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 2 changes to the starting XI that beat Drumchapel United 4-2 at Keanie Park on Wednesday night. Out went Broque Watson and Jude Cummins and in came Lewis King and Kyle Lafferty.

Auchinleck Talbot made the perfect start and would take the lead in the 5th minute. Cameron Keay headed the ball into the top left hand corner of the net, from around 6 yards, after a Luke Gillies corner kick.

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 foot shot that was heading for the bottom left hand corner was well saved by Talbot goalkeeper Corey Armour.

In the 22nd minute, Johnstone Burgh would be awarded a penalty kick 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 of the net to make it 1-1 in the 24th minute.

The Burgh were starting to dominate the game, and would come 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 would have 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 would take the lead 2 minutes before half time. The Burgh defence failed to clear a corner kick properly and the ball then fell to Luke Gillies, who crossed the ball to Kyle McAvoy, who would see his right foot shot from 8 yards chested into the net from close range by Keiren Wood.

Talbot would lead 2-1 at half time

Half time: 2-1

As the rain, hail, sleet and snow started to come down heavy at Beechwood Park, Talbot came close to extending their lead in the 53rd minute. A well worked free kick, set up the chance for Luke Gillies, who would see his low shot from 25 yards, come off the right hand post.

As the weather conditions got worse, Auchinleck Talbot would score their third goal of the match in the 64th minute. Following a great move, Austin Sime lashed the ball off of the underside of the crossbar and into the net from around 8 yards, to leave the Burgh a mountain to climb.

The second half was totally dominated by Talbot, and almost went 4-1 up in the 67th minute, but Kyle McAvoy would see his right foot shot from 20 yards well saved by Luke Scullion. Five minutes later, Kyle McAvoy would come close again from a well stuck shot from 10 yards, but Luke Scullion was up to the task and kept the scoreline at 3-1.

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

As the game entered the last few minutes, Auchinleck Talbot had yet another chance to add a 4th goal, but Connor Boyd's free header from 8 yards went over the crossbar.

In the 93rd minute, "The Bot" had two more efforts on goal in the space of a few seconds, the first from around 20 yards from goal, then from 6 yards, but Luke Scullion done well to save both, to keep the scoreline at 3-1.

The game would end 3-1, and it would be Auchinleck Talbot who secure their place in the semi final.

Congratulations to Auchinleck Talbot FC.

Full time: 3-1

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

Johnstone Burgh goal: Lafferty 24 (Pen)

Man Of The Match: Kyle Lafferty

Starting XI: Scullion, King, Gilday, Forrester, Menzies(C), McShane (Cummins 82), Grant (Watson 62), McDonald (Esplin 73), Lafferty (Gilmartin 82), Rossiter, Mason

A big thank you to all the Burgh supporters who made the journey to Beechwood Park, Auchinleck today.

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.

©Match Report: John
©Images: Mitch, Graham