‘Big Andy’ takes in the pre-kick off coin toss, as he steps into the Captain’s role for the day.
Out on the wing, ‘Shankers’ fires the ball back up the park for Talbot.
TALBOT TAKE THE LEAD!!! Talbot open the scoring via a low awkward header by Samson, as he sends the ball towards…
…an open goal, left vacant by the Benburb ‘keeper. 1-0.
Keir races away to celebrate, as the Benburb players vent their frustration.
Samson puts the head down and shifts himself into top gear, as he takes on the opposition defence.
The ‘keeper stands his ground, as Stephen Wilson keeps hold of the ball inside the box.
Mark Shankland goes chasing after the ball.
PENALTY TO TALBOT!!! Mark gets set-up to take the penalty, while the Benburb players argue their case to the referee.
Talbot double their lead from the spot, as ‘Shankers’ fires the ball home. 2-0.
The Benburb players try to sort things out after losing two early goals.
The two benches look on, as ‘Gee’ manages to keep the ball in play…just.
Aiden Wilson gathers the ball and goes on a run up the park.
Stephen Wilson does his best to block the pass.
Armstrong goes on a brilliant run from deep inside his own half.
Samson tries to muscle his way in between the defenders.
Benburb get their wall set-up after Talbot get awarded a free-kick.
A break in the game allows Mark and Craig time to discuss tactics…or what they want at the bar after the game.
An aerial battle for Mark, as he aims to win the ball back for Talbot.
An early second-half chance for Samson but he puts the ball agonisingly wide of the goal.
THREE-SY FOR TALBOT!!! From the narrowest of angles, ‘Pee-wee’ manages to squeeze the ball home with a very close range header. 3-0.
Aiden congratulates Dwayne for his goal, while the Benburb players claim the ball was already out the park during the build up.
All eyes on the ball for Dwayne in order to stop this Benburb attack.
Gareth tries his hand at hurdles, as he tries to skip past his opponent.
Stephen Wilson races down the park, sees the space and threads the ball through the gap.
Obviously Keir finds something funny here while waiting for the corner kick to be taken.
Bryan Boylan does his best to navigate through the Benburb defence.
McCracken tries to sneak in at the near post but Benburb manage to clear the danger just in time.
FOUR-SOME FROM TALBOT!!! Although surrounded, Keir Samson still manages to fire the ball into the back of the net from inside the box. 4-0.
A celebratory pose from Samson, as he laps up the praise after netting his second of the game.
Keir tries his luck but his shot gets blocked by the defender.
FIVE STAR TALBOT!!! Samson seals his hat-trick by slotting the ball past the ‘keeper and into the bottom corner of the net. 5-0.
Keir races away to celebrate scoring Talbot’s fifth and netting his hat-trick.
It’s ‘copy cat’ stuff from ‘Shankers’ and the referee, as they both point out where McCracken got injured in a late challenge in the game.
The referee winces, as he watches Craig receiving treatment for a badly cut lip/mouth.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
Talbot continued with their assault on the league leaders with an emphatic 5-0 win over league strugglers Benburb.
They went 2-0 ahead in the opening five minutes when poor defending gave Gareth Armstrong to pick out Kier Samson who glanced a header into an empty net.
A few minutes later Mark Shankland increased the lead when he scored from the spot. Talbot continued to dominate and some stout defending and a goalkeeping display of the highest order kept Talbot at bay
In the second half it was business as usual as Talbot went on the hunt for more goals. Their third one came from the head of Dwayne Hyslop, and then a brace by Kier Samson who was a constant thorn in the Benburb defence.
Kier had the honour of scoring Talbot’s 100th competitive goal this season and going by Talbot’s recent expoits, its not to say we could score another 100. However next league match is away to Rossvale.
Stephen Wilson gets bundled over inside the box. Possible penalty for Talbot?
‘Big Sean’ out jumps all the Talbot players and heads the ball on.
The linesman flags Talbot for offside and then takes some ‘finger-wagging’ slaggings from the Talbot faithful.
Gareth Armstrong tries his best win back the ball.
Samson fires in a brilliant cross into the box but ‘Gee’ can only slide in and fire the ball over the bar.
Beith win a free-kick and then, vent their frustration at the referee.
Byan Boylan looks back at a missed opportunity, while Beith question what went wrong.
Bryan races into the box and tries to beat the defenders but…
…he can’t beat the Beith ‘keeper, who makes a brave save at Bryan’s feet.
Keir Samson has a go at goal from very close range but gets flagged for offside by the linesman.
Samson tries his best with an awkward strike from just inside the box.
The Talbot wall does it’s job and blocks Beith’s free-kick.
Graham goes for the spectacular from distance but fails to hit the target.
DEADLOCK BROKEN!!! Samson races away to celebrate opening the scoring for Talbot. 1-0.
‘Big Neilly’ and co race to congratulate Keir for putting Talbot into the lead.
TALBOT DOUBLE THEIR LEAD!!! Graham fires home Talbot’s second after executing a very clever free-kick move with ‘Shankers’. 2-0.
‘Gee’ roars with delight, as he celebrates netting Talbot’s second goal.
Mark Shankland finds space at the back post, fires home a ferocious shot but…
…the ball hits off the ‘keeper and can only trickle along the goal-line, where ‘Gee’ then races in to make sure the ball ends up in the back of the net. 3-0.
At least Mark could see the funny side of Graham ‘nicking’ his goal.
Graham and ex-Talbot player Kier Milliken, manage to find time to share a joke during the game.
With every Talbot fan willing ‘Whitey’ to score, he fails to hit the target and can only drag the ball harmlessly back across the face of goal.
HAT-TRICK FOR ‘GEE’!!! Graham finishes the game’s scoring and also completes his hat-trick, as he easily strokes the ball home very close range. 4-0.
Graham gets congratulated by his team-mates after scoring Talbot’s fourth.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
A 2nd half surge saw Talbot race through the gears & put Beith to the sword as the Bot started the new year in style with a 4-0 win.
The first purposeful attack of the match saw Stephen Wilson play a one-two with Boylan outside the area & attempt to run onto the return pass. He tumbled over in the area but the ref waved away his appeal.
The opening spell was highly competitive but neither side had anything to show for it other than an exchange of corners.
It looked like Graham Wilson had got in behind Beith’s defence in the 14th minute when he raced onto Samson’s pass but a marginal offside call went against him.
