Season: 2018/19

Photographs by Paul Flynn.

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT.

Talbot produced their best performance of the season to date to blow away in form Clydebank in this entertaining league encounter.

The Bot nearly got off to a nightmare start. In the 4th minute McPherson slipped on the greasy surface when he went to head clear & as he lost his footing the ball skipped off his head & straight to the feet of Little who was through one on one with Leishman. Fortunately for Talbot, Little looked the gift horse in the mouth & Leishman stood tall to make the block at the expense of a corner. Talbot now had a second let off when the corner was only cleared out as far as Hepburn. He had the time & space to measure his shot from the edge of the box & curled an effort just over the bar.

Clydebank had started well & the next effort at goal came their way after 10 minutes. They won a free kick out on the left which McIndoe swirled to the back post where Vezza headed wide of the far post.

Talbot’s first real threat came in the 13th minute via a set piece. Graham Wilson was fouled out on the left & Shankland whipped a dangerous delivery into the centre that Darroch did well to head clear.

A minute later Glasgow skipped inside off the right & drilled a low shot wide of the left post.

Rowan conceded a free kick within shooting distance in the 16th minute for a foul on Shankland and received the first caution of the afternoon into the bargain. Shankland took it & fired a low drive wide of the wall but straight at Waters.

Two minutes later Talbot won another free kick in a promising area when Vezza tripped Graham Wilson just outside the area. Again Shankland took it but he sent his shot straight into the wall.

Sean Higgins became the 2nd Bankies player in the notebook when he was cautioned for a late challenge on White.

Glasgow came close to giving Talbot the lead in the 24th minute. White headed a ball on inside the box to Glasgow who turned smartly before shooting just wide of the left post.

Moments later Talbot threatened again. McDowall broke up field & released the ball to Graham Wilson on the left. He hammered a low drive across the face of goal that Waters got a hand to as it sped out for a corner.

Talbot’s purple patch continued and they were on the front foot again in the 27th minute. McDowall feeding it out to Pope on the overlap & Darroch had to be at full stretch to clear his ball into the centre.

The visitors had a promising break in the 33rd minute. McClair raced away down the left & cut inside into the penalty area but it ended tamely with a weak shot trundled at Leishman.

The game was now swinging back Clydebank’s way & they gave the home support a fright in the 38th minute. Sean Higgins out-muscled McPherson as they chased a ball up the right & got into a good area before firing a dangerous ball across the 6-yard area that was just beyond the reach of Steven Higgins in front of goal.

Both sides kept at it in the closing stages of the half but neither side could make a breakthrough and they went in goal less at the interval.

The first goal was going to prove crucial and the Bankies had an opportunity to break the deadlock in the 52nd minute. Steven Higgins went on a mazy run into the box but instead of shooting he opted to square it to Hepburn & Talbot were able to clear.

Talbot put together a good move in the 55th minute. Glasgow played it onto Shankland & he swept a ball across the box to McDowall at the far post. He laid it inside to White who side-footed it wide of the left post.

Two minutes later and Talbot took the lead. Leishman lifted it down the left & Shankland took a great 1st touch, controlling the ball instantly & striding clear down the wing before sliding the ball into the centre where GRAHAM WILSON swept a low shot beyond Waters.

Tucker now made a change with Kemp coming on in place of Glasgow.

Talbot took firm control of the match when they doubled their advantage on the hour mark. Graham Wilson won a free kick right on the edge of the area which Shankland slid out wide to Harvey. He was clipped by Hepburn and the ref pointed straight to the spot. GRAHAM WILSON took the penalty & couldn’t have hit it any better, blazing it into the top corner of the net to make it 2-0.

Clydebank were rattled and their defence opened up again in the 63rd minute when they failed to cope with a ball down the centre. Kemp swiped at his first attempt but got fully behind his second bite of the cherry forcing Waters to turn his fierce drive over the bar.

The visitors had a half chance to reduce the deficit in the 66th minute. Waters long ball down the left broke out to Steven Higgins & he lashed a shot wide of the left post from 20 yards.

Tucker now made a second change with Hyslop replacing McDowall.

Hyslop made an early impact from the bench, sliding a pass through to Graham Wilson on the left & his low ball across the 6-yard area eluded Waters but there was no one at the back post to turn it home.

Talbot effectively killed the tie as a contest in the 74th minute when they moved 3-0 ahead.

