2021/22 – Page 7 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Auchinleck Talbot v Montrose Roselea

Early in the match, Jamie Glasgow threads a neat pass through the Montrose defence.

‘Pee-wee’ shows his determination to win the ball in this hefty challenge.

‘Big Neily’ watches, as Willie Boyd gets another attack motoring for Talbot.

TALBOT OPEN THE SCORING!!! The Montrose defender and ‘keeper do their best to stop the strike but Dwayne Hyslop’s thunderbolt can’t be stopped and it smashes into the back of the net. 1-0.

‘Pee-wee’ gives a satisfied look, as Robbie McCracken shows his delight after seeing Dwayne score the opener.

Samson goes chasing and tries to muscle past his opponent.

Keir Samson goes for the spectacular but the defender gets to the ball first and clears the danger.

Talbot get a goal disallowed, as while Robbie McCracken’s diving header finds the back of the net, the linesman deems the corner to have went behind first.

Aaron Mason goes on a big run with the ball up the middle of the park.

No way through, as Aiden Wilson heads the ball away from danger.

SAMSON YET AGAIN!!! Glasgow watches, as Samson gets onto the end of his low cross and prods the ball home from close range. 2-0.

It’s high fives all round, as Keir gets congratulated by his team-mates.

Keir goes hurdling over the Montrose defence.

With the goal at this mercy, Samson tries to unleash a shot but the Montrose defender blocks the strike with a last ditch sliding tackle.

GOOOAAALLL!!! Talbot make it a threesome, as ‘Pee-wee’ finds the back of the net via another thunderous strike from the edge of the box. 3-0.

Nae wonder Dwayne is all smiles after scoring his second goal of the game.

Right on half-time, Jamie Glasgow has a dig from just outside the box but his shot sails high over the bar.

Now…that’s the look of a defender that’s determined to win the ball and clear the danger.

Glasgow uses his pace to skip in-between and race away from the two Montrose players.

The ‘gaffer’ looks on, while Robbie McCracken tries to fight for the ball on the touch line.

WIT-A-CHANCE!!! Aiden Wilson finds himself with acres of space inside the box and directs a precise header towards goal but…

…he can only watch with disappointment, as the ball goes wide of the goal.

It’s a five star Talbot wall, as they make sure Montrose don’t find a way through via their free-kick.

Craig McCracken makes his comeback after being out injured of late. WELCOME BACK SIR!!!

A very proud moment for young Cody Hastings, as he makes the step-up from the U20 squad to come on as a sub for the first team.

OH SO CLOSE!!! ‘Shankers’ goes very close to scoring but his close range strike goes straight into the ‘keepers arms.

Craig McCracken uses his strength to muscle his way down the park.

Montrose get a consolation goal near the end of the match, as the ball lands nicely for them to smash the ball home from close range. 3-1.

The Montrose players are all smiles after scoring, while Talbot look dejected after not keeping a clean sheet.

Right at the death, young Cody Hastings very nearly scores on his debut but his long range effort goes agonisingly wide of the post.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot cruised into the next round of the Scottish Junior cup after a comfortable win over their North region opponents.

Montrose Roselea were forced into making an early change when Watson limped off after only 8 minutes to be replaced up front by Alberts.

The opening goal came in the 13^th minute. Robbie McCracken played a good ball up the right to find Samson & he squared it across the penalty area. Mason touched it back into the path of DWAYNE HYSLOP who hammered a shot inside the right post from 15 yards.

Three minutes later Talbot very nearly doubled their lead. Healy chipped the ball forward to Mason who let fly from outside the area & his shot rattled back out off the left post with the keeper well beaten.

Talbot were knocking it about well, looking to stretch their opponents, who were content to sit deep.

The home support thought Talbot had added their 2^nd in the 23^rd minute. Glasgow’s cross from the right was headed behind for a corner and when Mason’s corner came over Robbie McCracken dived to meet it beyond the far post to bullet a header home but the assistant flagged that the corner had swerved out then back in.

Mason then tried his luck from distance – trying to place it from 25 yards with McCormack making a comfortable save.

Talbot’s 2^nd goal arrived in the 31^st minute. Craig McCracken pinged an accurate diagonal ball over the defence to find Glasgow haring down the right. He slid it into the near post where KIER SAMSON touched it home from close range.

Montrose’s defence was being stretched constantly & Davidson did well in the 36^th minute to prevent Samson getting his shot away; sliding in to put it behind for a corner.

The next effort at goal came from Glasgow when Craig McCracken’s pass found him on the left & he fired wide of the right post from 25 yards.

Three minutes before the interval Samson found Robbie McCracken on the overlap & Stephen turned his ball across goal behind for the corner. Mason whipped the corner over where Hyslop met it in front of goal but he glanced it wide of the far post.

A minute from half time Talbot added their 3^rd goal. Samson raced free down the left and burst into the area before cutting it back to DWAYNE HYSLOP who planted it into the bottom corner.

With the tie effectively over Talbot dropped down a gear in the 2^nd half but still made & missed quite a few chances. The first of which came in the 48^th minute when a shy from the left was gathered by Samson who raced into the area & hammered a shot just over the crossbar from a tight angle.

Talbot’s next goal threat came in the 58^th minute. Glasgow’s cross from the right found Healy at the back post and his diving header back across goal was well saved by McCormack.

Tucker now made a double switch with Hyslop and Samson making way for McDowall and Shankland.

Roselea were caught out by a short corner down the left when Mason pulled it back to Shankland on the left edge of the area and he fired it just wide of the right hand post.

