MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot made the perfect start to 2018, opening the new year with an away win at New Cumnock to keep their title hopes alive.
It was Talbot who made the early running & the 1st effort at goal came in the 5th minute. The Glens defence failed to properly clear a ball aimed at Glasgow & it came out to Graham Wilson who lobbed it over the stranded McGarrity but also over the crossbar.
In the 9th minute Pope tried his luck from all of 30 yards, hitting the target, but failing to trouble McGarrity.
Pope then turned provider in Talbot’s next attack, lifting a ball into the left edge of the area for Hyslop but it broke away from him & McGarrity came out to gather.
Gradually the Glens came into it & the home side had a chance to open the scoring in the 20th minute. They won a free kick out on the left which was swung into the centre. McCann headed the ball down into the feet of Dallas but he wanted one touch too many & Hyslop nicked in to clear.
Action then switched to the other end where only a fantastic stop from McGarrity prevented Talbot taking the lead. Pope fed the ball out to Graham Wilson on the left & he lifted a cross to the far post. Glasgow raced onto it & volleyed on target but somehow McGarrity got enough on it to keep it out at his left post.
The referee infuriated the large travelling support in the 23rd minute when he cautioned Pope for what looked to be nothing more than a hard but fair tackle; winning the ball cleanly.
Gray took the resultant free kick & flighted it into the middle where White headed it clear. McChesney gathered the ball out on the left & crossed it back into the centre where McCann flicked it on to Gray who trundled a shot into the side netting.
Cairns tried to replicate his wonder strike from last season’s Scottish final in the 34th minute but whilst well-struck his shot from 35 yards was always flying over the bar.
McAusland had his name taken in the 40th minute after a tangle with Pope.
The last chance of the half came Talbot’s way in the 41st minute. The Glens back line failed to deal with a ball up the middle & it fell to Graham Wilson 16 yards out. He rolled it across to Stephen Wilson but his low strike was blocked off a defender and that was it for the 1st half.
At the start of the 2nd period it was the Glens who made the early running.
Dallas switched the ball from right to left to find Borris who cut inside Lyle before shooting only for McPherson to block his effort.
The linesman gave the Glens a helping hand in the 52nd minute when he kept his flag down as Dallas sped clear. He looked offside but was allowed to continue; however he failed to capitalise, lashing a shot over the bar from 18 yards.
Talbot had a decent chance in the 53rd minute from a set piece. Pope angled a free kick out to the right to find the head of Stephen Wilson who nodded it down to Glasgow. He helped it on into the feet of Graham Wilson, 8 yards out, but he swiped at it & the ball went tamely through to McGarrity.
The Glens made a double change in the 57th minute, replacing their wide men, with McGill & Moore coming on for Gray & Borris.
Talbot made their 1st change in the 62nd minute with McIlroy on for Graham Wilson.
The Bot’s next effort at goal came from an unlikely source. White showed quick feet to elude a couple of challenges & burst into the box before drilling a low shot on goal that McGarrity held.
The game was now swinging from end to end. Talbot threatened in the 71st minute when Hyslop found McIlroy out on the right. He whipped a dangerous cross over that Park headed over his own crossbar.
Harvey had his name taken in the 75th minute for a shirt tug just outside the Bot penalty area. McGill took the free kick but blasted it straight into the wall.
Tucker now made a further change with Shankland on in place of Thomson.
Glenafton came close to making the breakthrough in the 77th minute. A poor headed clearance fell to Park just outside the penalty area & his low drive flew just wide of Leishman’s right post.
The action then switched to the other penalty area where McIlroy laid the ball out right to Glasgow. He had the chance to go for goal but opted to carry it on & was eventually crowded out. The ball broke out left where Shankland fired a shot on target held by McGarrity.
Glenafton ought to have taken the lead in the 79th minute when their two subs were involved but Moore was guilty of missing a sitter. McGill swirled a cross over from the left that took the Bot defence out of the equation & Moore looked certain to divert it home but he got it all wrong & prodded the ball so far wide it didn’t even go for a goal kick.
Talbot’s next chance came in the 82nd minute when Pope angled a low ball into Hyslop at the edge of the area. He swivelled & hit it first time but he was falling back as he struck it & it flew over the bar.
The Bot nearly broke the deadlock in the 85th minute. White curled a good cross over to Shankland at the back post. He attempted to dink it home but his effort was deflected behind for a corner. When the corner came over Hyslop headed it back across goal where McIlroy headed it goal ward. McGarrity was beaten but Park came to his rescue; heading it off the line.
Just when it seemed that both sides would have to settle for a share of the points Talbot produced a late winner in the 88th minute. Pope delivered the perfect cross from the left & HYSLOP rose to power a header high into the net to win it for Talbot.
A good away win to start the year & next up for Talbot are Kilbirnie who travel through to Beechwood next Saturday.Glenafton Athletic – McGarrity, McAusland, Cairns, Menzies, McChesney, McKernon, Gray, Park, Dallas, McCann, BorrisSubs – McGill, Moore, McKnight, Marlow, Watson

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Harvey, Hyslop, S Wilson, White, G Wilson, Glasgow, Thomson

Subs – McIlroy, Shankland, Armstrong, Faulds, McCracken