2021/22 – Page 8 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Auchinleck Talbot v Troon

Troon usher the ball out of play while keeping Glasgow at arms length.

Troon open the scoring, as the players celebrate taking the lead at Beechwood. 0-1.

Gareth watches closely, as Jamie goes on a run up the middle of the park.

A mid-air tussle for Armstrong, as Talbot try to keep hold of the ball.

While Jack screams blue murder for the pass, Jamie Glasgow, possibly gets fouled, as he races in on goal but…

…he still manages to release a shot at goal, although, he fails to find the back of the net.

It’s a touch-line battle for possession, as Boylan tries to keep the attack motoring for Talbot.

With the ‘keeper poised for the incoming shot, McDowell just gets pipped to the ball by the defender before he can test the ‘keeper.

Aiden Wilson has a look up the park while starting another Talbot attack.

Glasgow, unsuccessfully, tries his luck from distance.

McCracken does what McCracken does best, winning another aerial battle.

OH SO CLOSE!!! Glasgow can only look on in agony, as he sees his shot hit the crossbar instead of the back of the net.

The Talbot faithful closely watch the action, as ‘Gee’ goes on the attack in the middle of the park.

‘Big Neily’ wins the ball and begins going on a great mazy run from deep in his own half.

Bryan races into the Troon box before firing the ball towards goal, where…

…he sees the Troon player get his attempted clearance all wrong and, unfortunately for Troon, drags the ball into his own net and scores an own goal. 1-1.

McPherson and Lyle race to congratulate Boylan after helping to pull Talbot level.

Troon shout for a free-kick, as Graham Wilson does his best to find a way through.

El capitano makes sure there ain’t no way through for Troon.

Craig McCracken jumps the highest and sends a powerful header towards goal but fails to score.

From right on the edge of the box, ‘Shankers’ has a dig but his shot gets blocked.

Although he wins the ball while racing through, Kieran Healy gets fouled in the process.

WHAT A MISS!!! Samson comes extremely close to putting Talbot into the lead but his close range header goes just over the crossbar.

The Talbot bench look on, as Talbot continue to search for a winner.

SAMSON YET AGAIN!!! Talbot eventually take the lead, as Keir Samson prods the ball home into a half empty net. 2-1.

A glorious goal, in the glorious sunshine…QUE THE CELEBRATAORY MAHEM!!!

Talbot go looking to seal the victory but McCracken’s header gets pushed over the bar by a great save from the Troon ‘keeper.

HEART IN MOUTH!!! In the dying minutes of the game, Troon come very close to equalising but the tame header gets comfortably caught by ‘Big Andy’.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

This was the proverbial game of two halves with Talbot failing to show up for the 1^st 45 but turning the game around with a much improved 2^nd half display.

The warning signs were there early on when the visitors threatened the Talbot goal in the 3^rd minute. A free kick was awarded for a foul on McLevy which Gallagher swept into the area. Jamieson flicked it on but there were no takers at the back post.

Troon took the lead in the 5^th minute. Frizzell flicked the ball into the path of JAMIESON and with the Bot defence looking for an offside flag that never came he raced in on goal before slipping the ball underneath the advancing Leishman.

Glasgow tried to respond for Talbot & jinked his way through the left of the Troon penalty area but could only fire well wide from a tight angle.

The visitors nearly doubled their lead in the 19^th minute. Frizzell got in behind down the right & whipped a dangerous ball across the face of goal which just eluded Jamieson in front of goal.

Talbot huffed & puffed but weren’t making much headway. It took until the 38^th minute before there was any kind of threat offered in the final third. Boylan did well to burst to the bye line and cut the ball back towards Glasgow but he was well challenged at the near post & it ran behind for a corner.

Ben Black picked up a caution in the 41^st minute for Troon when he clipped Graham Wilson’s heels as he ran forward and that was it as far as the first half went.

