Report

A CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

Report: Murray Steele, Photography: Craig McGhee, Media: Ross Newlands

Talbot’s sticky spell continued as they were held to a draw at home by Gartcairn.

The first half was a bit of a non-event. The first real threat came after 10 mins when Stirling got wide of McPherson and fired a ball into the near post which Armour gathered.

A minute later Talbot should have taken the lead. McPherson clipped it up the right where Boyd flicked it inside to find Nimmo in space inside the area but his left foot drive from 15 yards was too near the keeper who kept it out.

The game had been marred by a series of niggly fouls and the referee spoke to A McDonald in the 18^th minute for his 3^rd or 4^th wrestling bout with Nimmo.

In the 28^th minute Sime squared the ball across to Wardrope who fired over the bar from 25 yards out.

On the half hour mark the ref reached for his cards – booking Wood for persistent fouling.

In the 38^th minute Gartcairn took the lead after their first effort on target. Stirling cut in off the left and drilled a shot on target. Armour parried it out but straight to THOMSON who put the rebound away from 6 yards.

As the half moved into added time the visitors nearly doubled their advantage. Stirling won a free kick down the left that was taken short to K Macdonald. He swung it beyond the far post where Krol met it and Armour did well to save his angled drive at his left hand post.

Talbot made a change at the start of the 2^nd half with Abed on for Thomson.

The Bot had a half chance a minute after the restart. A ball down the right found Nimmo in behind the defence. His pull back went between two Bot players but came out to Boyd at the edge of the box who fired it wide of the right hand post.

The next goal was going to be vital and Talbot had a let off in the 50^th minute. Stirling slipped a pass through to find K Macdonald in space on the left of the area. He slid it across the face of goal where Black flicked it against the base of the left hand post.

In the 54^th minute A McDonald received a yellow card for persistent fouling after impeding Nimmo – resulting in a Bot free kick 25 yards out. Wardrope touched it off to LUKE GILLIES who rocketed an unstoppable shot into the top corner to draw Talbot level.

A minute later Talbot were back on the attack. Sime’s cross from the right was put behind for a corner and when the corner came over Gartcairn failed to clear it and it came to Boyd who guided a header over the bar.

Talbot took the lead in the 61^st minute. Wardrope’s corner from the left went to the back post looking for Slooves. The defence could only partially clear it and it fell to CONNOR BOYD who drilled a low shot home to put Talbot 2-1 ahead.

Two minutes later, down the other end, Krol came close to levelling when he steered a shot from 20 yards just wide of the left post.

The Bot’s next attack saw a strong penalty appeal turned down. Boyd raced into the area and looked to be getting held all the way. He managed to squeeze off a shot on target that the keeper turned round the post for a corner.

In the 68^th minute Talbot had a great chance to give themselves a two goal cushion. Wardrope helped it on to Abed out on the right and he swept a great cross into the near post to find Nimmo unmarked but he sent his header wide of target.

In the 72^nd minute Talbot made their 2^nd change with Smith replacing Nimmo.

Two minutes later Gartcairn got in behind the Bot defence when a well-weighted pass found Millar breaking free. He slid a dangerous ball across goal where Black was penalised for a shove.

The Bot’s next chance came in the 77^th minute. Sime squared the ball to Kerr who pinged it into the feet of Smith. He turned his man and fired wide of the left hand post.

Ten minutes from time Talbot were hauled back to level pegging. Black won a corner down the right and when it came over A MCDONALD beat Wilson to it to glance a header across goal and inside the right post.

Within a minute of the game restarting the visitors had a man sent off. K Macdonald conceded a free kick for a foul on Abed down by the corner flag and then got sent to the dressing room for his reaction. Wardrope took the set piece and pulled it back across goal but behind the Bot players in the area.

Five minutes from time Abed swung a good cross into the near post area which Boyd attacked but he was just beaten to it by Cowie who managed to punch clear.

As the clock ran down Mitchell had his name taken for time-wasting.

Two minutes from time Talbot put together a good passage of play that ended with Boyd being up-ended 20 yards from goal. Wardrope took the free kick but got underneath it and his shot sailed over the bar.

In the final minute of play Slooves picked up a yellow card for a shirt tug on Millar.

Talbot huffed and puffed in added time but Gartcairn had plenty of bodies back and were able to hold out for the point with Cowie also receiving a late caution for time-wasting.

A disappointing day for Talbot who looked to have the game in hand after coming from behind but couldn’t hold on to their lead. It’s a break from league action next Saturday as Talbot host Cumbernauld United in the 4^th round of the South Challenge cup.

Auchinleck Talbot – Armour, Kerr, Wilson, Slooves, McPherson, Sime, Wardrope, Gillies, Boyd, Nimmo, Thomson

Subs – McAvoy, Abed, Smith, Boyle, Langan, Clark, Schoneville

Gartcairn – Cowie, Kieran Macdonald, Rumsby, Andrew McDonald, Thomson, Mitchell, Stirling, Wood, Caldwell, Black, Krol

Subs – Woods, Boyle, Bronsky, Millar, Rogerson, Barr