate the game as they swarmed around the Kilwinning goalmouth and Craig McCracken was unlucky to see his scuffed shot just slip past the post, Adam strain was definitely the busiest of the keepers, but it took the outstretched hand of Andy Leishman to parry a Monti shot past the post which kept Kilwinning from taking an undeserved lead,

As the game headed towards the 90 minute mark the large Talbot travelling support thought they had nicked the tie when Keir Samson who actually looked to have been shoved in the back got his head to a David Waite whipped cross which cannoned off the post. The game then went to penalties and straight away Andy Leishnan proved why he is one of the best keepers in the Juniors by saving Nisbet’s spot kick down at his left hand post. From then on Talbot made no mistakes from the spot with the Wilson’s Waite, Glasgow and Gordon Pope all hitting the back of the net. A hard won tie at a very difficult venue, and a place in the next round against Cumnock.

Auchinleck Talbot v Lesmahagow Juniors

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Fraserburgh FC

Auchinleck Talbot v Cove Rangers

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

The bookies don’t often get it wrong but Talbot made a mockery of their long shot odds as they maintained their unbeaten record against Highland League opposition; defeating high-flying & high spending Cove Rangers to reach the 3rd round of the senior cup.

Talbot started a little nervously and weren’t helped when the referee produced a harsh early yellow card for Harvey after only 3 minutes. There wasn’t much in the way of goal mouth incident in the opening exchanges with play largely confined to midfield.

The first effort at goal came in the 12th minute after Talbot won a corner on the left. Glasgow lifted it beyond the far post where Hyslop climbed to head it back across the area. It came to Glasgow on the left edge of the area & he curled a right foot shot off target.

Cove’s first effort at goal came in the 16th minute. Park clipped a neat chip into the box where Brown met it; hooking the ball over the bar from 12 yards out.

Talbot had a wonderful opportunity to take the lead in the 20th minute. Armstrong’s slide rule pass opened the defence sending Kemp racing through one on one with the keeper but McKenzie came out on top on this occasion with Kemp’s shot cannoning off the chest of the keeper as he advanced off his line.

Their keeper was called into action again a minute later when Talbot won a free kick out on the right. Pope bent a cross in under the bar that McKenzie claimed confidently.

Talbot had hit their stride now and were having the best of it and threatened the Cove goal again in the 26th minute. A ball down the right found Wilson racing free inside the area & he managed to take it round the keeper and head for the bye line. He floated a cross over that McIlroy headed home from close range but the linesman had spotted the ball had drifted behind before he crossed it and awarded a goal kick.

Masson became the first of numerous Cove players to enter the ref’s notebook when he received a caution in the 32nd minute for a needless barge into Stephen Wilson.

The Cove keeper was much the busier of the two & was called upon again in the 34th minute when Glasgow dinked a ball over the defence to find McIlroy racing through on the left of the area. However, McKenzie had spotted the danger & was quickly off his line to make the block & put it behind for a corner. Talbot kept the pressure on, forcing 3 corners in quick succession, but the Cove defence stood up to it.

In a rare Cove attack Park won a corner down the right when his cross deflected behind off Glasgow. Park drilled the corner in at pace & Leishman could only parry it away. The ball bounced out to Masson who launched a wild shot over the bar & nearly over the houses behind the goal.

A promising Talbot break was ended in the 39th minute when Watson took out Kemp after the Talbot man side-stepped him, resulting in a Bot free kick and a booking for Cove’s centre half.

The free kick was floated into the area where Hyslop nodded it on into the goal mouth where it was smashed clear.

Beechwood erupted when Talbot took the lead in the 41st minute. McIlroy laid the ball off into the path of STEPHEN WILSON & he strolled through before smashing a powerful drive that McKenzie got both hands to but couldn’t prevent sailing beyond him & inside the far post.
The celebrations had barely died down when Talbot almost doubled their lead. A shy from the right was thrown into the feet of Kemp 25 yards out & he turned before drilling a shot just wide of the left hand post.

Soon after, the ref blew for half-time & Talbot trooped off deservedly in front to the delight of the vast majority of the crowd.