Wilson had a great chance to get his name on the score sheet in the 67^th minute. Robbie McCracken’s cross found him in space at the back post but he steered his header across goal & wide of the left post.

McPherson had his name taken in the 71^st minute for a foul on Garnham just outside the area. Alberts took it but never troubled the goal – sending it comfortably wide of the right post.

McDowall picked up a knock and the sub was substituted with Hastings making the step up from Talbot’s development squad to make his debut.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot had another good chance to add to their lead. Robbie McCracken arrowed in a good cross that Healy ran onto but he bulleted his header over the bar.

Two minutes later Mason hit the woodwork for the 2^nd time when he cut in off the left & drilled a shot that clattered off the base of McCormack’s right hand post.

Mason had another opportunity moments later when he ran onto Boyd’s ball over the defence. He checked inside and fired for goal but his shot went straight at the keeper.

The procession of chances continued for Talbot and Shankland spurned a good chance in the 84^th minute when he met Mason’s cut back 6 yards out but side-footed it straight at McCormack.

Hastings then had a go at goal from 20 yards – pulling his shot wide of the left post.

Roselea grabbed a late consolation in the 88^th minute. Beedie gathered outside the area & threaded the ball through to ALBERTS who fired past Leishman.

Talbot ended the game back on the front foot forcing a series of corners but couldn’t add to their tally and the game finished 3-1.

Next up Talbot are back in league action at Beechwood where they host Cumbernauld United next Saturday.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Robbie McCracken, Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Healy, Boyd, Hyslop, Samson, Glasgow, Mason

Subs – Shankland, McDowall, Hastings, Watt, White, Hewitt

Montrose Roselea – McCormack, Davidson, Taylor, Reoch, Stephen, Thomson, Greig, Garnham, Watson, Beedie, Soutar

Subs – Rae, Bailey, Jamiesion, Alberts, Gill, Tweed

Auchinleck Talbot v Beith Juniors

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot saw their lead at the top of the table narrowed as they were held to a 1-1 draw in this midweek encounter with Beith.

Talbot started promisingly and stretched the Beith defence in the 2^nd minute. Glasgow fed it out to Healy on the right & his ball into the near post had to be turned behind by Gray.

The first half was short on goal mouth incident of any kind and Beith’s best effort came in the 7^th minute when they won a free kick 35 yards out. Hepburn’s shot deflected off the top of the wall & spun straight to McLean whose header had to be tipped over by Leishman.

The Bot had left their shooting boots in the dressing room; failing to test Burgess on those occasions when they had a sight of goal. Shankland squared it into the path of Healy 22 yards out and he blazed over and shortly after Shankland shot well wide from outside the area.

With chances in short supply, Talbot’s closest call of the 1^st half came in the 31^st minute. A Shankland free kick was played into the area where it was headed clear. It came back out to Shankland who clipped it over the defence to find McDowall running in behind down the right. He lobbed it over Burgess but his shot nestled on top of the net.

A defensive error by Beith gave Talbot a chance in the 38^th minute. McMahon headed it back toward his own box where it skipped past McGoldrick. Samson raced onto it & knocked it wide of the advancing Burgess but took too heavy a touch and couldn’t retrieve it and the half meandered to a close with neither side offering any further threat to the opposing box.

The 2^nd half started in similar vein with little happening at the sharp end though this changed in the 55^th minute when the visitors took the lead. A ball over the defence found Fowler on the left of the penalty area & he took it round Leishman but not fancying the tight angle opted to cross it to the far post where it just eluded Watt. Talbot managed to bundle it behind for the corner and when the corner came over McPherson headed it behind. Unfortunately, the Bot defence then went to sleep & were caught cold when Beith took the corner quickly; rolling it back to Hepburn whose shot took a deflection & looped toward the back post where FOWLER met it to power a header home.

This was to be Fowler’s last involvement in the match as he was subbed soon after with McKay coming on in his place.

Talbot made a double substitution in the 65^th minute with Shankland & McDowall making way for Mason & Hyslop.

The two subs were involved almost immediately; Mason holding the ball up down the left before teeing it up for Wilson whose inch perfect cross was met in the centre by Hyslop but untypically he glanced a free header wide of the left post.

Talbot drew level in the 69^th minute. McKay was booked for obstructing Lyle as he burst forward; resulting in a free kick just outside the area. Mason lifted it beyond the far post where Hyslop met it to head it back across goal & JAMIE GLASGOW ran onto it to volley home.

McGoldrick was next in the book when he was cautioned in the 71^st minute for clipping Glasgow’s heels midway inside the Beith half. Armstrong took the set piece & floated it out to the left where Hyslop again rose to head it across goal. This time it came to Healy but his header went straight at Burgess.

Beith hadn’t done much since taking the lead but they did have a half chance in the 72^nd minute. McLean pounced on an error by Lyle & shot from 18 yards but his shot went straight at Leishman.

Talbot won another set piece in a good area in the 74^th minute following a foul on Lyle. Armstrong swung a good cross over but everyone had darted to the near post & it sailed behind.

At the other end Beith came close in the 76^th minute. Hepburn won a free kick out on the left that he crossed into the area. It was headed out but only as far as McKay who met it on the volley 16 yards out. His shot clipped the top of the bar, without seeming to go near any Bot players, but the ref awarded the corner kick.

Both sides had a go in the 79^th minute; firstly Armstrong playing a one-two with Lyle that ended with Lyle on the right of the area trying to square it to find Samson but it was cut out & Beith swiftly countered with McLean gathering on the left before switching play out to the opposite wing to find McKay. He raced into the area but his ball into the near post was smothered by Leishman.

