Season: 2018/19
Wick Academy v Auchinleck Talbot
MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT
The long, winding road north paid off for Talbot as they booked their place in the 2nd round of the William Hill Scottish cup thanks to a 2-1 win over Wick in a feisty encounter.
Talbot made a strong start to this tie, pegging the home side back in the opening minutes as they forced a string of corners. The closest they came to threatening the Wick goal was when Glasgow swirled a corner to the back post where Hyslop just failed to get on the end of it.
Wick gave the Talbot defence something to think about in the 3rd minute when they launched a swift counter down the right. Henry lifted a great ball down the right to find Allan & he paced beyond Pope before cutting the ball back across goal where McPherson cleared.
Two minutes later Wick came close to opening the scoring. A shy from the right found Allan inside the area & he hooked the ball back to Halliday who steered a half volley just wide of the right post.
The home side could have been a man down within 6 minutes. There seemed nothing in it when M Steven clashed with Graham Wilson out by the touchline; however as Wilson lay on the turf Steven appeared to stamp on him but neither the ref nor his assistant picked up on it.
Talbot’s first effort at goal came in the 9th minute. Graham Wilson’s head flick found Kemp on the left & he released it to Glasgow whose effort landed on target from 18 yards but lacked the power to trouble McCarthy.
Henry had his name taken in the 16th minute for a late challenge on Stephen Wilson. Glasgow took the resultant free kick & bent it across goal & beyond the far post where Pope met it but he fired his shot back across goal and wide of the left post.
The referee enraged the vocal travelling support in the 22nd minute. Harvey slid in & looked to have won the ball cleanly but the ref had other ideas & awarded Wick a free kick 25 yards from goal. Manson took it & whilst he got it up & over the wall it was never dipping quickly enough & sailed over Leishman’s bar.
Talbot won a free kick, and picked up a booking in the 25th minute. The free kick was awarded for a foul on Glasgow out on the left but before it could be taken the ref cautioned Graham Wilson for an earlier clash with Steven. Glasgow took the set piece & flighted it into the near post where Graham Wilson beat McCarthy to it but couldn’t keep his header below the bar.
The Bot put together a good move in the 31st minute when they moved the ball quickly to find Hyslop on the right of the area. He lifted a cross into the centre where Glasgow steered a header over the bar.
A minute later Kemp sped clear down the right & drilled it low across the face of goal but it had just too much pace on it for Glasgow to reach it.
The opening goal came in the 38th minute & it is one Wick’s keeper would like to forget. Graham Wilson nodded the ball down to find Lyle on the right & he hoisted a cross into the heart of the area. McCarthy came out to claim it but only patted the ball straight to JAMIE GLASGOW who coolly lobbed the ball over the stranded keeper to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Two minutes before the interval Talbot were back on the attack when McPherson carried the ball up the right before pinging it onto the head of Graham Wilson. He flicked it on to Glasgow who fired over the bar from 20 yards.
Right on the stroke of half-time Wick ought to have levelled the score. Talbot’s defence were caught flat footed by a ball dinked up the centre allowing Allan to break through. He controlled it 1st time inside the box but pulled his shot wide of the right post and so Talbot went in ahead at the interval.
Tucker made a change during the half-time break & when Talbot re-emerged McDowall was on for White.
Talbot started the 2nd half brightly & nearly unlocked the Wick defence a minute after the re-start but Kemp just failed to latch onto a pass in behind the defence.
Hyslop had his name taken in the 48th minute when he was slightly late in a 50/50 challenge on the half-way line.
A minute later he was joined in the book by Henry who received a caution for petulantly kicking the ball away.
Kemp had a chance to double Talbot’s lead in the 53rd minute. A counter-attack saw Talbot sweep up field where Graham Wilson laid the ball into the path of Kemp. He burst into the area past the defence but his final touch took it away from him & McCarthy raced off his line to smother the ball.
The action then immediately switched to the other end as Wick broke into the Talbot penalty area down the left. Leishman did well to block MacAdie’s shot but the ball came out to Henry on the left & he sent a low ball across goal which HALLIDAY side-footed home from close range to level the score.
Talbot responded in the best manner possible to this setback as they re-gained the lead within a matter of minutes. A good passing move saw the ball worked to McDowall on the right of the penalty area. He took a wild swipe at it but the ball broke back to him and his 2nd shot was deflected across the area. Glasgow touched it into the path of STEPHEN WILSON who hammered a left foot shot from 15 yards inside the right post to put Talbot 2-1 ahead.
The home side weren’t done though and forced Leishman into action in the 64th minute. MacGregor latched onto a ball in behind the defence & pulled it back to the edge of the area where MacAdie drilled a low shot straight at Leishman.
Tucker now made a double switch with Hyslop & Graham Wilson making way for Armstrong & McIlroy.
McCarthy prevented Talbot extending their lead with a top class save in the 67th minute. McIlroy cushioned a header down into the path of Kemp who let fly from 18 yards only to see the keeper acrobatically tip his shot over the bar. When the corner came over it was retrieved by Stephen Wilson who laid the ball back to Pope who was halved by a crude challenge from G Steven. The referee immediately produced a straight red and Wick were left to face the remainder of the match a man down. Glasgow took the resultant free kick but fired over the bar from 25 yards.
With twenty minutes remaining Wick made a change with Hughes on in place of MacAdie.
Talbot’s next attack came from a blunder in the home defence. Manson gifted the ball to Glasgow down the right & he sent Lyle clear on the overlap. He fired a great ball across the 6-yard area between defence & keeper but no one could get on the end of it.
The Bot were on the attack again in the 74th minute. Wick only partially cleared a shy from the right and the ball came out to Pope outside the area where he smashed a shot just over the bar.