From the outset of the 2^nd half it was apparent Talbot had stepped up several gears. Within a minute of the restart Glasgow slung a cross over from the left that was headed out straight to McDowall who volleyed wide of goal from 15 yards.

A minute later Healy swept a dangerous cross over from the left that Lyle just failed to connect with at the back post.

It was no real surprise then when Talbot levelled in the 49^th minute. Glasgow raced away into space before releasing the ball out to Boylan on the right. He cut into the penalty area & drilled a low shot across goal that MCCLOSKEY bundled into his own net from close range whilst trying to clear it.

Troon were rattled and their defence looked nervy in the 53^rd minute when Boylan’s cross into the area was shanked into the air by McCloskey. The ball spun out to Aiden Wilson whose cross into the goal mouth was unconvincingly flapped away by Fisher.

The momentum had been with Talbot but the Bot gifted Troon a half chance in the 56^th minute. A ball up the right was headed into the air by Aiden Wilson & both McPherson & McCracken went to clear it. They collided with one another & the ball broke to Frizzell 20 yards out but his shot went straight at Leishman.

The Bot defence were called into action again a minute later when Troon were awarded a free kick out on the right touchline. The free kick was fired beyond the far post towards McLevy but his header was blocked behind by Lyle.

Talbot made a double switch in the 59^th minute with Glasgow & Graham Wilson making way for Shankland & Samson. Keir was involved immediately – racing into the penalty area & seeing his ball across goal put behind for a corner. When the corner came over McCracken rose to head it toward goal where it was scrambled clear by the defence.

Troon now made their 1^st change with Josh Black on in place of Ben Black.

In the 67^th minute Maitland did well to prevent Talbot taking the lead. Shankland gathered on the left & fired it low across goal towards Samson who was poised to tap it home until Maitland intercepted & put it behind.

Talbot’s next attack saw Samson meet a cross from the left. He was coming away from goal as he met it & sent his header over the bar from 6 yards out.

Tucker now made a further change with McDowall making way for the trialist.

Troon had been guilty all afternoon of making mountains out of molehills at any hint of contact & eventually the ref’s patience wore thin & he had words with Fulton after a particularly histrionic outburst.

In the 72^nd minute Troon brought on Nisbet in place of the tiring Jamieson.

Talbot took the lead in the 73^rd minute. Aiden Wilson laid the ball back to Shankland & his cross was met at the back post by the trialist who steered it back across goal where KEIR SAMSON nodded home from close range.

With 11 minutes remaining Talbot won a free kick 35 yards out after Armstrong was tripped. Shankland fired it over the wall but wide of Fisher’s left hand post.

Troon now made a further change with Lusk coming on for Frizzell.

Another goal would have sealed it and Talbot came close in the 83^rd minute. McCracken flighted it up the right where Boylan nodded it inside to Samson. He squared it across to Shankland & his effort from 20 yards flew just past the left hand upright.

With five minutes remaining Talbot threatened again. Samson beat Troon’s offside trap to speed clear on the right and his cross just cleared the head of the trialist in front of goal before Maitland swept it behind for the corner. Shankland produced a great delivery from the corner & Fisher did well to turn McCracken’s powerful header over the bar.

Troon hadn’t offered much going forward in the 2^nd half but they gave Talbot a late scare with 2 minutes remaining. Josh Black showed good pace to get away wide on the left & he drilled it low across the penalty area where it hit off Nisbet 8 yards out rather than him hitting it & the ball went straight at Leishman.

A Jekyll and Hyde performance from Talbot who were as dominant in the 2^nd half as they had been anonymous in the first. Next up for Talbot is a midweek trip to Valefield where they face Kilbirnie Ladeside.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Armstrong, Healy, McDowall, Graham Wilson, Glasgow, Boylan

Subs – Samson, Shankland, Trialist, Robbie McCracken, White, Boyd, Hewitt

Troon – Fisher, McLevy, McCloskey, Maitland, Miller, Gallagher, Ben Black, Montgomerie, Frizzell, Fulton, Jamieson

Subs – Galloway, Nisbet, McDowall, Burns, Josh Black, Lusk, Fraser (gk

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy v Auchinleck Talbot

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot never seemed to hit top gear but did enough to secure the win over Rob Roy in energy sapping conditions.

