Meadow Park – Auchinleck Talbot Football Club

Irvine Meadow v Auchinleck Talbot

TALBOT TOUGH IT OUT AT MEADOW.

Report: Jim McAuley, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Lee Conn.

Talbot collected the points at a windy Meadow Park which will see them sitting safely in mid-table after a match where Talbot proved to be the dominant force in a rumbustious game where good finishing and poor defending played a major part in all five goals.

Talbot were first to threaten when a long ball by Slooves was controlled by Smith and as the forward bore down on the home defence looking like he was about to shoot, he unselfishly squared the ball to the corner of the 18 yard box where Glasgow curled a superb shot that beat the keeper but unfortunately not the post. Smith proved to be Meadow’s tormentor once again when he cottoned onto a loose ball in the middle of the park where he sprayed the ball out to Wilson on the left and although his cross was poor the wind caught the ball and it narrowly missed the top corner of McInnes’s goal

You had the feeling that the Talbot goal was coming, it nearly proved to be true when Slooves diving header just inched past the Meadow post. However it was Meadow who opened the scoring when Abed managed to block the run of Ross for a throw in but the home player was quick to react and his throw found Byrne who in turn crossed to the unmarked Byrne and his header was met with a Sharp overhead kick that caught Glavin flat footed and although he attempted to claw the ball out the air, there was only one place it was heading.

Talbot soon hit back when Boyle headed an Abed cross for goals but it was weak and the home keeper had no problems dealing with the threat. The big goalie nearly provided Meadow with their second goal when his clearance fell into heaps of space where Baird collected the ball and went on a 30 yard lung bursting run that was finally ended a few yards from goal after a brave save by Glavin.

This seemed to spur Talbot on and a great chase was lost when Smith got in front of a Glasgow piledriver which blocked the shot as well as injuring Smith himself. Ten minutes from the interval Talbot’s pressure finally paid off when a Wardrope free kick found McPherson unmarked at the back post and he powered a great header past McInnes to draw the teams level going into the interval.

The second half started with Meadow blowing a great chance when Baird took too long to get his shot off where by that time the Talbot defence had managed to crowd him out. Talbot took the lead on the 53rd minute when Glasgow showed the home defence a clean pair of heels until Wallace took him down inside the box and Smith put the spot kick well out the reach of McInnes to put Talbot ahead.

TALBOT SCORE AS THE CAST OF STILL GAME WATCH ON

The game bogged down in the middle of the park for long periods as Meadow were doing their utmost to hold a determined Talbot from adding to their score. Then in the 70th minute Talbot won a corner after a Wardrope shot was blocked, and from Glasgow’s corner Slooves head glanced the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-1.

Goal number four came in the 76th minute when Thomson who had just replaced Smith five minutes previously found himself in space after Armstrong had picked him out from his own half. The youngster managed to toe poke the ball past the advancing McInnes and although sandwiched between Wallace and Sewell he did enough to usher the ball into the net.

The game soon petered out after this and with the Talbot on easy street a number of substitutes were added to the fray to cluck up a bit of game time,

MEADOW: McInnes, Wallace, Byrne, Sewell, Kerr, McBride, Ross (Trialist), McDowall(O’Donnell), Sharpe (Gilmour), Baird, Brennan (Lambert)

TALBOT: Glavin, Abed (Gilles 66min) Wilson, Slooves, McPherson, Lachan, Boyle ( McCracken 80 mins), Wardrobe (Armstrong 66 mins), Boyd, Glasgow (Lennox 80 mins), Smith (Thomson 71 mins), .

Irvine Meadow v Auchinleck Talbot

Auchinleck Talbot v Clydebank

Auchinleck Talbot v Kirkintilloch Rob Roy

Craig McCracken gets an early attack started from the back.

From the middle of the park, Armstrong looks to see where to distribute the ball next.

WHAT-A-START!!! Talbot take a very early lead in the semi-final, as ‘Gee’ gathers the ball inside the box and calmly slots the ball home. 1-0.

Both the Talbot players and the fans celebrate Wilson’s opener.

The celebrations continue after ‘Gee’s’ goal.

Samson wins the aerial battle but fails to hit the target with his header.

Glasgow tries to race up the park while under pressure from his opponent.

Well I’m puzzled at Samson’s puzzled expression at looking at something that obviously…puzzles him.