The second half was only four minutes old when Park became the latest Cove player booked for a late tackle just inside the Talbot half.

The visitors were handed a way back into the game in the 52nd minute when they were awarded a soft penalty decision. McPherson was adjudged to have brought down Brown as he was set to shoot & the ref booked the Talbot man & pointed to the spot. MEGGINSON took the spot kick & his low drive beat Leishman who guessed the right way & got a hand to it but couldn’t prevent it sneaking inside the right post. In a fit of petulance Megginson chose to celebrate the equaliser by running up the sidelines & taunting the Bot support.

The goal gave Cove a boost and two minutes later they had a half chance to take the lead. Milne cut inside off the left wing into the area & fired a shot over the bar.

Cove then picked up a two for one booking deal. Ross receiving a caution for shoving his arm into Wilson’s face & Brown joining him in the book for protesting against the decision.

The Cove crime count mounted in the 57th minute when Megginson received a yellow card for a late challenge on Hyslop and Yule should have joined him a minute later for a blatant trip on Wilson but this time the ref kept his cards in his pocket.

The visitors now made a change with Ferguson coming on for Masson.

Talbot had settled again after the disappointment of the equaliser and threatened the Cove goal on the hour mark. Armstrong evaded a couple of challenges before slipping the ball through to Kemp on the right of the area & his fierce low ball across goal just eluded McIlroy in the centre. The defence failed to clear it properly & the ball came out to Lyle. Talbot’s captain isn’t renowned for his goal scoring but he let fly from 30 yards & hit a daisy cutter that flew just wide of the right post.

Talbot made the crucial breakthrough in the 61st minute. McIlroy gathered it on the right & played it into CALVIN KEMP who skipped past a couple of challenges before lashing a low shot beyond McKenzie & into the bottom corner.

Cove now made their second change of the match with Macrae replacing Brown up front.

Another goal for Talbot would’ve put the Bot firmly in command & they nearly got it in the 67th minute. Kemp lifted a ball over the defence to find McIlroy in space down the left. He held it up before cutting it back across the area where Kemp had continued his run & slid a shot just past the right hand post.

A minute later and it was very nearly all square. A swift Cove counter-attack saw the ball played to Megginson inside the area. Leishman did well, diving low to his left, to keep out his strike but Macrae looked odds on to tuck home the rebound only for Lyle to appear from nowhere & make a crucial goal line clearance to block Macrae’s shot.

Action then switched to the other end where Kemp’s chip found McIlroy inside the area but his shot at goal was blocked off a defender.

Wilson received a yellow card in the 73rd minute when he caught Ross as he was clearing the ball up field.

Talbot continued to push forward and their next attack saw Glasgow race past Milne & break into the Cove half. He played it out wide to Kemp who angled the ball back to Glasgow who’d continued his run into the area but he was stretching as he hit it & could only send a low drive straight at McKenzie.

Tucker made a double substitution in the 80th minute with Samson coming on to make his debut in place of Kemp & White replacing Glasgow.

Cove gave the home fans a bit of a fright in the 82nd minute when Macrae held off the challenge of Harvey on the right of the penalty area but he fired his shot into the side-netting from a tight angle.

As the game reached the closing 5 minutes Talbot had two good chances to put the game beyond Cove. In the 87th minute White joined the attack & released a good ball through to Samson on the right of the area & he stabbed a low shot narrowly past the left hand post.

A minute later Talbot caught Cove out with a well worked counter. McIlroy carried it forward before releasing it to Samson on the left of the area. He skipped in past Redford & with only McKenzie to beat tried to pass it into the net but side-footed it just wide of the keeper’s right post.

In the final minute of regulation time Talbot nearly paid the price for failing to kill off the tie when Cove came close to a late equaliser. Park sent in a ball from the right that Hyslop failed to cut out. The ball landed at the feet of Yule 15 yards out & he cracked a low drive off Leishman’s right post.

However, that proved to be Cove’s last chance & Talbot saw out the remaining injury time with no alarms to claim the win.

