Talbot entertained a young Johnstone side who to be honest were under the cosh for long periods, but when they did attack they put the Talbot defence under severe pressure. Things had went to plan early for the home side when new signing Taylor rushed into the box and gave the visiting keeper no chance to make it 1-0.
Jamie Glasgow was being extremely busy in the half and on two occasions the keeper thwarted him. Just before half time Talbot went 2-0 ahead when Taylor was up-ended in the box and wilson made no mistake from the spot.
The second half saw Talbot introduce Stafford, Park and Mason to switch it up, but as usual it took the new boys a bit of time to bed into the game.
With the game becoming as dull as dishwater, like Saturday the last five minutes proved the big talking point when Mason was carded minutes from the end and Sterling pulled a goal back and with three minutes remaining the home fans had to endure a big push by the visitors.
Talbot lost their opening friendly in an enthralling match that certainly entertained the shirt sleeved crowd. Sadly two rookie errors in the last 5 minutes cost them the match, but overall it was a decent performance considering Talbot introduced five new faces to the fray. Crawford started at right back with Aiden Wilson on the left and a new central pairing of Stafford and trialist Ballantyne in the centre. The central midfield consisted of Park and Healy with Samson and Glasgow on the wings with Mason as the lone striker.
The opening 30 minutes was a ding dong affair with both sides playing attractive football, and it was on the half hour mark that Mick Wardrope put Talbot ahead with a 25 yard raker that gave the keeper no chance. Shortly after the home support thought that their favourites had doubled their lead when Healy forced the keeper to parry his shot and Samson slid the ball home only to be flagged offside. Talbot kept pressing for another goal and although Tranent had their moments they failed to trouble Leishman in goals.
Talbot switched it up a bit by replacing Healey, Mason, Glasgow and Wilson with Boylan, Armstrong, McCracken and new signing Taylor. With Ballantyne moved to cover Wilson and McCracken in the centre the visitors started find small chinks in the Talbot armour, and one long ball up the park had to be saved by the legs of Leishman as the Tranent striker dealt with the high ball better than the Talbot defence.
It was easy to see that the visitors were getting the upper hand in the match and it was no surprise that they equalised with what can only be described as a screamer that even had the home fans applauding.
Samson was replaced by Heaney and trialist Miller took over from Wardrope, but it was Tranent who were still dominant as Boylan proved to be Boylan as he chased every loose ball trying to get a sniff of goals. On the 83rd minute and against the run of play a Miller free kick was glanced into the net by the head of none other than Bryan Boylan.
With the fans making their way to the exits, Tranent were thrown a lifeline on the 88th minute when Chris Stafford made a schoolboy challenge at the edge of the box with the resulting penalty being stroked past Leishman. As the referee checked his watch another blunder lead up to Tranent winning the tie, this time an over hit back pass by Gareth Armstrong flew over Leishmans head for a corner. The delivery was dropped right into the six yard box and after a couple of attempts to clear the ball it was finally poked over the line.
Overall it was a decent performance where the ball spent most of the time on the carpet, and although defeated we played a right good side who played some excellent football.
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 hit top gear to cruise past Rutherglen and move 5 points clear at the top after recording their biggest win of the season; knocking 6 past the visitors to no reply.
The Bot were in the ascendancy from the off and nearly opened the scoring in the 7th minute. Wardrope found Wilson out on the left & he fizzed a great ball across the face of goal that both Healy then Glasgow just failed to connect with.
11 mins in Talbot won a free kick just outside the penalty area for a foul on Boylan. Shankland took it and his shot clipped off the wall and behind for the corner. Glasgow’s corner was fired into the near post where it broke back to MARK SHANKLAND who turned and lashed a left foot shot home to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Two minutes later Talbot were back on the attack – Shankland’s ball through the centre nearly finding Wardope’s run.
The visitors had a rare foray into the Talbot half in the 14th minute when the ball was pulled back from the right wing into the feet of Lone and he drilled a low shot straight at Leishman.
Any hopes Glencairn harboured were effectively ended in the 16th minute. O’Byrne won a 50/50 with Hyslop but when the ball broke away from him he lunged into a straight legged lunge on McCracken – leaving the ref no option but to show him a straight red.