OFFTT…THAT WIS CLOSE!!! Rob Roy go very, VERY close to scoring but the ball goes the wrong side of the post by a certain hair width.

Big Andy vents his anger after that big chance for Rob Roy to pull level.

TALBOT MAKE IT TWO!!! Talbot get awarded a penalty and up steps ‘Shankers’ who does not miss from the spot and fires the ball home. 2-0.

Shankland wheels away to celebrate extending Talbot’s lead.

McCracken stays close to his man and makes sure his opponent goes the wrong way.

Samson shows his frustration after being penalised by the referee.

CHANCE!!! Shankland goes close to scoring again but his close range strike fails to find the back of the net.

Healy clearly shows his anger after the referee blows for a foul against Talbot.

CHANCE!!! ‘Shankers’ slides in and gets on to the end of the cross but, again, fails to score.

And as the ‘keeper gathers the ball, Shankland rues that missed opportunity.

ROB ROY PULL A GOAL BACK!!! Rob Roy make a great start to the second half, as their shot from the edge of the box finds the bottom corner of the net. 2-1.

Aiden Wilson sticks to his man and looks to win the ball back.

Rob Roy get awarded a free-kick, as tempers boil over for both sets of players.

WHAT-A-CHANCE!!! Healy finds himself in acres of space inside the box but he can only push his header wide of the post.

It’s ‘heads in hands time’, as Healy knows what a great chance that was to score.

McCracken argues with the man in the middle, after being told he handballed the ball.

And from the resulting free-kick, Rob Roy can only fire the ball high over the crossbar.

The Rob Roy ‘keeper goes all ‘superman’ in order to gather the ball and prevent Healy from getting his head to it.

Aaron Mason skips past his opponent, as he goes on a great run.

Samson tries to keep hold of the ball, as Talbot look to see out the game.

The final whistle gets blown and the Talbot faithful applaud the players for reaching another Scottish Junior Cup Final.

Two very happy chappies after that victory!

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Meadow park proved a happy hunting ground once more for Talbot as the Bot edged out Rob Roy to book a place in this season’s Scottish Junior final where they will face Yoker at Rugby Park.

Talbot made a positive start and won a corner in the 2^nd minute when Bell blocked Glasgow’s cross. Glasgow aimed the corner to the far post where it was just nicked off the head of the waiting Graham Wilson.

An early goal always helps and Talbot obliged by taking the lead in the 4^th minute. Glasgow gathered on the right and played it into Samson whose head flick was met by GRAHAM WILSON who controlled it on his chest before rolling the ball past Smith to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.

The early momentum was with Talbot and Samson did well to force a corner down the left. Glasgow pinged it into the near post where the defence failed to clear their lines. It came to McPherson with his back to goal and he headed it across the area where Samson met it but headed off target under pressure.

In the 10^th minute Baber spread a good ball out right to find Truesdale racing down the right of the penalty area but his ball across was blocked behind for the corner.

Persistence paid off for Samson in the 14^th minute when he chased down Graham Wilson’s ball down the left & managed to nick a corner off Walker. Glasgow swung it into the goal mouth where McCracken managed to beat Smith to it in the air but his header went over the bar.

The Bot’s next attack saw Healy hit a slide rule pass out to Glasgow on the right and the defence did well to cut out his dangerous ball across the 6-yard area. Rob Roy then sprang onto the counter when Scott gathered deep in his own half before racing up field toward the Talbot box before releasing a pass to Young who ought to have equalised but fired past the left post from a good area.

Rob Roy were forced into an early change in the 19^th minute when Arbuckle limped off to be replaced by McPherson.

The next goal was going to be crucial and it went Talbot’s way in the 21^st minute. A shy from the right was helped on into the area by Glasgow where Graham Wilson was bundled over by Baber’s clumsy challenge. MARK SHANKLAND took the spot kick and sent Smith the wrong way to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.

Rob Roy came close to pulling one back in the 32^nd minute. An early ball up the right found McPherson just inside the penalty area and he hit an angled drive across goal that just went beyond the far post.

The Rabs had another opportunity in the 40^th minute. Truesdale squared it inside to Scott and he teed it up for Young 16 yards out but his shot took a deflection and went behind for the corner.

