Healy both clears the danger and starts another Talbot attack.
GOAL!!! Talbot open the scoring, as ‘Gee’ finds himself in acres of space inside the box and calmly slots the ball home. 1-0.
Graham wheels away with celebratory clenched fists, while Benburb can only bury their heads in their hands.
I think ‘Shankers’ is quite happy with the opening goal.
Gareth Armstrong gets his head to the ball and sends it back up the park.
While trying to win the ball, Boylan is deemed to have fouled his opponent.
Mark takes a sore one while still keeping the Talbot attack motoring.
The animated Benburb manager lets his feelings known during the game.
IT’S TWO!!! Talbot double their lead, as the Benburb ‘keeper fumbles the ball during a challenge and the ball falls very kindly at the feet of Graham, who pokes the ball home. 2-0.
It wasn’t just ‘Gee’ that got a lift after scoring his and Talbot’s second goal.
Boylan finds the way through blocked, as he gets double teamed.
I think the linesman is looking for the pass here.
THREE-SY FOR TALBOT!!! Three for Talbot and Graham Wilson, as he gets onto the end of Shankland’s corner and smashes the ball home past the ‘keeper. 3-0.
No wonder Graham is all smiles after netting a hat-trick.
Benburb vent their anger after giving away a free-kick.
Kieran Healy proves he’s always got Talbot’s back, as he uses his own to block this Benburb long range effort.
Although under pressure, Aiden Wilson still manages to offload the pass.
Will one McCracken watches, the other McCracken has a crack at clearing the danger.
WHAT-A-CHANCE!!! Mark sends a powerful header towards goal and although everybody was waiting to see the net bulge, the ball didn’t make it home.
Although ‘Gee’s’ header finds the back of the net, the linesman flags him for being offside.
Healy shows great control while racing down the park.
The Talbot bench watch from afar, as ‘Shankers’ races into the box.
Talbot show they are a ‘fourth’ to be reckoned with, as young Mason smashes the ball home from the edge of the box. 4-0.
Aaron gets congratulated by his team-mates after netting Talbot’s fourth.
WHAT-A-SAVE!!! The Benburb ‘keeper goes into full ‘Superman mode’, as he pulls off a great save to stop McDowell from scoring.
Samson ponders what could have been, as he rues a missed opportunity.
It’s a five star performance from Talbot and ‘Gee’, as he heads home the fifth and final goal of the game late on. 5-0.
Hands up who scored four goals today? I think we all know Graham.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot romped to a comfortable win over Benburb at Beechwood with the visitors barely able to muster a threat all afternoon.
The Bot were a little slow to get warmed up but took the lead with a training ground move in the 10th minute. Shankland switched the ball out right to find Boylan wide and he paced up the wing before pulling it back to GRAHAM WILSON who ran onto it to pass it into the net.
Benburb tried for an early response and they forced a corner in the 13th minute when Dawson’s shot from 20 yards was deflected wide off McPherson’s head. When the corner came over Docherty got his head to it but couldn’t generate the power to trouble Leishman.
The next goal threat came in the 18th minute. Shankland was bundled over 22 yards out and Talbot took the free kick quickly catching the Bens defence napping. It was shoved through to Glasgow on the right of the area and he flashed a shot across goal that McLean touched wide.
In the 28th minute Talbot doubled their lead with the visiting defence posted missing. A free kick was worked out to Glasgow in space on the right and he had the time to float a cross beyond the back post where Craig McCracken rose unchallenged to nod it back across goal for GRAHAM WILSON to tap home from close range.
It was all over bar the shouting in the 34th minute when Talbot moved three goals clear. Shankland won a corner down the left that he took quickly – pulling it back to find GRAHAM WILSON rushing to meet it and he thumped a shot into the roof of the net to complete his hat-trick.
Talbot were now on easy street and Benburb were unable to offer any real threat to the Talbot defence with McPherson and McCracken in the centre winning all the battles.
On the stroke of halftime Talbot came close to extending their lead. Healy sent a good pass up the left to release Boylan and he swept a cross over that looked destined to be headed home by Shankland in front of goal but Rough did well to stretch & nick the ball away.
The 2nd half had barely started when Talbot threatened a 4th goal. Shankland sent a great diagonal pass from midway inside his own half to find Boylan racing clear on the left of the area but McLean did well to block his low drive.
In the 53rd minute the visiting keeper produced a top class save to deny Shankland. When Boylan whipped a cross in from the right Shankland looked a certainty to score but McLean acrobatically leapt to his left to touch Shankland’s header wide of the left post.
Benburb made a change in the 56th minute when Dawson made way for McTaggart and a few minutes later Tucker made a double switch with Shankland & Boylan leaving the field to be replaced by Samson & Mason.
Talbot moved 4-0 ahead in the 63rd minute. Mason picked out Graham Wilson on the left and he returned the ball back inside to AARON MASON who placed a good finish beyond McLean and inside his left post.
Benburb made their 2nd change in the 68th minute with Jarvie replacing Aitken and with 72 mins gone Talbot made their final change when McDowall came on for Glasgow and Benburb also completed their changes with Ocholi on for Duncanson.
With 8 minutes remaining Robbie McCracken’s ball down the line found McDowall & he cut into the penalty area but was well-tackled before he could get his shot away; resulting in a Talbot corner. When Mason’s corner came in McDowall met it only to see McLean dive to his left to claw his header away.
There was nothing the Bens keeper could do though to prevent Talbot from grabbing their 5th of the afternoon in the 83rd minute. Mason burst into the area & tried to dribble his way through to goal but the defence managed to crowd him out and put it behind for a corner. When the corner came over GRAHAM WILSON ghosted onto it for a free header to grab his 4th goal of the game.
Talbot kept pushing but Benburb managed to hold out without conceding any further goals as Talbot eased to a win that won’t have done the goal difference any harm.
Next week – weather permitting – Talbot are back on the road and back in cup action as they travel through to Cumbernauld to face Rob Roy in the West of Scotland cup.
The Talbot Young Team out in force before the big kick off.
The teams and the officials run out onto the pitch in front of a packed Beechwood Park.
A couple of very happy Hamilton chaps before the kick off.
The Young Team look on, as Hamilton fire in the cross.
Hamilton try to go on the attack but Aiden Wilson makes sure the ball doesn’t get threaded through.
Hamilton wonder what could have been, as they squander a great chance.
McPherson makes sure the danger gets cleared.
HAD TO BE, SURELY!!! Kieran Healy finds himself in acres of space right in front of goal but fails to properly connect with the ball and to find the back of the net.
Boylan does his best to break free with the ball.
All eyes on the ball for Jamie Glasgow, as he fires the ball up the park.
WHAT-A-CHANCE!!! ‘Shankers’ cross finds Glasgow at the back post but his sliding shot gets batted away by the Hamilton ‘keeper.
Bryan Boylan does his best to keep hold of the ball and find a way through.
OFFSIDE! Boylan is deemed to have been offside, as he races through on goal.
Wilson watches, as Mark tries to muscle out his opponent for possession.
‘Tucker’ and Allan look on from the sidelines, while Boylan tries to keep the ball in play.
A chance for Hamilton but ‘Gee’ makes sure the route through gets blocked.
OUCH!!! Glasgow takes a sore one while racing away with the ball.
The Black ‘n’ Gold conga line keep their eyes firmly on the ball, as Hamilton go on the attack.
Robbie McCracken sticks closely to his man, as the Talbot faithful pack the terraces.
It may be two against one but Mark Shankland still takes them both on but…
…gets bundled over, as he tries to skip past them.
A couple of young Talbot fans take a break from watching the action at half-time.
Two Talbot fans made the trip from Perth to watch the big game and were happy with the half-time scoreline.
