SPONSORED BY: The Late Tommy Griffin Jnr.
POSITION: Midfield
JOINED TALBOT: March 2022
D.O.B: 17/12/96
TALBOT DEBUT: Bonnyton Thistle (Home), 26th March 2022, WOSL Premier Division 3-0
FIRST COMPETITIVE GOAL: Glenafton Athletic (Home), 5th November 2022, WOSL Premier Division 3-1
FORMER CLUBS: Ayr United 17, Ayr United (13 appearances), Glenafton Athletic (Loan), Kilwinning Rangers, Ardrossan Winton Rovers (Loan), Hurlford United, Irvine Meadow.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot climbed to the top of the table after defeating Bonnyton Thistle at a sunny Beechwood with results elsewhere going Talbot’s way.
The Bot nearly got off to a flying start when Graham Wilson’s shot just cleared the crossbar in the 2nd minute.
Down the other end Gilroy had a half chance for the visitors when he got in behind the defence but took a heavy 1st touch and could only fire well wide of goal.
Four minutes in and Talbot came close again. Samson hit the bye line on the right of the area before pulling it back for Wardrope whose shot slid just wide of the right post.
The visitors had to make an early change in the 7th minute when Gilroy limped off to be replaced by Abhorh.
Talbot’s next effort came in the 10th minute. A loose clearance cannoned off Glasgow who burst through the defence but stabbed his shot past the left post.
Bonnyton put together a nice move in the 21st minute as they worked it right to left to find Gardiner haring down the left of the penalty area. He tried to square it across goal but it was blocked behind for the corner.
Three minutes later the visitors had a half chance when Leitch’s long ball was headed on into the path of McColm and he hit it first time into the side-netting.
Bonnyton were having a good spell and had a chance to test Leishman in the 26th minute when Davidson was fouled just outside the area. Davidson took the free kick himself but lifted it way over the bar.
Bonnyton were now forced into a 2nd injury related substitution with Wilson coming on for Smith.
Talbot did have the ball in the net on the 29th minute but the goal didn’t stand. Glasgow cut in off the left and his curling shot was parried by the keeper. The rebound came to Wardrope who rifled a shot off the right hand post and when it came back out Graham Wilson turned it home but the assistant ref had his flag raised.
Leishman didn’t have the busiest of afternoons but was called upon in the 31st minute when Davidson found the target from 25 yards forcing Andy to dive to his right to smother it.
In the 39th minute Talbot won a free kick in a dangerous area after Samson had his heels clipped outside the box. Wardrope’s low drive was parried away at his right post by Leitch and the ball came out to Aiden Wilson whose ball back across the face was turned behind for a corner.
Talbot ended the half on the front foot. As it moved into added time Samson gathered on the left of the area and tested the keeper with a shot from a tight angle that Leitch saved with his outstretched leg. It came out to Graham Wilson who hooked a good shot on target that Leitch turned past his right post. Talbot forced a flurry of consecutive corners but couldn’t make them count and the sides went in goal less at the interval.
From the outset Talbot looked to have stepped it up a gear for the 2nd half. Within a minute Wardrope dummied Armstrong’s through ball to create space for Stafford on the overlap and his low ball in was held by Leitch at his near post.
In the 50th minute a ball down the right found Graham Wilson and he crossed it early into the centre where Samson just failed to connect with an attempted scissors kick.
A minute later Glasgow burst forward before releasing it wide to find Healy who lifted a good cross into the centre that Walsh managed to head to safety.
It was all Talbot and the next chance came in the 55th minute when Glasgow sent Aiden Wilson free on the overlap and his cross was met by Samson who saw his header tipped over the bar.
From the resultant corner Graham Wilson’s head flick was cleared off the line by Kelly.
Talbot looked to be denied a stonewall penalty in the 59th minute. Armstrong headed the ball on down the right to find Glasgow inside the penalty area. He was taken out by a clumsy challenge but the referee waved away Talbot’s appeals and McCracken ended up in the book for dissent.
In the 62nd minute Talbot’s pressure paid off though the opener had a slice of fortune about it. Leishman sent the ball out to Aiden Wilson who pinged it down the line to find JAMIE GLASGOW who cut back onto his right foot and curled over a cross from the left touchline that deceived Leitch and curled into the far corner of the net.
Four minutes later Talbot came close again with an action replay of the 1st goal. This time the Bot were awarded a free kick out wide on the left which Wardrope bent just wide of the far post.
Talbot now made their 1st change with Boylan on in place of Glasgow.
In the 70th minute Talbot won a free kick just outside the penalty area when Walsh upended Samson for which he received a caution. Wardrope lifted it beyond the far post where McCracken headed it back across goal and Graham Wilson fired a shot off the bar but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside.
The visitors now made their final change with Allan on for Jenkins.
The game was over as a contest in the 74th minute when Talbot doubled their lead. Wardrope fired on target from 20 yards, Leitch failed to hold it and GRAHAM WILSON pounced to turn the rebound home.
