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 Big Match Details |
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NOT SO ROSY AT ROSEBANK
LUGAR BOSWELL 3 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1
After a couple of wins in pre-season games it was time for the real thing to start at Rosebank, home of Lugar Boswell and countless midgies. Unfortunately for those Talbot fans who made the trip it was an uncomfortable experience, partly due to the midgies but mainly because of Talbot's defensive shortcomings.
The opening exchanges were full of sound and fury but no football, and the number of times the ball disappeared over the enclosure and out on to the main road told it's own story. It took 11 minutes for the first effort at goal when Millar of Lugar capitalised on slack defending to bear down on goal. Although he mi*** his shot across the face it almost worked out for Lugar as his effort came close to being slid home at the back post. The game was very even at this stage but there wasn't much happening in front of goals and neither Smith nor McEwan had much to do. This changed on 25 minutes when Talbot gifted Lugar the lead. Talbot's defence were very static and Smith's block on the onrushing striker simply knocked the ball into the path of Reid who lobbed the ball into the empty net via the underside of the bar.
This setback seemed to wake Talbot up and within 5 minutes they had levelled the score thanks to a superb strike by Friels. Peacock squared the ball to Friels at the edge of the Lugar area, and Friels then turned and fired first time past McEwan who had no chance of reaching it. This marked the high point of the game for Talbot and saw them exert some pressure on the Lugar defence. Lugar did well to clear their lines following a good interchange of passing between Wallace, Todd and Peacock, and soon after Friels sent Wallace through on goals but he squandered the opportunity firing straight at McEwan. Talbot threatened again on 40 when McEwan did well to hold Wallace's header from McAnespie's curling free kick. Shortly before the interval Kelly of Lugar was booked for a late challenge on Todd. The half ended with Talbot forcing a couple of corners, the closest effort coming from a Traynor header at the back post.
Talbot actually started the second half quite brightly, following on from where the first had finished, on the attack. Wallace fed a ball through to Friels on the left of the Lugar area but Friels wanted too much time and his effort was blocked. Lugar though couldn't clear their lines and the ball fell to McAnespie who hit a fine cross from the left. Stevenson headed it home but it was disallowed for a shove on the Lugar full back. The game settled back down into it's earlier pattern with little to choose between the sides.
A warning of what was to come arrived on the hour mark when Walker was unlucky to see his volley clip the top of the bar and go over for the goal kick. Controvery broke out soon after when McIntosh went in late on a Lugar player. The Lugar players mobbed the referee looking for a red card but when calm had been restored McIntosh was yellow carded. Talbot were the next to show when Peacock nearly got on the end of a dangerous cross.
On 69 minutes Lugar retook the lead and it was poor defending again by the Bot, though Walker took his goal well. A pass down the right sent Walker scurrying down the wing but there appeared to be little danger as he was almost on the touchline and McAnenay blocked his path to goal. However Walker ghosted past McAnenay as if he wasn't there, carried the ball on into goal and fired past Smith to make it 2-1 to Lugar.
With Talbot making little impression Lugar began to take a grip on the match. Gibson came on for Gilmour. Talbot were pushing forward but never really looked like scoring. Lugar almost paid for Orr's rash tackle, for which he was booked, when Peacock got on the end of the resultant free kick. He managed to steer his header across goal but there were no takers. On 82 McAnespie joined McIntosh in the referee's book for a late challenge.
As time ran out Lugar took advantage of the acres of space behind Talbot's rearguard. With Talbot pushing up to squeeze the game they left themselves vulnerable at the back and Lugar exposed Talbot's lack of pace. Walker completed Talbot's misery when he strolled through unchallenged to make it 3-1 with five minutes remaining. He could have snatched his hat-trick a few minutes later when he again got on the end of a flick and strode away from the defence but this time he shot tamely at Smith.
A very disappointing start to the season and Talbot will have to step it up a gear or two this Saturday for the visit of Cumnock in the first of their double header.
NOCKED OUT
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 3 CUMNOCK 1
The disappointment of losing to Lugar midweek was forgotten as Talbot won the first derby encounter of the season in glorious sunshine, so at least all those disappointed and no doubt bitter Nock fans, managed to get a tan and a look at the new stand during their visit.
Talbot had made a few changes from the midweek defeat, Tosh returned between the sticks at the expense of Smith, Gibson was at left back, and a trialist was playing at the heart of the defence and wide on the right of midfield.
To say that Talbot started the match slowly would be something of an understatement. The team had seemingly stayed in the dressing room for the opening ten minutes. On 8 minutes Cumnock won a corner down the left and slack marking left Cumnock with a free header on goals which Tosh did well to save. Cumnock were swarming all over the Talbot defence who couldn't clear their lines and Cumnock must have thought they'd opened the scoring on 10 minutes. A free kick from their own half was flighted into the Talbot box, where it was head flicked on, forcing Tosh to make an incredible double save.
Talbot's first real foray up the park resulted in a corner down the right forced by Wallace. Cumnock cleared the danger and swept upfield with Dempster sending Jack clear of the Talbot defence. With the Nock fans behind the goal prematurely celebrating Tosh slid out and made a vital block at the feet of the onrushing Jack.
Tosh's example seemed to galvanise the team and moments later Talbot came close to taking the lead. Wallace's hard work was rewarded when his challenge on Potter resulted in the Nock keeper failing to hold. The ball broke loose on the edge of the area and Ricky McIntosh was very unlucky as his shot flew just wide of the post.
Potter again looked uncertain when Wallace latched onto a pass from the Talbot defence and shot from just inside the area. He spilled the shot but fortune favoured him as there was no-one at hand to take advantage.
After only 23 minutes Talbot opted to change things around with Stevenson replacing the young trialist on the right. Within a few minutes Talbot were to take the lead. McIntosh picked the ball up in midfield and surged clear of the Nock midfield, only to be blatantly hauled down some 30 yards from goal. McIntosh took the free kick himself and his effort clipped a defender in the Cumnock wall and flew into the back of the net to put Talbot 1-0 in front.
Gardener had an opportunity to draw Cumnock level soon after from a Nock corner but his free header went well wide. On 35 mins Connie was booked for dissent, a decision which was to rebound on the Nock player in the not too distant future. On 39 Dunbar, probably Cumnock's most effective player, caught the Talbot defence square and strolled through from his berth on the right, straight down on Tosh. The equaliser seemed a certainty but Tosh had other ideas and when Dunbar attempted to round him, he dived at his feet to make yet another crucial save. The Cumnock fans barely had time to bemoan a chance gone a begging before they found themselves a man down. Connie having already been booked left the ref with little choice after cynically fouling straight in front of him and so it was 11 against 10. McIntosh and the trialist partnering McAnenay at centre half were both booked in the run up to half time as Talbot seemed to settle back and let Cumnock come at them. A decision they paid for right on the stroke of half time when Gibson backed off from the on rushing Dunbar and he fired Cumnock level.
The second half opened with a harsh booking for Wallace but he was to have the last laugh minutes later. Todd and Stevenson were combining well down the right and on 50 Todd's cross from the right was met by Wallace. Despite not making a clean contact his shot was steered toward the bottom left corner of the net and Potter's despairing dive only helped it in. Within a minute of the restart Kelly slid in late on McIntosh and found himself in the ref's book. From the resultant free kick Friels volleyed just over the bar.
Around the hour mark Kelly breached the Talbot defence only to be denied by a fantastic double save from Tosh.
The next chance fell to Talbot when Stevenson's cross was met by Friels diving header, despite appeals for hand ball against the defender, the ref awarded a corner to the Bot. However this only delayed the pain for the Nock fans as the corner from the left was knocked in by Peacock's header to put Talbot 3-1 ahead.
Cumnock tried to get back into the game but to no avail and their desperation was apparent on 73 when Kelly punched a cross home. He turned to celebrate the "goal" but his jubilation was short lived as the ref had spotted the infringement and promptly sent him to join Connie in the early bath water for his second caution.
Talbot had chances to add to their lead but at the end the fans were well satisfied with a 3-1 derby win.
TALBOT TO THE FOUR
MUIRKIRK 0 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 4
Following on from the derby win over Cumnock, Talbot kept their hopes of qualification alive with an impressive win at Burnside park. Muirkirk may not be the most illustrious name in junior football but Talbot looked very impressive on the night with a couple of new signings making their competitive debuts.
An early goal is always good for settling nerves and after only 8 minutes Wallace put Talbot ahead, latching onto a cross to fire past Atkinson. Muirkirk were struggling to get into the game and their long ball game was ill suited to the windy conditions. Talbot were well on top and Blaikie, playing out on the left wing was impressing on his Talbot debut. His powerful wing play was causing all sorts of problems for Keenan who took to all in wrestling tactics to halt the Talbot's progress. Blaikie nearly set Gemmell up for Talbot's second but he was inches from connecting with his cross.
Talbot's next goal threat came courtesy of a McIntosh free kick out on the right. His well flighted cross was met by Friels at the near post but he couldn't keep his header down and it flew over the bar.
Gemmell was breaking well from midfield and his dribbling skills were setting up opportunities for Talbot deep in the Muirkirk half.
An excellent move involving Peacock, Gemmell, and Wallace ended with the ball at Friels feet in the area but he hit his effort at the keeper.
With Talbot well in command Todd was pushing forward to support the midfield and he was unlucky not to open his Talbot account when he cut in from the right and fired a rocket of a shot inches over the bar.
Talbot kept the pressure up and right on the stroke of half time Gemmell was unfortunate when his dipping effort went just over the bar. So despite Talbot's first half supremacy there was only one goal in it at the break.
Talbot started the second half in fine form and first Blaikie then Gemmell played great balls across the Muirkirk goalmouth but there was nobody on hand to turn them in. Collins, the centre back signed from Darvel, had been quietly impressive, winning his aerial duels but not really called upon too often. His chance to impress came on 56 minutes when he carried the ball out from defence and split the Muirkirk defence with an accurate pass, setting Friels away. Friels fired his shot across the face of goal and once again Talbot's luck was out as it beat the keeper but clipped the outside of the post.
The goal however was only delayed by a matter of minutes. The move was started and finished by Wallace. His head flick sent Friels free down the left and Wallace was on hand to nod home at the back post from the cross.
McGowan caught the Talbot defence on the hop on 65 when he paced away but Collins showing an impressive turn of pace got back to make the challenge and mop up the danger. Talbot made their first substition replacing Gemmell with Gilmour.
McIntosh and Peacock had been dominating the centre of the park for Talbot and it was good midfield play that set Talbot up for their third. Muirkirk were dispossessed and the ball played quickly to Friels out on the left of midfield. He cut inside and fired into the corner of the net leaving Atkinson with no chance.
Talbot now made a second change with Stevenson coming on for Wallace, and soon after a trialist replaced Friels. The game appeared to be petering out when it was enlivened by a rash tackle on McIntosh. To the annoyance of the travelling support the referee booked McIntosh yet gave Talbot the free kick, whilst failing to caution the Muirkirk player for his challenge. McIntosh had the last laugh though as Talbot took the free kick quickly and caught Muirkirk napping. Atkinson came out from his goals to challenge Stevenson but his efforts only succeeded in knocking the ball out to Neil Gilmour on the right touchline. Gilmour duly lobbed the ball home despite a desperate attempt by Taylor to clear it.
A very satisfying win, especially considering how badly Talbot played up at Burnside at this stage last season. Blaikie and Collins both had good debuts and with Cumnock's thumping win over Lugar, Saturday's head to head at Townhead is shaping up as a real battle between two sides brimming with confidence.
Cumnock 4 Auchinleck Talbot 0
Talbot seemed to have left their new found form and confidence up the drawbridge in the Cumnock dressing room for this encounter. The opening exchanges were fairly tepid, Talbot had a free kick in a decent position wide of the Cumnock goal but squandered the opportunity, a tale that was to be repeated all afternoon.
The first real chance of the game fell to Cumnock when Jeffrey sent Bonnar clear on the right. His chip across the face of goal met with no takers though Cumnock did make a half hearted appeal for a penalty. Cumnock again threatened after 11 minutes when the Talbot defence went to sleep following a Cumnock corner, allowing Kelly a free header which Tosh brilliantly saved.
There wasn't much goalmouth incident at this stage and the next noteworthy incident was the harsh booking of Gavin Collins following his first offence of the match. Talbot were going through a decent spell at this stage but without really threatening Potter in the Cumnock nets. The closest Talbot came was on the half hour mark when a corner from the right was met Peacock but he couldn't get above the ball and his effort flew over the bar.
Minutes later Traynor found himself up the field and his speculative shot from 30 yards went close. Talbot had been having difficulty coping with Cumnock's direct style and with clearing the lines at cross balls, a combination which was to lead to Cumnock taking the lead. Cumnock forced a corner down the left and took it short catching the Talbot defence napping. The ball was scrambled clear but only to be returned from the left straight to the head of the unmarked Dempster leaving Tosh with no chance.
Talbot tried to lift their game but it was still fairly scrappy stuff. Right on the stroke of half time Talbot came as close as they were going to all afternoon, when Wallace's head flick freed Friels whose first time effort flew just by the post with the keeper beaten.
The second half began with Talbot on the attack but as with the first 45 they failed to capitalise on good positions. Corners and free kicks in dangerous areas were won and wasted with little required of the Cumnock defence. Talbot paid the price on the hour mark when Cumnock made their first serious foray over the half way line in the second half. Jeffrey picked the ball up midway inside Talbot's half and carried the ball forward with no pressure or challenge before firing a shot from well outside the area. Tosh got a hand to it but could only deflect it into the back of the net to put Cumnock 2-0 ahead. Any hopes of a Talbot fightback were swiftly neutered five minutes later when Talbot conceded a soft third. A speculative punt from wide on the left swung into the Talbot box and with the defence leaving it to Tosh and Tosh rooted on his line, Jeffrey strolled onto it to fire his second and put the game beyond any doubt.
Talbot huffed and puffed but never really looked like scoring, the best effort being a fine move which ended with the sub Stevenson snatching at Gemmell's centre and pulling it wide when he might have done better. Talbot's misery was completed a minute from time when Cumnock were awarded a free kick out on the right. The ball was played across the area to the back post, headed into the centre where Church was on hand to blast home from close range.
A very disappointing performance from the Bot. To a large degree the middle of the park seemed to be the main problem today. With Cumnock knocking the ball long and playing on the counter the game passed McIntosh and Peacock by for long spells. By and large Talbot failed to match up physically to Cumnock who were just a bit stronger on the day. Collins can be pleased with his performance as he won more than his fair share of aerial duels and tackles, and Gemmell tried his best down the right but other than that it's not a game many Talbot players or fans will want to dwell on.
Much as it pains me to borrow anything from New Labour, Things can only get better.
A GAME OF ONE HALF
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 6 MUIRKIRK 1
There was no indication of what was to come in the second half on the evidence of the opening 45, which was a very dull, error strewn affair. Talbot began brightly forcing Muirkirk back and winning a string of corners but it was a false dawn with the game swiftly becoming bogged down, with very few chances being created. Apart from a few tame efforts at the keeper Talbot hadn't really threatened the Muirkirk goal prior to Friels well taken free kick on 27. Despite the offence occurring just outside the area the ref moved the ball back 10 yards but Friels didn't let this phase him, and was unlucky as his effort clipped the top of the bar. Soon after Gilmour laid the ball off to Peacock at the edge of the area and his well placed effort was parried by the Kirk goalie. As the half wore on Muirkirk were creeping back into the match and for the last 5 minutes before the interval it was Muirkirk who held the whip hand. Thomson's effort, following on from a Muirkirk corner wasn't far off target and within a minute slack defending let Griffin through on goals but his effort was turned away by Tosh.
Talbot didn't have time to get settled into the second half before Muirkirk snatched the lead. Talbot failed to clear a high punted free kick and when the ball broke to Griffin on the edge of the area he had all the time in the world to take a touch and fire it past Tosh's left hand. Talbot needed a quick goal to get back into the match and that's exactly what they got. Muirkirk conceded a free kick for deliberate handball. This in turn produced a second free kick for handball, and from the resultant cross McAnenay powered home a header to level the score. The trialist wearing no 10 for Talbot was promptly replaced by McAuley as Talbot looked to turn the screw on Muirkirk. Talbot were enjoying a lot of the ball and Peacock was unlucky when his effort was well saved. Talbot now made their second substition Gilmour leaving the field to be replaced by Gemmell.
On 57 Friels was sent through the middle by Peacock's head flick and had an opportunity to hit the first time volley, instead he opted to wait and the chance was lost. This almost proved very costly as Thomson of Muirkirk broke down the left and his low cross could easily have resulted in an og, as Collins prodded the ball goalward whilst attempting to knock the ball behind. Fortunately Tosh made a good block at the expense of a corner. On 62 Talbot finally went in front. The trialist partnering Friels in attack made inroads into the Muirkirk area and his low drive was spilled by the keeper straight at the feet of Peacock. For a second it looked as though Peacock was going to get the ball stuck between his feet, but he took his time and calmly slotted the ball home. Muirkirk were losing their shape by this stage and at long last the ref opted to book Lee for persistent fouling to a chorus of cheers from the support who had been calling for action against Lee about four fouls ago.
Talbot's third goal followed soon after and it was comfortably the pick of the bunch. McAnenay started the move and was on hand to supply the finish, following a one two at the edge of the box, as he stroked the ball home from 18 yards, not your typical centre half finish. Muirkirk were now in complete disarray and Friels pounced on a defensive error to feed the ball to Trialist who lobbed the ball over the keeper to make it 4-1. Gemmell's pace in the centre was troubling Muirkirk and Peacock might have done better when Gemmell sent him through but it's safe say to that a lightning turn of pace isn't Peacock's strongest suit and he couldn't take advantage of the opening. Muirkirk were rarely threatening by this stage and Thomson's header off the top of the bar was the first chance they'd made in some time.
With quarter of an hour remaining it was 5-1 to the Talbot when Trialist nodded home Blaikie's cross. Any hopes he had of a hat-trick were dashed soon after when he was replaced by Wallace.
With five minutes left on the clock Talbot completed the scoring. Wallace broke free down the right and his cross was met by Blaikie at the back post. He in turn knocked the ball onto Friels who set Gemmell up to knock the ball home to open his Talbot account.
I doubt anyone in the crowd would have been placing any bets on such a wide margin by full time at the half time whistle, though all credit to Talbot they stepped up a gear or two after Muirkirk took the lead, and finished comfortable winners. Peacock had a good game in the centre, and both McAuley and Gemmell helped turn things Talbot's way after leaving the subs bench. It's now all set up for Saturday's decider at Beechwood against Lugar, with the Bot looking to avenge the opening day defeat at Rosebank and progress through to the next stage of the Kerr and Smith
TALBOT STRUGGLE THROUG
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2 LUGAR BOSWELL 2 (h-t 1-1)
Lugar demonstrated that the match at Rosebank on the opening day of the season was no one off by pushing Talbot all the way in this qualification decider.
Talbot were the first to threaten when Friels lashed a shot just over McEwan's bar, following good work down the right by Gemmell. However on 15 minutes Talbot were lucky not to fall behind. Good work between Cameron, Reid and Ferguson, carved open the Talbot defence and left Ferguson with a great chance, but Tosh turned his shot behind for a corner. Talbot failed to cope with Reid's aerial challenge and in a goalmouth scramble it was left to Todd to clear the ball away from the line. Talbot just couldn't get the ball clear and moments after surviving one scare, along came another. Very slack marking at a corner presented McCluskie with a free header which was brilliantly saved by Tosh.
Having survived the burst of Lugar pressure Talbot returned to the offensive and it wasn't long until the first goal arrived. Talbot were awarded a free kick wide on the right, they took the free kick quickly with Todd racing down the wing catching the Lugar defence sleeping. Todd whipped over a great early ball and Peacock was on hand to head home and put Talbot 1-0 ahead. On 24 minutes Talbot had a real chance to double their lead. Gibson sent Friels clear on the left and his cross found Peacock with time and space to spare at the edge of the area. Unfortunately Peacock seemed unaware of how much time he had and opted for the early strike, hoisting it well over.
Good work by Liam Miller led to Talbot's next chance. His run toward the Lugar box ended with the ball spilling out to Peacock who was promptly upended. For some strange reason the ref opted to award an indirect free kick and Talbot wasted a promising position when McIntosh blasted Friels lay off, well over the bar. This was to be McIntosh's last touch of the ball as he was soon after replaced by McAuley.
On 35 Lugar equalised and Talbot couldn't be happy about the way they conceded. Lugar's Cameron launched a long throw in straight into the centre of Talbot's box. Reid got on the end of it, and his head flick was saved by Tosh, only for the ball to break to Boyle who had the easiest of jobs to knock the ball in. Traynor was struggling with a knock, so he had to be replaced by Gilmour. This involved a re-shuffle with Peacock dropping back to defence. There was only one other real chance before the break. Right on half time Reid, looking suspiciously offside, sprinted clear of the defence. It was only a good recovery and a well timed intervention by Peacock that prevented Reid from bearing down on Tosh.
The second half began with Talbot on the attack. Good work by Liam Miller presented Gibson with a golden chance to restore Talbot's lead, but he pulled his shot wide of goal from 15 yards. On 51 minutes Reid attempted a spectacular effort from all of 30 yards, and Tosh did well to knock it over the bar to concede the corner. The corner came over from the Lugar right and bobbled across the area with Talbot's defence failing to clear their lines. The ball broke to Muir, whose effort trundled through a forest of players past Tosh.
Talbot now had to step it up and they tried to get back into the match. Lugar were being pinned back and as a result Talbot were winning a few free kicks deep in the Lugar half. Orr was the first Lugar player to be cautioned when he committed just one foul too many for the ref's liking. Around the hour mark Wallace came on for Miller.
McAuley tried his luck from distance, and Gilmour fired one over from outside the area, but still Talbot couldn't make the breakthrough. Gemmell wasn't too far away with an attempted lob yet still Talbot couldn't convert pressure into goals. The pattern continued on and on, with Talbot squandering a number of half chances. Wallace pulled his shot wide when put through, McAuley's long distance effort was straight at the keeper, and Gilmour's 25 yard effort was well wide. Just when the fans were beginning to get a bit restless Talbot drew level with the proverbial goal out of nothing. Talbot had won a free kick wide left not far from the Talbot dug out, and when McAuley stepped up to hit it, scoring wouldn't have been high on his list of expectations. Fortunately for Talbot, McEwan totally misjudged McAuley's flighted ball, and let the ball slip through his hands when he came off his line to deal with the cross and it was back to 2-2.
With all still to play for Lugar made a real fight of it in the closing stages and it was end to end stuff. With five minutes remaining every Talbot fan prepared for the worst as Boyle's cross field pass found Cameron in yards off space in the Talbot box. With the goal gaping before him Cameron panicked and blasted his shot over Tosh's bar.
Right on 90 minutes Talbot appeared to be denied a penalty. Blaikie on unfamiliar territory out on the right, cut on to his left foot and knocked a cross in towards Wallace. The Lugar defender collided with Wallace making no contact with the ball but the ref either didn't see it or adjudged the collision to be accidental.
Talbot now had to survive five nerve wracking minutes of injury time. With the Talbot support waiting for the final whistle Lugar had one last chance to steal the game. Cameron bore down on Talbot's goal and was halted at the expense of a free kick just outside the area. With practically the last kick of the game Cameron hit the free kick himself bending his shot over the wall but wide of Tosh's left hand post.
This was a good hard cup tie and a draw was the about the right result, so now it's onward to Kello in the next round on Monday night.
TALBOT KNOCK FORD FOR SIX
HURLFORD UNITED 1 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 6
Talbot's form has been a bit up and down so far this season, this definitely being one of the better performances. Hurlford had cruised through their section, scoring plenty in the process, albeit it was a weak group, and must have come into this match with a good deal of confidence.
Russell had a good chance early on for Hurlford but poor control saw the chance squandered as the ball broke through to Tosh. Talbot didn't take long to threaten the Hurlford defence and Ricky McIntosh was unlucky when he met Blaikie's corner, only to see his headed effort deflected straight at Bruce. When Talbot did take the lead after 13 minutes it owed a great deal to the play of Friels. He paced away down the right wing and his ball across the face fell perfectly for Wallace to knock home from close range to put the Bot 1-0 ahead. Before Talbot had any chance to build on their lead it was back to all square with Hurlford equalising a few minutes after Talbot had scored. Tweedie's free kick from the left was played in with plenty of pace and when Collins missed his headed clearance, Moore was on hand to volley the ball home.
Despite this setback Talbot continued to press and Stevenson tried his luck from distance. A good move between Wallace and Friels left Friels in space at the edge of the area but he pulled his shot wide. On 26 minutes Bruce had a lucky escape. He came off his line to clear McAuley's free kick but collided with a group of players and dropped the ball. The ball broke kindly for Hurlford and the danger was cleared. Talbot's front pairing were causing the Hurlford defence problems and Wallace's head flick on 32 sent Blaikie clear on the left. His cross was intercepted by Moore and turned behind for a corner. Hurlford couldn't clear their lines at this stage and Peacock came close when he got on the end of a corner, only to see his net bound effort deflect over the bar off McMillan. From the resultant corner Friels scrambled effort almost dropped in but was headed off the goal line. On 35 McIntosh picked up a booking thanks to the theatrics of McGregor who was guilty of over reacting all night. The bulk of the play was still with Talbot and Ricky McIntosh wasn't far away with a header following good work from McAuley out on the left. Former Bot player Donnelly was booked on 42 for chopping down Peacock outside the area, but Friels lifted the free kick well over. The breakthrough came moments later. Blaikie used his pace to break free down the left and his cross appeared to be heading straight to Wallace for a certain goal. However in a rush of blood to the head Donnelly acrobatically threw himself at the ball and punched it over the bar, a save many a goalie would have been proud of. Naturally enough he had to go and following his dismissal Friels stepped up to calmly knock home the penalty.
The second half was barely a minute old when McIntosh attempted an ambitious effort from all of 30 yards which only just flew wide. Talbot were almost caught napping a minute later when McGregor caught the defence square and got in behind, only to be unable to control the ball at full stretch. Talbot were still on top but with only one goal in it there was always the chance of Hurlford getting back into the match. Friels tried his luck on 55 and managed to bring out a save from Bruce, not bad considering his boot flew off whilst making the attempt. Despite his theatrical cries McGregor wasn't carted off the park, he walked, as he was substituted just before the hour mark. A few minutes later Hurlford changed things around again with one ex Bot player replacing another, Lindsay coming on for McMillan. Talbot's first substition came on 67 when Gemmell replaced Blaikie wide on the left.
Talbot survived a scare on 69 when Hurlford claimed a penalty for handball. McCall was booked for his protests. Talbot finally put the game beyond doubt on 70 when Gemmell's cross was nodded home by McIntosh to put Talbot 3-1 ahead. Gemmell was proving to be a real handful for the Hurlford defence and Talbot were now threatening to run away with the game. There was an unsavoury incident on the far side when Gilmour fouled McCall. Hurlford's striker clearly threw a punch, yet somehow the officials missed it and booked Gilmour for the original offence. McCall's reprieve was short lived as within a minute he was involved in an off the ball incident with Ricky McIntosh. The referee failed to spot the incident but his assistant flagged him over and the upshot of it was a red card apiece for McIntosh and the Hurlford striker.
To rub salt into Hurlford's wounds Talbot immediately went further ahead. Wallace won the ball through harrying the defence and sent Friels away on goal. He strode through and fired the ball across the keeper into the corner of the net to make it 4-1. Talbot were now really up for the game and Stevenson followed on from Wallace's example of the minute before, winning the ball in the tackle before knocking a great cross over to give Gemmell the simplest of tasks to make it 5-1. With ten minutes remaining Talbot completed the scoring. This time Macca was the provider, his diagonal pass splitting the defence wide open and allowing Stevenson to run through and finish from an acute angle.
A very satisfying night's work from Talbot and hopefully some goals have been saved for the visit to Larkhall this Saturday when the league campaign kicks off.
ALL SQUARE AT LARKHALL
LARKHALL THISTLE 1 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 (H-T 0-0)
Talbot kicked off their league campaign with a hard fought draw at Larkhall. Talbot showed only one change from the starting line up at Hurlford, Gilmour dropping to the bench, and new boy Fraser Church making his debut in central defence alongside Collins.
Talbot began the match shooting up the slope, and after only two minutes had an opportunity to take the lead. Friels pounced on a defensive mix up and his challenge on the Marshall resulted in the ball landing at the feet of Blaikie but he hesitated and the ball was cleared. This was something of a false dawn for the travelling support as the next five minute spell saw Larkhall produce a number of goal scoring chances. Petit, Steve not Emmanuel, passed up two chances to give Larkhall the lead, the first effort was well saved by Tosh, his second effort was pulled wide of the target. Thomson also tried his luck, cutting in from the left but Tosh got his body behind the shot and saved comfortably. Talbot were struggling, and Tam decided to change things around, bringing on Gibson for McIntosh. Gibson went to left back with McAuley being restored to his more familiar midfield role. On the quarter hour mark Wallace won a corner out on the left. Macca managed to get his head to the corner kick but his effort flew over the bar. Talbot were posing more of a threat now, and Blaikie sped down the wing before cutting the ball back across the Larkhall box. The ball fell to Gibson at the edge of the area but his attempt on goal was blocked.
Talbot had another half chance moments later when Larkhall were caught dozing at a Talbot free kick. The ball found its way behind the defence to Wallace but at the crucial stage he lost his footing and the chance went abegging. The game was fiercely competitive but neither side could make a breakthrough. Petit dispossed McAuley in midfield and tried his luck from distance, but whilst it was well struck it was always going wide. On 30 Peacock's chip sent Wallace clear down the right and his cross to the back post was inch perfect, but unfortunately there was no Bot player there to take advantage. A few minutes later Talbot again threatened the Larkhall goal with a cross from the right, this time from McAuley's perfectly flighted free kick, which Kavanagh did well to clear over his own bar. Despite plenty of endeavour from both sides neither side could grab the lead, and the first half ended with a blank scoreline.
The second half had barely started when Talbot took the lead. Wallace got in behind the Larkhall defence and his right foot effort flew past Marshall into the net. Larkhall appealed for a penalty a few minutes later, for handball in the box, but the ref and linesman who were well positioned turned down their appeal. Talbot went straight up the park and almost snatched a second, courtesy of Marshall. Stevenson got to the goal line and fired a great low cross into the goalmouth which Marshall spilled in the 6 yard area, but more due to good fortune than good defending the ball was cleared before Friels could take advantage. Talbot picked up two bookings during this stage of the match, Wallace being first in the book, to be followed a few minutes later by McAuley.
Just shy of the hour mark Larkhall drew level. Paterson took advantage of a huge gap down the right of Talbot's defence and advanced into the box. His effort was well blocked by Tosh but the ball spun into the path of Petit on the right and he blasted the ball home for the equaliser.
Talbot responded by replacing Blaikie with Gemmell out on the left. Smillie, the Larkhall sweeper was the next in the ref's book for a cynical foul on Gemmell. Friels wasn't far away from Talbot's second when his effort from just outside the box was tipped over the bar.
McAuley was the next player from either side to have a pop at goal, his long range effort flying wide of the target. Talbot had a lucky escape on 74 minutes when Bovill had time and space inside the Talbot area but he snatched at his shot and hit it well wide. Talbot made their final change with 12 minutes remaining, Miller replacing Stevenson, and just as Stevenson had done earlier on, Miller fired a low cross into the 6 yard area, and saw Marshall spill it, but yet again fortune favoured the keeper and nothing came of his error.
With ten minutes remaining Talbot came agonisingly close to taking the lead. It all started with Wallace out on the left, cutting in and curling a great ball across the face of goal. This was knocked behind for corner out on the right. When the ball was flighted over Marshall's attempt to punch clear sailed straight into the sky, and was nodded goalward by a Talbot head, amidst a scrum of bodies. The ball was knocked clear by Smillie who was standing well behind the line, and Talbot certainly vigorously protested that the ball had been over the line before being cleared but to no avail.
Having recovered from that scare Larkhall came close to taking the lead themselves when Paterson found himself one on one with Tosh. With the ball at head height he opted to steer the ball wide of Tosh first time but Tosh read his header and threw out a hand to turn it behind for a corner. The game ended with Larkhall pushing for a late winner but despite forcing a few corners they couldn't produce a clear cut chance and the game ended all square.
All in all a good away point for the Bot and a solid enough start to the Super league campaign.
BOT HAVE FINAL SAY
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 4 TROON 2
Talbot's fine record in the Kerr & Smith continued with the defending champs making it to this year's final, though a combination of poor officiating, missed chances and soft goals conceded meant that the final score scarcely reflected the gap between the two sides.
Talbot opened the game in fine style. With only two minutes on the clock Talbot took the lead following a well worked move down the left. McAuley's pass was dummied by Wallace who spun and paced away from McLuckie down the wing. His centre was met by Friels who passed the ball by Strain to open the scoring. However Talbot surrendered their lead only 5 minutes later in very tame circumstances. A long hopeful ball from the back was left by the defence for Tosh who was slow coming off his line and beaten to the ball by Frye who nodded it over him and into the empty net to level the score.
On 10 minutes Graham was the first name in the referee's book for a late challenge on Peacock. Talbot should have retaken the lead minutes later when Blaikie's cross was met by the unmarked Eeles at the back post but he headed across goals and wide of Strain's right hand post. The first controversial incident of the afternoon occurred on 20 when C Strain threw himself down in the box under the challenge of Gibson. To the disgust of the home support the referee awarded Troon a penalty but justice was done when Tosh dived to his right to save Nolan's spot kick. The penalty award seemed to fire up the Talbot team and support and Troon were to rue their missed opportunity within a matter of minutes. Wallace picked the ball up out on the right and skinned Graham before firing a cross into the near post. Gonzalgue and Strain both went for the ball and when it broke loose toward the penalty spot Peacock was on hand to drive the ball home to put Talbot 2-1 ahead.
Gibson was again involved in a controversial incident involving Strain when Troon's winger threw himself down, the net result of which was a booking for Gibson and a barracking for Strain from a support frustrated by his antics. From the resultant free kick Nolan's flighted cross was headed just wide by Reid.
Just shy of the half hour mark Talbot extended their lead. Talbot won a corner out on the right. The ball was nodded goalwards and Wallace nipped in front of the Troon goalie to get the final touch, and send Talbot 3-1 ahead. Troon almost pulled a goal back within a minute thanks to Strain's excellently struck free kick which came back off Tosh's right hand post before being knocked to safety.
The referee having awarded Troon a soft penalty did little to endear himself to the Talbot support when he failed to apply the advantage rule following a late tackle on McAuley. The ball had already been released to Friels who was away and clear when the ref saw fit to haul Talbot back. Yet another puzzling decision followed, when Gonzague cynically pulled down Wallace yet escaped a caution.
Talbot continued to press but weren't really threatening the Troon goal, the closest effort being McAneny's header from the edge of the box which sailed just over. Troon pulled a goal back just before the interval, with a little help from the assistant ref who failed to spot Frye was a yard offside. Left clean through on goals he calmly slotted the ball past Tosh, and the sides went in at the interval with Talbot leading 3-2.
Talbot came out for the second half but appeared to have left their form and their concentration behind in the dressing room, as Troon enjoyed a good ten minute spell after the interval. Talbot's first escape came when Houston found himself free on the left. He knocked a great ball across the face of goal but luckily for Talbot there was no one on the end of it. On 53 former Bot player Duffy had a real opportunity to level the scores when the ball broke to him in plenty of space at the edge of the area, but he squandered the chance, hitting his shot straight at Tosh. Frye almost nabbed his hat-trick when he caught the Talbot defence square and strode through one on one with Tosh. He elected to pass the ball beyond Tosh in a carbon copy of his second goal but with the ball heading for the back of the net Collins made a fantastic recovery to slide the ball clear. Talbot responded to this spell of Troon pressure by replacing Blaikie with Gemmell out on the left. Gemmell justified Tam's decision within three minutes, as he cut in from the left wing and hit a daisy cutter which beat Strain to his right, to restore Talbot's two goal advantage. Within a minute of the restart Eeles almost made it five. He ran at the Troon defence leaving several players in his wake, and had his final effort been a few inches the other side of the right hand post it would have been a contender for goal of the season. Talbot were brimming with confidence and Wallace's ball across the six yard box was asking to be knocked in, but no Talbot player had anticipated it, and Troon escaped falling further behind.