Boylan shouts for the foul, as Hamilton feel frustrated after giving away a free-kick.
Big Neily, again, makes sure the danger gets cleared.
Samson gets set to come on, as ‘Tucker’ discusses tactics with his bench.
Gareth Armstrong wins the header inside the box, where something special was about to happen…
GOOOAAALLL!!! UNBELIEVABLE JEFF!!! Armstrong’s header lets the ball fall to the feet of Graham Wilson, where he fires off a powerful low strike that…
…smashes into the back of the net putting Talbot into the lead. 1-0.
No caption required to describe this image.
Or this one.
And even this one too.
Samson sticks to his man and makes sure his opponent is facing away from goal.
Craig McCracken tries to race away but gets stopped in his tracks by a great tackle.
Samson makes it look easy, as he skips past one opponent and then…
…nutmegs another one.
The goalscorer, Graham Wilson, uses his pace to break away and go on the attack.
Neil and Kieran look on, as Gareth wins the ball and starts another attacking move.
May be a slight height difference but I know where my money is going.
Hamilton try their luck from distance but it fails to trouble Andy Leishman.
Another chance for Hamilton but Neil and Craig make sure the ball doesn’t get through.
Jack McDowell stands his ground and races down the park.
Final chance for Hamilton, as they find space in front of goal and send a great header towards goal where…
…although Leishman makes sure, the ball sails harmlessly over the crossbar.
Jamie does his best to encourage his team-mates from the sidelines during the closing minutes of the game.
The anxious Talbot bench look on, as ‘Gee’ keeps hold of the ball in order to run down the clock.
And it’s not just the Talbot bench that are looking anxious while Graham keeps hold of the ball.
WHAT-A-RESULT!!! The final whistle gets blown and Talbot can finally begin to par-ty!
Bryan and Jamie can’t stop smiling after helping Talbot to achieve another big scalp in the Scottish Cup.
Jack and Bryan continue to celebrate the victory under the glorious Beechwood floodlights.
The Talbot Young Team ‘gie it laldy’ after the final whistle.
Big Neily shows off his dance moves in front of the adoring Black ‘n’ Gold faithful.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAYS NATCH REPORT
Talbot once again made a mockery of the bookies odds with another giant-killing win at Beechwood park as they deservedly beat Hamilton Accies to book their place in the 4th round draw of the Scottish cup.
The Bot made a slightly nervy start and Accies forced a couple of corners in the opening minutes but both deliveries were poor and sailed straight behind for goal kicks.
Glasgow had his name taken in the 4th minute for a late challenge in midfield.
Hamilton had a half chance in the 6th minute. A bout of heady tennis ended with the ball breaking to Ryan on the right of the area but his half volley under pressure sailed over the crossbar.
Talbot showed they weren’t just there to make up the numbers in the 8th minute when they carved out a great opportunity to take the lead. Robbie McCracken clipped a ball up the right to release Glasgow and his cross to the far post found Healy in space 8 yards out but he didn’t connect cleanly and his left foot shot trundled straight at the keeper.
In the 11th minute Talbot caught Hamilton cold on the counter-attack. An Accies corner from the right was headed clear by Armstrong and Talbot swiftly broke up the pitch. Shankland swept a great cross in from the left which Glasgow met beyond the back post and Hilton did well to turn his volley round the left hand post.
Talbot had settled well after the early wobble and it was the Bot who threatened again in the 26th minute. Robbie McCracken’s pass sent Boylan clear on the right and he crossed it to the far post where Shankland headed it back down into the path of Graham Wilson whose shot was deflected behind off Stirling.
Hamilton hadn’t offered much but the visitors did have a clear sight of goal in the 29th minute. There appeared to be a foul on Glasgow in the build-up but the ref waved play on and Hamilton worked it to Ryan inside the area but his low drive was smothered by Leishman.
The Bot fans were up in arms in the 33rd minute when Boylan was taken out late as he flicked the ball on. The ref played advantage but when the move broke down no card was produced for what had been a cynical foul and the referee didn’t make himself any more popular a minute later when Stirling bowled Glasgow over near the touchline and no foul was given.
Talbot won a set piece 35 yards out in the 35th minute following handball by Shields. Shankland swept the ball into the heart of the area where it was headed clear. The ball came straight to Armstrong at the edge of the area and he met it on the half-volley; firing on target but straight at Hilton.
A minute later Glasgow’s ball up the right forced Hilton to race out of his box to beat Shankland to the ball and fire it out for a shy.
As the half drew to a close it was Talbot who were pushing forward. Armstrong did well to win the ball then released a good early pass for Boylan. He raced forward down the left but Want got back to deny him with a perfectly timed slide tackle and the sides headed in goalless at the break with Talbot the happier of the two camps.
Hamilton were quickest out the blocks at the start of the 2nd half and it took Leishman at his best to prevent them moving ahead in the 46th minute. Munro cut in off the right and let fly from 20 yards and his shot was heading into the roof of the net but for Leishman stretching to touch it away. The ball came out to Ryan on the corner of the 6-yard area and he looked set to smash home the rebound but Leishman again rose to the challenge; blocking his low drive with his outstretched leg to complete a fantastic double save.
Accies tails were up and for the first time they pressed forward but the Bot defence gave nothing away.
Talbot made the first change in the 57th minute when Samson came on in place of Glasgow.
In the 59th minute Talbot nearly found a way through on the counter. Shankland won the ball in the tackle and sent a good early ball out to the right towards Samson who was haring into the box but Shields did well to cover his run and usher it back to the keeper.
Beechwood erupted on the hour mark when Talbot took the lead. The Bot won a shy out on the right which Samson launched into the area. Armstrong flicked it on at the near post and GRAHAM WILSON ran onto it and coolly sidefooted it past Hilton to make it 1-0.
Accies were rattled and there was a hint of desperation about Ryan’s effort at goal in the 62nd minute when he fired a left foot shot well off target from distance.
The visitors made a change in the 63rd minute with Redfern making way for Moyo and the sub had an early chance to make an impact. Hamilton won a free kick on halfway which was floated up to the edge of the penalty area. Talbot failed to clear it and the ball broke to Moyo 20 yards out in space but his angled drive went wide of the right hand post.
Hamilton were struggling to cope with Talbot at set plays and in the 66th minute another shy from the right caused them problems. This time the defence managed to partially clear it but only as far as Graham Wilson whose fierce drive from 20 yards looked to be heading on target but was blocked by Martin’s head.
Two minutes later Samson surged up the right touchline evading two lunging challenges before sliding the ball toward the near post and the waiting Boylan but it was cut out by an Accies defender.
Talbot now made a 2nd change with Boyd coming on to replace Shankland.
In the 73rd minute Hamilton made their 2nd change with Virtanen on for Martin and six minutes later the sub was in the ref’s notebook for a late challenge on Boylan.
With 10 mins remaining Samson did well wide on the right to burst free and his attempted ball across the face won Talbot a corner. When the corner came in Hamilton could only clear it out to the edge of the area where Boylan met it but he was falling back as he hit it and sent his shot over the bar.
Hamilton had a half chance in the 84th minute when Moyo’s back-heel flick found Ryan in space 20 yards out but his shot went well wide of the right hand post.
As the game neared its conclusion Hamilton appeared bereft of any ideas and Talbot fans began to believe that another SFL scalp was there for the taking.
With 3 minutes remaining Talbot made their final sub with McDowall coming on in place of Boylan.
The visitors had one final half chance to level in the final minute of regulation time. Moyo rose to meet a cross from the right but his header looped up and over the bar and his frustration boiled over in injury time when he was fortunate only to be shown a yellow card for a two armed shove off the ball.
