| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Beith Juniors | 29 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 60 |
| 2 |  Clydebank | 29 | 16 | 6 | 7 | 54 |
| 3 |  Auchinleck Talbot | 28 | 16 | 4 | 8 | 52 |
| 4 |  St Cadoc’s | 28 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 48 |
| 5 |  Largs Thistle | 28 | 14 | 5 | 9 | 47 |
| 6 |  Pollok | 28 | 13 | 7 | 8 | 46 |
SPONSOR: Jim McCluskie, Dorethy Lawrence
BIO: Ross joined Talbot in July 2022 after leaving Morton. He played the previous season on loan to Kilbirnie Ladeside where he became a fans favourite playing at right back. He has been a teenage sensation since joining Talbot and celebrated his Scottish Cup baptism by grabbing a hat-trick against Coldstream
SPONSORED BY:
POSITION: Defender/Midfield
JOINED TALBOT: July 2011. July 2022
D.O.B: 11/01/1990
TALBOT DEBUT: Cumnock Juniors (Away), 27th July 2011, Ardagh League Cup 5-0
FIRST COMPETITIVE GOAL: Ashfield (Home) 5th November 2011, WJFA Premier League 9-1
FORMER CLUBS: Rangers U20’s, Hibs U20’s, Clyde, Auchinleck Talbot, Glenafton Athletic, Beith Juniors.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
There’s a new name on the South Challenge cup as Talbot recovered from a shaky start to come from behind to beat Lowland League winners Bonnyrigg Rose at Falkirk.
Talbot found themselves a goal down after only 8 minutes. McCracken conceded a free kick just outside the penalty area after wrestling Hunter to the deck and there was nothing Leishman could do but watch as CURRIE fired it over the wall and into the back of the net via the inside of the left hand post.
Bonnyrigg were guilty of slack play a few minutes later when their defender tried to let a ball run out for a goal kick only for Stafford to nick in & steal it and pull it back for Shankland who fired a volley well over under pressure.
Stafford did well in the 12th minute when he charged forward before releasing it to Boylan on the right wing. He swept a good ball across the face of goal but there were no takers and it ran behind for the goal kick.
In the 25th minute Bonnyrigg caught the Bot defence napping with a good ball up the left wing that found Turner racing free and he swept an early ball into the centre which McPherson intercepted at the near post.
Bonnyrigg missed a good chance to double their lead in the 29th minute. Martyniuk played it down the line to find Turner in space and he pulled it back straight into the path of Hunter who met it 15 yards out but sclaffed his shot well wide of the right post.
The Bot put together a neat move in the 32nd minute as Wilson & Boylan combined down the left before Aiden squared it inside for Shankland but he was well challenged at the edge of the area and the ball broke off him and through for a goal kick.
Talbot drew level in the 35th minute thanks to a bit of luck. A cross from the right was headed back across goal by Shankland where it cannoned off the head of WILSON and past his keeper for an own goal.
The goal energised Talbot who moved onto the front foot for the remainder of the half but without really threatening the Rose goal.
A minute from the interval Bonnyrigg were forced into a change when Martyniuk limped off to be replaced by Young and shortly after the teams trooped off for the half-time break.
The Bot came flying out the traps at the start of the 2nd half and had a chance within a minute of the re-start. Hyslop’s diagonal ball found Healy down the right and his cross into the near post was headed into the side-netting by Samson.
Talbot did have the ball in the back of the net in the 49th minute but it didn’t stand. Healy lifted a ball in behind the defence to find Boylan and he lobbed it past the keeper but the assistant’s flag was already raised for offside.
Within a minute Talbot were back on the attack. Healy fed it out right to Samson and he whipped a dangerous ball across the face of goal that Wilson turned behind for the corner.
Talbot’s pressure was rewarded in the 52nd minute when they took the lead. Hyslop was caught inside the Bonnyrigg half and Talbot took the free kick quickly. Healy released it down the right to find Samson and he cut it back into the path of BRYAN BOYLAN who buried it inside the right hand post.
This sparked a response from Bonnyrigg and Leishman was called into action in the 54th minute when Hyslop’s mishit clearance fell to S Gray 19 yards out. He fired it on target but straight down the centre where Leishman tipped it over the crossbar.
Bonnyrigg made their 2nd change of the afternoon in the 59th minute with McGachie replacing Hall up front.