Strain had a lucky escape when he raised his hands following McAuley's foul on Houston. After the dust had settled the referee booked McAuley and Strain. Talbot were in complete control by this stage and Friels should have done better when he found himself on the end of Wallace's head flick but he totally mistimed his jump and missed the ball altogether. With 8 minutes remaining Troon went a man down when Davison received his second yellow for a foul on Gemmell and headed for an early bath. Troon's discipline had went to pieces and Gonzague was next to be booked after he pulled the shirt off Wallace. In the final few minutes Wallace had two excellent opportunities to add to Talbot's lead. Friels cross from the right presented him with a free header which he nodded wide and then minutes later Friels through ball sent him one on one with Strain but his shot rebounded off the keeper's legs.
Despite failing to convert all of their chances this was a very satisfying win for Talbot with Eeles making a very impressive home debut and Collins solid at the back. Talbot now have a shot a retaining the Kerr and Smith and winning the first silverware of the season.
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 0 KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 0
Talbot secured their second successive draw in the Superleague, but will be happier with the result than the performance. The game started well enough with McAuley's well flighted free kick being headed wide by Peacock as early as the first minute. Soon after good interplay between Eeles and Friels, the rhyming duo, presented Gavin with a chance from the edge of the area but he pulled his effort well wide of the target.
Ladeside began to press forward and a lobbed free kick forced Tosh to touch over the bar and concede a corner out on the left. Kilbirnie took it short and knocked the ball across the face where Murray met it unmarked to knock the ball back across. After a bit of a scramble in the 6 yard box the ball was knocked behind for a corner, which was duly cleared. Ladeside were well on top at this stage and a mistake by Church gifted the visitors a corner, which almost proved an expensive error when an unmarked Dunne's sclaffed effort was heading into the net until McAuley cleared off the line.
Talbot's defence was stretched again after quarter of an hour when Carberry got the better of Church out on the left but his attempted cross was well dealt with by Gibson.
Talbot had rarely been seen as an attacking force but Stevenson almost gave us the lead on 21 when he got clear of the defence but he was at full stretch and could only toe poke the ball straight at O'Neil in the Ladeside net. On 25 the Ladeside fans got a bit carried away, a combination of the September sun and their carry out convincing them Carberry had nodded them in front, but the Ladeside forward was well offside and the linesman's flag had been raised well in advance of the ball landing in the net, to the relief of Tosh whose mistake had led to the Kilbirnie break in the first instance.
Talbot hadn't been getting much change out of the Ladeside defence but Stevenson forced a good stop from O'Neil when he turned and hit a half volley from the left side of the area, forcing the keeper low to his left, unfortunately no Talbot players were nearby and the ball was easily cleared. Curran of Kilbirnie was booked on 32 for a late tackle on McAuley. Ladeside remained the more likely without ever really testing Tosh, Murray came closest just before the interval when he latched onto an error by Macca but his well struck shot was straight at Tosh who held comfortably. Curran was lucky on the stroke of half time when he cynically tripped Peacock in full view of the ref who opted not to show the second yellow that would have put Ladeside a man down.
The second half began with Talbot on the offensive, Gilmour's persistence forcing a corner out on the left early on. McAuley took the corner short and fed it back to Neil but his pacy ball across the face of the area met with no takers. This proved to be something of a false dawn as Kilbirnie soon began to dominate proceedings, again without testing Tosh unduly. Tam opted to freshen things up on 56 when Eeles was replaced by Gemmell out on the right and within five minutes Talbot made another change with the tiring Peacock being replaced in midfield by Traynor.
Talbot's next effort on goal was easily held by O'Neil but Gilmour's quick feet and initiative created the chance out of nothing and he hit his effort well, albeit straight at the keeper. On 66 Talbot made their final change with Miller replacing Stevenson up front. Miller was involved right from the off when he came within inches of completing a good move. McAuley's defence splitting pass sent Gilmour free down the left and his low centre was met by Liam Miller but he was well challenged by the defender and the ball broke straight to the Ladeside goalie. Miller was again involved minutes later when Gibson found space out on the left. His cross was met by Miller who knocked the ball on over his shoulder right into the heart of the six yard box, but unfortunately despite the fact the goalie was in no mans land there was no Talbot striker there to take advantage.
With 72 mins played Church went into the ref's notebook for a cynical foul on the half way line. Minutes later Talbot almost paid the price for the customary bizarre officiating at junior level. Traynor won the ball clean as a whistle in an aerial challenge midway in the Ladeside half. For reasons unknown Kilbirnie were awarded a free kick and Murray's well flighted ball found Carberry but fortunately Tosh was equal to the task as he was moments later when he comfortably held Curran's long range effort.
On 77 mins Talbot came close when Gilmour's good work down the left resulted in Friels bending a shot just wide of the right hand post. Talbot having played second fiddle for much of the game were finishing the stronger of the two and McAuley and Miller carved out a half chance for Gav at the edge of the box but his volley flew well over. Talbot were now completely in the ascendant and a McAuley free kick floated into the area was won by Macca but his header went straight at the keeper.
Ladeside almost shocked Talbot and in fact should have done better when Carberry found himself in acres of space out on the left of the area. With time and space to opt for goal or measure his pass he cut the ball inside and it was easily intercepted and cleared.
Ladeside almost regretted that missed opportunity instantly when Friels came within inches of putting Talbot in front. He spun his marker on the edge of the area and his lofted effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar. Kilbirnie launched a swift counter from the resultant corner but were thwarted by the diligent play of Gemmell who tracked back to counter the danger. Kilbirnie's boisterous support were now waiting for the whistle and if Miller's final ball across the face of goal from wide on the left had been a little more accurate Talbot could have snatched the late goal the Ladeside fans were dreading. Right at the death Talbot came within inches of snatching all three points when Traynor met Gilmour's corner on the volley and lashed his shot inches wide of the post with the keeper well beaten.
At the end a disappointing overall display by the Bot but a deserved point, (whatever the moans of the Kilbirnie website), though I have to admit to being impressed by Kilbirnie's work rate and surprised at rumours of their defensive weaknesses which seemed to be lacking today.
Talbot team 4-4-2 McIntosh, McAnenay, Gibson, Collins, Church, Peacock, McAuley, Eeles, Friels, Stevenson, Gilmour
Subs Gemmell, Traynor, Miller, Todd, McAnespie
ONE TO FORGET
POLLOK 4 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2 (H-T 3-0)
There's no point pretending otherwise Talbot were well and truly stuffed up at Newlandsfield. The only consolation Bot fans can take is that it could have and probably should have been a sight worse, which wouldn't have helped the goal difference column, but luckily a late rally added respectability to the scoreline.
Almost from the outset Talbot were off the pace though the first ten minutes passed by relatively uneventfully. The first real warning sign came on 11 minutes when Hamilton broke down the right. Gibson knocked the ball out for a throw in and the long shy caused all kinds of panic in the Talbot defence, resulting in a Pollok corner. Heaton got his head on the end of the corner but he glanced it well wide of the target.
Talbot were caught napping when a long punt out of defence was misjudged by Gibson leaving McWilliams free on the wing. His cross was met by McLauchlan who headed wide of goal. The inevitable Lok goal was only delayed by a minute as on 14 Pollok took the lead. McLauchlan cut inside Gavin Collins on the touchline and his low centre was stroked home inside the 6 yard box by the totally unmarked McWilliams.
Talbot weren't at the races, losing too many fifty fifty challenges in midfield and conceding possession cheaply with some wayward passing. On 20 mins Pollok came within inches of doubling their lead from a free kick. The ball was flighted in from the right wing and a Lok head directed the ball onto Tosh's right hand post with the defence static. Talbot were in utter disarray at this stage and twice within a minute Pollok came close. Firstly Hamilton's bicycle kick from 18 yards was deflected over and from the corner McPhee had time and space at the edge of the area, and his volley just cleared the bar. It wasn't until the 23rd minute that Talbot managed to string a few passes together and even then following good play between Gilmour and Wallace the end result was hugely disappointing, Gilmour sclaffing his shot way off target.
It was continual Pollok pressure and McLauchlan and McPhee both had decent chances to add to the home side's lead but spurned the opportunities. Talbot weren't so fortunate on 34 mins when in a carbon copy of the move that led to their first goal McLauchlan found himself wide on the right of Talbot's area. This time his low centre wasn't converted by his strike partner, Church was on hand to deflect it past his own keeper to make it 2-0 to Pollok. Things went from bad to worse just a few minutes before the half time break when Blaikie conceded a needless penalty. Hamilton stepped up and hammered it home to put Pollok 3-0 ahead. The half time whistle came as an enormous relief for the Bot support who couldn't believe what they were witnessing.
Talbot emerged for the second half with two changes. Traynor had come on for Church and Eeles was replaced by David Clarke, Talbot's latest signing. Talbot seemed a bit steadier at the back with Traynor partnering Collins but were still struggling badly in midfield and failing to create any real chances. Macca headed a corner wide and Clarke cut in from the right and tried his luck from distance but there was still no real test for Wilson the Lok goalie.
On 65 Talbot made their final substitution, Blaikie going off and Ricky McIntosh joining the fray. Gilmour now switched from the centre to the right of midfield with Clarke filling the left wing position. A minute later Talbot created their first real chance of the afternoon when a quickly taken free kick allowed Clarke to speed up the wing and his first time cross was met by the unmarked Friels who headed over.
With 69 mins gone Pollok scored their fourth goal of the afternoon and once again it was McLauchlan who was the provider, this time popping up in acres of space on the left to provide the cross for Logan to make it 4-0. In an identikit move five minutes later only Tosh saved Talbot from falling further behind when he saved well from a point blank header. Pollok took off Nelson and brought on Proctor.
Good work by Friels out on the right forced a corner and Clarke was unlucky when his volley at the back post was well saved by Wilson. On 79 mins a good run by Gilmour was brought to a shuddering halt and Talbot were awarded a free kick just right of centre. New boy Clarke took the free kick and Friels managed to head flick the ball past Wilson to put Talbot on the scoresheet. Proctor was lucky to escape a caution when he lunged into a late tackle on McAuley, but the ref decided to take no action. With three minutes of normal time remaining Clarke created Talbot's second. He broke down the left wing and his cross was knocked home by Friels to make it 4-2. Talbot tried to push forward in the dying seconds looking for another consolation effort but the game finished at 4-2.
A very disappointing performance by Talbot who were well beaten on the day. Pollok look to be a good side, although Talbot were so hapless for long spells in the first half that they would have made any side look good by comparison. The only plus points for Talbot being the continuing goal scoring of Friels, Tosh who wasn't at fault for any of the goals, and Clarke who impressed on his debut. Let's hope for much better next week away at Neilston.
Talbot 4-4-2 McIntosh, McAnenay, Gibson, Collins, Church, Gilmour, Eeles, McAuley, Friels, Wallace, Blaikie
subs Clarke, Traynor, R. McIntosh, Todd, Stevenson
TALBOT COLLAPSE
NEILSTON JUNIORS 3 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2 (H-T 0-2)
Talbot left Brig o Lea pointless, and the fans left speechless, after a monumental collapse by the Bot. Talbot couldn't have asked for a better start which makes the final result all the more galling.
Neilston were the first to threaten shooting down the slope. Bryers swung over a cross from the right and Tosh produced a great save from McDonald's free header, before the ball was knocked behind for a Neilston corner. Talbot again suffered a scare when Traynor attempted to shield the ball out, only for Bryers to keep it in and pass it back to McKee who was quickly closed down before he had time to shoot. Neilston however were stunned after only 4 minutes when Ricky McIntosh's through ball found Friels on the right. Hewitt had raced off his line to avert the danger but Friels beat him to the ball, rounded him and squared the ball for Wallace to tap home and put Talbot 1-0 ahead. Neilston barely had time to adjust before Talbot went two in front. McAnespie floated a free kick into the area from the left and it nicked off a defender and went behind for a corner. McAnespie took the corner himself, and his low in-swinger beat Hewitt at his near post and went straight into the net to make it 2-0 to the Bot.
Neilston pressed down the slope but despite enjoying territorial advantage couldn't haul Talbot back and almost fell three behind when a swift counter attack involving McIntosh and Friels ended with Friels curling a shot wide of the post from the edge of the area. On 18 Eeles broke down the right and his ball into the box was cleverly helped on by Friels into the path of Ricky McIntosh but before he could shoot he was well challenged and the chance was lost.
With 25 mins gone Talbot had a lucky escape when Gordon's cross from the left was met by the unmarked McDonald who knocked it just wide with the goals gaping. Neilston were looking threatening with Bryers impressing but there was no end product other than a handful of corners and wayward shots, though Collins had to look lively to get back and tackle McKee when he threatened to break through.
On 39 Talbot had another half chance to kill the game off. Friels found himself with time and space at the edge of the box and he rolled the ball into the path of Blaikie. However Blaikie hesitated, then chose the wrong option, attempting to take the defender on rather than shoot and the chance was lost. Talbot kept the pressure on and a minute later came close when Friels cross from the left was headed just wide of target by Wallace. On 41 it looked as though Friels was going through one on one with the keeper but a great recovery tackle robbed him of the ball.
On the stroke of half time Neilston were awarded what looked like a very soft penalty. McDonald was adjudged to have been shoved in the box and he stepped up to hit the penalty, only to be denied by a wonder save from Tosh who threw himself down to the right to save it and maintain Talbot's two goal advantage at the interval.
Neilston came out all guns blazing in the second half yet Talbot actually had the better chances in the opening period with Neilston restricted to forcing a few corners. On 51 McAnespie's cross into the box was dummied by Friels creating an opportunity for Wallace but he got nothing on his shot and it went harmlessly through to the keeper. Talbot's next attack resulted in the ball fortuitously landing at the feet of Gavin Friels following a bit of scramble in the area but he completely mis-hit his shot, lobbing it straight at Hewitt. Talbot came very close again on 55 when Eeles pass down the right opened up Neilston. Friels was first to the ball out on the touchline beating Hewitt who had charged from his goals to play sweeper. Friels dribbled past the keeper and crossed into the middle but with three Talbot players in the centre, it was a Neilston head that met the cross and cleared the danger.
Neilston now decided to throw caution to the wind and replaced left back Connaghan with Morrison who went up front with Neilston opting to play with three at the back. Neilston almost pulled one back when Gordon's cross from the left went straight across the face of Talbot's goalmouth but there was nobody on hand to take advantage. On 62 Blaikie conceded a corner out on the right and from the resultant cross Martin rose unmarked to bullet home and make it 2-1.
Talbot were under the cosh by now and having already replaced McAuley with Peacock opted to throw their remaining subs into the fray on 68 replacing McIntosh with Gilmour and Blaikie making way for Gemmell. Neilston were continuing to turn the screw and Talbot had a lucky escape when Cochrane's left wing cross was met by McDonald whose point blank free header was blocked by Tosh at the expense of a corner. Once again the Bot defence were caught napping and a Neilston head got on the end of the corner kick but Tosh saved at the second attempt.
Talbot weren't being seen much as an attacking force and when they did venture within the final third it all broke down. Gemmell swung a cross over the bar and behind for a goal kick out on the left and from the other wing Eeles attempted cross was too near Hewitt and comfortably dealt with by the keeper. Gilmour helped create an opening for Friels but his shot went straight at the keeper.
With quarter of an hour remaining Neilston grabbed the equaliser. Once again it was from the left wing that the danger came, Gordon's cross being fired home by Cochrane from within the 6 yard area to level things at 2-2.
Talbot were now all over the place and on 78 came close to conceding again. Martin's shot was blocked but the rebound fell for McDonald who looked set to score but a last gasp tackle knocked it behind for a corner kick. Talbot failed to clear their lines when the ball came in from the corner and when the ball was chipped back across the box Martin nodded just wide at the back post. Talbot's afternoon was summed up by the events leading up to the winning goal. One minute Talbot were on the attack and Eeles was in a good position wide on the right. However his final ball into the box was very disappointing and easily gathered by Hewitt who launched Neilston's counter attack. With the Talbot defence at sixes and sevens Cochrane had plenty of time to fire a shot at Tosh which he did well to save but he was helpless to prevent McDonald from knocking home the rebound and make it 3-2 whilst the defence stood on.
As Talbot pressed for a late equaliser Fallon was booked for persistent fouling. With a minute to go Neilston came close again. Gordon creating a chance for McDonald whose shot was blocked by Tosh with the defence able to clear away the rebound.
Deep in stoppage time Carson tangled with Friels resulting in a yellow card apiece but the assistant referee had spotted the Neilston full back kicking out at Friels and after he'd flagged the ref, Carson walked for a straight red. Talbot took the free kick short, Friels playing a one two with Eeles before ballooning his shot out onto the main road. Seconds later the final whistle sounded and the dejected Bot support left for home.
There isn't much to say about this game as the facts speak for themselves. A very disappointing display and result which leaves Talbot with only two points from 4 games. A major improvement is required sooner rather than later.
Talbot - Tosh, McAnenay, McAnespie, Traynor, Collins, McAuley, R McIntosh, Eeles, Wallace, Friels, Blaikie
subs - Gemmell, Gilmour, Peacock, Todd, Stevenson
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 0 IRVINE MEADOW 2 (H-T 1-0)
On a bitterly cold October night at Somerset there was little on show to warm the Bot fans. As early as the 3rd minute Talbot's defence was caught napping when a free kick from the right came over and Martin Campbell got a free header which went straight at Tosh. Talbot were struggling to retain the ball and were caught out down the same wing when Brolly flicked the ball inside to Lyons forcing Collins to slide in and pass back to Tosh who knocked the ball clear.
Talbot's first effort at goal was set up by good running by Todd who played the ball into the feet of Gavin Friels but his attempt on goal was no threat to Connick. There wasn't much good football on display and both sides were bogged down in a scrappy encounter.
Talbot had another scare on 12 when Robison found himself in space on the right and his dangerous cross forced Tosh off his line to challenge the onrushing Lyons, who took a knock in the process.
Meadow continued to press down Talbot's left side, exposing a lack of pace in the full back area and once again Brolly was involved, this time providing the pass for Lyons who showed good control before shooting weakly straight at Tosh. It was the 17th minute before Talbot strung some passes together. Todd played the ball through for Wallace and his backheel set up Gavin Friels who squandered the chance. Talbot followed this with another good passing move involving Macca and Friels who combined to set Gilmour away down the wing. He knocked a good low cross into the six yard box but Connick cut the cross out. Talbot were slightly on top at this stage and when Peacock was fouled in midfield, McAuley took the free kick quickly allowing Todd to break down the wing. Todd knocked a tremendous cross over to the Meadow back post but the only player there was Gemmell who at full stretch couldn't control the ball and the chance was lost.
Just when it looked as though Talbot were settling into the game Meadow caught them out, and again it was down the right flank that the damage was done. This time it was the full back Johnstone who did the damage, outpacing Traynor before knocking a great ball across the face for Brolly who had the easiest of tasks to put Meadow 1-0 ahead.
Talbot huffed and puffed but never really did anything to threaten Connick in the Meadow goal. McAuley wasted a free kick out on the left and when Peacock tried his luck from the edge of the area, he pulled his shot well wide of target. On 35 Talbot finally managed to play a bit of football but when Todd got to the byline and knocked the ball over towards the back post there was not a Talbot player in sight. Talbot continued to press but to no effect, the only noteworthy attempt on goal coming from Todd who fired just wide of Connick's left hand post. The half ended with Talbot twice failing to produce in dangerous areas, Gilmour being the offender on both occasions and the half time whistle came as something of a relief after a disappointing first half.
The second period was barely two minutes old when McKie found himself in the ref's book for persistent fouling, the Meadow full back could have no complaint as his foul on Friels was one of a string of niggly offences. Connick had largely been a spectator up until now but he was on his toes in the 52nd minute when Gilmour set up Wallace whose powerful strike was tipped over the bar by the Meadow goalie. A minute later Connick produced the save of the night. Gemmell passed the ball inside to Peacock and his deflected shot looked netbound all the way but somehow Connick stretched out a hand to turn it round the post. Gavin Friels found himself in the ref's book following a late tackle.
Just shy of the hour mark Todd again helped out the attack, getting down the wing and knocking a good cross into the area. The ball fell to Neil Gilmour who opted to go for a mazy run rather than hit the ball and he was eventually crowded out and the danger cleared.
Wallace was caught on his heels by Johnstone who carried the ball forward before setting up Lyons, whose shot was just wide of the Talbot goal. In an attempt to turn the tide Talbot took off Gilmour and brought on Eeles to play on the right of midfield. However Meadow continued to press on and Tosh was fortunate when his attempt to punch clear fell to Robison whose first time effort went well wide with the goals empty. With Talbot on the back foot the inevitable happened and once it again it was Brolly who was there to supply the killer touch. Robison was left with time and space to blast his shot on target which Tosh managed to turn onto the bar, unfortunately Brolly was the only one to react and he bundled the ball over the line to double Meadow's lead.
Todd was still willing to get forward and it was from his cross that Peacock glanced a header towards Connick's right but it lacked power and the Meadow keeper caught it quite comfortably. On 72 mins Talbot fans knew it wasn't going to be their night. Peacock did well to set up Friels with a shooting opportunity and Friels struck the ball with direction and power only to be denied by a great save from Connick.
With 14 minutes remaining Talbot took off Gemmell and replaced him with Blaikie. Meadow continued to hold firm with Campbell winning everything in the air and in truth they played out time quite comfortably, making three substitions in the closing minutes to help kill some time.
When the final whistle came the dejected Bot support trooped out of the ground, disappointed in the tame manner in which Talbot had surrendered the trophy they won last season.
TALBOT BACK TO WINNING WAYS
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 5 KINNOULL 1 (H-T 4-0)
Peacock 19, 48; Friels 21,45; McAuley pen 29 - Gordon pen 85
Following three successive defeats Talbot bounced back when it mattered in this OVD first round match. Talbot were clearly nervous early on, and sensing this Kinnoull put the home side under a bit of pressure. With only 4 minutes on the clock Tosh pulled off an amazing double save. Scrimgour strolled through the defence and Tosh did well to block his effort, but then surpassed that when he saved from Campbell who had latched onto the rebound but somehow Tosh managed to knock it to safety. Talbot were struggling to establish any kind of rhythm to their play and the fans frustration grew with each misplaced pass. On the quarter hour Campbell picked the ball up wide on the right before setting up Miller for a long range effort which whilst well struck was always going straight at Tosh.
Talbot's first real concerted move resulted in the opening goal. Peacock won the ball in midfield and played it to Friels. Gavin played a great ball through to Peacock whose shimmy at the edge of the area completely fooled the defence, before strolling through and blasting the ball low into the corner leaving Mackie with no chance.
The goal lifted the support and the team and within a matter of minutes Talbot had doubled their advantage. A good ball down the channel by Eeles sent Todd clear and his deep cross was met beyond the back post by Wallace whose header fell perfectly for Friels to nick in and nod home from close range.
It was all Talbot by now and it was no surprise when Talbot extended their lead, albeit courtesy of an unnecessary penalty. On 29 Friels spun just inside the box leaving the Kinnoull defence flat footed and was promptly impeded leaving the ref with no choice. McAuley took the resultant penalty and calmly knocked it home to put Talbot on easy street at 3-0. Talbot almost made it four following a flowing move involving Eeles, Peacock and Wallace but Mackie was well positioned to turn Wallace's effort round the post. Peacock got his head to the corner but couldn't keep it down and the ball sailed over.
Kinnoull hadn't been in the game since the opening quarter of an hour but Tosh had to look lively five minutes before the interval when he did well to push Gordon's free kick around the post. Sloppy defending by Talbot presented Scrimgour with a golden opportunity to pull a goal back but under pressure he slipped his shot past the onrushing Tosh but wide of the post.
Kinnoull were to regret these misses on the stroke of half time. Friels went through one on one with Mackie wide on the left of the area, and having dragged the ball wide of the keeper he composed himself and chipped it into the empty net from an acute angle to put Talbot 4-0 ahead at the break.
It only took Talbot three minutes after the restart to extend their lead. Tony Todd found space out on the right and the Bot right back put a great cross over into the centre of the goalmouth. Wallace seemed destined to score but missed the chance and it spun on towards the back post where Peacock was on hand to lash it home to make it 5-0.
Miller could have pulled one back for the visitors soon after but was denied by a brave block, when Tosh dived at his feet. Within a minute Miller should have conceded a penalty at the other end but somehow the ref and his assistant missed the blatant shove on Simon Eeles.
Just shy of the hour mark Macca was denied twice in the space of a minute. Mackie made a great save from his header and then Macca's low drive was blocked on the line from the resultant corner.
On 62 Talbot made their first change when Eeles made way for Gemmill.
Within a minute Kinnoull made a switch Robertson being replaced by McDonald and a few minutes later Christie coming on for Miller.
Ricky McIntosh was tiring badly and Talbot joined the substitution merry go round when they replaced Ricky with Blaikie, Peacock moving into the centre of midfield. On 72 Peacock was denied his hat-trick when Mackie just managed to get the slightest touch to a cross to deflect it over Peacock's head as he lurked at the back post.
With quarter of an hour remaining Kinnoull's two subs combined when McDonald's free kick found it's way to Christie but he dragged his effort wide of the post from a good position. On 79 Talbot used their final sub when Friels was given a well earned rest, being replaced by Andy Stevenson.
McAuley was fortunate to remain on the park when he reacted to a bad tackle from Gordon but despite raising his hands the ref opted to book the two players.
With seven minutes to go Campbell got his marching orders, from where I was standing I couldn't see the incident but it was a straight red and there was no complaint from the Kinnoull midfielder.
However a minute later the ten men managed to pull a goal back when Tosh made a reckless challenge and conceded a penalty which Gordon knocked home to make it 5-1.
The game ended comfortably enough for Talbot and the fans could head off happy toward the pubs to see how Scotland were faring against Lithuania.
Talbot - Tosh, Todd, Traynor, Collins, McAnenay, McAuley, McIntosh, Eeles, Friels, Wallace Subs, Gemmill, Stevenson, Blaikie, Clark
Kinnoull - Mackie, Ross, Tang, Russell, Rutledge, Gordon, Robertson, Campbell, Scrimgour, McCallum, Miller Subs, Christie, Boyle, McDonald
HUMBLED AT HOME
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 GLENAFTON 3 (H-T 1-1)
Wallace 3 - Mitchell 36, Miller 49, Boyd 77
Talbot's run of poor form continued today at Beechwood leaving Talbot with only two points from five games played, a worrying statistic even this early in the season.
Strangely enough considering what was to follow it was Talbot who took the lead after only 3 minutes. Talbot won a free kick out on the left side by the opposition dug out and McAuley played a great ball into the corner of the Glens six yard box which their defence flapped at. The ball broke kindly for George Wallace straight in front of goals and he had the easy task of knocking it in to put the Bot 1-0 ahead. Unfortunately from a Talbot point of view the game was all downhill from here on in. Agnew was getting the freedom of the park and making good use of it. His low centre from wide on the left caused panic in the Talbot defence and minutes later a botched clearance fell into his path and Tosh had to make a good save from his long range drive. Gemmill playing in an unfamiliar left wing back role dinked a great ball over the Glens defence to Wallace in space but his control let him down. What followed was basically a procession of chances squandered by the Glens who had taken a stranglehold of the midfield. The only brief respite came when Newall talked himself into the referee's book over on the stand side.
On 20 Crawley carried the ball out from the back and was allowed to run almost the length of the pitch unhindered before firing a shot just wide of Tosh's right post. The pattern of Glens dominance continued and it was the 30th minute before Talbot called Matthews into action and once again it was from a set piece. This time McAuley's cross came in from the right and Peacock managed to get on the end of it to steer it toward the bottom corner but Matthews got down well to save at his post.
Talbot's defence weren't clearing their lines although to be fair they were having to work overtime and Talbot had another escape when an attempted clearance fell for Newall whose shot went inches wide.
The Glens goal had been coming and it was no more of a surprise when it arrived than a new scandal involving Fernando Ricksen. The move began with Newall passing to Agnew out on the left wing and his cross was nodded home past a helpless Tosh by the unmarked Mitchell.
The equaliser seemed to galvanise the visitors and the pressure intensified with Miller being guilty of wasting a few decent opportunities before the break. The only other noteworthy incident before the half time whistle was Wallace collecting a booking for a late tackle.
Gavin Friels who had been struggling with the flu was replaced at half time by Andy Stevenson, other than that there were no other alterations at the onset of the second half. If Talbot fans had been hoping for a bit of respite they were in for a rude awakening as the Glens went ahead only 4 minutes after the break. It wasn't a particularly pretty move but crudely effective as Miller latched onto a long clearance out of defence to stride through one on one with Tosh before calmly knocking it home to put the Glens ahead. Talbot were on the ropes and it could have been worse if Agnew had been able to finish off a move started by Kennedy who along with Crawley were getting the freedom of Beechwood. On 55 Keegans was lucky to escape the ref's attention when he clattered into Gemmill injuring himself in the process. For some obscure reason the ref re-started the game with a bounce up rather than a free kick to the Bot.
Talbot should have done better when Stevenson won a free kick just wide of the Glens area following a shove by McVeigh who somehow avoided a caution despite the ref clearly signalling persistent fouling by the Glens stopper. McAuley took the free kick and bent a great ball across the 6 yard box but the Bot players were too slow to take advantage. Just shy of the hour mark interim coach Kenny Paterson made his second change, taking off Gemmill and bringing on Simon Eeles. Keegans having escaped the ref earlier on wasn't so lucky when he went in late on Ricky McIntosh and ended up cautioned. Talbot were showing a bit of fight at this stage and taking the game to the Glens but without much to show for it. Traynor did well to stoop down and flick on Eeles corner kick but the ball went straight across the 6 yard line without a Talbot challenge. Agnew was the next name in the ref's book following a bad tackle on Tony Todd.
Matthews hadn't been called upon to do very much which was maybe just as well for the Glens as McAuley's driven cross from out on the left was fumbled by the keeper who conceded a needless corner.
On 66 there was an incident involving McVeigh and McAuley missed by the ref but spotted by his assistant. The upshot of it all was a booking for McVeigh which caused a bit of confusion amongst the Bot support who were under the mistaken impression that he'd been booked earlier. On 71 Talbot made their final substitution Ricky McIntosh making way for Neil Gilmour.
Miller could have made it three when he was left with time and space at the edge of the box but his curling effort went just wide of goal. However soon after he was instrumental in setting up the third, his through ball catching the defence square and allowing Boyd to run through and score despite the best efforts of Tosh and Collins.
Talbot tried to respond but the game had slipped away from them and when Wallace wriggled through only to slip his shot wide of the post when one on one the Bot fans knew the game was up. Simon Eeles was unfortunate not to pull a goal back when his well struck effort was turned round the post by Matthews.
With time running out and the points secure the Glens took off Boyd and brought on Beattie. Both Tosh and McAuley managed to talk themselves into the book in the closing minutes before Beattie joined them for a dreadful tackle. When the final whistle went it came as something of a relief for the Bot fans. The Glens played some slick stuff but Talbot made it all too easy for them and the Bot fans will be hoping for a huge improvement next week when they travel up to Shettleston for the West.
Talbot - Tosh, Todd, Gemmill, McAneny, Traynor, Collins, McIntosh, McAuley, Peacock, Friels, Wallace
subs - Gilmour, Stevenson, Eeles, Blaikie
Glenafton - Matthews, Kennedy, Crawley, Carruth, McVeigh, Agnew, Mitchell, Keegans, Miller, Boyd, Newall
subs - Beattie, Bingham, Flannigan, Bryce
SHETTLESTON 0 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 3 (H-T 0-1)
Goals - McAuley pen, Eeles 64, Todd 77
Due to work commitments, an inability to read street maps and getting stuck behind 60,000 fans on their way to Parkhead, I only actually saw the second half of this cup tie. All I know about the first 45 is that Talbot went in one ahead thanks to a McAuley penalty.
The second period was only a few minutes old when Talbot had a real chance to double their lead when Wallace's through ball sent Friels through on goals. The Shettleston keeper stood up well to Gavin's effort but the rebound fell back to Gavin and he was very unlucky when his attempt to chip into the empty net was nodded off the line by the left back.
Shettleston almost got back on level terms when Jack hit a powerful drive from around 20 yards but Tosh was equal to the task. Jack was again involved when he sent Shettleston 5 clear down the right wing but his cross met with no takers and the ball drifted behind.
On 56 mins Talbot came very close again. Eeles run down the left was halted and from the free kick McAuley found Wallace at the back post whose header bounced across the face of goal and just past with the keeper well beaten. Eeles pace was upsetting the Shettleston defence and he was instrumental in setting up Friels for Talbot's next shot at goal. Gavin hesitated slightly and the defender managed to deflect his effort behind for a corner. Talbot were well on top at this stage and Eeles might have done better following a good pass by Traynor but he opted to take on the last defender rather than try his luck from 18 yds.
When Talbot did finally add to their tally it was with a little assistance from the linesman who failed to spot that Eeles was offside. However the flag stayed down and Eeles strolled through and lifted the ball over the keeper and into the roof of the net to effectively kill off the tie and book Talbot's place in the third round.
Talbot went through a real purple patch and could have added a couple of goals in the space of a few minutes. Friels provided Todd with a chance on the right side of the box but it was a difficult volley and Todd knocked it well wide. Moments later a cleverly worked free kick saw Todd free on the right and his cross was met by Friels who knocked it inches wide. Gilmour was the next to turn provider, his cutback from the right byeline falling to Friels on the 6 yard line but somehow the Shettleston goalie turned his point blank effort round the post.
Shettleston were fighting hard but not really testing Tosh in nets and what resistance they had left crumbled when Talbot made it three. Peacock did well to break down the left wing but lacking support he held the ball up before knocking a great cross field pass into the path of Todd who hammered the ball past the keeper at his near post.
A few Talbot players were beginning to tire, none more so than Friels who is just back from the flu and with seven minutes remaining he made way for Stevenson. With the clock running down Stevenson had a real chance to add his name to the scoresheet when he got in behind the defence but the goalie raced from his line and blocked Stevenson's effort. As the game headed into injury time there was one last chance for the Bot when Wallace sped down the right wing and when his first centre was blocked straight back to him, he fired his second in at the near post where it was scrambled away from the line.
A satisfying win especially considering the fact that the playing surface wasn't exactly suited to playing football, with the ball taking a number of strange bounces on the rock hard pitch.
Talbot - Tosh, Todd, Peacock, Traynor, Macca, Collins, McAuley, Gilmour, Friels, Wallace, Eeles
subs - Stevenson, R. McIntosh, Blaikie, Gemmill
SAUCHIE HELL STREET FOR BOT
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 0 SAUCHIE 1 (H-T 0-1)
Goal - McKechnie 36
The new management team of Sloan and Jardine will certainly have their work cut out judging by today's performance, and boosting team morale is going to be a hell of a job in itself.
This was one of the hardest defeats Bot fans have had to suffer through. Not since the Bot were mugged at home by Blantyre have Talbot exited the Scottish to such an average side.
The early exchanges were on the scrappy side with both teams competing for every ball, with Talbot just shading it on possession and chances. Neither keeper had much to do though Sauchie's had to look lively to come off his line to beat Eeles to Gavin's chip dinked over the defence. The longer the half went on the more Talbot seemed on top of things but without really looking likely to score. On 19 a bad touch by Simon Eeles kicked off a Sauchie counter attack which was ended in unceremonious fashion by Ricky McIntosh who was booked for his late tackle. From the free kick Irvine tried his luck from all of 35 yds but his shot went straight at Tosh. The next chance fell Talbot's way when Macca got his head on the end of McAuley's free kick but steered the header wide of target. Sauchie were being restricted to pot shots from distance though Irvine caused a bit of a flap when his shot from the edge of the area went narrowly past Tosh's left post. On 27 mins Talbot really should have taken the lead. Sauchie failed to clear a corner from the right, the ball broke to McAuley just outside the area and his lobbed effort came back off the bar with the keeper well beaten. Friels was well positioned for the rebound but hurried his effort and fired over from a good position.
