Talbot made it 6 wins in a row, leaving it late before securing a hard fought victory over Pollok at Beechwood.
The game started off at a good pace with both sides competing ferociously but gradually it was Talbot who began to emerge on top.
The first clear chance came Talbot’s way in the 14th minute. Mackenzie floored White 30 yards from goal & Hyslop curled the free kick over the wall & on target only for Longmuir to dive full length to touch it round the right post.
Wilson was next to have a go for Talbot. He gathered on the right before cutting in field & lashing a shot just over the bar from 20 yards.
In the 24th minute Talbot won a free kick in a dangerous area when McCracken was tripped out on the right. Pope delivered an in swinger across the area but no Bot player could get a touch & it carried through to Longmuir.
Pollok had been posted missing in the final third but they almost snatched the lead on the half hour mark. They put together a slick move down the left with Sideserf feeding the ball inside the area to find D Winters. He flicked it inside for R Winters but Harvey intercepted & the ball was finally scrambled clear.
Mackenzie became the 1st name in the ref’s notebook when he was cautioned for flattening Milliken.
Two minutes later Longmuir was called into action again. Hyslop rose to meet Pope’s cross & he guided a header back across & down where Longmuir clutched it by his right post.
Longmuir was having a good game & he produced a top class save to deny Talbot the lead in the 36th minute. Milliken nodded the ball down into the path of Wilson who ran on to it & looked to pass it into the corner of the net; only for Longmuir to tip it past the right post.
The opening goal came two minutes later & there was nothing Longmuir could do to prevent it. Milliken sent the ball across to G WILSON in space just outside the area. His shot took a major deflection off Gallacher to wrong foot the keeper & put the Bot 1-0 ahead.
Within a minute Talbot came close to doubling their lead. McCracken was fouled just outside the area & this time G Wilson took the set piece. He whipped it over the wall & on target where Longmuir again produced a quality save, turning it past the left post.
Pollok finished the 1st half strongly, pushing men forward but all they had to show for it were a few crosses slung into the box & one unsuccessful penalty appeal when R Winters collapsed in the area.
Talbot had made most of the running in the 1st half but it was Pollok who came out all guns blazing at the start of the 2nd, and the Bot were pushed back deep into their own half.
D Winters passed up a half chance to draw Lok level in the 47th minute. Leishman palmed away Rowan’s high cross but it came straight out to D Winters at the edge of the area where he drilled a low shot just wide of the right post.
D Winters missed a real sitter in the 54th minute. Evans cross into the box came off the head of Harvey & landed right at his feet 10 yards out but he poked a tame effort straight at Leishman.
In the 57th minute McGoldrick was cautioned for a foul on R Winters just outside the penalty area. R Winters took it himself & whipped a cross into the centre which McGoldrick headed clear.
McCabe came close for the visitors in the 59th minute. He climbed at the back post to meet Sideserf’s cross & sent his header just wide of the Leishman’s left post.
Talbot hadn’t got going in the 2nd half up to this point but did threaten in the 62nd minute. Wilson laid the ball back to Milliken who struck it sweetly but Longmuir proved equal to it; turning it wide of the right post.
R Winters had spent more time on the Beechwood surface than the ground staff & was finally booked for persistent diving in the 63rd minute. The resultant free kick was flighted into the Lok penalty area & Hyslop headed it back across goal where Latta & Evans both went for it with the ball ricocheting off Latta & behind for a goal kick.
Evans was cautioned in the 66th minute for a late tackle on Wilson.
Tucker made a change in the 68th minute with Shankland coming on in place of Milliken.
Pollok won a corner on the left in the 71st minute when D Winters shot was deflected wide. It was delivered into the near post where GALLACHER glanced a header across goal & in at the far post to level the match.
Latta had an opportunity to restore Talbot’s lead in the 76th minute. The ball broke off Shankland & fell for him in front of goal but he fired his shot straight at the keeper from 15 yards.
As the game moved into the last 10 minutes it was Talbot who looked the more likely. The Bot won a free kick just outside the Lok penalty area when Evans fouled Shankland. Before the free kick was taken Tucker made a further change with Thomson replacing McCracken. Shankland took the free kick & powered a shot at goal that flew just over the bar.
Pollok now made a double switch with D Winters & Mackenzie making way for Hepburn & McAleenan.
In the 87th minute Talbot won a free kick out on the right when Lyle was wrestled to the ground. Lyle lifted the ball into the area where Hyslop headed it on. Wilson also helped it on & HARVEY reacted first in a crowded 6-yard area to volley it home from close range to put Talbot 2-1 ahead.
Talbot saw the closing stages out comfortably & frustration got the better of Evans who ended up in the book for a late tackle on White.
Talbot showed character to come back after Pollok’s leveller & this win closes the gap on 2nd placed Rob Roy. Next up for Talbot is the Scottish cup quarter-final where they host Kilwinning Rangers.Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McGoldrick, White, McCracken, Hyslop, G Wilson, Milliken, Latta

Subs – Shankland, Stevenson, Thomson, McPherson, Pooler

Pollok – Longmuir, Evans, Sideserf, Gallacher, McCabe, Rowan, McCann, Williamson, D Winters, R Winters, Mackenzie

Subs – Walker, Hanlon, Hepburn, McStay, McAleenan

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