The game was now flowing from end to end with Talbot threatening down the left through Shankland and moments later Barrett speeding up the wing for Bonnyrigg but on both occasions the final ball was lacking.
Samson became the first player booked when he was cautioned in the 66th minute for a trip on Currie; resulting in a Bonnyrigg free kick 35 yards from goal. Currie took it and curled it over beyond the back post where Hyslop headed it behind. When the corner came over Leishman claimed it confidently.
Talbot now sprang onto the counter – a good early ball finding Samson racing down the right and he slung a great cross into the centre but unfortunately there was no one on hand for Talbot.
Bonnyrigg now made their final change with Brett replacing Turner.
In Talbot’s next attack Shankland fed the ball down the left toward Boylan. He managed to rob Rose’s right-back of it before angling a ball across the box that Samson just failed to reach.
Tucker made his first change in the 71st minute with Graham Wilson coming on for Boyd.
Talbot were caught daydreaming in the 74th minute at a Bonnyrigg shy. The ball was thrown into the unmarked Horne who slid a pass through for Barrett down the left of the penalty area but Stafford recovered quickly to get across and block the cross.
With 76 mins gone Talbot made their 2nd change with Glasgow on for Shankland.
As the clock ticked down Bonnyrigg pressed forward in search of an equaliser with Talbot looking to hit them on the break.
In the 84th minute a ball flighted up the right came off the top of Hyslop’s head and was heading toward McGachie on the right of the penalty area but McPherson read it and was quickly across to clear the danger.
A minute later McGachie met a ball into the box and laid it outside the area for Young to hit but he blazed his shot over.
Talbot won a free kick in a promising area in the 86th minute when Boylan was caught 18 yards out wide on the right but Glasgow’s ball in was cleared at the near post.
Play then switched to the other end where a high, hanging cross from the right touchline saw Leishman come to claim it beyond his back post but unluckily he collided with Stafford and it went behind for the corner.
The Bot now turned defence to attack as they successfully fielded the corner and broke swiftly to the other end where JAMIE GLASGOW pounced on a weak back pass to race through on goal, round the keeper and roll the ball into the empty net to put Talbot 3-1 ahead.
Tucker now made a final change with Robbie McCracken coming on for Healy.
Talbot saw the closing stages out without any problems to secure the win to the delight of the travelling fans.
An impressive display by Talbot against the side who won the Lowland League and will play in the SFL next season after breezing past Cowdenbeath in the play offs.
Next for Talbot is the season’s finale where they will take on Yoker Athletic a week on Saturday at Rugby Park looking to clinch their 14th Scottish Junior cup title and end the season with a cup double.
Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic – Andrews, S Gray, Wilson, Horne, Martyniuk, Barrett, Currie, Turner, Connolly, Hall, Hunter
Subs – Weir, Brett, Young, Stewart, McGachie, R Gray, Evans
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Boyd, Healy, Hyslop, Shankland, Samson, Boylan
Subs – Mason, Graham Wilson, Glasgow, Robbie McCracken, Heaney, Hewitt
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN
Talbot were down to the bare bones for this semi final due to injuries, suspensions and cup tied players which forced Tucker into putting Steven White and Under20 player Greg Smith on the bench. With Craig McCracken still injured Gareth Armstong teamed up with Neil McPherson in the centre of defence while there was a starting place for Dwayne Hyslop in the middle of the park.
The visitors were quick off the mark forcing two corners which the Talbot defence dealt with, while in the fifth minute Hyslop tried his luck from 20 yards out but sliced the ball well over the bar. Minutes later the big man proved to be more deadly when Aiden Wilson’s quick throw in found Glasgow who put in a pin point cross that HYSLOP headed into the net via the clawing fingers of keeper Clark.
Talbot were finding space down the left side and on 14 minutes Aiden Wilson flung in a dangerous cross that forced Clark to touch the ball into the path of Boylan who smashed a shot from a few yards but Tully somehow headed the ball off his crossbar before it was cleared by Comrie for a corner. On the 17th minute Talbot doubled their lead when after collecting a Glasgow throw in Stafford burst into the box leaving at least three Sauchie defenders in his wake before picking out GRAHAM WILSON who slammed the ball past Clark from 12 yards.