The Bot threatened Beith’s goal in the 19th minute. Sheridan was penalised for barging over Graham Wilson 35 yards out & Stephen Wilson swept in a good free kick to the back past. Beith couldn’t properly clear it & it came to Lyle on the touchline. Graham Wilson met his cross & looped a header beyond the far post where Samson dinked it back into play before it was bundled behind for a corner.
In the 22nd minute both sides came close in quick succession. Firstly, Christie slid a pass through toward McKenzie that forced Leishman off his line to smother at the striker’s feet. Leishman then launched a counterattack when he hurled the ball out to the right to find Samson racing away. He sped down the touchline before firing a cross beyond Sheridan that Graham Wilson met on the stretch 6 yards out but he couldn’t keep his shot down.
Two minutes later Talbot had a lucky escape. Ramsay squared the ball to Wilson just outside the penalty area and his shot was travelling on target before taking a major deflection & speeding just wide of the left post.
The first booking of the afternoon came in the 29th minute when Graham Wilson cut inside Wilson who obstructed him resulting in a caution for Beith’s midfielder & a Bot freekick 20 yards out that Talbot failed to make the most of.
Graham Wilson came close to breaking the deadlock when he met Aiden Wilson’s cross but glanced his header wide of the left post and a minute later he was inches from connecting with Boylan’s low ball in from the left at the near post.
Talbot’s next effort came in the 35th minute. Beith failed to deal with Samson’s long throw & the ball broke to Boylan 20 yards out & he stroked a shot narrowly past Grindlay’s right post.
Boylan was soon involved again. He raced onto a ball over the top & burst into the area only to take a heavy touch & was forced wide by Grindlay. He retrieved the ball at the byline and cut back in field before trying a shot from a tight angle that was blocked.
With 40 mins gone Boylan had his name taken for a late challenge on Ramsay.
In the closing minutes of the half the visitors were forced into a change when Sheridan limped off to be replaced by McMahon and that was it for a keenly contested 1st half.
The 2nd half was only 6 minutes old when Talbot made the crucial breakthrough. Stephen Wilson ploughed past a couple of weak challenges down the left. It fell to Boylan inside the area & he pulled it back & across to KEIR SAMSON who stroked it past Grindlay from 15 yards.
The goal galvanised Talbot who began to push Beith back in search of a second.
Beith made a 2nd change, in the 59th minute, when McLean replaced McKenzie.
Talbot made their first change in the 64th minute with Shankland coming on for Boylan and Beith soon completed their changes with Prior replacing Ramsay.
The next goal was going to be pivotal & it went Talbot’s way in the 71st minute. McCracken was caught as he burst forward resulting in a free kick 30 yards out. With everyone anticipating a direct shot, Shankland instead slid a pass wide of the wall to GRAHAM WILSON & he steered a left foot shot across Grindlay to make it 2-0.
With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot nearly added a third. Aiden Wilson carried out of defence before finding Graham Wilson in the centre of the pitch. He hooked it over his shoulder to release Samson who outpaced the defence but was unable to beat Grindlay who raced off his line to make the block.
Tucker now made a further change with Healy on for Samson & the switch paid off as Talbot extended their lead in the 76th minute.
Shankland lifted a cross over from the right that was retrieved on the far side by Healy. He whipped it back over where Shankland met it on the volley & his shot back across goal squirmed past Grindlay & GRAHAM WILSON followed up to rifle it home from close range.
With 10 minutes remaining Talbot made their final change when Lyle was forced off injured to be replaced by White.
Talbot were sitting comfortably & looking to add to their tally which they nearly did in the 82nd minute. Docherty swept the legs from Shankland resulting in a free kick out on the right. Shankland delivered the free kick across the face of goal where Graham Wilson just failed to connect with his head.
Five minutes from time & Talbot cut open the Beith defence again. Shankland gathered on the left & played a great ball across to find White free on the right of the area; however he didn’t catch his strike cleanly & McGlinchey cleared from the goalmouth.
The goal wasn’t long delayed though & a minute later Talbot completed the scoring. Shankland cut in off the left & swept over a cross. Two Beith defenders went for it & only succeeded in getting each other’s way as they knocked it straight to GRAHAM WILSON who tucked it home from close range to complete Beith’s misery & his own hat-trick.
Another excellent home win for the Bot who are back on cup duty next Saturday as they travel through to Kilwinning to face the Buffs in the West.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Hyslop, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Boylan, Samson
The Bot fans got an early Christmas present as Talbot brushed aside Ladeside to narrow the gap at the top.
The visitors made the brighter opening but had nothing to show for it but for a long range McGuinness effort straight at Leishman within the opening minute and Talbot showed them the way to goal when they took the lead in the 13th minute.
Graham Wilson surged through midfield before sending it right to STEPHEN WILSON who knocked it round Mitchell, gathered it on the other side & slotted a low shot past Hughes inside the right post.
Minutes later C Hughes came to the Blasties rescue. Shankland’s reverse ball sent Glasgow through & he drilled it across goal where Hughes stretched to turn it behind.
Talbot came close to doubling their lead in the 24th minute. Hyslop won a 50/50 & knocked it on to Glasgow who raced clear of the defence before firing a shot just wide of the right post.
A minute later the Blasties threatened at the other end. Mitchell cut in past Stephen Wilson & prodded a shot straight at Leishman from the edge of the area.
Kilbirnie gave Talbot a scare when they won a free kick out on the stand side. It was angled deep beyond the far post where Mitchell climbed to head it back across goal & it had to be cleared behind for the corner.
A swift passing move by Talbot saw the Bot work the ball down the right between Glasgow & Stephen Wilson before it was laid back to Lyle. He slung a high cross beyond the far post where Shankland volleyed off target.
The next goal was going to be crucial & it went Talbot’s way in the 41st minute. Glasgow’s cross field ball floated over O’Byrne & was gathered by Shankland on the left of the area. He promptly squared it for GRAHAM WILSON to side-foot it home from 12 yards to put Talbot 2 goals ahead.
Kilbirnie pressed hard to try & grab a goal back & McGuinness blasted a shot at goal from 30 yards that was blocked en route to target. It fell to Mitchell on the left & he lobbed over a cross that Leishman couldn’t take under the challenge of Dickie but he recovered swiftly to smother the ball & Talbot went in 2-0 ahead at the interval.
Talbot made a change during the break with Healy replacing Shankland.