Rob Roy made the brighter start, without actually offering any threat, and the first clear chance came Talbot’s way after 7 minutes. Wilson’s ball down the left found the Roy defence missing in action, picking out Samson in space just inside the penalty area. He could have carried it on but opted to shoot early & his attempt to place it ended up as a back pass at Burns.

The hosts learned you should always play to the whistle in the 14^th minute when they conceded a bizarre free kick. In anticipation of an offside decision their player picked the ball up & placed it down to take a free kick only for the ref to award it to Talbot for hand ball. Armstrong touched it to Shankland who let fly from 30 yards but it went straight at the keeper.

A free kick in a dangerous position saw Rob Roy have their first glimpse at goal of the evening but Scott got his effort all wrong sending it high & wide of target.

It was becoming a game of set pieces and Talbot won the next one within striking distance after Healy was sandwiched as he burst forward. Shankland curled it over the wall but it didn’t come down quickly enough & sped over the bar.

Talbot had a real chance to take the lead in the 29^th minute. Boyd hit a good ball down the right that found Samson racing in behind. Burns was stranded well off his line & Samson attempted to hit it early & pass it between him & his left post but didn’t catch it right & it ended up an easy save for the keeper.

Truesdale picked up a caution in the 32^nd minute when he was guilty of a shirt tug on Healy and he was joined in the book 3 minutes later by Bell when he sent a Bot player crashing to prevent them being released at a throw in.

Talbot ended the half strongly and only a fantastic stop from Burns prevented Samson giving Talbot the lead in the 41^st minute. Shankland slid the ball through the defence to send Samson clean through but the keeper showed great reflexes to turn his powerful shot over the bar.

Rob Roy then put together a good move with Leighton switching it inside to Scott who in turn fed it left to McMonagle on the edge of the area but his weak shot didn’t trouble Leishman.

The opening goal came in the final minute of the half. A shy from the left came to Glasgow who squared the ball across to MARK SHANKLAND who rifled a right foot shot past Burns at his right hand post to send Talbot in a goal to the good.

When the teams returned to the field Talbot had made a switch with McDowall on in place of Boyd.

The Bot were slow out of the traps at the start of the 2^nd half & almost paid the price a minute in. Arbuckle squared the ball to Truesdale outside the area & with no one closing him down he had the time & space to get his shot away. Leishman got a hand to it and it was enough to send it off his right post.

Shortly after Rob Roy were forced into a change when Bell limped off to be replaced by Ross.

Talbot were denied what looked a stonewall penalty in the 54^th minute. Shankland’s reverse pass found Glasgow inside the area & as he skipped past Gordon he clearly had his heels clipped. He managed to stay on his feet but all Talbot got from it was a corner kick.

At the other end Talbot gifted Rob Roy half an opening when Leishman bowled the ball out to Wilson not spotting Gordon in the vicinity. He nipped in to rob Wilson of the ball & sped free down the right before cutting the ball back to Arbuckle whose low drive was blocked away.

Talbot came close to doubling their advantage courtesy of misplaced cross. The ball was shoved left to Wilson whose cross had the keeper struggling before landing on the roof of the net.

In the 65^th minute Talbot made their 2^nd change with Graham Wilson coming on for Shankland.

The home side then had two decent chances within a minute to level. Firstly Leighton out-paced McCracken down the right to make it into the penalty area but his ball across was cut out by McPherson and then shortly after Scott’s diagonal pass from left to right found Leighton in acres of space on the right but he hit it first time & lashed his shot over.

This proved costly as Talbot double their lead in their next attack. McDowall did well down the right before delivering an inch perfect cross that KEIR SAMSON met to glance a header in off the foot of the post to put Talbot 2-0 ahead with 71 mins gone.