If it wasn’t bad enough that Talbot were short of players, worse was to come when Boylan was injured on the 20th minute after Carroll naughtily body checked the striker into the hoardings where he suffered injuries to his head and knee. The player didn’t recover after a visit from the physio and was replaced by Robbie McCracken.
The youngster was soon involved in the match when he picked up a Glasgow pass and threaded a superb ball through to Graham Wilson whose shot was parried by the feet of Clark before being cleared by Docherty.
Beechwood was silenced on the half hour mark when Comrie cut out a Glasgow pass which fell to Smith who found out he had options either side of him as the Talbot players try to get to him and he played in Ross Kavanagh who beat Armstrong to the ball and slid a shot under the onrushing Leishman.
Minutes later Talbot should have restored their two goal cushion when the impressive Stafford again caused havoc in the Sauchie defence picking out Healy who faltered to get a shot away but got the ball to Hyslop whose pass was knocked into the path of Samson by Comrie but the striker was robbed of a goal when Clark made a superb one handed save with Columbine clearing the loose ball for a corner.
The remainder of the first half saw both sides cancelling out each other as Sauchie chased an equalizer while Talbot were happy to hit on the break.
The second half was hardly started when a Robbie McCracken clearance was headed on by G.Wilson which landed at the feet of Glasgow who outstripped Tully but Clark did well to block his first time shot. The game started to see a bit of niggle creep in that saw Kavanagh carded for going straight through the back of Hyslop. Morgan followed his team mate into referee Curran’s book for constant mouthing.
Talbot had a good penalty claim turned down when a corner was cleared into the path of Armstrong whose volley came off the arm of Scott Davidson, but was waved aside by referee Curran who had a great view of the infringement.
Talbot were now in the ascendency as they started to pick holes in the Sauchie defence. Robbie McCracken was unlucky not to get on the score sheet when he thundered a Graham Wilson back heeled pass from 18 yards but it was well parried by Clark. Graham Wilson became the first Talbot player in the book after a theatrical head injury by Comrie.
The game was over as a competition with 15 minutes to go when Aiden Wilson fired a long ball into the edge of the box where Glasgow turned Tully and as Clark advanced to avert the danger the Talbot midfielder lobbed the ball over his head and into the net.
The visitors seemed to run out of ideas and stamina after Glasgow’s goal and the player had another chance before the final whistle when Healy’s pass into the box gave Glasgow a clear run at goals but his shot slipped past the post.
This was a workmanlike performance by Talbot which was peppered by some sheer brilliance from the players. Sauchie were a tough outfit and good opponents but rarely bothered the Talbot defence. Next up a do or die match with Rob Roy on Wednesday night.
TALBOT: Leishman, Stafford, A.Wilson, McPherson, Armstrong, Hyslop, Healy (Boyd), G.Wilson, Boylan (R.McCracken), Samson, Glasgow(Smith). Subs: R.McCracken, Boyd, Smith, White, Hewitt GK.
SAUCHIE: Clark, Scott Davidson, Tully, Columbine(Kelly), Comrie, Smith, Sam Davidson(Dickie), Kavanagh(Crawford), Docherty, Carroll, Morgan SUBS: Greenhorn, Dickie, Crawford, Fisher, Syme, Kelly, Columbine GK.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot’s never say die attitude saw the Bot come from behind to dump Pollok out the South Challenge cup in an entertaining quarter-final clash.
Talbot had an early chance to test Lok’s defence when Brownlie conceded a free kick just wide of the area following a barge on Samson. Glasgow swept a good ball over that Stafford managed to get his head onto but he headed it back across goal where it was cleared.
Pollok’s liveliest player, Grant, caused Talbot’s defence problems in the 7th minute when he charged down Aiden Wilson’s attempted clearance & burst down the right wing before slinging a dangerous ball across goal but fortunately there was no one on the end of it.
The visitors came close in the 15th minute when Wharton’s long throw from the left was headed on inside the penalty area and came to McCann who glanced a header just over.
Pollok were on top at this stage and threatened again when Lyon cut in off the left & curled a ball toward the far post which was headed behind for a corner.
Pollok’s next attack saw a ball out of defence find McGregor down the left. He fired it across the face of goal but there was no one in the centre to take advantage.
Despite Pollok making the early running it was Talbot who came closest to breaking the deadlock. In the 24th minute Mason won a corner down the left and when Glasgow delivered it into the centre the Lok defence failed to clear their lines. It came to Stafford 15 yards out and his low drive was heading in but was cleared off the line inside the right hand post. It came out to Hyslop and his effort on target was turned round the post by Longmuir.