The game could have been done & dusted 4 minutes into the 2nd half. McPherson pinged a ball out from the back to find Graham Wilson & he switched it into the path of Glasgow who burst into the area but he slid his shot just past the right post.
Two minutes later the Bot came close again. Healy found Stephen Wilson speeding clear down the right & he hammered a shot over the bar.
The visitors now made a change with McLaren replacing Muir.
Against the run of play the Blasties pulled a goal back after 57 mins. Slack defending allowed MITCHELL the chance to stab a shot at goal that came off the foot of the post & he followed up to slam home the rebound.
Talbot responded in the best way, regaining their two goal cushion within a minute. Stephen Wilson whipped over a dangerous cross that flew across the face of goal. Healy retrieved it at the by line & floated a cross onto the head of DWAYNE HYLSOP who nodded home from close range.
On the hour mark Talbot turned defence into attack. Leishman easily gathered a Ladeside corner before bowling the ball out to McCracken. He carried it up the right before switching play to Graham Wilson on the opposite wing. He tried to square it across to McCracken who’d continued his run into the area but it was cut out.
With 20 minutes remaining Tucker made a double switch with Graham Wilson & Glasgow making way for Samson & Boylan.
Samson was involved not long after joining the fray. Stephen Wilson’s persistence paid off when he robbed C Hughes & knocked it out to Samson. He cut inside onto his left foot & angled a shot across the keeper & wide of the far post.
It was game over in the 77th minute when O’BYRNE met a cross from the right & shanked his clearance over his keeper and into his own net to make it 4-1.
The dust hadn’t settled before Talbot grabbed their fifth. Hughes took fractionally too long dealing with a back pass & was closed down by BRYAN BOYLAN who blocked his clearance & rolled it into the empty net.
With six minutes remaining Kilbirnie snatched a late consolation effort. Mitchell looked to be caught as he nicked inside Armstrong & Talbot stopped as though expecting a free kick. MITCHELL played on & let fly from 20 yards & his shot skimmed off the surface & bobbled over Leishman’s outstretched arm to complete the scoring.
Another good home win for the Bot who are back on their travels next Saturday when they visit Cumbernauld to face Rob Roy.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Hyslop, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Glasgow, Shankland
Subs – Boylan, Samson, Healy, White, Young
Kilbirnie Ladeside – K Hughes, Woods, Mitchell, C Hughes, O’Byrne, McGuinness, Finlay, Muir, Craig, Dickie, Ramsay
‘Gee’ roars in frustration, as he fails to get on the end of a great pass inside the box.
Stephen Wilson very cleverly tricks his opponent and skips past him where he then…
…fires Talbot into the lead, as he slots the ball home from a difficult angle. 1-0.
As the ball rests in the goal, Stephen wheels away to celebrate netting the opener.
The Talbot bench watch, while Stephen Wilson tries his luck from outside the box.
Jamie Glasgow goes for the spectacular but fails to hit the target.
A midfield tussle for ‘Pee-wee’, as he tries to keep the attack motoring.
Another audacious chance for Jamie from outside the box but…
…he can only look to the gods, as his shot goes close but not close enough.
A battle for the ball for Glasgow inside the Kilbirnie box.
TALBOT DOUBLE THIER LEAD!!! Not to be outdone by his brother, Graham Wilson pounces onto a ‘Shanker’s’ cross and prods the ball home. 2-0.
Graham and Mark celebrate after helping Talbot extend their lead.
‘Big Niely’ and Wullie Lyle make sure their is no way through for Kilbirnie.
Talbot come VERY close to making it three, as Jamie Glasgow fires the ball agonisingly wide of the far post.
From inside the box, Stephen Wilson pounces but can only fire the ball wide.
Jamie tries his luck with an awkward strike but to no avail.
At least he can still smile about his effort on goal tho.
Kieran Healy does his best to block this Kilbirnie pass.
BLASTIES BLAST BACK!!! After initially hitting the woodwork, Kilbirnie react the quickest and fire the ball past ‘Big Andy’. 2-1.
Within a blink of an eye, Talbot score again, as the team celebrates Dwayne’s goal. 3-1.
Talbot go very close again to scoring but Samson can only watch his strike go wide of the goal.
OWN GOAL!!! The Kilbirnie ‘keeper closes his eyes, as he can’t watch the ball fly over his head and into the net via a sliced clearance from his team-mate. 4-1.
It may have been an own goal but Samson gets congratulated by his team-mates for the initial cross.
After nicking the ball off the ‘keeper, Boylan slots the ball home into an empty net. 5-1.
The ‘Bot fans lap up the five star performance from Talbot, as Bryan wheels away to celebrate his goal.
Well Kieran certainly got a lift after Bryan’s goal.
The players continue to celebrate Boylan’s goal.
Aiden Wilson takes a sore one in this challenge.
A late consolation goal for the Blasties, as the ball some how evades Andy and ends up in the back of the net. 5-2.
Kilbirnie try to clear their lines but are put under pressure from Aiden Wilson.
Boylan chases down the ball, as he competes against his former club.
The buffs clear their lines, even though ‘Gee’ does his best to stop them.
1-0 TALBOT!!! Inside the box, Graham Wilson unleashes a hard struck shot towards goal and…
…fires the ball past the Buff’s ‘keeper, who is rooted to the spot.
Graham is all smiles after netting the opener for Talbot.
The defenders stand their ground but ‘Gee’ makes sure he keeps hold of the ball.
Kilwinning have the ball but ‘Shankers’ makes sure he puts the pressure on.
While trying to run up the wing, Mark gets stopped in his tracks by a sliding tackle.
‘Pee-wee’ does his best to meet the threaded pass just outside the box.
Bryan – I don’t think the referee wants to see your best menacing stare.
IT’S ALL LEVEL!!! The Buff’s equalise via a stunning free-kick from the edge of the box from Carlo Monti. 1-1.
Although under pressure, Mark Shankland goes on a blistering run down the middle of the park, which eventually leads to…
…him coolly slotting the ball past the ‘keeper and restoring Talbot’s lead. 2-1.
Mark races away to celebrate, while Kilwinning plead their case for offside.
I think a certain Talbot LEGEND in the crowd enjoyed ‘Shankers’ goal.
THREE FOR TALBOT!!! After some ‘pinball’ inside the box the ball finally falls to Graham who calmly fires the ball into the bottom corner of the net. 3-1.