The Bot fans were made to wait for it as the ref added on 5 minutes of injury time but finally the final whistle went and the celebrations started – at least in the home end – those Accies fans who hadn’t left early headed for their own dug out to tongue lash their management team.
A fantastic display by Talbot who worked their socks off from first to last and now have Monday night’s 4th round draw to look forward to for their efforts. Next week it’s back to Beechwood on league duty when Talbot host Benburb.
Talbot made a number of changes to their starting line-up but still ran out comfortable winners in this South Challenge cup tie.
The first chance of the afternoon came in the 5th minute when Samson’s cross from the right was met beyond the back post by Hyslop who steered a half-volley over the bar.
Ten minutes in and the referee produced the first card of the afternoon when cautioned Baird for a late challenge on Hyslop.
A minute later Talbot had the first effort on target. Craig McCracken’s long pass found Samson on the left & he controlled it before turning his man & drilling a shot at goal from 20 yards that flew straight at McDougall.
The Bot took the lead in the 14th minute & it was a cracking goal. Hyslop found Robbie McCracken in space down the right & he carried it forward before feeding it on to Glasgow. He rolled the ball back into the path of JACK MCDOWALL who hammered a right foot drive inside the right post with the keeper spectating.
In the 22nd minute Talbot opened up the visiting defence when Wilson found Samson on the left and his ball across the face of goal fell just behind Glasgow as he raced in to tap it home.
Shanks became the 2nd West Calder player in the book when he was cautioned for dissent after 28 minutes.
Talbot appeared on easy street but a defensive fubar gifted West Calder an unlikely equaliser in the 31st minute. A high crossfield ball from the right saw ROBBIE MCCRACKEN try to head it back but with Leishman stranded off his line the header sailed inside the right post to level the score.
Two minutes later only a great stop from Leishman prevented West Calder from taking the lead. A ball in from the right found Shanks inside the area & he turned smartly before firing a shot which Leishman stretched low to his left to turn round the post.
After this wobble Talbot were back on the attack and the lead was restored in the 36th minute. Boyd retrieved an over-hit cross and teed it up for Aiden Wilson. His low drive was blocked by McDougall but KIER SAMSON was on hand to lash the rebound into the roof of the net to put Talbot 2-1 ahead.
Two minutes later Talbot added a third. AARON MASON met a ball in from the left to steer it into the far corner to make it 3-1.
Three minutes before the interval Talbot came within a whisker of grabbing their fourth. Mason got away on the right but pulled his shot across the face of goal. Boyd retrieved it on the far side & passed to Wilson whose ball across goal was met by Mason who struck it against the base of the right hand post. Talbot kept pressing but the visitors held out without conceding any further goals.
The 2nd half got off to a fairly slow start with neither side offering much of a threat. The first real opportunity came the way of West Calder in the 56th minute when Craig McCracken conceded a free kick just outside the penalty area resulting in a booking for Talbot’s centre-half. Shanks too it but his shot hit a Bot player and went behind for the corner.
Talbot then turned defence into attack as they broke away on the counter from the corner through Mason who was up-ended by Gillespie who was booked for his challenge. Mason took the resultant free kick and swept a good ball in from the right which McDowall headed just past the left post.
The game was over as a contest on the hour mark when Talbot got their fourth of the afternoon. WILLIE BOYD cut in off the left wing & passed it toward goal where it trundled past the keeper with the aid of a slight deflection off Livingstone.
Tucker now made a change with Shankland coming on for Glasgow.
In the 61st minute Talbot won a penalty and the visitors were reduced to ten men. Mason got free down the right & his ball across goal was blocked by the arm of Gillespie. He’d already been booked so made the short walk to the clubhouse after his 2nd yellow and AARON MASON gave the keeper no chance from the spot – burying his penalty inside the right post to make it 5-1 to Talbot.
Mason nearly had his hat-trick in the 65th minute. Boyd came in on off the left & curled over a right foot cross that Mason glanced off the left hand post.
Two minutes later Talbot did move further ahead. A deep cross found Craig McCracken beyond the far post and he headed it back across goal where KIER SAMSON ran onto it to nod home from close range.
The scoring was completed in the 69th minute. Shankland delivered an inch perfect cross from the left and DWAYNE HYSLOP guided a header back across goal and inside the right post to put Talbot 7-1 ahead.
In the 74th minute Talbot made their 2nd change with Healy on in midfield in place of Boyd.
Talbot had a chance soon after to extend their lead when Samson raced away on the right before laying it inside to Mason. He touched it on to McDowall whose shot flew across goal and wide of the right post.
With 10 minutes remaining Talbot made their final change with McDowall making way for White.
In the closing minutes Talbot came close on two occasions. Firstly, Shankland met Wilson’s cross only to see his header come back off the crossbar and a minute later a short corner from the right saw Robbie McCracken cross it into the centre where Healy directed a free header over the bar.
A convincing win for Talbot who will face a totally different challenge next Saturday when they host Hamilton Accies in the senior cup.
West Calder United – McDougall, Gillespie, Wilson, Shanks, Taylor, Livingstone, Baird, Easton, Macauley, Fallon, Stevenson
Subs – Hay, Johnston, Kennedy, Miller, Wilkins
Dwayne Hyslop stands his ground and keeps hold of the ball.
West Calder win a free-kick but show their frustration, as they feel the referee could have played on.
The danger gets cleared, as ‘Pee-wee’ wins the aerial battle.
A fight for the ball just outside the West Calder box.
BREAKTHROUGH!!! Talbot open the scoring via a thunderbolt from Jack McDowell outside the box, which leaves the ‘keeper rooted to the spot. 1-0.
Samson gets stopped in his tracks, as he was racing in on goal.
Aaron Mason tries to get to the ball before it gets cleared by the defender.
Both benches closely watch the action, as Glasgow battles for possession.
CALDER PULL LEVEL!!! The ball hits the back of the net after a wayward header from Talbot. 1-1.
Care to tell us what was funny, Dwayne?
GOAL!!! Talbot regain the lead, as the ball falls kindly at the feet of Samson who smashes the ball home from close range. 2-1.
It’s ‘high fives’ for Talbot but devastation for the opposition.
Blink and you’ll miss it! Talbot make it three in double quick time, as Mason manages to loop the ball past the ‘keeper and into the back of the net. 3-1.
It sure feels good scoring for the ‘Bot…eh Aaron!
SO CLOSE!!! Aaron Mason finds space right in front of goal but he can only watch the ball hit the post instead.
Samson goes for the spectacular but is deemed to be offside.
Keir Samson gets stopped by a great tackle from the Calder defender.
McDowell releases the ball just in time.
TALBOT MAKE IT FOUR!!! Wullie Boyd finds the back of the net after seeing the ball take a deflection off the defender. 4-1.
Robbie McCracken is certainly all smiles after Boyd’s goal.
RED CARD!!! West Calder are reduced to ten men and Talbot are awarded a penalty, after a handball inside the box.
Captions on a postcard please folks!
SPOT ON FOR TALBOT!!! Aaron finds the back of the net, as he fires the ball home from the spot. 5-1.
Samson thinks what could have been after being flagged for offside.
Mason hits the woodwork again with this looping header.
Keir gets double teamed, as it takes two players to stop his run.
Craig McCracken pops up at the back post and heads the ball back across for…
…Samson to calmly nod the ball home into an empty net for Talbot’s sixth. 6-1.
The scoring is rounded off by ‘Pee-wee’ who heads the ball home from the six yard line. 7-1.
Aiden Wilson gets the ball taken off him via a great tackle.
The old maestro shows he’s still got it, as ‘Whitey’ has a dig at goal from distance.
WOODWORK AGAIN!!! Talbot hit the crossbar via a looping header from ‘Shankers’.