A minute later Young had his name taken when he petulantly shoved McCracken over the advertising hoardings as Talbot’s centre half ushered the ball behind for a goal kick.

Three minutes before the interval Talbot nearly killed the tie off with a 3^rd goal. Glasgow’s flick sent Samson free on the right and he pulled it back across the face of goal. The defence couldn’t clear and Shankland nipped in and fired a shot from close range that Smith did well to turn round his left post.

Play was switching from end to end and Leishman was called into action in the 44^th minute when Young skipped past a challenge on the right of the area and tried to find McPherson at the near post but Leishman managed to turn it behind.

The half ended with Talbot back on the attack as Samson strode clear on the right and swung a tempting cross over which Shankland met and steered goal ward but Smith dived low to his right to claim it.

Talbot would have hoped to keep it tight at the start of the 2^nd half but those plans came undone when Rob Roy pulled a goal back two minutes after the restart. They were awarded a free kick in the Bot half which Truesdale flighted into the area. McPherson met it & guided a header out left where SCOTT met it on the volley and gave Leishman no chance with a drive across him and into the far corner.

The Bot responded to this setback and had a chance to restore a two goal cushion in the 52^nd minute. Shankland played a good ball inside to find Glasgow who in turn squared it to Healy in space and he fired past the right post from 20 yards.

Armstrong had his name taken in the 56^th minute for a challenge on Bell.

The game was ebbing & flowing and Talbot’s next attacks saw Graham Wilson release Shankland down the left. He swept it into the centre trying to find Samson but it didn’t break for him and the defence were able to clear.

The Bot’s next chance came in the 62^nd minute when Shankland whipped over a good cross from the right to find Graham Wilson beyond the far post. He steered it 1^st time back across goal where Healy met it but glanced his header off target.

In the 66^th minute Rob Roy had a chance to test Leishman when they won a free kick 23 yards out following McCracken’s handball but Scott lashed it well over the bar.

Two minutes later they had another set piece opportunity when they won a free kick in more or less the same spot. This time Truesdale hit but sent his shot straight into the wall.

With 20 minutes remaining Talbot had a half chance to kill the game off. Stafford played it up the wing to find Glasgow and he turned it inside to find Shankland. He laid it off early to Samson and he fired a shot across goal but wide of the right post.

Rob Roy made a change in the 76^th minute with I Gold coming on in place of Bell.

Rob Roy’s McPherson picked up a caution in the 78^th minute for a shove on Graham Wilson.

Talbot now made their first change with Mason coming on for Shankland and a few minutes later Hyslop replaced Glasgow.

In the 85^th minute Cairns had his name taken for dissent.

The Bot had a nervy moment in the 86^th minute. Armstrong lost out in a 50/50 inside the Rabs half and Rob Roy quickly broke forward through Truesdale who spread it out to Scott on the left of the area. He drilled a shot on goal but Leishman was equal to it and smothered it at his right hand post.

With 2 minutes remaining Rob Roy made their final change with S Gold replacing Scott.

Rob Roy threw bodies forward as the game moved into injury time but couldn’t breach the Talbot defence. The one half chance they had came from a short corner worked to Truesdale at the right edge of the area but he snatched his shot high & wide of target and Talbot were able to see it out to book their place in the final.

A hard fought win for the Bot who now move onto Monday night’s visit to Darvel which is a real 6 pointer and could go a long way to deciding the outcome of the title race.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Armstrong, Healy, Graham Wilson, Samson, Shankland, Glasgow

Subs – Boylan, Crawford, Mason, Hyslop, Robbie McCracken, Hewitt

Kirkintilloch Rob Roy – Smith, Walker, Bell, Baber, O’Halloran, Cairns, Truesdale, O’Kane, Arbuckle, Young, Scott

Subs – Gordon, Kelly, S Gold, I Gold, McPherson, Ross, Murdoch

Irvine Meadow v Auchinleck Talbot

Boyd races out wide with the ball while looking where to send in the cross.

GOOOOAAAALLLL!!! Talbot take a very early lead, as Gareth Armstrong gets on the end of Boylan’s cross and fires home a strong header. 0-1.

Armstrong gets all the plaudits from his team-mates after heading Talbot into an early lead.

Stafford’s deadly cross gets blocked by Medda out on the wing.

CLOSE!!! Glasgow is about to have a go at goal but the defender nicks the ball off him just before he was about to pull the trigger.