It’s great to see ‘Gee’ back to his goal scoring ways, as he celebrates scoring his second with his brother, Stephen.
WHAT A FOUR-SE TALBOT ARE!!! With acres of space inside the box, Dwayne Hyslop buries the ball into the back of the net via a brilliant header. 4-1.
Graham Wilson gets deemed to have been fouled inside the box and Talbot get awarded a penalty.
After giving away a penalty, Michael Hewitt goes for an early bath, as he got shown a red card for his foul.
The Talbot bench look on, as ‘Gee’ seals his hat-trick from the spot and increases the ‘Bot’s lead. 5-1.
Rab Douglas puts the Arbroath ‘keeper through his paces before kick-off.
The Talbot boys gather round to listen to McLuckie’s team talk.
Samson fires the ball back up the wing.
‘Gee’ gets fouled and the Arbroath player airs his view to the linesman.
Boylan gets beaten to the ball by the ‘Lichties’ defender.
While running through on goal, Keir Samson gets bundled over but no penalty was given.
Big Nielly looks shocked after being deemed to have fouled the Arbroath player.
The Talbot wall does it’s job and blocks the way through for this Arbroath free-kick.
WHAT A STRIKE!!! Talbot open the scoring as ‘Pee-wee’ curls in a beauty of a shot from the edge of the box. 1-0.
The Arbroath ‘keeper does his best but there was NO-WAY he was stopping Dwayne’s shot.
Everybody associated with Black ‘n’ Gold goes wild and celebrates Talbot’s opener.
Craig and Stephen make sure there is little room for manoeuvre for this Arbroath player.
‘Tucker’ roars out the orders from the sidelines.
No-one is gonna beat McCracken to the ball here.
The Talbot players stand their ground, as they try to block this Arbroath strike.
McPherson does his job, as the bumper crowd watch from the terraces.
Samson gets tripped in front of the Talbot dugout while racing up the park.
The large crowd look on, as Keir tries to keep hold of the ball inside the box.
Graham shows great foot work, as he coolly controls the ball in the air.
Another free-kick for Arbroath and Stephen Wilson shouts out the instructions.
In front of the away dugout, Kieran Healy chases after the ball.
Bryan Boylan uses his strength to fend off this challenge and keep hold of the ball.
Healy launches the ball back down the middle of the park.
Dick Campbell and Rab Douglas point out where they want the ball to go.
‘Gee’ takes a hefty challenge in front of ‘Tucker’ and the Talbot bench.
Glasgow goes on the attack and races into the Arbroath box.
‘Shankers’ closely marks his man in the hope of getting the ball back.
Talbot’s heart gets broken, as Arbroath pull level via a late penalty. 1-1.
The Arbroath fans go absolutely beserk (and rightly so) after seeing their team equalise from the spot.
Mark tries to get one final attack motoring for Talbot before the final whistle.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
Talbot came oh so close to claiming another SPL scalp in the Scottish Cup but a soft late penalty saw Arbroath live to fight another day.
The Bot nearly made a dream start when Pope let fly from distance inside the first minute & Gaston was forced to turn it wide of the post.
The home support loudly appealed for a spot kick in the 8th minute when Samson appeared to be barged over from behind inside the area but the officials waved it away. The ball was then swept to the other end where Spence was nudged over 30 yards out & this time the ref gave the free kick. Linn took it but drilled it straight into the wall.
With 11 minutes on the clock Talbot took the lead via a special finish. Graham Wilson showed good control out on the left before laying the ball down the line to Boylan. He switched it inside to DWAYNE HYSLOP who curled a peach of a shot beyond Gaston & inside the far left post to put Talbot ahead.
Two minutes later Boylan won Talbot a corner down the left. It was taken short to Stephen Wilson & he whipped a good cross into the centre that O’Brien headed clear.
Arbroath now had a decent spell of pressure but nothing to show for it. Linn gathered on the left & squared it inside to Donnelly whose shot from 20 yards was blocked. The visitors next attack saw McKenna play it into Spence on the right of the area but McCracken was quickly across to snuff out the danger.
The referee wasn’t winning any friends at Beechwood and didn’t win any new admirers when two decisions in quick succession went against the Bot. He awarded Arbroath a free kick just outside the Talbot box when an Arbroath player went down. Hamilton took it but slipped as ran up to to the ball & hit it tamely into the wall.
At the opposite end Stephen Wilson fed the ball out right to find Samson & he looked to be impeded by Hamilton as he cut inside him but the referee saw nothing amiss.
Leishman produced a top class save to keep Talbot ahead in the 28th minute. A ball from the right found its way to Murphy 16 yards out & his shot skipped off the turf & was heading inside the right post until Leishman pushed it wide.
Talbot’s keeper produced an equally impressive stop four minutes later. The Bot defence failed to cut out a diagonal ball over from the left & O’Brien ran onto it on the right of the area. He hammered a shot at goal but Leishman had flew off his line to narrow the angle & make the block.
A minute later Talbot won a free kick inside the Arbroath half when Samson was caught. Pope lifted it beyond the back post where Hyslop headed it back across toward Samson but he was crowded out.
The Bot had another half chance minutes later. Hyslop was bundled over in midfield & Pope arrowhead the free kick out to Graham Wilson on the left. He instantly controlled it & slipped a pass into Boylan inside the area but he took a heavy first touch & the chance was lost.
In the 37th minute Graham Wilson latched onto a ball up the right & knocked it inside to Samson who burst into the right of the penalty area. He hit a tempting ball across the face of goal that went a begging as there was no one running in at the far post to supply the finish.
Five minutes before the interval a long throw from the right broke to McKenna 16 yards out; however, he was quickly closed down & had to take it first time, firing well over the bar.
The half ended with a Talbot attack fizzling out and an Arbroath counterattack. Pope lifted it up the line to find Graham Wilson who held the ball up before switching play to the other wing to find Samson breaking into the area but the ball broke away from him. Hamilton now played it quickly into the Bot half where Hyslop bundled Murphy over resulting in a free kick 30 yards out. Linn took it short, squaring it for O’Brien to hit but he blasted it well wide and Talbot trooped off one ahead.
The visitors made a change at half-time with Murphy remaining in the clubhouse & Stewart on in his stead.
Both sides were playing at hammer & tongs pace and the 2nd half started evenly with neither side giving any quarter and neither side making any headway in the final third.