Wick now made a further change with MacNab replacing MacGregor.
Another goal would’ve settled it but Talbot couldn’t convert their chances to kill the tie off.
Kemp went on a surging run through the centre & slipped it wide left to find Glasgow racing into the area but he took a heavy 1st touch and it broke away through to the keeper.
Henry, already on a booking, was a tad fortunate when he took Glasgow down with a tackle from the back but the referee contented himself with awarding Talbot the free kick. Pope took it & went for goal but his effort failed to trouble McCarthy.
Talbot had a golden chance to end the tie in the 80th minute. Glasgow skipped across the penalty area before releasing a pass to find Kemp free in space on the left. He carried in on goal & tried to bend a shot past the advancing McCarthy but the keeper made a good stop to deny him.
Within a minute Talbot were back on the attack with McIlroy finding Glasgow on the right who sent a low ball into the near post where McDowall bundled it wide under pressure.
In the 83rd minute a shy into the area found Kemp on the right edge of the box. He managed to turn his marker & go for goal but his curling effort went wide of the right post.
Wick now played their final card with Gunn coming on to replace M Steven.
With 3 minutes remaining the referee produced one of the more bizarre decisions you’re likely to see this season. Leishman was fouled in the air as he gathered a floated cross into the box but rather than re-starting the game with a free kick to Talbot once Leishman had been treated, the referee ordered a bounce up at the edge of the penalty area. Fortunately, nothing came of it & the ball ran through to Leishman.
Glasgow came very close to his 2nd of the afternoon in the 88th minute. McIlroy played it out to Kemp on the left & when his cross came over it found Glasgow in space inside the area. He took his time & stepped inside Manson before firing a low shot past McCarthy that was cleared off the goal line.
Talbot kept cool heads in the closing stages & retained possession well to see the game out. The final whistle saw the Bot team cross over to the enclosure to celebrate the win with the travelling support.
Next up for Talbot it is back to cup duties but this time in their defence of the Scottish Junior cup where they host Forfar West End at Beechwood next Saturday.
Wick Academy – McCarthy, Manson, Farquhar, D Mackay, M Steven, G Steven, Henry, Halliday, Macgregor, MacAdie, Allan
Subs – Gunn, MacNab, Aitkenhead, G Mackay, Hughes, Hardwick, Clark (gk)
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, Stephen Wilson, White, Hyslop, Graham Wilson, Glasgow, Kemp
Subs- Shankland, McIlroy, Armstrong, McDowall, McCracken, Waite, Hewitt (gk)
Auchinleck Talbot v Kilwinning Rangers
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot continued with their winning streak thanks to a hard fought 3-1 win over the Buffs.
The Bot nearly got off to a flier in the 2nd minute. Leishman launched a free kick down the centre where Graham Wilson beat Whyte in the air. He glanced it out to the right to find Stephen Wilson in space & he drilled a shot just over the bar.
The Buffs defence were found wanting at Talbot’s next set piece in the 6th minute. A free kick was flighted into the area where Graham Wilson flicked it across goal. Harvey ran onto it in front of goal but couldn’t make enough contact to knock it past Strain.
It was all Talbot in the early stages & Kemp tried a cheeky effort in the 7th minute; attempting to lob it home from 30 yards when the ball came to him on the right but he didn’t get enough behind it & Strain was able to backpedal & claim it.
The next chance also came Talbot’s way. A swift counter saw Graham Wilson racing free down the left & making a beeline for the box. Only Whyte stood between him & a clear run on Strain but the defender timed his challenge perfectly to steal possession.
The Kilwinning goal had a lucky escape in the 16th minute when Talbot came close twice in quick succession. Pope had Strain beaten all ends up with his rasping drive from the left of the area that cannoned off the right hand post. It rebounded across the 6-yard area where Hyslop sidefooted it on target only for Maitland to clear it off the line.
Kilwinning’s 1st meaningful foray into the Talbot half came after 23 mins. Boylan hared free down the right touchline & played a good ball across goal which Lyle shepherded behind for a corner.
Talbot’s next glimpse of goal came in the 27th min when Graham Wilson met a free kick from the left to glance a header over the bar.
The visitors gave Talbot a scare on the half hour mark when the Bot were caught napping at a short corner. The ball was pulled back to Lewis who burst into the left side of the penalty area & fired over from 15 yards.
The Talbot defence were put to the test in the 34th min when Harvey conceded a free kick just outside the right edge of the box for a foul on Curragh. Monti took it & swung a dangerous cross into the centre where Pope climbed to head it clear.
The opening goal came Talbot’s way in the 35th minute. McPherson brought it out from the back & slid a pass out to Kemp on the right. He attempted to thread a pass through to Stephen Wilson that was partially blocked. The ball ran through toward goal & STEPHEN WILSON reacted first to get on the end of it & prod it past Strain from close range.
Two minutes later Stephen Wilson had a chance for his second. He raced onto a pass through the centre & knocked it past Strain who had rushed out his area but Maitland recovered to beat him to it & knock it behind for a corner.
Boylan had his name taken in the 38th minute for a late challenge on Shankland on the left wing. Shankland took the free kick & angled a great ball across goal. Hyslop was inches from connecting in front of goal & Strain did well to push it wide of the left post.
Lewis joined Boylan in the ref’s notebook in the 40th minute for a late tackle on Hyslop.
Talbot had a chance to extend their lead in the 41st minute. A short corner was worked to Shankland whose in swinging cross found Graham Wilson 6 yards out but he could only glance his header wide.
Down the other end Talbot were nearly caught out a minute later. A corner from the left flew across the face of goal with no takers. McPherson tried to shield it out for a goal kick but Nisbet managed to nip in & steal it. He cut it back toward Pettigrew whose low drive was diverted behind.