Tucker now immediately made a double switch with Samson and Graham Wilson making way for Shankland and Mason.
The two subs were involved in Talbot’s 3rd goal in the 79th minute. Mason did well to close down Wallace inside his own area and block his clearance. It spun up high in the air and when it dropped down Mason cut it back into the path of MARK SHANKLAND who buried it low inside the right hand post.
In the 82nd minute Talbot won a free kick at the left edge of the penalty area following a foul on Boylan. Shankland curled it over the wall but it flew just wide of the right post into the side-netting.
With 4 minutes remaining Armstrong found Boylan breaking down the right. He lifted it over Gardiner and ran round him before firing it just over the bar on the half volley.
In the final minute of regulation time Robertson almost nabbed a consolation effort when he gathered on the left of the area and tried to curl it inside the far post but his effort went just wide.
Just as they had in the 1st half Talbot ended strongly and nearly added a fourth when Wardrope’s deep cross from the left looked to be heading in but Leitch just managed to tip it over and despite piling on late pressure Talbot couldn’t add to their tally.
A strong 2nd half performance from Talbot who now have a week off from league duties as next Saturday they host Pollok in the South Challenge cup.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Armstrong, Healy, Wardrope, Graham Wilson, Samson, Glasgow
Subs – Boylan, Mason, Hyslop, Shankland, Robbie McCracken, Crawford
Bonnyton Thistle – Leitch, Wallace, Gardiner, Robertson, Walsh, Smith, Jenkins, Kelly, Gilroy, Davidson, McColm
Subs – Allan, Abhorh, Walker, Hannah, Wilson
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot slumped to their 1st league defeat of 2022 in an error strewn afternoon against rivals Cumnock.
In the 4th minute the referee booked both Carnwath and Graham Wilson. The Nock player appeared to be booked for diving and it wasn’t really clear why Graham Wilson joined him in the book.
There was no real pattern about the game with play stopping frequently for free kicks with the ref being very fussy.
The opening goal came in the 11th minute and went the way of Cumnock. Ross whipped over a good cross from the right that found McLaughlin in space beyond the far post. He pulled his shot across goal but it ended up a good pass as MOORE stuck out a leg to steer it home from 6 yards.
It proved to be a short-lived lead as Talbot drew level two minute later. Graham Wilson found Aiden Wilson on the overlap and his cross was blocked behind for the corner. When Glasgow’s delivery came in from the left KIER SAMSON met it inside the 6-yard box to make it 1-1.
Cumnock won a free kick in a dangerous area in the 19th minute but Monti’s effort went straight into the wall.
Two minutes later Moore received a yellow card for grabbing McCracken around the neck.
The Bot had a chance in the 28th minute when Boylan let fly from 20 yards out forcing Hughes to turn it round his right hand post. The first corner in was put out for another corner and when this one came over Boylan won a flick on into the goal mouth but the defence were able to scramble it clear.
Chances were few & far between though Talbot had a half chance in the 35th minute. Samson won the ball in the air and flicked it onto Boylan on the left of the area but he scuffed his shot and Hughes was able to smother it.
Talbot’s next attack saw the win a free kick out on the left touchline for a foul on Samson. Glasgow swung it into the area where it was cleared but only as far as Aiden Wilson who met it 15 yards out but on his weaker foot he trundled a shot wide of target.
Two minutes before the interval Talbot had a close call. One moment Talbot were on the attack through Stafford as he surged up the right and swung a cross into the area where Healy’s diving header was blocked. Cumnock then swiftly broke on the counter and when Armstrong missed a tackle on halfway Monti was able to race down the left and cut into the penalty area where he curled a shot past Leishman only for Aiden Wilson to head it off the line and so the sides headed in level at the break.
Cumnock made a change at the start of the 2nd period with Miller on in place of Carnwath.
The 2nd half started as it continued, with both sides struggling with the wind, and scrapping for 2nd balls.
In the 54th minute Frye had his name taken when he hauled down Glasgow as he broke up the right wing.
Talbot had a half chance in the 56th minute when Graham Wilson laid the ball into the path of Glasgow on the right of the area; however his 1st touch took him a bit too wide to hit it and his cross swept across the face of goal and beyond the far post.
The next effort at goal came from Cumnock on the hour mark. Monti flighted a free kick into the area which the defence cleared but only as far as McLaughlin who met it 22 yards out but never really set himself & fired his shot well over.
Neither keeper was over busy with no clear cut chances being made by either side.
In the 68th minute Stafford released Glasgow down the wing & he whipped a good ball across the face of goal but there were no takers & it ran out for the goal kick.
70 mins in Talbot made their 1st change with Mason on for Graham Wilson and soon after coming on Mason was involved as he raced clear on the right and drilled a low ball across the 6-yard area that Ross turned wide of the far post.
The game was growing increasingly scrappy and looked to be meandering to a draw but in the 77th minute Cumnock grabbed the winner. A long punt out of defence saw MOORE out muscle McPherson on the right of the penalty box and then prod a low shot past Leishman at his left post to put Cumnock 2-1 ahead.