On 36 mins the visitors took the lead with the Bot defence posted missing in action. A long punt from the left wound it's way into the centre of the box where McKechnie had all the time he needed to bring the ball under control before placing it beyond a helpless Tosh. The goal stunned Talbot and the half meandered to a close with no real goalmouth incidents worthy of report.
Talbot started the second half positively enough. Todd's raid down the right resulting in a corner which sadly Talbot wasted, a common failing on the day. Tosh had scarcely touched the ball all afternoon and yet Talbot came within inches of going two behind in the space of a couple of minutes. Firstly an inswinging corner from the left caught the front post and then McKechnie, totally unmarked, almost got on the end of a cross from the left.
Talbot's support began to suspect the game was up as early as the 56th minute. Todd got free down the right and played a fantastic ball across the Sauchie 6 yard box, and yet somehow the ever reliable Gavin Friels failed to connect with the ball with the goals gaping. Around the hour mark Sauchie broke up the park for what proved to be their last attack of the match. Macca did well to head clear under pressure following a dangerous cross ball from the right touchline.
With the light already failing Talbot were by now camped in the Sauchie half. Talbot made their first change when Gemmill came on to replace Eeles to be followed five minutes later with McIntosh making way for Peacock. Todd was featuring prominently and it was his deflected shot which earned Talbot a corner after 68. When the ball came over from the left Peacock couldn't get over the ball and headed well over. Talbot struck the woodwork for the second time on 76, following good play by Gilmour out on the wing. His centre found Wallace who turned the defender before squaring for Todd who blasted the ball off the underside of the Sauchie bar.
Talbot had a good shout for a penalty denied on 79. Peacock's attempted drive on goal broke kindly for George Wallace who turned the defender only to be clipped from behind but the ref wasn't interested. Talbot played their last card on 83 when to the surprise of many Neil Gilmour was substituted, to be replaced by Andy Stevenson. With three minutes left on the clock Todd's persistence forced yet another corner for Talbot. With time running out Talbot hit the woodwork for the third time when Traynor met the corner and bulleted a header off the bar. The ball fell on the edge of the 6 yard area for Wallace but he failed to react in time and the ball struck him rather than the other way round, and the defender cleared off the line.
Talbot were to have one final opportunity when they were awarded a free kick just outside the area. Despite the fact that it appeared to be a direct free kick Talbot opted to try the short one, with McAuley rolling the ball toward Wallace but inevitably by this time the wall had come charging out and the shot was blocked.
A bitterly cold day and a bitterly disappointing result. Fingers crossed that fortunes improve soon.
Talbot - Tosh, Todd, Traynor, Macca, Collins, Gilmour, McAuley, McIntosh, Friels, Wallace, Eeles
subs - Peacock, Stevenson, Gemmill and McAnespie
WALLACE AT THE DOUBLE
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2 CUMNOCK 0 (H-T 2-0)
Work commitments having saved me from the friendly debacle the week before I wasn't sure what to expect from the Bot, but to be honest I wasn't overflowing with confidence going into this crucial derby encounter.
In the end I needn't have worried as Talbot turned in one of their best performances of the season, albeit that the bar hasn't been set too high in that regard so far.
Talbot looked a hungry team and the opening exchanges were the sort of frantic, scrappy stuff that derby games are made of and that the punters all love. The ref infuriated the Bot support early on when he booked Todd for his first tackle of the afternoon, a very poor decision. However after 14 minutes the Bot fans had something to cheer about. Simon Eeles knocked over a great cross from wide on the right and the unmarked Friels met it on the volley. Potter managed to block his effort but it fell nicely for George Wallace who stuck it away to put the Bot one up.
Talbot were playing with more confidence than of late and Eeles was unlucky when his ambitious first time effort from right of the box went across the face of goals and narrowly past. Cumnock hadn't been seen much as an attacking force but Tosh must have been relieved when he fumbled a floated cross ball from the left but there were no Nock players there to take advantage and all Cumnock had to show for it was a corner which was mopped up.
Wallace had an excellent chance to grab his second following quick thinking from McAuley, whose short free kick went to Friels who shoved the ball first time into the path of Wallace. Unfortunately Wallace opted to shoot early rather than carry onward into the box and sent his effort wide of Potter's right hand post.
On 27 minutes Talbot could again have added to their lead. Neil Gilmour did well down the left wing to feed Wallace with the ball. George played a great ball into the heart of the Cumnock box but Peacock took too long on the ball and the chance was lost.
On the half hour mark Cumnock almost jammed an equaliser. Gavin Collins attempt to clear hit a player and fell straight to McCullough but Tosh made a great stop to turn his point blank effort over the bar.
Following this Cumnock attack Talbot were soon back up the other end where McAuley might have done better from Gilmour's pass. He had time and space aplenty and whilst Potter made a good save low to his left if McAuley had struck his effort a little more firmly then the Nock keeper wouldn't have had a chance.
McAuley was again involved though this time not with the football but in a row with the Cumnock bench who seemed to be running the line in place of the ineffectual linesman who took his cue from their shouts. After a brief altercation the row soon settled down, Paterson of Cumnock being booked for his part though Crilly and the Cumnock subs continued to prowl up and down the sidelines like fourth officials for the remainder of the afternoon.
Having just failed with an earlier speculative shot Eeles went even closer with his second attempt, again from wide on the right, this time his shot dipped just over the bar.
On 41 minutes Talbot sealed the points and Cumnock's fate with a well worked second goal. Gavin Friels was instrumental in the move as his cross field pass from wide on the left split the Cumnock defence wide open, allowing Eeles to use his pace to beat Paterson and Potter to the ball. His shot ricocheted off the inside of the post and once again Wallace was on hand to fire home.
Cumnock had obviously been rattled by Talbot's first half showing and Crilly made two substitions, with veteran Davie Walker appearing for the second half.
The second period couldn't really have started any better for Talbot with Eeles setting up Gavin Friels who knocked it just wide of the post. Cumnock had a decent half chance when Walker's free kick from wide on the right was met by a free header but fortunately the jump was mistimed and the ball sailed miles over
Cunnington found his name in the ref's book following a late tackle on Friels. Although Cumnock cleared the initial ball into the box, Eeles met the clearance and his deep cross caused panic in the Cumnock defence before falling just beyond the Talbot strikeforce.
With more than half an hour to go Crilly gambled all by using his last substitution, left back Cunnington going off.
Cumnock should have been reduced to ten men on 62 when McGowan went in a week late on Wallace out on the touchline and then got himself involved with Bot players. However the ref opted for a yellow card. Talbot forced a corner from the resulting free kick and Macca was inches away from connecting with the corner kick but it flew just over his head and out of the danger zone.
Cumnock's lack of pace at the back was exposed when Simon Eeles delicate chip through the middle saw Friels outpace the central partnership of Gardiner and McGowan, only for Potter to deny him with a fingertip save.
Talbot suffered a blow on 76 when the ever reliable Gavin Collins picked up a knock and Talbot were forced into a switch, with Peacock dropping into defence alongside Traynor and Macca, with Ricky McIntosh taking Peacock's place in midfield.
McGowan was very lucky when a terrible pass from left back straight across the face of the box was intercepted by Gavin Friels who was a tad unfortunate when Potter managed to change direction mid way to get down and block his shot.
Peacock was booked in bizzare circumstances when big Stuart seemed to win an aerial challenge clean as a whistle only for the ref to book him and award Cumnock the free kick, which they promptly belted onto the railway line.
With only 6 minutes left on the clock Cumnock were reduced to ten men, hardly an unusual occurrence on their visits to Beechwood, when Paterson picked up a second yellow for a crude challenge on Ricky McIntosh. With the points secure Talbot came agonisingly close to making it 3-0 when Friels fired a shot a point blank range at Potter who did well to save his effort.
A very impressive display by the Bot, a thoroughly deserved win, and three much needed points. There were no failures in the team though special mention has to go to Wallace for his two goals and John Traynor who won absolutely everything in the air which nullified Cumnock's long ball tactics. Here's hoping for more of the same.
Talbot - Tosh, Todd, Traynor, Collins, Macca, Peacock, Eeles, McAuley, Friels, Wallace, Gilmour
Subs - R. McIntosh, Gemmill, McAnespie
TROON 1 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 0 (H-T 1-0)
This game really was a great advert for summer football. Nothing to do with the quality of the match, just the weather, which was a complete nightmare and probably has most of the fans at today's game reaching for the lemsips and cough mixture.
Despite the heavy rain the pitch was perfectly playable and it was the home side that did most of the early pressing. Ex Bot player Duffy came close with a header which Tosh did well to turn round the post for a corner. Talbot's first promising attack came from Wallace who took advantage of slack play by Hendry to square a ball right across the Troon 6 yard line but there wasn't a Talbot player in sight to take advantage. Friels was next to try his luck when he cut infield from the left touchline and fired a powerful shot from distance but unfortunately it was straight at Strain in the Troon goal.
Duffy threatened again after 12 mins when he managed to outjump the defence to nod Strachan's free kick wide of the target. In what was to be the first of a number of shocking decisions the ref failed to play advantage when Wallace was impeded only for the ball to break to Simon Eeles out on the right. The ref hauled play back for the free kick which McAuley rolled across the park to Neil Gilmour who wasn't far off target from 25 yards. A minute or so later Strachan was the first player booked for his foul on Gavin Friels. McAuley again rolled the free kick into Gilmour's path but this time Neil was stretching for the ball and his effort went well wide of target.
The match was fairly even though Troon were clearly threatening Talbot through their aerial superiority and enjoyed a good spell of pressure without too much to show for it.
The one constant throughout was the steady stream of bookings with Reid of Troon, then Peacock, then Gavin Friels all ending up carded in a five minute spell. McCluckie who had made a meal of Gavin's tackle to say the least, got his just desserts when he too wound up in the ref's book for entering the field of play without permission.
Talbot almost opened the Troon defence when Todd knocked a ball over the top and Wallace was just beaten to it by the Troon goalie.
Then on 34 minutes the ref decided to take centre stage. Good short passing between Friels and Wallace at the edge of the area set up George for a pot shot at the edge of the area. Just as he was advancing with the ball at his feet he was upended by the combined efforts of two Troon players. I was still writing Talbot free kick dead centre 20 yds out, when I looked up to see that George was still lying on the ground, clearly in pain, whilst the ref was booking him for diving. The upshot of all this was George hobbling off the park to be replaced by Andy Stevenson whilst the game restarted with a free kick to Troon.
The sub almost made a dream start when he knocked a great cross field pass from left to right which split open the Troon defence, but Simon Eeles was slow off the blocks and failed to reach it before the keeper. Just before half time Troon took the lead through Davidson. He was given plenty of time and space at the edge of the area and his curling effort left Tosh with no chance as it flew to his right to put Troon 1-0 ahead.
Talbot started the second half as though they meant business and within a minute Friels fired just past the post. Friels was involved in Talbot's next move, helping to create the chance for Gilmour who drove his effort at Strain. This established the pattern of the second 45 with Troon on the back foot and Talbot camped in their half desperately trying for the equaliser. Stevenson should have done better when Eeles lobbed a great cross over to him at the back post but a bad touch on his chest meant the chance was lost.
Troon's poor disciplinary record continued when Haswell lunged in with a shocking tackle right in front of the ref and the watching Talbot bench. He was promptly shown a straight red, and Troon had to reshuffle the team, looking to hold on to what they had.
On 63 minutes Todd had a great chance to level matters but volleyed wide of the post from a good position. Looking to freshen things up Talbot made their second substitution, Gemmill coming on for Eeles.
With the weather worsening by the second and visibility becoming so poor you had to speculate what was happening up at the far end of the park on Troon's rare forays upfield, Talbot continued to press for the equaliser.
Twice in the space of a few minutes Todd fashioned great opportunities for Talbot but both chances went abegging. His first attempt, a cross into the near post was met by Stevenson who headed it wide of target. A moment later Todd fired a great low cross between keeper and defence which sped across the face of goal just asking to be knocked in but no Bot player had anticipated and the chance was lost.
Troon could have, and probably should have, been down to nine men when Strachan crudely barged into Gavin Collins but the ref having booked him earlier took no action this time. Talbot had one final chance to pull level and what a chance it was. Gilmour came across to hit a corner from the right and Stevenson rose unchallenged to head it at the near post, only to make a poor contact and head it tamely across goal. With darkness falling the ref finally called a halt and Talbot were left to rue their failure to turn 45 minutes of pressure into anything more than that.
A disappointing result, on a freezing cold day, the only tiny bright spot being results elsewhere with all of Talbot's fellow strugglers losing as well at least Talbot didn't lose any ground in the league.
Talbot - Tosh, Todd, Gilmour, Traynor, Collins, Macca, McAuley, Peacock, Friels, Wallace, Eeles
subs - Stevenson, Gemmill, R McIntosh, McAnespie
UNLUCKY BOT LOSE OUT
Auchinleck Talbot 0 Kilwinning Rangers 2 (H-T 0-2)
Talbot's poor run of luck continued today. Just when fans thought the breaks would have to start going our way after Troon robbed us last week, along came the Buffs to snatch all three points.
The referee made his first bad decision before a ball had been kicked in anger as there was no way the game should have went ahead. By full time the players were practically wading through the mud and it will take a considerable amount of time and effort to repair the battered playing surface.
Considering the playing surface there was a surprising amount of good football played, with both teams attempting to pass the ball rather than go for the route 1 approach. Kilwinning had the better of the opening exchanges with several long distance efforts fired on target but Tosh was equal to the task. On 28 minutes Kilwinning almost took the lead when slack marking allowed the Buffs full back a free header which Tosh did very well to tip away. Talbot then went up the other end and really should have opened the scoring. Friels raced through on a long ball and under his challenge the goalie failed to clear, with the ball breaking just outside the area to Gemmill. Unfortunately with the empty net gaping Gemmill's shot hit off a defender and a great chance was wasted.
The Buffs then missed a sitter of their own when Charlie Adams was put clean through but with all the time in the world he opted to go for the narrow angle and Tosh got down well to save at the expense of a corner. Talbot cleared the danger but a minute later were to concede another corner out on the right after a speculative shot had been deflected wide. In a rare error Tosh's attempt to punch the ball clear cannoned off Gavin Collins and into the net to put the Buffs one up. Talbot's heads went down a bit after losing the o.g and 5 minutes later the Buffs doubled their advantage. A cross from the left was met by Currie who glanced his header back across goals and into the corner of the net.
Talbot came close to narrowing the margin a few minutes before the interval when Neil Gilmour cut in from the left wing and let fly from all of 30 yds, only to see his effort tipped over the bar. Talbot again came close when Eeles perfectly flighted cross was met by Gemmill, which was a bit unfortunate as the smallest member in the team couldn't get above the ball and his header flew over the bar.
The second half began promisingly for the Bot with Gemmill's jinky run into the box. The defence crowded him out and when the ball broke loose and Friels attempted to direct it goalwards the ref awarded the Buffs a freekick. On 50 mins Talbot thought they'd pulled one back when Gilmour's pass picked out Friels who played a great through ball for Gemmill who duly hammered the ball home into the roof of the net. To the anger of the Bot support the linesman signalled for offside and the goal was disallowed. Friels was booked for protesting the decision. Gavin must have known it wasn't going to be his day a minute or so later when he was the victim of yet another example of atrocious refereeing. Gavin outpaced the Buffs defence to get on the end of a crossfield pass just left of the Buffs penalty area, was crudely barged in the back only for the ref to award the foul to the Buffs.
McAuley was the next into the ref's notepad when he reacted angrily to a Buffs player standing about a yard away and preventing his taking a quick free kick, a tactic the Buffs employed all afternoon. Naturally enough the Buffs full back didn't join McAuley in being cautioned. When the free kick was finally taken McAuley's ball split the defence wide open but on the muddy surface Macca was always stretching to reach it and directed his header wide of target. On 65 Gemmill whipped a great ball into the heart of the Buffs goalmouth but there was no Bot player on hand to take advantage.
Another McAuley free kick this time from the half way line created an opportunity for Peacock but he just failed to get on the end of it. Neil Gilmour found himself yellow carded after he protested at yet another baffling decision. Gemmill was blatantly shoved off the ball and for protesting at the ref's failure to see further than the end of his nose, Gilmour was cautioned.
With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot made a double swap with Gemmill and Eeles going off. Peacock's chip over the Buffs defence was just too far ahead of Gavin Friels who was narrowly pipped to the ball by the keeper who raced from his goal line to gather.
With time running out Talbot continued to press. Friels played a good ball through to Neil Gilmour and his attempted centre was knocked behind for a corner. When the ball came over Traynor met it at the near post and his glancing header flew just over the bar.
Neil Gilmour was then sent clear down the left by McAuley. He carried the ball into the area but opted to shoot rather than square the ball and the keeper was well positioned to save.
In the dying seconds Talbot were awarded a free kick and Gilmour fired it low and hard through the mud. The Buffs keeper couldn't hold it but there was nobody there to knock in the rebound and he gathered at the second attempt.
A very frustrating afternoon all in all. Talbot played well and fought hard but for no reward. Despite the freak own goal Gavin Collins again played well as did the tireless Friels and Neil Gilmour, in fact there were no real failures in the line up and it's a case of crossing the fingers and buying the lucky white heather as all the team really need right now is the rub of the green, and a decent ref but now I'm just indulging in wishful thinking.
POINT TAKEN
JOHNSTONE BURGH 1 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 (H-T 1-0)
Keanie park was in surprisingly good nick considering the torrential rain the west of Scotland has been experiencing and both teams tried their hearts out in this hard fought league encounter.
The home side were the first to threaten when Talbot failed to mark up at a corner kick and the big centre half rose unchallenged to nod over the bar.
Around the 9 minute mark Talbot had a lucky escape when they surrendered possession at a throw in deep in the Burgh half. One defence splitting pass later and Burgh's centre forward was clean through but fortunately he fired his shot straight at Tosh.
Back down the other end Gemmill whipped a great ball over from the left wing, but there were no Talbot players in position to take advantage. A few minutes later the Burgh keeper produced the first of a series of wonder saves. Todd's cross field pass picked out Gavin Friels on the left and when he cut inside and fired goalward it looked a certainty all the way but the keeper got down well to his right to turn the ball behind.
When Burgh took the lead after 14 mins it was a textbook lesson in how not to defend a corner kick. Burgh opted for the short corner, and when the ball was played across the face of goal Burgh's no 7 was in acres of space at the front post to fire the ball low past Tosh.
Talbot pressed hard for the equaliser and enjoyed a spell of pressure without really troubling the Burgh goal. However on 20 Talbot fans must have thought the equaliser had come when Friels knocked over a good ball from the right which was met inside the 6 yard box by the head of Stuart Peacock. Despite the leaden surface and the fact Peacock headed the ball into the ground it somehow bounced up and over the bar to the consternation of the visiting support.
Talbot almost went two behind when good play down the left by Burgh resulted in ex Bot player Wozencroft heading narrowly over the bar with Tosh helpless.
Having defied Friels earlier the keeper produced an even better stop on 27. Peacock's through ball opened up the defence and Friels shot looked a winner but again the keeper showed great reflexes to dive to his left this time and turn it behind. Talbot were really on top and Burgh had another amazing escape following their failure to clear a corner. The ball fell in the area to John Traynor who squared it to Friels only for his fierce drive to be tipped over the bar. From the resultant corner Peacock powered in a header which the keeper did well to hold, and the Bot fans must have started to wonder if this was going to be our day. Having ridden out the storm Burgh almost doubled their advantage when Wozencroft was left unmarked in the box. Luckily from a good position he headed straight at Tosh who still did well to hold onto it. Shortly before the interval Talbot came close again, when Peacock sent Eeles through on the right side of the area. The keeper had his angles right and blocked the shot behind for a corner. Talbot thought they had forced a second corner after a deflection, an opinion which was to cost Neil Gilmour a yellow card for dissent.
Talbot started the second half on the attack. Within a few minutes of the restart Peacock had set up Friels, whose effort just cleared the bar. Burgh's goalscorer was proving to be a thorn in Talbot's side, and he should have put Burgh two ahead when he volleyed over the bar from a good position. Macca then helped out the Talbot attack, his through ball setting Friels away on goals, only to be denied by a fantastic saving tackle from Burgh's centre half. No 7 came close again for the home side when he cut inside from the wing to fire just past.
On the hour mark Gavin Friels finally got some reward for his efforts up front when he was upended in the box. McAuley strode up to take the penalty only to see the keeper make yet another fine save low to his right. With the defence standing spectating the only player to anticipate was Friels and he was there like a flash to knock home the rebound and draw the score level.
Immediately after equalising Talbot opted to make a double swop. Eeles and Gemmill making way for Minnis and Stevenson. McAuley was a tad lucky to escape a caution when he ended no 11's promising run with a blatant obstruction. Burgh squandered the free kick. On 65 the two subs nearly combined to good effect. Minnis got free down the right and lobbed a good ball over toward Stevenson but he couldn't gather and the impressive Jazz Juttla swept up at the back.
With time running out the action swung from end to end though most of the near things were still up at the Burgh end.
With ten minutes to go McAuley made way for Talbot's player coach Tommy Sloan and Sloan was involved in a move after 86 where Talbot came agonisingly close. His pass picked out Neil Gilmour who sent Minnis through one on one. He opted to go for the early effort and tried to lift it past the advancing keeper who produced a great save to turn it behind. Then in the final minute Stevenson who looked about a yard offside, was presented with a golden opportunity but once again the Burgh keeper was there to deny the Bot.
In the closing seconds Friels managed to beat the keeper in a race to the ball, was forced wide right and saw his attempted lob sail just over the bar with the goalie scrambling to get back.
Talbot battled all the way and must feel a bit hard done by not to have taken all three points down the road, still credit to the Burgh keeper, and to the Bot for a valuable away point which may yet prove crucial further down the line.
SUPER BOT SINK THE GLENS
GLENAFTON 1 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 3 (H-T 0-1)
Talbot's hard work finally paid off on the usual freezing, windy day up at New Cumnock. Having been unlucky in recent matches, particularly against Troon and Johnstone Burgh it was vital that Talbot finally began to gain the points their play deserved, and today was the day.
The breeze, or force 10 gale which is what it felt like, was playing havoc with any attempt to play football and shys, corners and free kicks were a bit of a lottery.
Once again the refereeing was of the usual diabolical standard, the early signs weren't good when Sloan was penalised on the quarter hour for what looked like a perfectly timed challenge. A few minutes later Talbot had a half chance but with Gilmour free on the overlap Friels opted to shoot from the edge of the area only to see his effort balloon over. Talbot had a lucky escape on 26 when a great through ball split the defence wide open but with only the keeper to beat Crawley side footed the ball just wide of the right hand post.
Neil Gilmour became the first name in the ref's book, though again it looked a highly dubious decision, the ref apparently unsighted having his mind made up for him by the histrionic over acting by Glenafton's no 4. From a McAuley free kick out on the right, Friels managed to loop a header goalward but Matthews did well to stretch and gather the ball over his head. Talbot had a real let off when Crawley found space in the Talbot area and lobbed a cross over to the unmarked Keegans who somehow managed to head over when it looked easier to score. The Glens were to pay for that miss within a minute as Talbot took the lead on 41. When the ball came over from the left wing Macca raced onto it outside the dee, before shoving a great through ball to Houston who finished in style leaving Matthews no chance. The Glens were rattled and Talbot tried to exert a bit of pressure before the interval. Houston headed the ball down for Simon Eeles who lobbed the ball across the six yard area for Friels to chase, but unfortunately the ref, if no one else, believed Friels had fouled the defender and the chance was lost.
Talbot started the second half very shakily and Tosh had to come off his line to produce a wonder save to deny Boyd when he looked certain to score. The ball broke to another Glens player and his goal bound effort was deflected just wide for a corner. Talbot couldn't clear their lines and when the ball fell for Carruth out on the right he had plenty of time to knock over a cross which was converted at close range by Boyd.
Talbot's support were incensed on 52 when Eeles got the better of the Glens full back only to be blatantly obstructed. To add insult to injury the ref gave the foul against Talbot, for reasons only he could know. Houston was booked on 55 for an aerial challenge on Matthews in the Glens goals, to be followed in very short order by McAuley for what the ref deemed persistent fouling. By this stage the Bot support were up in arms at Mr Reilly's decisions. To the shock of the majority in the crowd he did finally book a Glens player after no 11 took Eeles out with a crude challenge.
Good play by Houston and persistence from Friels won Talbot a corner out on the left after 59. When the ball came across Macca was there to fire his header past Matthews and put the Bot back into the lead.
A lead they almost through away immediately when a slip up by Todd, who otherwise had an excellent game, allowed Agnew a sight of goal but he couldn't make the chance count. The Glens threw everything but the kitchen sink at Talbot for a five minute spell but all they had to show for it was a few corners as the defence held firm.
With twenty minutes to go Talbot put the game beyond all doubt. It all began with good play by Neil Gilmour out on the left which resulted in his being chopped down to give Talbot a free kick out wide. McAuley's ball into the area caused Matthews all sorts of problems and his attempted punch clear went behind for a corner kick. Eeles delivered the corner into the danger area at the back post and with Houston occupying the defence and keeper the ball carried on to Macca beyond the back post who crashed the ball home from a tight angle, a strike any forward would have been proud of.
Glens reacted by gambling on another forward, Montgomery coming on to add to their attacking options. Talbot too made a switch with Houston being replaced by George Wallace. On 77 mins Talbot made their second switch with Eeles going off to be replaced by that perennial junior favourite A Newman, the trialist. The new boy almost had a chance to make an immediate impact when Gilmour found him in space but his shot was well smothered by Matthews. Glens goal scorer Boyd was next to be cautioned, following a late challenge on Gavin Collins. With four minutes to go and Talbot looking comfortable Wallace had a rush of blood to the head and lunged in late with his studs showing which resulted in a straight red. Gavin Friels was then cautioned for challenging the decision.
With the Glens piling forward,Gilmour broke out of defence, carried the ball two thirds of the length of the pitch before squeezing a pass through to the trialist on the right. Rather than risking a shot from distance in the blustery conditions, he squared the ball, and Talbot kept possession to run the clock down. Right at the end Friels helped create an opening for the trialist who was very unlucky to see his shot which seemed destined for the bottom corner, turned round the post by Matthews.
This was a very good three points for the Bot, thoroughly deserved, and if the team can keep up this standard then Talbot can hopefully start to climb back up the league.
Talbot - Tosh, Todd, Gilmour, Collins, Macca, Traynor, McAuley, Sloan, Friels, Houston, Eeles
BOT AND TROON IN MUD FIGHT
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 TROON JUNIORS 1 (H-T 0-0)
Talbot made a couple of changes from the side that won at Glenafton, with Simon Eeles and Gavin Collins missing from the starting line up. The Bot lined up in a 3-5-2 formation with new signing Duncan George playing alongside McAuley in the centre of the park with Tucker Sloan playing between the midfield and strike force. Todd and Gilmour were once again at wing back with Peacock replacing Collins in the three man defence.
Talbot began this league encounter a bit nervously, though with so much at stake perhaps that's understandable. The opening exchanges were littered with errors but thankfully nothing came of it. On 6 mins Friels won the ball out on the left touchline with a good challenge and swept over a decent cross into the heart of the goalmouth but Troon's left back did well to clear. Talbot's first real sniff at goal came after 11 when Macca's crossfield pass set up Friels who squared the ball into Houston. Scott managed to place his shot on target but it was saved by Strain's trailing leg as he dived the other way.
Tosh's first involvement in the action was to gather a long range effort by ex Bot player Jim Duffy whose effort went straight at the keeper. On 18 minutes Talbot had a real chance to take the lead. Houston managed to force the ball out right to the unmarked Friels and with Strain off his line Gavin went for the first time lob but drifted his shot well wide of goal.
Neil Gilmour did well defensively to cut out a dangerous cross to the back post after 23 mins, clearing under pressure from inside the 6 yard box. Talbot then went straight up the park and in the best passing move of the half carved out a chance for Friels on the left of the area but he fired his shot over the bar. Gilmour was next to try his luck and his shot narrowly went past Strain's right hand post.
Troon were looking vulnerable down the flanks and Todd was finding a lot of space out wide on the right. However he couldn't capitalise on this, and twice in as many minutes he couldn't produce the final ball into the box. It took 34 minutes before the ref had to reach for his book, Troon's no 7 being cautioned for a crunching challenge on McAuley out on the touchline. The direct route almost paid dividends for Talbot when Houston's knock on fell for Gavin whose chip across the box was met by Sloan but the defender managed to get back and deflect it behind for a corner. From the resultant kick Traynor rose up at the back post but unfortunately his powerful header went straight to Strain.
Talbot had a lucky escape on 39 when slack marking at the edge of the area allowed Troon's centre forward all the time and space he needed to pick his shot, but fortunately for the Bot his effort clipped the top of the bar.
Houston then did well for the Bot, turning his marker at the edge of the area and hitting a good shot on target but once again Strain was well positioned. Having failed in earlier attempts Todd got it right just shy of half time when he fired a superb ball into the centre of the 6 yard box but nobody had moved for it and the chance was gone. Talbot continued to press up to the interval but for all the possession and territorial advantage couldn't create any clear cut chances.
The second half began promisingly enough with Gilmour feeding the ball out right to Friels and his low centre flying across the 6 yard area between defence and keeper but once again there was nobody there to turn the ball home. Houston then set up Gavin for a pop at goal from the edge of the area but his shot flew high and wide. Troon managed to force two corners in succession and it was from this that Talbot launched a counter attack which so nearly gave the Bot the lead. Gavin Friels played the ball through to Houston who bore down on goal but he delayed his shot as it was on his weaker foot and when he finally fired it goalward it was blocked behind for a corner. Troon made a hash of clearing their lines from the corner and McAuley's cross from the left created a momentary panic as it sped across the face of goals, though no Bot player was there to take advantage.
Talbot were then pressed onto the back foot as Troon began to creep into the game. A long speculative free kick had to be tipped over the bar by Tosh and from the corner Gonzague met the ball beyond the back post to nod it across goal before it was scrambled behind. Traynor was then injured bravely standing his ground at the back post in an aerial challenge with Duffy. Both players needed treatment though Duffy appeared to come second best from the clash.
The support's frustration grew on 64 mins when Talbot missed a glorious opportunity to take the lead. Sloan's challenge on the keeper led to the ball falling out wide right to Friels but with no keeper to beat Gavin hit the ball early and blazed it over the bar.
Things went from bad to worse when Talbot then gifted Troon the lead on 67 with the assistance of the linesman. Hesitation in the defence led to players leaving it to one another, Troon's forward nipped in and beat Peacock to the ball leaving him clean through on Tosh. Rather than shoot he opted to pass the ball inside, and in a move similar to one from the Linlithgow cup match, he passed the ball forward to Haswell who knocked it into the net from what appeared to be a clearly offside position.
Talbot plugged away with Troon seemingly content to defend their slender lead but nothing was coming right in front of goals. That was until the 79th minute when Houston's aerial challenge saw the ball fall kindly for Friels bang in front of goals with Strain stranded off his line. Gavin nodded the ball over the Troon keeper to level the score.
With nine minutes remaining Simon Eeles replaced Neil Gilmour. Talbot dominated the closing stages without really threatening. Although Eeles was unlucky when he cut inside onto his right foot and knocked a great cross over to the back post which just eluded Friels at full stretch.
A disappointing result as no doubt the draw suited Troon more than Talbot but the heavy going made it awkward to play any good football and in the end a draw was about the right result.
Talbot - Tosh, Macca, Traynor, Peacock, McAuley, George, Todd, Sloan, Friels, Houston, Gilmour
FOUR GOAL THRILLER ENDS ALL SQUARE
ARTHURLIE 2 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2 (H-T 0-1)
Hobbs, 46, pen 65 McAuley pen 40, Houston 61
In blizzard conditions both teams played their part in a thoroughly entertaining match, which with so much at stake felt more like a cup tie than a league encounter.
Arthurlie had the advantage of the slope and the stiff breeze for the first half and were the first to threaten. Downs cutting inside and hitting a fierce shot, but it went straight at Tosh who gathered safely. Arthurlie were playing it long, looking for Hobbs out on the wing, and on 10 mins he broke free down the right, albeit looking suspiciously offside, however McAuley chased back and put in a good challenge winning Talbot the goal kick. McAuley was then involved at the opposite end of the field when he threaded a great pass out to Todd in acres of space, wide right in the Arthurlie box. Unfortunately Todd's final ball was a poor one but at least Talbot won a corner from it, from which Friels directed the ball goalwards, but with no real power and Sexton made an easy save.
John Traynor had to go off to receive treatment after stopping a piledriver from the edge of the area with his head, but thankfully it was nothing too serious. Gavin Collins who had been a doubt prior to kick off had to come off after only 20 mins, clearly still struggling with injury. Tommy Sloan came on in his place with Peacock dropping from midfield to the left of the back three.
Talbot seemed to have a good penalty shout dismissed a minute later when Todd launched a long ball from the right of midfield into the box. Houston was clearly shoved in the back whilst the ball was in mid flight but nothing was given. Talbot then had a lucky escape when the ball was knocked into the 6 yard area from wide on the left. Tosh elected to stay on his line and the two incoming Lie players just failed to connect and the ball drifted behind for a goal kick. Both sides were willing to have a go but neither keeper was being seriously tested. On 39 mins Talbot nearly fell behind after a moment of slack play from McAuley. From the edge of the Talbot box he hit a risky passback to Tosh, the Lie forward anticipated it and Tosh did well to scramble the ball away. Within the space of a minute however McAuley went from villain to hero. There seemed no immediate danger when Friels gathered the ball at the edge of the box but when he turned the defender shadowing him, he was upended and the ref immediately pointed to the spot. McAuley stepped up and blasted it home to put the Bot one nil ahead. The half ended in a flurry of yellow cards, Sloan and McAuley for Talbot and Rae for the home side. Right at the last gasp Talbot had a real oppportunity to double their lead. Friels passed the ball into Scott Houston and Houston knocked it round the keeper and gathered on the other side. He was then challenged by a defender but had enough strength to hold off the challenge and tried to force the ball over the line. Agonisingly for the Bot support the ball was slowed down in the muddy goalmouth and a Lie defender made a great last ditch clearance off the line.
Arthurlie had made a change during the interval with McCann coming on to play down the left wing. Talbot who would have hoped to consolidate their lead were in for a rude awakening when they conceded a soft equaliser straight after the break. John Traynor fluffed his clearance, drilling the ball straight to Arthurlie's no 8 who passed the ball to Downs out on the wing. His cross was bulleted home at the near post by Hobbs to level the score. Things could have gone from bad to worse two minutes later when McShane got on the end of a corner from the right, but luckily he ballooned the free header well over the bar. Sexton had a lucky escape when his attempt to clear his lines cannoned straight into Gavin Friels who had no real opportunity to control it, otherwise it was an empty net.
On 56 Talbot were awarded a free kick just outside the area after Robertson tripped Gavin Friels. Houston blasted the free kick for goal and it was deflected off the edge of the wall and over for a corner. Talbot were having a good spell and Robertson was riding his luck after he gave away another free kick, having been cautioned already for persistent fouling.
Scott Houston was booked on the hour mark for dissent but within a minute was to make his mark on the game in fine style. Arthurlie's defence seemed to part like the red sea and when Houston ran onto a ball from the left he strode forward before hammering a peach of a shot into the back of the net via the inside of the post.
Talbot once again failed to hold onto the lead and within 5 minutes Arthurlie had drawn level. A good passing move at the edge of the box saw the ball shoved into the heart of the penalty area and one clumsy challenge later, the ref pointed to the spot. Hobbs stepped forward to take the kick and placed it home for his and Arthurlie's second of the afternoon.
Conditions were rapidly deteriorating and as the snow pelted down it became difficult to follow the game. With just under twenty minutes left Talbot almost fell behind. A weak shot into the area turned into a good pass to Downs but Talbot managed to block his effort and scramble the ball to safety. With Talbot struggling defensively down the left Gilmour was replaced by Slavin.
The game swung from end to end with Talbot winning a few corners and free kicks in dangerous areas but nothing came of it, although how the ref adjudged that Sexton had been impeded at one such corner when he dropped the ball under no pressure is anyone's guess.