CLOSE!!! Healy goes agonisingly close to scoring but his header goes wide of the post.
Kieran Healy gets brought down, as he goes on a great run down the middle of the park.
These young Talbot fans were certainly left with smiles on their faces after seeing a good win for the boys in Black and Gold.
Kieran Healy can only watch, as Forth clear their lines.
HOW’S THAT NOT A GOAL!!! Forth go unbelievably close to taking the lead with a shot right in front of goal but Andy Leishman pulls off a great save and keeps the score level.
Forth know just how big a chance that was.
‘Shankers’ goes chasing, while Aaron Mason does his best to win the 50/50 challenge.
McDowell, Mason and Wilson are all set to pounce onto the end of the cross but the front defender gets there first to clear the danger.
CHANCE!!! Mark Shankland finds himself with space inside the box but his header fails to find the back of the net.
A last ditch block from McPherson prevents Forth from scoring.
Mason fights for possession, as some of the Talbot faithful closely watch the action.
Forth try their luck with a long range effort but fail to hit the back of the net.
Neil McPherson dishes out the orders, as Aiden Wilson tries to go on the attack.
Mark makes sure he blocks the way through for Forth.
Armstrong makes sure Talbot keep hold of the ball.
‘Shankers’ tries to muscle his way past his opponent and get to the ball.
The Forth players roar out the orders as they wait for the Talbot free-kick to be put in.
BREAKTHROUGH!!! Talbot eventually find the back of the net, as McCracken hits the target with a close range header. 1-0.
Craig wheels away to celebrate, Forth look dejected and the young Talbot fan at the back punches the air to celebrate too.
An early second half chance for Talbot but Graham’s header goes wide of the post.
Jack McDowell stays strong in order to try and win the ball back.
Erm…I think giving yourself a wedgie for missing a great chance is a bit too much.
The Talbot bench watch closely, as Wullie Lyle fires the ball down the wing.
Samson comes under pressure, as Forth fight for possession.
RED CARD!!! A stern looking McPherson takes an early bath, as he is sent off after receiving a second booking.
The Talbot wall stands tall, as they block the way through for this Forth free-kick.
Lyle does his best to keep his team-mates motivated, as Talbot try to see out the win.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT
Talbot made hard work of it but ground out a narrow win over Forth in the South Challenge cup.
The Bot had an early chance in the 4th minute when Graham Wilson’s shot from 15 yards was saved by McPhee’s legs.
Talbot were seeing a lot of the ball, with Forth content to sit in, and it was paying off as Talbot were struggling to make any headway in the final third.
In the 12th minute Stevenson headed a cross behind and when Mason’s corner came over from the right Shankland met it but sent his header over the bar.
Talbot were given a fright in the 13th minute when Lafferty slid a pass through to find Henderson inside the area. He cut in off the left and went for goal but McPherson got across to block his shot.
In the 23rd minute Aiden Wilson worked a one-two with McDowall down the left and he raced to the bye line and tried to cut it back to the waiting Shankland but there wasn’t enough on it & the defence intercepted.
Aiden Wilson swung a good across the face of goal in the 26th minute but no Bot players got near it.
Talbot scored the game’s only goal in the 31st minute. The Bot won a free kick out on the left which Shankland swung into the centre where CRAIG MCCRACKEN headed home from close range.
Two minutes later Talbot had a chance to double their lead. Shankland cut inside onto his right foot and sent a low drive just wide of McPhee’s right post from the edge of the area.
The Bot had another half chance a minute later. Aiden Wilson pinged over a cross that Donnelly headed clear. It came out to Lyle who crossed it onto the head of Shankland who guided a header wide of the left post.
The visitors had the ball in the net in the 39th minute but it was rightly chalked off for offside and that was pretty much it for the 1st half.
Talbot have had a habit of improving after the interval but this cup tie proved the exception to the rule with the 2nd half being as poor a 45 minutes as will have been seen at Beechwood in a long while.
McPherson picked up a caution in the 55th minute for holding and a minute later Shankland joined him in the book for an aerial challenge.
Around the hour mark Tucker made a double switch with Armstrong & Mason going off to be replaced by Boyd & Boylan.
There was really only one near thing in the whole 2nd half and it came in the 62nd minute for the visitors. A corner from the right was headed toward goal and Graham Wilson had to clear it from the goal mouth.
The closest Talbot came to adding to their lead was in the 72nd minute. Shankland fed it wide right to Healy and when his ball came across goal McQuarrie bundled it just wide of his own goal.
Talbot made another change with quarter of an hour left when Samson came on for Shankland.
The Bot had to see the last 10 minutes out a man down. A ball over the top saw McPherson bring down Stewart and he was shown a 2nd yellow and was off to the clubhouse. Forth had a free kick just outside the penalty area but it was drilled straight into the wall.
In the closing stages McDonald picked up a caution for a cynical foul on Graham Wilson then Donnelly joined him in the bad books for a late tackle on Healy.
The game trundled on to its conclusion with neither keeper actually required to make a save in the 2nd half.
Not a game to live long in the memory and Talbot will be hoping to raise it a gear or two next week when they travel through to East Lothian to face Preston Athletic in the William Hill Scottish cup.
Nothing lasts forever and Talbot’s long unbeaten run was ended last night in front of a bumper crowd against Darvel.
Talbot have picked up an unfortunate habit of starting slowly and so it proved again with the visitors grabbing the lead after only 4 minutes.
Darvel won a corner down the right which was delivered at pace and MARR raced onto it to power a free header past Leishman to put Darvel one ahead.
The Bot almost drew level in the 8th minute. Stafford ran onto a shy and raced past Allan before slinging over a cross that cannoned off the face of the bar and away to safety.
Clear cut chances were few & far between in the opening exchanges. Good work down the left saw Graham Wilson send Aiden Wilson away on the overlap and he swept a good across the face of the 6-yard area but there were no Bot players to take advantage.
The next shot on target came in the 24th minute when Darvel’s Kirkpatrick tried an ambitious effort from 35 yards which landed on target but straight at Leishman.
Talbot drew level on the half hour mark. McPherson floated it up the centre where Hyslop won the header on. Boylan jousted for it with a defender inside the area and the ball broke back to KIER SAMSON whose low strike trundled home courtesy of a deflection.
The game had barely re-started when Talbot were caught cold and conceded their 2nd. The ball was switched out to Miller on the right touchline who got away before sliding it across toward the far post where FERGUSON side-footed it home to restore Darvel’s lead.
The goal rattled Talbot and two minutes later they conceded a free kick just outside the penalty area which Miller curled into the defensive wall.
In the 36th minute Meggatt put pressure on his keeper with a short back-pass that Samson chased down but the ball didn’t break for Talbot when Kier blocked Truesdale’s clearance.
With 41 mins gone Ferguson had his name taken for high feet in a challenge with McCracken and two minutes later he was joined in the book by Talbot’s Boylan for a foul on Allan.
In the final minute of the half Talbot won a free kick in a promising area after Graham Wilson was clipped by Marr as he surged towards the penalty area. Hyslop took it but fired his shot well over to end the half.
In similar fashion to Saturday’s clash with Hulford, Talbot came out with more purpose after the interval and made the early running. In the 51st minute Boylan raced clear on the right and slung over a dangerous cross that Meggatt did well to intercept & head over his own bar with Samson lurking in front of goal.
A few minutes later McCracken’s ball out of defence found Graham Wilson breaking clear down the left. His 1st touch took it away from goal but he recovered it and swept a good cross into the centre that was cleared out as far as Hyslop who fired wide of target from 20 yards.
The Bot had another chance in the 56th minute when Aiden Wilson raced in off the left and tried to break into the box. He was baulked but the ball squeezed through to Samson inside the area and his low drive was blocked by Truesdale at his right hand post.