It didn’t take Talbot long to take advantage of their extra man and the Bot doubled their lead in the 19th minute. A ball up the left found Wardrope racing free and he cut it back into the path of AIDEN WILSON whose powerful drive squeezed past McGinley at his right post.
Two minutes later it was déjà vu as once again Wardrope headed for the bye line down the left before pulling it back for Wilson to hit but this time his shot was blocked.
The chances kept coming and moments later Healy found Stafford in space on the right. He swept a dangerous cross beyond the far post where Wilson met it but McGinley managed to parry his effort.
In the 26th minute Glencairn put together a good counter as they moved the ball swiftly from right to left to send Schoneville scurrying free. He fired it across the 6-yard area where Wilson managed to bundle it clear.
Talbot looked certain to grab their 3rd in the 33rd minute. Shankland charged down an attempted clearance and the ball broke to Boylan on the right of the area. He swept it across goal to the far post where Glasgow looked set to prod it home but he got his feet tangled and the ball hit off him and deflected clear.
The goal wasn’t long in coming though and Talbot moved 3rd ahead in the 38th minute. Wardope’s first attempted cross was headed back out to him and he released Wilson on the overlap. He hit the bye line before pulling it back for MARK SHANKLAND to fire a low drive inside the right post.
The Bot moved 4-0 ahead in the 42nd minute. McCracken swung over an inch perfect cross from the right to find MARK SHANKLAND beyond the far post and he guided a header back across goal to complete his hat-trick.
A minute before the interval Shankland came close to adding another. Healy got free on the right and swept over an early cross that broke into the path of Shankland who was only denied his 4th by a fingertip save from McGinley who turned it past his left post. When the corner came over Boylan met it but his glancing header was held by the keeper and Talbot trooped off 4 goals to the good.
The visitors made a change at the start of the 2nd half with Lone making way for Murray.
Talbot started as they’d left off – piling forward in numbers and soon after the restart Shankland tested the defence with a dangerous ball in from the right that was turned behind for a corner. Shortly after, Glasgow had a half chance when Stafford laid the ball off into his path but he blazed his shot well over from the edge of the area.
In the 51st minute Healy clipped the ball down the left to find Boylan racing forward. He lifted a cross into the centre where Shankland thumped a header against the crossbar from 6 yards out.
Within a minute Talbot won a free kick out on the left as the pressure told on the visitors. Shankland swept it to the back post where it was only half cleared. The ball came to McCracken who was impeded and the ref pointed to the spot. MARK SHANKLAND stepped up to take it and drilled the penalty beyond McGinley and inside the right post to put Talbot 5-0 ahead.
With the game long since won Tucker now made a double switch with Shankland & Hyslop making way for Mason and Crawford who came on for his debut.
Talbot’s next effort at goal came in the 56th minute when they were awarded a free kick inside the Glencairn half for Leitch’s late challenge on Mason. It was taken short to Wardrope and he carried it forward before firing narrowly past the right post from 30+ yards.
Rutherglen now made a further change with Maley coming on for Leitch.
Talbot completed their changes in the 62nd minute when Robbie McCracken replaced Boylan.
In the 64th minute Mason gathered the ball on the left of the area and traversed a couple of challenges before finally being brought down by Coleman just outside the area. Mason took the resultant free kick but fired it low into the wall.
McGinley did well to deny Talbot a 6th in the 72nd minute. Wilson’s chip into the area found the head of Glasgow who glanced it across the area to pick out Crawford on the right. He rolled it back to Mason whose shot was well saved by the keeper.
Glencairn now made their final change with Cummins replacing McIlveen.
The sub had a decent chance to grab a consolation in the 76th minute when he met Schoneville’s corner from the right but he glanced his header beyond the far post.
Talbot completed the scoring with 6 minutes remaining. A Rutherglen player went through the back of Mason resulting in a booking and a free kick to Talbot 30 yards from goal. Wardrope took it and clipped a great ball through the centre where LEWIS CRAWFORD steered a diving header past McGinley to make it 6-0.
The Bot kept pressing but couldn’t add to their tally.
A great performance and good confidence booster as next up for Talbot it’s a Scottish Junior semi-final against in form Rob Roy at Meadow Park.
Healy makes his presence known, as he goes in with a hefty challenge in order to win the ball back.