Kilwinning took the corner quickly & Pope conceded a free kick just wide of the area and picked up a booking into the bargain for a trip. Monti delivered the ball beyond the back post & Maitland headed it back across goal where White cleared.
In the final minute of the half Nisbet received a yellow card for a poor tackle on Lyle. Shankland whipped a tremendous free kick into the centre where Kemp just failed to connect. The ball spun up into the air 6 yards out where both sides tussled for it & the referee took the easy option & awarded a free kick to the defending side and so Talbot went in a goal to the good at the interval.
Talbot started the 2nd half strongly & very nearly doubled their lead in the 47th minute. Shankland floated a free kick down the centre which the defence could only clear out to the edge of the area. It came to White who steered a shot for goal that flew just wide of the left post.
Two mins later Talbot had another chance. A shy from the right broke into the path of Kemp. He burst forward but chose the wrong option; trying to square it across goal rather than shooting.
The Buffs won a free kick in a good area in the 50th minute when Boylan was obstructed just outside the box. Monti lifted it up & over the wall but Leishman got across to his left to turn it over the bar.
Talbot won a free kick in a very similar position when Kemp was bundled over. Shankland took it & fired a shot over the bar.
Kilwinning now made their 1st change with Wardrope coming on for Nisbet.
The two sides picked up a further caution apiece with Lyle having his name taken for a foul out by the touchline & Whyte following him into the book soon after for a shirt tug on Graham Wilson.
The visitors levelled the score on the hour mark. Two Bot players went for the same ball in the air & only succeeded in diverting the ball out to Boylan. He shoved it out left to WARDROPE who cut inside on his right foot & bent an unstoppable shot inside Leishman’s left post.
Tucker responded by making a change with Glasgow replacing Kemp.
Wardrope joined his teammates in the ref’s notepad when he was guilty of a blatant foul in the 63rd minute.
Kilwinning now opted to make a further change with McKenzie on in place of Whyte.
The Buffs were having a good spell & had a half chance to take the lead in the 70th minute. Boylan fired over a cross that the defence could only head out as far as Lewis. He met it 18 yards out but drilled a low shot straight at Leishman.
Tucker now made another change with McIlroy on for Shankland.
Just when the game appeared to be drifting away Talbot hit Kilwinning with a double whammy.
Talbot regained the lead in the 75th minute.The Buffs defence was undone by a simple ball lifted down the middle.GRAHAM WILSON raced onto it inside the area & knocked it round Strain before slotting the ball into the empty net.
Before the dust had time to settle Talbot grabbed their 3rd. The Bot won a corner down the left & when it was delivered to the back post DWAYNE HYSLOP rose to power a header on goal that Strain got a hand to but couldn’t keep out.
Both sides now made their final changes, Kilwinning bringing McGuinness on for Fleming & Talbot replacing Pope with Armstrong.
White received a caution in the 82nd minute for a foul on Pettigrew.
The visitors were dealt a body blow in the 84th minute. McKenzie cut in off the left & fired a shot for goal that took a deflection en route & landed tamely at Leishman. Meanwhile Wardrope had crumpled to the turf 6 yards out with no one near him.It wasn’t apparent what had happened but as he lay prostrate in the box it became obvious he had picked up a serious injury. The game was halted for quarter of an hour whilst he was tended to before being stretchered off to the accompaniment of a round of applause from both sets of supporters.
When the game eventually re-started it had an anticlimactic feel to it with the crowd still subdued after the injury.
As the game entered the closing stages Talbot might have added to their lead on a couple of occasions.
Firstly Hyslop had a headed chance from Glasgow’s corner but this time he headed over from 6 yards out.
Then Glasgow went on a mazy run, cutting in off the left past several challenges before sliding the ball to Stephen Wilson. He in turn laid it back to Glasgow whose low drive was smothered by Strain.
A good win & 3 points for Talbot which keeps them on the tail of early pacesetters Hurlford. Next up for Talbot is the long road north as they literally travel the length & breadth of the country to face Wick Academy of the Highland League in the Senior cup.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, S Wilson, White, Hyslop, G Wilson, Kemp, Shankland
Subs – McIlroy, Glasgow, Armstrong, McDowall, McCracken
Kilwinning Rangers – Strain, Maitland, McLevy, Pettigrew, Whyte, Fleming, Monti, Lewis, Curragh, Nisbet, Boylan
Subs – McGuinness, Wardrope, McKenzie, McCloskey, Hill
Lesmahagow Juniors
Pollok v Auchinleck Talbot
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot have a good record at Newlandsfield & they built on this with a well-deserved 2-1 win over Pollok in front of a good crowd.
The Bot made a bright start & had a decent chance to take the lead in the 3rd minute. Shankland lifted a ball down the left to find Kemp racing in behind the defence. He slid it across the face of goal where Graham Wilson steered it wide of the far post.
Talbot did take the lead in the 10th minute and once again it came thanks to a set piece. Stephen Wilson’s cross was deflected behind for a corner on the right & when Shankland delivered it into the centre where Pope met it. His header skipped off the surface toward goal & GRAHAM WILSON reacted to nod it home from close range.
Another Talbot corner saw them close again in the 15th minute. This time Shankland lifted it to the far post where Longmuir failed to cut it out. It came to Harvey but he couldn’t get above it & his header flew over the bar.
The home side came close to an equaliser in the 17th minute. Pollok were awarded a free kick out on the left which Young curled into the centre. Leishman came off his line to punch clear but was beaten to it by McGregor whose header sailed wide of the left post.
Within a minute Longmuir prevented Talbot from doubling their lead. The Lok defence failed to clear a corner from the right & it came out to Pope just outside the area. He hammered a shot for goal that was deflected high into the air. When the ball spun to earth Kemp was the first to react & he drilled a low shot on goal that nearly squeezed past Longmuir who did well to make the stop.