Talbot had another chance to test Beith from a set piece in the 83^rd minute following a foul on Glasgow. Mason took it & fired it low into the area where it broke to White. He couldn’t get a shot away but the ball fell to Glasgow who lobbed it over the bar from a tight angle.

The Bot were finishing strongly and had another chance in the 86^th minute. Armstrong surged forward before releasing the ball down the right to find Samson who turned his man inside the area & drilled a shot on target that Burgess parried away.

As the game moved into injury time Talbot had one last chance to snatch the win. Armstrong fed the ball up the right to Glasgow who beat his man before hitting a great cross to the back post where Hyslop just failed to connect with it.

Next up for Talbot it is a break from league duties as they face Montrose Roselea at Beechwood in the opening round of the Scottish Junior cup.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Wilson, McPherson, White, Armstrong, Healy, McDowall, Samson, Glasgow, Shankland

Subs – Robbie McCracken, Mason, Boyd, Hyslop, Hewitt

Beith – Burgess, Gray, Noble, McGoldrick, Docherty, Park, Watt, McMahon, McLean, Fowler, Hepburn

Subs – Duffy, McKay, Hood, Shield, Young, Winning

Rutherglen Glencairn v Auchinleck Talbot

Glencairn go on an early attack, as Gareth Armstrong does his best to put a stop to it.

The top three Talbot men in one picture! Lyle sends the ball forward, as Tucker and Allan closely watch the action.

CLOSE! Armstrong latches onto a corner but can only send the ball agonizingly wide of the goal.

Gareth can only look skywards after going close to scoring.

As Talbot continue searching for the opening goal, Kieran Healy has a dig from outside the box but his effort goes wide.

Big Andy makes sure the ball does not reach the Glencairn player lurking at the back post, as he grabs the ball in the air.

Jamie Glasgow keeps hold of the ball while being put under pressure.

WHAT A CHANCE! Glencairn very nearly take the lead, as a header from a corner goes just over the crossbar.

The two benches look on, as the teams fight for possession.

Aiden Wilson stops the attack and clears the danger.

Talbot try to ramp up the pressure, as ‘Shankers’ tries to thread the ball through.

Willie Boyd manages to win this mid-air tussle.

Glasgow does his best to race up the wing while avoiding the tackle.

The Glencairn ‘keeper is put under pressure from Samson while trying to clear the ball.

His team-mates wait inside the box, as Healy does his best to fire in the cross.

‘Shankers’ goes for the direct approach from a corner but the ‘keeper manages to palm the ball over the crossbar. One of these days Mark you will land one of these!

Gareth gets caught in a mid-air Glencairn sandwich but he still manages to win the header.

After a bit of pinball inside the Talbot box, the ball falls nicely for Glencairn where the player turns on the spot and volleys the ball towards goal…

…however, he can only watch the ball go inches past the wrong side of the post.

Complete disbelief from Glencairn as they can’t believe how they didn’t score.

GOOOOAL!!! After Glencairn go very close to scoring, Talbot race up the park and Jack McDowell zooms in on goal and slots the ball past the ‘keeper. 0-1.

Jack races away to celebrate scoring, as Aiden can’t help but smile.

Glencairn slump to their knees with disappointment, while McDowell stands tall with pride after scoring the crucial goal.

Mark certainly shows how happy he is, as he and his team-mates congratulate Jack after scoring.

Leishman gets another Talbot attack started, as they go looking for a second.

Glasgow tries to muscle his way up the park.

Talbot win a free-kick, as Samson feels the effects from the challenge.

With seconds left of the game, the tension is unbearable for Talbot…

…but it is Glencairn who feel the pain, as the final whistle finally gets blown by the referee.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot extended their lead at the top of the table thanks to a hard fought away win over a stuffy Glencairn side.

The Bot had an early opportunity after O’Byrne was penalised for a karate kick like challenge that resulted in a free kick 30 yards out. Shankland whipped it into the centre where Armstrong glanced a header wide of target.

The home side then threatened when a dangerous cross from the right had to be headed clear by White at the back post. The ball came out to the left of the area where Glencairn’s player saw his attempted shot blocked away by White.

The blustery conditions weren’t helping either side and little was happening in the final third.

Talbot did come close to opening the scoring in the 20^th minute when they won a corner down the right. Shankland drove the corner in low to the near post, where Armstrong got across his man to meet it but sent his shot just wide of the far post.

In the 25^th minute Shankland was impeded down the left & took the free kick quickly to release Wilson on the overlap. He hit the bye line & cut a dangerous ball back across the face of goal but there were no takers in the centre.

A minute later Wilson won a corner down the left which Shankland played into the near post. O’Byrne clearly headed it over his own bar under pressure but the officials awarded the goal kick.

Talbot were doing well down the left & threatened again in the 31^st minute when Wilson skipped past his man & drilled it into the near post; however Glencairn defended it well.

As the half drew to a close Glencairn had their best spell. White did well to head a cross from the right behind for a corner and when the corner came over Leishman was forced to touch it away behind for another corner. When this one came in Lone met it at the back post but couldn’t keep his header down and the sides went in level at the break.

Rutherglen made the early running in the 2^nd half, Mitchell cutting in off the right, and firing on target but it went straight at Leishman.

The home side had another chance to test the Bot defence in the 51^st minute when Shankland conceded a free kick wide on the right. The ball was crossed into the goal mouth where Leishman punched it clear.

Neither keeper had been over busy but McLellan produced a top save to prevent Talbot from taking the lead in the 54^th minute. Shankland fed the ball to the overlapping Wilson & when he cut the ball back it broke into the path of Healy whose volley was brilliantly turned over the bar by the keeper.