GREAT SAVE!!! Talbot go searching for a second but the Medda ‘keeper makes sure there is no way through for them.

Big Neily gets his team-mates fired up for the next attack.

The Talbot bench look on, as Jamie Glasgow threads the ball through.

PENALTY SHOUT!!! Boylan gets bundled over inside the box, as Meadow clear the danger.

Tucker closely watches from the dugout, as Wilson heads the ball up the wing.

GAME ON!!! Meadow pull level just before the half-time whistle, as they head the ball home from a corner kick. 1-1.

Young Aaron Mason does his best to muscle his way up the middle of the park.

McCracken and Armstrong double team their opponent in order to win back the ball.

This time it’s Healy that teams up with McCracken in order to keep hold of the ball.

HAD-TO-BE!!! Aiden screams blue murder for the pass but Glasgow goes it alone and has a dig but fails to find the back of the net.

VAR REF!!! Wilson races in on goal and fires a powerful shot at goal where…

…although the ‘keeper does his best to keep the ball out, the officials award Talbot the goal. If only we had x-ray vision to see through the ‘keeper here! 1-2.

With the goal given, Aiden Wilson gets all the high fives from his team-mates.

Mason goes on the attack again for Talbot.

Aiden Wilson makes sure he sticks closely to his opponent.

OH SO CLOSE!!! Boylan goes very close to scoring but his header gets brilliantly saved by the Medda ‘keeper.

Everybody here is closely watching Healy head the ball back up the park, except for the one Talbot fan looking at his phone. Come on Dan!

COME ON AND DO THE CONGA! EVERYBODY DO THE CONGA!

Steely eyed Glasgow zips through the blue walled defence and goes on the attack.

Mason scratches his head after missing a great chance to score, while Meadow vent their frustration at allowing Talbot to have the chance.

Medda shout for a foul but ‘Pee-wee’ plays on and threads the ball through for…

…Jamie Glasgow to chase and go one-on-one with the ‘keeper, where he calmly slots the ball home and makes sure of the win for Talbot. 1-3.

Jamie wheels away to celebrate, as the Talbot pensioners on the hill show their delight too.

Come on lads…don’t leave Dwayne hanging, as he’s looking for a couple of backward high-fives!

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MATCH REPORT FROM ADMIN

Talbot progressed to the 5^th round of the Challenge Cup after a decent win at Meadow Park. This match would have had the supporters looking forward to a real humdinger but with the two teams meeting each other the week previous the hunger seemed to be missing in this tie.

Talbot came out the traps in determined fashion and as little as 4 minutes severe Talbot pressure paid off when they forced corner which Waters palmed into the path of Boylan who looped a cross onto the head of Armstrong to give the visitors a dream start.

Minutes later Talbot should have doubled their lead when Stafford slotted a pass into the edge of the box which the home defence were favourites to clear but for some reason the ball ping ponged around the area which Glasgow pounced onto and after getting a decent shot on target the ball cannoned off Findlay and squirmed past the post.

On the 10^th minute the Meadow midfield was caught out after mounting a rare attack when Shankland picked out the unmarked Glasgow who swung the ball across the park onto the path of Boylan who homed in on the goal area but his well struck shot from an acute angle was well parried by Waters

It took until the 16^th minute for the hosts to mount an attack on the Talbot goal, this coming from a Wardrope free kick which was easily dealt with at the expense of a corner which came to nothing.

The game settled down with Talbot on the ascendency as they probed constantly at the home defence with the Meadow attack coming by way of long balls up the pitch which was easily dealt with by the Talbot back line.

On the 36^th minute Talbot were dealt a blow when Shankland was badly injured when he jumped with two Meadow defenders trying to win a high cross that actually looked to be going well over their heads. The striker who had not started a full match since just before Christmas seemed to twist his ankle as he landed awkwardly near the hoardings.

After a few minutes it looked as he was in considerable pain and hobbled off to be replaced by Mason.

On 40 minutes Martin Findlay became the first player in Mr McDonald’s book after he deliberately pulled Glasgow back as the player outstripped him on the left wing.

After such domination in the game Talbot were to rue their missed chances when a ball over the Talbot defence was hoofed out the park by McCracken at the expense of a corner three minutes added on for the Shankland injury. The resultant set piece proved to be a lifeline as Wardrope sent over a pinpoint cross that was met by Gow who produced an explosive header that flew Leishman who had no chance to react.