Come on lads! Is it left or right the ball is going?
While trying to go on the attack, Glasgow loses possession.
CHANCE!!! Pollok go very close to opening the scoring via a close range header but although Big Andy makes sure, the ball goes over crossbar.
Stafford and McCracken team up and make sure they make Pollok go in the wrong direction.
TALBOT CHANCE!!! ‘Pee-wee’ some how squeezes his shot through a crowded box but gets thwarted by a great save from the ‘keeper.
HOW DID THAT NOT GO IN!!! Pollok find themselves with space right in front of goal and send a downward header towards goal but…
…they can only rue a missed opportunity, as Leishman gathers up the ball.
Robbie McCracken tries to muscle his way past his opponent.
Although the ball is heading out of play, Samson still gives his all to chase after it.
Glasgow has got this licked, as he threads the pass through.
Hyslop helps out McCracken by clearing the danger.
While under pressure, Jamie Glasgow still manages to win the aerial battle.
SO CLOSE!!! Samson tries to squeeze the ball home from a very tight angle but the ‘keeper manages to block the way through.
After being penalised by the referee, ‘Pee-wee’ vents his frustration.
POLLOK GOAL!!! Pollok make the breakthrough, as they send the corner in and head the ball home from very close range. 0-1.
It’s joy all round for the boys in red, as they celebrate taking the lead.
Talbot walk back to the centre circle for the re-start, while Pollok continue celebrating.
A double aerial attack for Talbot.
There’s got to be a LOT of caption ideas for this one!
‘Shankers’ goes on the attack and fires the cross in.
TALBOT PULL LEVEL!!! Samson gets on the end of Shankland’s low cross and fires the ball home. 1-1.
Keir Samson wheels away to celebrate his goal.
WHAT-A-CHANCE!!! Talbot go very…VERY close to taking the lead, as Samson lobs the ball towards goal but…
…with the ‘keeper rooted to the spot, the ball goes AGONISINGLY over the crossbar.
OFFSIDE!!! Samson gets on the end of Boylan’s pass and slots the ball home, however, the flag goes up for someone being offside.
All eyes on the ball here for ‘Gee’.
The ball gets lobbed forward and Samson manages to muscle past his opponent where…
…GOOOAAALLL!!!! Samson keeps a very calm head and slots the ball home past the ‘keeper. 2-1.
Keir gets swamped by his team-mates, as they all celebrate his and Talbot’s second goal.
Cheshire cat grins all round!
Pollok get awarded a very late free-kick and one last chance, while the Talbot players let their feelings known to the man in the middle.
‘Shankers’ still protests his innocence but he still receives a yellow card for the foul.
A winning smile for a winning team.
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.
McCracken tries to get his foot to the ball and clear the danger.
With a break in the game, ‘Big Neily’ dishes out advice and information to his team-mates.
Both players show off their Matrix style moves in order to win the ball.
McPherson goes galloping up the park with the ball.
‘Gee’ tries to fire the ball up the wing but the way through gets blocked.
A fine collection of ‘heeds’ in this Black ‘n’ gold wall.
Graham Wilson finds himself in acres of space inside the box and fires a shot at goal but fails to find the back of the net.
With both Samson and McCracken waiting to pounce, the Bonnyton ‘keeper does brilliantly to get fingertips to the ball and prod it away from the danger.
The ‘keeper gathers the ball before Samson can get a foot to it.
Glasgow gets the ball and goes on the attack down the middle of the park.
WHAT-A-CHANCE!!! Keir Samson sends a powerful header towards goal from close range but fails to score, as the ‘keeper pulls off a great save.
BREAKTHROUGH!!! Talbot finally open the scoring, as Jamie Glasgow’s cross-come-shot sails over the ‘keeper and smashing into the back of the net. 1-0.
It’s high fives for Glasgow after scoring, as Mr Paterson shows his delight too.
While going on the attack, Samson gets bundled over by his opponent.
New boy, Michael Wardrope, does his best to get another Talbot attack motoring.
TALBOT DOUBLE THIER LEAD!!! ‘Gee’ keeps a cool head in front of goal, rounds the ‘keeper and slots the ball home. 2-0.
Graham Wilson celebrates with Boylan, while the Bonnyton ‘keeper looks to the ground.
