Aiden looks on, while ‘Gee’ fires the ball up the park.
A middle of the park aerial battle for McCracken, as he makes sure he clears the danger.
The game gets temporarily paused for a very nasty head knock, as the Troon player awaits getting treatment.
With Samson back on his feet after the head knock, McCracken passes on some advice for when the game resumes.
McPherson and ex-Talbot player Stephen Wilson, exchange words about the previous incident.
TWO GREAT CHANCES!!! Samson fires an awkward header towards goal and…
…after the header gets saved, Keir races in for the rebound but again, the ‘keeper pulls off a great save.
On the edge the box, Mason does his best to evade the challenge and race in on goal.
THAT’S GOTTA HURT!!! Keir Samson winces in pain, as he takes a very sore one in this challenge.
While trying to race up the middle of the park, ‘Pee-wee’ gets stopped in his tracks by a great tackle.
With the head wound from the earlier challenge opening up again, the Troon player gets subbed for his own safety.
BROTHER VS BROTHER. Stephen and Graham keep their eyes firmly on the ball, as all family loyalties are forgotten about for 90 minutes.
Both sets of players do their best to try and make sure their game plan doesn’t hit the buffers and manage to keep their league aspirations on track.
Samson tries to muscle his way past his opponent while still keeping his eye on the ball.
Hyslop tries to evade this challenge while going on the attack.
HOW’S THAT NOT A GOAL??? ‘Pee-wee’ rises the highest and fires a header towards goal where…
…the ball some how manages to stay out of the net. I still can’t workout how it didn’t go in!
Anger certainly gets vented here. All that’s missing is steam coming out his ears!
Is it football or rugby we’re playing? While trying to keep hold of the ball, Samson gets ‘manhandled’ and wins a foul and…
…he certainly lets his feelings known afterwards.
Glasgow has a go at the referee and certainly puts across his view of the game.
After giving away a foul, Troon’s Stephen Wilson, disects the incident with his team-mate.
Darren Miller winds up some of the Talbot support and…
…he certainly lets them know that they took it, hook, line and sinker.
‘Shankers’ makes a very welcome return to action after being out injured.
GOAL GLORIOUS GOAL!!! With the game nearing the end, Talbot finally make the breakthrough. After a wee bit of magic from ‘Shankers’, the ball rolls into space and ‘Pee-wee’ races in and coolly slots the ball home. 0-1.
Hyslop and Stafford are all smiles, as they race away to celebrate.
Nothing quite like celebrating a late winner!
McCracken gets the better of his old team-mate, as he gets to the ball first.
All get in an orderly line please!
WHAT-A-GOAL!!! There was just enough time left for Talbot to make sure of the win, as Keir Samson squeezes the ball home via an acrobatic over-head spectacular. 0-2.
Well…you certainly did silence Troon with that brilliant goal Keir!
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAYS REPORT
Talbot left it late but came good in the end to claim all 3 points at Portland Park and narrow the gap on leaders Pollok.
Both sides set a helter-skelter pace from the start with challenges coming thick and fast and neither side being able to settle on the ball.
In the 19th minute an aerial challenge saw Samson & Jamieson clash heads with both players flat out on the turf. Troon’s Jamieson came off worst & the game was held up for a while to allow treatment before play eventually resumed with Gallagher returning to the fray bandaged up.
Neither keeper had been called upon until the 28th minute when Stafford’s cross was met by Samson and Fisher blocked his header to his right. The ball went loose & Samson went for the rebound but couldn’t force it home.
Two minutes later Talbot had another opportunity. Mason dribbled into the box but was crowded out by a posse of Troon defenders. The ball broke back to Graham Wilson and he pinged a cross over onto the head of Samson but he couldn’t keep it down.
In the 34th minute Moore picked up the game’s 1st caution when he flattened Glasgow 25 yards out. The resultant free kick was a bit too wide right for Glasgow to go for goal & instead he whipped in a dangerous cross that flicked off a Troon head & headed out for a shy.
Talbot’s next attack saw Aiden Wilson float a cross to the back post which was headed back across goal. Samson just failed to connect and after a bit of a scramble in the box Troon were finally able to clear their lines.
