Away – Page 4 – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Fraserburgh FC v Auchinleck Talbot

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cove Rangers v Auchinleck Talbot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Subs – Strachan, Milne, Macleod, Carnie, Ellis

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

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

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

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Wick Academy v Auchinleck Talbot

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

The long, winding road north paid off for Talbot as they booked their place in the 2nd round of the William Hill Scottish cup thanks to a 2-1 win over Wick in a feisty encounter.
Talbot made a strong start to this tie, pegging the home side back in the opening minutes as they forced a string of corners. The closest they came to threatening the Wick goal was when Glasgow swirled a corner to the back post where Hyslop just failed to get on the end of it.
Wick gave the Talbot defence something to think about in the 3rd minute when they launched a swift counter down the right. Henry lifted a great ball down the right to find Allan & he paced beyond Pope before cutting the ball back across goal where McPherson cleared.
Two minutes later Wick came close to opening the scoring. A shy from the right found Allan inside the area & he hooked the ball back to Halliday who steered a half volley just wide of the right post.
The home side could have been a man down within 6 minutes. There seemed nothing in it when M Steven clashed with Graham Wilson out by the touchline; however as Wilson lay on the turf Steven appeared to stamp on him but neither the ref nor his assistant picked up on it.
Talbot’s first effort at goal came in the 9th minute. Graham Wilson’s head flick found Kemp on the left & he released it to Glasgow whose effort landed on target from 18 yards but lacked the power to trouble McCarthy.
Henry had his name taken in the 16th minute for a late challenge on Stephen Wilson. Glasgow took the resultant free kick & bent it across goal & beyond the far post where Pope met it but he fired his shot back across goal and wide of the left post.
The referee enraged the vocal travelling support in the 22nd minute. Harvey slid in & looked to have won the ball cleanly but the ref had other ideas & awarded Wick a free kick 25 yards from goal. Manson took it & whilst he got it up & over the wall it was never dipping quickly enough & sailed over Leishman’s bar.
Talbot won a free kick, and picked up a booking in the 25th minute. The free kick was awarded for a foul on Glasgow out on the left but before it could be taken the ref cautioned Graham Wilson for an earlier clash with Steven. Glasgow took the set piece & flighted it into the near post where Graham Wilson beat McCarthy to it but couldn’t keep his header below the bar.
The Bot put together a good move in the 31st minute when they moved the ball quickly to find Hyslop on the right of the area. He lifted a cross into the centre where Glasgow steered a header over the bar.
A minute later Kemp sped clear down the right & drilled it low across the face of goal but it had just too much pace on it for Glasgow to reach it.
The opening goal came in the 38th minute & it is one Wick’s keeper would like to forget. Graham Wilson nodded the ball down to find Lyle on the right & he hoisted a cross into the heart of the area. McCarthy came out to claim it but only patted the ball straight to JAMIE GLASGOW who coolly lobbed the ball over the stranded keeper to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Two minutes before the interval Talbot were back on the attack when McPherson carried the ball up the right before pinging it onto the head of Graham Wilson. He flicked it on to Glasgow who fired over the bar from 20 yards.
Right on the stroke of half-time Wick ought to have levelled the score. Talbot’s defence were caught flat footed by a ball dinked up the centre allowing Allan to break through. He controlled it 1st time inside the box but pulled his shot wide of the right post and so Talbot went in ahead at the interval.
Tucker made a change during the half-time break & when Talbot re-emerged McDowall was on for White.
Talbot started the 2nd half brightly & nearly unlocked the Wick defence a minute after the re-start but Kemp just failed to latch onto a pass in behind the defence.
Hyslop had his name taken in the 48th minute when he was slightly late in a 50/50 challenge on the half-way line.
A minute later he was joined in the book by Henry who received a caution for petulantly kicking the ball away.