With practically the last kick of the ball Arthurlie almost took all three points. A ball in from the right wing was deflected by a Talbot boot and with Tosh helpless the ball skated across the face of the goal before being cleared.
A very good result for Talbot. Despite the fact Talbot held the lead twice it is a point gained more than anything else, and it takes Talbot one step closer to safety.
Talbot (3-5-2) Tosh, Macca, Traynor, Collins, Todd, Gilmour, McAuley, Peacock, George, Friels, Houston
subs Sloan, Slavin, Eeles and Gemmill
NO CASE FOR THE DEFENCE
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 0 POLLOK 4 (H-T 0-2)
There isn't much that can be said about this one. Talbot simply failed to defend, made very basic errors and were punished for it. There hadn't been much to shout about in the opening exchanges and nothing between the teams, with neither keeper having a serious save to make. When Pollok took the lead after 35 mins it was as a direct result of the Talbot defence being caught napping at a corner. Giles rose completely unchallenged to nod the ball beyond Tosh and put Pollok one ahead. Worse was to follow five minutes later. Anyone who can remember the Scottish cup defeat away at Hill o beath must have had a deja vu moment when Pollok went two up, as their second goal was identical to one Talbot lost that day albeit without the aid of a gale force wind. A long throw in from the left, Tosh came from his line into a ruck of players, got nowhere near it and when the ball was touched on McLauchlan had the easiest of tasks to head into the empty net.
Talbot had an opportunity very early in the second half to get back into the match but Wallace spurned a golden opportunity. Houston's ball over the top sent Wallace free with Wilson in nets stranded off his line, unfortunately George opted for the early shot and his weak effort went straight at the Pollok keeper. Talbot pressed to get back into the match but the final ball wasn't there.
On 63 mins Pollok killed the game stone dead and once again it could have been avoided. Talbot failed to clear their lines and the ball broke out to the edge of the area to McMenamin. His attempted cross to the back post should have been dealt with by Gilmour on the line but somehow the ball managed to go into the net and it was game over. In keeping with the rest of the afternoon Pollok's fourth, five minutes from time was another defensive blunder. Todd lost possession allowing Logan to stroll through on Tosh and as the keeper advanced Logan dinked the ball over his dive and into the net.
A very disappointing display by Talbot, and Neilston gaining an unexpected point against Cumnock won't have helped matters.
Still as Monty Python would say always look on the bright side of life, at least the Buffs are out of the Scottish.
BOT FIND GOAL TOUCH
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 5 MAYBOLE 2 (H-T 3-1)
Houston 2, Friels 23,55 Stevenson pen 34, B.Kerr 75
Eeles 37, Wallace 86
Talbot reverted to a 4-4-2 formation for this cup encounter and it certainly seemed to increase the team's fire power with 5 goals scored and a barrowload of chances missed into the bargain.
Talbot wasted no time in settling down and took the lead as early as the 2nd minute. George Wallace playing wide on the right wing, knocked over a good cross toward the back post where Houston was on hand to put it away from close range to put the Bot 1-0 ahead.
Maybole were passing the ball well without really doing too much and Talbot should really have doubled their tally when Wallace again knocked the ball in from the right touchline on 12 mins but Friels failed to make any real contact and a golden chance was lost.
Neil Gilmour was unlucky soon after when he dinked a great pass over the Maybole defence but Scott Houston was too slow off the blocks and Kelly came from his line to gather. Talbot then had a lucky escape when Maybole's centre forward, looking at least a yard offside, sped clear of the defence only for Tosh to race from his line to tackle him just outside the area before clearing the ball to safety.
When Talbot did move two up it was a combination of good Talbot passing and poor defending that unlocked the Maybole defence. Wallace gathered the ball around the half way mark, wide on the right touchline before passing the ball up the wing to Neil Gilmour who was in space wide of the area. Neil squared the ball along the Maybole 6 yard line where it seemed to pass straight through the first defender to land at the feet of the unmarked Friels who took a touch before burying the ball past Kelly.
Talbot's best passing move of the half came just after the half hour mark. The move began out on the left with Eeles and then Gavin Friels before play was switched to the right where Wallace teed up Duncan George for an effort but under pressure George fired well over the bar.
Talbot were then caught cold on 34 when ex Bot player Andy Stevenson outpaced Todd only to have his shirt tugged. Despite the fact that it looked to be a yard outside the area, and that the linesman with a perfect vantage point hadn't signalled the ref awarded a penalty, then mysteriously took no action against Todd who would have been the last man. The upshot of it all was that Stevenson took the spot kick and calmly knocked it in to Tosh's left to pull Maybole back into the match. However Maybole's hopes were short lived as within three minutes Talbot had restored their two goal cushion. Friels won a corner out on the right and when the ball was crossed over it was Gavin who managed to get his head on to it but could only direct the ball across the face of goal. The ball fell to Simon Eeles in space just wide of the 6 yard box and he looked up before curling a cross come shot towards the back post. Wallace threw himself at the ball but didn't make contact as the ball spun into the net past the helpless Kelly to put the Bot 3-1 ahead at the interval.
Talbot started the second half in fine style and had a real opportunity to stretch the lead on 50 minutes. Friels had the ball on the left of the area but opted to shoot from an acute angle when a cross to the back post to the unmarked Wallace was probably the better option. Wallace then followed suit when he cut inside the left back but with players in the centre opted for an extravagant right foot finish which went well wide.
However Talbot's goal was only delayed and when it arrived it was a classic. Friels latched onto the ball midway inside the Maybole half before driving directly for goal leaving Carlo Walker trailing in his wake. Free of the last defender Friels fired an unstoppable drive past Kelly from the edge of the box to put the game beyond any doubt. Talbot were really stretching the Maybole defence and they had a lucky escape when the ball was scrambled away from Houston and again minutes later when Wallace drilled a low cross into the danger zone which had to cleared from deep inside the 6 yard box.
With twenty minutes remaining Talbot made a double substitution with Simon Eeles and Todd going off to be replaced by Reid and Peacock.
Talbot then squandered another good chance when a slip by Walker allowed Houston through on goals. With only the keeper to beat Houston attempted to flick it past Kelly with the outside of his right boot but the ball sailed wide of target. On 74 mins Kelly made a great instinctive save to deny Friels his hat-trick. Houston did well out on the right flank and his low centre was met 6 yards out by the onrushing Friels only for Kelly to deny Friels what looked like a certain goal.
Completely against the run of play Maybole then broke up the park and scored, a fine individual effort from their sub, Brian Kerr, who ended a fine solo run by slotting the ball away into the bottom left corner. With ten minutes remaining Tosh was injured in a collision with a Bot team mate and following lengthy treatment had to go off to be replaced by Colin Traynor.
Talbot continued to press and Wallace was rewarded for a good afternoon's work when with 4 minutes left on the clock he met Friels cut back and placed the ball beyond Kelly to finish the scoring.
A good display by the Bot, albeit against lower league opposition, though in fairness Maybole have an impressive record this season and appear to be certs for promotion. Slavin was solid at left back winning everything in the air, and the two wide men, Eeles and Wallace caused Maybole no end of problems. There was plenty on offer to encourage the Bot fans for the remainder of the season.
Talbot - Tosh, Todd, Slavin, Macca, Traynor, George, Wallace, Gilmour, Friels, Houston, Eeles
subs - Reid, Peacock and C Traynor
CUMNOCK 3 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2 (H-T 3-1)
Talbot narrowly lost this entertaining derby encounter and were left to rue some slack defending and wasteful finishing by the final whistle.
With uncanny timing the rain that had threatened but never appeared rattled down the second the game started and with the Bot fans exposed to the elements the first half was a dampener in more ways than one.
The game was played at the expected frenetic pace right from the off though neither keeper had much to do in the early exchanges. Talbot's first real sniff at goal came after good work from Neil Gilmour at the edge of the area. The ball broke to Scott Houston on the right of the Nock area but his effort flashed over the bar. Tosh was then called into action on 11 mins when he saved Black's free kick, smothering the ball at the second attempt. However minutes later Tosh was helpless to prevent Cumnock from moving ahead. Black cut in from the right touchline and was given time to pick out his pass to the onrushing Davie Walker, who completely unmarked, stroked the ball into the corner of the net. Whilst Walker finished it well a few questions were raised amongst the Bot support about the defence's role in allowing the cross and leaving Walker completely free.
With quarter of an hour played Houston was carded for a foul on Gardiner, who had escaped a caution for an identical offence against Wallace earlier in the game. Worse was to follow when Cumnock were awarded a very soft, and contentious free kick at the edge of the area after 20 mins. McCulloch struck the free kick and whilst Tosh saved his effort the defence stood around admiring his work allowing Kerr to pop in and knock home the rebound. The game was being fiercely contested but Talbot weren't making any headway towards Potter in the Cumnock nets, though the Bot fans had plenty to shout about, most of it directed at the ineptitude of the near side linesman and the referee.
Out of the blue Talbot got back into the game after 32 mins when Wallace rose unchallenged in the area to nod home a corner from the left. This lifted the whole team and seemed to rattle both the Cumnock team and the home support. On 36 Chris McGowan cynically hacked down Scott Houston and was more than a little lucky to escape with a yellow card when there was a fair shout for him being last man. The upshot of it all being a free kick to the Bot. Houston's first effort was a bit of a misfire but as the Nock wall had encroached to within about two yards the ref gave him a second stab at it and this time he blasted a great effort on target, unfortunately it was too central and Potter palmed the ball away.
Talbot seemed to be taking a grip of proceedings only for disaster to strike in the shape of a penalty award to Cumnock. Duncan George dived into the tackle against Black who was going nowhere, clipped him, and that was that. McCulloch stepped forward to blast home the penalty and restore Cumnock's two goal lead.
Things could have been worse as just before the interval the defence were again found wanting when they permitted Paterson to stroll through the centre straight at Tosh who produced a fantastic stop to deny the Cumnock midfielder. The ball broke Cumnock's way and it required an impressive clearance from his own goal line by Collins to avert the danger. In making the clearance he was clearly fouled by a Nock forward, a fact pointed out a bit too forcibly by Tosh who ended up booked for his troubles.
Collins injury kept him in at half time with Peacock replacing him. Talbot almost pulled a goal back within minutes of the restart when Friels latched onto Gilmour's through ball only to see his attempted lob tipped over the bar. From the resultant corner Peacock met the ball beyond the back post but couldn't control his volleyed effort which flew back across goals and over. Talbot had a lucky escape on 50 mins when Black fired narrowly over the bar.
On 55 mins came a moment of real controvery when McGowan, who had somehow evaded a red card earlier on, was again guilty of a cynical foul to deny a possible goal scoring opportunity. In an all too common act of indecisive cowardice the ref gave Talbot the free kick but didn't send off McGowan.
Talbot had a real chance to get back in the game right on the hour mark when Friels just cleared the bar, when he volleyed over Gilmour's cross. Cumnock were on the back foot and Gardiner was rightly cautioned for going right through Scott Houston.
Houston had a superb chance to pull Talbot back into the game on 66 mins when he was clean through on Potter, only to drill his shot low and hard straight at the keeper when a yard either way or a bit of height on the ball would surely have seen a goal. Talbot had another good chance following the awarding of a free kick wide on the right. The ball was knocked over to the back post where Houston nodded it across the face of goal but George Wallace didn't react quite quickly enough and the Nock defence scrambled the ball clear at the expense of a corner. From the corner Houston then had another chance to put the game back into the melting pot but he was falling backward as he hit his shot and it trundled fairly tamely to the keeper. With fourteen minutes remaining Talbot made their first switch, Gilmour who had just been fouled making way for Simon Eeles.
Duncan George took the freekick following the foul on Gilmour and when the ball swept in from the right, the Bot support knew it wasn't to be our day when Slavin glanced the ball wide of target when it seemed easier to score.
Having made most of the running for the second half Talbot came close to going three behind when Paterson made space for himself at the edge of the area before firing a great strike off the bar.
In the closing minutes Talbot brought on Reid for Slavin. With time running out Wallace headed over from a Houston cross before Wallace was denied by a good save from Potter following a good solo run by Peacock. As the game drifted into injury time Talbot finally got the goal their second half display merited and what a goal it was. Reid picked the ball up thirty five yards from goal and drove straight at the Cumnock rearguard. As they backed off he looked up and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner to put a truer reflection onto the scoreline, albeit his goal was too late in the day to have any bearing on the result.
By no means Talbot's worst performance of the season, this was still a frustrating performance. The Bot gave away cheap goals in the first half leaving themselves with a mountain to climb and with results elsewhere not going according to plan it's going to be a nerve wracking end to the season.
Talbot - Tosh, Todd, Slavin, Macca, Traynor, Collins, Wallace, George, Friels, Houston, Gilmour
subs - Peacock, Eeles, Traynor and Gemmill
Cumnock - Potter, Jack, Gardiner, McDonald, McGowan, Walker, Paterson, Black, Kerr, Dempster, McCulloch
BOT CRASH OUT WEST
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2 BELLSHILL 5 (H-T 1-2)
This game began disastrously and ended in similar fashion. Within three minutes Talbot fell behind to a freak goal with Robertson in goal looking culpable as an attempted cross from the right floated over his head and into the top corner of the net.
The game was very scrappy with Talbot battling hard to get back into the match after the early setback. On 23 mins the Bot had a real chance to get back on level terms. Eeles got free on the right wing, and knocked a cross into the path of Gavin Friels who scooped the ball just over the bar.
Bellshill doubled their advantage on 39 minutes. A good run a cut back was finished off by Talbot's old nemesis Creaney who fired home from close range. It was vital for Talbot to score quickly to get back into the match and right on half time the Bot got the lift they were looking for. Gilmour's run into the box was abruptly halted when he was upended. The ref pointed to the spot, McAuley took the kick and just as at Johnstone Burgh McAuley's spot kick was saved only for Friels to react first and knock in the rebound.
Talbot started the second half in positive fashion, pinning Bellshill back into defence. Wallace's through ball presented Eeles with a chance to play the ball low across the face of goal but the defence reacted well and knocked the ball out of play for a corner.
When Talbot did equalise it was in spectacular fashion. Gilmour picked the ball up on the left, drifted in field before firing a great drive into the left hand corner of the net past the keeper.
However all Talbot's hard work in getting back into the match was squandered when they conceded a very cheap third goal, McGrillen being given the freedom of the park to stride through and slot the ball past Robertson.
On 68 Talbot almost drew level again. Gilmour's free kick caused the Bellshill keeper all manner of problems. Unable to hold the shot he opted to punch but almost missed the ball and ended up directing it straight out to the edge of his own area. The ball was then worked right before being whipped into the back post where Friels had a glorious chance to score but with plenty of time he panicked, went for the quick volley and fired well over.
As the game wound down Talbot's tiring legs were exposed time and again with Bellshill grabbing two goals on the counter attack in the dying minutes, both of them courtesy of ex Well winger McGrillen who completed his hat-trick. In injury time McGrillen turned provider breaking down the wing before squaring the ball but with the goal at his mercy the Bellshill forward hit it into Robertson.
Just as last week it was poor defending that cost Talbot dearly and the side clearly missed the presence of Collins and Macca at the back and Tosh in nets. Hopefully these defensive frailties can be shored up in time for next week's crucial encounter with Ladeside.
Talbot - Robertson, Todd, Slavin, Peacock, Traynor, George, Eeles, McAuley, Friels, Wallace, Gilmour
sub - Gemmill
ARDROSSAN WR 0 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 (H-T 0-1)
Talbot made heavy weather of killing off Winton in this cup tie but the result was never really in any doubt. Talbot started the game sprightly enough forcing a corner as early as the first minute. However Talbot couldn't make anything of it and this pattern was to continue throughout the match. Talbot were seeing plenty of the ball but the first real effort came after 11 minutes when Gilmour slipped the ball through for Gavin Friels who fired over the bar. Johnson in the Ardrossan goal did well to come from his line a minute later to snatch a cross off the head of the waiting Brian Slavin.
Talbot then had a succession of chances, none of which amounted to much. Wallace headed weakly at goal, Slavin tried his luck from distance but it went straight at the keeper and then Friels set up Wallace inside the box but his shot lacked conviction and was comfortably saved. With Ardrossan pinned back Macca came from the back to join in the attack and Johnson did well to smother his low cut back following good work by Friels. On 21 minutes Talbot finally made the breakthrough with the first real fluid passing move of the game. Todd knocked it in from the touchline to Macca who shoved it into the path of Friels who blasted home to make it 1-0.
Having rarely been seen over the halfway line Ardrossan were a bit unfortunate when they were denied an equaliser by the linesman. Hesitancy in the Bot defence saw the defence and Tosh leave the ball to one another, it ran through for an Ardrossan player who at full stretch cut the ball back from the byeline into the centre of the box where it was rammed home. However the linesman had signalled that the ball had gone behind and gave a goalkick.
Ardrossan then had their own touch of luck when Johnson completely misjudged a cross. The ball broke to Wallace but for reasons known only to the ref he gave a foul against the Talbot forward. Talbot huffed and puffed for the rest of the half but despite territorial advantage couldn't really threaten the Ardrossan goal. Right on the stroke of half time Houston had a lucky break when he appeared to swipe at an Ardrossan defender with the ref taking a lenient view and only booking him.
The strange refereeing decisions continued after the break, if anything the ref made even more blunders, awarding Ardrossan a free kick for an offence only he could see and then booking Friels for protesting the decision. Houston was then clearly fouled on the edge of the area but to the amazement of the visiting fans the ref gave the decision the other way.
On 65 mins Talbot came close to doubling their lead. Wallace chased through and challenged the keeper whose attempted punch clear landed at the feet of Friels. Gavin curled his effort inches wide of the left hand post. Talbot then made a double switch to freshen things up, McAuley and Reid coming on for Todd and Houston. Reid was barely on the park when he almost scored with his first touch, his goal bound effort being deflected behind. When the corner came over it again fell to Reid but the ball came at an awkward height and he couldn't keep his effort down. A minute or so later Gilmour passed the ball inside for Reid to let fly with his left boot from 18 yards, his effort slipping just wide. It was at this point that it began to seem as if it just wasn't going to be Talbot's day in front of goal. This impression was confirmed on 70 when Slavin's effort from the edge of the box was inches away from ending the game as a contest.
With ten minutes remaining Traynor picked up an injury and had to limp from the field with Eeles coming on for Talbot. Ardrossan's final effort, and probably their best of the afternoon fell to former Bot player Mark McCann who picked the ball up midway inside the Bot half and drove forward before hitting an impressive strike just over. Seconds before the final whistle Talbot had one last chance to add to their solitary strike when McAuley set up Reid who cut inside the defender before attempting to pass the ball into the corner of the net. Johnson got down well to save.
It would be safe to say this wasn't one of Talbot's better performances, a bit flat but not helped by a very uneven playing surface. Talbot now face Cumnock at Beechwood in the next round.
Tosh, Todd, Peacock, Macca, Traynor, Gilmour, George, Slavin, Friels, Houston, Wallace
subs - Eeles, Reid, McAuley, Gemmill
BUFFS ESCAPE WITH A POINT
KILWINNING RANGERS 0 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 0
This visit to Abbey park saw a very different Talbot performance from the lacklustre display of the week before against Ardrossan. Kilwinning actually started the match the stronger of the two sides and should have taken the lead after only two minutes. The Buffs charged upfield following a Talbot corner and their counter attack caught the defence at sixes and sevens. The ball was played square to the unmarked Adams but he was far too casual and his shot was blocked to safety. Adams was then involved as a provider, crossing the ball over for Billy Mason to fire over the bar. Talbot then created a chance out of thin air for the Buffs, Peacock sclaffing a clearance but luckily Tosh was on hand to save the day.
Playing against a stiff breeze Talbot gradually began to play themselves into the match, and Duncan George was unlucky when his cross from the right was well cut out by the Buffs keeper. On 10 mins it was Wallace's turn to test the keeper. A ball over from the right flank broke for George in the box and from an acute angle he fired low on target only for the Buffs keeper to knock it behind for a corner. Talbot were going through a real purple patch and a good flowing move between Wallace and Friels carved out an opening for Gavin. His shot was well saved but the rebound broke to Scott Houston whose netbound screamer was deflected behind off a Buffs defender.
On the quarter hour mark good play by Tucker Sloan created an opening for Houston but wide on the right of the area he tugged his shot across the face of goal and behind for a goal kick. Tucker was again involved when he passed to Gavin Friels whose through ball split the defence wide open but unfortunately Wallace from a very similar position to Houston earlier, pulled his shot across goal.
The game exploded in 25 mins when Fabiani was guilty of a dreadful assault on Duncan George only yards from the referee and Talbot dug out. Tempers were understandably frayed and after all the pushing and jostling had settled down the referee elected only to book Fabiani and the Buffs left back for his part in the fracas. The Bot support were outraged at the ref's leniency. Once the game settled down Houston did well to battle through on the right only to be thwarted by a fine save. George was unable to continue following Fabiani's assault and so Talbot had to re-jig the team with Eeles coming on in place of George. The ref confirmed the Bot support's low opinion of his abilities when he somehow failed to send off Fabiani for a blatant shirt tug on Scott Houston. Having failed to send him off earlier here was the perfect opportunity to rectify that mistake but he opted to give the freekick and ignore the offence.
The Buffs came storming back into the match on the stroke of half time, firstly Simon Eeles was in the right place at the right time to deflect a netbound shot, then in injury time Adams got his head onto the end of a free kick only to be denied by the post. The ball broke for Kilwinning but Tosh managed to save the follow up.
With the wind behind them Talbot took the game to the Buffs in the second period, though the bizarre refereeing decisions continued with Eeles booked for the most innocuous of challenges. On 54 mins Friels floated a good cross over from the left with Wallace climbing at the back post to direct it goalwards. However he couldn't get any real power behind it and the keeper was able to punch clear. The Buffs keeper again did well when he raced from his line to punch away a tempting McAuley freekick. Talbot were making almost all of the running, a fact reflected in the rash of substitions the Buffs made to turn the game around, all three subs coming on in short order. Despite territorial advantage Talbot were getting no change out of the Buffs keeper who was more than a match for anything Talbot could throw at him. With 72 mins played Talbot came very close to breaking the deadlock. Great play from McAuley released Gavin Friels on the right. Gavin carried the ball into the box and then fired low for the far post. His shot went just wide with the keeper scrambling and Scott Houston arriving just too late to deflect it in. Houston was then booked and subbed within the space of a minute, Gordon Reid taking his place. The Buffs keeper who had been having a fine match blotted his copybook with an appalling piece of cynicism, when he clearly feigned injury in an attempt to get Reid red carded. The ref correctly waved play on but neglected to book the goalie for his actions.
Talbot continued to do all the pressing with Tosh a virtual spectator. The Buffs cause wasn't helped late on when a rash tackle by Mason resulted in a red card, and this coupled with an injury after having used all three subs meant the Buffs had to limp to the final whistle with nine men.
When the game finally ended the Bot support hailed the efforts of the visiting team who had more than matched the league leaders, and could feel a little hard done by not to have taken all three points
Talbot - Tosh, Macca, Slavin, Peacock, Traynor, McAuley, George, Sloan, Friels, Houston, Wallace
subs, Eeles, Reid and Gemmill
TALBOT BURY BURGH
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 3 JOHNSTONE BURGH 1 (H-T 1-0)
Talbot took a step nearer to safety with this vital win in a hard fought, often scrappy game, played out in atrocious conditions.
With Friels, Wallace, George and Macca all unavailable Tucker and Jardine had to shuffle the squad around with Todd playing in an unfamiliar midfield holding role in front of a back three of Collins, Traynor and Peacock. In the absence of Friels and Wallace, Simon Eeles partnered Houston in attack.
Talbot almost got off to a flying start from Eeles corner in the 1st minute. He curled the ball straight across the face of goal but unfortunately there was nobody on hand to supply the finishing touch.
With a little assistance from the powerful breeze at their back Talbot pinned Burgh back in their own half without really threatening too often. A break by Eeles looked promising but he carried the ball that half yard too far and the keeper did well to come out and smother the danger. Houston then knocked a great ball into the centre of goal but there wasn't a Talbot player in the 6 yard area to take advantage. The pattern continued of Talbot pressing without testing the keeper. A free kick opportunity was squandered when McAuley shoved the ball to Houston but he didn't connect properly and the ball limped through to the keeper.
Then on 37 minutes Talbot took the lead out of the blue. Houston did well down the right and when he fired the ball into the goalmouth Neil Gilmour popped up from close range to beat the keeper to the ball at the near post, and flick home. Not much else happened before the break other than Eeles and Burgh's left midfielder both picking up bookings in quick succession. Right on the stroke of half time Murray powered a header straight at Tosh for what was Tosh's first real save of the match.
It became apparent early on that the second half was going to be a bit of a backs to the wall scenario as Burgh began pressing with the elements in their favour. Hesitancy by Peacock almost proved costly when the ball fell for Murray who blazed just over the bar. Burgh were doing most of the running but occasionally overhitting the final pass or wandering offside to relieve pressure on the Bot defence. Just shy of the hour mark Talbot made a change with Eeles going off to be replaced by Reid. Talbot had a lucky escape on the hour following a Burgh corner. Just as with Eeles effort in the first minute the Burgh corner curled right across the face of goal. The centre forward met it beyond the back post but from an acute angle could only head into the side netting. On 68 mins McAuley was booked as much for his reaction as for the initial foul. Within a minute Burgh were back on level terms. A Burgh corner was punched clear only as far as no.7 who from the left of the area chipped the ball back into the 6 yard area. Tosh did well to save the initial header but the ball squirmed loose for Murray to poke home from close range to level the score.
Talbot really needed to roll the sleeves up now with all of the momentum seemingly favouring Burgh. So to score within a few minutes of the restart was the perfect response. Reid found himself a bit of space out on the right before cutting in and squaring the ball over to Todd who from the edge of the area drilled a great low strike into the corner of the net. The game was now swinging from end to end and Burgh must have fancied their chances of nabbing an equaliser when Wozencroft powered a header on target with eight minutes remaining only to be denied by a great save.
In the closing stages Talbot were finding more space as Burgh pushed forward. Neil Gilmour did well to feed Houston with the ball, Houston's effort being turned round the post for a corner. Burgh managed to scramble the corner away but when the ball was crossed back in from the right Houston was left with acres of space to prod home at the back post and kill the game off.
Talbot played out time quite comfortably and at the final whistle there was a huge cheer for the team's efforts. However the occasion was marred by the disgraceful behaviour of the Burgh coaching staff, one of whom having invaded the pitch earlier to remonstrate with McAuley, clearly headbutted McAuley at the final whistle. Hopefully the ref or his assistants managed to see this unsavoury incident.
All in all an excellent win and the fans will be hoping for more of the same next Saturday against Larkhall.
Talbot -3-5-2
Tosh, Traynor, Collins, Peacock, McAuley, Slavin, Todd, Gilmour,Sloan, Eeles, Houston
subs - Gemmill and Reid
TALBOT INCH CLOSER TO SAFETY
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 LARKHALL THISTLE 1 (H-T 1-1)
Today's game was the first of a number of crucial league encounters facing Talbot and whilst the support would have been disappointed with just the one point, thanks to results elsewhere, Talbot have managed to move a touch closer to safety.
The game itself was played like a cup tie as you would expect between two teams who are still not safe from the threat of relegation.
From the outset this was a fiercely contested match without either side overstepping the mark. Talbot were the first on the attack Houston forcing a corner as early as the third minute. However in a pattern that was to become all too familiar to the Bot support, a combination of aerial power from the Thistle central defence and poor delivery from set pieces meant Talbot could make nothing of their early set piece chances.
Talbot were in the ascendancy but weren't really testing the goalie and were almost caught out on 14 mins after slack play by Slavin created an opening for Thistle down the right. When the ball broke Thistle's way in the box it looked dangerous for the Bot but Tosh managed to block the effort and Todd swept the ball away to safety. Unfortunately within two minutes Talbot were to fall behind and it was a poor goal to concede. Larkhall hit a long free kick up the park and without a shout to assist him Slavin had little option but to play safe and head the ball behind. From the resultant corner Larkhall's centre half rose completely unchallenged at the back post to nod home and put the visitors one ahead.
Talbot tried to respond immediately and Friels was unlucky when his ball over the defence proved to be just too strong for Reid who was beaten to it by the Larkhall keeper. Talbot were plugging away but to be frank getting nowhere in a hurry so when the equaliser arrived on the 28th minute it was a welcome surprise. Friels did well out on the right before swinging a cross over to the back post. Houston climbed well and directed his header down toward the near post. Although the keeper managed to block his effort it rebounded back to Houston who from an acute angle fired across the goal, Reid being on hand to bundle the ball home from close range.
The goal certainly lifted Talbot and Larkhall were now firmly on the backfoot. Following a corner out on the left which Larkhall only partially cleared, Talbot had a strong appeal for handball dismissed by the ref, when Gilmour's centre appeared to bounce up and strike a Larkhall hand. On 36 mins Todd almost broke through the Larkhall defence from a good pass by Houston but on a fiery surface he just couldn't get the ball out of his feet and under control at pace and the keeper gathered. Five minutes before the interval the customary dreadful refereeing decision duly arrived. Neil Gilmour was blatantly barged off the ball but to the relief of the defender and anger of the crowd the ref waved played on. Right on the stroke of half time Talbot put together a good move involving Reid and Friels, similar to the first goal but this time the final cross was inches too high for Houston who couldn't make a clean contact at the back post.
The second half followed a very similar pattern to the recent cup tie with Bellshill, though thankfully there were no McGrillens playing for Larkhall. Talbot, eager to secure the three points, did most of the pressing with Larkhall utilising the long ball game to launch swift counter attacks. Every Bot supporter in the ground thought Talbot had taken the lead on 48 mins. Larkhall failed to clear a corner, the ball fell to McAuley who squared it for Reid, his shot was well parried by the keeper but the ball spun straight into the path of Gavin Friels who somehow nodded wide of target from all of three yards. Talbot continued to press but were playing a risky game holding a high backline and were almost exposed when a long punt from the back led to Traynor being caught for pace on the right of the Talbot back three, thankfully the Larkhall forward lobbed inches off target with Tosh stranded off his line.
Larkhall seemed encouraged by this and went on the offensive. From a corner kick Tosh pulled off a great instinctive save to turn the ball over the bar when it looked like a Larkhall goal all the way.
The referee then earned the wrath of the home support when the near side linesman awarded a freekick for a shove on Houston only for his decision to be over ruled by the man in the centre who awarded Talbot a shy instead. It was now Talbot's turn to press and from the throw in Houston forced a corner out on the right. For once the delivery was spot on but the defence did well under pressure to clear.
On 71 mins Reid did well to create an opening for Houston but he didn't react quickly enough and the keeper gathered. In the closing stages it was virtually all Talbot but again the final ball just let the side down. A string of crosses, from corners, free kicks and open play failed to clear the first man, with the Larkhall defence coping well under pressure. With ten minutes remaining Traynor found himself in an unfamiliar role deep in the Larkhall area when he tried his best to get on the end of through ball from Friels but lacked the pace to take advantage.
With eight minutes remaining Wallace replaced Houston in the Bot attack. Talbot continued to press but were almost caught cold late on when Larkhall's centre forward latched onto a poor clearance before firing just wide of the target. With the game heading into injury time there was one final flurry from the Bot. Gavin Friels looked as though he was going to seal a precious win when he fired low towards the keeper's left side but the Larkhall no. 1 produced a great stop, getting just enough on the ball to turn it past the post for a corner. When the ball came over Collins rose well but under pressure he headed over.
This was a very evenly contested match, Talbot did most of the pressing but Larkhall defended well and looked dangerous on the break. Kilbirnie's victory over Neilston means that Talbot still have a bit of breathing space but makes for a fascinating 90 minutes next week at Valefield.
Tosh, Todd, Traynor, Slavin, Collins, Sloan, McAuley, Gilmour, Friels, Houston, Reid
subs - Wallace, Eeles and Peacock
TALBOT SURVIVE VALEFIELD BATTLE
KILBIRNIE LADESIDE 1 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 (H-T 1-0)
From first to last this crucial league encounter was played more like a cup tie, and there was plenty of incidents, both on and off the ball to keep the fans talking.
Talbot played the same formation as last week but with McAuley suspended Todd reverted to the right wing back role with Peacock coming into the centre.
The game started at 100 mph and never really let up, the bumpy playing surface didn't help matters either, so it was always going to be a bit of a scrap. Neither side really carved out any clear cut openings in the early exchanges though Reid had a half chance when Burns in the Ladeside nets fluffed a clearance straight at him but he rushed his effort and it was an easy save for the keeper.
The Bot support were up in arms after 13 mins when Gillies went in recklessly with studs showing, with the ref failing to produce a card of any co
With only 17 mins gone Talbot were forced into a change with the injured Houston being replaced by Wallace. Gavin Friels came close on 23 mins when he fired just wide of the left hand post, curiously the ref awarded Ladeside a foul for some offence Friels was adjudged to have committed so it wouldn't have counted had it slipped in anyway. A minute later Friels forced a corner out on the right with Collins getting his head to the ball to glance wide. Talbot's first scare came on 27 when Gillies passed in to Dunne who carved out a chance for Muir whose shot was blocked. Shortly after Gillies found himself in the book for a late challenge on Peacock.
On 29 mins the Bot support were stunned when Kilbirnie scored out of nothing. A shy down the right was head flicked on and with Tosh slow to leave his line Duncan nipped in to prod the ball home. Kilbirnie tried to press their advantage and a minute later it took a good sliding challenge from Slavin to clear the ball behind at the expense of a corner which Tosh punched clear under pressure.
The game boiled over in 33 mins when Gavin Friels was booked. Kilbirnie players surrounded the ref, shamefully trying to get him sent off, a pattern that was to continue as the game went on.
The referee clearly buckled under the pressure of the home support when he not only failed to award Talbot a freekick at the edge of the area for a blatant foul on Reid but in fact gave the award the other way.
Good work by Friels out on the right on 39 should have led to the equaliser but when the ball came over Reid delayed just a fraction and his shot was blocked. Talbot continued to press and the Ladeside players continued to drop like flies, some of them due to injury, others in a cynical ploy to get Friels sent off and to run down the clock. To the astonishment of the Bot fans the Ladeside support actually booed the officials at half time despite his leniency towards some of their players and his inability to control their attempt to bully him.
The second half opened with Talbot pressing hard. Firstly Friels squandered a chance to put over a cross from the right, moments later Todd whipped a good ball in from the same wing, Wallace volleying over in the centre. Peacock powered a shot goalward on 51 mins but whilst well struck it was straight at Burns who was able to save.
On 64 mins Burns produced a superb stop to deny Friels. Wallace out on the left fed the ball into Friels whose shot looked netbound all the way til Burns got it, the rebound fell for Peacock and his shot was cleared off the line. It was at this stage that some Bot fans must have wondered if it just wasn't to be our day.
On 67 mins Ladeside won a freekick out on the right following a foul by Slavin. When the ball was whipped in Drummond headed inches wide.
It wasn't long til Talbot were back on the attack and twice in as many minutes Reid had opportunities. On 70 mins he chased down a long ball beating Burns to it but was forced wide. He turned and fired for goals but although the keeper was stranded off his line Reid's effort lacked a bit of power and a defender was able to clear. A minute later and Reid was presented with a great chance to level the score but clean through on the left he opted to lob the keeper resulting in an easy gather for Burns.
Talbot again had a lucky escape when Gillies fired a great ball over from wide right straight across the 6 yard box but luckily there were no takers. With quarter of an hour remaining Friels had a chance to level matters when the ball broke his way but his effort hit the sidenetting.
As the clock ticked down Ladeside's timewasting, always apparent, grew ever more obvious, with players falling all over the place, balls kicked away and every decision disputed. By now Ladeside were under siege and the Bot support couldn't believe it on 86 mins when Burns produced a wonder save to deny Gilmour's piledriver at the expense of a corner.
Just when it looked as though Ladeside would somehow hold on justice prevailed. With one minute of normal time remaining Reid out on the left fed the ball into the box for Gilmour. His shot was again brilliantly saved by Burns but the rebound was hammered into the roof of the net by Friels to the delight of the large visiting contingent and to the despair of the Ladeside team and fans who saw relegation staring them in the face.