Another half chance came Talbot’s way on the hour mark. Hyslop’s head flick on found Samson in space down the right of the penalty area but he delayed his shot a fraction & a defender was able to get across to block his effort.
A minute later Talbot had an effort on target when the ball fell to Hyslop on the left of the area. He got off a left foot strike but it lacked the power to really test the keeper.
Darvel hadn’t been seen much in the 2nd half but in the 65th minute Miller found himself in space on the right but his cross had too much on it and sailed over Kirkpatrick at the far post.
Talbot now made their 1st change with Shankland coming on for Graham Wilson.
The Bot had a chance to test the Darvel defence in the 69th minute when Darvel were penalised for handball out on the right. Shankland put in a good delivery but Stirling made a good defensive header to clear.
Darvel now made their first change with Thomson replacing Kirkpatrick.
Talbot won a free kick out on the left in the 72nd minute for a hefty challenge on Shankland. He took the set piece & whipped it into the centre. It was cleared out to Boylan at the edge of the area but he lashed his shot well over.
It just wasn’t happening for Talbot in the final third; a fact underlined in the 73rd minute when Samson slid a great ball through to release Boylan down the right of the area but his 1st touch took him too wide and the chance was lost.
A minute later Shankland had a half chance at the edge of the area but blazed it way off target.
The visitors now made their 2nd change with Boland on for Miller.
Darvel could & probably should have sealed it in the 76th minute. Stirling’s ball from the right went straight to Thomson in front of goal but he side-footed it well wide of the far post.
The visitors managed to see the final 10 minutes out without too many alarms. Talbot threw on two late substitutions with Mason on for Boylan & McDowall replacing Armstrong but they had no real time to make an impact. The closing minutes of the game saw a further rush of names into the notebook with Healy cautioned for a foul and Stafford yellow carded for dissent before Marr received a late caution for tripping McPherson.
It wasn’t Talbot’s night but the Bot remain top of the table – 3 points clear of nearest challengers Pollok. Next up for Talbot it’s our inaugural game in the South Challenge cup where Talbot host Forth Wanderers.
Talbot did it the hard way again as they gathered all 3 points at Beechwood against Hurlford despite missing a string of clear cut chances in the 2nd half.
It was Hurlford who settled first and the Bot had a let off in the 6th minute. Whittaker won a free kick out on the right touchline which was bent over to the far corner of the 6-yard box where Magee headed it against the right hand post. Hyslop was on hand to head the rebound behind for a corner.
Talbot’s first threat came in the 11th minute when Stafford did well down the right, carrying it forward before releasing Glasgow down the wing. He tried to cut it back into the path of Shankland but didn’t get enough on it and the defence were able to clear.
The home fans had a nervy moment two minutes later when Bell gathered the ball on the bye line & pulled it back to M McKenzie who hooked a shot at goal that was headed clear.
Leishman was called into action in the 17th minute when Wilson was allowed too much time & space 30 yards from goal & drilled a shot on target that skipped up off the surface on its way through but Leishman managed to push it wide of the right post.
Talbot were struggling at this stage and the visitors threatened again in the 21st minute. Wilson switched play out to the right where Whittaker drilled the ball low across the face towards Bell but he was beaten to it and the ball cleared.
Hurlford’s goalie hadn’t been asked any questions in the opening spell but he did produce a good stop in the 22nd minute. Hyslop squared the ball inside to Boyd who wasn’t closed down & let fly from 25 yards only to see McDonald push it wide of target.
On the half hour mark Lidington had his name taken for a trip on Glasgow.
The Bot support weren’t happy with the stand side linesman as he spent most of the 1st half with his flag in the air every time Talbot crossed the halfway line with numerous offside decisions going against Talbot.
Hurlford won a free kick out on the left in the 37th minute for Stafford’s challenge on M McKenzie. Wilson took it and his ball in was headed clear by McCracken but came straight back to him and he whipped over a dangerous cross that the defence did well to head clear.
In the 42nd minute Hurlford made a change with M McKenzie leaving the field to be replaced by Coogans.
Talbot ended the half on the front foot and won a free kick on the halfway line when Robertson breenged Glasgow over which also saw the centre half pick up a booking.
Right on half time Talbot won a free kick 30 yards out when Wilson fouled Glasgow. Shankland took it and got it up and over the wall but wide of the right post and the sides went in level at the break.
The 2nd half got off to a lively start and both sides received a caution a piece in the opening 5 minutes. Firstly, Boyd was cautioned for studs showing and then a minute later Magee picked up a yellow for a blatant shove resulting in a free kick 30 yards out on the left. Shankland went for goal but it wasn’t one of his better efforts and sailed harmlessly over.
Leishman turned provider in the 51st minute when he launched the ball down the right to find Hyslop breaking into space. He carried it forward before sliding it into the front post area where McDonald was quickly off his line to beat Samson to it.
The crucial breakthrough came in the 55th minute. Hyslop picked up on the right and slid a great pass down the line to find Boyd. He skimmed a low ball across the face in the fun zone between the defence and the keeper and MAGEE bundled it into his own net whilst trying to clear.
The goal energised Talbot and 4 minute later Glasgow skipped inside on the left of the area and tested the keeper with a low drive on target.
Talbot made their first change on the hour mark with Healy coming on for Boyd.
The Bot had a chance to double their lead in the 64th minute. McCracken lifted it up the right to find Samson racing clear and his early ball across the area came to Glasgow 12 yards out but he fired wide of McDonald’s right hand post.
In the 69th minute a ball over the top saw Samson just beaten to it with the defence forced to knock it behind for a corner. Shankland fired it over and Hylsop met it with a diving header that was deflected wide of the right post but not according to the officials who awarded a goal kick.
Next to have a go for Talbot was Shankland who cut in off the right on his left foot & fired for goal but McDonald made a good stop.
It should have been game over in the 74th minute. Shankland’s clever touch released Samson on the left and he squared it across to the far post where Healy looked set to score but he side-footed it wide of the post from 6 yards.
Hurlford had a lucky escape two minutes later. P McKenzie lost his footing inside the Bot half and Talbot were able to break quickly on the counter. There were 2 fouls in the build up with Robertson taking Samson out off the ball but the ref gave the advantage as it broke to Aiden Wilson on the left whose low drive was turned wide by McDonald. The referee could have reduced the visitors to 10 men for the fouls in the build-up but decided to take no further action.
Tucker now made two further changes with Samson & Glasgow making way for Boylan & Graham Wilson.
Boylan was barely on the pitch when he had a glorious chance to put Talbot 2 ahead. Leishman launched it down the centre where Magee slipped allowing Boylan to race onto it; unfortunately with only the keeper to beat he opted for power and lashed a half volley over the bar from 15 yards.
Six minutes from time Talbot came close once again. Shankland’s corner from the left caused chaos in the centre and the defence were only able to scramble it away as far as Aiden Wilson whose low drive from 15 yards was deflected just wide of target.
Talbot kept pushing and the next attack saw Graham Wilson release Boylan down the right and when his cross came over Shankland volleyed over the bar.
It had been all Talbot in the 2nd half but the Bot were given a scare in the 86th minute when Bell gathered the ball 25 yards out and hit a shot that dipped just over the crossbar.
A minute from time Talbot missed another clear opportunity to kill the game off. McCracken hit a great ball over the top of the defence to send Graham Wilson through one on one with the keeper but he opted to hit it early and McDonald blocked it as he advanced off his line.
A thoroughly deserved win for the Bot who recovered from an unconvincing 1st half to dominate the 2nd. Next up for Talbot it is back to Beechwood midweek where they host Darvel under the floodlights.