Kemp had a chance to double Talbot’s lead in the 53rd minute. A counter-attack saw Talbot sweep up field where Graham Wilson laid the ball into the path of Kemp. He burst into the area past the defence but his final touch took it away from him & McCarthy raced off his line to smother the ball.
The action then immediately switched to the other end as Wick broke into the Talbot penalty area down the left. Leishman did well to block MacAdie’s shot but the ball came out to Henry on the left & he sent a low ball across goal which HALLIDAY side-footed home from close range to level the score.
Talbot responded in the best manner possible to this setback as they re-gained the lead within a matter of minutes. A good passing move saw the ball worked to McDowall on the right of the penalty area. He took a wild swipe at it but the ball broke back to him and his 2nd shot was deflected across the area. Glasgow touched it into the path of STEPHEN WILSON who hammered a left foot shot from 15 yards inside the right post to put Talbot 2-1 ahead.
The home side weren’t done though and forced Leishman into action in the 64th minute. MacGregor latched onto a ball in behind the defence & pulled it back to the edge of the area where MacAdie drilled a low shot straight at Leishman.
Tucker now made a double switch with Hyslop & Graham Wilson making way for Armstrong & McIlroy.
McCarthy prevented Talbot extending their lead with a top class save in the 67th minute. McIlroy cushioned a header down into the path of Kemp who let fly from 18 yards only to see the keeper acrobatically tip his shot over the bar. When the corner came over it was retrieved by Stephen Wilson who laid the ball back to Pope who was halved by a crude challenge from G Steven. The referee immediately produced a straight red and Wick were left to face the remainder of the match a man down. Glasgow took the resultant free kick but fired over the bar from 25 yards.
With twenty minutes remaining Wick made a change with Hughes on in place of MacAdie.
Talbot’s next attack came from a blunder in the home defence. Manson gifted the ball to Glasgow down the right & he sent Lyle clear on the overlap. He fired a great ball across the 6-yard area between defence & keeper but no one could get on the end of it.
The Bot were on the attack again in the 74th minute. Wick only partially cleared a shy from the right and the ball came out to Pope outside the area where he smashed a shot just over the bar.
Wick now made a further change with MacNab replacing MacGregor.
Another goal would’ve settled it but Talbot couldn’t convert their chances to kill the tie off.
Kemp went on a surging run through the centre & slipped it wide left to find Glasgow racing into the area but he took a heavy 1st touch and it broke away through to the keeper.
Henry, already on a booking, was a tad fortunate when he took Glasgow down with a tackle from the back but the referee contented himself with awarding Talbot the free kick. Pope took it & went for goal but his effort failed to trouble McCarthy.
Talbot had a golden chance to end the tie in the 80th minute. Glasgow skipped across the penalty area before releasing a pass to find Kemp free in space on the left. He carried in on goal & tried to bend a shot past the advancing McCarthy but the keeper made a good stop to deny him.
Within a minute Talbot were back on the attack with McIlroy finding Glasgow on the right who sent a low ball into the near post where McDowall bundled it wide under pressure.
In the 83rd minute a shy into the area found Kemp on the right edge of the box. He managed to turn his marker & go for goal but his curling effort went wide of the right post.
Wick now played their final card with Gunn coming on to replace M Steven.
With 3 minutes remaining the referee produced one of the more bizarre decisions you’re likely to see this season. Leishman was fouled in the air as he gathered a floated cross into the box but rather than re-starting the game with a free kick to Talbot once Leishman had been treated, the referee ordered a bounce up at the edge of the penalty area. Fortunately, nothing came of it & the ball ran through to Leishman.
Glasgow came very close to his 2nd of the afternoon in the 88th minute. McIlroy played it out to Kemp on the left & when his cross came over it found Glasgow in space inside the area. He took his time & stepped inside Manson before firing a low shot past McCarthy that was cleared off the goal line.
Talbot kept cool heads in the closing stages & retained possession well to see the game out. The final whistle saw the Bot team cross over to the enclosure to celebrate the win with the travelling support.
Next up for Talbot it is back to cup duties but this time in their defence of the Scottish Junior cup where they host Forfar West End at Beechwood next Saturday.