There was one final scare in the six minutes added on to compensate for Ladeside's timewasting. Slavin conceded a freekick just outside the area and with the Bot support almost afraid to look Tambourrini blasted well off target.
A battling display by Talbot that goes a long way to ensuring the team's survival. Kilbirnie's tactics were despicable and for their poor sportsmanship alone, not to mention their coin throwing support behind Tosh, they thoroughly deserve to be where they are, bottom of the league.
Tosh, Todd, Slavin, Traynor, Collins, Peacock, Sloan, Gilmour, Friels, Houston, Reid
subs - Wallace, Eeles, George and Macca
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 0 NEILSTON 1 (H-T 0-0)
There's no point glossing over the fact that this was a disastrous result for Talbot and a very poor performance into the bargain. A win would have ensured survival, to all intents and purposes a draw would have done the same but in all fairness Talbot never looked like getting either.
The game started promisingly enough, in fact Talbot could have taken the lead as early as the 1st minute when Eeles cross into the 6 yard area was met by Friels but his volley flew over the bar. A few minutes later Talbot again threatened. Sloan's pass through the centre was nodded down by Wallace towards Friels who just couldn't get on the end of it. Neilston's first real attack saw Cochrane fire the ball into the middle of the area where it broke the way of Wilson whose shot was blocked. McKie was next to threaten for the visitors. He was left all clear on the left of the area and his shot cum cross flew across the face of goals and out for a goal kick.
Talbot who had been on the back foot then hit Neilston with a good counter attacking move, Todd breaking through the centre before releasing Wallace whose shot slipped just wide of the post.
Both sides were struggling to create any chances and Tosh and Hewitt in the Neilston nets were virtually spectators. Tosh was called into action on the half hour mark when he did well to clear McKie's inswinging freekick under pressure.
Gavin Friels deflected shot won Talbot a corner out on the right after 32 and when the ball came over Collins was inches away from connecting. Talbot then had a really lucky escape following some shocking marking at a free kick. When the ball came over from the right Wilson was left in acres of space to head back across goal and Talbot were fortunate to scramble the ball to safety. On 39 mins Eeles passed up Talbot's best chance of the half. A deep cross from the left wing found Eeles unmarked at the back post but from only 5 yards he headed tamely at the keeper. With the clock ticking away Talbot had one final chance before the break. Friels drilled the ball across the Neilston 6 yard box from wide right and Wallace just failed to connect at the near post.
The second half started with Neilston conceding a soft corner kick. When the ball came over Talbot played heady tennis with Collins then Friels nodding the ball on before Peacock headed goalwards only to see his effort blocked near the line. Neilston came very close to catching Talbot napping on the counter and only good recovery work by Todd prevented Neilston from snatching the lead. Todd was then instrumental in Talbot's next attack. He won the ball in midfield before releasing Gilmour down the left. Gilmour's cross travelled along the 6 yard line but Reid had strayed just offside and the chance was lost.
On 57 mins Talbot fell behind in very disappointing circumstances. Gilmour was penalised out on the right touchline for high feet. When the free kick came over a Talbot head deflected the ball onwards and Martin of Neilston was there 6 yards out to nod home completely unmarked, even had he missed it another Neilston player was lurking at the back post with not a defender in sight.
Talbot simply couldn't raise their game and never seriously looked like hauling the scores level. With twenty minutes left Talbot did have a good chance, Wallace's turn inside the box creating a chance for Friels, but his shot lacked conviction and the keeper got down to save to his left. As the clock ran down Talbot finally began to pin Neilston back but unlike the week before at Valefield there were no real clear cut opportunities being created. A string of corners came and went with little to show and when the final whistle blew, few could dispute that the better side had won, albeit that wasn't saying much as Neilston were no better than competent.
Talbot had players missing, McAuley suspended, Houston and George injured, and Macca and Slavin unable to make the match through work commitments but even so it was a poor display. Now Talbot's fate is out of their own hands, a win next week against Maryhill at Lochburn park is essential and fingers crossed results elsewhere go our way. It's certainly going to be nerve wracking stuff next Saturday, here's hoping for a much improved performance.
Tosh, Todd, Peacock, Traynor, Collins, Sloan, Eeles, Gilmour, Friels, Wallace, Reid
FRIELS AT THE DOUBLE
MARYHILL 0 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 3 (H-T 0-1)
On a day when Talbot really needed a big performance the players delivered, with Talbot arguably playing as well as they have all season.
The kick off was delayed as the players and fans paid their respects to those who fell victim to the tragic factory explosion earlier in the week, before the game got under way around five past.
Encouraged all the way by a sizeable travelling support Talbot made it clear from the kick off that no ball was going to be uncontested.
With only 7 minutes on the clock Talbot had a real chance to take the lead. Friels was barged from behind resulting in a free kick out on the right touchline. When the ball was delivered into the box Gavin Friels met it unchallenged but couldn't get above the ball and directed his header over the bar.
With so much at stake, Talbot were the hungrier side and were pinning Maryhill back in the early stages. However Maryhill's defending was rock solid and several well struck corners in quick session were all cleared by the Maryhill defence. On 14 minutes Friels popped up on the left wing and his cross into the centre was almost deflected for an o.g but with the keeper stranded the ball went agonisingly across the face of the goals. Neil Gilmour was the next to threaten when he threw himself at Todd's cross, sending his header wide of target. Talbot continued to press with Wallace doing well to set up Friels but the Maryhill rearguard were quick to close him down before he could pull the trigger and the chance was lost.
Whilst being highly competitive it hadn't been a dirty game, so when Gilmour was cautioned the Bot fans were enraged, especially as the Maryhill defender had seemed to make the most of what was a fairly innocuous tackle.
John Traynor, playing in a midfield role, did well to release the ball to Gavin Friels but he chose the wrong option, shoving the ball through to Wallace who had wandered into an offside position. The Bot support were again up in arms when Slavin appeared to win the ball cleanly on the half way line only for the ref, after some hesitation, awarding a freekick to Maryhill.
When Talbot's opener did arrive after 36 mins it was well worth the wait. George Wallace out on the left wing released the ball down the line to Friels. Gavin then cut inside the defender before bending an unstoppable strike in off the left hand post. Talbot didn't sit back and try to defend what they had but kept the pressure on. Maryhill's left back was cautioned on 41 mins when he hauled back Slavin who had beaten him in the challenge. With half time approaching Macca committed a foul just wide of the area, receiving a card for his troubles. When the ball was whipped over from the right it was met by a Maryhill boot but the volley flew over the bar.
If Talbot fans had been scripting the match they couldn't have asked for a better opening to the second period. Right from the start Talbot went on the attack Sloan knocking a good ball in behind the left back for Friels to chase. Gavin's cross was blocked by the defence at the expense of a corner. When the ball came over, after a bit of a scramble it broke for George Wallace who fired goalwards. The Talbot fans shouted for a goal as the ball appeared to be over the line before being cleared back out, and in any case it had been a defender's arm which had sent the ball back out. The ref went to consult with his assistant, with the fans waiting on tenterhooks to see if it was going to be a goal or a penalty. After a brief pause the ref signalled for a goal and the Bot fans began to celebrate in earnest, as thanks to the hordes of fans with radios on them, the Bot support already knew that Neilston were trailing Troon. The Maryhill goalie went ballistic at the decision, although how he could see what had happened when he was stranded off his line I've no idea, and was fortunate to remain on the pitch following his continual stream of abuse at the nearside assistant ref.
Talbot were now playing with confidence and it was almost three nil when a ball over the top caught the defence flat footed. Friels nipped in and attempted to steer the ball into the net only for the keeper to produce a top class instinctive save to deny him.
Maryhill then gave the Bot support a real scare when the impressive no. 7 met the ball beyond the back post before firing his shot off the foot of the post. As the ball rebounded off the woodwork it fell to Maryhill no.4 who shot wildly past.
Friels then came close again for the Bot when he directed a header just wide of target after good work from Todd, however his second goal of the afternoon was only displayed by a matter of minutes. On 68 mins Friels sprung the Maryhill offside trap and sped through one on one with the keeper. Keeping a cool head he rounded the keeper before firing the ball home from an acute angle to confirm Talbot's victory.
Any lingering hopes Maryhill may have had of a miraculous comeback ended on 76 mins. Sloan was fouled just inside the Maryhill half and as he lay prostrate on the turf, Tinney of Maryhill who had only been brought on some 9 mins before kicked the ball off him, with the predictable result of that he was heading for the exit.
As the clock ran down the Bot support waited anxiously for news from Brig o Lea and with seconds remaining a huge roar went up when it was confirmed that Troon had held on to win one nil.
A really impressive performance from the Bot and a great show of support from the fans who easily outnumbered the home support and gave the team 100% backing right from the off. Let's hope the team can keep this form going in Wednesday's encounter with Lugar.
Talbot 3-5-2
Tosh, Peacock, Macca, Collins, Todd, Slavin, Traynor, Gilmour, Sloan, Friels, Wallace
subs Reid, Eeles
STROLL IN THE SUNSHINE
DARVEL JUNIORS 0 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 3 (H-T 0-0)
In glorious sunshine Talbot notched their second successive win of the season, and once again kept a clean sheet.
Talbot were always in control of this Rockware cup tie but it wasn't until the second half that they managed to turn pressure into goals.
Within a minute of the game starting Talbot almost took the lead following good work by Reid out on the left. The ball sped across the Darvel area and landed at the feet of Houston who drilled his shot across the face of goal and wide of the target. Talbot were being a touch wasteful in front of goal, Neil Gilmour spurning a good opportunity following a corner kick and then Gallagher finishing tamely after a defence splitting pass by Reid.
Reid then took his turn to spurn a decent chance, albeit he created the opening for himself. He won the ball out by the touchline and carried it deep into the six yard area, unfortunately undoing all his earlier good work with a weak attempt to pass it past the keeper.
Talbot were almost shocked on 35 mins when Darvel could have snatched the lead. Having rarely been over the half way line, a good through ball opened up Talbot's rearguard and only Tosh advancing off his line to block with his feet saved Darvel from grabbing a shock and ill deserved lead. Talbot continued to pound away but to no avail and at half time the score line was blank.
Tucker opted to start the second period with the same eleven but clearly some words had been spoken as Talbot stepped up a gear or two to really put the screws on Darvel. Within minutes of the restart Slavin had twice been denied by fine saves, both from throw ins he'd latched onto. From the second of his efforts Talbot forced a corner and once again the keeper reacted well, this time touching Collins header over the bar. Scott Houston was then denied the opener when the keeper did well to gather and hold his diving header.
Talbot fans must have been wondering if it just wasn't our day, when Slavin met a free kick unchallenged only to see his header rebound of the keeper's right hand post. However this proved to be a short reprieve for Darvel as within a minute Talbot took the lead. A shy from the right touchline was glanced towards goal by Houston and although it was scrambled off the line Collins was there to rifle home the rebound to put Talbot ahead after 52 mins.
Within seconds of the restart Talbot could have doubled their advantage, McAuley charging through midfield before shooting from distance, his deflected effort well held by the keeper.
With 62 mins on the clock Talbot opted to make a change, Todd replacing Gallagher. Talbot's relentless pressure continued and only fine stops from the Darvel keeper prevented Houston and then Gilmour from putting the game beyond any doubt. The inevitable was only delayed however, and on 69 mins Todd killed Darvel off with a cool finish when clean through on the keeper leaving the Darvel no 1 with no chance.
With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot made a double substitution, with Wallace and Gordon Reid joining the fray, and with seven minutes remaining on the clock it was Gordon Reid who grabbed the third, his run through the centre of midfield ended with a drive low to the keeper's right.
A satisfying win for the Bot who won more comfortably than the scoreline might suggest, two wins out of two setting the team up nicely for the remainder of the sectional games.
MOM - Brian Slavin, worked tirelessly in midfield and extremely unlucky not to have grabbed a goal or two
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 DARVEL 0 (H-T 1-0)
A reshuffled Talbot team, playing the last half hour with ten men proved too strong for Darvel in this forgettable Rockware encounter.
Tucker had shifted the team around with McCluckie in at right back, Davie Wilson on the right of midfield, Todd and McAuley in the centre, Gilmour on the left, and Gordon Reid partnering Houston up front.
The only real point of similarity between this week's encounter and last week's match at Darvel was the fantastic weather, unfortunately the football on offer wasn't quite so dazzling. If the spectators hadn't been kept busy fending off wasps a few may have been in danger of nodding off, especially in the middle of the first half when the game was in danger of petering out altogether. In the opening exchanges neither keeper had much to do, Talbot's first real look at goal came when Houston nodded just past the post following a corner kick. A few minutes later McVey latched onto the Darvel goalie's punched clearance but his attempt to lob it goalward sailed over the bar. Just after the half hour mark Darvel almost snatched a shock lead. The referee, in keeping with the appalling standards of last season's officials, awarded a mysterious free kick to Darvel, presumably for McCluckie challenging for the ball. From the resultant deflected effort the ball broke straight into the path of Darvel no.7 who seemed poised to slot home but McVey did well to track back and challenge and did just enough to put him off.
Todd had an opportunity to open the scoring when he sped onto a great pass out of defence by Anderson but Todd shot wide of the keeper's left hand post. With half time approaching and no sign of a chance let alone a goal Talbot snatched the lead. McAuley did well to capitalise and latch onto a loose ball before driving through the defence and calmly passing the ball into the corner of the net. Talbot should really have gone in two goals clear as deep into injury time McCluckie's pass sent Gordon Reid clean through on the keeper but he wastefully scooped his shot over the bar.
The second half was pretty much following the same pattern as the first only with Talbot spending a little more time camped in Darvel's half. The game really exploded into life on 58 mins when Darvel's centre half went in late on Todd who retaliated right in front of the ref and was sent packing. Strangely enough going down to ten men seemed to lift Talbot and the last half hour of the match saw Talbot create most of their best chances. On 63 mins Houston was replaced by Steven Reid as Talbot opted to go for pace up front.
On 72 mins Gordon Reid cut into the box from the left, only to be blatantly upended in the box, however the ref and his assistant conspired to be the only two people within fifty yards who didn't spot it and nothing was given. Gordon Reid was again involved minutes later when McAuley's defence splitting pass sent him straight through on goal. With the keeper 18 yds out a lob seemed the best option but Reid delayed and then failed in his attempt to round the keeper. Davie Wilson then also missed a great opportunity when he broke free down the left but with only the keeper to beat he shot wide. With twelve minutes remaining Neil Gilmour went off and John Traynor came on in his place.
Gavin Collins almost put the game beyond doubt on 80 mins but headed narrowly over from a corner kick. With eight minutes remaining Peacock came on for McCluckie. First Gordon Reid and then Steven Reid passed up decent chances to notch Talbot's second and Talbot almost paid for this slackness in front of goal in the final minute. A dangerous cross from the right appeared to be dropping straight onto a Darvel head until Peacock got back in the nick of time to clear it over his own bar.
A pretty disappointing performance from Talbot but considering the last half hour saw Darvel have a man advantage it was still pretty comfortable with Tosh virtually a spectator for the duration of the match. A win is a win, here's hoping for an improved level of performance for the remaining sectional fixtures.
MOM - Ian McAuley
Tosh, McCluckie, McVey, Anderson, Collins, McAuley, Wilson, Todd, G.Reid, Houston, Gilmour
Subs - Traynor, S Reid, Peacock
SUPER SUBS SINK MUIRKIRK
MUIRKIRK 1 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 5 (H-T 1-1)
Somewhat surprisingly the indian summer weather had managed to reach as far as Muirkirk, so once again it was a perfect day for watching football.
With barely three minutes on the clock Talbot took the lead, and most of the travelling support, which means most of the actual crowd, must have anticipated a first half goal rush, unfortunately in that they were to be disappointed. The goal itself was well taken Stephen Reid interacting well with George Wallace to carve through the Muirkirk defence and when Wallace's shot was well saved by the Kirk keeper, the ball fell nicely for Stephen Reid to ram it home and put Talbot a goal ahead.
The celebrations were however, shortlived, as poor Talbot defending allowed Muirkirk to equalise within two minutes. A wind assisted free kick from within their own half sailed into the Talbot area over the head of Gavin Collins and when Henry was slow to react, Muirkirk's no. 7 popped up at full stretch at the back post to shoot past Phillips.
Talbot seemed stung by this early setback and for the remainder of the first half made heavy weather of it. Muirkirk lacked any creative guile but twice the Bot defence conspired to present them with gilt edged chances. Phillips was fortunate when his slack pass to Henry went unpunished and the same applied to Derek Anderson whose casual pass fell straight to a Muirkirk player at the edge of the area but Phillips did well to save his shot.
On 24 mins Talbot at last put together a good passing move, and McAuley was unlucky when his attempt flew just over after a good build up. Two minutes later and the visiting support were sure Talbot were going to take the lead but agonisingly George Wallace's strike rebounded off the keeper's left hand post with the goalie stranded and the defence scrambled the ball away. Just shy of the half hour mark Stephen Reid had an opportunity to double Talbot's lead when he was set free out on the right. However having drawn the keeper off his line he chose the wrong option, going for a strike from a narrow angle when a cross into the centre would have seen Talbot presented with an open goal. With four minutes to the break Talbot almost committed a carbon copy of the error for Muirkirk's first goal. Once again a long punted free kick wasn't dealt with by the defence, both Anderson and Phillips leaving it to one another, allowing the Kirk centre forward to nip in, though he was forced wide and could only force a corner. With half time approaching Talbot had two chances to move further ahead, firstly Gallagher headed over at the back post following Gillies cross when he might have done better, then McAuley latched onto Gallagher's pass to bear down on the Kirk goal but the least said about the shot the better, so after such a promising opening the teams went in at halftime deadlocked at 1-1.
Although Talbot started the second period in the ascendancy there was no sign in the early exchanges of the goal blitz that was to follow. On 52 mins James Latta talked himself into the referee's book, a mistake he was to pay for later on.
Talbot's defence again showed some vulnerability on 56 mins. Gallagher lost out in an aerial battle in midfield and when the ball was nodded on Muirkirk's no. 9 was in plenty of space but although he kept his shot on target it was comfortably saved.
Talbot fans were left exasperated on 67 mins when Wallace squandered a good chance to take the lead. Beating the Muirkirk offside trap he raced onto a pass and lifted it over the stranded keeper, however he also lobbed it over the bar and the chance went abegging. Within a minute Talbot had made a double substitution Neil Gilmour and Brian Slavin coming on for Gallagher and Wallace.
On 69 mins Reid had half a chance to put Talbot in front but the Muirkirk keeper did well to race from his line and avert the danger. However within a minute he was picking the ball out of the net and there was absolutely nothing he could about it. Latta crossed the ball over from the left flank where Slavin cushioned the ball into the path of Gilmour who hammered home an unstoppable volley from outside the area, a strike right up there with Gilmour's memorable goal away to Pollok.
The goal seemed to inspire Talbot as much as it demoralised Muirkirk and from then on until the final whistle it was one way traffic. The two subs combined again a minute later when Slavin nodded just over from Gilmour's cross. On 73 mins Stephen Reid made way for Gordon Reid.
With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot made it 3-1. McAuley provided a fantastic delivery from a free kick wide on the right and whilst the Muirkirk keeper did well to parry Anderson's point blank header, Slavin was there to sweep home the rebound.
Muirkirk were now all at sea and on 78 mins Gillies low cross from the right caused panic in the defence, the ball being sliced behind for a corner. Although not the best corner in the world it did result in Talbot's fourth goal. The ball fell to Gilmour at the edge of the area and when he mi*** his shot it fell kindly for Slavin who knocked it in to put Talbot on easy street. Muirkirk then fell further behind almost straight from the kick off. A long ball over Muirkirk's defence found Gilmour who controlled the ball instantly and lobbed it over the advancing keeper to complete the scoring.
The final noteworthy incident occurred with only one minute on the clock when Latta lost the plot and lashed out at a Muirkirk player, receiving his second yellow of the afternoon and his marching orders.
A fine win to round off Talbot's 100% qualifying campaign, the real tests lie ahead with Wednesday's encounter with the Buffs and next Saturday's visit by Pollok
MoM - Neil Gilmour
Phillips, Henry, Traynor, Anderson, Collins, McAuley, Latta, Gillies, Wallace, S. Reid, Gallagher
subs - Gilmour, Slavin, G. Reid
TEN V THIRTEEN
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 0 POLLOK 2 (H-T 0-0)
Talbot fought bravely against the odds but at the end of this opening league encounter had nothing to show for their efforts, in large part due to some truly awful officiating.
In front of a healthy crowd the match started at a high tempo, with Talbot the first to show when Houston muscled Heaton off the ball before firing wide of target. The game was being played at quite a hectic pace with Talbot having slightly the better of it. Gilmour's attempted drive on target was blocked by a defender but the ball fell back to Gilmour who put over a dangerous cross from the left which led to a momentary mix up in the Pollok rearguard before the keeper claimed it. On 12 minutes Gavin Collins split the Pollok defence wide open with a good ball from the back but Latta chose the wrong option, squaring the ball when he could have gone on himself.
Gilmour was next to show when he fired over a great cross from out on the left wing which was very well defended by Pollok at the back post.
The game was evenly poised, with Talbot probably slightly ahead on clear cut chances when the referee intervened to ensure all three points were heading back up to Glasgow. Talbot were pressing down the right when the ball broke between Aitchinson and Slavin. Slavin powered in, winning the ball only for the ref to give a foul to Pollok. To the disbelief of the Bot support the ref then produced a red card for Slavin. It was hard to tell who was more incensed by the decision, the players, fans or the committee, and Gilmour was to be booked within minutes for a late challenge.
Before the fans blood could cool, the linesman decided it was unfair for the ref to have a monopoly on incompetence and between the two of them, they ignored an absolutely blatant handball in the Pollok box, a stonewall penalty to Talbot if ever there was one.
Pollok almost capitalised on a mistake by Anderson but Jordan fired straight at Phillips who saved comfortably. The remainder of the half was played at a frenetic pace with no real chances to speak of but a spate of bookings, at least for Talbot players, with Henry and McVey being cautioned for late tackles and Houston yellow carded right on the interval for reason or reasons unknown. Just before the half time whistle Talbot made their first change with the injured Latta being replaced by Gallagher.
The second half was barely minutes old when Pollok came within inches of taking the lead. McAuley over elaborated in midfield and was caught in possession and Friels effort cannoned back off the post with Phillips helpless. Talbot then immediately launched a counter and Gillies wasted a real opportunity when he found himself in space on the right of the Pollok area but was unable to get the ball past the first defender, with two Talbot players zeroing in on goal.
On 55 mins Phillips turned a long range shot round the post for a corner to Pollok out on the right. When the ball was flighted over toward the back post a Pollok head directed it back across goal where Heaton was on hand to nod it in for the opener. Two minutes later Gallagher also found himself in the referee's notebook.
On 68 minutes McAuley who appeared to be struggling with a knock made way for Gordon Reid.
The Talbot fans gave an ironic cheer on 71 when Paterson was cautioned at long last for persistent fouling, the support having long since come to the conclusion that the referee had some unwritten law preventing him from booking Pollok players.
With quarter of an hour to go the tiring Houston was replaced by George Wallace but he had no time to make any impact before Pollok doubled their lead. Logan knocking his free kick over the defensive wall and into the net.
As the clock ticked down Pollok had one more opportunity to add to their lead but with the ball looking as though it was heading into the net, the Pollok substitute threw himself at, succeeding in clearing it over the bar from all of one yard.
Talbot tried hard but a man down for most of the match they were always up against it and it really began to tell in the last twenty when Pollok controlled the game against a tired side. Hopefully the club intend showing just as much fight as they did for most of the match by standing up and appealing against any ban on Slavin for violent conduct as any lengthy ban would merely be adding insult to injury. I also hope that today's match officials are not regulars at Bot matches this season, although it's unfair to wish them upon any other unsuspecting sides.
Phillips, Henry, McVey, Anderson, Collins, Slavin, McAuley, Gillies, Houston, Gilmour, Latta
subs - G. Reid, Gallagher, Wallace - not used Traynor
JOHNSTONE BURGH 3 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 3 (H-T 2-1)
Talbot left Keanie park with only the one point after a six goal thriller, which saw both sides finish the match with ten men.
Talbot started the game shooting up the slope and almost from the kick off forced a corner out on the right which came to nothing.
Within a minute Creaney came close for Burgh at the other end when his dipping shot just cleared the bar. Creaney was again involved moments later, this time squandering a decent chance with a poor first touch that allowed Tosh to race from his line to gather.
On Talbot's next attack Donohoe in the Burgh nets was very fortunate to be awarded a free kick following a challenge when it appeared that he simply spilled the ball of his own accord.
Talbot were playing most of the football with Burgh content to play hit and hope tactics aided by the slope, but for all Talbot's dominance of the middle of the park chances were few and far between with the Bot restricted to corners and long range efforts including McAuley's freekick which whilst well placed was never hit with enough force to seriously trouble the keeper.
Talbot were made to pay for this failure to turn possession into goals on the 24th minute. A Collins error out on the right touchline allowed McKnight the opportunity to square the ball to Creaney, he in turn laid it off to the onrushing Burgh midfielder whose effort was deflected past Tosh for the opener.
On 28 mins McAuley broke out from defence before finding Gillies out on the right. Gillies whipped a great ball into the middle but Houston couldn't get on the end of it and Burgh defended well under pressure. Reid showed some nice touches, firstly to create an opening for himself before firing wide, and then laying the ball off to Houston whose effort ricocheted off a defender.
When Talbot did finally draw level it was in no small part thanks to an error on the part of Donohoe whose woeful attempt at a punch landed right at the feet of Gallagher who took his time before calmly placing the ball into the net to draw the sides level. This seemed to lift Talbot and on 41 mins Latta drove just wide following a good move started by McVey. With 43 mins on the clock Gillies found himself in plenty of space on the right and with no one coming to close him down he carried the ball forward before drilling a powerful shot on target. Donohoe couldn't hold the shot and when the ball spilled out to the edge of the area Houston was there to hit it first time, firing narrowly past with the keeper well beaten. With Talbot seemingly on top it was a shock to say the least when Burgh strayed up the park and took the lead, and once again the defending left a lot to be desired. Burgh won a shy level with the 18 yard line and Talbot couldn't clear their lines or make the decisive tackle, allowing McKnight the time and space at the edge of the area to lob the ball home. Talbot tried to make good the damage before the break but time ran out and Burgh went in at half time a goal to the good.
Burgh must have come out for the second half telling themselves whatever happens don't concede an early goal before promptly conceding the earliest goal imaginable. Within a minute of the kick off Reid had levelled the scores with a fine solo effort, picking the ball up on the right touchline before skinning the fullback, cutting into the box and placing his shot well wide of the keeper.
Talbot were now well on top with the game largely being played in the Burgh half of the field. On 53 mins McAuley went in hard but fair on a Burgh player and you could tell immediately by his reaction that he was badly hurt. The game was held up for a spell before Burgh got a stretcher organised and the player was carried from the field.
Talbot continued to press with one or two nasty challenges beginning to creep into the game, with a few Burgh players seemingly out to get McAuley.
On 65 mins McKnight almost added to his earlier strike only to be denied by a great fingertip save from Tosh. Talbot opted to make a change with Gallagher being replaced by Todd.
With 69 mins gone Talbot took the lead for the first time. Houston did well out on the touchline beating his man before carrying into the box and drilling a low ball across the face of goal. With Gillies poised to score a Burgh defender bundled the ball over his line to put Talbot 3-2 ahead. McKnight then had a lucky escape when he clearly raised his hands to a Bot player in front of the ref who chose to ignore the incident. Talbot then made their second change of the afternoon with Houston going off to be replaced by Wallace.
Talbot had a let off on 73 when Creaney was clean through but he finished weakly, and within a minute Wallace had a great opportunity to kill the game when he was put clean through down the left but rather than try to round the goalie he chose a shot from the narrow angle and hit the side netting.
With twelve minutes to go the game exploded with both teams seeing a man sent off. Henry over ran the ball and dived in to retrieve the situation, showing his studs, the referee producing a straight red. McKnight then involved himself in an off the ball incident but this time the ref showed him no leniency sending him packing.
With ten mins remaining Talbot took off McAuley and brought Traynor on.
Talbot's defence had looked a bit suspect all afternoon and with five minutes left on the clock it was defensive frailties that allowed Burgh to equalise. Anderson lost out in the right back position and when the ball was cut back, Carberry was in acres of space to cooly sidefoot the ball home.
Talbot had one last chance to score, McVey coming close as his freekick clipped the top of the bar.
A topsy turvy game with Talbot coming from behind twice to snatch the lead only to surrender the lead through poor defending. Talbot controlled the match for long spells, a fact borne out at the end as the Burgh support were clearly the happier of the two at a share of the points.
MoM - Reid
Tosh, Henry, McVey, Collins, Anderson, McAuley, Latta, Gillies, Houston, Reid, Gallagher
Subs - Todd, Traynor and Wallace
REID AT THE DOUBLE
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 3 NEILSTON 0 (H-T 2-0)
Due to the loss of a pencil en route to the game and absence of any helpful souls carrying a handy pen with them to the football, I didn't actually write any notes for my match report so it will, mercifully, be briefer, and if possible, even less accurate than the norm, as I will have to rely on memory alone.
Talbot started brightly enough, with Reid utilising his pace to get in behind of the Neilston defence before firing just wide of target. However this early promise was short lived and the longer the first half wore on, the more errors crept into the game, with neither side able to retain the ball for any length of time. Neilston were having the upper hand, without actually threatening to score, so it was slightly against the run of play when Talbot took the lead on 36 minutes. Derek Anderson's perfectly weighted pass found Wallace free down the left side of the area and he had plenty of time to look up before centring the ball, with Reid on hand to fire in the opener.
Reid was proving to be a real handful and it looked as though he'd doubled Talbot's lead when he went round the keeper, only to be denied by a superb recovery from the Neilston keeper who recovered in time to smother the ball as Reid was poised to pass it into the net.
The keeper wasn't quite so athletic on the stroke of half time, when he made a total hash of dealing with a defensive header, fumbling the ball, before deciding to sit on it, finally being put out of his agony when Reid robbed him of it and bundled the ball into the empty net.
Obviously still feeling the after effects of his blunder the keeper started the second period nervously, needlessly conceding a corner to Talbot within minutes of the restart. The loss of the goal right on half time seemed to have knocked a bit of the stuffing out of Neilston and Talbot were for the most part, quite comfortable and the game was over as a contest when Todd was there to convert Gillies right wing cross and make it 3-0 to the Bot.
Talbot could have added to their lead, twice in as many minutes George Wallace came close to opening his account. Firstly firing a shot off the inside of the keeper's left hand post and then volleying on target after good work down the right by Gillies.
Talbot took off goal scorer Reid, with Gilmour going up front, and Gillies was replaced at the same time, Gallagher going over to the right.
Neilston pressed hard late on and could have nabbed a consolation goal but it was not to be. In the closing stages the game did get a bit towsy with Talbot sub Kerr involved in a spat with the Neilston sub. The ref pulled the game back for a foul to Talbot before booking both players, when he'd have been better letting the game go as Latta was clean through on the keeper at the time. Still match officials and commonsense are often strangers.
Not a classic performance but a good win and an entertaining enough cup tie. If nothing else the antics of the near side linesman, who managed to miss umpteen offsides yet spotted Tosh's dissent easily enough, and the decision of Neilston's ginger haired sub to engage the crowd in a bit of banter, helped keep the home fans on their toes.
MoM - Reid
Tosh, Traynor, McVey, Collins, Anderson, Slavin, Gillies, Latta, Wallace, Reid, Todd
subs - Gallagher, Kerr, Gilmour
TALBOT PAY THE PENALTY
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 BEITH JUNIORS 1 (H-T 0-1)
Beith win 4-2 on penalties
Talbot were left to rue missed chances as the first piece of silverware of the season slipped out of their grasp at Somerset park.
The match kicked off with both sides shooting towards their own support, and the near gale force wind favouring Talbot.
Talbot started the game positively enough, and almost benefited from a slice of good fortune when a shot from the edge of the area deflected off McCulloch but Ross was quick to react and get down to smother the ball.
Talbot again threatened a few minutes later, Houston's effort from outside the box deflecting behind for a corner out on the right. Talbot played the corner short, and Reid knocked a great cross over toward the back of the 6 yard box but Talbot were unable to make anything of it.
Beith were presented with an opportunity to test Tosh when they were awarded a free kick out on the right touchline but squandered the chance as the ball was delivered too firmly and flew across the area and out for a shy at the other side.
The game was highly competitive but there were very few efforts at goal in the early exchanges, and as the conditions deteriorated the play became scrappier. Neil Gilmour lifted the Bot support when he drove through the centre of midfield and tried an ambitious effort from distance, which was well struck but always flying just over.
Baxter then had a chance to put the Talbot rearguard under pressure when he was left in space out on the left, but his inswinging cross was overhit and drifted behind for a goal kick. Talbot immediately went down the other end and Gilmour fired in a tremendous effort from distance which Ross did well to touch over the bar. From the resultant corner Slavin flicked the ball toward Reid, who did well to shield the ball before turning the defender and firing just wide of the keeper's left hand post.
Just when everything in the garden was looking so rosy, disaster struck, when Gavin Collins, who otherwise had an outstanding match, made his one error of the night, a rash challenge just inside the area which resulted in a penalty kick to Beith. Former Bot player Derek McCulloch stepped up and blasted the penalty home giving Tosh no chance.
Talbot pressed forward looking for the equaliser but despite having the bulk of possession and territorial advantage couldn't make it count. Reid did well to set up Houston but his effort was no test for Ross, Latta was next to try his luck and whilst he fired it in low and hard, it was straight at the keeper. On 39 mins the Bot support thought the goal had finally come. Reid who had been a constant threat to the Beith defence was denied a goal by the tightest of margins as his shot came off the underside of the bar, only for the ball to land straight at the feet of Neil Gilmour who really should have done better with the goal gaping, but opted to be too precise and sidefooted wide of the target when anywhere on target would have sufficed.
Talbot kept the pressure up and Beith's no 6 Niven found himself in the ref's book for a foul on Latta. Gilmour hit the free kick and his effort was deflected wide for a corner out on the right. McVey came across to take it and his inswinging corner eluded Ross but no Talbot player was at the back post to take advantage. Right on halftime there was a moment of real controversy. The ball was fed out to Gilmour on the left touchline, he looped a great cross over beyond the far post where Houston nodded it past the keeper. However, the linesman, saw fit to chalk it off for offside. Curiously enough his flag was raised considerably after the initial pass and just after the Beith defender closest to him shouted for offside, proving once and for all that pressuring officials is a profitable exercise.
During the half time interval the impossible happened and the weather took a turn for the worse, with both sets of subs having to warm up in dreadful conditions.
Once the team's had returned after the interval Talbot started where they had left off, on the attack. Within a minute of the restart Talbot had a golden opportunity to level matters. Gilmour wriggled his way into the box with the ball eventually breaking the way of Houston. Ten yards out and with only the keeper to beat, Houston fired at the keeper who made the save and a great change went abegging.
James Latta was next to test the keeper, stabbing the ball goalwards at full stretch after a good run into the box. On the hour mark Reid surged through the middle but his pass to Houston was just too firm and the ball ran out for a goal kick. Reid then tried his luck from the edge of the area but pulled his shot wide of target. On 68 mins Beith made their first change, Cameron going off to be replaced by Duffy. Talbot were well on top at this stage and on 71 mins Ross did well to save from Brian Slavin, at the expense of a Talbot corner. When the ball came over from the left Slavin was there to dive and head home from point blank range to level the score at 1-1.
Having worked so hard to get back into the game, careless defending almost let Beith straight in at the other end, Tosh doing well to save to his left after being a virtual spectator for most of the second half.
It wasn't long til Talbot were back in attack and once again Reid was the one causing Beith all the problems. He picked up from deep and drove at the defence, before laying the ball into the path of Gilmour whose shot was deflected behind for a corner out on the right. The ball was delivered into the danger area but Beith managed to scramble the ball clear at the expense of a second corner, from which Collins headed wide under pressure. Gilmour then combined well with McVey down the left, McVey's cross to the back post eventually being scrambled clear by the defence.