Glasgow came within inches of putting Talbot ahead in the 63^rd minute. The Bot won a free kick out on the right touchline for a foul on Armstrong & Samson rose to head on Shankland’s free kick. It fell to Glasgow on the left of the area & his right foot effort had the keeper well beaten but came back off the base of the left post.

McLellan got a lucky break in the 65^th minute. A pass back to the keeper was a yard or two too short, allowing Samson to close him down and block his clearance. It could have went anywhere but unfortunately for Talbot it spun wide of goal.

Glencairn’s keeper was in action again in the 67^th minute when he did well to prevent Shankland’s corner from the left creeping in under the bar; stretching to tip it away to safety.

Tucker now made a switch with McDowall on in place of Shankland.

McDowall was involved almost immediately. He gathered on the right & slid a diagonal pass to find Glasgow that was well cut out by the defence.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot made a further change with Hyslop replacing Healy.

Both sides had looked dangerous at set pieces and Talbot’s next effort at goal came from Glasgow’s corner on the left that White met at the near post & flicked just over the bar.

Glencairn’s most effective weapon was their long throw ins and it nearly paid off for them in the 82^nd minute. A shy from the right was headed on at the near post and McIlveen hooked a shot just past Leishman’s right hand post.

Having survived this left off the Bot then swept down the other end and scored a fine goal to claim all 3 points. Glasgow played a neat one-two with JACK MCDOWALL who raced clear on the left before coolly passing the ball beyond the keeper into the bottom corner.

Glencairn then wheeled out their long throw specialist again to test the Bot defence. This time the shy was partially cleared and came to a Glencairn player at the edge of the area whose shot was blocked.

Action then switched to the other end when a Bot counter-attack saw Glasgow skin his man before whipping a cross over to the back post which just eluded the in rushing Armstrong.

Talbot held firm in the closing stages to see the game out for an impressive away win over a Glencairn side who were on a good run.

Next up, Talbot are back under the floodlights at Beechwood where they face Beith on Wednesday night.

Rutherglen Glencairn – McLellan, Shields, Schoneville, Coleman, O’Byrne, Leitch, McGuire, Wingate, McIlveen, Mitchell, Lone

Subs – Gormley, Pearson, Malcolm, Smith, Chrystal, Fraser, McGinley

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, White, Armstrong, Boyd, Healy, Shankland, Glasgow, Samson

Subs – Robbie McCracken, Hyslop, McDowall, Hastings, Hewitt

Auchinleck Talbot v Glenafton Athletic

MURRAYS REPORT

Talbot kept their place at the top of the table thanks to an impressive home win over Glenafton; with the final score not really reflecting Talbot’s dominance.

It wasn’t the ideal start for the Bot as Graham Wilson picked up an injury only 3 mins in with Kier Samson coming on in his place.

The Bot’s first chance came after 6 minutes. Shankland played a good ball in from the left toward the front post where Healy met it and flicked it over the bar.

A minute later Talbot had another half chance. Mason held the ball up well on the left before passing it back to White. He in turn squared it to Lyle who fired over from 18 yards.

Talbot’s next chance came following a free kick in the 11^th minute. Shankland was tripped & Armstrong took the free kick quickly to release Shankland down the left. He whipped a cross over which Mason glanced wide of target.

Mason was involved again shortly after when a shy from the right found him inside the box & he showed good feet to create the space for a shot, before drilling it over the crossbar.

The Glens hadn’t really threatened but did give Talbot a scare in the 16^th minute. McKee gathered on the left & hit a teasing cross into the centre. Leishman came for it but was beaten to it by McIlroy whose header sailed over.

Down the other end Talbot came close to opening the scoring with their next attack. The Bot won a corner down the right and Shankland delivered it to the far post where McDowall rose to meet it but his header flew just over Johnson’s bar.

Sherrie did well for the Glens in the 25^th minute when he surged in off the right, skipping past a couple of challenges, to make his way into the box but then hit a weak finish straight at Leishman.

The opening goal came in the 29^th minute and it was a cracker. Mason played a good ball down the right touchline to find McDowall & his ball across the face of goal was turned behind by Bennie. Shankland took the corner, and with everyone anticipating a cross, he pulled it back to AARON MASON who ran onto it at the right edge of the box & thundered an unstoppable shot into the far corner.

In keeping with the general standard of officiating the referee made an absolute howler in the 31^st minute when he somehow awarded the Glens a corner after McKee had ballooned the ball over the bar with nary a Talbot player in sight.

A minute later Johnson prevented Talbot from extending their lead. Samson met a ball up the left & flicked it on into the path of Shankland who stepped inside Marlow’s challenge & powered a shot on target that Johnson parried wide of his right post.

The Glens keeper was called into action again in the 35^th minute. Armstrong swung a cross over from the right touchline to find Shankland at the back post and his header back across was tipped over the bar.

The Bot put together a slick move in the 41^st minute – quick one-touch football – which ended with Shankland laying the ball off to Mason on the right of the area but he pulled his shot wide of target.

A minute before the interval McPherson’s header bamboozled the Glens defence as it bounced past Bennie & Samson would’ve been in on goal but for Johnson reading the situation & racing out to gather.

The half drew to a close with another questionable call from the officials who again awarded the Glens a corner for nothing after McKee shot over but the Bot defended it to go in a goal to the good.

The visitors made a change at half-time with Fisher on to replace Bennie in defence.

