Report

MURRAYS REPORT
Talbot claimed the 1st silverware of the season with a comprehensive win over a game but out-classed Lesmahagow.
Lesmahagow started the game at a frantic pace, buzzing around the Bot half as though on fast forward and they had the first effort on target when Falconer hit a bouncing shot from 20 yards that Leishman held low to his right.
A minute later Kemp came close down the other end. He sped clear on the right & fired a shot inside the near post that Thomson blocked with his feet.
Falconer had his name taken in the 14th minute when he tripped Glasgow as he broke down the centre. Pope delivered the free kick into the area where it was headed behind by Whitefield. Glasgow whipped the corner into the near post where Falconer headed it clear but it came straight out to Pope whose low drive was deflected just past the left post.
Talbot opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Kemp fed the ball on to Glasgow on the right & he fired it low across goal where STEPHEN WILSON got on the end of it to side-foot home from 8 yards out.
From the re-start the Gow won a free kick in a dangerous area when Glasgow clipped the heels of Weir. Weir delivered the free kick beyond the back post where Leishman came for it but couldn’t hold onto it but Harvey was able to clear.
Lesmahagow put together a good move in the 26th minute. Woodlock won the ball in the centre & spread play out to Weir on the right. He squared it across to Faughnan but he took too long on the ball & Lyle was able to block his shot.
Talbot were denied a second goal in the 28th minute thanks to a fine stop from Thomson. Gow conceded a needless corner and when it came over Hyslop climbed to head it for goal. Thomson did well to turn his header onto the bar & the defence were able to scramble it clear from the goal mouth.
The goal wasn’t long delayed though & Talbot doubled their lead in the 34th minute. Harvey shoved a free kick up the left touchline to find Pope in space. He angled a cross into the area that flew over Schonville to find GRAHAM WILSON who took it on the half volley; burying a shot inside the left post.
A good reaction save prevented Talbot from extending their lead in the 37th minute. Kemp whipped an early ball in from the left & Glasgow met it to steer a low shot back across goal only for Thomson to save with his feet.
It was now all Talbot and Kemp passed up a good chance to make it 3 in the 41st minute. Graham Wilson cut in off the right past Schonville & slipped the ball through to Kemp who found himself in space inside the area but he pulled his shot wide of the right post.
Two minutes later Talbot had another golden opportunity to score. McDowall lifted a great ball over the defence to send Graham Wilson through down the left. He raced in one on one with Thomson but his shot was too near the keeper who was able to block. The rebound spun up into the air where Glasgow headed it goal ward but his header drifted over the bar & Talbot had to be content with a 2 goal lead at the interval.
Lesmahagow made a change during half-time with Faugnan remaining in the clubhouse & J Thomson on in his place up front.
The change in personnel though didn’t lead to a change in the game as Talbot continued to dominate. Kemp did well in the 49th minute racing in off the left & driving for the box. He had Stephen Wilson free on the right but instead opted to shoot; drilling a low shot straight at Thomson from the edge of the area.
Any hopes of a cup upset folded in the 53rd minute when Talbot made it 3-0. Lyle dinked the ball over the static defence & JAMIE GLASGOW raced onto it before calmly passing the ball beyond the keeper.
It could easily have been 4 soon after. Graham Wilson showed good strength to hold off Schonville’s challenge before rolling the ball across the area toward Kemp. He dummied it & the ball ran through to Stephen Wilson who drilled it just past the left post from 15 yards.
Falconer could have headed for an early bath in the 58th minute when he caught Stephen Wilson late. The ref looked set to produce a card but had 2nd thoughts when he realised he’d booked him earlier.
Tucker made a double switch on the hour mark with McIlroy & Shankland replacing Kemp & Graham Wilson up front. Lesmahagow now made their 2nd change with S Schonville coming on for Weir.
Talbot’s substitions paid off in the 67th minute when the two subs combined to add to Talbot’s lead. Shankland swept a good cross in from the left & SEAN MCILROY met it in the centre to head it beyond the keeper.
McDowall picked up a caution in the 69th minute when he lunged into a late tackle in midfield.
Tucker now made his final change with Waite on for Hyslop.
Again the sub made an immediate impact, haring down the left & whipping over a cross that McIlroy headed just wide of the right post.
Talbot grabbed their 5th goal in the 79th minute. Glasgow got away down the right & knocked a good ball across the 6-yard area which SEAN MCILROY volleyed home at the near post.
With 6 minutes remaining Lesmahagow managed to snatch a late consolation effort. Thomson got on the end of a head flick inside the box & hit a low drive on target. Leishman saved low to his left but MCSTAY had followed up & tucked away the rebound.
As the game moved into injury time Talbot completed the scoring when they added their 6th. Shankland played a clever disguised pass down the right to take out the defence & send JAMIE GLASGOW clean through. Thomson managed to get a hand to his low drive but could only help it into the roof of the net.
A very good performance by Talbot who hit form at just the right time to claim the inaugural Sectional cup. Next up for Talbot it is a trip up north to face the unbeaten Cove Rangers in the senior Scottish.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, Stephen Wilson, Hyslop, Glasgow, Graham Wilson, Kemp, McDowall

Subs – Shankland, McIlroy, McCracken, Waite, White

Lesmahagow Juniors – S Thomson, Falconer, Whitefield, Woodlock, N Schonville, Nicholson, Innes, S Clark, Faughnan, McStay, Weir

Subs – Lygate, M Clark, S Schonville, J Thomson, Lithgow

Photographs by Paul Flynn.