Report

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot paid the penalty for missed chances as they lost out 1-0 to Glenafton in the 1st competitive game of the new season.
The Glens settled first, knocking the ball around confidently, however without looking threatening. The first effort on target came in the 9th minute when Weir conceded a free kick 35 yards out. Gray took it & drilled a powerful low shot on target that flew straight at Leishman.
Talbot put together a neat move in the 12th minute, a series of quick passes ending with Shankland squaring the ball inside to S Wilson who burst forward but ballooned his shot way over the bar.
G Wilson came close in the 16th minute. He surged free down the left & raced into the area before angling a shot across goal that flew just wide of the left post.
The referee took centre stage a minute later with a shocking decision. Menzies took G Wilson out as he looked to break into the box but instead of a free kick at the edge of the area, the ref bizarrely chose to book G Wilson for diving.
Slowly but surely Talbot were taking control of the game & ought to have taken the lead in the 29th minute. Glasgow pinched the ball midway inside the Glens half & released an early ball to send G Wilson clean through on goal; however he blazed his shot over the bar.
The Glens threatened in the 34th minute when McKernon slid the ball wide to the overlapping Park. He whipped a cross into the centre which Dallas just failed to connect with in front of goal.
Menzies had his name taken in the 38th minute for a late tackle on S Wilson.
The last chance of the half came Talbot’s way in the 41st minute. Shankland swept a corner in from the right which Hyslop met but his header clipped the top of the bar & went over.
Both sides emerged unchanged for the 2nd half & the 2nd period was only 5 minutes old when Gray picked up a caution for a late swipe at McPherson.
A minute later G Wilson nearly broke the deadlock when he gathered 25 yards out & sent a right foot shot flying just wide of McGarrity’s left post.
Dallas had a half chance soon after when he cut in from the left past McPherson & into the area but his shot sailed way over the bar.
Talbot carved out a decent opportunity in the 55th minute. Glasgow & Shankland played a one-two down the left releasing Shankland down the wing. He lifted an inch perfect cross to the back post where G Wilson ran onto it & powered a header on target but straight at McGarrity.
Down the other end Dallas created problems for the Bot defence when he got on the end of a corner & his glancing header was deflected wide of target.
The Bot’s next effort at goal came in the 63rd minute as Shankland squared it across to G Wilson who fired just wide of the right post from the edge of the box.
Both sides now made a change with Cairns on for Gray & Kemp replacing Shankland.
The Glens made a 2nd change soon after with Moore coming on for Borris.
Glasgow passed up a glaring chance to put Talbot ahead in the 68th minute. He raced onto a ball over the top to go through one on one with McGarrity but his shot was too near McGarrity who turned it wide. The resultant corner was fired in low into the centre where it was only partially cleared; coming out to Kemp on the 18 yard line. He tried to stroke it inside the left post & was only inches out as his shot slid just the wrong side of the post.
Moore & Harvey had their names taken in the 76th minute for an altercation following Moore’s late challenge.
Tucker made a double substitution in the 82nd minute, McIlroy & Armstrong replacing Glasgow & Latta.
Marlow & Kemp joined the crime count late on when they squared up near the touchline, both players receiving a yellow for their troubles.
The game looked destined to end goal less but with 1 minute remaining the Glens made the breakthrough. McGill’s shot from outside the area beat Leishman but came back off the underside of the bar. Pope challenged Andrew as he looked to latch onto the rebound & the ref pointed to the spot. DALLAS took the spot kick & although Leishman guessed the right way & got a hand to it the ball squirmed into the bottom corner to give the Glens the win.
Next up for Talbot is a weekend visit to Townhead in what should be a fiercely contested derby clash with Cumnock.

Talbot – Leishman, Harvey, Pope, McPherson, Weir, S Wilson, Hyslop, Glasgow, G Wilson, Shankland, Latta

Subs – McIlroy, Pooler, Kemp, Armstrong, McCracken

Glenafton – McGarrity, Park, Marlow, Menzies, McAusland, McKernon, Borris, Gray, Dallas, Andrew, McGill

Subs – Moore, McKnight, Cairns, Potter, Watson (gk)