The first opening of the 2nd period came Talbot’s way in the 58th minute. Samson picked up on the right & angled a great early ball over to find Graham Wilson in space on the left. He tried to play in Hyslop on the right of the box but there was too much on his pass.
A minute later Arbroath threatened when Gold got free on the right & whipped a great cross over to the back post but there were no runners at the far post.
On the hour mark Gold was on defensive duties when he did well to cut out Samson’s ball in from the right that was heading for Boylan til he managed to cut it out & slide it out for the shy.
Arbroath were becoming frustrated & this showed when O’Brien carried it forward & tried a wildly ambitious effort from 35 yards that sailed harmlessly over the bar.
The visitors now made a further change with Campbell on in place of Spence.
In the 64th minute Linn raced up the right before firing a low ball into the near post. It was cut out and came to Gold who sprawled over looking for a penalty but the ref wasn’t interested.
A minute later Talbot had a good chance on the break. Space opened up for Boylan as he ran towards the box down the left; he had Graham Wilson in space to his right but failed to pick him out and the move came to nothing.
Donnelly ought to have levelled it in the 66th minute. A good ball over from the left found him stretching to get on the end of it in front of goal. He made contact but somehow lifted it over the bar from inside the 6-yard area.
Tucker now made a double switch with Glasgow & Shankland replacing Boylan & Samson.
Arbroath threatened again soon after when a ball from the left broke kindly for Stewart 20 yards out. He rifled a fierce shot at goal which Pope headed clear.
The game was becoming stretched & Talbot put together a decent move when McCracken flighted a ball down the right to find Glasgow just outside the area. He lifted an early cross in that Wheatley headed clear. Talbot kept the pressure on though & were awarded with a free kick 20 yards out when Graham Wilson was wrestled down out on the right. Shankland delivered it into the danger zone where Stephen Wilson just failed to connect in front of goal but it wouldn’t have counted anyway as the linesman’s flag went up.
Shankland was involved again in the 73rd minute. He slid a pass through toward Glasgow that would have sent him clean through on goal but O’Brien did well to intercept.
A second goal for Talbot would have finished it and the Bot had a half chance with 12 minutes remaining. Leishman launched a free kick down field which Hyslop nodded on to Glasgow on the right. He played it across the area where it fell to Graham Wilson 15 yards out but he sliced his shot wide of target.
With nine minutes remaining Arbroath made their final change when Kader came on for Linn.
Six minutes from time Talbot conceded a soft penalty. A ball from the right came into the area & Graham Wilson went to challenge Stewart. There didn’t appear to be any contact but the ref judged that his boot had been raised and pointed to the spot. MCKENNA stepped up to the plate & although Leishman guessed right he had no chance as he drilled it low inside the left post.
Talbot now made their last change with McDowall coming on for Healy.
Right at the end Arbroath had a late chance to sneak the win. Stewart got away on the right & delivered a dangerous cross into the centre that Leishman stretched to punch away. It came out to McKenna 15 yards out but his shot was charged down by McPherson.
The final whistle saw the Bot fans with mixed feelings, pride at the display warring with disappointment the Bot hadn’t held out for the win and so now Talbot make the trek north to Arbroath this Wednesday coming for the replay at Gayfield.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Healy, Hyslop, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Boylan, Samson
Samson gets stopped in his tracks in the middle of the park.
‘Pee-wee’ closely marks his man.
Gordon looks on, as McCracken fires the ball forward.
‘Shankers’ fools the opposition with a neat turn inside the box.
‘Gee’ threads the ball past the defender and into the danger zone.
Graham finds the back of the net but, unfortunately, he is deemed to be offside.
I think Keir is ‘expecting’ something good from the next attack.
Stephen Wilson heads the ball straight at the ‘keeper but is flagged for offside.
‘Big Neily’ gets another Talbot attack started.
I think Stephen is getting scunnered with all the orders getting dished out.
Talbot finally break the deadlock through Mark’s low strike from the edge of the box. 1-0.
Within a blink of an eye Shankland doubles Talbot’s lead and he is clearly happy with it too. 2-0.
Keir gets bundled over while chasing after the ball.
Graham Wilson seals the win for Talbot, as he makes it three. 3-0.
El Capitano gets the Talbot machine motoring again.
Samson does his best to get his point across to the linesman.
Keiran looks stunned, as he rues a missed opportunity for Talbot.
Stephen Wilson fires a hard cross into the Forfar box.
Boylan tries to muscle his way to winning the ball back for the ‘Bot.
Glasgow tries his luck from just inside the box.
Keir Samson hurdles over the danger of this challenge.
Ahem…I think this ball boy has obviously had a hard paper round.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
Talbot cruised into the 4th round of the Scottish Junior cup with a routine win over a toothless Forfar West End.
The Bot tested the visitors keeper early on when Samson won a corner down the left in the 2nd minute. Shankland whipped it over & Thain had to claw it away as it swung in under the bar.
Shankland had a half chance in the 6th minute. A quickly taken shy released Stephen Wilson down the right & he switched it in to find Graham Wilson. He laid it to Shankland who stepped inside George & drilled a low shot at goal that was blocked by a defender.
After the buzz of last week there was a slightly flat atmosphere with Talbot dominating their east coast opponents but lacking the final ball to open up the defence.
The Bot came close to taking the lead in the 19th minute. Pope played it to Shankland & when he slung a cross over to the back post Hyslop climbed highest but his header clipped the top of the bar on its way over.
The game then went into a lull with little to keep the watching fans warm on a bitterly cold day. The Bot had the ball in the back of the net when Hyslop curled it home from the left of the area but the linesman’s flag had already went up and the goal didn’t stand.
Having waited for a goal Talbot fans got two for the price of one as the Bot scored twice in quick succession to put the game to bed. In the 35th minute Lyle played it up the right to find Graham Wilson. He laid it out to the wing to Stephen Wilson who knocked it across the area where Hyslop helped it on into the path of MARK SHANKLAND who steered a shot inside the right post to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Within a minute Talbot doubled their lead. Forfar lost the ball deep in their own half & Talbot punished them with Stephen Wilson sweeping a ball over from the right that Hyslop dummied to allow MARK SHANKLAND to stride onto it & stroke the ball home.
The remainder of the half was played out in the Forfar half but Talbot couldn’t add to their lead and went in at the interval with a two goal cushion.