With time running out Talbot were increasingly dominant and twice within a minute should have killed the game off. On 79 mins Reid carved out a great chance for Houston who hesitated and took a second touch which enabled the keeper to race out and gather at his feet, then a good passing move left Latta with a good opportunity from a cutback, but his final effort was disappointing.
Eventually time ran out for Talbot and the game was to be decided on penalties. McCulloch stepped forward to hit the first one to put Beith one up, Slavin took Talbot's opener, Ross diving to his left to save. Deney scored to put Beith two up, with Anderson netting for Talbot, Duffy made it 3-1, before Gillies pulled one back. Lundie then scored to put Beith 4-2 ahead with Houston having to score to keep Talbot in the shootout. Unfortunately he ballooned his effort well over the bar and it was all over.
Hard to fault Talbot's commitment on the night, and considering the conditions I thought they played well. Talbot's downfall was missing too many clear cut chances and let's just hope that the team can be a lot more clinical in front of goal for the remainder of the season.
MoM S Reid
Tosh, Todd, McVey, Anderson, Collins, Slavin, Latta, Gillies, Houston, Reid, Gilmour
subs - Traynor, Gallagher, G Reid and Kerr
COMFORT ZONE FOR TALBOT
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2 NEW ELGIN 0 (H-T 1-0)
Once again Talbot's finishing left a lot to be desired but in the final analysis, they are comfortably through into the second round of the Scottish cup, which is the only statistic that really matters.
Talbot could have opened the scoring as early as the third minute following a good one two between Gordon Reid and McVey. The ball fell to Neil Gilmour who stretched to toe poke the ball wide of the target. With five mins on the clock Gallagher conceded a free kick about 30 yds from goal and it was to prove one of the few glimpses at goal New Elgin were to have all afternoon. New Elgin's no.9, who appeared to be head and shoulders above the standard of his team mates, took the freekick, which took a slight deflection as it skidded just wide of the area. When New Elgin's corner came over from the right it was a dangerous delivery but it eluded everyone in the box and nothing came of it.
From then on until half time it was one way traffic all the way, as was expected. A long ball from defence from Anderson opened up the defence and as Reid advanced on goal he was crudely impeded. Gallagher hit the freekick but his effort was always sailing well over. On the quarter hour mark Talbot almost took the lead. Gillies fed the ball out to Gilmour on the right of the area, his cut back fell nicely for Slavin, who drove his effort low on target. The keeper was unable to hold it but the defence managed to scramble the ball to safety. However the goal was only delayed until the 20th minute. The unlikely provider was Tosh, whose clearance sailed over the static defence. Gallagher raced onto it, took one touch and fired from distance. The early strike seemed to catch the keeper on the hop and whilst Gallagher can be pleased with his effort the keeper should really have done better.
Having taken the lead Talbot pressed for a second. The keeper redeemed himself when he made a fine stop from Gilmour, turning his shot round the post for a corner. Talbot kept pressing and were utterly dominating possession but couldn't get the second goal. In one two minute spell three decent chances were passed up. Firstly McVey's cross to the back post was missed by Gilmour with the goal gaping, then Latta was twice denied by the keeper. His first effort was well saved but when Latta gathered the rebound he could have done better. Minutes before the interval Gillies, like Gilmour before him, failed to connect with a back post cross that really only needed a touch. So to the surprise of many, including the New Elgin players I should think, the teams went in at half time separated by the one goal.
Talbot started the second half looking for the killer second goal, and Gilmour could have provided it within seconds of the restart when he shot just wide of the goal. Within a minute, Slavin had put the game beyond any doubt. He raced through on the right of the area and the keeper raced off his line to block. The ball broke between them and it was Slavin who reacted quickest, prodding the ball home into the empty net. The New Elgin keeper did well soon after, when he again raced from his line, to block Gilmour's effort.
Just when it looked as though Tosh could leave the pitch and not be missed, he was called into action. New Elgin's no. 9 picked up on the halfway line and drove through the heart of the pitch before firing in a powerful drive which Tosh had to tip over the bar.
Talbot were soon in the ascendancy again and Gallagher came close when he volleyed just over the bar following a corner. On the hour mark Reid had a great chance to make it 3 when he was sent clean through by Gallagher. However he opted to hit it and the keeper did well to get down and block, when perhaps the better option would have been to round the keeper who was well off his line.
On 72 mins Talbot made a triple substitution, Anderson, Gillies and Latta being replaced by Traynor, Kerr and McAuley.
McVey was unlucky when he broke forward and cut inside, only to see his shot touched over the bar. When the corner came in from the right the keeper fumbled the ball but nobody was able to take advantage.
A defensive lapse then gifted Neil Gilmour with a glorious chance but as the ball trundled along the six yard line he swiped at it with his right foot and the ball drifted wide of the keeper's right post. With nine minutes remaining Gordon Reid was denied a goal by a fine save by the keeper after he had created the opening for himself.
In the closing stages Gallagher had a good shout for a penalty when he appeared to be blatantly shoved off the ball in the box but the ref thought otherwise and no penalty was forthcoming. Talbot's final effort at goal came in the last minute when McAuley surged forward and drove it across the keeper but wide of the far post.
A very comfortable win for Talbot but as with Tuesday night's game Tucker must have been disappointed at the failure to convert clear cut chances into goals, although the main thing is Talbot are in the pot for the second round draw.
Talbot (4-4-2) Tosh, Todd, McVey, Anderson, Collins, Slavin, Gillies, Latta, Gilmour, G.Reid, Gallagher
subs - Traynor, Kerr and McAuley
ARTHURLIE 3 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 (H-T 1-1)
Once again Dunterlie park proved to be an unhappy hunting ground for Talbot as the Bot crashed to their second league defeat of the season.
The game started brightly enough, Neil Gilmour's pass toward Gillies caused some panic in the Arthurlie defence, and when Wilson shoved the ball back to Robertson in nets, he took a fresh air swipe at it, before the ball was finally scrambled clear.
The next clear glimpse of goal fell to Arthurlie's Zander Ryan. A deep cross from out on the left touchline eluded the Bot defence and Ryan was left with a free header which Tosh did very well to save at the expense of a corner. Talbot again had a lucky escape a few moments later when Ross swung the ball over towards Smith but it was just too high for him to connect and the ball ran behind for a goal kick.
Arthurlie's defence, which hadn't been under much pressure, looked a touch shaky when McVey lobbed a freekick over towards the back post where Collins glanced the ball down into the centre, where it was eventually cleared after a free for all. Arthurlie were quickly onto the counter attack and Anderson did well to get across and block a shot which appeared to be speeding towards the target. With twenty mins gone Talbot were presented with a real opportunity when Latta was upended just outside the area. The free kick was shoved across to Gilmour who struck it cleanly enough but the ball was always going wide of the left post. Talbot were immediately back on the offensive, thanks to the determination of Collins, who won the ball before carrying it through the midfield and releasing Gillies. Gillies hit a good first time cross, low across the face of goal but there was nobody at the front post to take advantage and Robertson was quickly off his line to smother the danger.
This was proving to be a real purple patch for Talbot with the Bot well on top and Talbot really should have taken the lead after 22 mins. Reid broke clear of the defence and Robertson raced off his line to make a good save to deny the Talbot striker. The ball rebounded to Latta on the 18 yd line and with the keeper still stranded well out of goals he shot past the post. Reid was the next to have a pop at goal, opting to hit Gilmour's crossfield pass first time on the drop, if it had went in a contender for goal of the season, but unfortunately he pulled the shot wide, with Robertson once again well off his line.
Just shy of the half hour mark Anderson found himself in the referee's book for a lunging tackle, Ryan hitting the resultant freekick but overcooking it and sending the ball behind for a goal kick. Talbot almost fell behind on 30 mins thanks to a self inflicted wound. McVey passed the ball back towards Tosh but it was woefully short and Arthurlie's centre forward was left one on one with Tosh. Thankfully, for McVey and Talbot, Tosh produced a great save, deflecting the shot behind for a corner.
On 38 mins Jack of Arthurlie was booked when he went through Latta with a late and heavy challenge. Robertson in the Arthurlie net then repeated his earlier mistake of failing to deal with a clearance, blasting the ball off Gilmour. The ball spun out wide of the target and Gilmour attempted to nod the ball home from an acute angle but the keeper had got back in time to gather. However the goal was only delayed by a few moments and on 43 mins Reid put Talbot 1-0 ahead, cutting through the defence before firing low into the corner of the net.
The referee had handled the game pretty well but made a major blunder on 44 mins. McVey was clearly hit off the ball by Hogg, right in front of the referee, but with the Bot support waiting for the red card, he instead chose to administer a lecture to the Lie player. Things then went from bad to worse for the travelling support when Talbot failed to clear their lines, and the ball was volleyed home from the edge of the area to draw the sides level.
The least said about Talbot's second half performance the better. The omens weren't good when Arthurlie's no. 9 was presented with a gilt edged chance within a minute of the restart. With the goal at his mercy he hit it wide of target. Unfortunately Talbot's defence didnt heed the warning, and by a cruel twist of fate, it was Hogg, who should have walked in the first half, who lobbed Tosh to put Arthurlie 2-1 ahead. Talbot had no sooner fallen behind before they conceded another one. Arthurlie had a freekick, out wide on the left touchline, and Ryan caught Tosh napping when he opted to go directly for goal, and within five mins of the restart the game was effectively over.
Talbot pressed for the remainder of the match without ever really convincing, and Arthurlie almost added to their lead on the counter attack on a couple of occasions.
To complete Talbot's misery Gilmour kicked out at an opponent in the dying seconds and was ordered off. All in all, a very disappointing afternoon for Talbot. The team struggled in the wide areas and couldn't match Arthurlie's drive in the second half. To make matters worse results elsewhere didn't go Talbot's way with both Bellshill and the Buffs winning, making the derby encounter with Cumnock all the more vital.
Tosh, Todd, McVey, Anderson, Collins, Slavin, Gillies, Latta, Reid, Gilmour, Gallagher
subs - Traynor, Wallace, George, Kerr
DERBY DAY BLUES
CUMNOCK 2 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 0 (H-T 1-0)
Talbot's unconvincing league form continued at Townhead park leaving the Bot anchored at the foot of the table.
It all started promisingly enough, with the trialist playing up front for Talbot combining well with Reid, who fired on target from the edge of the area, however this was to be something of a false dawn for the travelling support. The warning signs were there as early as the tenth minute when Boyle of Cumnock strolled through the defence only to be denied by a great save from Tosh.
Talbot were next to show, Todd's diagonal pass splitting open the Nock defence. Gallagher raced through onto it and seemed to win the ball fair and square in a 50/50 challenge with Potter, however the ref saw it otherwise and penalised the Talbot player.
On the quarter hour mark Collins came to the rescue after Boyle jinked his way through the defence, clearing the ball behind for a corner to Cumnock.
Talbot were unable to hold the ball or gain any meaningful spells of possession, although Reid was unlucky when his through ball just eluded Gallagher, Potter having anticipated the danger and raced from his line to smother the danger.
On 27 mins Talbot fell behind and it was a disappointing goal to concede. No pressure was exerted as Cumnock's midfielder raced towards goal and he was given too much time and space to fire in a shot. Tosh did well to block the effort but it fell straight into the path of Boyle who had the easiest of chances to put Cumnock one nil ahead. Cumnock grew in confidence from this and on 34 mins Talbot appeared to be going two behind. Cumnock worked the ball down the left wing and when it came over it seemed that Kerr only had to tap it home but Collins made a great last gasp recovery tackle to clear the danger. Cumnock continued to have the upper hand and the Bot support were happy enough to hear the half time whistle sound with Talbot only one goal behind.
Talbot came out unchanged for the second period and just as at the start of the match had the first sight of goal. Reid did well to create an opening for Gallagher but it was a weak effort at goal. It was then the turn of Reid and the trialist to combine, with the ball eventually breaking to Gillies whose effort was well struck but comfortably held by Potter. After this opening foray, Cumnock were back in the ascendancy and twice within a minute Tosh came to Talbot's rescue. Cumnock's no. 7 bore straight tbrough on goal and Tosh did well to block this initial effort, then due to hesitant defending, had to repeat the feat when he dived to save Kerr's headed effort. Kerr was then booked for taking a theatrical tumble in a vain effort to win a penalty. On 51 mins Talbot were on the rack again, Jack racing through the defence with Tosh coming off his line to block. The ball broke for Cumnock and was nodded towards goal only to be cleared from the line.
Having survived numerous scares Talbot slowly began to creep back into the game. McVey's cross from the left was nodded on by Gallagher and Reid was unlucky at full stretch as his effort flew over.
Just shy of the hour mark Talbot had a great opportunity to draw level. Gillies found himself in space on the right of the Cumnock area but chose to fire low to Potter's left, when all of the space was to his right, nevertheless it was a fine instinctive save by the Nock keeper.
With 62 mins gone Talbot made a double substitution, Todd and the trialist going off, and Houston and McAuley coming on. Talbot were now enjoying the bulk of possession but without really threatening the Cumnock goal. Out of the blue the game seemed to swing Talbot's way when Cumnock's no. 7, earlier booked for dissent, received a second yellow for a late challenge, and Talbot were suddenly a man up. Talbot almost took advantage straight away when McVey's well struck volley beat Potter only to be luckily cleared off the line by Walker. Minutes later a long shy from the left caused panic in the Cumnock defence but Gallagher was unable to get any purchase on the ball and the chance was lost.
With twelve mins remaining Talbot passed up a glorious chance to equalise. A good move saw the ball shifted across to Houston who squandered the chance by dwelling on the ball allowing a defender to get across and block his shot. Tucker then played his last card, Gallagher going off to be replaced by Kerr.
However the sub had no opportunity to make any impact before Cumnock effectively killed off the game. It was a good strike from all of 20 yds that settled things, although the defence could have done better to prevent Cumnock no.6 from turning and firing on target.
There was to be no consolation goal for Talbot, with the normally reliable Reid blazing over in the closing stages when it seemed easier to score. All that remained for Talbot were late bookings for McAuley and Kerr.
Talbot's poor run of results at Townhead continues and there can be no real arguing with the final result. Talbot were poor in the first half and although they improved significantly after the break it wasn't to be. Hopefully there will be a bit more fight in the team for this coming Saturday when the Bot face up to Benburb in the Scottish.
MoM - Tosh
Tosh, Henry, McVey, Collins, Anderson, Latta, Todd, Gillies, Trialist, Reid, Gallagher
subs - Kerr, McAuley, Houston
BOT MADE TO BATTLE IN FOUR GOAL THRILLER
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2 BENBURB 2 (H-T 1-2)
Talbot's name will be in the pot for tomorrow's OVD 3rd draw along with Benburb's, but for long spells it looked like it was curtains for Talbot's cup hopes for this season.
Minus the regular central defensive pairing of Anderson and Collins Talbot called upon the services of a local amateur, Leitch, to partner Traynor in the heart of the defence. Otherwise the only other change from the team that had lost to Cumnock was the return of Houston up front.
Any Talbot fans expecting an easy afternoon of it were quickly disabused of that notion as Benburb got off to a flying start. As early as the second minute Talbot's defensive frailties were exposed when Benburb's right back whipped a good ball into the box which only just eluded their centre before Talbot finally managed to scramble it clear. Unfortunately the reprieve was short lived. A good crossfield ball from right to left caught the Bot defence on the hop, leaving Benburb 10 with all the time in the world to cut in and curl an unstoppable right foot shot into the top corner. Benburb continued to press and Talbot soon learned how effective Benburb were from set pieces. A speculative long range freekick was deflected wide providing Benburb with the first of their corners of the afternoon, all of which were to prove troublesome for the Bot defence.
Talbot needed a goal back to settle the nerves and fortunately that's exactly what happened. On 10 mins Reid picked the ball up and ran at the Bens defence before releasing Gillies down the right. Gillies cut the ball back and Houston was there to volley home and square the match.
A few minutes later Talbot could have taken the lead. Gillies hit a good ball over the Bens defence and Reid used his pace to beat the defence to the ball but at full stretch could only toe poke the ball wide of the target.
Unfortunately Talbot were still vulnerable as ever in defence and could easily have fallen behind after 15 mins. A freekick punted into the box wasn't dealt with and as the ball spun out Benburb's no.7 hit a shot which with the aid of a deflection off a defender hit the post before going behind for a corner.
Talbot came close at the other end on 21 mins. Houston won the ball outside the area and passed to Latta. Latta in turn touched the ball to Reid who fired a superb ball across Benburb's 6 yard area with Gillies inches from connecting.
The game was very evenly contested but Talbot had a lucky escape on 28 mins. Tosh fluffed a clearance with the ball falling straight to a Benburb player who promptly shoved the ball through to Benburb's no.8 out on the right. He sped away to the byeline but his attempted cross was blocked at the expense of a corner. When the inswinging corner came over Talbot managed to hook the ball away from the goalmouth.
On 34 mins Talbot conceded a freekick out on the left up by the halfway line. Benburb lobbed it into the area where their no.9 managed to flick the ball on. What followed can only be described as a shambles. The ball fell to McVey who for some reason tried to pass the ball back to Tosh, succeeding only in shoving the ball straight to Benburb's centre who had the easiest of tasks to put them 2-1 ahead. This goal seemed to cause the heads to go down and between then and the halftime whistle Talbot were on the backfoot, with a series of set plays causing panic in the Talbot defence. When the ref blew up for halftime it was an immense relief to the Bot support who had been growing increasingly concerned at the way the game was going.
Tucker made one change during the halftime interval, Leitch making way for McAuley. This necessitated a tactical switch with Henry going into the centre of the defence alongside Traynor, with Todd dropping back to right back.
Talbot were almost caught cold at the start of the second half and yet again it was from a corner. As the ball came over from the right a Benburb head met it but to the relief of the Bot support the ball flew over. A shove on Houston 30yds from goal then provided Talbot with the opportunity to test the Bens defence. With everyone anticipating a shot McAuley slipped a great pass wide of the wall into the path of Reid, only for Reid to be denied by a fine stop from the Bens keeper who rushed from his line to narrow the angle.
Reid was again involved after 52 mins when the ball fell nicely for him beyond the backpost but he pulled his shot across the face of the goal. Talbot were now pressing hard for the equaliser with Benburb content to sit in deep and attempt to hit on the break.
Reid did well to win the ball from the left back and hit an early ball across the 6 yd box but no Bot players were up in support and the pass went to waste. Just shy of the hour mark Talbot made their second change of the afternoon Duncan George leaving the field to be replaced by George Wallace as Talbot went for broke. It almost paid off immediately as Wallace rose in the box to nod the ball on to Reid whose dipping header was tipped over the bar.
Benburb had rarely been seen as an attacking force in the second half but they almost capitalised on a rare misplaced pass from McAuley. Benburb's no. 7 sped down the wing and when the ball came over to the backpost a Benburb player rose unchallenged, only to direct his header straight at Tosh. This was to prove a very costly miss as within two minutes Talbot had levelled the match.
This time it was Benburb's failure to clear their lines which was their undoing. A freekick played into the box breaking for Reid who with the aid of a deflection fired past the keeper. Having secured the equaliser Talbot made their final change, McVey leaving the field to be replaced by Gallagher, with Talbot now going with three at the back.
As the game progressed Latta was becoming more and more influential and he was unlucky on 71 mins when he cut in from the left touchline before striking the ball over the bar. On 76 he was again involved, this time supplying Gallagher whose cut back fell nicely for Gillies but the final effort was a disappointment. McAuley was the next to show, breaking from midfield through the defence only to be denied by a fine stop by the keeper.
Talbot appeared to have Benburb rattled yet it was the visitors who rallied to finish the strongest. Benburb forced a corner out on the right and when it came over the defence failed to clear the ball. It broke to no. 11 at the edge of the area and the second the shot left his boot it looked netbound. Tosh then came to Talbot's rescue twice in the space of a few seconds. Firstly he pulled off a great acrobatic save from the shot and then was the only Bot player to react when the rebound fell to Benburb's centre, making a great instinctive block at point blank range when it seemed certain that no. 9 was going to head home.
Right at the last gasp Talbot could and probably should have stolen the game. A corner came over from the right and Wallace was left with a free header but he couldn't get above the ball and nodded over the bar when it looked as easy to score.
Talbot can have no complaints about the result and the same applies to Benburb. Over the piece a draw was about right, so it's off to Govan and Tinto Park next Saturday with a place in the third round up for grabs.
MoM - Reid
Tosh, Henry, McVey, Traynor, Leitch, Todd, Gillies, George, Houston, Reid, Latta
subs - McAuley, Wallace, Gallagher
BOT FANS SINGING IN THE RAIN
BENBURB 2 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 3 (H-T 1-0)
Talbot march on to face Bo'ness in next week's OVD cup after a real blood and thunder cup tie.
Tucker had made several changes in personnel from the first match against Benburb as well as a tactical switch, with Talbot opting to play with three at the back. Collins and Anderson returning to the heart of the defence where they were partnered with Henry.
Just as with the first meeting Benburb started the livelier of the two and made the most of the slight slope in their favour. Again, as per the first encounter, Benburb were to prove a real handful from setplays, their first corner coming on 5 mins to be immediately followed by their second. Talbot defended these without too much fuss but Collins was forced into a crucial headed clearance from right under his own bar on 9 mins, following an inswinging corner from the left.
Talbot hadn't been seen as an attacking force but on 11 Davidson was pulled down around the half way spot and when the freekick was lofted into the Benburb area the ball broke to Latta who struck the ball on target but Watson was always behind the shot. On the quarter hour George hit a great pass over the Bens defence freeing Reid on the left of the penalty area. Unfortunately he slid as he was attempting his shot and the ball went tamely behind for a goalkick.
When Benburb took the lead on 21 mins it was, unsurprisingly, as a result of a setpiece. Talbot conceded a freekick wide on the right and when the ball was curled in O'Neill was left with a free header which left Tosh helpless.
Having fallen behind Talbot upped the pace but there was to be no immediate counter as there had been at Beechwood. Talbot pressed but to little effect with Reid's effort straight at Watson the only real effort on goal. Talbot were forced into a change on the half hour when Wallace pulled up injured. He limped off to be replaced by Houston. Despite the highly competitive nature of the game and the frantic pace there was little goalmouth action with neither keeper being called upon. The game livened up in the dying minutes of the half. Firstly Anderson set the Bot fans blood pressure soaring through the roof when a cross from the right deflected off him and spun just over the bar. Talbot then raced to the other end of the park where Reid fired on target. The Bens keeper was again called into action to cope with Todd's deflected cross, which he gathered under the bar. In injury time Talbot fans thought they had drawn level when Watson made a hash of Reid's shot from outside the area. Fortunately for the Bens keeper the ball somehow squirmed across goal and behind for a corner, so the Bens went in one goal to the good at the interval.
Talbot started the second half with McAuley on in place of George and the change paid immediate dividends as Talbot went on the offensive from the off. Houston did well to force a corner out on the right and Benburb were only able to knock the ball behind for a second corner. Talbot kept the pressure up and when Benburb failed to clear their lines they were made to pay for it. A cross from the right landed straight on the head of the onrushing Reid who guided the ball into the corner of the net. The Benburb team furiously protested that the goal should have been chalked off for offside but in the cold light of day must realise the linesman called it right. Reid was the intended target of the cross and he was clearly yards onside and the Bot player in the centre was inactive and not interfering with play.
Having been pegged back Benburb responded and for a spell regained the upper hand. With 54 mins on the clock O'Neill had a glorious chance to grab his and Benburb's second but he couldn't make a clean connection and stabbed the ball weakly at goal. Benburb continued to press and the Bot defence had to look lively following a corner to rush out and charge down Morrison's drive from the edge of the area. Talbot were being hemmed in and on 61 mins had another lucky escape when O'Neill headed over following a corner from the left.
Having weathered this pressure Talbot were immediately back on the attack. Reid got free down the left before knocking a cross over to the back post where Davidson gathered. He fired it back into the middle where the Bens defence scrambled the ball to the edge of the area, where Latta latched onto it before driving the ball inches wide of Watson's right hand post.
On 66 mins Talbot turned defence into attack, breaking swiftly up the park, McAuley feeding the ball to Reid who centred the ball for Houston who was inches away from making contact for what would have been a classic goal.
The game had now turned in Talbot's favour and the Bot should really have taken the lead on 72 mins when Houston rose to meet a cross from the right but he nodded over the bar when it looked as easy to score. Todd was next to try his luck, hitting a shot from 18 yds, which was well struck and well held by Watson in the Benburb nets.
Watson was again the Bens hero on 81 mins when he produced an outstanding one handed stop to deny Davidson, pushing his header over the bar.
On 83 mins Talbot again cut their way through the Bens defence thanks to some quick thinking from McAuley. He took a quick freekick to release Latta down the left wing who passed the ball across the 6 yard area to Houston whose sidefooted effort was deflected wide. When the resultant corner came over from the left Davidson prodded Talbot in front following an amazing goal line scramble.
Reid and Houston again combined on the counter attack for Talbot on 87 mins, Houston once more just failing to get on the end of Reid's final ball. That was to prove to be Reid's final contribution of the afternoon as he went off to a great reception to be replaced by Gillies.
A minute later Talbot had gone 3-1 ahead. Houston did well out on the right touchline and his cross into the centre of the goal was slid home by new boy Davidson to cap off an impressive debut.
With the game heading into injury time Talbot conceded a second goal, poor defending allowing McCall to give Benburb a glimmer of hope but it was too little, too late and Talbot held on for the victory.
A poor first half by Talbot but the team recovered well and finished strongly to progress to the next round.
MoM - Davidson
Tosh, Henry, Anderson, Collins, Todd, Traynor, George, Davidson, Reid, Wallace, Latta
subs - Houston, McVey, McAuley
PENALTY PAIN FOR BOT
BO'NESS 1 TALBOT 1 (H-T 1-0)
BO'NESS won 5 - 4 on penalties
The Bot fans must have been hoping that Talbot would start from the first whistle this week following last week's tie, but unfortunately Talbot were caught snoozing in the early phase.
As early as the second minute Bo'ness had an effort at goal. A flighted freekick was only half cleared and it fell to Murphy at the edge of the area who fired over the bar. Bo'ness continued in the ascendancy and took the lead after barely 4 mins, thanks to some slack defending by the Bot. Mooney out on the right wing picked the ball up some 20 yds from goal and was allowed to cut across the edge of the area unchallenged before burying a left foot strike beyond Tosh. It could have been worse after 9 mins when slack play in midfield surrendered possession allowing Murphy through on goals but his effort was blocked. Bo'ness were made to pay for that slackness within a minute when Vella went in recklessly out on the right wing and the ref produced a red card, which surprised both sets of supporters but evened up for last week when Vella kicked everything above ankle level yet remained on the park.
The ascendancy now swung Talbot's way with the Bot taking advantage of the extra man. Reid was unlucky when he struck a sweet volley which appeared to be goalbound only to see it ricochet off the head of a defender. Talbot kept the pressure on but unfortunately the final ball and the final shot eluded the Bot players. Good interplay created an opening for McVey down the left but his final ball across the face of goal lacked a yard of pace and the defence belted it clear. With 20 mins gone Bo'ness could have been two nil ahead. Talbot gave the ball away and when the ball was switched to the right, Murphy knocked over an early cross to the unmarked back post but no Bo'ness player was on hand to provide the final touch. Talbot continued to press with Reid firing on target but Bo'ness almost went two ahead falling a poor clearance. The ball was crossed in and O'Boyle turned smartly in the box before shooting wide.
Talbot suffered a real blow on 29 mins when McAuley who bad been really fired up for the tie went in late for a tackle. He received a booking but worse from Talbot's point of view he had to limp from the field of play to be replaced by Duncan George.
On 34 mins Talbot came within inches of equalising. The ball broke nicely at the edge of the are for Davidson who drilled his shot narrowly past the keeper's right hand post. Two minutes later the sides were levelled at ten apiece. A speculative ball was knocked in between the defence and Tosh. Tosh raced from his line out of the box and attempted to chest the ball clear but due to a bobble on the pitch he lost control of the ball and stuck out an arm, with the inevitable result of a red card for handball. Tucker was forced to sacrifice McVey to bring on Phillips, fortunately Murphy squandered the freekick twice, first striking the wall and then blazing over when the rebound fell to him.
With 41 mins gone Davidson won the ball in midfield, Wallace then releasing Reid out on the right. When the ball came back across the face of goal George Wallace got on the end of it but his effort was blocked by a defender. With half time approaching Talbot were well in the ascendant and there appeared to be a decent penalty claim dismissed by the ref with a minute of normal time remaining. Latta did well out on the left before feeding the ball into Wallace who let the ball run across him before appearing to be balked by a defender using his arm. The last action of the half involved a half chance for Talbot when the ball was moved left to right deep in injury time, unfortunately Todd lashed over the ball from the edge of the area.
With both sides down a man an open second half would have been anticipated and it lived up to the billing. Millen of Bo'ness was booked within a minute of the restart for wrestling Wallace to the ground, Talbot attacked but without purpose and Collins was on hand on 51 mins to head clear at the back post under pressure to prevent a second goal. This was to prove a crucial clearance as within three minutes the Bot had drawn level in a move started and finished by Davidson. Davidson fed the ball out to Reid whose cross towards Todd was cleared, but inconclusively, the ball falling for Davidson to bury into the roof of the net.
Bo'ness had a decent chance to regain the lead a few minutes later when Mooney latched onto a freekick from wide on the left but with the goals at his mercy he was defied by a fine block from Phillips.
Bo'ness were pushing forward but the lack of pace in their rearguard was exploited when Reid split their defence wide open on 66 only to be denied by a fine save from Cairns. This seemed to fire Talbot up and within a minute the Bo'ness defence was again carved open. An impressive passing move ending when the final pass caught Davidson on his heels at the edge of the area and his shot drifted wide. Talbot who were well on top at this stage had another half chance through Todd, following a freekick for a foul on Reid, but off balance Todd opted to have a pop from 18 yds and blazed well over the bar. Talbot then opted to make their final unforced substitution with Gillies replacing Wallace.
Within two mins of entering the fray Gillies had a great opportunity to settle the cup tie but sent clean through he shot weakly at the keeper. Talbot continued to threaten and Bo'ness did well to clear the danger on 79 when Gillies pass looked to have split their defence only for a lunging tackle to clear the danger. With ten mins remaining Talbot had their final chance to settle the tie when a good deep cross from Todd found the head of Latta 12 yds out at the back post but he couldn't guide his header on target.
With time running out and both teams thoroughly fatigued Murphy of Bo'ness had the final chance of the match but when the ball came over from the right touchline, beyond the back post, he snatched at the chance and sent it wide.
After 180 mins of hard slog the tie was finally decided on penalty kicks. Bo'ness went first with Murphy converting, the first effort he'd hit on target all day. Reid replied before the Bot, before O'Boyle restored the home side's lead. Del Anderson levelled, and then Burrows and Martin for Bo'ness and Davie Gillies and Stuart Davidson for the Bot, left things all square at four apiece and we were into a de fact sudden death. Donnelly stroked home for Bo'ness but faced with the weight of hitting the final penalty Todd hit his tamely down the centre for an easy save, and Bo'ness progressed to the next round.
Talbot fought their corner well and performed admirably in the second half, particularly considering the blow suffered when Tosh was red carded. Unfortunately it was not to be and now it's down to the hard graft of the league campaign, with the Bot hoping to pick up some points from their games in hand.
GREAT AWAY DAY FOR BOT
LARKHALL THISTLE 2 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 3 (H-T 1-2)
Talbot climbed off the foot of the table following an impressive away win over high flying Larkhall at Gasworks Park.
Not having played a competitive match since the Bo'ness cup tie some ring rustiness might have been anticipated but from the off this was a high paced, competitive match with little to choose between the sides. There were a few changes from the side that had faced Bo'ness. John Traynor was in at left back, Brian Slavin returned from injury to start on the left and Neil Gilmour partnered George Wallace up front.
Larkhall were first to show after 6 mins when Andy McFarlane found space out on the left only to drag his shot across goal and wide of the far post. A minute later Talbot's large travelling support were up in arms following a mistake from Larkhall keeper Barnes. Under pressure from Wallace the defence left the ball for the keeper who came out of his area and handled the ball. Fortunately for Barnes the ref chose to take the lenient view and awarded Talbot the freekick but took no further action against Barnes. The freekick was well delivered and only required the merest touch to send it goalward, unfortunately no Bot player could make contact and Barnes managed to gather.
Talbot had a real opportunity to take the lead when Latta swung over a great cross from the right touchline. Wallace was a little slow to react and the ball sped across the area beyond the backpost, only to be knocked back across Larkhall's 6 yard box before being scrambled behind by Williamson for a corner to Talbot which Talbot wasted through a poor delivery. On 19 mins Talbot had a golden opportunity to take the lead. A poor passback was anticipated by Wallace and when he squared the ball across to Neil Gilmour a goal appeared certain, however Neil was too casual and Barnes got down to block his effort.
Wallace and Gilmour combined well at the edge of the area to create an opening for Latta. When his drive was blocked by a defender the ball fell to Davidson who was lining up his shot when the ref halted the game to allow treatment to a Larkhall player, the game re-starting with a bounce up. On 26 mins Talbot came close again, a floated freekick into the area was head flicked on by Slavin, gathered by Davidson who then laid it back into the path of Latta whose attempted chip floated inches wide of the target.
Larkhall were coming into the game more and more and Talbot put themselves under pressure when Henry conceded a freekick just outside of the area. Although Talbot cleared the ball, it fell for David McFarlane who blasted over the bar.
Having come close a few times Talbot were made to pay for failing to capitalise when Larkhall took the lead on 35 mins. George was dispossessed in midfield by McFadden who hared away down the left. When the ball came over beyond the back post it was steered goalward and Davidson in attempting to stop the certain goal only succeeded in getting the final touch before it crossed the line.
Going behind spurred Talbot to renewed effort and Slavin tested the keeper from distance with a well struck effort. Gavin Collins did his best to help out the forwards and Barnes had to look lively to get down at his post to smother Collins glancing header from a throw in. Larkhall then raced down the other end and McFadden's ferocious drive was well parried by Tosh. The game was swinging from end to end and Talbot were next to show. A corner from the left was met by Anderson and Talbot protested his effort had been over the line before being cleared. Despite protesting the decision Talbot played to the whistle and when the ball came back out it was fired back on goal only to be deflected over the bar with Barnes stranded. When the second corner came over Collins met it at the backpost but his effort sailed over.
With the frustrated Bot support virtually resigned to going in a goal behind everything changed in the final minutes of the half. In the last minute of normal time a clever backheel by Gilmour opened up space for Davidson whose slotted pass was tucked away beyond the keeper by Wallace to level the score. Scarcely had the celebrations died down when Talbot took the lead. This goal was just as impressive, though more of a solo effort. Slavin bulling his way through the Larkhall defence, holding off the defence before steadying himself and blasting an unstoppable shot beyond Barnes in what proved to be the last action of the half.
Larkhall came out for the second period determined to haul Talbot back and clearly started the half a little sharper. They were aided in the opening minute when the ref saw fit to award them a very soft freekick in a dangerous area but justice was done when Fotheringham shot weakly at the wall. With the half only three mins old Tosh had to perform heroics, racing from his line to pull of a point blank save, following an uncharacteristic defensive lapse by Traynor.
Tosh was again on top form on 49 mins when he tipped D McFarlane's effort over the bar.
Talbot were being pegged back and it wasn't until the 59th min that the Bot seriously threatened the Larkhall goal. Slavin did well out on the left, winning the ball with a great slide tackle, which released Wallace to run at the Larkhall defence. Wallace cut in from the left touchline and carried the ball to the edge of the area before shooting wide of target.
On 65 mins Larkhall had a decent chance to level matters when a cross from the right wing found ex Bot player Watson at the back post but he glanced his header wide of target. This was to prove a very costly mistake for Larkhall. Talbot immediately went onto the attack and a good move saw Davidson set up Wallace whose effort was saved at the expense of a corner. Gilmour then provided the perfect delivery for Slavin to race in unchallenged and bullet a header into the net to put Talbot 3-1 ahead.
