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PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.

MATCH REPORT BY JUMBO

Talbot moved to the top of the league after 2-0 win over Bonnyton Thistle at the Synergy Arena, however it was an uninspiring win which was mostly down to the Thistle’s game plan which worked well as Talbot huffed and puffed to break them down.

The game was only two minutes started when Samson broke away down the right wing and as his low cross headed across the box it deflected off the leg of a defender and crashed off the cross bar before being cleared. Minutes later Graham Wilson got clear of the defence down the left wing and as his pass across the goalmouth looked like landing on the foot of Samson, goalkeeper Cousar made a fearless block to clear the danger.

After their narrow escapes the home side tightened up at the back and it took until the 17^th minute till Talbot fashioned a chance when Graham Wilson had a shot blocked resulting in a corner. Wilson was involved again moments later when he threaded a dangerous ball through the defence to Mason but the youngster was unlucky not to reach it. On 25 minutes Jack McDowall found himself with a scoring chance but he sliced the ball well past the post.

Talbot took the lead on the 29^th minute when a Mason corner looked like being headed into the net by Aiden Wilson but the ball seemed to roll down his body and land at the feet of Steven White who passed it through a sea of legs and into the net. On the 34^th minute Graham Wilson pounced on a loose back pass, squared it to Armstrong and his shot was well saved by Cousar.

Talbot upped the ante in the remaining minutes of the first half when Cousar had to have two attempts the hold a low hit Mason free kick, while Graham Wilson blasted a good chance over the bar.

Bonnyton should have been level on 51 minutes when Dean started and finished a great move but his shot into the bottom right corner was tipped around the post by Leishman. On 55 minutes Shankland and Boylan replaced Mason and Graham Wilson. However Boylan’s stint was short lived when trying to clear a ball he crumpled to the ground holding his groin and was instantly replaced by Robbie McCracken.

On the 65^th minute Samson was unlucky not to score when he guided a Shankland cross net bound but the keeper got a hand to it to turn it round the post. On the 75^th minute Talbot doubled their lead when a Shankland corner was missed by the keeper leaving Samson to head into an empty net.

With six minutes remaining Cousar redeemed himself after Shankland found Samson and after leaving the defence in his wake his goal bound shot was brilliantly stopped by the outstretched hand of the keeper.

The game wound down after this with the players and supporters glad to get out of the torrential rain, Talbot had the points in the bag and although not setting the heather on fire they definitely deserved them.