The second half had just started when McLennan was booked for a late tackle on Healy, and shortly after Talbot should have been back in the lead when Armstrong split the Meadow defence with a pinpoint pass into the path of Boylan who after a short burst towards the goals laced a tantalising ball across the front of goals that was just missed by Mason.

Talbot continued to press and a Glasgow cross was swung onto the head of Boyd whose weak attempt seemed to deceive Waters and he fumbled the ball out his grasp which was swept away by Whyte for a corner. With so much pressure on the home goal Talbot were reminded that Meadow were still in the game when Slooves tried his luck from 20 yards but the ball fizzed past the post with Leishman in attendance.

Waters gave his defence another round of palpitations when an Armstrong cross was dropped in front of Glasgow but the keeper made up for his mistake with a fine save to deny Glasgow the goal.

Talbot were to take the lead on the hour mark thanks to the relentless work of Bryan Boylan who’s pace was giving the home defenders a torrid time. This time the striker weaved his way into the box before placing a shot that Waters did well to palm away, unfortunately for the Meadow the loose ball fell into the path of Aiden Wilson who shot was powerful enough to squirm over the line with Waters just not getting enough of his body behind the ball to keep it from going over the line.

Meadow change of personnel in the 65^th minute with G.Boyd coming on for Martin while Hyslop replaced the hard working Boyd moments later. On the 73^rd minute Talbot won a corner which Glasgow took. The corner count was now in double figures but in most occasions they were poorly hit but this time Glasgow found the head of Boylan but unfortunately for him the keeper had sensed the danger and was well positioned to parry the ball which was then cleared from danger

With the game going into the last quarter Talbot replace Boylan with Samson as they strove to put this game to bed. Aaron Mason became the Talbot’s only yellow card after he flicked a sly kick in the way of Findlay but it was spotted by the referee who had no option but to caution the youngster.

With Meadow now committing players to the attack they were nearly two down when Glasgow threaded a ball through to Samson into the path of the onrushing striker. With only the keeper to beat he managed to round the keeper but somehow Waters got his positions correct and got his body in front of Samson’s shot.

With minutes remaining Talbot finally got the goal they were desperate for when like the Samson chance the ball came off a defender into the path of Glasgow who made no mistake by rounding the keeper and slotting the ball into the empty.

This killed the game as a competition and the remaining few minutes went by with little incident. Talbot had beaten Meadow an amazing five times this season putting them out of three cups into the bargain. It was a great feat but you got the sense that the players and the supporters of both teams were fed up looking at each other.

MEADOW: Waters, Findlay, Willet, Slooves, Gow, Whyte, McLennan, Wardrope, C.Boyd, Martin, McCloy. SUBS: G.Boyd, Sivewright, Long, McKie, Angus, Latta, McLean(GK)

TALBOT: Leishman, Stafford, A.Wilson, McPherson, C.McCracken, Armstrong, Healy, Boyd, Glasgow, Shankland, Boylan. SUBS: Hyslop, Mason, Samson, McDowall, R.McCracken, G.Wilson, White, Hewitt(GK)

Irvine Meadow v Auchinleck Talbot

WHAT A START FOR MEADOW!!! Meadow take a very early lead, as Mark Wardrope finds space inside the box to direct a low header into the bottom corner of the net. 1-0.

Wardrope races away in delight after netting the early opener.

Mark and Meadow will certainly hope to get a lift after this goal.

Boylan sticks to his man and tries to put the pressure on.

The freezing crowd closely watch the action, as Willie Boyd goes on the attack for Talbot.

Gareth Armstrong tries to race away but is put under pressure from two men in blue.

Tucker roars out where he wants the ball to go and Healy duty bound obliges.

The game gets put on pause, as the gusty wind blows a gazebo across the field of play.

Bryan Boylan gets tripped, as he races away up the park with the ball.

CHANCE!!! McCracken gets his head to the ball first but his header, sadly, goes wide of the post.

OH SO CLOSE!!! ‘Shankers’ sends a powerful header towards goal but…

…he can only watch in agony, as the ‘keeper gathers the ball.

Boylan gets stopped inside the box by a perfectly timed, last ditch tackle from the Meadow defender.