With quarter of an hour to go McPherson turned defence to attack as he raced from his own half past a series of challenges before releasing it to Samson who finished it well but from a yard offside.

Talbot made their 3^rd and final change in the 78^th minute when Fotheringham replaced Glasgow.

In the 81^st minute Graham Wilson switched the ball quickly out left to release Samson who made tracks before cutting it back into the area. The defence only half cleared it & it came to Fotheringham 18 yards out but he didn’t catch his shot cleanly and it drifted wide of the right post.

Five minutes from time Leishman’s throw found Graham Wilson out on the left and he played a one-two with Fotheringham before whipping over a cross that the defence managed to head behind for a corner.

As the game moved into injury time McDowall had one final effort to add to Talbot’s lead. He gathered 25 yards out & fired for goal. His shot took a deflection & Burns had to turn it past his left post.

Next up for Talbot it is back to Beechwood this Saturday where Talbot play host to Troon.

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy – Burns, Walker, Gilday, Bell, O’Halloran, Gordon, Leighton, Truesdale, Arbuckle, McMonagle, Fraser Scott

Subs – Ross, Callum Scott, Babers, Reilly, Bryson, Marley

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

Subs – Graham Wilson, Boylan, McDowall, Robbie McCracken, Mason, Fotheringham, Steven Wilson

Auchinleck Talbot v Clydebank

It’s the first game in a new era and everything is on-the-line, as Samson goes on the attack up the wing.

McCracken watches, as ‘Shankers’ keeps the ball moving in the middle of the park.

Keir Samson tries his luck in front of goal via an awkward header but is then deemed to be offside.

The Bankies defender shields the ball, as he is put under pressure from an in-coming Boylan.

Armstrong looks on, while Robbie McCracken tries his best to win the ball back.

The ball gets fired up the park, as Healy makes sure the danger gets cleared.

Things get heated, as McPherson makes sure his point gets across.

The agony is written all over Bryan’s face, as he fails to find the back of the net from a great position.

First blood to the Bankies! Neil McPherson lies deflated on the ground, as his attempted clearance pushes the ball into the back of his own net instead. 0-1.

A celebratory roar from the Bankies players, as they enjoy taking the lead.

Mark tries to keep hold of the ball while under severe pressure from the Clydebank defense.

Talbot pull level through Kieran Healy’s low curler from the edge of the box. 1-1.

Kieran’s team-mates congratulate him, as they celebrate their equalizer.

WHAT A TURN AROUND!!! Talbot take the lead, as Samson races in on goal and slots the ball past the ‘keeper. 2-1.

Keir looks to the skies, as the Talbot faithful go wild after witnessing his goal.

It’s all smiles for Robbie, as he races to congratulate Keir.

THE GAME AIN’T OVER!!! Clydebank pull level, as they find space at the back post to head the ball home. 2-2.

The Bankies players jump for joy after making the score level.

Samson gets fouled while trying to race away with the ball.

No way through for Boylan, as Clydebank put a stop to the attack.

The crowd hold their breath, as Keir Samson goes for the spectacular.

Bryan has a dig from the edge of the box but fails to find the net.

Did Boylan get fouled here? Possible penalty?

Another chance for Talbot, as Craig McCracken has a go but his shot gets blocked.

OH SO CLOSE!!! A looping header comes very close to creeping in but the ball painfully bounces off the crossbar instead.

WHERE’S V.A.R.??? Talbot think Mark has scored a possible winner but his shot gets headed off the line.

Talbot go on the attack again and try to find a way through inside Clydebank’s box.

Don’t worry Kieran. Your back up is arriving shortly.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MATCH REPORT MURRAY STEELE

Talbot kicked off their league campaign with a hard fought draw against Clydebank at a sun drenched Beechwood park.

The visitors settled the quicker of the two sides and managed to force a couple of early corners without offering any threat to Leishman’s goal.