With 7 minutes remaining Talbot made a further change with Hyslop on for Healy. The referee booked Monti in the 85th minute for persistent fouling and then produced a yellow card for Mason though it wasn’t clear what for.
In the 86th minute Talbot had a half chance when McCracken played it into the feet of Mason inside the area and he teed it back toward Glasgow but he fired over the bar from 19 yards.
Talbot had one final chance to snatch a draw in the final minute of regulation time. McCracken met Samson’s shy from the right and head flicked it on inside the area. It broke off a defender back to Mason at the edge of the area but he fired over the bar on the half-volley and Cumnock saw out time to claim the win.
A bad day at the office for Talbot. Next up for the Bot is the visit of Bonnyton Thistle next Saturday.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Armstrong, Samson, Healy, Graham Wilson, Boylan, Glasgow
Subs – Mason, Robbie McCracken, Hyslop, White, Hewitt
Cumnock – Hughes, Ross, Ferry, McIntyre, Murdoch, Wilson, Frye, Carnwath, Moore, Monti, McLaughlin
Subs – Tart, McGill, Miller, Osadolor, Baird, Strain
MURRAYS REPORT
Talbot kept the pressure on Pollok as they beat Kilwinning Rangers to narrow the gap at the top to a point with the Bot having 3 games in hand over the league leaders.
Both sides made a slow start and it wasn’t until the 9th minute that the first effort at goal came. Glasgow fed the ball up the left to Aiden Wilson and his low cross into the centre caused the defence problems. The ball broke to Hyslop who hooked the ball on target forcing a good stop from Barclay.
Kilwinning won a free kick wthin shooting distance in the 12th minute but Stewart directed it straight into the wall.
Talbot came close to the opener in the 15th minute. A free kick was taken short to Armstrong and he slid the ball through to Boyd on the right. He teed it back toward Stafford and his swerving cross deceived Barclay but came back off the right hand post.
The Buffs keeper did better 5 minutes later when he came off his line to beat Hyslop to Glasgow’s free kick from the left wing – managing to punch it clear under pressure.
The referee, who was in a lenient mood, ought to have booked Hanvey for a late challenge on Hyslop but opted to let it go.
Talbot had a decent chance in the 26th minute when Glasgow’s header found Samson running in behind the defence. His first effort was blocked by Barclay and when the rebound came back to him his follow-up effort was deflected behind for a corner kick.
The Bot did have the ball in the net in the 35th minute but the goal didn’t stand. Boyd lifted a good cross beyond the far post where Glasgow steered a header back across goal. It looked to heading inside the left post but Boyd prodded it over the line from close range and the linesman flagged him for offside.
In the 41st minute Talbot were inches away from taking the lead. A ball up the centre was hooked across the box by Graham Wilson and the defence could only clear it out to Glasgow whose rasping effort flew just wide of the left post from 18 yards.
Just when it looked as though the half would end goal less Talbot grabbed the opener on the stroke of half-time. The Bot won a corner on the left & when Glasgow delivered it into the near post area CRAIG MCCRACKEN ghosted onto the end of it to power a header home and send Talbot in 1-0 ahead.
The ref had kept his cards in his pocket for the 1st half but he did caution Stewart in the 50th minute for a late challenge on Hyslop.
Kilwinning’s main threat was coming down their left and Armstrong had to concede a corner in the 52nd minute when he blocked Lewis’s cross into the area. When the corner came in Leishman came for it but missed it but fortunately he quickly recovered and gathered at the 2nd time of asking.
The next goal was going to be pivotal and it came Talbot’s way in the 53rd minute. Leishman launched a kick down the right that cleared the defence and found KIER SAMSON racing in behind. He still had plenty of work to do but with Barclay stranded in front of his near post he flighted it beyond him into the opposite top corner with a sublime finish to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.
This sparked a double substitution from the visitors who took off Hanvey and Gardiner and brought on Lockwood and McArthur.
In the 59th minute Lewis went on a mazy run down the left hitting the bye line before cutting it back across the area. The ball came out to Boyd whose loose pass landed at the feet of McArthur 10 yards out. He was falling back as he hit it and Leishman was able to tip it over the bar.
On the hour mark Talbot made a double switch with Mason on for Graham Wilson and Healy replacing Boyd.
Further changes followed with the visitors bringing Ramsay on for Collins in the 69th minute and Talbot completing the changes shortly after when Robbie McCracken replaced Glasgow.
The Bot threatened to extend their lead in the 73rd minute. Craig McCracken played it into Mason who flicked it wide left where Craig had continued his run. He raced into the area past Caldwell and sent it across the face of goal but it went just behind Samson.
It was over as a contest in the 77th minute when Talbot grabbed their third. Leishman’s kick was headed on by Hyslop to find KIER SAMSON racing into the left of the area & he hit it early on the half volley to send a shot sailing over Barclay to make it 3-0.