Talbot made a strong start to the half and it looked as though Mason was through on goal after he got the better of Cairns but the referee gave the Glens defender the benefit of the doubt and awarded them a soft free kick.

Slack play from Marlow gifted Talbot a chance in the 50^th minute. His pass from right-back was easily intercepted outside the area by Healy & he threaded it through to Samson whose shot was blocked by Fisher.

The Bot made their pressure count and doubled their advantage in the 53^rd minute. Armstrong picked up on the left of midfield & played it down the left channel to KIER SAMSON who raced into the area & slid it past Johnson at his right hand post.

Within a minute Talbot nearly added to their lead. Armstrong’s slide rule pass found McDowall inside the area & Johnson dived at his feet to put it behind for the corner. When the corner came over Samson got his head on it and his header was cleared off the line inside the left post.

McDowall was next to threaten for Talbot when he burst in off the right & hammered a shot at goal that was deflected behind for a corner. The Glens defence were again caught out when Shankland opted to pull the corner back to the angle of the box but Healy got under it and lifted his shot well over.

The Glens were now forced to sub their sub with Fisher limping off to be replaced by Ryan and McIlroy moving back to fill in at centre half.

Talbot made their first change in the 67^th minute with Boyd on in place of McDowall.

Glenafton had been bit part players for most of the night and were feeding off scraps. They did have a chance of sorts in the 72^nd minute courtesy of a long throw in from the right which came to McKee but he sent his header wide.

The clock ticked on without the Glens looking like scoring and with 8 minutes remaining Tucker made a further change with Hyslop making his first appearance in a long while when he replaced Mason.

In the closing stages Shankland had a chance to get on the score sheet when Samson’s pass found him inside the area. He jinked inside his man but wanted a fraction too long to get his shot away & his effort was blocked.

As the game moved into injury time the Glens had a late chance at a consolation. Talbot gave the ball away inside their own half & it was played down the right channel to find Ryan who raced down the right edge of the area before firing across goal & wide of the far post.

A good win, in front of a big crowd, and next up Talbot are back on the road when they travel through to face Rutherglen Glencairn this Saturday.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, White, Armstrong, McDowall, Healy, Graham Wilson, Shankland, Mason

Subs – Boyd, Samson, Robbie McCracken, Hyslop, Hewitt

Glenafton Athletic – Johnson, Marlow, Cairns, Bennie, Curtis, Pettigrew, McKee, Gilmour, McIlroy, Miller, Sherrie

Subs – Ryan, Fisher, Thomson

Bonnyton Thistle v Auchinleck Talbot

McDowell gets an early attack started for Talbot.

After racing through on goal, ‘Gee’ tries to find the incoming Samson with a low cross into the box.

Aaron Mason has a go from inside the box but the defender blocks the shot, albeit via an unconventional style.

Kieran Healy closely watches the ball, as Bonnyton try to get the ball up the park.

Mason gets stopped in his tracks after trying to race up the wing.

The Bonnyton ‘keeper roars out the orders, as he prepares to defend a Talbot free-kick.

With a break in the game, it gives ‘Whitey’ time to dish out instructions and advice to his team-mates.

Jack and Aaron make sure that there is no way through for Bonnyton.

Either the ref is waving play on or or he’s telling Jack to GO!!!!

Samson takes a sore one while trying to race up the park.

YYYEEESSS!!! Talbot take the lead as Steven White unleashes a low strike from very close range and…

…manages to squeeze the ball into the bottom corner of the net. 0-1.

The Bonnyton players looked stunned, while the Talbot players roar with delight after seeing the ball hit the back of the net.

‘Whitey’ gets swamped by his team-mates after netting Talbot’s opener.

Aaron Mason discovers his inner Karate Kid, as he tries to skip past his opponent via a nutmeg.

The crowd look on, as Jack gets the ball nicked off him in the middle of the park.

Bonnyton make sure Samson doesn’t get a chance to fire a shot at goal.

Bonnyton create a great chance right in front of goal but Big Andy pulls out a fantastic save to thwart them.

McPherson watches, as Armstrong fires the ball down the park.

Although the whistle had already blown for a foul to Bonnyton, the ‘keeper still pulls off a reckless tackle on Samson.

McPherson makes sure Bonnyton don’t find a way through.

The Talbot wall stands firm, as Bonnyton fire a free-kick at goal.

GOOOOAL!!! Talbot double their lead, as Keir Samson meets a ‘Shankers’ corner and heads the ball home. 0-2.

The Bonnyton ‘keeper looks dejected, while the Talbot players race off to celebrate Samson’s goal.

The crowd shelter from the elements, while Steven White tries to hold off a hefty challenge.

Big Neily fires the ball down the park, as Talbot continue to search for a third.

The defender does his best but Keir manages to swerve past the challenge and continue to race in on goal.

OH SO CLOSE!!! Keir is inches away from meeting the cross and possibly scoring Talbot’s third.

Big Andy makes sure he punches away the danger and keep his clean sheet in tact.

Gareth Armstrong does a bit of hurdling while going on the attack.

Samson looks shocked, as he is deemed to be offside while racing into the Bonnyton box.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MATCH REPORT BY JUMBO

Talbot moved to the top of the league after 2-0 win over Bonnyton Thistle at the Synergy Arena, however it was an uninspiring win which was mostly down to the Thistle’s game plan which worked well as Talbot huffed and puffed to break them down.

The game was only two minutes started when Samson broke away down the right wing and as his low cross headed across the box it deflected off the leg of a defender and crashed off the cross bar before being cleared. Minutes later Graham Wilson got clear of the defence down the left wing and as his pass across the goalmouth looked like landing on the foot of Samson, goalkeeper Cousar made a fearless block to clear the danger.

