The Buffs produced a gutsy performance at Beechwood Park to leave with a point, despite being reduced to 10 men during the first half. Strain’s side worked tremendously hard and spent long spells defending their box, but did so admirably and will feel they were well worth their draw.
The first chance of the game was carved out by The Buffs when a Jack Maccalman long throw caught the Talbot defence out. Jack took his throw-in from the right-hand side quickly and found Boylan in space at the byline. Bryan had time to take a touch before cutting the ball back for Wilson, who had peeled off his defender. Wilson stepped onto the pass and shot first-time, with a curling effort aimed towards the goalkeeper’s right. Wilson struck the ball well, but it was blocked well by Ross Clark, who had flung his body at the ball.
The Buffs had made a great start to the game and made their early dominance count, taking the lead on the 15-minute mark. It was another long throw which was causing the hosts issues, however, this time the ball went straight into the box from the right side. The throw avoided the cluster of bodies near the front post and found Wilson, who volleyed perfectly into the top left from close range.
Auchinleck responded to the goal well and rattled the crossbar from distance, moments later. Kyle McAvoy gathered possession on the left and took one touch, teeing himself up to swivel and hit a half volley, which looked to be going over the bar. McAvoy’s attempt had Brown beaten, but just didn’t have quite enough dip on it as it crashed off the bar just above the top-right corner.
The flow of the game was altered dramatically when Kyle Chrystal was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Crooks. The ball was loose in midfield, and Chrystal slid in to try and win possession, but the referee adjudged him to have caught Crooks high with his right boot.
Utilising their man advantage, The Talbot managed to level the score prior to halftime. It was a quick break forward by left-back Schoneville, which unlocked The Buffs’ defence. Schoneville drove forward and away from Boylan, and slid a through pass into the path of Mitchell. Brown was quick off his line and nearly got to the ball before the striker, who smashed a shot past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
McAvoy had another long-range attempt just before the break, but this time Dylan was able to dive across to the near side of his goal and save comfortably.
Half-time came at the right time for The Buffs, who were able to get in at 1-1 and regroup following a strong Talbot end to the half. However, the hosts didn’t let up throughout the second half, continuing to probe the Buffs’ box and really pinning them back.
Early in the half, substitute Gillies had a decent chance, as he was found by a cross from the right wing. The forward was unmarked in the box and had a free header from around the penalty spot, which he headed wide of the right post.
Down to 10, progress up the park was scarce for The Buffs, but they persisted superbly and found some fortune when Tarek Abed was sent off shortly after coming on. Harry Weir chased a second ball and got to it first using his head, when Abed caught him on the side of the face with a high boot.
Although losing a man themselves, the home side still managed to stay on top without really being able to break down the Buffs’ resolute defence. The Buffs did have a couple of forays forward towards the end of the game, with McLaughlin and Boylan both catching glimpses of goal. Boylan probably had the better chance as he out-jumped everyone in the box, but could only nod Lockhart’s free-kick just over the bar.
The game didn’t end without further drama, with Talbot being awarded a penalty in the dying minutes. Schoneville had possession on the right side of the box and went down following a challenge from McLevy, who looked to make minimal contact. The referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot; however, after a short conversation with his assistant, he overturned his decision.
Given the circumstances, The Buffs should view this as a point earned rather than two dropped thanks to an extremely hard-working performance in Auchinleck. Strain’s side showed true determination and defended with real organisation, fully meriting their point.