Shankland gathered on the left & skipped past the challenge of Lightbody to the bye line before cutting the ball across goal where GRAHAM WILSON slammed it home from close range at the back post.

The Bankies had a chance to grab a consolation in the 76th minute. Steven Higgins raced onto a ball in behind the defence but was forced wide by the advancing Leishman. He laid it back to Sean Higgins whose shot was blocked & it spun back to Steven Higgins who fired a shot just over from 15 yards.

Talbot now made their final change of the afternoon with Armstrong coming on for Steven Wilson.

Little became the 3rd Bankies player to be cautioned when he received a yellow card in the 78th minute for a late challenge on White.

Talbot weren’t content to sit on their lead and as the game entered the last 10 minutes they pegged Clydebank back, forcing a series of corners. The home fans thought Talbot had won a 2nd penalty in the 81st minute when Kemp looked to be downed as he burst into the box but the referee awarded a free kick right on the edge of the area. Shankland angled a low drive toward goal that Darroch slid in to put over his own bar.

When the corner came over from the right HYSLOP rose unchallenged to power a header home to make it 4-0 to the Bot.

As the game moved into injury time Talbot had one final chance. Shankland nutmegged Lightbody on the left & headed into the box before lobbing the ball just over the bar.

A comfortable win in the end for Talbot who now return to cup duty on Monday night when they host Whitletts Vics in the quarter-finals of the Sectional cup.

Auchinleck Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, S Wilson, White, McDowall, G Wilson, Glasgow, Shankland

Subs – Kemp, McIlroy, Hyslop, Armstrong, McCracken

Clydebank – Waters, Lightbody, McIndoe, Vezza, Darroch, Little, McClair, Sean Higgins, Steven Higgins, Rowan, Hepburn

Subs – Alexander, Asghar, Paterson, Black, Morrison (gk)

MURRAYS MATCH REPORT

Talbot fans left with mixed emotions after this league encounter, partly relieved to have taking anything from the game whilst simultaneously disappointed at a failure to convert a late penalty which would have seen Talbot snatch a late winner.
The Bot got off to a good start, Armstrong’s cross finding McIlroy free in the box & Johnstone had to be at his best to throw himself to his left to keep out his header. Soon after, Waite had a half chance from the edge of the area when he connected with a cutback from the right but steered it wide of target.
Talbot’s next effort came from Pope who tried his luck from 20 yards. He didn’t catch it cleanly, but still forced a stop from Johnstone who had to turn it wide of his right post.
Unfortunately, this early flurry of chances proved a false dawn and as the half wore on Troon began to get a grip on the midfield, dominating possession. For all their possession, they were unable to make much headway in the final third.
They did threaten the Talbot goal in the 22nd minute from a set piece. McCreadie whipped a dangerous free kick in from the right towards Nade & Harvey did well to beat him to it & head over his own bar.
Hyslop had his name taken in the 25th minute for a mis-timed tackle on McCrae. Several Troon players intervened in an attempt to get Hyslop sent off, including Stevenson, who picked up a yellow card for his part in the fracas.
Glasgow found himself in behind the Troon defence in the 28th minute when a ball over the top of the defence skidded off the top of McInally’s head but he failed to control it & the ball sped through to the keeper.
The next chance came Talbot’s way after half an hour. Kemp fed the ball out to Waite who returned it back inside to Kemp who lifted a shot over the target from the edge of the area.
Keenan had his name taken in the 31st minute for a late challenge on Kemp.
Both sides huffed & puffed for the remainder of the half without creating anything & the 1st half finished goal less.
Talbot got off to the worst possible start to the 2nd half, falling behind three minutes after the re-start. McCrae lifted a ball into the area over the head of Lyle. NADE gathered it & had the strength to hold off Lyle & McPherson before slamming it home.
Troon were content to sit on their lead & were looking comfortable doing so, at least until the hour mark when Glasgow passed up a good chance to equalise. McIlroy rose to meet a ball down the left & his head flick sent Glasgow racing clean through. Johnstone raced off his line to narrow the angle & Glasgow opted for the early shot, blasting over the bar from the edge of the area.
A minute later Talbot had another opportunity. Glasgow’s effort at goal was deflected behind for a corner & when it was swung in Hyslop met it to power a header on target which Johnstone blocked in the goal mouth.
Tucker now made a double switch with Armstrong & Kemp making way for Shankland & Stephen Wilson.
Wilson was involved soon after coming on, meeting a partially cleared corner 18 yards out to hammer a first time effort wide of the left post.
Troon were forced into a change in the 68th minute when Pooler limped off with cramp to be replaced by Simpson.
Harvey had his name taken in the 71st minute for what looked like a hard but fair challenge midway inside the Bot half.
A minute later Talbot made their final change with Graham Wilson on for Waite.
Talbot were given a boost in the 76th minute when Stevenson went in for a clumsy aerial challenge & received a 2nd yellow & an early trip to the clubhouse.
Troon now completely retreated into their defensive shell & looked to hold onto what they had with Talbot dominating territorially.
Troon’s defence withstood the pressure well but finally cracked in the 86th minute when Talbot levelled. Stephen Wilson lifted a ball in from the right which SEAN MCILROY met with his back to goal & hooked it over his shoulder past the stranded Johnstone.
A minute after levelling Talbot were presented with a golden chance to seal a late win. Graham Wilson burst down the left side of the box only to be sent sprawling by McCreadie & the ref pointed to the spot. Pope took the spot kick but suffice to say it wasn’t his finest, low down the centre & Johnstone was able to block it. The rebound came back to Pope who looked odds on to finish at the 2nd time of asking but Johnstone spread himself well to deflect Pope’s effort over the bar.
Talbot kept pushing & Troon had to survive a further late scare when Shankland’s in swinging corner looked to be sailing straight into the net but once again Johnstone came to the rescue clawing it away from the goal line.
Next up for Talbot it is the William Hill Scottish cup preliminary round where they host Banks o Dee at Beechwood this Saturday.