Talbot were annoyed at the officials in the 21st minute when two calls went against them in quick succession. Firstly, the linesman flagged Pollok offside as they broke forward, only for the referee to ignore him, then when the ball came into the box Gormley looked to shoulder Lyle off the ball. Gormley cut inside but Lyle recovered & got across to block his shot behind for the corner.
Pollok’s McCann tested Leishman in the 23rd minute. There didn’t seem any immediate danger as Pollok lifted the ball down the centre but the Bot defence failed to cut it out & it came out to McCann on the right who angled a low shot back across goal that Leishman turned wide of the post.
In Talbot’s next attack they won a free kick out on the left following Gallacher’s clumsy aerial challenge on Graham Wilson. Shankland curled a dangerous cross in behind the defence & Gallacher got a lucky break when he dived to cut it out & steered it straight to his keeper.
Thirty two minutes in Talbot won another free kick on the left, this time a bit nearer to goal, after Gallacher clipped the heels of Kemp. This time Shankland opted to shoot, curling it over the defensive wall, but over the bar.
Fraser had his name taken in the 34th minute for a late challenge.
A minute later Talbot had the Lok defence at full stretch. Kemp got away on the right & fired a low ball into the near post toward Graham Wilson but it was well-defended.
Talbot doubled their advantage in the 40th minute and it’s a goal McCann would like to forget. He gifted Talbot the ball with a slack pass out from the back which was worked out to Graham Wilson on the left. He burst into the area where McCann clumsily up-ended him and the ref pointed to the spot. GRAHAM WILSON kept a cool head & sent Longmuir the wrong way to roll it into the bottom corner and make it 2-0.
In the closing minutes of the half Kemp picked up a caution when he carried on after the whistle & lobbed the ball into the net after being caught offside.
The last thing Talbot would have wanted was to concede an early goal to give Pollok a lifeline but that’s just what happened in the 48th minute. Sideserf swept the ball from one touchline to the other to pick out McCann on the right. He whipped a good cross over which McGregor headed on target. Leishman produced a good stop to deny him, diving to his right to push it away, but it came straight to FRASER who drilled it low into the far corner to make it 2-1.
A 3rd goal from Talbot would have effectively killed the game off and a golden chance to grab it came in the 58th minute. Graham Wilson’s shot from the left of the area was deflected and came across to Kemp in front of goal. He looked set to fire it home but Gallacher threw himself across to get a nick on it & deflect his shot over the bar.
Pollok then had a lucky escape from the resultant corner. Longmuir came to take Shankland’s corner only to drop it. Hyslop hooked the ball goal ward only to see it cleared off the line.
Stephen Wilson picked up a harsh yellow card in the 61st minute. He chased onto Hyslop’s head flick & collided with Sideserf inside the area. It looked to be an accidental coming together but the ref thought he’d dived & booked him.
Talbot ought to have put the game beyond any doubt when they two good chances within a minute.
The first one came in the 63rd minute when Talbot broke swiftly up the left & Shankland won a corner. It was taken quickly to Stephen Wilson who angled a cross in straight onto the head of Hyslop who powered a free header off the outside the right post.
A minute later a simple ball over the top found the Lok defence caught for pace as Kemp raced away from Boyle inside the area but he pulled his shot wide of the left post.
A single goal lead is always precarious & the Bot had a scare in the 70th minute. McGregor chanced his arm with a long range effort that took a fortuitous deflection & landed right at the feet of Fraser who hit a tame shot on target from 10 yards out.
Tucker made his first change in the 72nd minute with Glasgow on in place of Kemp.
Harvey had his name taken in the 74th minute for a late challenge.
Talbot made their second change with quarter of an hour remaining with Armstrong replacing Shankland & Pollok also made a change at the same time with Millar on for Fraser.
Tucker completed his substitutions in the 78th minute when McIlroy came on for Graham Wilson.
McIlroy was only on the park a minute before being involved. Armstrong won the ball out on the right & pinged it up the right to find McIlroy racing through; however, Longmuir had read the danger & raced out his box to just beat him to it & clear it out for a shy.
Pollok had a chance to test the Bot defence in the 80th minute when they won a free kick out wide on the right. Young lifted a high cross to the back post where Leishman confidently claimed it.
A minute later Talbot had another chance to restore their two goal cushion. McIlroy gathered out on the right & swept a ball across the area. The Lok defence failed cut it out and it came to Glasgow in space on the left of the area but he tugged his shot wide of the left post.
Pollok were a little fortunate to keep 11 men on the pitch when McGregor was guilty of a cynical late challenge on McPherson but the referee thought a yellow card sufficed.
The closing stages saw Talbot hemmed in with Pollok throwing bodies forward to try and salvage a point. In the closing minute of the match Gormley curled a good cross over from the left toward the back post where McGregor went down looking for a penalty but the referee wasn’t interested and Talbot were able to see out injury time comfortably enough.
A good away win for Talbot that keeps them up at the business end of the table; next week it is back to Beechwood for league duty as Talbot entertain Kilwinning Rangers.
Pollok – Longmuir, McKenzie, Sideserf, Gallacher, Boyle, Sena, G McCann, McGregor, Gormley, Fraser, Young
Subs – Coutts, Millar, McMullin, McWilliams, Brash
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, White, Graham Wilson, Kemp, Shankland
Subs – McIlroy, Glasgow, Armstrong, McDowall, McCracken
Wick Academy
Auchinleck Talbot v Wigton & Bladnoch
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
MURRAYS REPORT
This Scottish tie proved a mismatch as Talbot overwhelmed a game but outclassed Wigton side to rack up double figures.