Two minutes later Pollok threatened via one of Wharton’s long throws. He hurled it into the area where it flicked off Aiden Wilson’s head and came to Fraser inside the 6-yard box but he made a poor contact with his head and it was easily saved by Leishman.
On the half hour mark Fraser fed it out to Grant on the right and he went for goal from a tight angle but drilled his shot over the bar.
In the 35th minute Brownlie picked up a caution when he bowled over Samson.
The half then meandered to a close with neither side looking like breaking the deadlock.
Pollok made a change at the start of the 2nd half with Horne being replaced by Forde.
It was Talbot who started the 2nd half the brighter and the Bot threatened in the 51st minute when Samson whipped a great ball over from the left that was just taken off the head of Glasgow as he lurked at the back post.
Two minute later Samson was involved again when his low drive from the left of the area was blocked by Longmuir. The rebound came back to him and the Lok keeper did well to recover and save his follow-up effort at his right hand post.
Talbot kept the pressure on and Robbie McCracken played a good ball into the near post from the right touchline toward Samson but his effort was blocked behind for a corner.
Hyslop received what appeared to be a harsh yellow card in the 56th minute when he slid in and won the ball in midfield but the referee thought otherwise and gave Lok the free kick. The free kick was lifted up the right where Grant raced to the bye line before cutting it back and Healy blocked it behind for the corner. When the corner came into the near post GRANT nicked in to bullet a header into the roof of the net to put Pollok a goal ahead.
In the 61st minute Pollok came close to doubling their lead. Once again it was a long throw-in that caused the problem. The ball came to Forde whose overhead kick sailed just wide of the left post.
Mason picked up a caution in the 66th minute for a foul on Sideserf.
In the 69th minute Hyslop found Samson on the left & he darted into the area past Sideserf but his ball across was blocked behind for a corner. Before the corner could be taken Talbot made a triple substitution with Shankland, Boylan and Graham Wilson coming on for Glasgow, Robbie McCracken and Mason.
Shankland was involved in the 71st minute when McPherson found him in space on the left. He hit a good early ball across the face of goal that Brownlie sliced behind for a corner.
With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot drew level with a well-worked move. Boylan gathered on the right before squaring it across to Graham Wilson outside the area. He flighted it behind Sideserf to find Shankland racing free on the left of the area and his low ball across goal was turned home by KIER SAMSON from close range.
A minute later Talbot nearly moved in front. Samson won a free kick 35 yards out when he turned Brownlie who flattened him with a clumsy challenge. Shankland shaped up to hit it but instead angled it to the left to free Aiden Wilson on the overlap. He fizzed a ball across the face of goal which Samson met in the centre but his flick flew just over the crossbar.
In the 80th minute Boylan had his name taken for a foul on Lyon out on the left touchline. When the free kick came over it broke to Wharton 15 yards out. He hooked a shot towards target but it was blocked in the crowded box.
Two minutes later Talbot had the ball in the back of the net but the goal didn’t stand. Boylan slipped the ball through to Samson on the right of the area and he slid it past Longmuir but the assistant’s flag went up and it was chalked off.
However, 3 minutes from time Talbot again found the back of the net and this time it counted. Graham Wilson lifted a ball down the left in behind the defence to find KIER SAMSON running through and he coolly slotted it past the keeper to put Talbot 2-1 ahead.
In the final minute of regulation time Talbot threatened again. Boylan played it into Shankland who laid it off into the path of Samson whose low drive was held by Longmuir at the 2nd attempt.
As the game moved into added time Pollok won a free kick 30 yards from goal following a handball by Graham Wilson. Forde managed to get it up and over the wall but Leishman was well positioned to pluck it out the air.
Deep into injury time Shankland picked up a ludicrous yellow card for winning a header against Grant and shortly after the final whistle sounded and the celebrations began. Talbot will now face Sauchie in the semi-final.
