Johnstone Burgh edged out by title-chasing Auchinleck Talbot at Beechwood Park

Johnstone Burgh suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to title-chasing Auchinleck Talbot at Beechwood Park after a battling performance against the league leaders.

Burgh interim manager Graeme Ramage made five changes to the starting XI that lost 4-3 to Kilwinning Rangers at Keanie Park on Saturday. Out went club captain Del Esplin, Ian McShane, Allan MacKenzie, Noah Grady and Jude Cummins, while Stuart Faulds, Blair Rossiter, Broque Watson, Aaron Mason and Aiden Gilmartin came into the side.

Johnstone Burgh had the first chance of the match in the sixth minute as Blair Rossiter’s free-kick from the left-hand side found Malky McDonald at the back post via a deflection, but his header from seven yards was easily saved by Jordan Longmuir.

The Burgh had an even better chance in the 11th minute when Aaron Mason showed good play on the left before firing a dangerous cross into the box for Kian Gilday, but his first-time volley from eight yards went well wide of the left-hand post.

Auchinleck Talbot had their first chance of the match in the 15th minute when Luke Gillies’ corner from the right found Neill McPherson at the back post, but his looping header from around 10 yards went just over the crossbar.

Johnstone Burgh came close to taking the lead a minute later as Broque Watson had a clear sight of goal, but his curling left-foot shot from 20 yards, which looked to be heading into the bottom corner, was superbly saved by Longmuir.

The visitors were playing well and created another opening in the 19th minute when Matty Grant found space, but his shot from 25 yards was again saved by the Talbot goalkeeper.

Burgh had another good chance in the 25th minute as Watson showed great skill to create space for himself inside the left-hand side of the box, but the former Broomhill player fired wide of the far post.

The home side threatened in the 31st minute when Scott Schoenville burst into the box from the left, but his shot from 10 yards was well blocked by Scott Forrester.

Talbot began to look more dangerous and looked certain to take the lead in the 32nd minute as Kyle McAvoy broke through on goal, only for Kian Gilday to produce a brilliant last-ditch tackle.

The hosts should have gone ahead in the 35th minute when a Burgh corner led to a rapid Talbot counter attack. McAvoy raced down the right before squaring for Connor Boyd, but with only Scullion to beat, he fired just over the crossbar.

Talbot continued to press and had another chance in the 38th minute when Luke Gillies drove into the box from the left, but his effort from eight yards was saved by Scullion.

In the first minute of added time, Talbot had the final chance of the half. After several headers inside the box, the ball fell to former Burgh player Cameron Crooks, but his volley was blocked by the head of Matty Grant.

The sides went in level at half-time.

The opening stages of the second half were scrappy, with few clear chances for either side.

However, in the 65th minute, Aiden Gilmartin had a great chance to open the scoring for Johnstone Burgh, but his effort from eight yards was brilliantly blocked by Talbot captain McPherson.

Talbot’s first clear chance of the second half arrived in the 70th minute when Connor Boyd’s dangerous cross found Ewan Thomson at the back post, but his overhead kick from eight yards drifted just over the crossbar.

The breakthrough finally came in the 72nd minute when Luke Gillies’ inswinging corner from the right was headed home from six yards by McPherson to send the home support into celebration.

Talbot looked for a second goal and almost found it in the 80th minute when Thomson set up Gillies, but his shot from 12 yards went just wide of the right-hand post.

Johnstone Burgh pushed forward in search of an equaliser and came close in the 90th minute when Gilmartin laid the ball off to Watson, but his effort from 20 yards sailed over the bar.

Burgh had one final opportunity in the fourth minute of added time after Kian Gilday was fouled just outside the box by Cameron Crooks. Gilmartin stepped up from 20 yards, but his strike was blocked by the head of Schoenville before Longmuir gathered the loose ball.

The referee then blew for full-time as Auchinleck Talbot secured a 1-0 victory which leaves them one win away from the title due to their superior goal difference.

Following the defeat, Johnstone Burgh remain fifth in the WoSFL Premier Division on 44 points from 29 matches.

Johnstone Burgh now travel to New Western Park to face Renfrew FC in their final WoSFL Premier Division match of the season on Saturday, 16th May. Kick-off is at 2pm.

Result from Monday 11th May:

Fixtures – Saturday, 16th May:

WoSFL Premier Division table (as at 13/05/26):