Scottish Junior Cup: Ayr force won as Auchinleck and Glenafton set up repeat of 1992 final

A celebration of all things Ayrshire at a venue still to be decided, but most probably Rugby Park, was set in motion after both sides prevailed in hard fought semi-final contests on Saturday against East Region opposition.

Talbot triumphed 1-0 at home to Linlithgow Rose following a 0-0 first game scoreline.

And a magnificent backs-to-the-wall performance away to Bonnyrigg Rose earned the Glens a 0-0 stalemate and a 1-0 aggregate success on the back of last weekend’s narrow victory at Loch Park to take them through to the final on June 4.

A healthy four-figure crowd was in attendance at Beechwood Park to take in Auchinleck’s latest showdown with long standing cup rivals Linlithgow and what was always going to be an authentic examination of the Ayrshiremen’s 2017 Cup credentials was exacerbated to no little degree by an untimely spate of injuries depriving Bot boss Tommy Sloan’s starting line-up of hitherto regulars Steven White , Mark Shankland, Dwayne Hyslop and Craig McCracken.

The undoubted pedigree of Linlithgow promised a tough 90 minutes in store, however a patched-up Talbot …with veteran James Latta drafted into midfield alongside youngster Clark Thomson - making only his third starting appearance- were their typically aggressive selves right from the first whistle.

And the Rose found it difficult to get out of their own half despite the best efforts of busy trio Sean Mushin, Blair Bachelor and Ross Gray.

His team’s injury circumstances had Sloan fearing the worst when Stevie Wilson went down after a late challenge and was seen to be signalling furiously to his bench however the midfielder was able to play on after some touchline treatment.

Talbot’s early pressure had failed to breach a resolute visiting rearguard however an opening goal almost arrived in 24 minutes when Bryan Young’s exquisite free kick delivery was met by Graham Wilson, whose strong header cleared the crossbar by a matter of inches.

Little had been seen of Linlithgow in an attacking sense but Tommy Coyne duly reminded everyone of his scoring threat when he turned smartly and drilled in a low 25 yard shot that forced Bot goalkeeper Andy Leishman into a full length diving save.

Matters were heating up now and Latta was only inches away from meeting a Gordon Pope driven cross just two yards out.

However, what was to prove the game’s most significant moment duly arrived just seven minutes short of the interval.

No danger was apparent as Auchinleck came forward down the right flank and a neat exchange of passes ended with Latta finding Young whose clipped cross cum shot found the net off the inside of Rose goalkeeper Darren Hill’s post.

Midfield playmaker Youngy admitted afterwards: "I intended to put in a cross more than a shot but there’s always a chance you might strike lucky by playing the ball into the right areas and that’s what has worked in our favour today. Doesn’t matter how they go in as long as it’s in the net for us.”

Finding themselves 1-0 down sparked Linlithgow into a number of attacking forays approaching half time and one bout of concerted pressure saw Coyne given a rare sight of goal but his poked close-range shot came back of the upright with Leishman helpless.

Woodwork came into play again early in the second half when Graham Wilson’s determination enabled him to crash through a block tackle and get away a close range shot that flew past Hill only to come crashing off the crossbar.

More was being seen of the visitors in the forward going areas. However, they were making little headway against an outstanding Talbot rearguard where full backs Willie Lyle and Gordon Pope were dovetailing perfectly with no-nonsense centre-back pair Martin McGoldrick -later named Man of the Match- and Ross Harvey .

Frustration led to the East Region cracks resorting to letting fly from further out but the formidable Leishman takes some beating from long range and he saved comfortably from Bachelor, Kelbie and Gray in quick succession.

Linlithgow going t for broke with the game entering its closing stages led to the game being played out in and around Talbot’s penalty area and the big keeper excelled himself by diving to parry away a Coyne shot that looked net bound .

Talbot gaffer Tommy Sloan gave a measured assessment of his side’s latest semi-final triumph - his seventh as team manager.

“We should never have needed Andy’s late save as we had several clear cut scoring chances to put the game out of Linlithgow’s reach long before our nervy finish.

“But it’s hard to be critical given the key players who were posted missing today and I’m absolutely delighted for this club to be in the Final again.”

Excellent referee Stewart Luke's full-time blast brought outpourings of celebration and no little relief for Talbot's avid supporters, who are now savouring the prospect of a Junior showpiece occasion against Glenafton some 25 years from when they last met in 1992 Cup Final with Talbot winning 4-0.

One cannot imagine a similar scoreline this time out as Glenafton also boast a near impregnable defence with superb central defenders in Craig Menzies and Ryan McChesney, whose displays along with the handling of ex-Talbot goalkeeper Brian McGarrity were instrumental in nullifying all that Bonnyrigg Rose could throw at them through at New Dundas Park.

There were various near things for Craig McEwan’s men to survive but it’s probably true to say the nearest thing to a goal came at the other end of the pitch where Bonnyrigg shotstopper Michael Andrews produced a wonder save to keep out a David Gray free kick .

Meanwhile, supporters of the two finalists are set for an early indication of what lies in store in June as Auchinleck host the visit of Glenafton in a top of the table Super Premier Division encounter this Wednesday night (6.45pm kick off.)

WEEKEND RESULTS:

Scottish Junior Cup Semi Finals Second Leg.

Bonnyrigg Rose 0 Glenafton 0 (Glenafton win 1-0 aggregate), Auchinleck Talbot 1 Linlithgow Rose 0 (Auchinleck win 1-0 on aggregate).

McBookie.com Super Premier Division. Beith 3 Kilwinning Rangers 1, Hurlford Utd 0 Cumnock 6, Rob Roy 3 Troon 1

McBookie.com Super First Division.

Girvan 1 Petershill 0, Irvine Vics 0 Rutherglen Glencairn 1, Kilsyth Rangers 0 Clydebank 3, Shotts Bon Accord 2 Irvine Meadow 0, Renfrew 3 Yoker Athletic 3, Maryhill 3 Cumbernauld Utd 0.

McBookie.com Central First Division.

Rossvale 3 Vale of Clyde 0, Benburb 4 Lesmahagow 0, Thorniewood Utd 1 Bellshill Athletic 2, Cambuslang Rangers 3 Forth Wanderers 3, Greenock 1 Neilston 2, Larkhall Thistle 2 Wishaw 3.

McBookie.com Central Second Division.

Newmains Utd 0 Gartcairn 1, Ashfield 1 Lanark Utd 2, Carluke Rovers 6 East Kilbride Thistle 3.McBookie.com Ayrshire District League. Dalry Thistle 0 Darvel 1, Maybole 2 Whitletts Vics 1, Muirkirk 0 Kello Rovers 5, Ardeer Thistle 0 Annbank Utd 2.

West of Scotland Cup, quarter-finals.

Pollok 3 St Roch's 1.

Central League Cup, second round.

Dunipace 3 Royal Albert 1.