Kilwinning kept plugging away and were rewarded with a consolation effort 4 minutes from time. Stewart’s cross from the right was met by MILLAR at the back post and he steered a header back across goal and beyond Leishman.
El Zabaidi had his name taken late on for a reckless challenge on Samson and in the closing exchanges Talbot had a good chance to add a 4th when Mason was released in behind the defence but he tried to round the keeper and Barclay was able to gather and the game finished 3-1.
A good win for Talbot who now move onto Saturday’s derby at Beechwood against a rejuvenated Cumnock.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Boyd, Hyslop, Graham Wilson, Samson, Armstrong, Glasgow
Subs – Mason, Boylan, Robbie McCracken, Healy, White, Hewitt (gk)
Kilwinning Rangers – Barclay, Wood, McGowan, Caldwell, El Zabaidi, Hanvey, Stewart, Gardiner, Collins, Lewis, Millar
Subs – Lockwood, Anderson, McArthur, Ramsay, Kirkpartrick, Brown
MURRAYS REPORT
Talbot dug deep to earn themselves a place in the semi-finals of the Scottish coming from a goal down to beat Shotts at Hannah Park.
The hosts took the game to Talbot aided by a stiff gale at their back that left Talbot struggling early on.
Talbot couldn’t really get out the bit in the opening exchanges and Ritchford’s long throw ins were causing the Bot defence problems.
Having weathered the early onslaught Talbot fell behind in the 12th minute to a frankly ludicrous penalty decision. A corner was swept over from the left that Leishman gathered under pressure. He then got into a tangle with Ritchford as he got to his feet and to the amazement of all & sundry the ref booked Leishman and gave Shotts a penalty which MARTIN tucked away.
The home dug out thought they’d doubled their lead in the 19th minute when one of Ritchford’s hurled throw-ins was nodded into the path of Burns at the back post but he’d wandered offside and the goal didn’t stand.
Shotts continued to press and ought to have moved two ahead in the 22nd minute. Talbot conceded a corner down the left and Watt’s delivery found McGeough free at the back post but he headed over from a good position.
Gradually Talbot began to find their feet on the gluey surface and came close in the 24th minute when Healy’s ball in from the right broke out to Boyd who steered a shot just wide of the right hand post from the edge of the area.
Shotts most effective weapon was Ritchford’s shies and he caused Leishman an uncomfortable moment on the half hour mark when the Bot keeper came to punch one clear only to flap it behind for a corner.
A minute later Talbot passed up a good chance to level. Glasgow laid the ball off to Graham Wilson who returned it 1st time to send Glasgow racing clear of the defence. He continued to the edge of the area before lifting a shot over the advancing keeper but it sailed just over the crossbar.
McGeough had his name taken in the 36th minute for preventing Talbot from taking a quick shy.
Five minutes before the interval Talbot drew level. The Shotts defence failed to clear a ball in from the left and BRYAN BOYLAN crashed a shot home from 10 yards out to make it 1-1.
Talbot could have went in a goal ahead at the interval as they twice came close in 1st half injury time. Aiden Wilson won a corner down the left that Glasgow took and his cross was met by McCracken whose header had the keeper beaten but was headed off the line by a defender. Talbot kept the pressure on & Glasgow burst into the box down the left edge before firing a shot just over the bar in the closing action of the 1st half.
Talbot had the wind at their backs in the 2nd half and it was the home side’s turn to be pushed back.
Three minutes into the 2nd period Sutherland picked up a yellow card for a late lunge on Glasgow.
Just as Shotts had done in the early stages Talbot won a series of corners but had nothing to show for it. In the 52nd minute Glasgow’s corner from the left was fumbled by Murdoch as he went for it but no one was close enough to take advantage.
In the 53rd minute Armstrong won the ball inside the Shotts half and played it early up toward the area where Crawford handled it to prevent Talbot getting in behind. He was cautioned but Talbot didn’t make the most of the set piece with Glasgow firing well over the bar from 20 yards out.
Shotts now made a change with Cassells coming on for Watt.
Talbot were turning up the pressure and nearly went in front in the 57th minute. Glasgow got to the bye line down the left and his pull back was met by Graham Wilson whose shot was deflected behind for a corner. When the corner came over McCracken met it only to see his header come back off the crossbar. Talbot kept the pressure on and moments later McCracken had another chance when a cross from the left found him in space at the back post but this time he didn’t make a clean contact allowing Murdoch to make the save.
Armstrong had his name taken in the 59th minute for a challenge on half-way.
Shotts hadn’t offered much since the interval but did go on the attack in the 63rd minute. Cassells won a free kick just wide of the penalty area which he lifted beyond the far post. Crawford retrieved it and cut it back to the edge of the area where Cassells directed a low drive straight at Leishman.
Andy then launched it quickly down field where Boylan looked to be fouled by Sutherland as he raced to get on the end of it but the referee waved play on.
The Bot struck the woodwork for the 2nd time in the match in the 67th minute. Glasgow’s free kick from the left was met by McCracken who steered a header off the base of the post with the keeper beaten.