Talbot – Leishman, Lyle, Pope, Harvey, McPherson, Hyslop, Waite, Armstrong, Glasgow, McIlroy, Kemp

Subs – S Wilson, G Wilson, McDowall, Shankland, Hadden

Troon – Johnstone, McCreadie, McInally, Keenan, Syme, Chatham, McCrae, Stevenson, Nade, Pooler, Love

Subs – Simpson, Clark, Strachan, Lamont

Talbot progressed to the knock out stages of the West League Cup with a solid win over Hurlford United. With Craig McCracken injured and Ross Harvey working Gareth Armstrong was moved to a sweeper roll alongside Neil McPherson. Their was a first start for Sean McIlroy while David Waite was given the nod in the centre of the park.

Talbot showed their intentions when Kemp shot narrowly past the post, but it was Andy Leishman who was the early saviour when he saved at the feet of Robertson after the big striker pounced on a Lyle passback. Sean McIlroy was to open the scoring on 19 minutes when Glasgow caused havoc in the visitors box and when the ball was partially cleared the big striker gathered the ball six yards out and slid the ball past the keeper. Hurlford equalised a minute later when a speculative ball upfield took a wicked deflection off Pope and landed at the feet of Watt who passed the ball into the net well away from Leishman.

Talbot retained their lead on 34 minutes when Pope curled a superb ball into the box where the unmarked Dwayne Hyslop headed into the net.

The second half was void of any clear cut chances except a Robertson header that Leishman briliantly saved. With Hurlford pushing forward for another goal the Talbot defence stood firm, and nearly extended their lead when Graham Wilson forced the keeper into a decent stop.

 

Talbot got a lesson on finishing when Darvel stuck away two goals from a limited amount of chances, while the Bot huffed and puffed for 90 minutes squandering decent attempts with their cause not helped by a spirited goal keeping display by the visiting keeper.

Darvel were one up in a matter of seconds when a hoof upfield wasn’t cleared by Lyle where his poor touch set up Paul Cameron who drilled the ball past Leishman. Talbot fight back and on 18 minutes the keeper did well to parry a Shankland free kick. McCracken picked up an injury on 30 minutes and was replaced by Pope and Minutes later Armstrong saw his rocket shot well saved by Marky. Darvel went further ahead when Stewart Davidson stroked a free kick past Leishman. to make it 2-0. With the first half coming to a close Shankland was unlucky to see his attempt blocked on the line.

The second half nearly started like the first when Leishman did well to block the ball from the Darvel number nine. from then on it was all Talbot but Marky saved from a number of Talbot attempts. With 10 minutes remaining Shankland threw Talbot a lifeline when he thundered a shot past the keeper. Credit to the Bot as they threw everything forward but the visiting defence stood solid.

 

Photographs by Paul Flynn.