A very good team performance from the Bot whose opponents sit atop the Highland League having won 9 out of 9 in their own league.

Next up for Talbot it is back to the defence of their Scottish Junior title as they face Lesmahagow next Saturday at Beechwood.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, Glasgow, McIlroy, Kemp, Armstrong

Subs – Samson, McDowall, McCracken, White, Waite, Hewitt (gk)

Cove Rangers – McKenzie, Redford, Milne, Ross, Watson, Kelly, Park, Yule, Megginson, Brown, Masson

Subs – Ferguson, Macrae, Milne, Macleod, McCafferty (gk)

Cove Rangers v Auchinleck Talbot

MURRAYS REPORT
Talbot recovered from a shaky start to earn a hard fought replay against Cove Rangers in this 2nd round Scottish cup tie.

The Bot made the worst possible start when they conceded a soft goal after only 5 minutes. McIlroy attempted to hook the ball up field but shanked it back toward his own penalty area. It landed at the feet of MEGGINSON whose snap shot from 20 yards skipped off the surface past Leishman & inside the right post.

Talbot’s first meaningful attack came in the 7th minute. Glasgow swept a deep corner over from the left which Armstrong nodded back across the 6-yard area where McIlroy prodded the ball wide of target.

The Bot had shaken off the early goal & had a decent chance to level matters in the 10th minute. McIlroy won it in the air to flick it on into the path of Graham Wilson. He shoved it through to Glasgow who burst into the area but toe poked his shot straight at McCafferty.

McIlroy was inches away from restoring parity in the 14th minute. Glasgow whipped over a great cross from the left & McIlroy met it in the centre & sent a volley goal ward that clipped the top of the bar.

Cove’s McCafferty had a good day in nets but made his one & only blunder in the 22nd minute. Stephen Wilson lifted the ball down the right to find Graham Wilson on the wing & he lofted a high cross into the centre. McCafferty came for it & missed it & it came to Hyslop who headed for goal but he didn’t get enough power behind it & McCafferty had recovered to gather the ball.

Talbot won a free kick within shooting distance in the 27th minute after Graham Wilson was barged in the back. Glasgow took it but skied his effort well over the bar.

Megginson became the 1st player in the book when he picked up a caution on the half hour mark. He should have received it for going through the back of Harvey as he shepherded the ball out of play but having got away with only a free kick against him he proceeded to talk his way into the book.

Talbot had a lucky escape in the 35th minute when Cove nearly doubled their lead. Yule swung a cross over from the right that landed right on the head of Brown who ought to have scored from 6 yards out but steered his header onto Leishman’s right hand post.

Graham Wilson had a half chance for Talbot in the 38th minute. McIlroy gathered on the left of the area & touched it inside to Wilson who burst through on goal but the ball broke away from him & McCafferty was quickly off his line to smother it.

The home side won a free kick 35 yards from goal in the 40th minute. The ball was flighted into the centre where Watson rose to head it but he didn’t make a clean connection & it looped harmlessly straight to Leishman.

The referee appeared of the view that football is a non-contact sport & handed out a very soft yellow card to McIlroy in the 42nd minute for an innocuous aerial challenge.

The final chance of the half came Talbot’s way a minute from the interval. Stephen Wilson was fouled by Ferguson as he raced clear on the right & the ref awarded Talbot the free kick 30 yards from goal. Pope took this set piece & aimed it for the far top corner but Yule was well-positioned in front of the back post to head it clear and so Talbot left the field a goal down at the break.
Cove started the 2nd half sharply & carved out an early chance in the 50th minute. A good passing move ended with Ferguson sliding the ball to Brown on the right side of the area but he hit a weak effort at goal from 10 yards.

Talbot picked up their 2nd booking of the afternoon in the 56th minute when Graham Wilson received a caution.

Leishman came to the rescue a minute later. Yule raced onto a ball down the left of the area & knocked it wide of the advancing Leishman. He retrieved it near the bye line & back-heeled it into the centre where Megginson drilled a low shot at goal that Leishman saved with his feet.