Talbot’s defence were struggling to cope with the breeze and this almost proved costly in the 6^th minute. Donnelly’s long punt down the centre deceived McPherson as it glanced off the top of his head. The ball spun out to Lynass on the right & he hooked a cross come shot in from a tight angle that sped across the face of goal and wide of the far post.

Lynass had another chance a minute later when the Bankies were awarded a free kick 25 yards out but he drilled his shot straight into the wall.

In the 9^th minute Armstrong won the ball in the centre before releasing Boylan down the left. He burst down the wing but was halted by a well-timed tackle from Darroch.

Talbot had a chance to test the Bankies defence in the 16^th minute when they won a free kick following a nudge on Armstrong. Shankland pinged a good ball into the box which Darroch headed clear. His header came out to Boylan on the left of the area but he was stretching as he hit it and could only fire it wide of target.

Two minutes later another Talbot set piece saw Shankland float a free kick over the defence to find the run of Robbie McCracken but it was just too far in front of him & ran out for the goal kick.

The visitors took the lead in the 19^th minute. Talbot lost the ball deep in the Bankies half and Clydebank quickly counter-attacked, switching the ball out to Lynass on the right touchline. He angled it across the area towards Little & MCPHERSON steered it into his own net whilst trying to put it behind for the corner.

Whilst there was plenty of effort from both sides there was a shortage of goal mouth action for the remainder of the 1^st half. Talbot’s closest call coming on the half hour mark when Shankland found Robbie McCracken at the edge of the area and his bobbling shot had to be turned round the right hand post by Donnelly.

Down the other end Gallagher tested Leishman when he cut in off the right and fired a shot for the near post that Leishman turned behind but that was about it as far as chances went and the Bankies saw it out to half-time.

Talbot needed a spark from somewhere and it duly came in the 52^nd minute when the Bot drew level. A ball up the right saw Darroch head it clear but only to the edge of his own penalty area. Black dawdled on the ball as he got it stuck between his feet & KIERAN HEALY dispossessed him before waltzing around Niven & bending a low shot inside Donnelly’s left hand post.

In the 58^th minute Talbot took the lead. Armstrong headed the ball on in midfield & Boylan flicked it on into the path of KEIR SAMSON who paced clear on the right before drilling a shot across the keeper and into the far corner.

Unfortunately, Talbot’s lead proved to be short lived and Clydebank levelled matters in the 61^st minute. Little switched a pass out to the left to find Byrne 30 yards out & he hit an early cross over that caught the Bot defence sleeping with CHRIS BLACK meeting it 8 yards out to direct a free header beyond Leishman.

Talbot looked for an immediate response and Boylan’s lay off saw Samson speeding clear on the right til he was taken out by Byrne who was cautioned. Shankland whipped the free kick into the centre where Donnelly came off his line to punch clear.

Both sides now made their 1^st changes with McPherson coming on for Mulcahy for the visitors and McDowall on for Robbie McCracken for Talbot.

In the 71^st minute Shankland squared the ball to Lyle whose pass sent Boylan scurrying down the right. He crossed it into the centre where Samson’s attempted overhead kick was blocked behind off a defender. Shankland took the resultant corner & his delivery had the Bankies at full stretch to head it clear at the back post. The ball came out to Boylan 15 yards out but he didn’t catch his shot cleanly & it was blocked.

Two minutes later Shankland swung a cross over from the right that Donnelly came to collect but missed but there was no Bot player beyond the back post and it sailed out for a goal kick.

With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot made a further change with Glasgow on in place of Boylan.

Twelve minutes from time Talbot very nearly regained the lead twice in quick succession. Firstly Samson’s shy from the right cannoned off a defender’s head and looped up and over Donnelly only for it to come back off the face of the crossbar. When it bounced out it fell to Shankland whose low drive was cleared off the line.

It was then Talbot’s turn to endure a nervy moment. The Bot conceded a free kick out wide on the right which was delivered beyond the far post where Niven just failed to connect with it.