Shotts now made a 2nd change with Chalmers coming on in place of McGeough.
In the 70th minute Shotts were reduced to 10 men. A ball over the top caught the defence out allowing Boylan to race in on goal. Murdoch came racing out of his area and when Boylan clipped a shot at goal the keeper batted it away. The linesman’s flag went up immediately and after consulting with him the ref produced a red card to the keeper for handling the ball outside the area and awarded Talbot the free kick in the dee. Shotts now had to sacrifice Murdoch to bring on their substitute goalie Cameron and his first job was to pick the ball out of the back of his net.
Graham Wilson took the free kick and his shot clipped the top of the wall and spun high into the air. With the defence frozen the only one to react was CRAIG MCCRACKEN who prodded it home from close range to make it 2-1.
Tucker now made a double switch with Graham Wilson & Glasgow making way for Samson & Mason.
The two subs combined together in the 80th minute when Samson released Mason down the right and his low ball back across the face of goal was bundled just wide of his own goal by Evans. The referee then booked Muir for a foul committed on Samson in the build-up.
Talbot had a chance to kill the tie off in the 82nd minute. Cameron’s weak goal kick was intercepted by Boylan and fed to Samson on the right of the area but he fired it straight at the keeper.
Cassells became the latest Shotts player booked when he received a yellow card in the 83rd minute for a late challenge on Stafford.
With 5 minutes remaining Shotts had a chance to level. Cassells won a free kick out on the left which he delivered into the centre where Faulds sent a free header over the bar.
Three minutes from time McCracken received a caution for a challenge just inside the Bot half.
It should have been game over in the closing minutes when Talbot passed up two good chances in quick succession. Samson got free on the right and swept it across goal where Boylan met it 6 yards out but his shot was blocked by the keeper. The rebound came to Mason a few yards out but with the goal gaping he fired wide of the far post.
This could have proved costly as deep into injury time Talbot conceded a cheap corner down the left and when it came over Faulds met it but glanced it well wide of target.
Soon after the final whistle blew with Talbot through to the last 4 where they will face Rob Roy. Next up for Talbot it’s back to league duty when they host Kilwinning on Wednesday night.
Shotts Bon Accord – Murdoch, Sutherland, Muir, Crawford, Faulds, Martin, Evans, McGeough, Burns, Ritchford, Watt
Subs – Cassells, Kindlan, Chalmers, Meikle, Cameron
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Armstrong, Boyd, Healy, Boylan, Graham Wilson, Glasgow
Subs – Samson, Mason, Hyslop, Robbie McCracken, McDowall, White, Hewitt
Both sides played their part in an entertaining, end to end cup clash played out against a backdrop of unrelenting rain but it was Talbot who proved the more clinical in the final third to beat a young Braves side and advance in the South Challenge cup.
Talbot were given an early warning it wouldn’t be an easy night when Stafford conceded a free kick 25 yards from goal out wide on the left. Lindsay delivered a dangerous ball across the face of goal toward the back post but no one read it & Talbot were able to clear.
The Bot’s first attack exposed defensive frailties when Stafford did well down the wing before slinging a cross into the centre. Henry made a meal of it, flapping it into the path of Graham Wilson 10 yards out but he was closed down just before getting his shot away.
The opening goal came Talbot’s way in the 16th minute. Aiden Wilson won a corner down the left which Glasgow swept into the near post where GRAHAM WILSON met it to head home.
This proved to be a short-lived lead as within 2 minutes the visitors had won a penalty down the other end. Main turned smartly inside the box and when he was clipped the ref pointed straight to the spot & KELLY gave Leishman no chance with a coolly taken spot kick to level it.
A few minutes later Talbot had a half chance to regain the lead. Leishman launched a ball down field that deflected into the path of Samson just outside the penalty area but he fired wide of the left post.
The visitors very nearly took the lead in the 22nd minute. They broke down the right and when the ball was cut back into the path of McLear he steered a low shot on target that Leishman saved at full stretch – tipping it wide of his left post.
It was then Talbot’s turn to threaten as they broke down the left. Glasgow found Aiden Wilson on the overlap and when his cross came over Graham Wilson powered a header on target that Henry parried away.
In the 26th minute it was Talbot’s turn to win a penalty. Glasgow dropped his shoulder & went past a defender and when he was bowled over the ref pointed to the spot. Glasgow took it but Henry guessed correctly and threw himself to his right to make the save. The visitors now sprang onto the counter and won a free kick 25 yards out which Lindsay hit into the wall.
Talbot’s next attack saw Healy go close in the 32nd minute. Robbie McCracken won a corner down the right which Glasgow took. It was slightly overhit but retrieved wide left by Healy who played a one-two with Aiden Wilson before attempting a curling shot that went just wide of the far post.
A moment of slackness from Main gifted Talbot the lead in the 35th minute. He inexplicably attempted to pass it back toward his own box from midway inside his own half and KIER SAMSON pounced on it to rifle a low shot past the keeper to put Talbot 2-1 ahead.