Talbot’s first effort of the 2nd half came in the 64th minute. Hyslop gathered out on the right & angled it back into the path of Stephen Wilson whose shot glided past a crowd of players & wide of the right post.

Tucker now made a change with Kemp coming on in place of McIlroy.

Kemp’s first involvement came soon after joining the fray when he was cynically up-ended as he raced forward inside the Cove half; resulting in a booking for Scully.

Hyslop took the free kick & his effort clipped off the wall & went behind for a corner. Glasgow whipped the corner into the near post where it was headed behind for a 2nd corner. This time he hit it deep & again it came off a Cove head for Talbot’s 3rd successive corner. When this one came over the defence headed it out but only as far as Stephen Wilson who hammered a shot from the edge of the area. His shot was blocked by Watson’s arm & the referee immediately pointed to the spot. GRAHAM WILSON stepped up & looked the coolest head in the pitch as he sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 1-1 in the 68th minute.

Teams are often at their most vulnerable soon after scoring & so it proved for Talbot who had a lucky escape two minutes after equalising. Yule raced away down the right & pulled a dangerous ball back across the box. Megginson dummied it leaving Masson in space 15 yards out but he side-footed it just wide of Leishman’s left post.

McCafferty denied Talbot the lead with a super stop in the 73rd minute. Kemp robbed Kelly of the ball outside the area before cutting in off the left & firing a right foot screamer that the keeper tipped wide of the left post.

Cove’s keeper came to his side’s aid again a few minutes later. Glasgow showed a great burst of pace to surge straight into the penalty area & through on goal. He attempted to prod it past the advancing keeper but McCafferty was able to block.

Action then switched to the other end where Brown stretched out a leg to get on the end of Masson’s cross & steer a shot just wide of the left post.

As the game entered the closing stages Talbot were looking the more likely side. Graham Wilson broke into the penalty area in the 87th minute but was blocked by a wall of players before he could get his shot away.

Glasgow took one for the team in the 89th minute. Megginson looked set to race deep into the Talbot half before Glasgow tugged him back & received a caution for his trouble.

As the game moved into injury time Talbot pressed forward and nearly snatched a late winner. Firstly Armstrong sent Graham Wilson away down the right & McCafferty had to parry away his effort. Shortly after, with virtually the last kick of the ball, Kemp thundered a shot from the right edge of the area that forced an acrobatic stop from the keeper who flew to his right to push it away.

A fine performance from Talbot who gave as good as they got & nearly nicked the win right at the end. Next week it’s back to Beechwood for the replay with both sides playing for the chance to face Fraserburgh in the 3rd round.

Cove Rangers – McCafferty, Yule, Redford, Ross, Watson, Kelly, Ferguson, Scully, Megginson, Brown, Masson

Subs – Strachan, Milne, Macleod, Carnie, Ellis

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, Armstrong, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, Graham Wilson, McIlroy, Glasgow

Subs – Shankland, Kemp, McDowall, McCracken, White, Samson, Hewitt

Read more: http://auchinlecktalbotfc.proboards.com/thread/8246/cove-rangers-1-auchinleck-talbot#ixzz5UaFc7iKw

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Auchinleck Talbot v Lesmahagow Juniors