Talbot made a change during the break with Healy starting the 2nd half in place of Hyslop.
Any slim chances of Forfar making a game of it ended in the 54th minute when Talbot grabbed their third. Samson pounced on a loose pass & broke forward before feeding it into Lyle. He slipped it back out to Samson on the overlap & he cut the ball back to GRAHAM WILSON who took a touch before drilling a low shot inside the left post.
Healy had a chance to add to Talbot’s tally in the 58th minute. Shankland whipped over a free kick from the right that Healy met in the box but he sent a free header well wide of target.
Next to have a go for Talbot was McCracken who tried his luck from distance, hitting the target, but unable to beat Thain at his right post.
It took until the 62nd minute before Forfar had an effort at goal. A Walls picked up on the right & burst into the area where he fired over the bar.
There was now a raft of substitutions with Talbot making a double switch with Boylan & Glasgow coming on for Shankland & Graham Wilson. The visitors made all their changes at once throwing on Bachelor, Cruikshank & McLeavey.
Armstrong set up Talbot’s next attack sliding a pass through to release Samson down the right but this time the defence managed to cut out his ball at the near post.
Glasgow came close in the 68th minute when he gathered just insidethe box & flashed a shot just over the bar.
Talbot nearly added a fourth in the 70th minute. Samson fired over a dangerous cross that just eluded Boylan & McCracken at the back post.
Boylan tested Thain from distance in the 76th minute. Firing a shot from 25 yards that the keeper gathered at the 2nd attempt.
A minute later Stephen Wilson spurned a decent chance when he ran onto Samson’s pull back but fired past the right post from 15 yards.
In the 83rd minute Thain did well to prevent Glasgow adding a fourth. Stephen Wilson’s pass sent Glasgow haring clean through on the keeper but Thain was quickly off his line & able to block Glasgow’s low drive.
The visitors had a chance to grab a late consolation when a ball up the right found McLeavey in space. He knocked a good ball across to the near post which Cruikshank met but he couldn’t get enough on it to beat Leishman. Talbot now quickly broke down the other end where Stephen Wilson found Glasgow on the left of the area. He hit it early and only a superb stop by Thain at his right post prevented Glasgow from getting on the score sheet.
When the corner came over Boylan’s header appeared to be drifting in only for a defender to clear it off the line. The ball came out to Healy on the 18 yard line and he drilled it just past the left post.
A straightforward win for Talbot who eased past their opponents without ever really hitting top gear. Next up for Talbot it is back to league duty where they host Clydebank who will be looking to bounce back after exiting the Scottish at the hands of Petershill.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Hyslop, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Samson, Shankland
Subs – Boylan, Glasgow, Healy, Young, White
Forfar West End – Thain, George, Wilson, Rae, Robertson, Timmons, Weir, McMahon, Hart, Godfrey, A Walls
Subs – Bachelor, Cruikshank, McLeavey, C Walls, Morrison
Gordon shouts for a foul, as Mark tries to get the ball back.
‘Gee’ closely marks his man.
Mark goes racing up the wing, as Paul Hartley roars at his players.
‘Shankers’ fires a low cross into the box.
The bumper crowd watch the action unfold.
‘Pee-wee’ goes chasing after the ball.
Graham Wilson puts pressure on his opponent.
Big Andy makes his presence known and clears the danger.
‘Popey’ sends the ball back up the park.
Shankland tries his luck from inside the box.
Samson races in and tries to win the ball.
The Talbot wall stands firm and blocks the Cove free-kick.
Gareth Armstrong wins this aerial midfield battle.
The Cove ‘keeper bravely gathers the ball at the feet of McCracken.
Big Neily makes sure he blocks this Cove shot.
Acrobatic stuff from Keir Samson.
Stephen Wilson vents his frustration after being fouled.
Lyle tries to evade this challenge.
Craig looks to where he wants to clear the ball to.
Samson chases after the ball.
Talbot and ‘Gee’ come inches away from scoring, as he just misses connecting with Samson’s cross.
Gareth keeps the attack going for Talbot.
‘Tucker’ roars out the orders from the dugout.
All eyes on the ball for Graham Wilson.
Boylan fires in a cross into the Cove box.
Gareth heads the ball away from danger.
Bryan and Graham try to double the pressure on this Cove player.
The moment every Talbot fan will ALWAYS remember. Dwayne Hyslop bullets the ball into the back of the net and sends the ‘Bot into the next round. 1-0.
‘Pee-wee’ laps up the applauds from the Talbot faithful.
The Talbot army continue to go beserk.
I think ‘Gee’ is happy with Dwayne’s goal.
‘Pee-wee’s team-mates race to congratulate him.
Is there a better feeling than seeing your team score a very late winner……I don’t think so.
The Talbot bench erupts at hearing the Full-Time whistle.
The players celebrate yet another famous win.
The camera is this way, Jim.
Indecent exposure after seeing a decent win for this Talbot fan.
A picture that sums up what this type of win means to El Capitano, Wullie Lyle.
The victorious smiles keep getting wider for the Talbot boys.
As always…these types of occasions are always best celebrated with your family.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot defied the odds and proved the bookies wrong yet again as the Bot secured a narrow win over high-flying & big spending Cove Rangers to book a place in the 3rd round draw of the senior cup.
Cove started slickly and had Talbot on the back foot with some neat passing. The visitors tested Leishman in the 3rd minute when they worked a short corner on the right. When it was crossed in the Bot defence headed clear but it came to Scully 15 yards out & he volleyed it into the turf. It was heading inside the left post til Leishman dived across to turn it wide.
The Bot’s first glimpse at goal came in the 8th minute. Shankland lifted it up the left where Graham Wilson headed it back toward Shankland who fired well over the bar from 25 yards.
The visitors were dominating possession but had little to show for it other than a few corners which the Bot defence successfully defended.
On the quarter hour mark Talbot tested McKenzie. Armstrong found Shankland on the left of the area & he drilled a low shot on target that McKenzie blocked with his legs at his right hand post.
Fyvie was impressing for Cove & he dinked a dangerous ball down the centre that McCracken did well to intercept & head it back to Leishman.
In the 26th minute Fyvie popped up on the right & fired a dangerous ball across the face of goal that sped behind for what everyone in the ground thought was a goal kick but the referee pointed for a corner. When the corner came over it was cleared out to Scully who blazed a wild shot over.
