Auchinleck Talbot win the West of Scotland cup beating Largs in the final

Auchinleck Talbot have beaten Largs Thistle in the West of Scotland Cup final.

The opening minutes saw Largs Thistle take the initiative. At the 6th minute, Cory Hughes fired a dangerous shot across the goal area that was ultimately deflected, earning a corner and reflecting the home side’s early intent.

Not long after, Auchinleck Talbot began to create their own chances. At the 10th minute, Connor Boyd—seemingly heralded as Talbot’s rising talent—fired his shot over the bar, marking his team’s first significant foray into the opposition half.

Before long, a crucial defensive moment arrived. In the 14th minute, a brilliant clearance from Cory Hughes thwarted an attacking move by Auchinleck when Connor Boyd managed to round Largs keeper Joe Wilton. This display of defensive alertness kept Largs from conceding early momentum.

The breakthrough, however, came soon after. In the 16th minute, Kyle McAvoy rose above the fray to score a spectacular header, giving Auchinleck Talbot a vital lead. The goal set the stage for a first half peppered with both excitement and near misses.

Largs Thistle continued to test the defenses. At 25 minutes, Gillies unleashed a long-range effort that was expertly saved by Joe Wilton, who was called into action time and again for his team. Largs edged closer to making an impact—Will Sewell struck the post in the 31st minute, and just a few minutes later in the 34th minute, an Auchinleck player (Gillies) appeared to have found the net only for the flag to signal offside. Even a well-struck effort from Sewell at the 41st minute and a close-miss at the 45th minute, when the ball barely brushed the top corner, kept the home side’s hopes alive. Despite these late surges, the half ended with Auchinleck Talbot leading 1–0, courtesy of McAvoy’s early header.

The second half saw both teams emerge with renewed vigor. At the 51st minute, Largs’ keeper Joe Wilton once again proved his worth by making a crucial save on another attempt from McAvoy. Just two minutes later, a long-range effort—reverberating with similar determination as seen in the first half—was held by a diligent defender, maintaining the delicate balance of the match.

Largs Thistle continued to press forward, with a deft pass from Lewis Davidson in the 57th minute nearly unlocking the Auchinleck defense; however, the pressure was diffused when the move was nullified by a timely goal kick. Defensive interventions followed quickly: in the 66th minute, Armour produced another outstanding save, and just two minutes later, he held firm against a challenge from Blair Devine. Then, in the 71st minute, Liam McVey’s important clearance helped Largs stave off immediate danger.

The defining moment came in the 80th minute. With the game neatly balanced on a knife-edge, Connor Boyd scored a well-placed goal that doubled Auchinleck’s lead, effectively sealing the victory. The decisive strike left Largs Thistle with little time to recover and mount a comeback.

When the final whistle blew, Auchinleck Talbot emerged victorious with a 2–0 win, clinching the WoSFL Cup in dramatic fashion. The match, filled with early drama, near misses, and relentless defensive efforts, showcased the resilience and quality of the Talbot side. This triumph not only brings silverware to Auchinleck but also marks another memorable chapter in their storied history.

Congratulations to Auchinleck Talbot on their hard-fought cup victory!

Photo: Harry Bradley and John Conway, dressed in Largs attire – including a Viking hat for Harry – for the final
Photo Credit: Largs Thistle / X.com

Photo: The West of Scotland cup
Photo Credit: Largs Thistle / X.com