MURRAYS REPORT
Talbot claimed the 1st silverware of the season with a comprehensive win over a game but out-classed Lesmahagow.
Lesmahagow started the game at a frantic pace, buzzing around the Bot half as though on fast forward and they had the first effort on target when Falconer hit a bouncing shot from 20 yards that Leishman held low to his right.
A minute later Kemp came close down the other end. He sped clear on the right & fired a shot inside the near post that Thomson blocked with his feet.
Falconer had his name taken in the 14th minute when he tripped Glasgow as he broke down the centre. Pope delivered the free kick into the area where it was headed behind by Whitefield. Glasgow whipped the corner into the near post where Falconer headed it clear but it came straight out to Pope whose low drive was deflected just past the left post.
Talbot opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Kemp fed the ball on to Glasgow on the right & he fired it low across goal where STEPHEN WILSON got on the end of it to side-foot home from 8 yards out.
From the re-start the Gow won a free kick in a dangerous area when Glasgow clipped the heels of Weir. Weir delivered the free kick beyond the back post where Leishman came for it but couldn’t hold onto it but Harvey was able to clear.
Lesmahagow put together a good move in the 26th minute. Woodlock won the ball in the centre & spread play out to Weir on the right. He squared it across to Faughnan but he took too long on the ball & Lyle was able to block his shot.
Talbot were denied a second goal in the 28th minute thanks to a fine stop from Thomson. Gow conceded a needless corner and when it came over Hyslop climbed to head it for goal. Thomson did well to turn his header onto the bar & the defence were able to scramble it clear from the goal mouth.
The goal wasn’t long delayed though & Talbot doubled their lead in the 34th minute. Harvey shoved a free kick up the left touchline to find Pope in space. He angled a cross into the area that flew over Schonville to find GRAHAM WILSON who took it on the half volley; burying a shot inside the left post.
A good reaction save prevented Talbot from extending their lead in the 37th minute. Kemp whipped an early ball in from the left & Glasgow met it to steer a low shot back across goal only for Thomson to save with his feet.
It was now all Talbot and Kemp passed up a good chance to make it 3 in the 41st minute. Graham Wilson cut in off the right past Schonville & slipped the ball through to Kemp who found himself in space inside the area but he pulled his shot wide of the right post.
Two minutes later Talbot had another golden opportunity to score. McDowall lifted a great ball over the defence to send Graham Wilson through down the left. He raced in one on one with Thomson but his shot was too near the keeper who was able to block. The rebound spun up into the air where Glasgow headed it goal ward but his header drifted over the bar & Talbot had to be content with a 2 goal lead at the interval.
Lesmahagow made a change during half-time with Faugnan remaining in the clubhouse & J Thomson on in his place up front.
The change in personnel though didn’t lead to a change in the game as Talbot continued to dominate. Kemp did well in the 49th minute racing in off the left & driving for the box. He had Stephen Wilson free on the right but instead opted to shoot; drilling a low shot straight at Thomson from the edge of the area.
Any hopes of a cup upset folded in the 53rd minute when Talbot made it 3-0. Lyle dinked the ball over the static defence & JAMIE GLASGOW raced onto it before calmly passing the ball beyond the keeper.
It could easily have been 4 soon after. Graham Wilson showed good strength to hold off Schonville’s challenge before rolling the ball across the area toward Kemp. He dummied it & the ball ran through to Stephen Wilson who drilled it just past the left post from 15 yards.
Falconer could have headed for an early bath in the 58th minute when he caught Stephen Wilson late. The ref looked set to produce a card but had 2nd thoughts when he realised he’d booked him earlier.
Tucker made a double switch on the hour mark with McIlroy & Shankland replacing Kemp & Graham Wilson up front. Lesmahagow now made their 2nd change with S Schonville coming on for Weir.
Talbot’s substitions paid off in the 67th minute when the two subs combined to add to Talbot’s lead. Shankland swept a good cross in from the left & SEAN MCILROY met it in the centre to head it beyond the keeper.
McDowall picked up a caution in the 69th minute when he lunged into a late tackle in midfield.
Tucker now made his final change with Waite on for Hyslop.
Again the sub made an immediate impact, haring down the left & whipping over a cross that McIlroy headed just wide of the right post.
Talbot grabbed their 5th goal in the 79th minute. Glasgow got away down the right & knocked a good ball across the 6-yard area which SEAN MCILROY volleyed home at the near post.
With 6 minutes remaining Lesmahagow managed to snatch a late consolation effort. Thomson got on the end of a head flick inside the box & hit a low drive on target. Leishman saved low to his left but MCSTAY had followed up & tucked away the rebound.
As the game moved into injury time Talbot completed the scoring when they added their 6th. Shankland played a clever disguised pass down the right to take out the defence & send JAMIE GLASGOW clean through. Thomson managed to get a hand to his low drive but could only help it into the roof of the net.
A very good performance by Talbot who hit form at just the right time to claim the inaugural Sectional cup. Next up for Talbot it is a trip up north to face the unbeaten Cove Rangers in the senior Scottish.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, Glasgow, Graham Wilson, Kemp, McDowall