After their narrow escapes the home side tightened up at the back and it took until the 17^th minute till Talbot fashioned a chance when Graham Wilson had a shot blocked resulting in a corner. Wilson was involved again moments later when he threaded a dangerous ball through the defence to Mason but the youngster was unlucky not to reach it. On 25 minutes Jack McDowall found himself with a scoring chance but he sliced the ball well past the post.

Talbot took the lead on the 29^th minute when a Mason corner looked like being headed into the net by Aiden Wilson but the ball seemed to roll down his body and land at the feet of Steven White who passed it through a sea of legs and into the net. On the 34^th minute Graham Wilson pounced on a loose back pass, squared it to Armstrong and his shot was well saved by Cousar.

Talbot upped the ante in the remaining minutes of the first half when Cousar had to have two attempts the hold a low hit Mason free kick, while Graham Wilson blasted a good chance over the bar.

Bonnyton should have been level on 51 minutes when Dean started and finished a great move but his shot into the bottom right corner was tipped around the post by Leishman. On 55 minutes Shankland and Boylan replaced Mason and Graham Wilson. However Boylan’s stint was short lived when trying to clear a ball he crumpled to the ground holding his groin and was instantly replaced by Robbie McCracken.

On the 65^th minute Samson was unlucky not to score when he guided a Shankland cross net bound but the keeper got a hand to it to turn it round the post. On the 75^th minute Talbot doubled their lead when a Shankland corner was missed by the keeper leaving Samson to head into an empty net.

With six minutes remaining Cousar redeemed himself after Shankland found Samson and after leaving the defence in his wake his goal bound shot was brilliantly stopped by the outstretched hand of the keeper.

The game wound down after this with the players and supporters glad to get out of the torrential rain, Talbot had the points in the bag and although not setting the heather on fire they definitely deserved them.

Auchinleck Talbot v Largs Thistle

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot moved joint top of the league table after this hard fought win over Largs – in the first match to be played under floodlights at Beechwood.

The Talbot line-up had a slightly unfamiliar look to it with Armstrong partnering McPherson at the back in the absence of Craig McCracken.

It was the visitors who settled first and they squandered a decent chance early on. A Largs free kick was flicked on into the path of William Sewell sending him through on the out-rushing Leishman. He lifted it round Leishman but McPherson recovered to get back & make the clearance.

Largs had another chance in the 5^th minute when a ball down the right found William Sewell & he drilled a low shot that Leishman held at his near post.

Talbot’s first real threat came after 10 minutes. Leishman found Shankland on the right & he released McCracken down the wing. He whipped a great low ball across goal between the defence & keeper but there was no one there to tap it in.

Shankland came close to opening the scoring in the 14^th minute. McPherson flighted a free kick out to the left where Graham Wilson headed it down to Boylan. He teed it up for Shankland & McGowan did well to tip his shot over the bar.

The keeper did well again moments later when he punched Shankland’s corner clear just before Graham Wilson could get on the end of it.

The Bot were having a good spell and Graham Wilson came close after 17 minutes when he gathered outside the box and sent a left foot shot just wide of McGowan’s right post.

Talbot’s next attack saw the Bot countering through Shankland whose diagonal pass found Boylan racing clear on the left. He cut into the heart of the penalty area but didn’t catch his shot cleanly from 12 yards and it ended up a comfortable save for McGowan.

Largs keeper was having a good night and he was quickly off his line to thwart Talbot’s next move. Armstrong’s diagonal ball out of defence arrowed towards Boylan as he raced in behind the defence but McGowan read it & just got there first to punch the ball to safety.

Thistle had a half chance in the 26^th minute from a corner. George Sewell got his head to it but he was coming away from goal & sent his header well over.

With half an hour gone Talbot again tested the visiting keeper. Leishman launched it up field where Graham Wilson rose to challenge for it. The ball broke into the path of Shankland 20 yards out & he forced a good stop from McGowan who dived to turn his shot round his right post. Once again Shankland whipped a dangerous corner into the goalmouth but McGowan was again equal to the challenge & punched clear under pressure.

Talbot’s next opportunity came from a corner. Armstrong meeting Shankland’s corner at the near post where he glanced it narrowly over the bar.

Boylan was next to test the keeper when he raced onto Graham Wilson’s header down the right side of the penalty area & hit it 1^st time only to see McGowan parry it away.

Largs forward William Sewell got a sore one in the 34^th minute when he closed down Leishman as he went to make a clearance & caught the clearance full on the face but he was able to continue after receiving treatment.

McGowan was having a good night & it was going to take something special to break the deadlock and Shankland duly supplied it a minute before the interval. MARK SHANKLAND latched onto a loose ball 25 yards out and sent a screamer flying into McGowan’s top left hand corner to send Talbot in 1-0 ahead at the break.

Talbot started the 2^nd half quite lively and won a free kick just outside the penalty area when Aiden Wilson’s pass found Graham Wilson down the left & he was bowled over by Love. Shankland took it & crossed it over beyond the back post but got too much on it & it went for the goal kick.

In the 52^nd minute Shankland hit a superbly weighted cross field pass to pick out Boylan down the right. He raced into the penalty area and had Graham Wilson waiting in front of goal but he didn’t get his final ball right allowing the keeper to smother it at his near post.

A few minutes later Healy played the ball up the left channel to Boylan who laid it inside first time for the run of Shankland but George Sewell beat him to it to fire it behind for the corner.