In the 39th minute Talbot extended their lead. A low ball up to the edge of the penalty area was dummied leaving the defence flat-footed and DWAYNE HYSLOP raced in behind to fire it across the keeper to make it 3-1 and give Talbot a two goal cushion going into the break.
The first chance of the 2nd period went to the visitors in the 51st minute when they swiftly countered following a Talbot corner. They broke up the left & Craig McCracken had to turn it behind for the corner. When the corner came in it was only partially cleared and fell to Kelly 16 yards out and he tested Leishman with a low drive that Andy saved to his left.
A 4th goal would have ended it and Talbot came very close in the 55th minute. Graham Wilson met a floated ball & head flicked it on. Samson was offside but coming back & left it & as the defence hesitated Graham Wilson ran onto his own head flick and fired a shot just wide of the right post.
On the hour mark Talbot caught the Braves on the counter surging up field towards the box. The ball broke to Hyslop 25 yards out & he slipped a pass through to find Samson inside the area but his low drive was smothered by the keeper.
Two minutes later Glasgow had a half chance to kill the tie off. Leishman’s long ball cleared the defence and found him racing in behind down the left. He looked favourite but pulled out of the challenge allowing the defender to knock it clear.
Tucker made his 1st change on 65 mins with Armstrong on for Healy.
Talbot’s next attack saw the front two combine with Wilson flicking it out wide left to Samson and he tried to find Wilson in front of goal but his cut back went behind him.
With 20 minutes remaining Talbot made a 2nd change with Mason coming on for Graham Wilson and 2 minutes later the visitors made their 1st substitution with Gouvenou on for Lindsay.
Aiden Wilson became the 1st booking of the night in the 76th minute when he conceded a free kick 22 yards out. Before it could be taken both sides made a further change – McDowall replacing Glasgow for Talbot and Guthrie on for Brown for the visitors.
Walker took the free kick but hit it straight into the wall and then lashed the rebound well off target.
In the 82nd minute Talbot raced down the left through Mason who got to the bye line before pulling it back to the edge of the area where Hyslop’s low drive at goal was blocked by a defender.
Play then immediately switched to the other end where Stafford conceded a free kick outside the area. Braves now made their final change with Testa on for McLeary. The free kick came into the near post where Armstrong cleared it away.
With 4 minutes remaining McDowall became the 2nd Bot player in the book when he was penalised for a challenge out on the right. The free kick was delivered into the centre where Leishman came for it amidst a crowd of players but couldn’t claim it. The ball came to Forrester who steered a header goal ward but Leishman reacted to clutch it.
Two minutes from time Talbot almost grabbed a 4th. Stafford switched play out to the left to find Aiden Wilson bursting into the box and his shot took a slight deflection with Henry doing well to tip it onto the bar.
The visitors kept pushing and in the final minute Walker’s shot from the edge of the area took a deflection and looped toward goal forcing Leishman to turn it over the bar.
Deep into injury time there was one final piece of drama. McDowall clipped Guthrie at the right edge of the area and the ref initially awarded a penalty but the stand side linesman flagged him over & after consulting him he gave a free kick just outside the box which Talbot cleared when it came over and soon after the ref blew for full time.
A good win for Talbot over lively opponents who made Talbot work hard for it. Next up the Bot are back on cup duty – this time in the Scottish Junior cup where they travel east to face Shotts Bon Accord.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Hyslop, Robbie McCracken, Healy, Graham Wilson, Samson, Glasgow
Subs – Mason, Boylan, Armstrong, Boyd, McDowall, White, Hewitt
Caledonian Braves – Henry, Brown, Walker, Duncan, McDowall, Forrester, Main, Lindsay, McLear, Armstrong, Kelly
Subs – Miller, Guthrie, Gouvenou, Testa, Duffy
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MATCH REPORT FROM ADMIN
Talbot progressed to the 5th round of the Challenge Cup after a decent win at Meadow Park. This match would have had the supporters looking forward to a real humdinger but with the two teams meeting each other the week previous the hunger seemed to be missing in this tie.
Talbot came out the traps in determined fashion and as little as 4 minutes severe Talbot pressure paid off when they forced corner which Waters palmed into the path of Boylan who looped a cross onto the head of Armstrong to give the visitors a dream start.
Minutes later Talbot should have doubled their lead when Stafford slotted a pass into the edge of the box which the home defence were favourites to clear but for some reason the ball ping ponged around the area which Glasgow pounced onto and after getting a decent shot on target the ball cannoned off Findlay and squirmed past the post.
On the 10th minute the Meadow midfield was caught out after mounting a rare attack when Shankland picked out the unmarked Glasgow who swung the ball across the park onto the path of Boylan who homed in on the goal area but his well struck shot from an acute angle was well parried by Waters
It took until the 16th minute for the hosts to mount an attack on the Talbot goal, this coming from a Wardrope free kick which was easily dealt with at the expense of a corner which came to nothing.
The game settled down with Talbot on the ascendency as they probed constantly at the home defence with the Meadow attack coming by way of long balls up the pitch which was easily dealt with by the Talbot back line.