I think ‘Shankers’ is having a great time being back in the thick of the action after being out due to injury.
GAME, SET & MATCH!!! Talbot make sure of the win, as Shankland fires a low shot past the ‘keeper and into the bottom corner of the net. 3-0.
‘Shankers’ is all smiles after scoring during his comeback from injury.
Joy all round, as the players continue celebrating Shankland’s goal.
CHANCE!!! Boylan goes for the spectacular inside the box but fails to score.
Boylan does his best ‘Esther Rantzen’ impression, as he rues a missed opportunity.
Final chance of the game falls to Boylan but although he slots it past the ‘keeper, he is deemed to have been offside.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot climbed to the top of the table after defeating Bonnyton Thistle at a sunny Beechwood with results elsewhere going Talbot’s way.
The Bot nearly got off to a flying start when Graham Wilson’s shot just cleared the crossbar in the 2nd minute.
Down the other end Gilroy had a half chance for the visitors when he got in behind the defence but took a heavy 1st touch and could only fire well wide of goal.
Four minutes in and Talbot came close again. Samson hit the bye line on the right of the area before pulling it back for Wardrope whose shot slid just wide of the right post.
The visitors had to make an early change in the 7th minute when Gilroy limped off to be replaced by Abhorh.
Talbot’s next effort came in the 10th minute. A loose clearance cannoned off Glasgow who burst through the defence but stabbed his shot past the left post.
Bonnyton put together a nice move in the 21st minute as they worked it right to left to find Gardiner haring down the left of the penalty area. He tried to square it across goal but it was blocked behind for the corner.
Three minutes later the visitors had a half chance when Leitch’s long ball was headed on into the path of McColm and he hit it first time into the side-netting.
Bonnyton were having a good spell and had a chance to test Leishman in the 26th minute when Davidson was fouled just outside the area. Davidson took the free kick himself but lifted it way over the bar.
Bonnyton were now forced into a 2nd injury related substitution with Wilson coming on for Smith.
Talbot did have the ball in the net on the 29th minute but the goal didn’t stand. Glasgow cut in off the left and his curling shot was parried by the keeper. The rebound came to Wardrope who rifled a shot off the right hand post and when it came back out Graham Wilson turned it home but the assistant ref had his flag raised.
Leishman didn’t have the busiest of afternoons but was called upon in the 31st minute when Davidson found the target from 25 yards forcing Andy to dive to his right to smother it.
In the 39th minute Talbot won a free kick in a dangerous area after Samson had his heels clipped outside the box. Wardrope’s low drive was parried away at his right post by Leitch and the ball came out to Aiden Wilson whose ball back across the face was turned behind for a corner.
Talbot ended the half on the front foot. As it moved into added time Samson gathered on the left of the area and tested the keeper with a shot from a tight angle that Leitch saved with his outstretched leg. It came out to Graham Wilson who hooked a good shot on target that Leitch turned past his right post. Talbot forced a flurry of consecutive corners but couldn’t make them count and the sides went in goal less at the interval.
From the outset Talbot looked to have stepped it up a gear for the 2nd half. Within a minute Wardrope dummied Armstrong’s through ball to create space for Stafford on the overlap and his low ball in was held by Leitch at his near post.
In the 50th minute a ball down the right found Graham Wilson and he crossed it early into the centre where Samson just failed to connect with an attempted scissors kick.
A minute later Glasgow burst forward before releasing it wide to find Healy who lifted a good cross into the centre that Walsh managed to head to safety.
It was all Talbot and the next chance came in the 55th minute when Glasgow sent Aiden Wilson free on the overlap and his cross was met by Samson who saw his header tipped over the bar.
From the resultant corner Graham Wilson’s head flick was cleared off the line by Kelly.
Talbot looked to be denied a stonewall penalty in the 59th minute. Armstrong headed the ball on down the right to find Glasgow inside the penalty area. He was taken out by a clumsy challenge but the referee waved away Talbot’s appeals and McCracken ended up in the book for dissent.
In the 62nd minute Talbot’s pressure paid off though the opener had a slice of fortune about it. Leishman sent the ball out to Aiden Wilson who pinged it down the line to find JAMIE GLASGOW who cut back onto his right foot and curled over a cross from the left touchline that deceived Leitch and curled into the far corner of the net.