Around the hour mark William Sewell won Largs a corner down the right. Before it could be taken Talbot made a substitution with McDowall coming on for McCracken. When the corner came over KEIR MILLIKEN got on the end of it to head towards goal. Leishman saved it and Milliken followed up to stab the rebound for goal. Healy appeared to clear it off the goal line but after a short delay the stand side assistant signalled it had crossed the line and the ref awarded the goal.

Healy had his name taken in the 66^th minute for a late challenge.

The loss of the goal had unsettled Talbot and McBryde was allowed plenty of time & space in the 68^th minute to pick out his cross; forcing Leishman to come out and punch clear.

The referee was turning card happy and booked Graham Wilson in the 70^th minute for an innocuous aerial challenge.

Tucker now made a double substitution with Boylan & Boyd making way for Glasgow & Samson.

Talbot regained the lead in the 76^th minute. Love made a mess of a clearance, hitting it straight at Shankland, and fortunately for Talbot the ball broke straight to the feet of KIER SAMSON who slotted it past the keeper.

The Bot were then guilty of sloppy play a minute after scoring. Glasgow lost the ball 25 yards out and Ballantyne fired just wide of the right hand post.

Largs now made a double switch with McBryde & McMaster making way for McGinty & Adam.

In the 82^nd minute Talbot had a wobbly moment when defending a Largs free kick from wide. It went beyond the back post where Adam steered it back toward goal and Leishman blocked & cleared before Sewell could get to it.

Ballantyne then picked up a caution for a foul on Graham Wilson.

Graham Wilson was unlucky with 5 minutes remaining when he met it on the volley. His effort was heading on target but was deflected wide and two minutes later he came close again when he darted in off the right & sent a left foot shot narrowly wide of McGowan’s left post.

With 2 minutes remaining Talbot threatened again; this time via Samson, who sped clear on the right before firing it across the face of goal where Ballantyne deflected it behind.

In the final minute, Armstrong received a yellow card for a professional foul. The free kick was lobbed up the centre where Leishman rushed out to punch clear. It came to Adam outside the area but he was closed down before he could hit it.

As the game moved into injury time Talbot found themselves a man down. Glasgow caught George Sewell late with a mistimed challenge. A booking would have sufficed but the ref produced a straight red and also managed to book Shankland for dissent. It was too late though for Largs to take advantage of the extra man and Talbot held out for the win.

Next up for Talbot are new opponents as the Bot travel to Kilmarnock to face Bonnyton in the league.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Armstrong, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Robbie McCracken, Boyd, Healy, Graham Wilson, Shankland, Boylan

Subs – Glasgow, Samson, Mason, McDowall, Pope, White, Hewitt (gk)

Largs Thistle – McGowan, George Sewell, Ballantyne, Hughes, Love, Faulds, Docherty, McBryde, Milliken, William Sewell, McMaster

Subs – Adam, McGinty, McPhee, Lindsay, Farrell (gk)

Jamie Monaghan

SPONSORED: Kevin Higgins.

Own Goal

Auchinleck Talbot v Blantyre Victoria

Talbot veteran, ‘Whitey’, gets an early attack started and fires the ball down the park.

PENALTY!!! Bryan Boylan goes racing after the ball but gets tripped in the process, inside the box.

OH NO!!! Talbot miss the resulting penalty, as Samson can only look skywards after seeing his shot smack off the crossbar.

All eyes on the ball, as Boylan tries to keep hold of possession.

STRAMASH TIME!!! Panic stations all round inside the Blantyre box, as firstly Glasgow’s shot gets saved by the ‘keeper…

…then Samson does his best to find a way through from the rebound, where…

…his eventual shot, possibly gets blocked by the Blantyre player’s arm. Another penalty?

BREAKTHROUGH!!! Talbot finally take the lead, as Keir’s blocked shot comes off the defender’s leg, who gets it all wrong, and the ball somehow trundles into the back of the net. 1-0.

Samson is right. It may have been an own goal but ANY Talbot goal is worth celebrating.

The Victoria bench closely watch the action, as Lyle sends the ball down the wing.

Healy makes his presence known with a hefty tackle to win the ball back.

The counter attack gets motoring, as Kieran Healy threads the ball forward.

Talbot try to get a head on the ball but the Blantyre ‘keeper gets his hands on it first.

Glasgow shows his frustration while trying to get to the ball before the ‘keeper.

Keir felt he was fouled in the box and certainly lets his feelings known to the linesman.

WHAT – A – GOAL!!! Blantyre equalise right on the stroke of half-time via a wonder strike from the edge of the box. He chests it…swivels on the spot and volleys it towards goal where…

…although big Andy does his best to stop it, the ball manages to find the sweet spot of the top corner of the net. 1-1.

No wonder the Blantyre players are all Cheshire Cats after witnessing THAT goal!

Big Neily watches, as ‘Whitey’ looks to get the another Talbot attack started.

TALBOT TAKE THE LEAD!!! From just outside the box, Steven White has a dig, where the ball takes a deflection on route to the back of the net. 2-1.

Keir and Steven congratulate each other but who got the goal?

VICTORY SEALED!!! Talbot stretch their lead, as Boylan races through and pokes the ball under the ‘keeper and into the empty net. 3-1.

Bryan wheels away to celebrate, while the pain is written all over the Blantyre player’s faces.

Glasgow goes on a run in the middle of the park.

Healy tries to see who’s wanting the pass.

Craig McCracken stands his ground and blocks any way through for Blantyre.

Armstrong tries to keep hold of the ball in this hefty 50/50 challenge.

It may be late in the game but Talbot still go on the attack, as ‘Shankers’ sends the ball up the wing.