With 5 minutes remaining Talbot made their final change with Mason coming on for Samson.

Talbot’s next attack saw Glasgow rob Black of the ball but before he could get going Black sent him tumbling; receiving a yellow card for his troubles.

Two minutes from time McDowall headed the ball on into the path of Mason who charged down the right & fired it across the face of goal but there were no takers in the centre.

Deep into injury time the officials angered the home support when the ref initially awarded a throw in to Talbot only to change his mind & award Clydebank a free kick out on the touchline after consulting his assistant. This was particularly galling as the ref had pointedly over ruled both of his assistants on previous occasions. Clydebank fired the free kick into the centre where Leishman safely gathered it and soon after the whistle blew with honours even.

Next up for Talbot it is a midweek visit to Cumbernauld to face Rob Roy.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, A Wilson, McPherson, C McCracken, Healy, Samson, Armstrong, Boylan, Shankland, R McCracken

Subs – Glasgow, McDowall, Mason, S Wilson, G Wilson, Boyd, Hewitt

Clydebank – Donnelly, Green, Niven, Darroch, Byrne, Johnstone, Lynass, Black, Mulcahy, Little, Gallagher

Subs – Stevenson, McClair, McLean, McHugh, Holmes, McGonigle, McPherson

Aaron Mason

Willie Boyd

SPONSORED BY: James Latta Plumbing

JOINED TALBOT: July 2014, July 2021.

DOB: 04/10/1994

TALBOT DEBUT: Lugar Boswell (Home), 9th August 2014, Ardagh League Cup 7-0

FIRST COMPETITIVE GOAL: Glenafton Athletic, 9th May 2016, WJFA Premier Division 2-0

FORMER CLUBS: Queens Park U20’s, Greenock U20’s, Largs Thistle, Auchinleck Talbot, Dalry Thistle, Lostock St Gerards FC.

Auchinleck Talbot v Penicuik Athletic

After what seemed an endless wait Talbot finally returned to action at Beechwood & it was worth the wait as Talbot ran out convincing winners over Penicuik, with the fans being treated to 7 goals in total.

Talbot got off to a muted start and it was the visitors from the east who shaded the early exchanges without ever threatening to breach Talbot’s defence.

The first effort on target came in the 14^th minute when Glasgow laid the ball back to Healy and he drilled a powerful shot at goal from 20 yards that Watt had to parry.

The game really sparked into life in the 21^st minute when Glasgow came close twice within a minute to breaking the deadlock. Firstly, his dipping shot from the edge of the area clipped the crossbar and shortly after his low right foot drive smacked off the base of Watt’s right post with the keeper well beaten.

Penicuik made a change after 25 minutes when Watson came on in place of Young.

Two minutes later Talbot took the lead. Samson charged down a clearance from the left-back and Shankland chased it down to the corner flag. Nifty footwork left the defender chasing shadows before he looped a cross to the back post where JACK MCDOWALL steered a header down & across and beyond the keeper.

The Bot came close to extending their lead in the 35^th minute. Wilson cut the ball back from the left to find Shankland whose half volley from 18 yards flew just over the bar.

The visitors hadn’t offered much threat in the final third but they did have an opportunity to level after 36 minutes. A cross in from the left was headed clear by Wilson but only as far as Kateleza who lashed a powerful strike wide of target from 16 yards.

Play then switched to the other end where Shankland found Lyle in space down the right. He hung a cross over to the far post where Samson met it but couldn’t direct it on goal from a tight angle.

The last chance of the half came in the 42^nd minute. Shankland evaded a couple of challenges before slipping a pass through to Glasgow. He turned his man & fired on target but straight at Watt and so Talbot reached the interval a goal ahead.

Tucker made a raft of changes for the start of the 2^nd half with Shankland, Glasgow & Armstrong making way for Boylan, Robbie McCracken & White.

The changes almost paid off immediately with Robbie McCracken nearly doubling Talbot’s lead. His shot from a tight angle caused Watt an anxious moment as the keeper turned it round his left post.