A poor refereeing call cost Talbot in the 43rd minute. Samson was taken out late after flicking the ball into the path of Aiden Wilson who was surging clean through on the keeper but the ref blew up too quickly not allowing Talbot the advantage and brought it back for a free kick and booked S Wilson.
Glasgow took the free kick and powered an effort on target from 30 yards that Fisher gathered at the 2nd attempt.
As the half moved into added time it was the home side who finished the stronger. Leishman did well to punch Morrison’s cross clear and Troon then managed to force a series of corners which Black swung into the goal mouth but the defence stood firm & Leishman clutched one under the bar as Talbot held out to go in goal less at the interval.
Talbot started the 2nd half brightly & threatened in the 51st minute when Hyslop’s clever reverse pass sent Stafford free. He cut it back across goal where Sherrie did well to clear for a corner. Glasgow played the corner into the near post area where Samson headed wide of target.
The home side were forced into a change in the 53rd minute when Jamieson’s head wound started bleeding again & he left the field to be replaced by McCloskey.
Troon ought to have taken the lead in the 59th minute. They won a free kick wide on the left that was played into the centre where it was headed clear. The ball came out to Moore in space on the right and he crossed it over to the far post where Miller met it but steered his free header across goal and wide of the left post when it looked easier to score.
Talbot made their first change in the 67th minute with Boylan coming on in place of Mason.
The sub was involved straight away when Glasgow’s ball out right found Boylan on the overlap and his fierce ball across goal was bundled behind by Fisher at his near post. Armstrong came across to take the corner on the right & when it came across Hyslop met it & glanced a header that beat Fisher but came off the base of the right post & ran back across goal before going behind for the goal kick.
Talbot were now taking command & Maitland could easily have put the ball into his own net in the 71st minute when Glasgow whipped a dangerous ball across goal that Troon’s centre-half hoofed over his own crossbar from close range.
In the 76th minute Talbot were awarded a free kick 30 yards out near the left touchline after Miller’s foul on Glasgow; however it was Glasgow who ended up in the ref’s notebook, presumably for dissent. Glasgow went for goal & curled a shot shot just over the bar.
As the game entered the closing stages both sides made a further change – J Black replacing B Black for the home side & Shankland coming on for Glasgow.
The change instantly paid off for Talbot with Shankland involved in the move that saw Talbot take the lead in the 86th minute. His backheel flat footed the defence sending Stafford through on the right and when he cut it back HYSLOP ran onto it to steer a shot into the empty net.
Talbot kept the pressure up and had a half chance to kill the game off in the 88th minute. The Bot were awarded a free kick out on the right following S Wilson’s handball which Shankland took. Troon did well to defend his delivery but at the expense of a corner and when Shankland’s corner came deep to the back post Hyslop met it but headed over the bar.
A minute later Talbot won a free kick just wide of the penalty area after Sherrie went right through the back of Stafford for which he received a deserved booking. Shankland swept it to the back post where Troon managed to glance it behind for the corner.
Deep into injury time Talbot grabbed their 2nd to make sure of the points. Sherrie’s sliced clearance came out to Boylan in space down the right. He crossed it into the centre where KIER SAMSON acrobatically steered an overhead kick inside the right post to make it 2-0.
Tucker now completed his changes with Samson making way for Robbie McCracken shortly before the ref blew for full-time.
Another good win on their travels for Talbot who now return to Beechwood mid-week where they face Kilbirnie in the match that fell foul of last week’s storms.
Troon – Fisher, McLevy, Maitland, Miller, Sherrie, B Black, S Wilson, Moore, Morrison, Jamieson, Gallagher
Pollok go searching for a very early opener, as they try their luck from distance but they fail to find the back of the net.
Boylan ‘legs it’ round the outside, while Mason hurdles over his opponent to avoid the challenge.
GOOOAAALLL!!! Talbot open the scoring where Craig McCracken heads the ball towards goal, as the ball smacks off the underside of the crossbar and…
…Pollok fail to clear their lines and the ball ends up in the back of the net. 1-0.
It’s all high fives for Craig after helping Talbot to open the scoring.