Next up for Talbot it’s a midweek trip to face Darvel in a match which could go some way to deciding the outcome of the league title.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Healy, Hyslop, Robbie McCracken, Samson, Mason, Glasgow
Subs – Shankland, Boylan, Graham Wilson, Armstrong, White, Halliday
Pollok – Longmuir, Grant, Sideserf, Wharton, Brownlie, Horne, Fraser, Esplin, S McCann, McGregor, Lyon
Subs – Forde, Bradley, Braonan, Krol, Shelvey, Evans, Lumsden
SPONSORs: Loons Supporters Club
The 22 year old 6ft right or left back joins as a free transfer from Lowland side Broomhill and has been training with Talbot for the last three weeks, which gave Tucker the chance to run the rule over the player before offering him a contract.
Lewis has had experience in the SPFL and the lower leagues starting his career at Dumbarton U17’s and Clyde U20’s. He was released by Clyde in July 2018 and spent a season at Petershill before making the move to the SPFL with Dumbarton. He spent over a year with the “Sons” which included a loan spell at Rossvale and an appearance at Pittodrie in 2020 when Dumbarton narrowly lost out to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup.
In September 2020 he left Dumbarton to play with Linlithgow Rose for a season and then Broomhill who were managed by former Talbot legend Davie Gormley.
SPONSORED BY: Jim New.
POSITION: Midfield
JOINED TALBOT: March 2022
D.O.B: 17/12/96
TALBOT DEBUT: Bonnyton Thistle (Home), 26th March 2022, WOSL Premier Division 3-0
FIRST COMPETITIVE GOAL: Glenafton Athletic (Home), 5th November 2022, WOSL Premier Division 3-1
FORMER CLUBS: Ayr United 17, Ayr United (13 appearances), Glenafton Athletic (Loan), Kilwinning Rangers, Ardrossan Winton Rovers (Loan), Hurlford United, Irvine Meadow.
Both sides played their part in an entertaining, end to end cup clash played out against a backdrop of unrelenting rain but it was Talbot who proved the more clinical in the final third to beat a young Braves side and advance in the South Challenge cup.
Talbot were given an early warning it wouldn’t be an easy night when Stafford conceded a free kick 25 yards from goal out wide on the left. Lindsay delivered a dangerous ball across the face of goal toward the back post but no one read it & Talbot were able to clear.
The Bot’s first attack exposed defensive frailties when Stafford did well down the wing before slinging a cross into the centre. Henry made a meal of it, flapping it into the path of Graham Wilson 10 yards out but he was closed down just before getting his shot away.
The opening goal came Talbot’s way in the 16th minute. Aiden Wilson won a corner down the left which Glasgow swept into the near post where GRAHAM WILSON met it to head home.
This proved to be a short-lived lead as within 2 minutes the visitors had won a penalty down the other end. Main turned smartly inside the box and when he was clipped the ref pointed straight to the spot & KELLY gave Leishman no chance with a coolly taken spot kick to level it.
A few minutes later Talbot had a half chance to regain the lead. Leishman launched a ball down field that deflected into the path of Samson just outside the penalty area but he fired wide of the left post.
The visitors very nearly took the lead in the 22nd minute. They broke down the right and when the ball was cut back into the path of McLear he steered a low shot on target that Leishman saved at full stretch – tipping it wide of his left post.
It was then Talbot’s turn to threaten as they broke down the left. Glasgow found Aiden Wilson on the overlap and when his cross came over Graham Wilson powered a header on target that Henry parried away.
In the 26th minute it was Talbot’s turn to win a penalty. Glasgow dropped his shoulder & went past a defender and when he was bowled over the ref pointed to the spot. Glasgow took it but Henry guessed correctly and threw himself to his right to make the save. The visitors now sprang onto the counter and won a free kick 25 yards out which Lindsay hit into the wall.
Talbot’s next attack saw Healy go close in the 32nd minute. Robbie McCracken won a corner down the right which Glasgow took. It was slightly overhit but retrieved wide left by Healy who played a one-two with Aiden Wilson before attempting a curling shot that went just wide of the far post.
A moment of slackness from Main gifted Talbot the lead in the 35th minute. He inexplicably attempted to pass it back toward his own box from midway inside his own half and KIER SAMSON pounced on it to rifle a low shot past the keeper to put Talbot 2-1 ahead.
In the 39th minute Talbot extended their lead. A low ball up to the edge of the penalty area was dummied leaving the defence flat-footed and DWAYNE HYSLOP raced in behind to fire it across the keeper to make it 3-1 and give Talbot a two goal cushion going into the break.