Wick Academy – McCarthy, Manson, Farquhar, D Mackay, M Steven, G Steven, Henry, Halliday, Macgregor, MacAdie, Allan

Subs – Gunn, MacNab, Aitkenhead, G Mackay, Hughes, Hardwick, Clark (gk)

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

Subs- Shankland, McIlroy, Armstrong, McDowall, McCracken, Waite, Hewitt (gk)

Glenafton Athletic v Auchinleck Talbot

Penicuik Athletic v Auchinleck Talbot

Talbot travelled to Penicuik to take on the local Athletic in the Adam Montgomery Memorial Trophy with five trialists making the journey as players leaving and wedding commitments had left the squad rather threadbare. However with the odds slightly against them Talbot returned to Auchinleck with the trophy and a resounding win over senior opposition under their belts.
Talbot were behind after 9 minutes when Wayne McIntosh drilled the ball past Leishman, but the Bot were on equal terms when Bald spilled a speculative lob into the box and Calvin Kemp swept the ball into the net. Before half time a good cross into the home area by McDowall was well controlled by trialist David Waite who hooked the ball past Bald.
In the second half the game was put to rest when Craig McCracken dribbled through the home defence and knocked a low cross to the near post where trialist Thomas Donovan prodded over the line. With Talbot well ahead the game was put to bed when Mark Shankland fired a low shot past Bald which finished the scoring.
Leishman, Harvey, Lyle, McPherson, Trialist, White, McDowall, Armstrong, G.Wilson, Trialist , Kemp. Trialist, Trialist, Hyslop, Shankland, McCracken.