All roads in get blocked for Glasgow and it is not because of Cop26.

Mark and Bryan put their point across to the referee after a decision goes against them.

Craig McCracken makes sure the danger gets cleared.

TALBOT DRAW LEVEL!!! The ball somehow falls to the feet of Boylan and he smashes the ball home from inside the box. 1-1.

Boylan certainly shows his delight after pulling Talbot level.

Hewitt shows his frustration at a decision going against Talbot.

Bryan has to hurdle over his opponent to avoid the tackle.

WHAT-A-BLOCK!!! With the ball surely heading for the back of the net, ‘Big Neily’ slides in with a last ditch block to prevent any goal.

TALBOT TAKE THE LEAD!!! Mark Shankland goes one-on-one with the ‘keeper and calmly slots the ball past him and into the back of the net. 1-2.

‘Shankers’ and the fans celebrate taking the lead in the game.

GOOOAAALLL!!! In a blink of an eye, Talbot extend their lead. Mark crosses it and Boylan rises to head the ball home. 1-3.

Deflation for Meadow but delight for Talbot after Boylan’s goal.

Jamie Glasgow takes a sore one while racing down the park.

The Meadow ‘keeper pulls off a great save to stop ‘Gee’ from scoring with an awkward header but…

…the ball falls kindly at the head of Aiden Wilson who nods the ball home from very close range. 1-4.

Aiden wheels away, while the Meadow player’s cries of offside fall on deaf ears.

All eyes on the ball for both players and fans.

Healy stays calm and coolly ‘dinks’ the ball over the Meadow defence.

Well…I hope the Irvine Young Team weren’t giving you much stick Andy.

WHAT-A-GOAL (even if the photographer missed it)!!! The Talbot players swamp Graham Wilson to congratulate him for scoring an absolute screamer! 1-5.

McCracken tries his luck with a looping header but fails to find the back of the net.

Stafford does his best to win the aerial battle.

Big Andy makes sure the ball gets cleared, as he punches the danger away.

Leishman is called into action late in the game, as he calmly stops the ball from looping over him into the back of the net.

Last chance of the game falls to Talbot, as Aaron Mason skips past the ‘keeper and chases after the ball where…

…he misses the ball by millimeters and slotting the ball home.

The Medda Young Team pose for the camera, as they ‘drum up’ their support for their team.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

Irvine Meadow v Auchinleck Talbot

An early chance for Talbot but Boylan can only send his close range header over the bar.

The Talbot bench look on, as ‘Pee-wee’ tries to win the ball back.

WHAT-A-SAVE!!! Big Andy proves he’s still one of the best ‘keepers around, as he manages to stop a certain Meadow goal by clawing the ball away from right on the line. BRILLIANT!!!

Samson goes chasing in order to try and get the ball back.

FIRST BLOOD TO MEDDA!!! Irvine Meadow take the lead via a penalty. 1-0.

I think he’s happy at scoring that penalty.

The celebrations continue for Medda after taking an early lead in the game.

McPherson does his best to keep his Talbot team-mates motivated after going behind via that penalty.

The Talbot faithful watch the action, as Glasgow fires the ball down the park.

Another Talbot attack gets started, as Big Andy launches the ball forward.

WHAT-A-CHANCE!!! Glasgow slips the ball to Samson who fires a hard low strike towards goal, where the Medda ‘keeper pulls off a great save to stop him from scoring.

Keir manages to get to the rebound but before he could strike again, the Medda defender slides in to send the ball out for a Talbot corner instead.

McCracken stays close to his man in order to make sure he goes away from goal.

‘Tucker’ and ‘Whitey’ look on, while Kieran Healy tries to get another attack started.

LEISHMAN DOES IT AGAIN!!! Kyle Faulds races through on goal but his low strike gets stopped by the foot of Andy Leishman, who pulls off another brilliant save to keep Talbot in the game.

Ex-Talbot man, Sean McIlroy, tries to take the ball away from danger, while being put under pressure from Aiden Wilson.

TALBOT PULL LEVEL!!! Armstrong fires a low strike across goal and although Samson tries to get on the end of it, he needn’t have bothered because Gareth’s strike manages to find the back of the net anyway. 1-1.

The Talbot players and fans celebrate Armstrong’s leveler.