Four minutes later Talbot came close again with an action replay of the 1st goal. This time the Bot were awarded a free kick out wide on the left which Wardrope bent just wide of the far post.
Talbot now made their 1st change with Boylan on in place of Glasgow.
In the 70th minute Talbot won a free kick just outside the penalty area when Walsh upended Samson for which he received a caution. Wardrope lifted it beyond the far post where McCracken headed it back across goal and Graham Wilson fired a shot off the bar but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside.
The visitors now made their final change with Allan on for Jenkins.
The game was over as a contest in the 74th minute when Talbot doubled their lead. Wardrope fired on target from 20 yards, Leitch failed to hold it and GRAHAM WILSON pounced to turn the rebound home.
Tucker now immediately made a double switch with Samson and Graham Wilson making way for Shankland and Mason.
The two subs were involved in Talbot’s 3rd goal in the 79th minute. Mason did well to close down Wallace inside his own area and block his clearance. It spun up high in the air and when it dropped down Mason cut it back into the path of MARK SHANKLAND who buried it low inside the right hand post.
In the 82nd minute Talbot won a free kick at the left edge of the penalty area following a foul on Boylan. Shankland curled it over the wall but it flew just wide of the right post into the side-netting.
With 4 minutes remaining Armstrong found Boylan breaking down the right. He lifted it over Gardiner and ran round him before firing it just over the bar on the half volley.
In the final minute of regulation time Robertson almost nabbed a consolation effort when he gathered on the left of the area and tried to curl it inside the far post but his effort went just wide.
Just as they had in the 1st half Talbot ended strongly and nearly added a fourth when Wardrope’s deep cross from the left looked to be heading in but Leitch just managed to tip it over and despite piling on late pressure Talbot couldn’t add to their tally.
A strong 2nd half performance from Talbot who now have a week off from league duties as next Saturday they host Pollok in the South Challenge cup.
McCracken gets bundled over while chasing after the ball.
Keiran Healy clears the danger, as he gets his head to the ball.
The crowd look on, as ‘Gee’ tries to win the ball back for Talbot.
FIRST BLOOD TO CUMNOCK!!! The visitors open the scoring, as Jordan Moore gets onto the end of a low cross and calmly slots the ball home from very close range. 0-1.
Jordan blows a kiss to the Talbot faithful after scoring.
GAME ON!!! Talbot pull level in double quick time, as Craig McCracken gets onto the end of Glasgow’s corner and ‘toe-pokes’ the ball home. 1-1.
It’s all high fives for Talbot after scoring the equaliser.
Aiden Wilson fights for possession out on the wing.
Both benches closely watch the action, as Boylan tries his best to keep the ball in play.
Bryan vents his frustration, as he loses possession.
The Black ‘n’ Gold wall stands firm, as it deflects the ball away from the danger.
The ‘keeper stands his ground at the near post, while Boylan acrobatically keeps hold of the ball.
While racing up the wing, Samson gets bundled over and takes a sore one.
WHAT-A-MOMENT!!! Cumnock look certain to regain the lead but Aiden Wilson brilliantly makes a goal line clearance and heads the ball away.
OUCH!!! The Cumnock player takes a very sore one to the face, as Healy tries to clear the danger.
Stafford does his best to muscle his way past his opponent.
Although under pressure, Keir Samson still manages to win the aerial battle.
CHANCE!!! Cumnock find space inside the box but McPherson blocks the way through and heads the ball away.
With all the cameras on him, ‘Gee’ makes sure he gives them the ‘winning shot’ by winning the ball and starting another attack.
Stafford races down the park, as he goes on the attack.
Mason does his best to win this 50/50 challenge.
GOOOAAALLL!!! Moore makes it two for Cumnock and him, as he manages to slot the ball past Leishman from a very tight angle. 1-2.
The smile of a man that’s just scored the winning goal in the big derby!
The Cumnock players are all smiles, while Jordan enjoys winding up the home support.
McCracken heads the ball back up the park, as Talbot search for a second equaliser.
With tempers rising, Glasgow lets his feelings known to the referee.
The final whistle gets blown and the Cumnock players and fans begin enjoying their derby victory.