Subs – Shankland, McIlroy, McCracken, Waite, White

Lesmahagow Juniors – S Thomson, Falconer, Whitefield, Woodlock, N Schonville, Nicholson, Innes, S Clark, Faughnan, McStay, Weir

Subs – Lygate, M Clark, S Schonville, J Thomson, Lithgow

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Auchinleck Talbot v Glenafton Athletic

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot’s unbeaten run came to a tame end as they drew a blank at home against 10 man Glenafton.

The first chance of the afternoon came Glenafton’s way in the 7th minute. McCann burst forward into the area & slid a shot just wide of the right post.

Twelve minutes in & McCracken lost out in a 50/50 to Dallas whose run towards the area was halted by McCracken’s foul; conceding a free kick just outside the area. MCAUSLAND struck it & gave Leishman no chance as he whipped it over the wall & into the net off the underside of the bar.

Two minutes later the Glens won a free kick in an almost identical position when McDowall floored Dallas. McDowall received a caution for the challenge but McAusland couldn’t repeat his earlier set-piece & this time fired it well over the bar.

Talbot’s first meaningful attack came in the 16th minute when Glasgow surged through the centre before releasing it out to McIlroy on the left. He carried it into the area where his low cross was deflected behind for a corner. Shankland hoisted the corner into the centre where McGarrity gathered it under pressure.

The visitors were forced into a change in the 18th minute. McChesney limping off the pitch to be replaced by Frye.

Glasgow was denied the equaliser in the 20th minute thanks to a fine save from McGarrity. Glasgow latched onto a headed clearance & arrowed a drive from 25 yards that was flying inside the right post until McGarrity dived across to push it wide.

McAusland’s pace caused Talbot problems in the 24th minute. He charged out from the back & raced deep into the Talbot half before sliding it to Moore on the left of the penalty area. His shot at goal was deflected into the air before finally being cleared.

Cairns talked himself into the ref’s book in the 27th minute for chirping at the referee and four minutes later received his marching orders when he tripped Hyslop outside the penalty area. Tucker now made a change with McDowall leaving the field to be replaced by Armstrong.
Shankland lifted the free kick over the wall & on target but it lacked the power to seriously trouble McGarrity who gathered to his right.

Talbot were struggling to make the extra man count & the game meandered on towards half time with Glenafton content to sit in & defend their lead. In the closing stages of the half Talbot produced a couple of promising attacks. In the 43rd min Lyle lifted a ball up the line to find Stephen Wilson. He beat Murphy & lifted a cross into the centre where Hyslop headed on target but it lacked the power to test McGarrity. As the half move into added time Shankland played it into McIlroy on the left of the area & his shot at goal was deflected just wide off McAusland. Glenafton successfully defended the resulting corner to go in ahead at the interval.

Talbot came out the traps quickly at the start of the 2nd half carving out a chance within a minute of the re-start. Glasgow ran at the defence before sliding it out to Stephen Wilson on the right. He knocked it low into the near post where McIlroy side-footed it on target but straight at McGarrity.
A minute later Talbot won a corner down the left. McGarrity was unable to gather Shankland’s cross under pressure from Hyslop & the ball came out to Pope who hooked a shot over the bar from 12 yards.

McCracken had a half chance to get Talbot back on terms in the 48th minute. Talbot won a free kick out on the right touchline which Harvey angled into the area. McCracken met it unchallenged but got his header all wrong & sent it well wide of target.

With Glenafton sitting deep it was all Talbot but the Glens defence were giving little away.

Talbot did test McGarrity in the 55th minute when Glasgow laid the ball back to Shankland on the left. He swept a cross over beyond the back post where Stephen Wilson bulleted a header on goal that McGarrity turned round his left post.