‘Shankers’ watches, as Healy tries to muscle the ball back off his opponent.

The Talbot drums get belted out but I can’t help but feel sorry for the drummers pal at having to hold the drum for him.

Although under pressure, Craig McCracken still manages to fire the ball up the park.

GOOOOOOAL!!! Talbot take the lead, as Mark Shankland’s strike from the edge of the box takes a wee deflection up and over into the back of the net. 1-2.

Mark wheels away to celebrate his goal in front of the jubilant fans.

The Meadow captain is left feeling dejected, while ‘Shankers’ and the Talbot faithful continue celebrating.

No amount of money can buy you the feeling of celebrating a Talbot goal in the ‘Big Scottish’. EEKA PEEKA PUKKA PO!!!

GAME, SET AND MATCH!!! Samson makes sure of the victory, as his low strike from inside the box finds the back of the net. 1-3.

I think Kieran is rather happy with your goal there Keir.

The Talbot players continue to celebrate Samson’s goal, while James Latta and Colin Spence look deflated at witnessing Talbot’s comeback.

The Talbot flags are out in force, as Hyslop wins the aerial battle in the middle of the park.

Although under pressure from two Medda players, Big Neily still manages to head the ball away from danger.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot earned their place in the 2^nd round of the Scottish cup the hard way – having to come from a goal down to claim another away day win.

The Bot started the game reasonably well & did most of the early pressing. The first chance of the afternoon came Talbot’s way in the 6^th minute when Glasgow whipped a great cross over from the left that Boylan nodded over at the back post.

Slooves picked up an early caution when he was penalised for going straight through the back of Hyslop in the 8^th minute.

The Bot were on the attack again in the 10^th minute when Boylan raced across the pitch from right to left leaving McKie in his wake before sliding it back into the path of Healy who curled a shot wide of target from the edge of the area.

Up til now it had been pretty comfortable for Talbot but the 1^st warning sign came in the 13^th minute. Willett swung over a dangerous cross form the touchline that Boyd met at the back post. He headed it back across goal where Pooler met it for what looked a certain goal but somehow Leishman threw himself to his right to claw it away to safety.

Four minutes later and Talbot were caught out by a long diagonal ball down the right. Faulds burst forward into the Talbot box and as he headed for the bye line Wilson slid in to make the challenge. The visiting support thought it had went for a corner but the referee pointed to the spot and MCLENNAN gave Leishman no chance as he thumped it inside the left post to put Meadow 1-0 ahead.

Talbot tried to pick themselves up and Healy tested the keeper from 30 yards when he drilled a shot on target after being set up by Glasgow.

Leishman was called into action in the 27^th minute when Boyd gathered the ball on the left of the penalty area & fired a low shot at goal that Leishman held by his right post.

Meadow now had their best spell of the match, with Talbot finding themselves being pinned back in their own half, and conceding a number of free kicks and corners, all of which were resolutely defended.

In the 39^th minute Talbot were guilty of hesitancy at the edge of the Meadow area following a corner kick, allowing Martin to nick in & carry it up the centre before Boylan sent him crashing, resulting in a booking for Talbot’s striker.

The home side were in control but Talbot had a great chance to level in the 40^th minute on the counter-attack. Glasgow broke swiftly through the centre, carrying the ball up to the Meadow area before slipping the ball wide to release Samson through on goal. He raced through on the keeper but couldn’t beat Winters who managed to block his shot behind for the corner and Talbot went in a goal adrift at the interval.

Just as they had at the start of the match, Talbot made a positive start to the 2^nd half. In the 47^th minute Glasgow hooked the ball up the line to release Boylan down the right. He charged forward before pulling it back where Healy ran onto it but sent his low drive wide of target from 16 yards.

Two minutes later Talbot were back on the attack when Armstrong got the better of Faulds in the centre before sliding a pass up the right to Boylan. He whipped a dangerous cross over to the far post where McKie did well to head it behind.

The home side made the 1^st change of the afternoon in the 52^nd minute when they replaced one ex-Bot forward with another with Pooler making way for McIlroy.

A minute later Hyslop had his name taken for a late challenge on Slooves.

The pivotal moment of the match arrived in the 56^th minute. Stafford underhit a square pass to Armstrong allowing Faulds the chance to intercept midway inside the Talbot half. Faulds raced clean through on Leishman & looked a certainty to put Meadow 2 ahead but Leishman raced off his line & made a crucial save with his outstretched leg to turn Faulds shot away.

