MURRAY’S MATCH REPORT

Talbot ended the year on a downer losing 1-0 at home to Kilwinning in a game of few chances.
It took until the 10th minute until either side mustered a threat. Glasgow paced away down the left & slung the ball into the near post where Hyslop flicked it just over the crossbar.
Two minutes later Talbot had another effort at goal. Steven Wilson lifted a good ball over the top that sent Glasgow free. He went for the early shot & fizzed an effort from 20 yards just wide of the upright.
Kilwinning’s 1st attack came in the 13th minute. Monti cut inside & fired for goal & his effort took a big deflection, going just wide of the right hand post. Talbot were caught napping at the resultant corner. It was pulled back to the unmarked Pettigrew & Leishman had to tip his volley over the bar.
Coleman had his name taken in the 15th minute for a cynical trip on Hyslop as he broke down the right. Pope took the free kick & curled it into the centre. The ball broke back to Glasgow 15 yards out & he dug it out his feet to stab a shot on target that Strain parried to his left before a defender put it behind for the corner. When the corner came over Hyslop met it at the far post but steered a free header over the bar.
The game’s only goal came in the 18th minute & it was a poor one to lose. Lewis lifted a cross in from the left that White headed away. It came to Stephen Wilson inside the box but he sclaffed his clearance sending it straight into the path of BOYLAN who fired a low volley on target that squirmed through the arms of Leishman into the net.
The goal changed the complexion of the game & Talbot dropped right out of it for a long spell.
Armstrong picked up a caution in the 22nd minute for a trip on Monti just outside the penalty area. Monti took the free kick but fired it well wide of target.
The Buffs nearly doubled their lead in the 24th minute. Boylan broke down the right side of the area & angled a low drive across the face of goal that Leishman tipped wide of the far post.
Winter should have put the Buffs further ahead in the 31st minute. A ball over the top caught the Bot defence flat footed & he was sent clean through on Leishman where he proceeded to tamely hit a shot that barely reached the keeper.
Talbot’s next effort at goal came in the 33rd minute. Pettigrew couldn’t get any distance on a defensive header & the ball fell to Graham Wilson inside the box. He rolled it back out to Stephen Wilson who fired over the bar from 20 yards.
The final chance of the half fell Talbot’s way in the closing minute. Stephen Wilson sent Graham Wilson free on the left. He sped past Coleman before drilling a low shot on target that was comfortably saved by Strain.
Tucker made a change at the interval with McIlroy on in place of Shankland.
Talbot made a spirited start to the 2nd half & McIlroy forced a corner on the left in the 49th minute when he latched onto a ball over the top. Glasgow whipped the corner over which was headed out of the area where Armstrong met it & thundered a shot wide of the left post.
Boylan received a caution in the 55th minute when he caught Glasgow with a late challenge.
A minute later Talbot came as close as they were to get all afternoon. A ball down the wing found McIlroy on the left edge of the penalty area. He played it low across the face of goal & Graham Wilson gathered it with his back to goal a few yards out. He laid it back to Armstrong whose low strike was cleared off the goal line by McCloskey.
Tucker made a 2nd change in the 59th minute with Faulds on in place of Armstrong.
Monti became the 3rd Buffs player booked when he received a caution in the 66th minute for a late challenge on Glasgow and six minutes later it was role reversal with Glasgow receiving a yellow card for a trip on Monti.
The longer the game went the less likely it looked that there would be any further goals though the Buffs did come close with a minute remaining. McGuinness broke through a couple of challenges before firing a low drive just wide of the right post.
Talbot’s misery was complete deep into injury time when they were reduced to 10 men. Glasgow went down just outside the Buffs penalty box & the ref adjudged it to be simulation & sent him off for a 2nd yellow.
A bad day at the office & Talbot will now need to dust themselves off & go again after the New Year when they first foot Glenafton.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, Hyslop, White, S Wilson, Armstrong, G Wilson, Shankland, Glasgow

Subs – McIlroy, Thomson, Faulds, McCracken, Hewitt

Kilwinning Rangers – Strain, Coleman, McCloskey, Pettigrew, Maitland, Hanvey, Monti, McGuinness, Winter, Lewis, Boylan

Subs – Campbell, Nesbit, Strain