Samson races into the Cumbernauld box and does his best to keep the ball under control.
Talbot make sure the attack keeps going, as Aiden Wilson rises the highest to head the ball on.
‘Pee-wee’ tries to win possession but is beaten to the ball by the defender.
Aaron Mason threads the ball through the midfield for Glasgow to run onto.
An awkward header but Keir Samson still manages to send the ball towards goal, to no avail.
The ‘Hand of God’ is still alive!
Big Neily watches, as William Boyd wins this aerial battle.
Healy roars out the orders in order to orchestrate the next Talbot attack.
Jamie Glasgow runs straight into a Cumbernauld sandwich.
Samson uses his neck muscles to win the ball, as he goes on a run.
It takes a very brave man to stand up to Big Neily and tell him off!
A 50/50 challenge but Dwayne manages to win it and clear the danger.
Mason looks where to go, as he takes the ball away from danger.
The Talbot faithful look on, as Samson tries to push his way through the blue defence.
BREAKTHROUGH!!! Keir jumps for joy, as they all congratulate ‘Pee-wee’ on scoring the opening goal for Talbot. 1-0.
The Talbot bench watch closely, while Aaron Mason races down the wing.
WHAT-A-CHANCE!!! Samson races through on goal with only the ‘keeper to beat but the Cumbernauld shot stopper manages to block the shot with his feet and prevent Keir from scoring.
Talbot celebrate doubling their lead through a fabulous strike from Aiden Wilson, much to the delight of a certain Talbot legend in the terraces. 2-0.
Wullie Lyle fires the ball down the park during another attack.
Talbot make it a threesome, as they congratulate Dwayne Hyslop on scoring the team’s third of the day. 3-0.
The young fans can barely watch from the terrace, as Cumbernauld go very close to scoring a consolation goal, if it weren’t for a great save from Big Andy.
Dwayne and McPherson make sure there is no way through for Cumbernauld.
‘Shankers’ slides in to win the ball on the wing for Talbot.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot maintained their place at the pinnacle of the table after overpowering a stuffy Cumbernauld side.
The first goal threat of the afternoon came in the 5th minute when Hyslop met a corner from the left but glanced it well wide of target.
Three minutes later Cumbernauld won a free kick in a dangerous area just wide of the Bot penalty area. McCabe’s ball down the left was chased by Gormley & McPherson attempted to shield it out for the goal kick; however the forward managed to nick it & McPherson sent him tumbling. O’Hare floated it to the back post where Leishman gathered it in.
Cumbernauld’s keeper was called into action in the 11th minute when Glasgow latched onto a head flick from Hyslop. He let fly from 25 yards & McGee turned his shot over the crossbar.
The Bot had another chance in the 16th minute. Lyle’s ball up the right found Glasgow who turned McHaffie before dinking a cross into the centre which was met by Samson but he couldn’t get any power behind his header.
Talbot’s good spell continued with the Bot’s next chance coming in the 20th minute. Healy found Samson down the left & he whipped a cross into the centre that just eluded Glasgow. The ball came out to Mason on the right of the area & he took a touch before firing a half volley on target that McGee tipped over the bar.
McMahon was first into the book when the full-back was cautioned for a late challenge on Glasgow in the 32nd minute.
Talbot kept probing & tested the visiting defence from a set piece in the 36th minute when Mason’s corner from the right was driven into the near post where White was just beaten to it.
The half ended with Talbot on the front foot but unable to break down the Cumbernauld defence and teams went in goal less at the interval.
The 2nd half continued where the first had left off with Talbot doing the pressing and the visitors content to sit in and play for the draw but that all changed in the 55th minute when Talbot’s pressure paid off and they took the lead.
Healy got to the ball on the bye line down the right & angled a cross back to the near post where DWAYNE HYSLOP powered a header off the underside of the bar that bounced well behind the line before being hooked clear.
Just shy of the hour mark Talbot had a chance to double their advantage. Hyslop rose to nod the ball on into the path of Mason who scurried forward before drilling a shot wide of the right hand post.
In the 63rd minute McDevitt received a yellow card after he lost out to Samson & hauled him back just wide of the penalty area. Glasgow took the free kick & slid it back into the path of Mason whose shot was blocked. It came back out to Mason & he slipped a pass through to Glasgow who lifted it into the near post where Cameron put it behind for the corner.
Cumbernauld made a change in the 66th minute with Henderson coming on for Neil.
The Bot had a glorious chance to move further ahead in the 69th minute. McPherson flighted a ball down the centre that skipped past McDevitt leaving Samson in one on one with the keeper but the keeper came out on top.
Henderson became the 3rd United player in the book when he was cautioned in the 70th minute for a hefty challenge on Hyslop on the left. Talbot took the free kick quickly releasing Wilson into the area. His low ball across the face was cut out but came straight back to him & AIDEN WILSON lashed it into the far corner from a tight angle to put Talbot 2 ahead.
Cumbernauld’s discipline was crumbling & Hannaway had his name taken for dissent. United now made their 2nd change with McPherson making way for Sinclair.
In Talbot’s next attack they won a free kick out wide on the left, before it could be taken Tucker made a change with Shankland coming on for Mason. Shankland’s first involvement was floating the free kick onto the head of Samson who glanced his header over the bar.
With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot had another chance. Once again a ball down the centre deceived the visiting defence with the bounce of the ball beating McDevitt and finding Samson running through on goal; however Cameron reacted quickly to get across & make a timely challenge to put it behind for the corner.
It was one-way traffic and Talbot had a couple of decent openings within a minute. Firstly Shankland played a free kick back into the path of Boyd who fired wide of the left post from the edge of the area and then in Talbot’s next attack Glasgow got free on the left and cut it back to Healy in space at the back post. He tried to place it only to see his shot blocked by Cameron.
The goal was coming though and Talbot grabbed their 3rd of the afternoon in the 78th minute. Shankland lifted a cross over from the right beyond the far post where DWAYNE HYSLOP guided a header past McGee. The keeper clawed the ball out but it didn’t take VAR to see that it had crossed the line and Talbot moved 3-0 ahead.
Tucker now made a further change with Robbie McCracken coming on to replace Boyd.
Cumbernauld had offered precious little going forward and when they did have a chance at a consolation they squandered it. Lyle slipped allowing Sinclair onto it & he raced into the area before squaring it for Hannoway who fired a weak effort on target that Leishman blocked.
Glasgow picked up a caution in the 81st minute when he went down under Cameron’s challenge with the referee deciding he’d made the most of it.
Talbot made their final change with 5 minutes remaining when Craig McCracken replaced McPherson.
As the game moved into stoppage time Talbot had one final chance. Shankland’s corner from the right was cleared straight back out to him & he whipped in a cross that Glasgow met only to see his header well saved by McGee.
A frustrating 1st half for Talbot but the team stepped it up a gear to run out comfortable winners. Next up for Talbot it is derby day as the Bot make the short journey along the road to face Cumnock at Townhead.
Early in the match, Jamie Glasgow threads a neat pass through the Montrose defence.
‘Pee-wee’ shows his determination to win the ball in this hefty challenge.
‘Big Neily’ watches, as Willie Boyd gets another attack motoring for Talbot.
TALBOT OPEN THE SCORING!!! The Montrose defender and ‘keeper do their best to stop the strike but Dwayne Hyslop’s thunderbolt can’t be stopped and it smashes into the back of the net. 1-0.
‘Pee-wee’ gives a satisfied look, as Robbie McCracken shows his delight after seeing Dwayne score the opener.
Samson goes chasing and tries to muscle past his opponent.
Keir Samson goes for the spectacular but the defender gets to the ball first and clears the danger.