Cumnock’s man of the moment, Jordan Moore, continues celebrating his team’s victory.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot slumped to their 1st league defeat of 2022 in an error strewn afternoon against rivals Cumnock.
In the 4th minute the referee booked both Carnwath and Graham Wilson. The Nock player appeared to be booked for diving and it wasn’t really clear why Graham Wilson joined him in the book.
There was no real pattern about the game with play stopping frequently for free kicks with the ref being very fussy.
The opening goal came in the 11th minute and went the way of Cumnock. Ross whipped over a good cross from the right that found McLaughlin in space beyond the far post. He pulled his shot across goal but it ended up a good pass as MOORE stuck out a leg to steer it home from 6 yards.
It proved to be a short-lived lead as Talbot drew level two minute later. Graham Wilson found Aiden Wilson on the overlap and his cross was blocked behind for the corner. When Glasgow’s delivery came in from the left KIER SAMSON met it inside the 6-yard box to make it 1-1.
Cumnock won a free kick in a dangerous area in the 19th minute but Monti’s effort went straight into the wall.
Two minutes later Moore received a yellow card for grabbing McCracken around the neck.
The Bot had a chance in the 28th minute when Boylan let fly from 20 yards out forcing Hughes to turn it round his right hand post. The first corner in was put out for another corner and when this one came over Boylan won a flick on into the goal mouth but the defence were able to scramble it clear.
Chances were few & far between though Talbot had a half chance in the 35th minute. Samson won the ball in the air and flicked it onto Boylan on the left of the area but he scuffed his shot and Hughes was able to smother it.
Talbot’s next attack saw the win a free kick out on the left touchline for a foul on Samson. Glasgow swung it into the area where it was cleared but only as far as Aiden Wilson who met it 15 yards out but on his weaker foot he trundled a shot wide of target.
Two minutes before the interval Talbot had a close call. One moment Talbot were on the attack through Stafford as he surged up the right and swung a cross into the area where Healy’s diving header was blocked. Cumnock then swiftly broke on the counter and when Armstrong missed a tackle on halfway Monti was able to race down the left and cut into the penalty area where he curled a shot past Leishman only for Aiden Wilson to head it off the line and so the sides headed in level at the break.
Cumnock made a change at the start of the 2nd period with Miller on in place of Carnwath.
The 2nd half started as it continued, with both sides struggling with the wind, and scrapping for 2nd balls.
In the 54th minute Frye had his name taken when he hauled down Glasgow as he broke up the right wing.
Talbot had a half chance in the 56th minute when Graham Wilson laid the ball into the path of Glasgow on the right of the area; however his 1st touch took him a bit too wide to hit it and his cross swept across the face of goal and beyond the far post.
The next effort at goal came from Cumnock on the hour mark. Monti flighted a free kick into the area which the defence cleared but only as far as McLaughlin who met it 22 yards out but never really set himself & fired his shot well over.
Neither keeper was over busy with no clear cut chances being made by either side.
In the 68th minute Stafford released Glasgow down the wing & he whipped a good ball across the face of goal but there were no takers & it ran out for the goal kick.
70 mins in Talbot made their 1st change with Mason on for Graham Wilson and soon after coming on Mason was involved as he raced clear on the right and drilled a low ball across the 6-yard area that Ross turned wide of the far post.
The game was growing increasingly scrappy and looked to be meandering to a draw but in the 77th minute Cumnock grabbed the winner. A long punt out of defence saw MOORE out muscle McPherson on the right of the penalty box and then prod a low shot past Leishman at his left post to put Cumnock 2-1 ahead.
With 7 minutes remaining Talbot made a further change with Hyslop on for Healy. The referee booked Monti in the 85th minute for persistent fouling and then produced a yellow card for Mason though it wasn’t clear what for.
In the 86th minute Talbot had a half chance when McCracken played it into the feet of Mason inside the area and he teed it back toward Glasgow but he fired over the bar from 19 yards.
Talbot had one final chance to snatch a draw in the final minute of regulation time. McCracken met Samson’s shy from the right and head flicked it on inside the area. It broke off a defender back to Mason at the edge of the area but he fired over the bar on the half-volley and Cumnock saw out time to claim the win.
A bad day at the office for Talbot. Next up for the Bot is the visit of Bonnyton Thistle next Saturday.
