Report

Talbot cruised to victory over Renfrew in this low key league encounter at Beechwood.
It didn’t take Talbot long to create the 1st opening. Glasgow blazing over the bar from 15 yards when a corner kick fell to him inside the penalty area after only two minutes.
A minute later Henry came to the visitors rescue when he slid in with a crucial tackle to put the ball behind for a corner just when Graham Wilson looked poised to shoot on target.
Talbot were well in control without producing anything incisive in the final third though Talbot ought to have taken the lead in the 14th minute. A cross from the right found Stephen Wilson in space 12 yards out but he tried to pass it into the net & Burgess managed to block it.
Within a minute Talbot had another great chance to break the deadlock. Wylie handled inside the box & the ref pointed straight to the spot. Graham Wilson took it but his shot clattered off the bar.
The opening goal did finally come in the 18th minute. Glasgow lifted an accurate cross in from the left & GRAHAM WILSON steered a free header beyond Burgess to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
Stephen Wilson ended in the referee’s notebook in the 22nd minute for a late challenge which resulted in a Renfrew free kick 30 yards out. Campbell took the set piece but failed to make anything of it; hitting a tame shot into the wall.
Renfrew then passed up a great chance to level. Talbot were caught out by a long throw from the right which McIntosh head flicked on. The ball came to McKenna 8 yards out, straight in front of goal, but he fired his shot straight at Leishman.
Waite became the 2nd Bot player on a yellow card when he was cautioned in the 25th minute for a shirt tug.
Talbot’s next threat came in the 34th minute. Glasgow attempted to slide a pass through the centre to find Graham Wilson. The defence cut it out but the ball came straight back to Glasgow who ran at the defence & would have been clean through but for a last gasp challenge from Henry.
The game floated along without much of anything happening until the closing moments of the half. In the 1st minute of injury time Waite had a chance to extend Talbot’s lead when Stephen Wilson’s chip opened the defence. Wait looked favourite to get there before Burgess but Renfrew’s keeper beat him to the ball outside the box to clear to safety.
Deep into injury time Renfrew were fortunate not to be a man down. Borris looked to have elbowed Stephen Wilson on the touchline but the referee only cautioned him & then called an end to a tepid 1st half.
Both sides came out unchanged after the interval but Talbot made a switch early in the half with McDowall coming on for Waite.
Glasgow had a chance to double Talbot’s lead in the 50th minute. Graham Wilson laid the ball inside into his path but he scooped his shot well over from the edge of the area.
Renfrew now made their 1st change with O’Keefe coming on to replace Borris.
The officials angered the Bot support in the 56th minute when they ignored a blatant foul on Glasgow out by the touchline & then Renfrew broke down the park & won a free kick 25 yards out from goal which also resulted in McPherson’s name going into the ref’s book. Once again it was Campbell on free kick duties but his 2nd effort mirrored his 1st & was hit tamely into the wall.
Talbot doubled their lead on the hour mark. McIlroy got free down the left & hung a cross up to the back post where Graham Wilson sent a header crashing off the bar. The ball rebounded out & JACK MCDOWALL was in the right spot to head home from close range.
Renfrew responded to this by making their 2nd change with Maxwell on for Hardie.
Talbot made a double switch in the 66th minute with McIlroy & Stephen Wilson making way for Samson & White.
The scoring was completed in the 69th minute. Talbot put together a slick passing move which ended with White’s pass finding JAMIE GLASGOW in space on the left of the area & he powered a shot beyond Burgess to put Talbot 3-0 up.
Leishman didn’t have much to do all afternoon but was called upon in the 71st minute. Maxwell darted in off the left & fired a shot on target from 20 plus yards but Leishman was behind it all the way.
In the Renfrew goal Burgess was at full stretch to thwart Talbot’s next attack. Leishman bowled the ball out to Pope whose ball sent Graham Wilson free on the left. He swung over a dangerous cross that Renfrew’s keeper had to claw to safety.
Healy had his name taken in the 76th minute for whipping the feet from under Glasgow.
Graham Wilson had a great opportunity to grab his 2nd and Talbot’s 4th of the afternoon in the 78th minute. White’s pass sent Samson haring free down the right. He raced into the penalty area before squaring it to Graham Wilson who hoisted his shot over the bar with the keeper stranded.
In the 83rd minute Talbot came close again. Samson broke clear on the left & played a great ball across the face of goal where Glasgow just failed to reach it for a tap in.
As the game moved into stoppage time Talbot had one final chance to add to their lead. Graham Wilson gathered on the left of the area & chipped it to the far post where Glasgow’s header flew into the side-netting.
A comfortable win for the Bot who managed to ease past Renfrew without ever looking like hitting top gear. Next week promises to be a tougher proposition when Talbot make yet another long trek north in the senior cup to face Fraserburgh.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, McPherson, McCracken, Stephen Wilson, Armstrong, Waite, McIlroy, Graham Wilson, Glasgow

Subs – Samson, McDowall, White, Hyslop, Hewitt

Renfrew Juniors – Burgess, Wylie, Maclennan, Henry, Campbell, Healy, Borris, Benton, McKenna, Hardie, McIntosh

Subs – Innes, O’Keefe, Chisholm, Maxwell, McLeay