Jack watches, as Aaron Mason makes sure he keeps hold of the ball.

McPherson clears the danger, as the Talbot faithful look on from the terrace.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAYS REPORT

Talbot made it four league wins in a row as they saw off Blantyre Vics at Beechwood.

The Bot started strongly and came close to opening the scoring in the 3^rd minute. Kerr caught White just outside the penalty area and Samson’s free kick flew just past Currie’s right hand post.

Six minutes in and a defensive blunder handed Talbot a chance from the penalty spot. Currie bowled the ball out to Marshall inside his own penalty area. Boylan read it, closed him down & dispossessed him resulting in Marshall up-ending Talbot’s striker. Samson took the spot kick but his shot clipped the top of the bar on its way over.

How Talbot failed to score in the 9^th minute is a mystery. Aiden Wilson & McCracken worked a one-two down the left which ended with Wilson flighting a cross into the back post. It broke to Glasgow inside the 6-yard area but despite several attempts he couldn’t force it home & when the ball broke to Samson his shot was also blocked inside the goal mouth.

Blantyre’s first glimpse at goal came in the 12^th minute. Wilson misjudged a diagonal ball & ended up controlling it with his arm. The ball broke to McKenzie on the right of the area & the ref allowed the advantage & his low drive was held by Leishman.

Talbot’s opener came in the 14^th minute. Lyle played it into the feet of Healy & he sent it out to the right wing where Boylan raced clear. He played it across the 6-yard area where KIER SAMSON slid in to meet it & although his effort hit Currie it spun inside the right post to put Talbot 1 ahead.

The visitors came close to levelling matters in the 17^th minute. MacDonald’s shot from 15 yards was heading into the bottom corner til Leishman dived to his right to touch it away. It came out to Eeles but his follow up was blocked.

At the other end, Talbot nearly doubled their lead when Samson raced onto Glasgow’s ball down the left & rolled it inside where White flicked it up before half volleying it just over the crossbar from 20 yards out.

Talbot squandered a decent opportunity in the 25^th minute when Armstrong’s slide rule pass opened up the Vics defence. Boylan squared it across the area where Samson & Glasgow seemed to get in each other’s way & in the end neither could get a shot away.

The Bot’s next attack saw Glasgow feed it out Boylan on the wing & he cut in off the right & drilled a fierce shot on target which Currie held.

It was looking comfortable for Talbot at this stage, with the Bot doing most of the pressing, but having little to show for it other than a series of corners which came to nought.

A single goal lead is always precarious and Vics grabbed a spectacular equaliser two minutes from the interval. Blantyre were awarded a free kick in their own half on the stand side which was flighted into the penalty area. It was headed clear and there didn’t appear to be any imminent danger when it fell to MCKENZIE 20 yards out with his back to goal but he controlled it on his chest & turned to hook a volley that dipped into the top right corner to make it 1-1 at the interval.

The half-time break worked in Talbot’s favour and the Bot regained the lead early in the 2^nd half. In the 53^rd minute Eeles impeded Armstrong & the ref awarded Talbot a free kick 25 yards out. Talbot took it quickly to release Glasgow & when he squared it across the box STEVEN WHITE ran onto it & fired a low drive through a ruck of players that beat Currie with the aid of a slight deflection.

The visitors were caught out again in the 59^th minute by a quick free kick which sent Glasgow free on the right. Currie got down to cut out his low ball across the face of goal but couldn’t hold it & and a defender had to complete the clearance.

With 61 minutes gone Talbot moved further ahead. There seemed no danger as the ball was aimed up the left but Blantyre’s defender tried to head it back towards his keeper & BRYAN BOYLAN pounced on the weak header, shrugging off a challenge before drilling it through the advancing Currie to make it 3-1.

In the 64^th minute Blantyre won a free kick 30 yards out after Samson shoved MacDonald. McKenzie got it up and over the wall but Leishman got down low to his right to hold it.

The visitors made a double switch in the 67^th minute with Cunningham & Kearney coming on for McKenzie & McDonald just before facing a Talbot corner. When Glasgow’s corner came over from the right McCracken powered a header on target that Currie gathered at the 2^nd attempt.

With 20 mins remaining Talbot made a double switch with Mason & Shankland replacing Healy & Boylan.

Glasgow had a good chance to extend Talbot’s lead in the 72^nd minute. Samson won a header that sent him clean through on goal but Currie got the slightest of touches to his effort to send it wide of his left post.

Both sides now made their final changes with O’Donnell on for Eeles for the visitors and Shankland coming on for Samson.

Twelve minutes from time Blantyre launched a quick counter-attack following a Talbot corner. Currie unconvincingly flapped the corner away but Vics then quickly switched it up to Brennan who shifted it wide left to Kearney whose low drive across goal went a foot or so wide of the far post.

Six minutes from time Shankland had his name taken after wrestling with a Blantyre player following a short corner that had went wrong.

Five minutes from time Cunningham had a decent effort for the Vics from 25 yards when he turned and fired wide of the left post and that was it as far as chances went with Talbot seeing out the closing minutes to secure the win.

Another 3 points in the bag and next up for the Bot is the midweek visit of Largs.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, White, Healy, Armstrong, Glasgow, Boylan, Samson

Subs – Mason, McDowall, Shankland, Graham Wilson, Robbie McCracken, Boyd, Hewitt

Blantyre Victoria – Currie, Jones, Allan, Marshall, Kerr, Boyle, McKenzie, Archer, MacDonald, Brennan, Eeles

Subs – Hughes, Cunningham, Gibson, O’Donnell, Kearney