‘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.
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