From the off it was all Talbot. Waite, spotting the keeper off his line, tried an ambitious lob from halfway inside the opening minute that sailed over the bar.
A few minutes later Shankland had an opportunity when he met Waite’s cutback but side-footed it wide of the near post.
Harvey had a chance to open the scoring in the 6th minute. He met Shankland’s corner from the right but bulleted a header wide of the left hand post.
The one-way traffic continued and Talbot calme close twice in quick succession in the 8th minute. Firstly, Leith had to parry away Pope’s drive from the right side of the box and when it rebounded out it came to McCracken who drilled a shot just wide of the right post.
It was no surprise when Talbot finally took the lead in the 13th minute. Shankland switched play out to Waite on the right & he fed it onto Kemp who squared it across goal for the unmarked GRAHAM WILSON to place home from 6 yards out
Talbot doubled their lead in the 17th minute. Shankland was fouled as he burst forward resulting in a free kick 25 yards from goal & for the 3rd game in a row MARK SHANKLAND produced a top class set piece firing an unstoppable shot over the wall & inside the keeper’s left hand post.
The 3rd goal arrived in the 27th minute. A neat passing move saw the ball worked out to Graham Wilson on the left wing & when he drilled it low across goal toward the waiting Kemp DOUGAN intercepted to turn it past his own keeper at the near post.
Another opportunity came Talbot’s way in the 32nd minute. Shankland whipped over a corner that McCracken headed back across goal but wide of the right post.
The visitors were forced into a change in the 37th minute when Forbes limped off to be replaced by Hall.
A minute later Talbot added their 4th goal. Shankland delivered a corner from the left & GRAHAM WILSON nipped in at the near post to head home from close range.
Talbot made it 5-0 after 40 minutes. Shankland met a cross from the right & cushioned a header back across goal where STEVEN WHITE ran onto it to nod home.
On the stroke of half-time Talbot added a 6th goal. Graham Wilson laid the ball square to CALVIN KEMP and he drilled a low shot inside the left post to send Talbot in 6-0 ahead at the interval.
Talbot started the 2nd half as they’d ended the first with wave after wave of attacks.
McCracken had a chance in the 49th minute when he met Shankland’s free kick inside the area but his header flew over the bar.
Tucker made a change in the 51st minute with McIlroy on in place of Kemp.
McIlroy won a free kick 25 yards from goal in the 55th minute after he had his heels clipped as he raced toward the box. MARK SHANKLAND took the resultant free kick & hammered it home off the underside of the bar to make it 7-0.
Talbot nearly extended their lead in the 59th minute. McCracken met Shankland’s corner from the right & did everything right, heading it down for the corner, but Leith made a good save with his feet to deny him.
On the hour mark Talbot had another close call. Shankland floated the ball over the defence to find McIlroy running into the area. He angled a shot across goal and just wide of the far post.
In the 63rd minute Talbot made their 2nd change with Glasgow replacing Graham Wilson.
The Wigtown goal led a charmed life in the 64th minute. The ball broke off Glasgow on the left of the area inside to Shankland who saw his low drive blocked by the keeper. The rebound landed at the feet of Waite & his shot was heading on target until deflected just wide of the right post.
When the corner came over it fell to Pope in space just at the edge of the area & he lobbed a shot just over the crossbar.
The 8th goal arrived in the 66th minute. Pope whipped a cross into the centre where SEAN MCILROY bulleted a header home.
Talbot made their final change in the 70th minute with Stephen Wilson on for White. A few minutes later Wigtown made their 2nd change with McLean replacing Kyle.
The Bot made it 9-0 in the 74th minute. Shankland’s corner found DWAYNE HYSLOP free inside the area & he guided home a free header from close range.
Wigtown made their final change in the 79th minute when Jamieson picked up an injury and had to make way for McColm.
Glasgow tested the keeper in the 80th minute. Hyslop barreled into the box & although he was halted the ball broke right into the path of Glasgow whose low drive forced a good stop from Leith.
Shankland looked set for the hat-trick in the 84th minute. Stephen Wilson burst into the area & squared it to McIlroy. He in turn teed it up for Shankland but he blazed his shot over from 12 yards.
Pope nearly got on the score sheet in the 86th minute. He latched onto a weak clearance, meeting it on the half volley 18 yards out to send a shot flying narrowly over the bar.
With two minutes remaining Talbot made it to double figures. Waite swept over a cross that Leith punched clear under pressure from Shankland. The ball came out to SEAN MCILROY who took a touch before blasting it into the roof of the net.
A very comfortable win for Talbot who now return to league duty as they travel through to Glasgow to face Pollok next Saturrday.
Talbot – Leishman, Armstrong, Pope, Harvey, McCracken, White, Hyslop, Shankland, Graham Wilson, Kemp, Waite
Subs – Stephen Wilson, McIlroy, Glasgow, McPherson, Lyle, McDowall, Hewitt (gk)
Wigtown – Leith, Cluckie, Robertson, Garrett, Henry, McClorey, Kyle, Forbes, McClymont, Dougan, Jamieson
Subs – Hall, McColm, Irons, McLean, Fingland, M Dongan (gk)
Auchinleck Talbot v Kilwinning Rangers
Talbot will face Lesmahagow for the first silverware of the season after defeating Kilwinning 2-1 at Beechwood in the Sectional cup semi-final.
Tucker made a few changes to the starting eleven but they had no advers effect on Talbot’s performance as they continued their winning run.
The Bot made the perfect start, taking an early lead in the 4th minute. Glasgow skipped past Maitland & fired a low ball across the face of goal. It was cleared but came out to Pope who swept a cross to the back post where GARETH ARMSTRONG bulleted a header past Strain.
A promising Talbot break ended in nought in the 7th minute. Stephen Wilson raced through the midfield & tried to release Kemp in behind the defence but his pass was intercepted by Maitland.