Ardeer Thistle v Auchinleck Talbot

Lochee United v Auchinleck Talbot

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot have a knack for finding their A game on the big occasions and so it proved again as the Bot conjured up a 2-0 away win to power past Lochee and book their place in the Scottish cup final.
The large crowd was basking in the sunshine and had extra time to enjoy the warm weather as kick off was delayed to allow late comers entry into Thomson Park.
When the game did kick off Talbot took the initiative from the off with the home side content to sit deep & look to hit Talbot on the break.
The opening exchanges were frantic, with every ball being fiercely contested, but few clear cut chances being created.
Talbot fell foul of the referee twice in the opening quarter hour, firstly White receiving a caution for a shirt tug on Deasley & then Stephen Wilson receiving a yellow card for a tackle on Kirk on the touchline.
Having set out his stall with two early cards it was no surprise when a 3rd yellow card was waved in the 18th minute, this time it was Lochee’s Webster who had his name taken for a late challenge on Pope.
In the 23rd minute the ref levelled it up at 2 bookings a piece when he cautioned Smith for tripping Glasgow. Pope took the free kick & flighted the ball to the far post where Hyslop climbed to head it for goal, forcing Fotheringham to tip it over the bar.
The next effort at goal came in the 25th minute. McIlroy gathered out on the left wing & his low cut back came out to Stephen Wilson who fired a low drive wide of target.
Talbot should have been a man up in the 31st minute. Deasley chased a long ball over the top but was beaten to it as Leishman came out to gather just inside the area. Deasley went in with studs showing & caught Leishman in the midriff as he took the ball but to the disbelief of the visiting support the referee only booked him.
It was attack playing defence as Talbot pegged Lochee back & Talbot’s next chance came in the 35th minute when Lyle made the bye line & swept a deep cross to the far post where it glanced off the top of Graham Wilson’s head & over the bar.
Talbot’s next move saw Hylsop lay the ball out to Stephen Wilson on the right & his cross just flew over the head of Graham Wilson at the back post.
Next to show for Talbot was Glasgow who went on a mazy run inside the Lochee half before sending it out wide to release Stephen Wilson. He raced to the bye line & tried to cut it back for McIlroy but Fotheringham came off his line to cut it out.
The Lochee goal led a charmed life in the closing 5 minutes of the half as Talbot pressed hard for the opening goal. Lunan came close to putting the ball in his own net when he nodded Glasgow’s left wing cross just over his own bar in the 40th minute. When Glasgow’s corner came over from the right Hyslop powered a header on target that Fotheringham did well to touch over the bar.
When the next corner came in it broke to Hyslop on the left of the area & he was desperately unlucky to see his net bound effort blocked in the goal mouth by a defender. The ball pinged back & forth before breaking to Lyle in space 15 yards out but he shanked his effort high & wide.
Stephen Wilson then went on a lung bursting run surging past 3 Lochee players into the box but he couldn’t find the final ball.
On the stroke of half-time Talbot had a golden opportunity to level the tie. Graham Wilson’s reverse ball sent Pope free in the box & when his cut back came to Glasgow he looked favourite to score but he leant back as he hit it & lifted his shot over from 12 yards and so the sides went in goal less at the interval.
Talbot started the 2nd half as they’d finished the 1st, on the front foot, and creating chances.
In the 47th minute Graham Wilson headed the ball down into the path of Glasgow who burst into the area but blazed his shot over the bar.
McIlroy then came close to opening the scoring in the 50th minute. Lyle pinged a ball over the defence which McIlroy glanced goal ward off the back of his head. It had Fotheringham beaten but dropped just over the bar to land on the top of the net.
