GAME DAY 136 - SATURDAY 22nd JANUARY 2022 - David Vs Goliath part 3

Game 136 - David Vs Goliath part 3

Auchinleck Talbot 0 Vs 5 Hearts

STADIUM - Beechwood Park, Auchinleck

COMPETITION - Scottish Cup round 4

DATE - Saturday 22nd January 2022

KICK OFF - 12:30

PITCH - Grass

PROGRAMME -Yes

COST - Press Pass, Me and Kaids

SCORE BOARD - No

CLOCK - No

ATTENDANCE - 3,500

PENALTY -Yes x1 Hearts

RED CARD - No

GOALS - A. Halliday 14' - L. Boyce (pen) 39', 51' - P.Haring 80' - A.Cochrane 83'

MILES TRAVELLED - 92 miles approx

Game 136 and what an absolute belter! the 3rd chapter of the David Vs Goliath trilogy between Auchinleck Talbot and Hearts in the Scottish Cup.

What an occasion for such a small village who have such a passion for their team. The spectacle of one of the biggest team in Scotland rolling up to their home turf, bringing all the media and mainstream attention of the BBC to Auchinleck. For me this is better than the two previous occassions when Talbot travelled to Tynecastle, I always prefer seeing the big teams go to the smaller grounds. Bringing big games to communities who don't usually see them, along with all the fans to a stadium and area not as used to it. I also love seeing these players and team play in a smaller ground as you are more familiar to seeing them in bigger stadia, so the drastic change in surroundings definetely changes the look and feel of the tie.

Well it was the current 3rd best team in Scotlands turn to rock up to this lions den, the pitch and terraces so close, a boisterous Talbot faithful in song and just two teams of 11 men on the pitch to decide it.

Tale of the Tape - Talbot Vs Hearts

Status - Non League V Full Time

Competition - WOSFL Tier 6 V SPL Tier 1

Ranking - 62nd V 3rd

Population - 4,000 Approx V 525,000 Approx

Capacity - 4,000 (500 seated) V 20,099 (all seated)

THE GROUND

Dream ground to stage this tie, I love the fact they have the facilities including a large seated stand but also the terracing all around, making it the perfect stadium to host this game and give it the real underdog feel. I personally love it when you can see the people watching from their back windows when the game is on. (personally though, if Hearts were playing in my back garden, i would shut the curtains lol)

THE PREDICTION

The fact Talbot was the team that made me fall in love with Scottish football and lower league teams. The fact it was the third match in ten years in the Scottish cup between these two (3rd tie lucky). The fact it was finally a home tie for the Bot, my head said Hearts but my heart and the romance of the cup said EEKA PEEKA! So I went for 2-1 to Talbot before the game.

DOWN TO THE ACTION

Going to keep this part smaller due to the fact it was on the BBC and covered everywhere. The biggest drama/ selling point in this game was the hope for an upset, rooting for the underdog to overcome, but unfortunately with real life this usually isn't the case and today was no different.

Usually big teams get rocked when they underestimate their opponents and try to field younger and less experienced players. Well Hearts weren't messing about and put out a strong side, showing alot of respect to Tommy Sloans team.

This would somewhat kill the tension and drama of the tie as Hearts were simply too strong and well organised. Talbot immediately started on the front foot, but Hearts would take control from the start and when the first goal went in on the 14th minute you knew the writing was on the wall. Nerves creeped into Talbot and a swagger into Hearts, reality can hit hard and once the second goal by Boyce went in it sucked away any hope and optimism.

Auchinleck fans however are a different breed and were in good form still, singing from start to finish supporting their lads. After the 3rd goal went in, it swayed from expecting a comeback or win to simply wanting to grab a goal so we could party!. The Bot did come agonisingly close on a couple of occasions but it just never materialised.

IN CLOSING

To sum it up, at the start there was a real party atmosphere and a sense of lets do this!. At the end of the day their was a feeling of disappointment and (I hope Hearts get pumped by one of the Old Firm in the next round).

But this was a massive occasion, which most smaller clubs can only ever dream of and it arguably couldn't have happened to a better community than Auchinleck. I legit do not think anybody who lives there doesn't follow the team or know someone with a tattoo or metal crest on their gate of the club. A truly football daft village, with a team that I will always have a fond spot for.

So barring the result and a well done to Hearts on progressing to the next round. If we had to sum up the game in just four words, it would have to be.... EEKA PEEKA PUKKA PO!!!

Turnstiles and Terraces - MAN OF THE MATCH

Liam Boyce (Hearts) just so calm on the ball and controlled so much up front, could have scored more if the officiating in Scotland was better.

EXTRAS

First ever game we got into as Press/Media, for this we will forever be grateful to the people that set it up. It was great to be a small part of this historic game. Such a small village with National TV coverage as their club went up against one of the biggest teams in the country. No matter the result it was all eyes on Talbot.

Now they are in the Scottish Pyramid, it will be interesting to see how far this amazingly supported club from the small village of Auchinleck can go? Will Hearts Vs Talbot be a regular fixture in future football calendars? only time will tell...Away the BOT....AWAY!