Report

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

The Bot fans got an early Christmas present as Talbot brushed aside Ladeside to narrow the gap at the top.

The visitors made the brighter opening but had nothing to show for it but for a long range McGuinness effort straight at Leishman within the opening minute and Talbot showed them the way to goal when they took the lead in the 13th minute.

Graham Wilson surged through midfield before sending it right to STEPHEN WILSON who knocked it round Mitchell, gathered it on the other side & slotted a low shot past Hughes inside the right post.

Minutes later C Hughes came to the Blasties rescue. Shankland’s reverse ball sent Glasgow through & he drilled it across goal where Hughes stretched to turn it behind.

Talbot came close to doubling their lead in the 24th minute. Hyslop won a 50/50 & knocked it on to Glasgow who raced clear of the defence before firing a shot just wide of the right post.

A minute later the Blasties threatened at the other end. Mitchell cut in past Stephen Wilson & prodded a shot straight at Leishman from the edge of the area.

Kilbirnie gave Talbot a scare when they won a free kick out on the stand side. It was angled deep beyond the far post where Mitchell climbed to head it back across goal & it had to be cleared behind for the corner.

A swift passing move by Talbot saw the Bot work the ball down the right between Glasgow & Stephen Wilson before it was laid back to Lyle. He slung a high cross beyond the far post where Shankland volleyed off target.

The next goal was going to be crucial & it went Talbot’s way in the 41st minute. Glasgow’s cross field ball floated over O’Byrne & was gathered by Shankland on the left of the area. He promptly squared it for GRAHAM WILSON to side-foot it home from 12 yards to put Talbot 2 goals ahead.

Kilbirnie pressed hard to try & grab a goal back & McGuinness blasted a shot at goal from 30 yards that was blocked en route to target. It fell to Mitchell on the left & he lobbed over a cross that Leishman couldn’t take under the challenge of Dickie but he recovered swiftly to smother the ball & Talbot went in 2-0 ahead at the interval.

Talbot made a change during the break with Healy replacing Shankland.

The game could have been done & dusted 4 minutes into the 2nd half. McPherson pinged a ball out from the back to find Graham Wilson & he switched it into the path of Glasgow who burst into the area but he slid his shot just past the right post.

Two minutes later the Bot came close again. Healy found Stephen Wilson speeding clear down the right & he hammered a shot over the bar.

The visitors now made a change with McLaren replacing Muir.

Against the run of play the Blasties pulled a goal back after 57 mins. Slack defending allowed MITCHELL the chance to stab a shot at goal that came off the foot of the post & he followed up to slam home the rebound.

Talbot responded in the best way, regaining their two goal cushion within a minute. Stephen Wilson whipped over a dangerous cross that flew across the face of goal. Healy retrieved it at the by line & floated a cross onto the head of DWAYNE HYLSOP who nodded home from close range.

On the hour mark Talbot turned defence into attack. Leishman easily gathered a Ladeside corner before bowling the ball out to McCracken. He carried it up the right before switching play to Graham Wilson on the opposite wing. He tried to square it across to McCracken who’d continued his run into the area but it was cut out.

With 20 minutes remaining Tucker made a double switch with Graham Wilson & Glasgow making way for Samson & Boylan.

Samson was involved not long after joining the fray. Stephen Wilson’s persistence paid off when he robbed C Hughes & knocked it out to Samson. He cut inside onto his left foot & angled a shot across the keeper & wide of the far post.
It was game over in the 77th minute when O’BYRNE met a cross from the right & shanked his clearance over his keeper and into his own net to make it 4-1.

The dust hadn’t settled before Talbot grabbed their fifth. Hughes took fractionally too long dealing with a back pass & was closed down by BRYAN BOYLAN who blocked his clearance & rolled it into the empty net.

With six minutes remaining Kilbirnie snatched a late consolation effort. Mitchell looked to be caught as he nicked inside Armstrong & Talbot stopped as though expecting a free kick. MITCHELL played on & let fly from 20 yards & his shot skimmed off the surface & bobbled over Leishman’s outstretched arm to complete the scoring.

Another good home win for the Bot who are back on their travels next Saturday when they visit Cumbernauld to face Rob Roy.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Aiden Wilson, McPherson, McCracken, Armstrong, Hyslop, Stephen Wilson, Graham Wilson, Glasgow, Shankland

Subs – Boylan, Samson, Healy, White, Young

Kilbirnie Ladeside – K Hughes, Woods, Mitchell, C Hughes, O’Byrne, McGuinness, Finlay, Muir, Craig, Dickie, Ramsay

Subs – McVey, Longworth, Scullion, McLaren, Wilton (gk)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.