Talbot get a goal disallowed, as while Robbie McCracken’s diving header finds the back of the net, the linesman deems the corner to have went behind first.
Aaron Mason goes on a big run with the ball up the middle of the park.
No way through, as Aiden Wilson heads the ball away from danger.
SAMSON YET AGAIN!!! Glasgow watches, as Samson gets onto the end of his low cross and prods the ball home from close range. 2-0.
It’s high fives all round, as Keir gets congratulated by his team-mates.
Keir goes hurdling over the Montrose defence.
With the goal at this mercy, Samson tries to unleash a shot but the Montrose defender blocks the strike with a last ditch sliding tackle.
GOOOAAALLL!!! Talbot make it a threesome, as ‘Pee-wee’ finds the back of the net via another thunderous strike from the edge of the box. 3-0.
Nae wonder Dwayne is all smiles after scoring his second goal of the game.
Right on half-time, Jamie Glasgow has a dig from just outside the box but his shot sails high over the bar.
Now…that’s the look of a defender that’s determined to win the ball and clear the danger.
Glasgow uses his pace to skip in-between and race away from the two Montrose players.
The ‘gaffer’ looks on, while Robbie McCracken tries to fight for the ball on the touch line.
WIT-A-CHANCE!!! Aiden Wilson finds himself with acres of space inside the box and directs a precise header towards goal but…
…he can only watch with disappointment, as the ball goes wide of the goal.
It’s a five star Talbot wall, as they make sure Montrose don’t find a way through via their free-kick.
Craig McCracken makes his comeback after being out injured of late. WELCOME BACK SIR!!!
A very proud moment for young Cody Hastings, as he makes the step-up from the U20 squad to come on as a sub for the first team.
OH SO CLOSE!!! ‘Shankers’ goes very close to scoring but his close range strike goes straight into the ‘keepers arms.
Craig McCracken uses his strength to muscle his way down the park.
Montrose get a consolation goal near the end of the match, as the ball lands nicely for them to smash the ball home from close range. 3-1.
The Montrose players are all smiles after scoring, while Talbot look dejected after not keeping a clean sheet.
Right at the death, young Cody Hastings very nearly scores on his debut but his long range effort goes agonisingly wide of the post.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT
Talbot cruised into the next round of the Scottish Junior cup after a comfortable win over their North region opponents.
Montrose Roselea were forced into making an early change when Watson limped off after only 8 minutes to be replaced up front by Alberts.
The opening goal came in the 13th minute. Robbie McCracken played a good ball up the right to find Samson & he squared it across the penalty area. Mason touched it back into the path of DWAYNE HYSLOP who hammered a shot inside the right post from 15 yards.
Three minutes later Talbot very nearly doubled their lead. Healy chipped the ball forward to Mason who let fly from outside the area & his shot rattled back out off the left post with the keeper well beaten.
Talbot were knocking it about well, looking to stretch their opponents, who were content to sit deep.
The home support thought Talbot had added their 2nd in the 23rd minute. Glasgow’s cross from the right was headed behind for a corner and when Mason’s corner came over Robbie McCracken dived to meet it beyond the far post to bullet a header home but the assistant flagged that the corner had swerved out then back in.
Mason then tried his luck from distance – trying to place it from 25 yards with McCormack making a comfortable save.
Talbot’s 2nd goal arrived in the 31st minute. Craig McCracken pinged an accurate diagonal ball over the defence to find Glasgow haring down the right. He slid it into the near post where KIER SAMSON touched it home from close range.
Montrose’s defence was being stretched constantly & Davidson did well in the 36th minute to prevent Samson getting his shot away; sliding in to put it behind for a corner.
The next effort at goal came from Glasgow when Craig McCracken’s pass found him on the left & he fired wide of the right post from 25 yards.
Three minutes before the interval Samson found Robbie McCracken on the overlap & Stephen turned his ball across goal behind for the corner. Mason whipped the corner over where Hyslop met it in front of goal but he glanced it wide of the far post.
A minute from half time Talbot added their 3rd goal. Samson raced free down the left and burst into the area before cutting it back to DWAYNE HYSLOP who planted it into the bottom corner.
With the tie effectively over Talbot dropped down a gear in the 2nd half but still made & missed quite a few chances. The first of which came in the 48th minute when a shy from the left was gathered by Samson who raced into the area & hammered a shot just over the crossbar from a tight angle.
Talbot’s next goal threat came in the 58th minute. Glasgow’s cross from the right found Healy at the back post and his diving header back across goal was well saved by McCormack.
Tucker now made a double switch with Hyslop and Samson making way for McDowall and Shankland.
Roselea were caught out by a short corner down the left when Mason pulled it back to Shankland on the left edge of the area and he fired it just wide of the right hand post.
Wilson had a great chance to get his name on the score sheet in the 67th minute. Robbie McCracken’s cross found him in space at the back post but he steered his header across goal & wide of the left post.
McPherson had his name taken in the 71st minute for a foul on Garnham just outside the area. Alberts took it but never troubled the goal – sending it comfortably wide of the right post.
McDowall picked up a knock and the sub was substituted with Hastings making the step up from Talbot’s development squad to make his debut.
With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot had another good chance to add to their lead. Robbie McCracken arrowed in a good cross that Healy ran onto but he bulleted his header over the bar.
Two minutes later Mason hit the woodwork for the 2nd time when he cut in off the left & drilled a shot that clattered off the base of McCormack’s right hand post.
Mason had another opportunity moments later when he ran onto Boyd’s ball over the defence. He checked inside and fired for goal but his shot went straight at the keeper.
The procession of chances continued for Talbot and Shankland spurned a good chance in the 84th minute when he met Mason’s cut back 6 yards out but side-footed it straight at McCormack.
Hastings then had a go at goal from 20 yards – pulling his shot wide of the left post.
Roselea grabbed a late consolation in the 88th minute. Beedie gathered outside the area & threaded the ball through to ALBERTS who fired past Leishman.
Talbot ended the game back on the front foot forcing a series of corners but couldn’t add to their tally and the game finished 3-1.
Next up Talbot are back in league action at Beechwood where they host Cumbernauld United next Saturday.
Talbot saw their lead at the top of the table narrowed as they were held to a 1-1 draw in this midweek encounter with Beith.
Talbot started promisingly and stretched the Beith defence in the 2nd minute. Glasgow fed it out to Healy on the right & his ball into the near post had to be turned behind by Gray.
The first half was short on goal mouth incident of any kind and Beith’s best effort came in the 7th minute when they won a free kick 35 yards out. Hepburn’s shot deflected off the top of the wall & spun straight to McLean whose header had to be tipped over by Leishman.
The Bot had left their shooting boots in the dressing room; failing to test Burgess on those occasions when they had a sight of goal. Shankland squared it into the path of Healy 22 yards out and he blazed over and shortly after Shankland shot well wide from outside the area.
With chances in short supply, Talbot’s closest call of the 1st half came in the 31st minute. A Shankland free kick was played into the area where it was headed clear. It came back out to Shankland who clipped it over the defence to find McDowall running in behind down the right. He lobbed it over Burgess but his shot nestled on top of the net.
A defensive error by Beith gave Talbot a chance in the 38th minute. McMahon headed it back toward his own box where it skipped past McGoldrick. Samson raced onto it & knocked it wide of the advancing Burgess but took too heavy a touch and couldn’t retrieve it and the half meandered to a close with neither side offering any further threat to the opposing box.
The 2nd half started in similar vein with little happening at the sharp end though this changed in the 55th minute when the visitors took the lead. A ball over the defence found Fowler on the left of the penalty area & he took it round Leishman but not fancying the tight angle opted to cross it to the far post where it just eluded Watt. Talbot managed to bundle it behind for the corner and when the corner came over McPherson headed it behind. Unfortunately, the Bot defence then went to sleep & were caught cold when Beith took the corner quickly; rolling it back to Hepburn whose shot took a deflection & looped toward the back post where FOWLER met it to power a header home.