A minute later Talbot passed up a great chance to score. Pope whipped a great cross over from the left to find Harvey free in the centre but he glanced his header wide of the far post.
It was all out attack with Lochee hanging on by a fingernail. Twice in as many minutes Glasgow sped past McNally & crossed into the box. The 1st time his ball was easily cut out but his 2nd cross had the defence at full stretch, Lunan doing well to head it clear.
The pressure was telling & McComiskie had his name taken on the hour mark.
Talbot kept asking questions & in the 61st minute McIlroy was nearly through. A ball down the centre was headed past his own keeper by Lunan & McIlroy tried to get to the loose ball only to be pulled up for a shove, although it looked like 2 Lochee defenders had blundered into one another.
It was getting to the stage where the Bot faithful were beginning to wonder if it was going to be one of those days & those doubts would only have grown in the 62nd minute when once again the Lochee goal survived a major scare. Graham Wilson met a ball in the centre 6 yards out with his back to goal & laid it back to McIlroy. His low strike was blocked by a defender 7 spun out right to Glasgow who was closed down before he could get his shot away.
Having completely dominated Talbot could have found themselves a goal down in the 65th minute. In a rare attack, Deasley got away down the right & slung a dangerous low cross into the near post which McPherson knocked just wide of the post.
Pope became the latest name in the ref’s notebook when he was cautioned in the 68th minute for a professional foul to halt Deasley’s progress.
Talbot’s next effort at goal came in the 70th minute. McIlroy’s headed the ball on into the path of Hyslop who did well to adjust his feet to direct a volley on goal that flew straight at Fotheringham.
Deasley, who ought to have walked for his assault on Leishman, escaped a stick on 2nd yellow card in the 71st minute. He crumpled in the box with no one near him looking for a penalty but the ref failed to caution him for simulation.
Tucker now made a change with Shankland coming on for Graham Wilson.
Leishman gave his opposite number a scare in the 72nd minute when he launched a long ball down the centre. The bounce of the ball initially beat Fotheringham & it looked like it might go straight in but the keeper recovered well to gather at the 2nd attempt.
Talbot finally got the reward for their play merited in the 76th minute when they took the lead. Glasgow gathered the ball out on the left & curled a cross over into the centre where DWAYNE HYSLOP bulleted a header past Fotheringham to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
The celebrations had barely died down when Talbot doubled their advantage. Shankland hoisted a cross over to the back post where Kirk headed it behind for the corner out on the right. Shankland whipped the corner across the 6-yard area where ROSS HARVEY stretched out a foot to direct it inside the right post to put Talbot 2-0 in front.
Lochee tried to respond and they won a free kick out on the left when Lyle pulled Lawson back with Talbot’s captain receiving a caution for the offence. The free kick was hit deep beyond the far post where Kirk headed it back across goal. The ball was partially cleared but came out to McComiskie at the edge of the area who fired well over the bar under pressure.
With two minutes remaining Talbot threatened to nab a 3rd on the counter-attack to put the tie beyond any doubt. Glasgow paced away down the right & squared it across the area where Shankland was waiting but Cameron made a crucial interception; stretching out a leg to turn it behind for the corner.
Talbot saw out the closing stages without any problems & the final whistle was greeted by a huge cheer from the large travelling support who gave great backing throughout.
A great win for Talbot who will face Hurlford in an all Ayrshire clash in the Junior cup final. Now, Talbot will face a hectic fixture schedule as the midweek games arrive thick & fast, starting with Wednesday night’s trip to Ardeer in the Ayrshire cup.