This spurred Talbot into life and within two minutes the Bot were level. Hyslop laid the ball out to GARETH ARMSTRONG on the right edge of the penalty area & he drilled it back across goal and into the opposite corner to make it 1-1.

Meadow were fortunate not to be a man down in the 59^th minute when Faulds reacted angrily after a tangle with Stafford. He clearly raised his hands but the referee bottled the decision and booked both players.

Talbot made their first change in the 62^nd minute when Shankland came on in place of Boylan.

It was now all Talbot and Meadow’s keeper had to pull off an impressive stop in the 66^th minute to prevent Armstrong from grabbing his 2^nd of the afternoon. Glasgow’s ball from the right wasn’t dealt with by the Meadow defence and it broke for Armstrong whose low strike was heading into the bottom corner but for Winters save.

The keeper was involved again a minute later. Talbot won a free kick out on the left that Shankland swept toward the back post where the keeper punched clear under pressure from Hyslop.

Meadow now made a further change with Carnwath on for Martin.

Samson very nearly put Talbot ahead in the 71^st minute. A shy into the penalty area wasn’t dealt with & it broke to Samson who fired a left foot shot off the inside of Winters’ left post. The ball spun across the face of goal where Glasgow just couldn’t reach it to tap it home.

The goal wasn’t long delayed though and a minute later Talbot moved in front. A cross from the left was headed down by Hyslop and came to MARK SHANKLAND who met it on the half volley to send a shot sailing inside the right post.

The large travelling support had barely stopped celebrating when Talbot grabbed their 3^rd of the afternoon in the 74^th minute.

Talbot were awarded a free kick 35 yards out that Shankland flighted into the centre. Once again the defence failed to clear their lines and the ball fell to KIER SAMSON who drilled a low strike inside the right post to put Talbot 3-1 ahead.

With 12 minutes to go Talbot made their 2^nd change with Graham Wilson coming on for the tiring Glasgow.

Meadow looked shell shocked by Talbot’s comeback and offered little threat in the closing stages.

In the 83^rd minute Talbot made their final change when Boyd came on to replace Samson.

As the game moved into added time Talbot almost added a fourth. Boyd won the ball in midfield before swiftly releasing it to Healy on the right. He stroked the ball across the 6-yard area where Shankland was waiting in front of goal but he couldn’t sort his feet out and he failed to connect with it.

Deep into added time Findlay received a yellow card after he up-ended Graham Wilson when he cut in past him off the left wing.

Another thrilling comeback from Talbot who again produced the goods when the chips were down. It’s back to cup duty and back to the road for Talbot next Saturday as they travel to face Carluke Rovers in the Scottish Junior cup.

Irvine Meadow – Winters, McKie, Willett, Findlay, Whyte, McLennan, Faulds, Slooves, Pooler, Boyd, Martin

Subs – McIlroy, Carnwath, Bilham, McLoy

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Healy, Armstrong, Hyslop, Boylan, Glasgow, Samson

Subs – Graham Wilson, Shankland, Boyd, McDowall, Robbie McCracken, Lyle

Irvine Meadow v Auchinleck Talbot

Talbot shot themselves in the foot after squandering a two goal lead against a spirited Meadow side who must have thought Christmas had came early after they were gifted all three goals.

Talbot were on easy street early in the first half thanks to goals by Dwayne Hyslop and Bryan Boylan, but right on half time Andy Leishman spilled a harmless shot in front of goals and ex-Talbot player Mick Reilly slotted home the loose ball.

Half way through the second half Meadow were level when Dillan Young failed to deal with a hefty punt up the park and another ex-Talbot man Dylan Pooler nipped in to stroke the ball past Leishman and into the net via the post. Like the first half Meadow were to score again with the last kick of the ball when a corner kick was handled in the box and Liam Miller sent Leishman the wrong way with the spot kick.

Along with gifting goals Talbot’s finishing was under the spotlight with Jack McDowall squandering too great chances, while Mark Shankland was unlucky with two dead ball efforts, one crashing off the post in the first half, while the home keeper was forced into a superb save in the second.

Only a friendly match, but with the season start in the horizon Talbot will have to up the ante in their next game.