Talbot kept the pressure on Pollok as they beat Kilwinning Rangers to narrow the gap at the top to a point with the Bot having 3 games in hand over the league leaders.
Both sides made a slow start and it wasn’t until the 9th minute that the first effort at goal came. Glasgow fed the ball up the left to Aiden Wilson and his low cross into the centre caused the defence problems. The ball broke to Hyslop who hooked the ball on target forcing a good stop from Barclay.
Kilwinning won a free kick wthin shooting distance in the 12th minute but Stewart directed it straight into the wall.
Talbot came close to the opener in the 15th minute. A free kick was taken short to Armstrong and he slid the ball through to Boyd on the right. He teed it back toward Stafford and his swerving cross deceived Barclay but came back off the right hand post.
The Buffs keeper did better 5 minutes later when he came off his line to beat Hyslop to Glasgow’s free kick from the left wing – managing to punch it clear under pressure.
The referee, who was in a lenient mood, ought to have booked Hanvey for a late challenge on Hyslop but opted to let it go.
Talbot had a decent chance in the 26th minute when Glasgow’s header found Samson running in behind the defence. His first effort was blocked by Barclay and when the rebound came back to him his follow-up effort was deflected behind for a corner kick.
The Bot did have the ball in the net in the 35th minute but the goal didn’t stand. Boyd lifted a good cross beyond the far post where Glasgow steered a header back across goal. It looked to heading inside the left post but Boyd prodded it over the line from close range and the linesman flagged him for offside.
In the 41st minute Talbot were inches away from taking the lead. A ball up the centre was hooked across the box by Graham Wilson and the defence could only clear it out to Glasgow whose rasping effort flew just wide of the left post from 18 yards.
Just when it looked as though the half would end goal less Talbot grabbed the opener on the stroke of half-time. The Bot won a corner on the left & when Glasgow delivered it into the near post area CRAIG MCCRACKEN ghosted onto the end of it to power a header home and send Talbot in 1-0 ahead.
The ref had kept his cards in his pocket for the 1st half but he did caution Stewart in the 50th minute for a late challenge on Hyslop.
Kilwinning’s main threat was coming down their left and Armstrong had to concede a corner in the 52nd minute when he blocked Lewis’s cross into the area. When the corner came in Leishman came for it but missed it but fortunately he quickly recovered and gathered at the 2nd time of asking.
The next goal was going to be pivotal and it came Talbot’s way in the 53rd minute. Leishman launched a kick down the right that cleared the defence and found KIER SAMSON racing in behind. He still had plenty of work to do but with Barclay stranded in front of his near post he flighted it beyond him into the opposite top corner with a sublime finish to put Talbot 2-0 ahead.
This sparked a double substitution from the visitors who took off Hanvey and Gardiner and brought on Lockwood and McArthur.
In the 59th minute Lewis went on a mazy run down the left hitting the bye line before cutting it back across the area. The ball came out to Boyd whose loose pass landed at the feet of McArthur 10 yards out. He was falling back as he hit it and Leishman was able to tip it over the bar.
On the hour mark Talbot made a double switch with Mason on for Graham Wilson and Healy replacing Boyd.
Further changes followed with the visitors bringing Ramsay on for Collins in the 69th minute and Talbot completing the changes shortly after when Robbie McCracken replaced Glasgow.
The Bot threatened to extend their lead in the 73rd minute. Craig McCracken played it into Mason who flicked it wide left where Craig had continued his run. He raced into the area past Caldwell and sent it across the face of goal but it went just behind Samson.
It was over as a contest in the 77th minute when Talbot grabbed their third. Leishman’s kick was headed on by Hyslop to find KIER SAMSON racing into the left of the area & he hit it early on the half volley to send a shot sailing over Barclay to make it 3-0.
Kilwinning kept plugging away and were rewarded with a consolation effort 4 minutes from time. Stewart’s cross from the right was met by MILLAR at the back post and he steered a header back across goal and beyond Leishman.
El Zabaidi had his name taken late on for a reckless challenge on Samson and in the closing exchanges Talbot had a good chance to add a 4th when Mason was released in behind the defence but he tried to round the keeper and Barclay was able to gather and the game finished 3-1.
A good win for Talbot who now move onto Saturday’s derby at Beechwood against a rejuvenated Cumnock.