Pollok go for the spectacular but fail to hit the target.
‘Gee’ goes on the attack, as he races up the middle of the park.
Armstrong stays strong in the air and clears the danger.
CHANCE!!! Talbot go looking for a second and Aiden Wilson has a dig from outside the box but to no avail.
Boylan gets in on the action and has a go at goal himself.
The chances are starting come fast for Talbot and Stafford sends a powerful header towards goal but the ball goes wide of the post.
ANOTHER CHANCE!!! Boylan pops up at the back post and gets on the end of a great cross but he can only send his header wide of the mark.
Pollok give away a free-kick and the players discuss what went wrong.
‘GEES’ OH, THAT WAS CLOSE!!! Graham Wilson finds himself with a free header but, again, the ball fails to find the back of the net.
Three Talbot players are free in the box and it is Boylan that gets his head to the ball but fails to score.
Bryan Boylan gets into a tussle for possession in the middle of the park.
Healy digs his heels in and does his best to block the Pollok pass.
WHAT-A-CHANCE!!! Andy Leishman roars out his anger after seeing Pollok miss a glorious chance to equalise.
‘Big Neily’ is all smiles at half-time and…
…so is Kieran, Aiden and Graham. Want to share the joke lads?
Boylan rises the highest and fires a header towards goal.
Pollok look over their shoulder, as Talbot keep up their search for a second and Aaron tries his luck from distance.
Tucker and the Talbot bench look on, as Glasgow has a go from just outside the box but he can only send the ball high over the bar.
Mason stays strong and manages to race away from this challenge.
Pollok are at full stretch, as they try to stop Jamie in his tracks.
GLAS-GO GO GO!!! Jamie goes it alone, as he dances his way through the red wall.
With opponents closing in from all sides, Boylan is under pressure but he still manages to fire off a shot at goal.
Aaron Mason surges forward with ‘Gee’ roaring him on.
Craig and Gareth double up and help to clear the danger for Talbot.
Talbot Player of the Month, Gareth Armstrong, does his best to win back the ball.
All eyes on the ball for Stafford!
WHAT-A-TACKLE!!! Pollok home in on goal and look set to pull the trigger but up steps Aiden Wilson who pulls off an absolutely brilliant tackle to prevent them from scoring.
‘Pee-wee’ stands his ground and comes away with the ball.
OUCH!!! Bryan Boylan takes a sore one from Pollok’s Grant Evans in a challenge where…
…Pollok are reduced to ten men, as Grant gets shown a straight red by the referee.
As Grant Evans walks off, ‘Pee-wee’ lets his feelings known about the incident.
Grant states his case, as he heads for an ‘early bath’.
‘Tucker’ gets interviewed after the game against the club’s new sponsors’ board.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAY’S REPORT
Talbot produced a big performance when needed to eke out a hard fought but well deserved win over Pollok to narrow the gap at the top of the table.
The game had a cagey opening and the first half chance went the way of the visitors in the 7th minute when Horne tried his luck from 25 yards; sending a right foot shot flying over the bar.
A minute later, Talbot took the lead. Boylan did well down the left & fired a dangerous ball across goal that Sideserf turned behind for the corner. Glasgow whipped the corner over to the far post where CRAIG MCCRACKEN rose to crash a header home via the underside of the bar to put Talbot 1-0 ahead.
In the 10th minute Pollok had a chance to put the ball into the Talbot box when they were awarded a free kick out wide on the right. Horne lifted it into the area where it was cleared but only as far as McCann whose attempted scissor kick sliced well wide of target.
The referee got his cards out for the 1st time in the 13th minute. Wharton lost control of the ball and lunged into the tackle resulting in a booking for the Lok player.
He was joined in the ref’s notepad in the 23rd minute when Stafford was booked for a challenge on Fraser.
Talbot then caught the Lok out with a swift counter – Armstrong playing it from deep in his own half to find Mason breaking free & he raced forward before firing a shot on target that was held by Longmuir.
The Bot’s next attack saw Boylan’s shot deflected behind for a corner. This time Glasgow took it short to Mason & he bent a cross toward the far post looking for McCracken but it sailed over his head & behind for the goal kick.