This was to be Fowler’s last involvement in the match as he was subbed soon after with McKay coming on in his place.
Talbot made a double substitution in the 65th minute with Shankland & McDowall making way for Mason & Hyslop.
The two subs were involved almost immediately; Mason holding the ball up down the left before teeing it up for Wilson whose inch perfect cross was met in the centre by Hyslop but untypically he glanced a free header wide of the left post.
Talbot drew level in the 69th minute. McKay was booked for obstructing Lyle as he burst forward; resulting in a free kick just outside the area. Mason lifted it beyond the far post where Hyslop met it to head it back across goal & JAMIE GLASGOW ran onto it to volley home.
McGoldrick was next in the book when he was cautioned in the 71st minute for clipping Glasgow’s heels midway inside the Beith half. Armstrong took the set piece & floated it out to the left where Hyslop again rose to head it across goal. This time it came to Healy but his header went straight at Burgess.
Beith hadn’t done much since taking the lead but they did have a half chance in the 72nd minute. McLean pounced on an error by Lyle & shot from 18 yards but his shot went straight at Leishman.
Talbot won another set piece in a good area in the 74th minute following a foul on Lyle. Armstrong swung a good cross over but everyone had darted to the near post & it sailed behind.
At the other end Beith came close in the 76th minute. Hepburn won a free kick out on the left that he crossed into the area. It was headed out but only as far as McKay who met it on the volley 16 yards out. His shot clipped the top of the bar, without seeming to go near any Bot players, but the ref awarded the corner kick.
Both sides had a go in the 79th minute; firstly Armstrong playing a one-two with Lyle that ended with Lyle on the right of the area trying to square it to find Samson but it was cut out & Beith swiftly countered with McLean gathering on the left before switching play out to the opposite wing to find McKay. He raced into the area but his ball into the near post was smothered by Leishman.
Talbot had another chance to test Beith from a set piece in the 83rd minute following a foul on Glasgow. Mason took it & fired it low into the area where it broke to White. He couldn’t get a shot away but the ball fell to Glasgow who lobbed it over the bar from a tight angle.
The Bot were finishing strongly and had another chance in the 86th minute. Armstrong surged forward before releasing the ball down the right to find Samson who turned his man inside the area & drilled a shot on target that Burgess parried away.
As the game moved into injury time Talbot had one last chance to snatch the win. Armstrong fed the ball up the right to Glasgow who beat his man before hitting a great cross to the back post where Hyslop just failed to connect with it.
Next up for Talbot it is a break from league duties as they face Montrose Roselea at Beechwood in the opening round of the Scottish Junior cup.
Talbot kept their place at the top of the table thanks to an impressive home win over Glenafton; with the final score not really reflecting Talbot’s dominance.
It wasn’t the ideal start for the Bot as Graham Wilson picked up an injury only 3 mins in with Kier Samson coming on in his place.
The Bot’s first chance came after 6 minutes. Shankland played a good ball in from the left toward the front post where Healy met it and flicked it over the bar.
A minute later Talbot had another half chance. Mason held the ball up well on the left before passing it back to White. He in turn squared it to Lyle who fired over from 18 yards.
Talbot’s next chance came following a free kick in the 11th minute. Shankland was tripped & Armstrong took the free kick quickly to release Shankland down the left. He whipped a cross over which Mason glanced wide of target.
Mason was involved again shortly after when a shy from the right found him inside the box & he showed good feet to create the space for a shot, before drilling it over the crossbar.
The Glens hadn’t really threatened but did give Talbot a scare in the 16th minute. McKee gathered on the left & hit a teasing cross into the centre. Leishman came for it but was beaten to it by McIlroy whose header sailed over.
Down the other end Talbot came close to opening the scoring with their next attack. The Bot won a corner down the right and Shankland delivered it to the far post where McDowall rose to meet it but his header flew just over Johnson’s bar.
Sherrie did well for the Glens in the 25th minute when he surged in off the right, skipping past a couple of challenges, to make his way into the box but then hit a weak finish straight at Leishman.
The opening goal came in the 29th minute and it was a cracker. Mason played a good ball down the right touchline to find McDowall & his ball across the face of goal was turned behind by Bennie. Shankland took the corner, and with everyone anticipating a cross, he pulled it back to AARON MASON who ran onto it at the right edge of the box & thundered an unstoppable shot into the far corner.
In keeping with the general standard of officiating the referee made an absolute howler in the 31st minute when he somehow awarded the Glens a corner after McKee had ballooned the ball over the bar with nary a Talbot player in sight.
A minute later Johnson prevented Talbot from extending their lead. Samson met a ball up the left & flicked it on into the path of Shankland who stepped inside Marlow’s challenge & powered a shot on target that Johnson parried wide of his right post.
The Glens keeper was called into action again in the 35th minute. Armstrong swung a cross over from the right touchline to find Shankland at the back post and his header back across was tipped over the bar.
The Bot put together a slick move in the 41st minute – quick one-touch football – which ended with Shankland laying the ball off to Mason on the right of the area but he pulled his shot wide of target.
A minute before the interval McPherson’s header bamboozled the Glens defence as it bounced past Bennie & Samson would’ve been in on goal but for Johnson reading the situation & racing out to gather.
The half drew to a close with another questionable call from the officials who again awarded the Glens a corner for nothing after McKee shot over but the Bot defended it to go in a goal to the good.
The visitors made a change at half-time with Fisher on to replace Bennie in defence.
Talbot made a strong start to the half and it looked as though Mason was through on goal after he got the better of Cairns but the referee gave the Glens defender the benefit of the doubt and awarded them a soft free kick.
Slack play from Marlow gifted Talbot a chance in the 50th minute. His pass from right-back was easily intercepted outside the area by Healy & he threaded it through to Samson whose shot was blocked by Fisher.
The Bot made their pressure count and doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute. Armstrong picked up on the left of midfield & played it down the left channel to KIER SAMSON who raced into the area & slid it past Johnson at his right hand post.
Within a minute Talbot nearly added to their lead. Armstrong’s slide rule pass found McDowall inside the area & Johnson dived at his feet to put it behind for the corner. When the corner came over Samson got his head on it and his header was cleared off the line inside the left post.
McDowall was next to threaten for Talbot when he burst in off the right & hammered a shot at goal that was deflected behind for a corner. The Glens defence were again caught out when Shankland opted to pull the corner back to the angle of the box but Healy got under it and lifted his shot well over.
The Glens were now forced to sub their sub with Fisher limping off to be replaced by Ryan and McIlroy moving back to fill in at centre half.
Talbot made their first change in the 67th minute with Boyd on in place of McDowall.
Glenafton had been bit part players for most of the night and were feeding off scraps. They did have a chance of sorts in the 72nd minute courtesy of a long throw in from the right which came to McKee but he sent his header wide.
The clock ticked on without the Glens looking like scoring and with 8 minutes remaining Tucker made a further change with Hyslop making his first appearance in a long while when he replaced Mason.
In the closing stages Shankland had a chance to get on the score sheet when Samson’s pass found him inside the area. He jinked inside his man but wanted a fraction too long to get his shot away & his effort was blocked.
As the game moved into injury time the Glens had a late chance at a consolation. Talbot gave the ball away inside their own half & it was played down the right channel to find Ryan who raced down the right edge of the area before firing across goal & wide of the far post.
A good win, in front of a big crowd, and next up Talbot are back on the road when they travel through to face Rutherglen Glencairn this Saturday.