The first chance of the 2nd period went to the visitors in the 51st minute when they swiftly countered following a Talbot corner. They broke up the left & Craig McCracken had to turn it behind for the corner. When the corner came in it was only partially cleared and fell to Kelly 16 yards out and he tested Leishman with a low drive that Andy saved to his left.
A 4th goal would have ended it and Talbot came very close in the 55th minute. Graham Wilson met a floated ball & head flicked it on. Samson was offside but coming back & left it & as the defence hesitated Graham Wilson ran onto his own head flick and fired a shot just wide of the right post.
On the hour mark Talbot caught the Braves on the counter surging up field towards the box. The ball broke to Hyslop 25 yards out & he slipped a pass through to find Samson inside the area but his low drive was smothered by the keeper.
Two minutes later Glasgow had a half chance to kill the tie off. Leishman’s long ball cleared the defence and found him racing in behind down the left. He looked favourite but pulled out of the challenge allowing the defender to knock it clear.
Tucker made his 1st change on 65 mins with Armstrong on for Healy.
Talbot’s next attack saw the front two combine with Wilson flicking it out wide left to Samson and he tried to find Wilson in front of goal but his cut back went behind him.
With 20 minutes remaining Talbot made a 2nd change with Mason coming on for Graham Wilson and 2 minutes later the visitors made their 1st substitution with Gouvenou on for Lindsay.
Aiden Wilson became the 1st booking of the night in the 76th minute when he conceded a free kick 22 yards out. Before it could be taken both sides made a further change – McDowall replacing Glasgow for Talbot and Guthrie on for Brown for the visitors.
Walker took the free kick but hit it straight into the wall and then lashed the rebound well off target.
In the 82nd minute Talbot raced down the left through Mason who got to the bye line before pulling it back to the edge of the area where Hyslop’s low drive at goal was blocked by a defender.
Play then immediately switched to the other end where Stafford conceded a free kick outside the area. Braves now made their final change with Testa on for McLeary. The free kick came into the near post where Armstrong cleared it away.
With 4 minutes remaining McDowall became the 2nd Bot player in the book when he was penalised for a challenge out on the right. The free kick was delivered into the centre where Leishman came for it amidst a crowd of players but couldn’t claim it. The ball came to Forrester who steered a header goal ward but Leishman reacted to clutch it.
Two minutes from time Talbot almost grabbed a 4th. Stafford switched play out to the left to find Aiden Wilson bursting into the box and his shot took a slight deflection with Henry doing well to tip it onto the bar.
The visitors kept pushing and in the final minute Walker’s shot from the edge of the area took a deflection and looped toward goal forcing Leishman to turn it over the bar.
Deep into injury time there was one final piece of drama. McDowall clipped Guthrie at the right edge of the area and the ref initially awarded a penalty but the stand side linesman flagged him over & after consulting him he gave a free kick just outside the box which Talbot cleared when it came over and soon after the ref blew for full time.
A good win for Talbot over lively opponents who made Talbot work hard for it. Next up the Bot are back on cup duty – this time in the Scottish Junior cup where they travel east to face Shotts Bon Accord.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Stafford, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, Craig McCracken, Hyslop, Robbie McCracken, Healy, Graham Wilson, Samson, Glasgow
Subs – Mason, Boylan, Armstrong, Boyd, McDowall, White, Hewitt
Caledonian Braves – Henry, Brown, Walker, Duncan, McDowall, Forrester, Main, Lindsay, McLear, Armstrong, Kelly
Subs – Miller, Guthrie, Gouvenou, Testa, Duffy
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MATCH REPORT FROM ADMIN
Talbot progressed to the 5th round of the Challenge Cup after a decent win at Meadow Park. This match would have had the supporters looking forward to a real humdinger but with the two teams meeting each other the week previous the hunger seemed to be missing in this tie.
Talbot came out the traps in determined fashion and as little as 4 minutes severe Talbot pressure paid off when they forced corner which Waters palmed into the path of Boylan who looped a cross onto the head of Armstrong to give the visitors a dream start.
Minutes later Talbot should have doubled their lead when Stafford slotted a pass into the edge of the box which the home defence were favourites to clear but for some reason the ball ping ponged around the area which Glasgow pounced onto and after getting a decent shot on target the ball cannoned off Findlay and squirmed past the post.