Talbot nearly got in on the half hour mark. Hyslop slid a well-weighted pass up the right toward Samson but Milne did well to slide in to intercept it.
The Bot had a good shout for an indirect free in the Cove box when Samson got the better of Milne and cut a low ball across the box. A defender knocked it back to the keeper who picked it up but the ref waved away Talbot’s appeals.
Cove stretched the Bot defence in the 38th minute. Smith whipped a cross over from the right that found Scully racing in on the left of the area but before he could get a shot away Lyle got across to knock it behind for the corner.
When the corner came over Leishman took it & launched it down the centre straight into the opposition box. Graham Wilson challenged McKenzie in the air & the keeper failed to claim it; however the loose ball didn’t fall for Samson & the defence were able to clear.
Scott squandered a golden chance to give Cove the lead in the 40th minute. Smith’s cross found him unmarked in front of goal but he steered his header over the bar.
Two minutes later Cove won a free kick 25 yards out for a foul on Megginson. Higgins took it but blasted his shot straight into the wall.
Talbot ended the half on the front foot, winning a free kick out on the left when Graham Wilson was shoved over. Shankland curled it into the box where Ross headed it clear. It came to Pope on the right & he fired it into the centre where McKenzie spilled it but was able to clutch onto it at the 2nd attempt and so the sides went in level at the break.
The opening effort of the 2nd half came in the 48th minute. Scully tried his luck from 35 yards out, striking it well enough, but it flew straight at Leishman.
Two minutes later Talbot nearly paid for slack play when they lost the ball deep in their own half. Aird fired over an early cross & Smith glanced a header just wide of Leishman’s left post.
Down the other end Talbot had a half chance when Pope’s ball found Graham Wilson on the left of the area. He hit it 1st time but saw his volley deflected behind for the corner. Shankland hit the corner deep where it was retrieved beyond the back post by Samson. He knocked it back across goal where Pope met it to hook a shot over the bar.
In the 52nd minute Cove passed up a decent chance to take the lead. Megginson gathered out on the right & cut it back to find Aird running onto it in the centre of the area but he passed it wide of Leishman’s left hand post.
Stephen Wilson became the first name in the ref’s notebook when he was cautioned for clipping the heels of Megginson as he burst forward.
In the 56th minute Graham Wilson lifted a good early ball down the right to find Samson racing clear on the right side of the box but he blazed over from a tight angle.
A minute later Fyvie received a caution when he tripped Stephen Wilson resulting in a Bot free kick 25 yards out. Shankland whipped it over the wall but it didn’t dip in time & flew just over the bar.
In the 61st minute the action switched from end to end. Smith flicked the ball out right to release Megginson and he delivered a good cross that forced Leishman to dive to punch it away. Talbot now launched a swift counter through Stephen Wilson who raced forward before sliding it right to Samson. He played a great ball across the goal mouth but Graham Wilson just couldn’t reach it at the back post.
Cove gave Talbot a helping hand soon after. They had a shy midway inside their own half which they threw straight into the feet of Shankland. He duly accepted the gift & surged forward & passed it to Armstrong who released it out right to Samson. He cut it back across goal but it sped just behind Graham Wilson & Shankland in the centre.
The home support loudly appealed for a free kick in the 64th minute when a free kick from Talbot’s half was flighted up toward Hyslop who was nudged in the back just outside the area but the ref gave nothing.
Cove made the first change in the 69th minute when Masson came on in place of Smith.
McPherson came to Talbot’s aid in the 71st minute when Aird’s cross from the right eluded Leishman but McPherson headed it clear at the back post.
A minute later Scott came as close as Cove were to come to breaking the deadlock. He turned just inside the box & lobbed it for goal & his shot clipped the top of the bar on its way over.
Tucker made his first change in the 73rd minute with Glasgow coming on for Shankland.
Cove’s next attack saw them win a corner on the right which Fyvie took short to find Masson. He tried to curl it on target but his effort sailed over the bar.
Talbot won a free kick 35 yards from goal when Masson shoved Hyslop in the back & Pope hit it but suffice to say it wasn’t one of his better efforts and flew well over the bar.
Tucker now made a double switch with Healy & Boylan replacing Stephen Wilson & Samson.
With five minutes remaining Pope went from distance only to see his shot loop over the bar off the head of Yule. Glasgow took the corner & aimed for Hyslop beyond the back post but there was too much on it & although he got a touch it skidded off the top of his head & behind for the goal kick.
Just when it looked as though we were heading for a replay Talbot grabbed a late winner. Graham Wilson latched onto a ball down the right channel, holding off his man, before laying it wide to Boylan. He carried it forward before floating over a cross that DWAYNE HYSLOP bulleted beyond the keeper, sparking wild celebrations amongst the crowd.
Cove now piled bodies forward and Talbot had one last anxious moment deep in injury time. Milne raced down the left before back-heeling it into the path of Higgins who swung over a dangerous cross that Leishman touched away. It came to Glasgow who headed it out toward Aird who controlled it with his arm to take the pressure off.
The referee kept the Bot fans waiting, finding 4 minutes of injury time from somewhere but when the whistle finally sounded the celebrations began in earnest.
A hard fought win for the Bot who now return to their defence of the Scottish Junior cup next Saturday when they face Forfar West End at Beechwood.
Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Hyslop, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Samson, Shankland
Talbot mascot for the day, Jake Drummond, walks out with the teams before kick-off.
Mark keeps his eye on the ball.
‘Big Jack’ does his best to win the ball.
Jamie Glasgow fires the ball low into the Lanark box.
McCracken has a go at goal with a strong header but…
…the ball gets stopped on the line by the Lanark defence.
A midfield tussle for the ball.
No way through here for the boys in blue.
He’s behind you mark.
The defender cuts out the pass before it lands to Jamie.
Talbot have a dig from the edge of the box.
‘Big Neily’ clears the danger.
Gareth ducks, as Leishman punches the ball away.
An unfortunate slip, as you’re about to pull the trigger.
A hefty challenge from the players in front of the bumper cup final crowd.
Hamish shouts for the ball but Jack decides to have a go himself, to no prevail.
Graham’s shot gets blocked inside the box.
Hamish does his best to get the ball back for Talbot.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot claimed the first silverware of the season in emphatic style; living up to their billing as favourites with a thumping 6-1 win over Lanark United.