After 71 mins Watson was finally cautioned for persistent fouling. Talbot used the stoppage as an opportunity to make a change, Gillies replacing Latta in a straight swap. Davidson then fired on target but his effort was well held by the keeper. Larkhall, aided by a slight wind advantage, were pummelling Talbot with long balls and whilst there were some hairy moments the defence was coping well. However with 10 mins remaining Larkhall did get a goal back to set up a nailbiting finale. A break down the left exposed the Bot defence and although Tosh got a hand to the ball it fell kindly for Watson to bundle home at the backpost.
Talbot's task was made a little more difficult when Davidson pulled up injured whilst breaking on the counterattack and after 85 mins he had to limp off to be replaced by Spence. Tosh then showed his worth producing a top class double save, firstly parrying a fierce long range drive and then reacting swiftly to smother the ball when it was fired across the six yard area.
With time running out Gilmour went off to be replaced by Stephen Reid. Talbot were then presented with a great chance to kill the game following the stupidity of Barnes. The Larkhall keeper raced from his area to challenge Wallace out on the right touchline. When Wallace got the better of the encounter the keeper kicked out at Wallace and then fouled Wallace again inside the area. With play continuing the linesman flagged the ref down and following a consultation between the officials Barnes was shown a red card and Talbot awarded a penalty. Initially it appeared as though Anderson was set to hit it but Reid took charge only to tamely roll the ball onto target for a comfortable save for the stand in keeper.
Larkhall tried desperately to salvage a point and with it any realistic hope of challenging for the league title but when the final whistle blew four mins later Talbot had emerged victorious to claim all three points.
A very impressive display by the Bot, Wallace and Gilmour worked hard up front and Tosh made some crucial stops, but for his two goals and in particular his fine solo effort, Brian Slavin was the stand out player.
Talbot - Tosh, Henry, Traynor, Anderson, Collins, Latta, George, Davidson, Wallace, Gilmour, Slavin
subs - Spence, Gillies, Reid, Houston, Phillips
Larkhall - Barnes, Bryson, Williamson, Kavanagh, Bruce, A McFarlane, Fotheringham, Bovill, D McFarlane, Watson, McFadden
subs - McLuskey, Paterson, Orr, Murray , Smillie
FOUR IN A ROW
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 LUGAR BOSWELL 0 (H-T 0-0)
Talbot's run of successive victories was extended to four with a hard fought win over an in form Lugar Boswell.
With Tosh injured in the warm up Phillips took over between the sticks, with the familiar back four of Traynor, Collins, Anderson and Henry forming the rearguard. There were personnel changes elsewhere with Slavin playing wide left and Latta on the right, with Spence and Leitch forming the central pairing. Up front Gillies played just behind Wallace in a role that Neil Gilmour has made his own in recent weeks.
This was an intriguing cup tie with the question being posed could Lugar's free scoring football continue against Talbot's rock solid defence, which on current form is one of the best around.
The opening exchanges were very scrappy with neither side really able to impose themselves on the proceedings and sloppy passing and a bobbly surface combining to break down any constructive moves.
Lugar's threat on the counter was there for all to see on 9 mins when following a freekick to Talbot the action swiftly switched to the other end of the park. Walker knocked the ball in behind Anderson who blatantly obstructed him, receiving a yellow card for his trouble. Cameron then proceeded to waste the opportunity, not once but twice, feebly hitting the wall with his initial effort then finding himself in the ref's book for a cynical dive, a piece of gamesmanship which would rebound on him later.
Chances were few and far between and Talbot's first real glimpse of goal came after 18 mins following a good run by Leitch which ended with Latta shooting narrowly past. On 21 mins Talbot almost gifted Lugar the lead. Anderson threw the ball back to Phillips who was too casual in possession and saw his attempted clearance charged down. Fortunately for Talbot the ball spun wide of the empty net. Gillies was next into the ref's book, apparently for persistent fouling, although the decision appeared very harsh.
Lugar had a lucky escape on 28 when good work from Leitch set up Latta and when his ball came into the box Wallace was there to direct it just wide of target. On the half hour mark Talbot's defence was caught on the hop by a route one clearance from McEwan which turned the defence and saw Walker bearing down on target. He steadied himself and fired low on target but Phillips was well positioned and saved well.
With six minutes of the half remaining Talbot spurned a glorious opportunity to take the lead. A quickly taken freekick set Gillies free on the left and his perfectly judged ball across the face of goal took out the keeper and defence but there was no Bot player there to turn it home and Eaglesham was able to scramble it behind for a corner.
As the half drew to a close it became apparent that Slavin was labouring with an injury and he was promptly replaced by Liam McVey. On the stroke of halftime Latta found himself yellow carded following a late tackle on Millar.
Talbot started the second half as though they meant business, Wallace and Latta combining well with a quick one two setting Latta off down the touchline, unfortunately his cross was cleared at the front post. Talbot were on top but without being able to properly test McEwan. An Anderson freekick caused panic in the Lugar defence with the ball eventually hoofed clear but not before Leitch had an effort on goal which was blocked by a wall of Lugar defenders.
Talbot's positive opening to the half was threatened by a piece of real folly by Latta on 57 mins. Latta was nudged off the ball and when the ref ignored his complaints for a foul he recklessly lunged in and brought a Lugar player crashing, leaving the ref no option but to send him packing.
On 63 mins Talbot made McEwan work and from a very unlikely source, Collins producing a fine stop from his drive and then Gillies fired the rebound into the sidenetting. Soon after Talbot made their second change of the afternoon, Spence going off and Davidson entering the fray. This coincided with another burst of Talbot pressure but once again there was no final product. Gillies cutback was helped on by Davidson into the path of Wallace but his first touch let him down and when the ball broke to Leitch his effort was charged down. On 73 mins Talbot came close when Davidson's volley appeared netbound all the way, only for it to deflect off a defender and behind for a cornerkick. Despite a poor delivery, Lugar's defence were unable to properly clear their lines and when McVey's shot fizzed into the goalmouth it appeared as though a Lugar defender controlled the ball with his hand but the ref turned a deaf ear to Talbot's shouts for a penalty.
With quarter of an hour remaining Lugar passed up a real chance when McCluskie rose unchallenged to meet a corner but headed over the bar.
Within two minutes Lugar's man advantage was no more when Cameron lopped down Davidson and was dismissed for his second booking.
Tucker now played his last card with the tiring Gillies making way for Reid. Lugar's discipline was crumbling at this stage and McCluskie found himself cautioned after petulantly throwing the ball away.
Talbot finally made the breakthrough with seven minutes remaining on the clock and it was a fine individual effort by George Wallace. George gathered the ball out wide on the left with still plenty to do before cutting in and firing a shot which McEwan blocked but couldn't hold, when the ball fell back to Wallace he blasted home from an acute angle to put the Bot one ahead.
Lugar's misery was complete on 86 when McCluskie received his marching orders for a dreadful tackle on Davidson, fortunately Davidson was not seriously injured.
In the closing seconds there was still time for one last Bot chance, Wallace feeding the ball to Davidson who rolled it into the path of Reid whose effort cannoned back out off the inside of the post.
A very good win for Talbot against a high flying young Lugar side and so the winning streak continues, let's hope for more of the same next week against the Glens.
Phillips, Henry, Traynor, Anderson, Collins, Spence, Latta, Leitch, Wallace, Gillies, Slavin
subs - Davidson, Reid, McVey, Hyslop
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 3 GLENAFTON 1 (H-T 1-0)
Talbot's impressive run continued with the Glens being the latest team to leave Beechwood empty handed.
Talbot started the game at a cracking pace, taking the match to the visitors from the first whistle. With only 3 minutes on the clock Talbot took the lead. Davidson and McVey combined down the left before switching the ball into the feet of George Wallace who lobbed Montgomery to put the Bot ahead. Talbot continued to press but without ever really testing Montgomery in the Glens nets. At the other end Tosh was a virtual spectator. The Glens began to knock the ball around and enjoy some possession but without any hint of a threat. The referee, meanwhile, was infuriating the home support by his leniency towards the Glens, in particular he seemed to have a blind spot regarding Hogg who managed to barge Bot players out of the way in the most brazen fashion without any foul being given. On 36 mins he did finally reach for his pocketbook but it was to caution Latta of Talbot. On 40 mins a fine move, started by Leitch's powerful run from midfield, ended with Wallace volleying over the bar from Latta's cross.
The Glens management had obviously had a few harsh words during the break as they came out flying at the start of the second half. On 50 mins it looked as though the Glens were going to draw level when Mallan's cross was met at the backpost by the unmarked Newell, however Tosh produced a wonderful flying save to deny him. Unfortunately for Tosh and for Talbot there was nothing he could do to prevent the Glens from scoring barely a minute later. Once again it was a cross from out wide on the left, only this time Mallan was there to meet it at the backpost and he nodded home from close range.
With 54 mins gone Talbot made their first change, goalscorer Wallace leaving the field to be replaced by Neil Gilmour. Gillies then found himself in the ref's book for preventing the Glens from taking a quick freekick. Gillies then sent Neil Gilmour free of the defence, however Neil's first touch let him down and Carruth was able to get back and clear the danger. A fine passing move between Gillies and Gilmour carved open the Glens defence, however the final pass to Spence was just slightly overhit and the Glens keeper was able to gather.
Right on the hour mark Clelland was booked after scything McVey down.
Talbot were having a good spell and there were load appeals for a penalty when Leitch charged through on goals only to be stopped by what looked like a late tackle from Carruth. The Bot played on and the loose ball fell for Spence whose effort was blocked, when the ball came back to him he slipped it to Latta whose shot from out on the right was turned behind for a corner.
Talbot then came very close to shooting themselves in the foot when a basic defensive mix up presented Bingham with a gilt edged chance to put the Glens in front. McVey hesitated and left the ball to Traynor rather than clearing it, Bingham nipped in and would have put the Glens in front but for a great stop from Tosh which, if anything, was even more impressive than his earlier save from Newell's header.
Beattie of Glens was the next to be cautioned on 67 mins then on 68 Talbot made their second change of the afternoon, McVey going off to be replaced by Ian McAuley. McAuley was barely on the pitch before being assaulted off the ball by Clelland. To the amazement of the Bot support the incident was missed, or rather, ignored by the assistant ref who was only yards away at the time. The Glens management team obviously had spotted it as they made a double substitution minutes later, Clelland and Robertson leaving the field, Clelland most probably being taken off before he got himself sent off.
With 76 mins gone Talbot played their last ace, Gillies making way for Reid.
The game was now flowing from end to end but with most of the goal threat emanating from Talbot. Gilmour was unlucky on 80 mins when he spun on the edge of the box and shot just past. However Talbot had better luck on 81 when they took the lead. Gilmour played the ball to Reid whose deft flick sent Davidson racing free of the defence before coolly rounding the keeper and firing home to put the Bot in front.
Glenafton threw everyone forward in an attempt to salvage the game, leaving themselves exposed defensively. They were almost made to pay on 87 when Gilmour sped through on goals but ran out of puff and was dispossessed. With time running out Reid too went through on the keeper, only to be denied by a fine save. Deep into injury time Talbot finally killed the game thanks to a superb solo effort from Leitch. He chipped the ball through, ran onto it, before rounding the keeper, composing himself and lashing the ball into the postage stamp corner.
Yet another impressive win for Talbot, three great goals and another three vital points in the league campaign.
MoM Jim Leitch
Tosh, Traynor, McVey, Collins, Anderson, Spence, Latta, Leitch, Gillies, Wallace, Davidson
subs - Gilmour, McAuley, Reid and Hyslop
BOT IN A SPOT OF BOTHER
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 SHOTTS 1 (H-T 1-0) SHOTTS won 3-1 pen's
For the third time this season Talbot's failure from the penalty spot saw them crash out of a cup competition and for the third time it was a game they really should have wrapped up before it ever came down to the spot kicks.
Talbot started the game well enough and took the lead after only nine minutes. A surging run through the centre by Gillies was halted but the ball broke nicely into the path of Wallace who curled his effort well beyond the keeper into the top corner from 18 yards.
Talbot were forced into a change early on when John Traynor pulled up and was unable to continue, he left the field to be replaced by James Latta.
On 18 mins indecision by Tosh almost proved costly. A long punt split the Talbot defence, and by the time Tosh had left his line he was unable to gather under pressure, the ball spun loose but fortunately the defence were able to hoof the ball clear.
On 21 mins Jim Leitch latched onto a misplaced defensive header, but his speculative volley from outside the area was always clearing the bar.
As the half wore on Talbot slowly began to exert control but were unable to produce the killer final ball or get the rub of the green in the box. On 37 mins Jim Leitch rose to meet a corner and whilst he did well to keep it on target the keeper was well positioned to make a comfortable stop.
The referee, meanwhile, was infuriating both sets of fans, such Shotts fans as there were anyway, with a series of baffling cautions. Shotts 7 was booked for a fairly innocuous challenge, to be followed soon after by Colin Spence for nothing of any great note.
Talbot had a real escape on 40 mins. A Shotts player managed to head flick on a cross from the right and it fell perfectly for Shotts 7 who blazed the ball over the bar, when it seemed easier to hit the target. A minute later, Leitch joined Spence in the book for a late challenge on Shotts 9.
On the stroke of half time Talbot should have went two ahead and put the tie beyond any doubt. Slavin fed the ball through and as Shotts tried, and failed, to keep a high line, George Wallace raced away through on the keeper. As he rounded the goalie he was clearly impeded, and with hindsight what a pity it was that he managed to keep his feet. Forced out wide left George switched the ball to his favoured right foot, only to be denied Talbot's second by a superb last gasp clearance from a backtracking defender. From the resultant corner Jim Leitch rose to head narrowly over.
Talbot started the second period with a new face in the ranks, Brian Slavin, presumably carrying a knock, having been replaced by McAuley. This necessitated a tactical switch with McAuley replacing Spence in the centre, Spence moving out to the right. The second half was barely two mins old when indecisive defending gifted Shotts an equaliser. A long shy from the right wasn't defended and the ball fell nicely for Shotts 10 to sweep home.
Talbot responded to the challenge and within a minute of the restart Wallace had swivelled and fired over the bar. A moment later Talbot had another opportunity. Gilmour's flighted ball into the box appeared to be landing perfectly for Leitch but he misjudged the flight of the ball and was unable to make contact. In the ensuing melee, the ball broke out to the right where Davie Gillies chose the wrong option, preferring a shot from an acute angle to a ball back across the face of goal.
On 53 mins there was a huge roar from the Bot support for a penalty when Spence appeared to be hit in an off the ball incident inside the penalty area, however the ref and his assistant saw nothing amiss and the game restarted with a bounce up. Talbot again spurned a great chance on 57 mins. Good interplay down the right saw Latta scamper clear and his ball across the 6 yard line was begging to be knocked home but Gilmour was slow to react and the ball swept across the face.
A poor defensive header on 63 mins presented Shotts 7 with a half chance but his effort sailed well over the bar. It was now time for the referee to take centre stage once more, with another curious decision. Wallace was clearly fouled out on the left touchline but the ref ended up booking both Wallace and Shotts 6.
On 76 mins it appeared as though Wallace was going through on goals following a fine pass from Latta but he was denied by a fine tackle.
With twelve mins remaining Spence left the field to be replaced by Paul Hyslop who was returning to competitive action for the first time in an age. Hyslop's first duties were of a defensive nature, heading clear a Shotts corner from the left.
With five mins remaining Shotts five came close to giving his side the lead with an impressive strike from distance which skimmed over the bar. Talbot were immediately on the attack at the other end of the pitch and Gilmour should really have done better with Hyslop's cross from the right which he placed well wide of target. Talbot were almost made to pay straight away. As a cross came over from the right, Gavin Collins lost his footing and the ball made it's way out to Shotts 11, wide on the left of the area, with all the time and space in the world. Fortunately he opted to hit it first time and pulled his shot across the goals and wide of Tosh's left hand post.
As the clock ran down Talbot had a real chance to claim the tie. Shotts 7 handled the ball just outside the area and the ref awarded a freekick in a great position. Anderson took it quickly, forcing a fantastic save from the keeper, only to be booked for taking it before the ref had signalled, with the net result that Talbot got a second bite at the cherry. This time Neil Gilmour stepped up, only to see his daisy cutter speed inches wide of the post with the keeper stranded. The chances weren't yet finished and right on the 90 min mark Wallace had a golden opportunity to finish Shotts when he once more raced past their offside trap and through on the keeper. The keeper was swiftly off his line and raced out of his box and when Wallace attempted to slip the ball round him he did just enough to deflect it to safety. Talbot continued to press throughout injury time but were unable to get the crucial goal and so for the third time, it came down to penalty kicks to decide Talbot's cup fate.
Tosh did his part, diving to stop Shotts 12's opening spot kick, but his save was matched when Anderson's effort was saved to his left by Shotts 1. Shotts 9 then put them 1 ahead before Shotts keeper again defied Talbot, this time sprawling to his right to keep out Hyslop's effort. Shotts 10, Neil Gilmour, and then Shotts 13 all converted, leaving Ian McAuley to score or else the Bot were out of the West and, following McAuley's somewhat tame effort, it was curtains to the West for another season.
Talbot never really hit the heights, and can certainly pass the ball much better than they did at times today, and yet even not on top form should still have won the tie over the 90 mins. A more clinical approach to fifty fifties with opposition keepers is needed or failing that some extra training at penalties.
MoM - Latta
Tosh, Traynor, McVey, Anderson, Collins, Spence, Leitch, Gillies, Wallace, Gilmour, Slavin
subs - Latta, Hyslop, McAuley, Reid and Phillips
TALBOT CAUGHT NAPPING
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2 GLENAFTON 4 (H-T 0-2)
It was back to earth for Talbot fans last night as the opening game of the season saw Talbot crash 4-2 to the Glens.
The warning signs were there as early as the 8th minute when Agnew was allowed to stroll down the left before clipping a ball over the Bot defence. Fortunately, Glens no.8's first touch was woeful and instead of racing through on Tosh, the ball harmlessly broke to the Talbot keeper. Talbot's first real move came on 13 when Mallan laid the ball into Slavin who in turn fed it inside, for Anderson to strike it from distance, the ball dipping just over the bar.
When the opening goal came it was a collection of successive blunders that carved out the chance for ex Bot player Scott Houston. Firstly Tosh opted to roll the ball short to Anderson despite the fact he had no real space to advance, Anderson in turn knocked the ball right to Leitch who was also being marked, forcing Leitch to hurry a poor pass inside to Collins. Before Gavin could get a proper touch, he was robbed by Houston who cracked the ball into the bottom right corner from the edge of the area.
Talbot tried to respond immediately and Mallan came close when his free kick was tipped over the bar on 19 mins but again only a minute later the Bot defence was exposed, this time due to a massive boot from the Glens keeper which sailed the length of the park onto the boot of Glens 7 who killed the ball but then shot very weakly straight at Tosh.
The Glens were playing a physical game, to put it mildly, and from yet another Bot freekick, the ball was just nicked off the head of Slavin who seemed ready to nod home at the back post.
Neil Gilmour was next to have a pop at goal, picking the ball up in the centre of the Glens half before driving on and firing just over.
On 28 mins Talbot's defence were caught napping a la Celtic, when they completely failed to read a Glens corner. The ball was pulled back to the edge of the area where it was met by Glens 6 whose shot appeared netbound all the way, yet somehow Tosh threw himself across his goals to tip it round the post.
Talbot were trying to fight their way into the match but nothing was really happening. It wasn't until the 36th min that Talbot next threatened in earnest. Mallan won a corner out on the right, Gilmour's low delivery was met by Collins whose shot was blocked behind for a second corner. This time the Glens failed to clear the ball further than the edge of the area where Collins was on hand to meet it but he volleyed narrowly over the bar.
On 39 mins Talbot's backline was again exposed as the Glens doubled their lead. The Glens switched play from the right touchline out towards Talbot's right flank where Leitch was left exposed two on one. As the ball came over Leitch could only head the ball straight up in the air and when it dropped Agnew was quickest to react, gathering the ball before calmly passing the ball past Tosh into the corner of the net. So with no further scoring Talbot went in at the interval trailing by two.
Talbot started the second half with real urgency. Mallan won a freekick which was taken quickly and knocked wide of the post. Slavin drove forward but chose the wrong option, attempting an ambitious effort from all of 30 yds which sailed well wide. Then, suddenly, Talbot's defensive frailties came to the fore again, when Houston nicked in to make it 3-0 and effectively kill the match off. Talbot desperately need a goal back quickly and duly obliged when Slavin rose to nod the ball home on 54 mins and offer the fans a glimmer of hope. On 57 Young took a freekick out on the right wing which the Glens keeper fumbled as though it were a bar of soap. He eventually managed to fall on the ball but, quite legitimately a Talbot player challenged him as he still didn't have the ball fully under control. The Glens defence reacted furiously and for some unseen reason after all the pushing and shouting the ref opted to book Mallan.
Just shy of the hour mark Talbot came so close to grabbing their second. Davidson got free on the right and his cross was met acrobatically by Gillies, whose overhead kick cannoned off the bar with the keeper spectating.
All of this Talbot pressure was undone however on 64 mins, thanks to yet another defensive lapse. This time it was a joint effort between the midfield and backline as Agnew picked the ball up and was allowed to run clean through unchallenged before clipping the ball beyond Tosh.
There followed a moment of true absurdity when Davidson having been brought down attempted to hit a quick freekick but was prevented from doing so by Glens 6. Not content with that, Glens 6 then picked the ball up and ran away with it, perhaps in the mistaken impression it was a rugby match he'd stumbled into. The end result being a yellow card for the Glens player.
Young struck a good effort just wide of the target on 66 mins, then was involved again within a minute, this time his freekick from the right across the face of goals, was sliced behind for a corner.
On 72 mins Talbot made a double substitution, Mallan and Davidson leaving the field, with Liam McVey and John Boyle entering the fray. Liam went over to the left with Neil Gilmour pushing forward to partner Gillies in attack. Barely two mins later and Talbot had grabbed their second, Slavin's knock down being met by Gillies who finished impressively leaving the keeper with no chance.
Talbot continued to press and a change went abegging when Collins nodded wide from a corner kick, when perhaps he should have hit the target. With eight mins remaining Young departed the field to be replaced by Latta. By this stage with the game was just running down and whilst Talbot pressed on, never really looked like staging any dramatic comeback. The only incidents of note in the closing stages being a booking apiece for Anderson and Glens 5.
A disappointing result for the Bot but there were some encouraging signs. Slavin performed well in the second half, Gillies appears to be continuing on from where he left off last season and new boy Young showed some nice touches and appears to hit a good dead ball. Hopefully, the defensive weaknesses can be ironed out soon.
Mom - Gillies
Tosh, Leitch, Traynor, Collins, Anderson, Davidson, Young, Slavin, Gillies, Mallan, Gilmour
subs - Latta, Boyle, McVey
SO NEAR BUT YET SO FAR
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 POLLOK 2 (H-T 0-2)
Once again Pollok proved to be Talbot's hoodoo side, emerging from Beechwood with a scarely deserved victory. Ultimately it was Pollok's ability to convert their chances and Talbot's failure to do the same when well on top which settled this league encouter.
The game started brightly enough for Talbot, Gillies winning a corner out on the left within the first minute. Gilmour opted for a short one to Davidson but Pollok cleared their lines. Within a minute Talbot had another opportunity, this time from a freekick, following a shove on Stevie Mallan. The freekick was shoved to the side for Anderson to strike but Lok were wise to the move and charged the shot down.
The home support were left stunned when Pollok took the lead with their first venture over the halfway line and to rub salt into the wounds, it was former Bot captain Friels who capitalised on indecision on the part of Latta to latch onto a ball on the edge of the area and volley Pollok in front.
Talbot tried to respond instantly and Gillies did well on the right side of the area, before knocking a great ball across the face which Mallan put past the post.
On eight mins Pollok doubled their lead and again, it was turncoat Friels who provided the finishing touch. Pollok won a corner out on the right and when it came over Friels was left completely unmarked to nod home.
Talbot slowly began to find their bearings and and play some good football on the deck but with no real end product. It wasnt until the 26th minute that Talbot carved out a clear cut opportunity. Neil Gilmour was through one on one with the keeper and perhaps should have done better, though the keeper did well to come off his line and make the stop. The ball broke to Liam McVey but with the keeper stranded off his line, McVey's shot was headed clear by the defence. Talbot were going through a good spell and Slavin was unfortunate when his header following a corner went just too close to the keeper who was able to tip the ball over the bar.
Having dominated possession, Talbot then came close to falling three behind. Cruickshank got free down the left for Pollok and his ball into the near post was met by Friels, Tosh saved well at his post and then reacted quickly to block a second effort on target. There were few other moments of drama as the half wound to a close, although Slavin might have done better on 41 mins when he headed well wide from a free header.
The two sides came out for the second half unchanged, at least as far as personnel went, but in attitude it was a totally new Talbot side and within 60 seconds of the re-start it was game on when Spence hit a sweet shot from the edge of the area into the corner of the net to pull Talbot back into the match. Talbot looked by far the hungrier side and Pollok were looking decidely rattled. Within a minute of Spence's goal, Slavin had nodded narrowly past at the back post from McVey's deep cross. On 48 mins Talbot should have drawn level. Spence showed some wonderful close control to wriggle through the Lok rearguard only to be denied by the Lok keeper who rushed from his line and stood tall to block, though anywhere wide of Wilson, either side and it was a certain goal. Pollok had not only lost their way but were soon to lose a man. A great driving run through the middle from Slavin saw Brian shrug off a feeble challenge from Paterson, who in a moment of petulance headbutted Slavin off the ball and in clear sight of the ref, leaving him no option but to send him packing. Talbot had Pollok hemmed in and a number of dangerous crosses from both wings peppered the Pollok box but nothing broke kindly for the waiting Bot players.
Having hauled themselves back into the game and confined Pollok to their own half since the interval it was a galling blow when Gilmour needlessly conceded a penalty on 56 mins. Friels stepped up, anticipating his hat-trick, only to be denied by a fabulous stop from Tosh, low to his left. Tosh's save, galvanised Talbot and Spence almost doubled his tally when his shot from 20 yds clipped the bar before going over for a goal kick. On the hour mark Talbot had a shout for a penalty of their own, when Mallan with his back to goal, just inside the box was clearly barged from behind but the ref waved play on. Talbot were making the extra man count in so far as possession and territorial dominance, but it was all breaking down at the final hurdle. Davidson wasted a good surging run by shooting weakly at the keeper and then Gillies squandered a real chance when he pulled his shot across the face of goal.
On 77 mins Spence clipped a lovely pass over the Lok defence to release Gillies out on the left, unfortunately Gillies chose the wrong option, trying to shoot from a tight angle when he had the time to take a touch and square it across.
Talbot made a double switch on 81 mins, McVey and the injured Latta going off to be replaced by Young and Boyle. Young was immediately involved in the action knocking a good ball into the area which was gathered by Davidson who turned and drifted a good ball across the 6 yard line which no Bot player anticipated. Talbot continued to press and Pollok desperately attempted to waste time and run down the clock. With two mins remaining of normal time the Bot fans knew it just wasn't going to be our day when Davidson was inches from connecting with a cross. If he had got any touch on it, it was a goal but it just eluded him. As the game went into injury time Talbot continued to press. The last throw of the dice came when Young's freekick was headed on in the area but the Lok keeper was brave, and came from his line to gather under severe pressure from Anderson.
A very good second half performance from the Bot but a frustrating day in front of goal. Nothing seemed to fall for Talbot in that second period and the elusive second goal just wouldn't come. Let's hope for better fortune next Saturday at Bellshill.
MoM - Colin Spence
Tosh, Latta, McVey, Anderson, Collins, Spence, Davidson, Slavin, Gillies, Mallan, Gilmour
subs - Boyle, Young, McAuley and Traynor
BELLSHILL ATHLETIC 2 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2 (H-T 1-0)
Scorers - Gillies 56 & Mallan 90
Talbot's visit to New Brandon Park saw the Bot emerge with a precious away point and the visiting fans lap up the sunshine, on an uncharacteristically sunny September afternoon.
The opening spell of this match was best forgotten, with play scrappy, and very little threat to either goalmouth. The first effort on target came after 9 mins. Bellshill swept a cross in from the left flank which the Talbot defence failed to clear and when the ball broke to Bellshill's centre half, his powerful drive was palmed to safety by Tosh. Talbot responded with a good passing move, moving the ball from left to right via Spence and Slavin, into the path of James Latta. With the defence backing off, Latta had the time to advance but hit his shot well over the bar from 20 yards out.
Talbot's defence was tested on 12 mins when they were called upon to defend a free kick out on the left flank. Bellshill 7, who seemed to be involved in all their set plays, curled the ball over to the back post where it was headed over under pressure. Within 60 seconds, Talbot were again having to defend a free kick, this time from the opposite flank. Bellshill opted to take this one short, the ball being rolled into the path of no 7, whose effort never remotely threatened the Talbot goal.
Latta was driving forward from the right back berth at every opportunity and on 17 mins he combined well with Mallan out on the right, before sending over a tempting cross which only just flew over Davie Gillies' head. Latta was again involved in Talbot's next attack. This time he drove through before finding Slavin and Brian's cross to the back post appeared to be heading straight for Mallan, but unfortunately the last defender made a great leap to head the ball clear.
On 22 mins Talbot had half a chance which was squandered due to a heavy first touch from Mallan who had been released into the area by Gillies. Talbot were on top at this stage and Mallan might have done better when he found himself with a bit of time inside the area but opted to go for the quick volley which flew well over. Mallan did much better on 28 mins. Gillies provided the opening and Mallan's powerful drive was well saved to his left by the keeper.
On the half hour mark Talbot should really have taken the lead and surprisingly it was in form striker Gillies who was the culprit. Slavin knocked over a great cross from the left and there was Gillies unmarked at the back post with the goal gaping, however, Gillies headed over the bar and the chance was lost. Next to try his luck was Spence and Colin could count himself very unlucky when his dipping effort just cleared the bar with the keeper well beaten.
Talbot continued to press and Gilmour had a chance following a corner out on the left, his low shot being deflected clear off a defender. Talbot were made to pay for failing to turn this territorial dominance into goals. On 43 Collins conceded a corner out on the right. When the ball came over it was nodded on at the edge of the area and as the ball bounced towards Talbot's 6 yard line, Bellshill's centre reacted quicker than Anderson and nipped in to fire the ball past Tosh. So at half time Talbot went in trailing 1-0.
Just as with the Lok game last week Talbot started the second half as though they meant business and within two mins of the re-start, Latta's run and cross saw the stretching Gillies knock the ball just wide of target. Talbot had a lucky escape on 49 mins when a cross in from the right was rather unconvincingly punched clear by Tosh. The ball immediately was swept in from the left wing, and sped across the face of Talbot's goal, but with no Bellshill players to take advantage, it went behind for a goal kick.
Davie Gillies inadvertently created a good opportunity for Mallan on 53 mins. Whilst attempting to bring the ball under control at the edge of the area, he got the ball stuck between his feet but luckily the ball broke straight into the path of Mallan who failed to take advantage, weakly dragging his shot off target. However, it was better news for the Bot a few mins later. There didn't appear to be much danger to Bellshill as Talbot lined up to take a free kick deep in their own territory but as the ball was knocked down the middle of the park, Mallan rose to nod the ball down between the two centre backs and Gillies had the pace to speed between them, take a touch, and then slide the ball past the keeper to draw the sides level.
Having done the hard work, Talbot then went to sleep and were lucky not to be punished on 58 mins when Bellshill no 10 nodded over the bar when it looked easier to score. On 63 mins Talbot came close when Mallan managed to get in behind the right back. His cut back found the onrushing Spence at the edge of the area, and Spence's shot flew just over the bar.
Talbot appeared to be having the upper hand but the wind was firmly knocked out of the sails on 71 mins when Bellshill regained the lead. There could be no argument about the quality of the finish, a curling effort from the right of the area which left Tosh without a chance. What irked the Bot support was the poor defending leading up to the goal, with Bellshill's goal scorer ghosting past Gilmour as though he wasn't there, prior to bending the ball home. This proved to be Neil's last involvement in the game as he was subbed to make way for Boyle.
On 77 mins it really should have been game over when Boyle was robbed of possession inside the Bot half. Bellshill's no. 14 was clean through and had all the time to slide his pass into the path of Bellshill no. 12 who must have been eyeing his second of the afternoon, only to be denied by Tosh, who rushed out to narrow the angle and managed to block at the striker's feet.
With four mins remaining of normal time Traynor went off to be replaced by Jim Leitch, who was immediately thrown forward as Talbot threw caution to the wind. With only a minute remaining Talbot won a corner out on the right, which Young delivered, but agonisingly his in-swinger went across the 6 yard area with no takers and behind for a goal kick. With the game deep into injury time and many of the spectators already heading for the corner flag nearest the exit, Talbot had one last chance via a free kick out on the left. The delivery was spot on, the ball between the defence and keeper, and there was Mallan at the back stick to apply the finishing touch, and make it 2-2, with practically the last kick of the game.
Talbot never achieved the level of performance from the Lok match, but despite this, and some defensive frailities, managed to secure a good result. Over the piece, Talbot were worth the draw but hopefully won't leave it so late in future.
MoM - James Latta
Tosh, Latta, Traynor, Anderson, Collins, Spence, Davidson, Slavin, Gillies, Mallan, Gilmour
subs - Boyle, Young, Leitch
TEN MEN DOWN SHOTTS
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2 SHOTTS BON ACCORD 1 (H-T 2-0)
There were a few alterations from the side that played Bellshill the week before, with the defence having a more familiar shape to it, with the return of Henry and McVey as full backs. With Henry at right back, James Latta was pushed further upfield to fill the right side of midfield. The changes certainly seemed to have done some good, as Talbot got off to a flying start in this Superleague encounter. From the first whistle, the Bot took the game to the visitors and the Shotts defence had to be on their toes as early as the 5th minute when Davidson's delicate lofted ball into the area appeared to be landing perfectly for the waiting Mallan, only for an acrobatic clearance to deny the waiting Bot striker. However, the ball was only knocked to the edge of the area where Spence latched onto it before hitting a snap shot which flew just wide of the post. Talbot's midfield had a grip on the game and on 8 mins Slavin was unfortunate when his pass in behind the Shotts defence was just a yard too firm for Mallan who was beaten in a chase to the ball by Banks who raced from his line to gather. The pressure was unrelenting and Talbot had another opportunity a minute later when Latta was upended about 30 yards from goal. The free kick was taken short by Davidson to Colin Spence who hit the ball sweetly enough but saw his effort fly just past the post. Davidson's bad luck with injuries continues and after only 11 mins he had to limp from the field to be replaced on the left by Gilmour who was only on the park 3 minutes before giving Talbot the lead. A freekick was lofted into the box by Anderson and Mallan did well under pressure to hold off the defender and look for the pass, his lay off landing straight at the feet of Gilmour who fired a daisy cutter past Banks to put the Bot one ahead.
Shotts barely had time to gather their breath before they were two behind. Once again, the move started from a Bot freekick. As the ball came into the area, Gillies smartly turned away from Herriot who pulled him to the ground leaving the ref with no choice but to point to the spot. Herriot was booked for the foul, Gillies stepped up to take the spot kick and coolly blasted the ball past Banks to make it 2-0.
At this stage, Talbot were in easy street, two goals to the good, and dictating the play but the game was thrown back into the melting pot on 19 mins, following a rush of blood to the head by Davie Gillies. Although I personally didn't see the incident, the linesman did, and Gillies was sent packing for an off the ball incident. The red card didn't have any immediate effect on the pattern of the game, with the Bot continuing to dominate proceedings. On 21 mins Spence was very unlucky not to see his defence splitting pass land at the feet of Latta, but once again, Banks was quick on his toes and was off his line to beat Latta to the ball.