Lochee United – Fotheringham, Webster, Kirk, Lunan, Cameron, McNally, Lawson, Ritchie, McComiskie, Smith, Deasley

Subs – Davie, Stewart, Birse, Reid, Millar

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

Subs – Shankland, McCracken, Armstrong, Thomson, Hewitt

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Whitletts Victoria v Auchinleck Talbot

Talbot won this Ayrshire weekly press cup tie comfortably, easing past Whitletts without ever really finding top gear.
The 1st meaningful attack of the afternoon came after 5 minutes. Shankland fed the ball out to Graham Wilson on the left wing & he swept over a superb early cross that Glasgow & then Hyslop just failed to connect with.
The opening goal came after 20 minutes. Stephen Wilson burst forward before releasing the ball left to find Graham Wilson. He passed it into the path of JAMIE GLASGOW who slotted a low left-foot shot past the keeper to make it 1-0.
Three minutes later Talbot threatened the Whitletts goal again. A long diagonal ball found Armstrong on the right of the area & he floated a header back across goal which Mullen headed over his own bar. Shankland pulled the resultant corner back into the path of Stephen Wilson whose net bound drive was blocked away off a Whitletts defender.
Forsyth had his name taken in the 27th minute for a series of fouls on Graham Wilson.
In a rare attack Whitletts managed to win a corner in the 32nd minute. It was delivered to the back post where Buchanan headed it well over.
Action then switched to the other end where Glasgow cut in off the left wing before firing a shot inches wide of Fraser’s right post.
Talbot’s next attack saw Leishman bowl the ball out to Armstrong on the right. He slid a perfectly weighted pass through to release Glasgow whose cross was cut out by Fraser at his near post.
Anderson became the 2nd Vics player cautioned when he was shown a yellow in the 36th minute for a late challenge on Graham Wilson.
Two minutes later Talbot had a half chance when Armstrong’s cross into the area fell to Shankland. He brought it down but was closed down before he could get a shot away. The ball broke to Stephen Wilson whose fierce drive was blocked by Mullen.
Boyd became the 3rd Vics player to be booked when he had his name taken in the 38th minute.
Whitletts over-physical approach saw Fisher join the growing crime count when he was cautioned in the 40th minute for a very late challenge on Faulds. The resultant free kick was played into the feet of Glasgow who tried to place it low inside the right post. Fraser dived to his right to keep it out & although Graham Wilson pounced on the rebound to knock it home, the flag rightly went up for offside.
Talbot kept pressing but couldn’t add to their lead & went in 1-0 ahead at the interval.
Both sides made a change during the break with McIlroy coming on for Graham Wilson & Ogston replacing Forsyth for the visitors.
Just as in the 1st half Talbot were doing all the pressing & came close to doubling their advantage in the 52nd minute. The Bot were awarded a free kick 22 yards out after Stephen Wilson was fouled & Shankland struck it over the wall only to be denied by Fraser who flew to his right to touch it onto the bar. The rebound came out to Glasgow but he failed to take advantage; heading over the bar from close range.
Talbot kept the pressure on & a minute later Hyslop came close when he let fly from 20 yards; his low drive being deflected just wide of the right post.
Shankland took the corner quickly; finding Stephen Wilson in space but he curled his shot way over the bar from 15 yards out.
Whitletts now made a further change with Louis Kerr coming on in place of Fisher.
Talbot had the visitors defence at full stretch in the 57th minute. Armstrong slid the ball through to Faulds on the right touchline & he whipped a good early cross over that Mullen did well to clear.
The 2nd goal ought to have arrived in the 61st minute. Glasgow gathered out on the left & played a great ball across the face of goal to find McIlroy free at the back post but he got his angles all wrong & side-footed it back across goal & well wide of target.
The game should have been out of sight but with only a goal in it Whitletts were far from out of it & the visitors gave Talbot a wee fright in the 63rd minute. They were awarded a free kick 30 yards out which Buchanan took & he hit a screamer that flew just over the bar.
Talbot were soon back on the attack & threatened the Vics goal again in the 67th minute. Faulds diagonal pass found Glasgow inside the area & he was able to head it past the advancing Fraser. He gathered the ball near the bye line & tried to squeeze it across the face of goal but it was blocked behind for the corner.
Talbot took the corner short & Shankland tried his luck from the left of the area; his low volley deflecting off a defender & going straight to Fraser at his near post.
Tucker made a double substitution in the 69th minute with Hyslop & Shankland making way for White & McPherson.
Within a minute, Talbot grabbed their 2nd to effectively kill the tie off. SEAN MCILROY surged in off the left touchline, squeezing between two Whitletts defenders before drilling a low shot inside Fraser’s right post.
Leishman hadn’t been called upon to do much but he was tested in the 76th minute. George was allowed to drift in unopposed from the left & Leishman had to get down low at his right post to hold his effort.
Talbot had a chance to grab another in the 79th minute. White carried it forward before releasing it inside to Stephen Wilson. He spread play out to the right to find Glasgow whose low drive was deflected into the side-netting.
Two minutes later Faulds headed over the bar when he met Wilson’s cross from the left.
The visitors had a late chance to snatch a consolation effort in the 88th minute. Talbot lost possession inside the Vics half & the ball was knocked down the right wing where it found Forsyth breaking free. He sped on into the area but took a wild swipe at it & sent his shot flying well off target.
Not one of Talbot’s better performances but a comfortable enough win & a clean sheet. Next up for Talbot is the 1st leg of the Scottish cup semi-final where they face Lochee United at Beechwood.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Armstrong, Lyle, Harvey, McCracken, Stephen Wilson, Faulds, Hyslop, Graham Wilson, Glasgow, Shankland