A minute later McCracken had another effort on target when Watt dived low to his right to save his effort from 20 yards.

It was all Talbot now and the Bot had a penalty appeal waved away in the 52^nd minute. McDowall’s cut back found Boylan on the left of the area and his fierce drive was blocked en route leading to a shout for hand ball.

Talbot did double their lead in the 54^th minute courtesy of a wonderful strike from a set piece. Lamb upended McDowall as he raced forward resulting in a free kick 35 yards out. KEIR SAMSON stepped up and curled an unstoppable shot over the wall that flew inside Watt’s left hand post to make it 2-0.

Penicuik tried to respond and Reid tested Hewitt in the 58^th minute with a well struck effort from 30 yards that he held low to his left. The visitors now made a double change with Kateleza & Edwards making way for Furness & Hope.

Before the subs had a chance to look at the ball Talbot extended their lead. McDowall pounced on a slack pass midway inside the Penicuik half, carrying it forward before releasing BRYAN BOYLAN on the left & he slotted it past the keeper to make it 3-0.

In the 64^th minute Talbot won another free kick within shooting range when Boylan was fouled 30 yards out but this time Samson’s effort went just too high.

Talbot now completed their changes with youngsters Murphy & Smith from the development squad replacing Samson and McDowall.

The visitors pulled a goal back in the 72^nd minute following a good passing moved which ended with REID racing onto a pass in behind down the left & coolly passing the ball beyond Hewitt.

However any hopes of a comeback proved short-lived as Talbot added to their lead in the 75^th minute. Lamb, who was anything but meek, caught Boylan late inside the area & the ref pointed to the spot. WILLIE LYLE stepped up and his spot kick sent the keeper the wrong way to put Talbot 4-1 ahead.

Talbot had to play out the closing ten minutes a man short after McPherson took a heavy knock and couldn’t continue.

Penicuik took advantage of the extra man to exert some pressure on Talbot and forced a string of corners in succession which Talbot successfully defended.

With 2 minutes remaining Penicuik reduced the leeway with a well-constructed goal. Finnie flighted a good ball over the defence to find TANSEY inside the area & he smashed his shot past Hewitt to make it 4-2.

Talbot weren’t quite finished though and completed the scoring with the final kick of the game. Boylan’s tenacity saw him win the ball out on the right and his cut back from the bye line was met by KIERAN HEALY who lashed it first time inside the keeper’s left post.

A good win and performance from Talbot who will be back in action next Saturday when they host Clydebank in a tough opening fixture to the league campaign.

Auchinleck Talbot – Hewitt, Lyle, A Wilson, McPherson, C McCracken, Armstrong, McDowall, Healy, Glasgow, Samson, Shankland

Subs – Boylan, R McCracken, White, Smith, Murphy

Penicuik Athletic – Watt, Baptie, Young, Edwards, Kateleza, Tansey, Neave, Lamb, Collins, Forbes, Reid

Subs – Watson, Furness, Finnie, Hope

The Penicuik ‘keeper pulls off a great save, as a legendary ‘keeper watches from the terrace.

Samson gets stopped in his tacks, as he tries to race up the wing.

Talbot take the lead, as McDowell pops up at the back post to head the ball home into the far bottom corner of the net. 1-0.

Samson congratulates Jack, as Mark and Kieran celebrate in the background.

I think Jack is practicing for the upcoming Olympics, as he goes hurdling over the incoming defenders.

Keir does his best to block the clearance by Penicuik.

Samson collides with the upright, as he has a go with a header from a very awkward angle.

Aiden Wilson tries to speed past his opponent on the outside.

Kieran takes a tumble in the box while having a go at goal.

After going on a great run up the middle of the park, Shankers threads a clever ball through for…

…for Armstrong, who skips past the ‘keeper but is deemed to be offside.

An early second half chance for Talbot but the ‘keeper thwarts the effort.