On the 10th minute the Meadow midfield was caught out after mounting a rare attack when Shankland picked out the unmarked Glasgow who swung the ball across the park onto the path of Boylan who homed in on the goal area but his well struck shot from an acute angle was well parried by Waters
It took until the 16th minute for the hosts to mount an attack on the Talbot goal, this coming from a Wardrope free kick which was easily dealt with at the expense of a corner which came to nothing.
The game settled down with Talbot on the ascendency as they probed constantly at the home defence with the Meadow attack coming by way of long balls up the pitch which was easily dealt with by the Talbot back line.
On the 36th minute Talbot were dealt a blow when Shankland was badly injured when he jumped with two Meadow defenders trying to win a high cross that actually looked to be going well over their heads. The striker who had not started a full match since just before Christmas seemed to twist his ankle as he landed awkwardly near the hoardings.
After a few minutes it looked as he was in considerable pain and hobbled off to be replaced by Mason.
On 40 minutes Martin Findlay became the first player in Mr McDonald’s book after he deliberately pulled Glasgow back as the player outstripped him on the left wing.
After such domination in the game Talbot were to rue their missed chances when a ball over the Talbot defence was hoofed out the park by McCracken at the expense of a corner three minutes added on for the Shankland injury. The resultant set piece proved to be a lifeline as Wardrope sent over a pinpoint cross that was met by Gow who produced an explosive header that flew Leishman who had no chance to react.
The second half had just started when McLennan was booked for a late tackle on Healy, and shortly after Talbot should have been back in the lead when Armstrong split the Meadow defence with a pinpoint pass into the path of Boylan who after a short burst towards the goals laced a tantalising ball across the front of goals that was just missed by Mason.
Talbot continued to press and a Glasgow cross was swung onto the head of Boyd whose weak attempt seemed to deceive Waters and he fumbled the ball out his grasp which was swept away by Whyte for a corner. With so much pressure on the home goal Talbot were reminded that Meadow were still in the game when Slooves tried his luck from 20 yards but the ball fizzed past the post with Leishman in attendance.
Waters gave his defence another round of palpitations when an Armstrong cross was dropped in front of Glasgow but the keeper made up for his mistake with a fine save to deny Glasgow the goal.
Talbot were to take the lead on the hour mark thanks to the relentless work of Bryan Boylan who’s pace was giving the home defenders a torrid time. This time the striker weaved his way into the box before placing a shot that Waters did well to palm away, unfortunately for the Meadow the loose ball fell into the path of Aiden Wilson who shot was powerful enough to squirm over the line with Waters just not getting enough of his body behind the ball to keep it from going over the line.
Meadow change of personnel in the 65th minute with G.Boyd coming on for Martin while Hyslop replaced the hard working Boyd moments later. On the 73rd minute Talbot won a corner which Glasgow took. The corner count was now in double figures but in most occasions they were poorly hit but this time Glasgow found the head of Boylan but unfortunately for him the keeper had sensed the danger and was well positioned to parry the ball which was then cleared from danger
With the game going into the last quarter Talbot replace Boylan with Samson as they strove to put this game to bed. Aaron Mason became the Talbot’s only yellow card after he flicked a sly kick in the way of Findlay but it was spotted by the referee who had no option but to caution the youngster.
With Meadow now committing players to the attack they were nearly two down when Glasgow threaded a ball through to Samson into the path of the onrushing striker. With only the keeper to beat he managed to round the keeper but somehow Waters got his positions correct and got his body in front of Samson’s shot.
With minutes remaining Talbot finally got the goal they were desperate for when like the Samson chance the ball came off a defender into the path of Glasgow who made no mistake by rounding the keeper and slotting the ball into the empty.
This killed the game as a competition and the remaining few minutes went by with little incident. Talbot had beaten Meadow an amazing five times this season putting them out of three cups into the bargain. It was a great feat but you got the sense that the players and the supporters of both teams were fed up looking at each other.
MEADOW: Waters, Findlay, Willet, Slooves, Gow, Whyte, McLennan, Wardrope, C.Boyd, Martin, McCloy. SUBS: G.Boyd, Sivewright, Long, McKie, Angus, Latta, McLean(GK)
TALBOT: Leishman, Stafford, A.Wilson, McPherson, C.McCracken, Armstrong, Healy, Boyd, Glasgow, Shankland, Boylan. SUBS: Hyslop, Mason, Samson, McDowall, R.McCracken, G.Wilson, White, Hewitt(GK)