Kilwinning ought to have equalised in the 8th minute. Talbot’s defence were caught square as Monti ran onto a ball in behind. He was through one on one with Leishman but tried to pass it into the net & Leishman made the stop.
A minute later Talbot had a half chance down the other end. Glasgow raced to the bye line & lifted a cross to the far post where McCracken headed over the bar.
The game was flowing from end to end & the Buffs threatened the Bot goal in the 12th minute. Monti got free down the right & slung a cross beyond the back post where Nisbet’s shot was deflected just wide of the right post.
Talbot’s next attack saw the Bot force a corner down the right. The defence failed to clear Glasgow’s corner & it wound its way to Kemp near the bye line. He chipped it across goal to the back post but it was well defended & the ball cleared.
Kilwinning drew level in the 21st minute. Monti’s cross found LEWIS in space at the back post & he fired an unstoppable volley past Leishman to make it 1-1.
The visitors won a free kick just outside the Bot box in the 26th minute when Monti fell over under McPherson’s challenge. Monti took the set piece but it rose harmlessly over the bar.
Two minutes later Talbot won a free kick down the right by the corner flag after a needless foul by McCloskey. Glasgow whipped it into the near post but the Buffs defence were able to clear.
Kemp had a half chance on the half hour mark. McIlroy curled a cross over from the left & Kemp met it in the centre, heading wide of target & taking a facial knock in the process. Kilwinning’s Whyte also received a head knock in the same incident & had to be bandaged up before continuing.
Harvey found himself in the book in the 38th minute for what looked to be a hard but fair tackle on Monti who managed to survive the experience despite out-rolling Jurgen Klinsman.
Three minutes before the interval Talbot came close to regaining the lead. Lyle intercepted a pass & released it to Kemp inside the Buffs half. He drove for the penalty area before firing a low shot that flew just wide of Strain’s right post.
The final attack of the half went Kilwinning’s way. Maitland dispossessed Glasgow out by the stand side touchline & floated it up the line for Monti. He cut into the area past McPherson & drilled a dangerous low ball across goal but there were no takers and so the sides went in level at the break.
The 2nd half got off to a scrappy start and it took only the 52nd minute before either side could apply any pressure. Pope lifted a free kick up the left for Glasgow to chase & he forced a corner. Glasgow whipped the corner into the near post where McIlroy just failed to connect with it.
Two minutes later Talbot looked to be on the wrong end of a dodgy offside call. Glasgow slid a pass through to send McIlroy through on the keeper only for the linesman to flag for a highly dubious offside call.
Talbot ought to have moved ahead in the 55th minute. Kemp won a corner on the left & the Buffs defence couldn’t cope with Glasgow’s delivery. The ball came to Harvey in space 6 yards out but he mishit his effort & trundled a tame shot straight at the keeper.
Pettigrew had his name taken in the 57th minute when he unceremoniously halted Stephen Wilson’s burst forward and the Bot were awarded a free kick 22 yards out. Kemp took it but shot straight into the wall.
On the hour mark Talbot managed to get in behind the Buffs rearguard. Armstrong squared it to Stephen Wilson whose slide pass found Glasgow in space on the left. He could have wen t for the shot but instead opted to play it across the 6-yard area but unfortunately there was no one to take advantage.
At the other end, Talbot had a scare in the 63rd minute when Strain’s long ball downfield found Monti on the right edge of the penalty area. He held off the challenge of Harvey & turned before firing across goal & narrowly past Leishman’s right post.
A minute later the visitors had another opportunity. Leishman had to race out of goals to beat Nisbet to a short header back to him. He managed to clear it but the ball came straight out to Lewis 40 yards from goal. He tried to lash it home from long range whilst Leishman was stranded but sent it well wide.
The crucial goal came in the 65th minute. Maitland received a caution for up-ending Glasgow 25 yards from goal. Before the free kick could be taken Tucker made a double substitution with Shankland & Graham Wilson coming on for McIlroy & Kemp. This proved to be an inspired switch as MARK SHANKLAND’S first involvement was to strike the free kick round the wall & off the inside of the right post. It cannoned across the goal line & hit off Strain before ending in the far corner of the net.
Kilwinning made their 1st change in the 69th minute with Curragh on in place of McGuinness.
Stephen Wilson picked up a caution in the 70th minute for a late challenge on Pettigrew.
Talbot had a chance to kill the tie off with quarter of an hour remaining. Graham Wilson’s header on sent Glasgow free on the left side of the box. He cut in on his right foot but lifted his shot over the bar from 15 yards.
Two minutes later Kilwinning had a chance to level. Talbot failed to clear a ball inside the area & it came to Nisbet in space on the left. He had men over inside the 6-yard area but opted for power & blazed a shot over the bar from a good area.
A minute later Nisbet squandered an even clearer chance. He latched onto a pass inside the box & took it wide of Leishman but from a tight angle he failed to hit the empty net; sending his shot into the side-netting.
The visitors should have played out the closing stages a man down when Maitland was guilty of a blatant trip but when the ref pulled him over he seemed to recall he’d already booked him & bottled out of the decision; contenting himself with issuing a lecture.
With 9 minutes remaining Talbot had another chance to extend their lead. Graham Wilson sent Shankland through on the keeper but Strain did enough to force him out wide. Shankland swung a good bal over to the far post but there was no Talbot player there to knock it home.
Pope received a caution in the 83rd minute for a foul on Monti.
As the game entered the closing stages Talbot passed up two golden chances to put the tie to bed.
In the 87th minute Armstrong showed quick feet & determination to evade a couple of challenges and make it to the bye line. He crossed the ball beyond the far post where Shankland hooked it back across goal. Graham Wilson met it in the centre but headed over the bar from 6 yards out.