Lanark couldn’t have made a worst start as they conceded the softest of goals within 3 minutes of kick off. Young pinged a ball up the right for Glasgow to chase. Johnson raced out his area to clear but made a complete hash of it, knocking the ball straight into the feet of BRYAN BOYLAN who passed it into the empty net to put Talbot ahead.
With 9 minutes gone Talbot had a great chance to double their lead. Healey won the ball in midfield before feeding it on to Glasgow. He in turn slid a pass through the defence to release McDowall through on goal & he steered a shot just wide of the right post from the edge of the area.
McDowall had another opportunity in the 17th minute as Talbot cut open the Lanark defence. Shankland released Boylan down the left & his cutback found McDowall in space 15 yards out but he opted to take a touch & was closed down before he could get his shot away.
The Bot’s next goal threat came in the 22nd minute. Aiden Wilson slotted a pass through to find Glasgow racing clear down the left and his angled drive took a slight deflection on its way just wide of the far post. When the resultant corner came over McCracken steered a header on target that Johnson parried at his right post.
Lanark hadn’t offered much of a threat but reminded Talbot they were in a contest in the 26th minute. They won a free kick out on the right which was flighted into the centre where it was headed clear. It came out to Martin on the edge of the box & his powerful drive was heading on target but was blocked en route by a wall of bodies.
A one goal lead was scant reward for Talbot’s early dominance but another howler from the keeper saw Talbot double their advantage in the 28th minute. Aiden Wilson played it to Shankland on the left & he cut back onto his right foot before crossing into the centre. It skipped off a defender’s head & floated back toward goal where a static Johnson was out-jumped on the goal line by GARETH ARMSTRONG who nodded in Talbot’s second.
It now looked like a question of how many for Talbot & the Bot had two opportunities in quick succession. Shankland’s quickly taken throw in found Boylan racing free on the left. He might have hit it but tried to square it to the unmarked Glasgow only for Haddow to intercept & slide it behind.
Shortly after Shankland chested the ball down into the path of Glasgow on the left and he lifted over a superb cross that landed at the feet of McDowall who flashed a low drive just past the left post.
Just when it looked like Talbot were in complete control Lanark were thrown a lifeline with a wonderful individual effort to reduce the deficit in the 34th minute. O’DONNELL beat Healey to it in the centre, knocked it past Armstrong & rushed forward before crashing an unstoppable shot past Leishman from 30+ yards that flew inside the left post.
The goal galvanised Lanark who for the first time pushed bodies forward and exerted some pressure in the Talbot half but all they had to show for it was a half chance for Martin on the left of the area when a free kick found its way through to him but he fired well wide of target.
A minute later Talbot nearly restored their two goal lead. Aiden Wilson won the ball inside the Lanark half & it broke forward into the path of Glasgow who surged forward before drilling a low shot from distance just wide of the right hand post.
The closing stages of the 1st half were pretty even with neither side able to produce a telling moment in the final third and the sides trooping off at the interval with Talbot a goal ahead.
Lanark must have entertained hopes of making a game of it when play re-commenced but within a minute of the restart Talbot extended their lead without Lanark touching the ball. Right from kick off Talbot pushed forward into the Lanark half & Armstrong shoved a pass into the box toward Healey. He was unceremoniously bundled over by Watt leaving the ref with the easy decision to point to the spot. Stonewaller that it was, this didn’t prevent both Watt & Lawson from talking their way into the book disputing the award before MARK SHANKLAND slotted the ball low inside the keeper’s right post to make it 3-1.
A couple of minutes later Talbot had another chance to test the visitors defence. Shankland nearly got a free haircut courtesy of a raised boot resulting in a Bot free-kick out on the stand side. Shankland whipped over a tremendous delivery & Young got his head to it but couldn’t direct his header on target.
Lanark had a rare chance in the 51st minute. Kerr turned smartly on the left of the area & drilled a low shot across goal that Leishman held.
The game was then held up for a lengthy stoppage when Watt was injured in a 50/50 challenge with Aiden Wilson. The Lanark man took a sore one & initially fans of both sides feared the worst but fortunately after treatment he was able to hobble to his feet & left the fray to be replaced by McHugh.
By the time play restarted an hour had gone and Talbot came within a whisker of adding to their tally. A shy from the right came across to Healey and from 20 yards out he cracked a shot off the right hand post with the keeper well beaten.
The next effort on target came after 68 minutes. McDowall pinged a diagonal ball to find Boylan on the left & he was carried it forward before firing a shot from 20 yards that Johnson held.
The game was ended as a contest in the 73rd minute when Talbot moved 4-1 ahead. Shankland switched play from left to right to find McDowall & he touched it on into the path of BRYAN BOYLAN who drilled a low shot back across & into the opposite corner.
Tucker now made a double switch with Glasgow & Shankland making way for Pearson & Graham Wilson.
O’Donnell picked up what was to prove a costly yellow card in the 75th minute for a late challenge. Talbot now completed their substitutions with McKinlay coming on for Boylan.
With 12 minutes remaining Talbot passed up a chance to extend their lead. McKinlay’ slide rule pass sent Healey clean through on goal but he mis-hit his shot & sent it well wide.
In the 81st minute Haddow joined the growing Lanark crime count when he was cautioned for up-ending Graham Wilson as he surged down the right.
Talbot were now in total control and breached the Lanark defence in the 82nd minute. McDowall touched the ball inside to send McKinlay racing through on goal but he squeezed his shot wide of target under pressure..
Lanark now made a further change with Conlon on in place of Hill.
With five minutes remaining Talbot made it 5-1. Healey spread the ball out left to JACK MCDOWALL who nutmegged Fraser before angling into the box & firing a low shot past Johnson at his near post.
Things went from bad to worse for Lanark when they were reduced to 10 men late on. O’Donnell was already on a caution when he caught Armstrong with a late challenge. The referee duly produced a 2nd yellow then a red and McDowall had his name taken for his angry reaction to the challenge.
With two minutes remaining Talbot completed the scoring and sealed their win with a sixth goal. The Bot won a free kick out on the right which Healey lobbed toward the back post. Johnson came to claim it but missed it & CRAIG MCCRACKEN was lurking at the back post to turn it home from close range.
A good win for the Bot in front of a healthy home gate bolstered by a large travelling contingent through from Lanark. Next up for the Bot it is back to cup action where Talbot will face a much sterner test as they lock horns with big spending Cove Rangers who currently top Division 2 of the SPL.