On the 36th minute Talbot were dealt a blow when Shankland was badly injured when he jumped with two Meadow defenders trying to win a high cross that actually looked to be going well over their heads. The striker who had not started a full match since just before Christmas seemed to twist his ankle as he landed awkwardly near the hoardings.
After a few minutes it looked as he was in considerable pain and hobbled off to be replaced by Mason.
On 40 minutes Martin Findlay became the first player in Mr McDonald’s book after he deliberately pulled Glasgow back as the player outstripped him on the left wing.
After such domination in the game Talbot were to rue their missed chances when a ball over the Talbot defence was hoofed out the park by McCracken at the expense of a corner three minutes added on for the Shankland injury. The resultant set piece proved to be a lifeline as Wardrope sent over a pinpoint cross that was met by Gow who produced an explosive header that flew Leishman who had no chance to react.
The second half had just started when McLennan was booked for a late tackle on Healy, and shortly after Talbot should have been back in the lead when Armstrong split the Meadow defence with a pinpoint pass into the path of Boylan who after a short burst towards the goals laced a tantalising ball across the front of goals that was just missed by Mason.
Talbot continued to press and a Glasgow cross was swung onto the head of Boyd whose weak attempt seemed to deceive Waters and he fumbled the ball out his grasp which was swept away by Whyte for a corner. With so much pressure on the home goal Talbot were reminded that Meadow were still in the game when Slooves tried his luck from 20 yards but the ball fizzed past the post with Leishman in attendance.
Waters gave his defence another round of palpitations when an Armstrong cross was dropped in front of Glasgow but the keeper made up for his mistake with a fine save to deny Glasgow the goal.
Talbot were to take the lead on the hour mark thanks to the relentless work of Bryan Boylan who’s pace was giving the home defenders a torrid time. This time the striker weaved his way into the box before placing a shot that Waters did well to palm away, unfortunately for the Meadow the loose ball fell into the path of Aiden Wilson who shot was powerful enough to squirm over the line with Waters just not getting enough of his body behind the ball to keep it from going over the line.
Meadow change of personnel in the 65th minute with G.Boyd coming on for Martin while Hyslop replaced the hard working Boyd moments later. On the 73rd minute Talbot won a corner which Glasgow took. The corner count was now in double figures but in most occasions they were poorly hit but this time Glasgow found the head of Boylan but unfortunately for him the keeper had sensed the danger and was well positioned to parry the ball which was then cleared from danger
With the game going into the last quarter Talbot replace Boylan with Samson as they strove to put this game to bed. Aaron Mason became the Talbot’s only yellow card after he flicked a sly kick in the way of Findlay but it was spotted by the referee who had no option but to caution the youngster.
With Meadow now committing players to the attack they were nearly two down when Glasgow threaded a ball through to Samson into the path of the onrushing striker. With only the keeper to beat he managed to round the keeper but somehow Waters got his positions correct and got his body in front of Samson’s shot.
With minutes remaining Talbot finally got the goal they were desperate for when like the Samson chance the ball came off a defender into the path of Glasgow who made no mistake by rounding the keeper and slotting the ball into the empty.
This killed the game as a competition and the remaining few minutes went by with little incident. Talbot had beaten Meadow an amazing five times this season putting them out of three cups into the bargain. It was a great feat but you got the sense that the players and the supporters of both teams were fed up looking at each other.
MEADOW: Waters, Findlay, Willet, Slooves, Gow, Whyte, McLennan, Wardrope, C.Boyd, Martin, McCloy. SUBS: G.Boyd, Sivewright, Long, McKie, Angus, Latta, McLean(GK)
TALBOT: Leishman, Stafford, A.Wilson, McPherson, C.McCracken, Armstrong, Healy, Boyd, Glasgow, Shankland, Boylan. SUBS: Hyslop, Mason, Samson, McDowall, R.McCracken, G.Wilson, White, Hewitt(GK)
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAY’S REPORT:
Talbot got back to winning ways with a hard fought win over Meadow to close the gap on league leaders Pollok.
So far this season Talbot have been slow starters against Meadow but that wasn’t the case this time round and Talbot signalled their intent when they won a free kick out wide of the area in the 2nd minute. Healy swept over a tremendous ball to the back post which only required a touch but no one had gambled & it sped behind for the goal kick.
The opening goal came in the 9th minute when Talbot swiftly turned defence into attack. Boyd played the ball out from the back to find Graham Wilson in the centre & he quickly switched it to the left to find BRYAN BOYLAN racing in on goal & he drilled a left foot shot past Waters to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
The Bot threatened again in the 14th minute when McCracken’s diagonal pas found Boylan on the wing. He cut inside & whipped over a cross that Samson just failed to connect with. The ball ran on through and Graham Wilson was in space at the back post but the Meadow defence just managed to cut it out.
With quarter of an hour gone Samson tried his luck but from a tight angle he arrowed his shot over the bar.