Graham Wilson had another chance to get on the score sheet in the 1st minute of injury time. Glasgow broke free down the right & pulled it back for Graham Wilson who was in space 8 yards out but his low drive was too close to Strain.
Deep into injury time Tucker was forced into a late change when Glasgow had to be helped from the field with Hyslop entering the fray but he was barely on before the final whistle blew.
This cup tie was a good advert for the Junior grade, highly competitive with plenty of chances at both ends and some good goals. Next up for Talbot it is the senior Scottish cup where Wigton & Badnoch stand in the way of Talbot qualifying for the 1st round proper.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, Armstrong, Stephen Wilson, McCracken, McIlroy, Kemp, Glasgow
Subs – Graham Wilson, Shankland, Waite, Hyslop, White
Kilwinning Rangers – Strain, Maitland, McCloskey, Pettigrew, Whyte, McGuinness, Monti, Fleming, Nisbet, Lewis, McKenzie
Subs – Curragh, Hill, Reid, Wardrope, Keifer (gk)
Auchinleck Talbot v Beith Juniors
Photographs by Paul Flynn.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot climbed to second in the table thanks to a battling win over Beith; the sides separated thanks to a moment of magic from Mark Shankland.
In the 1st half Beith were shooting down to the Coal Road end & aided by a stiff breeze looked to pin Talbot back.
The first chance of the match though came Talbot’s way in the 2nd minute. Stephen Wilson whipped a dangerous cross over from the right that skipped off the head of Glasgow in the centre and came to Hyslop at the far post where he guided a header wide of goal.
Leishman was tested in the 7th minute when Bradley hammered a shot on target from just outside the area. He blocked the initial shot & then reacted quickly to push it wide of the post as it spun back on goal.
Talbot threatened down the other end in the 13th minute. Graham Wilson beat Sheridan in an aerial duel & flicked the ball into the path of Glasgow who hit a 1st time volley just over the bar from 18 yards.
The Bot defence had to withstand Beith pressure in the 18th minute. Noble swept a cross over to the back post where Pope was forced to head it behind for the corner. The corner was taken deep to Green whose header for goal was blocked behind for a corner.
Talbot’s defence were on their toes and denying Beith clear cut opportunities as they did again in the 24th minute. A corner from the left was headed out & came to McGlinchey at the edge of the box but the defence were quickly out at him & his attempted shot blocked.
Glasgow used his pace to good advantage in the 28th minute, haring past Green & bursting into the box only to see his low cross blocked behind by Sheridan.
Shankland took the resultant corner & hit it to the far post where Hyslop guided a header back across goal where Green headed clear.
A minute later Talbot were on the attack again. Stephen Wilson latched onto a loose ball outside the area & fired a low drive for goal that was deflected wide for a corner. Shankland whipped the corner across the 6-yard line where Harvey met it but he glanced his header wide of the far post.
Talbot were looking threatening from set pieces & they gave the Beith defence another fright in the 33rd minute when Sheridan conceded a needless corner with a slack header. Shankland delivered it across the 6-yard line where Hyslop met it but he glanced his header wide of target.
One minute later Talbot ought to have taken the lead. Hyslop cushioned a header over the Beith defence to send Graham Wilson racing clean through on goal; however, he failed to make the most of it & drilled a low shot straight at the keeper.
Beith put Talbot under sustained pressure in the 37th minute. Bradley tried his luck from outside the box only to see his shot blocked. It came back out to him & he slipped it wide to Christie whose shot at goal was deflected behind for a corner. The corner was taken into the near post where Milliken attempted to glance it home but Harvey headed it behind. This time the corner was taken deep & only partially cleared with the ball coming out to Christie 16 yards from goal. He fired for goal but McPherson was quickly out to close him down & block behind for another Beith corner which was lifted into the near post where Leishman gathered.
The visitors had a half chance to take the lead in the 39th minute. A long ball down the centre flew over the head of Harvey & Collins raced onto it down the left. He went for the lob but under pressure from McPherson he hoisted it over the bar.
Just when it looked as though the 1st half would finish goalless Talbot finally made the breakthrough. In the final minute of the half Talbot were awarded a free kick 25 yards out after Hyslop was nudged in the back. MARK SHANKLAND stepped up & hit an absolute peach of a free kick; firing it over the wall & inside the left post beyond the despairing dive of Grindlay to send Talbot in ahead at the interval.
Talbot started the 2nd half purposefully & created a chance within a minute of the re-start. Pope lifted a cross to the far post where Hyslop’s header for goal was blocked. It came out to Graham Wilson who saw his effort at goal blocked by the defence.
In the 49th minute Talbot won a free kick within shooting distance when Graham Wilson was fouled just outside the penalty area. Once again Shankland took it & his effort brought out a top save from Grindlay who flew to his right to turn it wide.
Talbot’s next attack saw Shankland surge across the middle of the park being fouled all the way with the ref choosing to let play continue. He did eventually blow up for a foul by which time Graham Wilson caught Green as he tried to clear which resulted in a booking for Wilson & Green hobbling off the pitch to be replaced by N Docherty.
Shankland’s set pieces were a constant thorn in the side of Beith and he produced another in the 61st minute when his corner from the right had to be headed over his own bar by Sheridan in a desperate clearance. When he delivered the resultant corner from the left Beith did well to defend it at the back post.
Beith hadn’t offered much going forward after the break but they came within a whisker of equalising in the 69th minute. There was an element of fortune about it when Collins attempted a shot that was deflected straight into the path of Christie in space on the right & he angled a fierce drive that clipped the outside of Leishman’s left post.
Tucker made his 1st change in the 71st minute with McIlroy coming on in place of Graham Wilson.