Talbot's defence had been virtual spectators but on 23 mins they were caught flat footed when a ball was chipped over them into the path of Crawford who attempted to lob Tosh but failed to get enough on it and Tosh was able to block. Shotts came even closer on 27 mins following a good passing move. Stewart and O'Keane combined well to carve out the chance for Crawford but Tosh was equal to the task and saved the day by deflecting the effort away via his legs. Talbot were soon down the other end of the park and came agonisingly close to killing the game off with the third goal. A long clearance foxed the Shotts defence and Mallan managed to get in behind and under pressure from the chasing defender and onrushing keeper, he volleyed just over the bar. Talbot then came close again, this time thanks to Latta's wing play. From an acute angle James managed to knock a cross over from the right, which beat the keeper and clipped the bar before going behind for a goal kick. Despite seldom being seen over the half way line Shotts were far from out of things and a poor clearance by Anderson provided Boyack with a half chance, which he squandered by blazing over from 20 yards.
On 38 mins James Latta came close to capitalising on a defensive mix-up. A poor attempt at a pass back was anticipated by Latta who raced to the ball with Banks, the Shotts keeper enjoying a lucky break when his attempted clearance was charged down, only to spin wide of target.
The half ended as it had began with Talbot on the ascendant. Gavin Collins turned defence into attack when his defensive clearance went beyond the Shotts defence. Mallan had read the situation and set off in pursuit and whilst his legs weren't up to a clean race through on goals, he did well to get into the area, look around for support and then play in Slavin whose rasping drive for the postage stamp was just off target. So at half time the Bot went in two goals to the good, but a man down.
The Shotts management obviously were none too impressed with their lacklustre showing in the first 45 and as the team's emerged for the 2nd half, Shotts had made two substitutions and a number of tactical switches. Talbot almost threw Shotts a lifeline within a minute of the re-start when Spence was caught in possession just outside the area. Tosh, however managed to get down and turn the resulting shot round the post for a corner kick. Mackie who had come on at half time was posing problems for the Bot defence and Tosh had to look lively to block his drive on 47 mins, again at the expense of a corner. As the ball came over, a Shotts head met it and Tosh was again called into action to gather.
After this initial flurry of pressure the game began to settle down again and the Bot resumed their passing game. Latta, and the Bot support were infuriated on 52 mins when his promising run down the flank appeared to be thwarted by a blatant hand ball from the full back, but the ref ignored the huge protest and the game continued. Unpopular as that decision was, it was merely a fore-taste of what was to come with the ref certainly going out of his way to prove he was no homer. Slavin was booked in the tamest of circumstances on 54 mins and within a minute Mallan joined him in the ref's notepad. Just shy of the hour mark the Bot fans were again questioning the ref's judgement, eyesight and parentage, when he penalised a perfectly timed tackle by Henry. Not only did he erroneously award the foul to Shotts but compounded his mistake by booking the Bot's full back.
On 61 mins the Bot fans thought the game was over, and in truth it should have been. Spence tore the Shotts defence to shreds with one pass which sent Latta clean through on goals, however with time aplenty, Latta chose the wrong option and instead of lifting the ball or rounding the keeper, he went safety first and fired low on target, allowing the keeper to make the block. Talbot were looking reasonably comfortable, with Shotts rarely troubling Tosh or making any significant use of their extra man. However, all that was to change on 69 mins when Shotts were awarded a freekick out on the left. As the ball was swept into the near post area, Crawford was there to volley home and pull Shotts back into the game.
Talbot were having to dig deep as the game wore on, with Mallan playing the lone front role, although he was ably assisted by Slavin who was playing just off the front. The two of them combined on 71 mins when Mallan did well to create an opening for Brian who pulled his shot across the face of goal and behind for a goal kick. Naturally enough Talbot were being pegged back but Shotts weren't offering much threat and Talbot always looked dangerous on the break. Neil Gilmour hit a tremendous left to right, cross field pass on 80 mins but tired legs got the better of Latta and he was unable to control the ball and the chance was lost. On 83 mins Latta found his name in the ref's book for handball. Talbot had been trying to make a substitution to relieve the tiring legs for a few minutes but perversely as luck would have it the ball wouldn't go out of play so Leitch had to bide his time before entering the field of play, Spence making way for him. Jim was scarcely on the park when he was short with a back pass but fortunately no harm was done as the shot on target was more of a pass back than anything else.
Leitch's next involvement was much more productive, his intelligent dummy creating the chance for Mallan at the back post but unfortunately his shot at goal was blocked by a defender. With the clock ticking down Mallan, who was clearly exhausted, left the field and on came John Boyle. With two mins remaining Talbot had one final scare when White, Shotts central defender found himself in acres of space about twenty five yards out, and with plenty of time to pick a pass. Fortunately, with players available to his right, he opted to go for glory and shot well over the bar. The ref kept the Bot fans on tenterhooks right to the end, as he played on for at least five minutes of non-existent injury time, but in the end he put the whistle to his lips and justice was done.
No question about it, Talbot made this much harder than it need have been, or rather, Gillies did through his moment of madness. Nevertheless, a great footballing display for 45 mins followed by a tremendous fighting performance in the 2nd half saw Talbot take all three points and deservedly so. Everyone played their part, though Brian Slavin, Colin Spence and Stevie Mallan were the stand out figures in my opinion.
MoM - Stevie Mallan
Tosh, Henry, McVey, Anderson, Collins, Spence, Latta, Slavin, Gillies, Mallan, Davidson
subs - Gilmour, Boyle, Traynor and Leitch
TALBOT TURN THE CLOCK BACK
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2 RENFREW 0 (H-T 0-0)
Talbot found their top form, and what better time to put together a fine performance than against the current league leaders, Renfrew.
Talbot opted for a central defensive partnership of Leitch and Collins, with John Traynor playing at full back. In midfield, Slavin started on the left, with Latta on the right, Davidson partnering Spence in the engine room.
Playing with the wind at their backs, Talbot took the game to Renfrew straight from the kick off. The first effort at goal came after only 3 minutes when Gillies effort was turned behind by the keeper at the expense of a corner kick. Davidson curled in an inswinging corner from the left, which eluded everyone, narrowly sailing behind at the back post.
On 11 mins Tosh was called into action when Colsh's threaded pass split the defence wide open, leaving Smith through on target. His shot was well struck and on target but straight at Tosh who managed to block the effort via his chest.
The action soon shifted back to the other end and Mallan and Gillies combined well, with Gillies snap shot flying wide of the keeper's right hand post. Renfrew were adopting a physical approach and time again conceding free kicks for niggling fouls. From one such free kick, Colin Spence decided to try his luck and his wind assisted effort flew just wide of goal. Within a minute a mazy run by Gillies carved out another opening for the Bot. Although he was crowded out by defenders, he managed to hold the ball up and then lay it back into the path of Spence whose shot from 18 yards was rising all the way.
Talbot had Renfrew pegged back but to the consternation of the home support were not making the best use of set plays. On 20 mins a corner kick was squandered, then a minute later, a free kick out on the right was also wasted, and two further corners came and went in rapid succession without the Renfrew defence being asked too many questions.
In the 23rd minute Latta was unfortunate when he latched onto Davidson's pull back only to see his shot go narrowly over the bar.
Slavin was the next Talbot player to threaten. Firstly, he got free down the left channel only to see his dangerous cross well cleared under pressure, but the ball soon came back out to him and Brian let fly with a daisy cutter which Meehan did well to hold.
Renfrew had a real let off on 29 mins when it appeared as though Talbot had taken the lead. The move was started by Davidson who picked the ball up and drove at the defence before hitting a great reverse pass out to Gillies on the left. Davie went for the 1st time volley which sailed past the helpless Meehan only to come back off the junction of the post and bar, Meehan gratefully falling on the ball at the 2nd attempt. Mallan immediately launched a vociferous protest, claiming that the ball had in fact hit the back stanchion and come back out again but to no avail as the linesman didn't give the goal and play continued.
Talbot remained in command, enjoying the bulk of possession and territorial advantage and as before continued to frustrate the home support with their set plays.
Having dominated the 1st half Talbot could easily have went in at half time a goal behind following the conceding of a free kick out on the left. Quigley took advantage of slack marking to get a free header on target, which Tosh blocked at point blank range, and so the team's trooped off the park level after the first 45.
Many Talbot fans must have wondered if Talbot would be made to pay for failing to convert their dominance into goals and what if any effect playing against a strong breeze would have. Fortunately Talbot soon put to rest any fears the fans may have on either score. From the outset of the half Talbot continued to take the game to Renfrew and Davidson was unlucky on 47 mins when he cut inside the full back and fired it low across the face of goals but Meehan showed good hands to get down and smother the danger.
On 49 mins Talbot finally got it right from a set play and took the lead their play deserved. When the corner came over from the left Slavin was there beyond the back post to steer a header back across goal and into the path of John Traynor who guided his header well away from Meehan to put the Bot 1-0 in front.
Smith attempted to fire Renfrew level on 51 mins but whilst powerfully struck, his wind assisted free kick was always heading wide of target. Renfrew's hopes of taking anything from the match were dealt a serious blow on 56 mins when a moment of folly saw them reduced to 10 men. Chisholm was cautioned for a crude, off the ball obstruction on Latta, but this yellow soon became a red, as he mouthed off at the referee, leaving him no option but to dismiss him.
If Talbot thought the game was done and dusted they got a rude awakening just after the hour mark when Meehan's length of the park clearance was met by the head of Barr whose header went just over the bar. Renfrew's next opportunity came on 71 mins via some slack defensive play by Talbot. Slavin's error in the box allowed Smith through and to the relief of the Bot support his effort came off the post and and ran across goal where Colsh was unable to convert the chance under pressure from the defence.
Talbot now opted to make a change with the tiring Mallan making way for Neil Gilmour. Talbot then came within inches of killing the game off. Latta's ball across the face of goal was crying out for a touch but Gillies was inches from connecting for what would have been a certain goal.
Neil Gilmour found the target on 78 mins but his shot, whilst not lacking conviction was too central and Meehan gathered comfortably. However, Meehan was powerless to prevent Talbot from doubling their advantage on 82 mins. Davidson was left with time and space on the ball about 30 yards out and he made the most of it, picking out a perfectly weighted pass into the feet of Gillies who strolled through before firing high past Meehan to put the game beyond any doubt.
With the clock running down frustration began to show in Renfrew's play, with Barr finding his name in the ref's book for a very late challenge on Spence. Talbot could have netted a third when Traynor's pass sent Latta through but Meehan did well to save but for some curious reason the officials decided it was a goal kick rather than a corner.
Renfrew looked as though they were going to nab a late consolation effort on 88 mins when sub Ellrich powered in a free header from close range but it was not to be and Tosh rose to the occasion to make a fantastic save.
With the game heading into injury time, Gilmour stole the ball off Hammond and set up Latta whose shot looked net bound all the way until Meehan matched Tosh's heroics with an athletic one handed save. From the resultant corner, Renfrew could and should have been reduced to 9 nine following a disgracefully late tackle by their no. 4 but the ref opted for a yellow card instead. Deep in injury time Gillies left the field to be replaced by Boyle and soon after the ref blew for time.
An impressive display by Talbot who thoroughly deserved the win, if anything the margin of victory could have been more emphatic. Gillies and Mallan combined well up front, and Talbot won the midfield contest hands down, with Davidson showing the form he showed last season prior to his untimely injury.
MoM - Davidson
Tosh, Henry, Traynor, Leitch, Collins, Spence, Davidson, Slavin, Gillies, Mallan, Latta
subs - Gilmour, Boyle, Young, McVey
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 DUNDEE VIOLET 1 (H-T 1-1)
Talbot win 4-3 pens
Goals - Spence 2 mins Farquharson pen 45 mins
Having arrived at the game late I had already missed Talbot's only goal from open play and judging from the comments of the Bot support I had missed nothing else, at least from a Talbot perspective. After Spence fired Talbot in front after only 2 mins the fans expected Talbot to go on and kill the game off and to stamp their authority on this cup tie. However, this never happened and Talbot found themselves being pegged back by a hard working Violet side who were denied by Tosh on a couple of occasions.
The game was very scrappy with neither side playing much flowing football and incidents few and far between, though on 27 mins Mallan gave the Bot fans a lift when his well struck effort from all of 25 yards, with the aid of a slight deflection, went inches past the left hand post with the keeper well beaten. Davidson's corner kick was a poor one, matched only by the Violet defence's bungled clearance which fell for Spence at the edge of the area, however Colin slipped as he went to hit it and his final effort sailed way over the bar.
Talbot's next attack saw Stevie Mallan running down the right flank, where he showed good strength to hold off the defender before laying the ball back into the path of Jim Leitch who shot over the bar.
On 35 mins Spence intercepted a poor pass and surged forward into the Violet half, where he exchanged passes with Stuart Davidson before drilling his shot just over the bar.
Violet were pushing forward as the half wore on and were presented with a decent opportunity on 37 mins when the ref penalised Gavin Collins tackle and awarded Violet a free kick in a dangerous area. Fortunately for Talbot, Boyle's effort weakly floated over the bar, and in any case, Talbot were awarded a free kick of their own due to pushing in the wall.
Talbot had a real escape on 40 mins Ballantyne, Violet's most dangerous player, got free on the right and whipped over a great cross which sped across the 6 yard box, inches from the two, stretching Violet forwards, who couldn't provide the touch needed.
The action then switched down to the other end, Leitch skinning Robertson and continuing on into the box, his measured cut back being met by Davidson, however a combination of pressure from the defence and an unfortunate bobble meant that Davidson never got the clean strike he was looking for and the ball swept wide of the target.
With half time looming the referee decided to take centre stage with a bizarre decision that had the fans of both sides equally puzzled. Violet were awarded a free kick out on the right touchline and as the ball was floated over into the box, the referee pointed to the spot with the ball still in mid flight. I saw no infringement, and neither did any of the Violet fans around me, but presumably the ref thought he saw a push in the box. Whatever the reason, a penalty it was and Farquharson smashed it home to level the score.
The game had barely re-started, following the goal, when there was another controversial flashpoint. Spence was fouled, and as he got to his feet, he had an angry exchange with Farquharson who squared up to Spence and then stuck his shoulder into Spence. Spence fell to the floor and within seconds, players from both sides had converged on the spot and there followed a shoving match, before the ref and linesman finally managed to restore order. The net result of this was that Farquharson was spoken to, Boyle cautioned and Spence had to leave the field for treatment. Soon after, the ref blew up and the side's headed in for the break.
Talbot started the second half in impressive fashion. Gillies did well on the left, working hard to feed the ball back to Brian Slavin. Slavin's powerful shot went just wide of the keeper's left post but there had been a slight nick of a defender so Talbot got a corner out on the right. The delivery was spot on and Jim Leitch was out of luck in the 6 yard box, with the bounce of the ball favouring the keeper who was able to snuff out the danger.
Quick thinking and a quickly taken set piece from Spence created a half chance for Gillies who stole half a yard on the defence but his 1st time effort was well held by Brown. Talbot were well on top at this early stage and Williamson found his name in the ref's book for a foul, with Talbot being awarded a free kick within shooting range. Slavin's effort was well struck and on target but Brown had positioned himself well, and made a comfortable save.
Violet had their own opportunity to exploit a set piece on 50 mins but Boyle's shot was woeful, floating harmlessly over Tosh's bar.
Fouls and freekicks were in plentiful supply and Talbot came close to snatching the lead on 55 mins when Latta's delivery from a freekick out on the right caused panic in the Violet 6 yard area, however after an almighty scramble the defence managed to clear their lines.
Violet were playing quite deep and making effective use of the long ball over the top and on 56 mins it looked as though Boyle was going to speed clear of the Bot rearguard. Boyle carried the ball into the box but opted for a feeble dive in the area, for which he was lucky not to be booked. Talbot made hard work of clearing the ball and succeeded only in pushing the ball out to Gray whose shot hit Collins on the arm just outside the box. Once again, it was Boyle who took and wasted the set piece, his shot never threatening the target.
Latta was proving to be Talbot's most creative player and it was from his corner that Collins rose to loop a header towards the postage stamp corner. Brown in the Violet goal, did well to claw the ball behind but Talbot could make nothing of the subsequent corner kick.
On 64 mins Gillies did well to burst clear of the Violet defence despite being fouled by Martin. The ref played the advantage and Gillies continued down the right channel but, frustratingly there were no runners in support and Gillies was left with no out ball.
With 69 mins on the clock Talbot made their 1st change of the afternoon, Spence leaving the field to be replaced by Neil Gilmour. The pattern of the game continued as before, with Talbot doing the pressing but with no end product and Violet always potentially dangerous on the counter.
On 73 mins Slavin rose to meet a corner from the right but his powerful header went straight at Brown who was able to make a comfortable save. Slavin was again involved a minute later. He curled in a great cross from the left which was well defended at the back post, with no Bot player able to get a touch.
On 81 mins Farquharson was cautioned for a foul on Slavin and the Violet goalscorer was promptly substituted to howls of derision from the Bot support for his part in the earlier incident with Spence. It was soon the ref's turn to be shouted at, as he got the second penalty decision of the afternoon wrong. Having awarded Violet a spot kick for an offence which only he saw, he then denied Talbot a stonewaller. Once again it came from a good cross from Latta, his freekick finding Slavin free beyond the back post, Brian met it only to see his header blatantly handled by McKenzie. The Bot players and support immediately claimed but the ref and his linesman, who seemed to spend more time castigating Tucker and Talbot's subs than running the line, both missed the incident.
On 83 mins John Traynor made way for Greig Henry.
Having enjoyed the bulk of play and possession Talbot had to endure a nerve wracking close to the match as Violet began to threaten. Firstly Boyle was defied by a great last gasp tackle from Latta, then, following an error by Anderson Latta was again called upon to defy Boyle with a strong challenge. The ball broke into the path of a Violet player but the shot was blazed well over the bar. Deep into injury time there was one final scare for the Bot when a long punt up the park was well controlled by Boyle just inside the area, but he couldn't get over the ball and lifted his shot over the bar.
And so after 180 minutes it all came down to penalties. Memories of the defeat earlier this season at the hands of Hurlford and last season's exit at Bo'ness ensured that the Bot fans faced the penalty shoot out a little low on confidence.
This lack of confidence seemed justified when Mallan strode up to take the first penalty, only to see his effort comfortably saved by Brown. Boyle then converted for the home side, although Tosh made a brave effort, managing to get his fingertips to the kick.
Davie Gillies then stepped forward for Talbot and knocked his penalty well over the bar. Talbot were really up against it now but Tosh rose to the occasion, diving to his left to keep out Collier's effort and keeping the Bot's hopes alive. Slavin and Gilmour for Talbot and Robertson and Gray for Violet all converted making it 2-3 in Violet's favour.
Davidson stepped up to take the Bot's fifth penalty and the sense of relief was palpable as he slotted home. Now it was all down to Martin against Tosh and Tosh won the battle of nerves, and so we were into sudden death.
James Latta strolled up and coolly finished and now it was Violet's hopes that were hanging by a thread. Violet's sub, Clark, stepped up but Tosh made the stop, leading to scenes of wild celebration from the Bot players and support.
It was all a bit too close for comfort with Talbot never finding their best form on the day but in the cup it's results that count and it's Talbot who march on to face Forth Wanderers in the 3rd round.
MoM - James Latta/ Stuart McIntosh
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS
AUCHINLECK TALBOT 1 ARTHURLIE 0 (H-T 1-0)
Arthurlie's lengthy unbeaten run was ended by the Bot in a hard fought encounter which sets Talbot up nicely for the visit to Newlandsfield next Saturday.
Both sides had scored a glut of goals in the Scottish the previous week, but that was never going to be the case this week as the two teams were too evenly matched for the sort of cricket scores run up against Forth and Shettleston.
Having said that, it didn't take Talbot long to hit the net on Saturday. After only 6 mins, Colin Spence managed to bend his freekick around the wall and past the helpless Robertson to put Talbot 1-0 ahead. Just at Dundee, Spence's early strike seemed to see Talbot sit back on their laurels with the visitors doing most of the pressing. However, despite seeing most of the ball, Arthurlie were surprisingly toothless in attack, flattering to deceive without actually giving Tosh anything to do.
On 19 mins a fine Talbot move saw the Bot come close to doubling their advantage. Jim Leitch carried the ball out of defence before releasing Stevie Mallan down the right. Mallan's cross was met by Davie Gillies whose shot was tipped over the bar. Arthurlie then had another lucky escape from the resulting corner which wound it's way beyond the back post to Anderson, who had time to steady himself before driving in a piledriver of a shot, which appeared to be netbound before being nodded off the line by a defender.
Jim Leitch's through ball on 23 mins created an opening for Gillies but on the heavy surface he couldn't outpace Jack who recovered and regained possession for Arthurlie.
The first player in the ref's book was Spence and he could have no complaints as he slid in late to fell Ryan who was breaking down the right. When the freekick was flighted over, Jim Leitch did well to head clear at the back post.
On the half hour mark a fine passing move involving McVey, Mallan and Gillies carved out a half chance for Leitch at the edge of the area. Jim's attempt to burst through was blocked but the ball spun kindly to Davidson who, unfortunately, pulled his shot wide of target.
On 33 mins Convery showed good skill out on the left to cut inside but having created the opening he followed it up with a weak attempt on goal, his curling shot more of a passback than anything else. Perhaps frustrated by his lack of success, Convery was soon in the ref's book, as he crudely shoved Henry in the back, as Talbot's right back shepherded the ball behind for a goal kick.
Arthurlie were still enjoying most of the ball and making little of it, but on 43 mins they did have a glimpse of goal. A good ball over from the right found McKenzie on the 6 yard line but when it appeared as though a header was the better option he chose to go for the volley, and squandered the chance as he blazed over.
With the interval approaching McKeown also found his name in the book for a late challenge on Davidson. The last action of the half saw Spence attempt to thread a ball through to Latta but Robertson was quickly off his line to smother the ball and so the team's went in for the break with Talbot a goal to the good.
Arthurlie signalled their intent to go for broke when they returned from the interval with Hobbs on in place of McKenzie, and the team opting for 3 up front. The new comer was quickly involved and should have drawn his team level on 50 mins. A huge clearance by Robertson was miscontrolled by Henry allowing Hobbs the chance to break free down the left but his hastily hit effort was always wide of target. Hobbs had a chance to redeem himself on 55 mins when defensive slackness allowed him clear on the left but his cross was easily mopped up by the defence.
Talbot were unable to get out of the bit in this phase but despite overwhelming possession Arthurlie weren't threatening Talbot's goal, their best effort being a snap shot from Convery which Tosh gathered at the 2nd time of asking. On 65 mins Arthurlie finally came close to snatching an equalizer through Ryan whose effort from 20 yards flew just wide of target.
This seemed to stir Talbot into action and Mallan drove a shot on target, to be followed a minute later by a tremendous turn and shot by Gillies, which saw his left footed effort go narrowly over with Robertson well beaten. Talbot now opted to go for fresh legs and made a double switch Robertson coming on for Mallan and Young replacing Leitch. The tide was now definitely turning back in Talbot's favour and within a minute of joining the fray Gary Robertson should have won Talbot a corner, his shot clearly deflecting behind off the Arthurlie fullback, but to the annoyance of the home support a goalkick was given.
On 71 mins Henry found himself cautioned for persistent fouling.
The game was now evenly poised but with 76 mins gone Talbot almost gifted Arthurlie the leveller. A comedy of errors saw Davidson's pass intercepted, Henry miscontrolling the ball deep in his own half, and Hobbs being presented with a real opportunity to score. Fortunately, he didn't make the most of the opportunity, blazing his effort way off target.
In the final ten mins the game was really being stretched with play swinging from end to end. Arthurlie's Robertson had a real escape on 82 mins when he rushed out of his box to make a clearance. He only succeeded in placing the ball in the vicinity of Gillies, who wasted no time in getting the ball out of his feet before lobbing the ball goalwards, his attempt only inches from perfection as it caught the top of the bar and skipped over.
On 85 mins a Talbot counter attack lacked only the final ball to seal the victory. Young's pass had sent Latta scampering down the touchline and as Latta cut inside the area and crossed there was no Talbot player at the front post to meet the cutback and instead the defence managed to clear. With time running out Gillies managed to win a corner out on the right. As the ball came over Robertson came off his line to clear and then threw a punch in the direction of Gillies, which the referee and his assistant failed to notice.
Arthurlie continued to press forward but in an increasingly desultory manner as if even they believed they could have played to Christmas without testing the keeper. The Bot support had to endure a full five mins of injury time before the ref finally saw fit to blow for time and hte celebrations could start.
A very tough match played on a gluey surface and full credit to the Bot for halting Arthurlie's unbeaten run and securing all 3 points. Gillies and Mallan worked tirelessly upfront and Davidson had a good game in midfield, at the back Anderson and especially Collins, did a great job of snuffing out the Arthurlie forward line and gave Tosh one of the easiest afternoons he'll have had all season.
MoM - Gavin Collins
Tosh, Henry, McVey, Anderson, Collins, Leitch, Latta, Davidson, Gillies, Mallan, Spence
subs - Young, Robertson, Traynor
Arthurlie - Robertson, McShane, Wilson, Jack, Allison, McKenzie, Ryan, McGarvey, Convery, McKeown, Waddell
subs - Jack, Hobbs, Rhoddan
CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY
POLLOK 1 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 2 (H-T 1-0)
It would be safe to say that Newlandsfield park has not been the happiest of hunting grounds for Talbot over the years. There have been some cracking matches and great performances, yet the end result was inevitably disappointment for the Talbot faithful. So how sweet it was to see the Bot finally get the reward their play deserved, with a hard fought but thoroughly deserved victory over Pollok and put an end to Pollok's hoodoo over us.
The early signs were not promising, in fact, Talbot came within inches of falling behind within the 1st minute of play. Tinney out on the left swung a dangerous cross over toward the back post, between Tosh and the central defence and with no one claiming it, all it required was a clean touch from the lurking Pollok striker and it was a certain goal, fortunately though it drifted inches wide and behind for a goal kick.
Talbot's first real attack came on 5 mins when Mallan broke free on the left. He fired it low and hard into the centre but Wilson did well to smother the ball with Latta waiting to pounce on any error. The early exchanges set the pattern for the remainder of the half, a good, tough contest with no quarter asked or given, with Talbot enjoying the bulk of possession and territorial advantage.
On 15 mins Davidson's shot from the edge of the area was blocked by what appeared to be a Lok defender's arm, however the referee gave nothing and play continued, with the ball spinning into the path of Slavin who fired over the bar. Two mins later and Talbot produced a moment of real quality which almost led to the breakthrough. Latta fed the ball into Mallan whose deft touch released Gillies to race through on goals, but just when it seemed as though he was pacing free of the back line, he was denied by a great last gasp challenge which saw Talbot win a corner out on the left. The first corner was swiftly followed by a second, a great delivery from the right which flew across Pollok's 6 yard box but agonisingly, no one was able to supply the killer touch, however, Spence was first to react and gathered the ball out on the left before knocking the ball into to Gillies. Davie's path to goal was blocked by a defender but once again Pollok couldn't clear their lines and the ball fell at the edge of the area for Mallan who shot wide of goal.
Talbot were now well in control and Davidson was unfortunate when his pass to Latta was read by Wilson who managed to race from the line to gather at Latta's feet. In similar fashion to last week's encounter, it was a game of few clear cut chances, though Gillies made Wilson work on 28 mins when he tried a piledriver which the keeper was glad to control at the 2nd attempt. Right on the half hour mark, Slavin combined well with Gillies, feeding the ball out to Davie on the touchline before making a beeline for the box to get on the end of Gillies cross, which he met with a powerful header which flew over the bar.
Pollok's first real shot at goal came on 31 mins following a freekick out on the right. Talbot didn't clear their lines and the ball was worked to Currie whose shot sailed well over Tosh's bar. Liam's defence splitting pass through the centre on 35 mins created an opening for Mallan but under pressure the defence managed to clear the danger. At this point, everything was going as well as could be hoped for, all that Talbot were lacking was the goal their play deserved, and then, out of the blue, Pollok stole the lead on 39 mins. Talbot were caught napping by Pollok's swift counter-attack, with Black breaking free from his own half before finding McLauchlan out on the right touchline. Slack defending from Talbot at the back post allowed Friels to steal in and side foot home McLauchlan's cross, completely unmarked, and so, against the run of play Talbot found themselves a goal down.
Talbot, having dominated most of the half could have found themselves two behind a minute before the break. Once again it came from a Talbot attack, with Pollok swiftly countering and hitting on the break. Friels was the provider this time, threading the ball through to Tinney who raced into the box with only Tosh to beat. Tinney attempted to round the keeper but Tosh kept his eye on the ball and made a great stop, stealing the ball off Tinney's toes to prevent a certain goal. The half ended with Talbot back on the attack, forcing two corners in quick succession, but unable to make the final ball count, so it was that the team's went in at half time with Talbot trailing by a goal.
Tucker's half time team talk did it's usual work and the Bot came out all guns blazing at the start of the 2nd half. Mallan did well out on the left wing on 46 mins but his ball into the near post was gathered by Wilson at the post. When Talbot next threatened, on 51 mins, it was from the other flank, Latta whipping over a dangerous cross which the Lok rearguard had to head out from under their bar. Two mins later Gillies did well on the right, spinning his marker and going for an early cross which Wilson gathered. Pollok were beginning to crack under the pressure and Black found himself in the ref's notebook for a late challenge on Spence. Davidson took the resultant freekick, hitting a great ball over to the back post but Wilson did well to stand firm and punch the ball to safety.
Gillies showed quick feet on 58 mins, when he turned his marker neat as ninepence, and fired on target, but although well struck it went straight at Wilson who made a comfortable save.
On the hour mark, Latta was making good progress down the right before being crudely shoved to the deck. As the freekick was swept over, Derek Anderson rose to bullet a header into the net, but the referee had spotted some infringement beyond all of the Talbot support and the goal was chalked off.
Pollok had rarely been seen in an attacking sense but when Tosh was called upon he proved to be equal to the task, touching over a swerving rocket of a shot from Haggerty on 63 mins which had looked net bound from the moment it left his boot. That save proved to be crucial as within a minute Talbot had gone down the other end and drawn level.
It came from a corner out on the right which the Lok defence cleared but only as far as Davidson out on the left wing. Arnie showed great composure to pick out the rushing GAVIN COLLINS who bulleted his header into the net to make it 1-1.
Pollok were rattled and on 66 mins were lucky not to fall behind. A long clearance by Tosh led to a moment of indecision in the Lok rearguard with Wilson racing out of his box to clear. His botched attempt to challenge Mallan saw the ball spin to Davie Gillies who struck the ball on target but with the goal gaping he couldn't make the contact he wanted and a defender was able to intercept.
Pollok reacted to this by making a switch, Smith leaving the field with McAuley replacing him at right back. On 75 mins Slavin was cautioned for Talbot, harshly in my opinion, for a late aerial challenge on the Lok keeper but the ball was there to be won and Brian's momentum carried him into the keeper, nevertheless, he received a yellow card for his troubles.
Pollok now made their second switch, Currie making way for McClay. Black had a half chance for Pollok on 78 mins when the pitch seemed to open up before him, but with time and space he chose the easy option going for a glory shot from all of 30 yards which never remotely troubled the Talbot goal. Pollok came a bit closer on 82 mins when a cross from the left flank found Tosh in no mans land but fortunately Slavin was there to make the clearance.
Talbot were not settling for a point, a fact demonstrated on 84 mins when Davidson burst through before finding Gillies in the area. The defence managed to knock the ball behind but the danger was far from over, and Slavin managed to drill a shot on target from the resultant corner kick. It was then Pollok's chance to attack and Tosh had to look lively to get down and get a hand to a shot from the left of the area. With 3 mins to go Mallan picked up a yellow card.
Talbot now made their first change of the afternoon, Gillies making way for Leitch and within a couple of mins Mallan too went off, to be replaced by Gary Robertson.
This proved to be an inspired switch as with the game heading deep into injury time, former Glen GARY ROBERTSON produced a spectacular winner out of nothing. There didn't appear to be any immediate threat when Robertson controlled the ball out on the left but with no one up alongside him he didn't opt for heading for the corner flag to run down the clock or turning back to protect possession, instead he shocked everyone, none more so than Wilson of Pollok, by going for goal, his lobbed effort catching the keeper completely flat footed as it sailed inches under the bar to put the Bot 2-1 ahead.
The fans and players celebrated wildly, but were made to wait a few minutes before the victory was confirmed as the ref chose to add on a good 5 or 6 mins for reasons of his own.
A victory that has been a long time coming over Pollok but is all the sweeter for the wait. It's a cliche, but really there were no failures in the Bot team today, a great all round team performance which saw the Bot firmly establish themselves as a serious contender for this year'sLeague flag.
MoM - probably Davidson, but only just as everyone played their part
Tosh, Henry, McVey, Anderson, Collins, Spence, Davidson, Slavin, Gillies, Mallan, Latta
subs - Boyle, Robertson, Leitch & Gilmour
THE BOT BREEZE THROUGH
GLASGOW PERTHSHIRE 0 AUCHINLECK TALBOT 4 (H-T 0-2)
Talbot went into this match as red hot favourites to march into the last 16 of the Scottish and comfortably lived up to that billing.
Right from the outset it was clear that Perthshire were keen to mix it but Talbot were prepared to match them. The opening ten minutes flew by with a series of hair raising aerial challenges and crunching tackles succeeding one another. Talbot hadn't been able to put their foot on the ball and play football. On 10 mins Spence was floored in a crude aerial assault which saw McGovern's name in the ref's book. Anderson hit the freekick, floating it over to the back post towards Slavin. The ball broke loose just outside the area and NEIL GILMOUR fired in a wonder shot from 20 odd yards which screamed past the keeper to put the Bot 1 -0 ahead.
Perthshire had a let off on 14 mins when Latta's cross was brilliantly controlled by Spence only for his further progress to be impeded by a blatant handball. However the ref and linesman saw nothing amiss and all Talbot received was a corner kick.
Perthshire chances in the first period were few and far between but they did come close on 15 mins. A freekick was swept in from the right and Craig met it at the edge of the area, only to see his looping header bounce back into play off the bar with Tosh well beaten.
The action soon swung back down the other end and Gillies was next to test the keeper, firing on target from 20 yards, following a good break from midfield by Young.
Perthshire must have had a sense of deja vu on 27 mins when Talbot extended their lead. Once again it was a freekick taken by Anderson floated towards Slavin, only this time the ball fell into the path of COLIN SPENCE who gathered the ball on the 18 yard line, steadied himself before lifting the ball right into the top left corner of the net to put the Bot 2-0 ahead.
Perthshire were all over the place now and should have been a man down on 29 mins when Mallan was crudely chopped to the ground by Johnstone as he was set to race in on goal. Perhaps because he wasn't in a central position but to the right the ref deemed it wasn't a goal scoring chance but there was certainly no attempt to play the ball and Johnstone was very fortunate to escape with a yellow. Rooney soon joined his team mates in the ref's notepad for mouthing off and on 33 mins Talbot made the game's 1st substitution. Mallan had never recovered from the late challenge and so Gary Robertson was thrown into action.
Talbot continued to dominate but there were no other clear cut chances. On 42 mins Cahoon clobbered Latta with a late challenge and became the 4th Perthshire player cautioned, something that was to come back and haunt him later in the match. So Talbot went in at the break two goals to the good and looking as though they had one foot in the next round.
As the team's returned after the break the Talbot bench swapped sides, moving over to the side of the park where the bulk of the Talbot support were standing. A move necessitated by a few Possil neds who had taken to throwing bottles and stones.
When the game resumed it was clear that Perthshire were going all out for an early goal. Within a minute of the restart, Perthshire had won a corner down the right and Collins did well to clear the danger when the corner came over. Craig then had a go from distance, his effort deflecting off Young and behind for a second corner kick.
Having ridden out this early surge, Talbot should have killed the game on 49 mins. Gilmour did well down the wing before looping a deep cross beyond the back post. The defence couldn't clear their lines and Young found himself on the left with time and space to pick the perfect cross straight onto Davie Gillies head, however, Davie's goal touch deserted him and he headed over from 6 yards. Talbot were now back in total control and on 52 mins almost fluked a third. Spence's mis hit cross appeared to be dropping in under the bar but Johnstone in the Perthshire goal did well to back pedal and tip it over for a corner. When the corner came over Anderson met it beyond the back post and once again Talbot had a good penalty appeal turned down as his fierce shot came off a defender's elbow.
Perthshire's Craig who had seemed like their most dangerous player found his part in the | |