Stephen Wilson looked a gift horse in the mouth in the 57th min when he passed up a golden chance to level. McGarrity bowled the ball out to Murphy & the stand in left-back lost the ball when he tried to take on Wilson. He ran on into the box but with only the keeper to beat he fired a shot straight into the midriff of the advancing McGarrity.

Glenafton made their 2nd change in the 59th minute with Marlow replacing Murphy.

Moore received a caution in the 63rd minute for a late challenge on Hyslop. Tucker now made his 2nd change with Kemp coming on for McIlroy.

A minute later Dallas also received a yellow card for a trip on Hyslop.

The Glens completed their substitutions in the 69th minute when Orsi replaced Dallas.

Talbot’s next effort at goal came in the 72nd minute when Shankland cut in off the left touchline & fired just over the bar from 20 yards. This proved to be his last involvement as he was subbed soon after & replaced by Graham Wilson.

The 2nd half had been all Talbot but without the Bot being able to create many clear cut chances. Glasgow had a half chance in the 76th minute when the ball came to him on the left of the penalty area but his shot at goal took a deflection on its way through, taking the sting out of it & McGarrity made a comfortable save.

McGarrity hadn’t put a foot wrong but made his one & only error in the 77th minute when he allowed a high cross to slip out his hands & over the bar for a corner.

Frye took one for the team when cautioned in the 79th minute when he cynically took out Glasgow as he raced up field.

As the game entered the final stages Talbot were piling men forward but a combination of resolute defending & a lack of quality in the final third was keeping the Glens lead intact.

With four minutes remaining Talbot came close when Stephen Wilson headed Pope’s cross back across goal. Hesitant defending from the Glens saw Glasgow able to run onto the loose ball on the 6-yard line only to see his effort at goal deflected over the bar.

Talbot fans knew it wasn’t going to be our afternoon in the 88th minute. Glasgow lifted the ball over to Stephen Wilson on the right who laid it back into the feet of Kemp. He hammered a shot from 20 yards but McGarrity was in the right spot to tip it over the bar.

A disappointing afternoon for Talbot who saw plenty of the ball but couldn’t find a way past a determined defence & in form keeper. Next up for Talbot it is a trip to Newlandsfield next Sunday to face Lesmahagow in the Sectional cup final.

Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McCracken, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, McDowall, McIlroy, Glasgow, Shankland

Subs – Kemp, Graham Wilson, Armstrong, White, McPherson

Glenafton Athletic – McGarrity, McAusland, Cairns, Menzies, McChesney, Park, Moore, Hawkshaw, Dallas, McCann, Murphy