Talbot’s pressure paid off in the 18th minute when they doubled their advantage. Whyte conceded a cheap corner down the right and when Healy’s corner came over Waters came for it but didn’t claim it. The ball was headed goal wards and looked to have crossed the line before being hooked clear. Talbot appealed for the goal but it wasn’t given. The Bot kept the pressure on though and when the ball was crossed in from the right Hyslop flicked it into the path of GRAHAM WILSON who steered a shot past Winters and inside his right hand post.
Meadow now pushed forward looking for a way back into the match and Willett gave the Bot defence a nervous moment when he angled a dangerous ball over from the left but no one anticipated it & the ball sped across the 6-yard box and behind for the goal kick.
In the 28th minute Meadow won a corner down the left which Wardrope swung into the back post where McPherson rose to head it to safety.
The game was swinging from end to end but without any end product in the final third. Talbot did stretch the Meadow defence in the 38th minute when Stafford swung over a good cross from the right. The defence headed clear but only as far as Graham Wilson who slipped it left to Boylan but his shot was blocked by a defender.
Talbot ended the half strongly and had a promising break in the 43rd minute when Samson won the ball midway inside the Meadow half. He released it to Graham Wilson who burst into the penalty area but couldn’t get his shot away & when he tried to square it inside to Boylan the defence intercepted.
In the closing seconds of the half Talbot won a free kick in a good area when Graham Wilson had his heels clipped just wide of the penalty area but Healy’s delivery hit the wall and the ref blew for half-time.
Meadow made a change at the start of the 2nd half with Martin coming on in place of McKie and the visitors started the 2nd half brightly carving out a half chance in the opening minute. A ball from the left flew across the area where C Boyd met it but he was at full stretch and could only send it well wide of Leishman’s left post.
In the 49th minute G Boyd was cautioned for dissent after Meadow were penalised for an aerial challenge on Samson and he was joined in the ref’s book 3 minutes later by Craig McCracken when he conceded a free kick 30 yards out. Meadow swept the ball over but it was far too near Leishman who gathered easily.
Wardrope then had an effort from distance but he scooped his shot well over the crossbar.
In the 62nd minute Talbot looked to break through Boylan who looked to be impeded. The ref didn’t give it though and Boylan ended up in the ref’s notebook for his complaints over the decision.
The visitors now made a double switch with 2 ex Bot players coming on – Lyle replacing Faulds & Milliken on for G Boyd.
In the 64th min a quickly taken shy found Boylan in space on the left & he lobbed a cross over to the back post which McLennan had to head over his own bar.
Talbot made their 1st change in the 67th minute with Glasgow coming on for Boylan.
It was game on again in the 70th minute when Meadow scored a quality goal to reduce the deficit. McLennan squared the ball to WARDROPE on the left of the penalty area and he gave Leishman no chance as he bent a shot inside the left hand post from 16 yards to make it 2-1.
Lyle now had his name taken for dissent.
Meadow won a free kick within striking distance in the 73rd minute when Talbot were penalised for handball. McLennan took it and got it up and over the wall but it went straight at Leishman.
At the other end Talbot had a chance when Glasgow raced forward and ran for the box. He was challenged but the ball broke loose to Graham Wilson who sliced a shot well wide from the edge of the area.
Talbot now made a further change with Robbie McCracken coming on for Boyd.
Nerves were showing and Talbot conceded a needless shy in the 78th minute when Stafford sliced a clearance out with Leishman waiting to claim it. The shy was taken short and when the cross came over from the right Milliken had a chance to level. He took it on his chest but McPherson got across quickly to make the tackle and put it behind for the corner.
From the resultant corner Talbot raced onto the counter through Graham Wilson who sped up field before releasing it to his right to find Glasgow but his shot was deflected wide..
With 10 minutes remaining Talbot forced a couple of corners in quick succession from the 2nd of which Craig McCracken headed over the bar.
In the 83rd minute Talbot won a free kick 22 yards out when Slooves bundled Hyslop over in a clumsy aerial challenge. Graham Wilson took it and his shot clipped the wall & sped behind for the corner. Glasgow’s corner caused the defence problems, coming off a Meadow head at the near post and angling across the face of goal and beyond the back post for another corner.
Five minutes from time Talbot fans had a scare when Healy hit a poor pass out of defence which was easily intercepted. It was clipped over the defence to find Martin on the right edge of the penalty area but nothing came of it.
Two minutes from time Talbot nearly grabbed a 3rd that would have put the game beyond doubt. Aiden Wilson’s cross from the left was deflected high into the air off Lyle. It came to a Meadow defender who passed the ball straight to Graham Wilson and his fierce drive from 16 yards was tipped over the bar by the keeper.
Talbot saw out the remainder of the match with no alarms to secure the win and a vital 3 points.
A good win for Talbot who wobbled briefly when Meadow pulled on back but rallied to finish strongly. Next up for Talbot it’s a groundhog day fixture as they travel through to Irvine to face Meadow for the 5th time this season – this time in the South Challenge cup.
MURRAYS REPORT