Subs – McIlroy, White, Pope, McPherson, Hewitt (gk)

Whitletts Victoria – Fraser, Anderson, Brown, Mullen, Isaac Kerr, Buchanan, Fisher, Sloan, Forsyth, Boyd, George

Subs – Milligan, Louis Kerr, Barbour, Ogston, Dempsey

REPORT BY MURRAY STEELE

Clydebank v Auchinleck Talbot

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

Report by Murray Steele

All good things must come to an end & Talbot’s unbeaten start to 2018 came to a grinding halt as they lost 3-1 to a Clydebank in a match where Talbot paid the price for failing to put away numerous chances in the 1st half.
The game started as well as could be expected with Talbot carving out the 1st clear opening in the 8th minute. Hyslop found Steven Wilson on the overlap & Shankland met his cross 6 yards out but steered his header straight at Lumsden.
A minute later Talbot took the lead. McIlroy burst down the left & lifted a cross to the back post where Hyslop guided a free header home to make it 1-0.
Talbot nearly doubled their lead in the 14th minute. Hyslop’s pass sent Graham Wilson free on the left & he carried on into the area before lifting a shot over Lumsden. It smacked off the face of the bar & came out to McIlroy but he was closed down before he could tuck the rebound home & his low drive was blocked. The ball broke out to Steven Wilson & he fired over the bar from 15 yards.
Two minutes later Pope was unfortunate not to add to Talbot’s lead. Shankland’s corner from the right came to him 10 yards out & he took it on the half volley drilling a shot inches wide of the left hand upright.
It was all Talbot & the next chance came to McIlroy. Pope bent a good ball down the left to find him inside the area but he got his angles wrong & shot wide of the right post.
Pope then tried his luck from distance, shooting just wide of the left post from 35 yards after Steven Wilson squared the ball to him.
Talbot’s next effort at goal came in the 25th minute. Graham Wilson fed the ball back to Pope who slung a dangerous cross over that the Bankies defence failed to clear. It came out to Shankland at the edge of the area & he volleyed it on target but straight at the keeper who turned it over the bar.
When the corner came over Pope arrowed a header on target that had the keeper well-beaten but a defender was on hand to clear it off the line. The Bankies couldn’t clear their lines & the ball came to Graham Wilson on the left. He went for precision rather than power, attempting to pass it into the net & Lumsden got down to his left to touch it away.
Hyslop picked up the 1st caution of the afternoon when he was penalised for a late challenge on Paterson.
Clydebank’s 1st close call came in the 32nd minute. McClair passed it inside to Higgins & he fired just over the bar from the edge of the area.
As the weather deteriorated so did the match itself with play becoming scrappy & confined to the middle third.
With half time approaching Talbot had two further chances to put some daylight between themselves & the Bankies. Firstly, McIlroy teed it up for Steven Wilson deep inside the penalty area but he blasted his shot off Paterson & the referee dismissed Talbot’s shouts that it had struck the defender’s arm.
Talbot’s final chance came two minutes before the interval. Forsyth fouled Shankland 30 yards out & Shankland took the setpiece himself; firing it over the wall & a whisker wide of the right post, and so for all their dominance Talbot left the field only a goal to the good.
The 2nd half was only a minute old when Talbot were given a warning of what was to come. Lyle was caught out by a ball down the left & Higgins was able to make tracks down the left before firing a shot well wide of goal.
Action then switched to the other end where Steven Wilson’s ball down the line found the run of McIlroy. He whipped a good early cross into the goal mouth where Graham Wilson was lurking but the Bankies defended it well.
The game was all square in the 50th minute thanks to a wonder strike. HIGGINS cut in off the left & curled an inch perfect shot into the top left corner giving Leishman no chance.
Talbot tried to respond swiftly & had a golden chance to regain the lead within a minute. Graham Wilson sent Shankland through on the left & he cut inside before trying to slide the ball low past the keeper. Lumsden dived low to block it but it still was floating into the net until a Bankies defender raced back to head it off the line.
This proved a turning point as the Bankies then went down the other end and took the lead. It was a poor goal to lose from a Talbot point of view. DEAS being allowed to gather unchallenged midway inside the Bot half & carry the ball forward before firing a low drive that seemed to head inside the right post in slow motion.
Once again Talbot took the game to the Bankies & went looking for an immediate riposte. Hyslop’s volley from 12 yards flying on target but too near the keeper who was able to parry it away.
Steven Wilson squandered a decent chance in the 59th minute. Shankland did well on the left & pulled it back for Wilson to run onto unchallenged at the edge of the box but he ballooned his shot high over.
It was game over in the 61st minute when Talbot conceded for the 3rd time. Leishman misjudged a ball down the left channel, racing off his line to come for it & HIGGINS took full advantage, lobbing the ball over him & inside the far post.
Tucker made a double substitution in the 67th minute with Glasgow on for Shankland down the left & Faulds replacing White in the centre.
Talbot huffed & puffed in the closing 20 minutes but the damage had already been done & they were unable to find a way back into the match with the Bankies dropping deep to defend their lead.
A sore one to take but onwards and upwards & now Talbot’s focus switches back to the cups as they start a run of 4 consecutive cup ties with the visit of St Roch’s to Beechwood in the West of Scotland.