Subs – Lynass, Frye, Marlow, Andrew, Orsi

Auchinleck Talbot v Forfar West End

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAY’S REPORT

Talbot weren’t quite at their best but did enough to see off the challenge of Forfar West End to progress to the 3rd round of the Scottish Junior cup.
The Bot got off to a strong start & only the woodwork prevented Talbot from taking the lead in the 6th minute. Clark up-ended Glasgow 25 yards out receiving a yellow card in the process. Shankland took the free kick & his effort crashed off the face of the bar with the keeper well beaten.
The next effort at goal came in the 11th minute. Harvey pinged an accurate diagonal ball to find Glasgow on the left of the area. He cut inside his marker & fired a shot on target that Thain batted away.
Talbot opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Pope lifted a ball into the area to find SEAN MCILROY. His 1st touch broke off Clark back into his path & he slotted a low shot under the advancing Thain to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Two minutes later Forfar’s keeper came to their rescue. Armstrong played a well-weighted ball up the right toward McIlroy. He raced clear of the defence but Thain sped out his box to clear it out for a shy.
It was all Talbot at this stage & Pope nearly added to Talbot’s lead when he let fly from long range but his shot skidded wide of the right post.
Harvey had Talbot’s next effort in the 23rd minute. Talbot won a corner out on the right that Shankland lifted to the far post. The Forfar defence cleared it but only as far as Armstrong who returned it out to Shankland on the wing. He curled a cross beyond the far post where Harvey slid in to fire it just wide.
The visitors hadn’t offered much but they did put together a slick move in the 32nd minute. A series of passes ended with Wilson cutting the ball back to Montgomery who drilled a shot straight at Leishman from 15 yards.
Five minutes later they had another attempt at goal. Thain launched it down the centre where A Walls headed it on into the path of Batchelor who hit it 1st time for 20 yards but angled his shot well wide of target.
Talbot ought to have doubled their lead in the 39th minute. The Forfar defence couldn’t clear a corner & the ball was played back out to Shankland. He swept an inch perfect cross over which Hyslop met 5 yards out but he glanced his header wide of the far post.
Two minutes later Talbot came close again from a corner. Shankland’s corner found Hyslop & he hooked it back across goal. It broke to McIlroy whose low drive was deflected wide of goal. When the 2nd corner came in Armstrong met it beyond the back post but his shot on goal was blocked.
Allan became the 2nd Forfar player in the book when he picked up a caution in the 43rd minute.
Hyslop had a half chance to put Talbot two ahead in the 44th minute. Pope flighted a free kick over to the back post where Hyslop powered a header over the bar.
Talbot paid the price for failing to take their chances when the visitors levelled with the last kick of the half. Montgomery picked up on the left of the area & squared the ball inside. BATCHELOR ran onto it & his shot took a massive deflection off McCracken to send Leishman the wrong way & send the sides in level at the interval.
Talbot started the 2nd half as though they meant business and twice in as many minutes were denied by fine saves from Thain. The keeper produced a top stop to dive low to his left to deny McIlroy when he turned & fired at goal and a minute later he spread himself well to block Glasgow’s net bound volley.
Lyle came to Talbot’s rescue in the 51st minute. Batchelor showed quick feet to dance into the Talbot area & create the space to get his shot away but Lyle dived in to block his shot away to safety.
Armstrong failed to make the most of a half chance in the 57th minute. Stephen Wilson lifted it up the centre to find McIlroy with his back to goal. He held it up before releasing it out to Armstrong in space on the right but he fired well wide of the left post.
Talbot regained the lead in the 59th minute thanks to a defensive howler. C Walls got in his keeper’s way inside the box & as they collided SEAN MCILROY was perfectly placed to roll it into the empty net.
Petrie conceded a free kick in the 65th minute for a late tackle on Stephen Wilson 25 yards out. With everyone anticipating a shot Shankland slid the ball wide of the wall to find Pope on the overlap & he crashed a shot over the bar from a tight angle.
The Bot’s next attack saw Pope sling a cross over to the far side of the area where Armstrong cushioned it down into the path of Glasgow. He tried to side-foot it home but a defender succeeded in blocking his shot at goal.
Both sides now made a change with McDowall on for Armstrong & Kemp replacing A Walls for the visitors.
The change immediately paid off as Talbot extended their lead in the 72nd minute. Shankland lifted a cross beyond the back post where McDowall headed it back across goal. HYSLOP met it in the centre & glanced a header beyond Thain.
In the 76th minute Talbot made a further change with Kemp coming on for Glasgow.
The game appeared to be over but the visitors had other ideas & reduced the leeway with 10 minutes remaining. They won a free kick out on the left which was angled into the centre where McMahon glanced a header off the bar. When the rebound came out MCMAHON reacted quickest to prod it home from close range.
Tucker made Talbot’s final change in the 83rd minute with White on in place of Shankland.
Talbot finally killed the tie off in the 85th minute thanks to a superb finish. McIlroy flicked a ball on into the path of CALVIN KEMP on the left 30 yards out. He hit it 1st time, lifting a shot over the stranded keeper & into the roof of the net to make it 4-2.
Two minutes later Talbot nearly added to their lead. Kemp’s cross was headed off his own bar Robertson & when it rebounded out McDowall hammered a shot at goal that was deflected just wide.
In the closing stages Talbot picked up two late bookings, firstly Kemp for kicking the ball away & then White for a trip on Montgomery but there were no further chances for either side & Talbot saw the game out for the win.
Not a vintage display but a deserved win & Talbot now return to league action next Saturday when they host Glenafton.