Talbot get awarded a free-kick in a dangerous area after Jack McDowell gets tripped while racing through on goal.

Samson stands poised, 25 plus yards out, as he looks to send the ball…

…flying spectacularly into the top corner of the net and extend Talbot’s lead. 2-0.

Keir, quite rightly, gets swamped by his team-mates after scoring an absolute stunner.

From the left hand side of the box, Boylan makes it three for Talbot, as he slots the ball past the ‘keeper. 3-0.

From the spot, Wullie Lyle smashes home Talbot’s fourth goal. 4-0.

Healy is all smiles after seeing Lyle score.

Penicuik score their second, as the ball gets fired into the back of the net from a difficult angle. 4-2.

The scoring is rounded off, as Kieran Healy finds the net and leaves the Penicuik ‘keeper rooted to the spot. 5-2.

The beaming face of a man that loves scoring for the ‘Bot!

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

Montrose Roselea

Neilston v Auchinleck Talbot

Talbot held on to the Hugh Blair Trophy after a tousy battle with hosts Neilston at Brig O’ Lea park on Saturday. It was a match that saw both keepers being void of any saves to make as both sides nulified each other which resulted in a poor game overall.

Playing down the slope Neilston were the quickest out the traps forcing three corners in the opening five minutes, but these were well dealt with by the Talbot defence, On 8 minutes Talbot won their first corner which was cleared into the path of Bain but his speculative shot was well past the goals.

Neilston were dealt a blow on 16 minutes when their experienced defender Doyle had to go off with an injury he had picked up after a tussle with Samson, and was replaced by Haggerty who had just featured in the Development match an hour earlier. Two minutes later the first clear cut chance fell to the home side when a cross into the box by Bulger was missed by the Talbot defence but although managing to fashion an opening Jones miss hit his effort and it trundled into the hands of Leishman,

Neilston keeper Digney took a sore one on 27 minutes when he collided with McDowall as both players had an eye on the ball when Shanland whipped in a superb cross. A minute later Talbot looked to have taken the lead when Craig McCracken headed a Shankland corner off the underside of the bar where it looked to be well over the line before being cleared by Halliday. With no official linesmen in place the referee waved play on.

The game decended into a door midfield battle after this with both sides defending well, but failing to create many chances. The last real bit of action was when Shankland again found the head of McCracken but his diving headed went a couple of feet past the post.

At the start of the second half Talbot replaced Healy, Pearson, Boyd, Samson and McDowall with Robbie McCracken, White, Glasgow, Boylan and Armstrong. While the home side swapped McLaughlan with Fletcher.

The second half was hardly started when the first talking point emereged when McPherson and Brophy both went for a loose ball which resulted in the Talbot man picking up a yellow card as the Neilston player went through a series of rolls and screams, before playing on minutes later, much to the disgust of the travelling support.

Ten minutes into the second half Boylan cut down the right wing before sending in a delightful ball which was missed by a couple of Talbot players who actually got in each others way. Willie Lyle was next in the book when he swept the feet from Haddow as the player tried to set up an attack. Things were now getting fiesty with R. McCracken and Stirling squaring up to each other, and minutes later the Talbot youngster was in the book after fouling Loughlin.

Shortly after Boylan and Bain split the home defence with a break down the right wing but when the cross came over White was unable to stear his header toward the target. The breathrough came in the 72 minutes thanks to some neat play by Boylan where he picked the ball up in the box before smashing it past the keeper and a number of players.

This was to be the last real action of any note as Talbot weathered a late Neilston comeback where tension again rose with Brophy going into the book for mouthing after Fletcher had the ball in the net but he was well offside.

All in it was a good win in a match with few chances, but no doubt it was a good work out by both sides.

Leishman, Bain, Lyle, McPherson, C.McCracken, Healy, Pearson. Boyd, Samson, Shankland, McDowall. SUBS: R.McCracken, White, Glasgow, Boylan, Armstrong, Hewitt.