Report

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot came from behind to win this away league fixture at Renfrew. The game arranged at short notice after both sides saw their Scottish cup ties fall foul of the weather.

The Bot had an early opportunity when they won a free kick 30 yards out inside two minutes. Pope took it but didn’t go for goal; instead sliding a low ball into the area that was cleared.

There wasn’t much football being played with both sides scrapping for the ball all over the pitch.

The next effort at goal came Talbot’s way in the 9th minute. Stephen Wilson beat McIntosh on the outside & lifted it into the area where Samson drilled it over the bar from a tight angle.

Renfrew had a chance to test the Bot defence when they won a free kick out on the right in the 11th minute. Dallas angled the ball out to Morton in space down the left & he whipped a dangerous cross over that Hyslop headed clear under pressure.

Healy received a yellow card soon after when he up-ended Graham Wilson as the Bot broke down the left.

Talbot came close to taking the lead in the 14th minute. Stephen Wilson’s cross was headed behind for at the back post for a corner & Glasgow’s corner was met by Hyslop inside the 6-yard area but his header flew just over.

Two minutes later Talbot had another opportunity to break the deadlock. Pope fired in an accurate cross to find Graham Wilson in front of goal but he steered his header over the crossbar.

The home side were under pressure again after 27 minutes when Campbell conceded a free kick for shoving Hyslop. Pope swung the free kick into the area where a defender headed clear. It came to White who headed it out to the right to find Stephen Wilson. He fizzed a volley across that Campbell headed over his own bar.

Glasgow’s corner came out to Stephen Wilson on the right edge & he lifted a cross to the back post where Graham Wilson headed it back across goal. Hyslop dived to meet it a few yards out but sent his header flying just over the bar.

Against the run of play the hosts took the lead on the half hour mark, with a helping hand from the referee. When Benton threw himself through the air into the Talbot box it looked for all the world like a contender for least convincing dive of the season but he managed to hoodwink the ref who pointed to the spot. MORTON took the spot kick & drilled it home to put Renfrew 1-0 ahead.

Three minutes later Campbell nearly levelled the score when he intercepted Glasgow’s driven cross & bulleted a header narrowly wide of the right post.

A minute later O’Keefe had his name taken for a late challenge on Glasgow.

The Bot had a fright in the 37th minute when Renfrew threatened to extend their lead. A free kick was lumped into the area where White was beaten by the bounce of the ball. It fell for Morton whose shot at goal took a slight deflection off McPherson on its way through to Leishman.

McIntosh became the 3rd Renfrew player booked when he received a caution after 38 mins for a late tackle on Stephen Wilson.

Talbot’s next attack saw Samson race free on the right & slide a dangerous ball right across the face of goal but unfortunately there were no takers.

The Bot continued to press but without success & Renfrew held on to their lead at the interval.

The home side had to make a change during the interval with McGillion replacing McIntosh who had picked up a knock in the closing stages of the half.

What Talbot needed was an early goal and they succeeded; drawing level in the 52nd minute. Stephen Wilson swept a cross in from the right & DWAYNE HYSLOP met it unchallenged in the centre to head Talbot level.

Glasgow found himself in the notebook a few mins later when he pulled Morton back as he raced forward. Soon after, he had a half chance to put Talbot ahead. Burgess failed to gather Armstrong’s cross & the ball came out to Glasgow on the left of the area. He skipped past Healy but his low shot for the near post lacked the power to beat Burgess.

Renfrew were still in it & they nearly opened up the Bot defence in the 59th minute. Morton flicked the ball inside to Dallas who burst into the Talbot penalty area but Pope was alive to the danger & got across to slide it behind for a corner.

Renfrew made their 2nd change on the hour mark with McLeay coming on in place of Hardie.

Talbot’s next opportunity came via route one. Leishman punted it downfield where Graham Wilson headed it on into the path of Hyslop who fired a volley over the bar.

Tucker now made a change with McIlroy replacing Samson up front.

Campbell had been skating on thin ice after a series of offences & finally received a caution in the 66th minute for handball.

Renfrew now made their final change with McGillion coming on for O’Keefe.

McPherson aided the Bot attack in the 69th minute when he carried the ball up the left before lifting a ball over the defence to find Graham Wilson inside the area. He hit it early & fired into the side netting.

Talbot made their 2nd change with 70 mins gone with McDowall on in place of Glasgow.

The substitution paid off immediately when a ball down the left found McDowall racing clear in the box. He was caught late as he hit it across the face of goal & the ref pointed to the spot for the 2nd time. STEPHEN WILSON took it & gave the keeper no chance; sending him the wrong way to put Talbot in front.

It was now all Talbot & McIlroy had a chance to put it beyond Renfrew when he met Stephen Wilson’s corner but he glanced his header across goal.

Tucker completed Talbot’s changes in the 77th minute when Kemp came on for Graham Wilson.

A minute later Lyle had his name taken for a foul midway inside the Bot half. The free kick was played out to Dallas on the left & he whipped over a cross that Leishman failed to gather but White was on hand to clear the danger.

Talbot killed the game off & completed the scoring in the 82nd minute. McIlroy headed the ball down to McDowall who took a wild swipe at it. Fortunately for Talbot the ball sliced straight to CALVIN KEMP whose shot powered past Burgess who got a hand to it but couldn’t prevent it landing in the back of the net.

The closing stages were a nondescript affair with Talbot seeing the match out comfortably to secure all three points.

Next week, weather permitting, Talbot will travel through to face Blantyre in the Scottish cup

Renfrew Juniors – Burgess, Healy, McIntosh, Henry, Campbell, Maxwell, Dallas, Benton, Hardie, O’Keefe, Morton

Subs – Innes, McGillion, Barbour, McLeay

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, White, Stephen Wilson, Armstrong, Hyslop, Graham Wilson, Samson, Glasgow

Subs – McIlroy, Kemp, McDowall, Waite, Hewitt