Johnstone Burgh exit League Cup after defeat to Auchinleck Talbot

Johnstone Burgh’s Strathclyde Demolition West of Scotland League Cup campaign ended at the quarter-final stage after a 3-1 defeat to cup holders Auchinleck Talbot at Beechwood Park, Auchinleck.

Burgh manager Murdo MacKinnon made two changes to the starting XI that beat Drumchapel United 4-2 at Keanie Park on Wednesday night. Out went Broque Watson and Jude Cummins, with Lewis King and Kyle Lafferty coming in.

Auchinleck Talbot made the perfect start and took the lead in the 5th minute. Cameron Keay headed the ball into the top left-hand corner of the net from around six yards following a Luke Gillies corner.

Kyle Lafferty had a chance for the Burgh in the 10th minute after Aaron Mason set up the former Kilmarnock striker from 20 yards, but his low left-footed shot heading for the bottom left-hand corner was well saved by Talbot goalkeeper Corey Armour.

In the 22nd minute, Johnstone Burgh were awarded a penalty after Matty Grant played a lovely through ball to Kyle Lafferty, who was then fouled just inside the box by Scott Schoneville. There were big shouts from the travelling support for a red card, but the referee was content to show a yellow. Up stepped Kyle Lafferty, who made no mistake from the spot, as his right-foot effort found the top left-hand corner to make it 1-1 in the 24th minute.

Photo: Kyle Lafferty scores from the penalty spot to level the match for Johnstone Burgh during their League Cup quarter-final defeat to Auchinleck Talbot
Photo Credit: Graham Morgan / Johnstone Burgh

The Burgh were starting to dominate the game and came close to taking the lead through Aaron Mason in the 31st minute, but his low right-foot shot from around 25 yards was well saved by Armour.

Blair Rossiter had the next chance for the away side in the 38th minute, but his left-foot shot from 20 yards went just over the crossbar.

Against the run of play, Auchinleck Talbot regained the lead two minutes before half-time. The Burgh defence failed to clear a corner properly and the ball fell to Luke Gillies, who crossed to Kyle McAvoy. His right-foot shot from eight yards was then chested into the net from close range by Keiren Wood.

Talbot led 2-1 at half-time.

As rain, hail, sleet and snow began to fall heavily at Beechwood Park, Talbot came close to extending their lead in the 53rd minute. A well-worked free kick set up a chance for Luke Gillies, whose low shot from 25 yards came off the right-hand post.

As conditions worsened, Auchinleck Talbot scored their third goal in the 64th minute. Following a great move, Austin Sime lashed the ball off the underside of the crossbar and into the net from around eight yards, leaving the Burgh with a mountain to climb.

The second half was dominated by Talbot, who almost made it 4-1 in the 67th minute, but Kyle McAvoy saw his right-foot shot from 20 yards well saved by Luke Scullion. Five minutes later, McAvoy went close again with a well-struck shot from 10 yards, but Scullion was equal to it and kept the score at 3-1.

With 77 minutes on the clock, Talbot’s Austin Sime tried his luck from over 30 yards, but his powerful effort went just over the crossbar.

As the game entered the final minutes, Auchinleck Talbot had another chance to add a fourth, but Connor Boyd’s free header from eight yards went over.

In the 93rd minute, “The Bot” had two more efforts in quick succession — first from around 20 yards, then from six yards — but Luke Scullion did well to save both and keep the scoreline at 3-1.

The game finished 3-1, and it was Auchinleck Talbot who secured their place in the semi-final.

Next up for Johnstone Burgh is St Cadoc’s in the WoSFL Premier Division under the lights at Keanie Park on Wednesday 1st April. Kick-off is at 7:30pm.

Photo Credit: (and thank you) Graham Morgan / Johnstone Burgh

Goals: Auchinleck Talbot: Keay 5, Wood 44, Sime 64

Johnstone Burgh: Lafferty 24 (Pen)

Table correct as at 29/03/26