Talbot came within inches of doubling their lead in the 76th minute. Shankland met a hanging cross from the right & guided a header across the face of goal. Hyslop slid in to meet it at the back post but just couldn’t connect.
Beith now made a further change with Collins making way for Haggerty.
With 7 minutes remaining Beith had a chance to test Leishman when they won a free kick 25 yards out but McGlinchey hit a tame effort straight into the wall.
Two minutes later a quickly taken free kick down the right sent Christie scurrying free down the right but he over-hit his cross beyond the far post. N Docherty ran onto it but lashed a wild shot way off target.
Talbot then won a free kick outside the Beith penalty area when Glasgow was up-ended by Sheridan. Pope fired it straight into the wall but the ball rebounded out to Shankland who volleyed it wide of target.
Tucker now made a late switch with Armstrong replacing the tiring Stephen Wilson.
Talbot saw out the closing minutes fairly comfortably and might have extended their lead a minute into added time. McIlroy showed great persistence to rob Sheridan at the edge of the area before slipping the ball through to Hyslop. He was in space on the left of the box but chose the wrong option trying to square it across to Glasgow rather than shooting & the defence were able to clear.
All in all, a good win for Talbot who now face two cup ties in the upcoming week, first up is the visit of Kilwinning on Wednesday night in the Sectional cup semi & then next Saturday the Bot host Wigton in the senior cup.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, S Wilson, Hyslop, White, G Wilson, Shankland, Glasgow
Subs – McIlroy, McCracken, Armstrong, Kemp, Hewitt
Beith Juniors – Grindlay, R Docherty, Noble, Green, Sheridan, Wilson, Christie, McGlinchey, Collins, Bradley, Milliken
Subs – Haggerty, N Docherty, McDonald, Middleton, Miller
Auchinleck Talbot v Whitletts Victoria
Talbot eased past Whitletts in this Sectional cup quarter-final tie aided by two early goals.
Right from the off it was Talbot on the attack with the Whitletts defence hard pressed to keep Talbot at bay so it was no surprise when the Bot took the lead in the 11th minute.
Pope took a corner out on the right that the defence only succeeded in heading straight back to him. He had the time & space to measure his cross & curled it straight onto the head of GARETH ARMSTRONG who guided a free header home from closer range.
Before Whitletts had a chance to re-group Talbot doubled their advantage. Harvey played it out from the back to find Pope on the left & he dinked a ball over the defence to send JAMIE GLASGOW clean through & he passed the ball beyond Fraser to make it 2-0.
With Talbot two goals to the good & Whitletts unable to make any impact the half meandered on in the manner of a pre-season friendly. The referee added to the laid back feeling as he seemed to be on a bonus not to book anyone.
Glasgow did test the keeper in the 28th minute when McIlroy found him in space on the left of the area but his low drive was blocked by Fraser.
Glasgow was involved again in Talbot’s next meaningful attack, turning his man before racing clear on the right & firing a dangerous ball across the face of goal that Barbour did well to slide clear.
Shortly before half-time the woodwork prevented Talbot from stretching their lead. Donovan’s square pass was easily intercepted by Glasgow who fed the ball out to McIlroy on the left wing. He lifted a cross into the near post which Glasgow met & he bundled it goal ward only to see the ball ricochet off the bar & into the arms of the relieved keeper.
The 2nd half got off to a sluggish start with neither defence being troubled.
Gradually, Talbot stepped it up a gear and pushed the visitors back and came close to grabbing a third in the 57th minute when McIlroy met Pope’s corner at the near post but sent his effort wide of target.
Talbot’s next threat came from a set piece. Pope took a free kick out on the right & angled a superb ball across the 6-yard area which McIlroy just failed to get touch home in front of goal.
The pressure told and Talbot extended their lead in the 66th minute. Pope drilled a low corner in from the right & JAMIE GLASGOW flicked it home at the near post to make it 3-0.
A good Bot move came to nought in the 72nd minute. Hyslop headed the ball into the path of Waite who slipped a well-weighted pass to release Pope down the left. He raced into the penalty area & cut the ball back across goal but unfortunately it went between the waiting Bot players.
Tucker now made a change with Shankland coming on for Glasgow.
The referee surprised the crowd in the 74th minute when it turned out he had brought his cards with him; booking Barbour for a late challenge on Hyslop.
Shankland produced a great piece of footwork in the 78th minute to nimbly skin two Whitletts defenders before drilling an inviting ball across the face of goal that no one could turn home.
As the game entered the closing stages Talbot came close to extending their lead on several occasions. Shankland had the keeper scrambling with an inswinging corner that Fraser did well to claw away to safety with McIlroy waiting at the back post for a free header.
Shankland was then unlucky when he ran onto Waite’s pull back & curled a shot just over the bar from 15 yards.
Implausibly, the next goal went the way of Whitletts who had scarcely crossed the half-way line. Condon’s head flick beat the defence & FORSYTH strolled through on the right & slotted the ball home for a late consolation.
With two minutes remaining Shankland again tried his luck, driving a low shot from the edge of the area that Fraser turned wide of his right post.
In the final minute Talbot had one last attempt when Waite burst into the box from the left wing & tried to drive it in at the near post but Fraser turned it behind for the corner.
An easy win for the Bot in what was a fairly low-key game. By contrast Talbot’s next opponents are high scoring Beith in what should be a cracker this Saturday at Beechwood.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, McCracken, Waite, Hyslop, McIlroy, Glasgow, Armstrong
Subs – G Wilson, Shankland, S Wilson, McDowall, Hewitt
Whitletts Victoria – Fraser, Anderson, Deston, Condon, McIntyre, Buchanan, Boyd, Millar, Forsyth, Barbour, Donovan
Subs – Milligan, Mullen, Ewart