On the half hour mark Talbot won a free kick down the right when Boylan was caught by Fraser. Glasgow opted to shove it down the line for Stafford and his ball across was cut out for a corner. Glasgow swung it across goal where Stafford met it but he glanced his header well wide of the right post.
Longmuir then came to his defence’s rescue when he raced outside his area to narrowly beat Mason to a ball up the right. His clearance cannoned off Mason but it didn’t break for Talbot and the defence were able to clear.
The Bot had a chance to double their lead in the 34th minute. Aiden Wilson swept over a pinpoint cross to the far post to find Boylan but his header flashed wide of target.
The pressure was telling on Pollok and McGregor picked up a yellow card when he took Mason out off the ball.
Talbot thought they’d won a penalty in the 37th minute when Boylan was caught on the right edge of the penalty area but the referee awarded a free kick inches outside the area. Glasgow delivered it to the far post where Graham Wilson met it unchallenged and directed a powerful header back across goal that Longmuir turned past his right post.
The Bot were looking comfortable in their lead but a momentary lapse almost saw Lok draw level a minute before the interval. McCracken took a touch too many & was robbed of the ball allowing Pollok the chance to break. Grant got free down the right and when he slid it across the area it came to Fraser in acres of space in front of goal but fortunately for Talbot he pulled his shot well wide and Talbot went in ahead at the break.
Talbot started the 2nd half positively and had an effort on target within a minute of the re-start. Mason sent it out right to Glasgow and when his cross came over Boylan met it but his header went straight at Longmuir.
In the 50th minute the Bot turned defence into attack with a swift counter. McGregor hurled a long throw into the centre that Leishman gathered & he then sent it out to Glasgow who released Boylan down the right. He squared the ball across to the in rushing Graham Wilson but the ball got caught between his feet and the chance was lost.
Moments later Talbot had another chance when a ball up the left found Mason running up the wing & he cut inside McGregor before lashing a shot over the bar.
Grant became the 3rd Lok player booked when he petulantly threw the ball away when a decision went against him.
In the 53rd minute Mason found himself in a bit of space and surged forward before firing a left foot effort well over the bar from 25 yards.
Esplin joined the Pollok crime count in the 55th minute when he was cautioned for barging Healy over with a clumsy aerial challenge resulting in a Bot free kick 30 yards out. Glasgow shaped as though to hit it but instead threaded it out left to find Aiden Wilson whose cross to the back post was headed clear. It came out to Glasgow at the edge of the area but his shot at goal was blocked.
The visitors had a half chance in the 57th minute when Grant’s cross sped across the area and was gathered by Fraser on the left. He beat Glasgow and cut into the area but tried a curler from a tight angle that flew well over.
Talbot tested the visiting keeper on the hour mark. The Bot were awarded a free kick in their own half that McPherson floated up field. Graham Wilson won the header on and it came to Mason inside the box who rolled it back to Glasgow and his powerful strike was parried away by Longmuir.
The Bot’s next attack saw a lovely bit of skill from Glasgow that was worth the admission alone. He gathered the ball out on the left & through quick feet & close control managed to jink his past 3 Lok defenders before releasing the ball to Mason inside the area whose low drive was saved by the feet of Longmuir.
Pollok were feeding off scraps but had a half chance in the 65th minute. A long ball down the centre saw McCracken hesitate for a second & the ball broke to Forde 20 yards out and he fired a shot over the bar.
A minute later Pollok won a free kick out wide on the left that saw Glasgow booked for a professional foul. Fraser whipped in a dangerous delivery that just cleared the head of Sideserf before hitting off McPherson. Talbot scrambled it out the box but conceded another free kick by the right corner flag for Graham Wilson’s challenge. The free kick was whipped into the centre where Leishman punched it clear under pressure. The ball came out to Horne 20 yards out but he couldn’t keep his shot down.
Both sides made a change in the 69th minute – Talbot bringing on Samson for Mason and Pollok replacing Horne with Weir. The Lok sub was involved immediately after coming on when McGregor’s long shy from the right glanced off a head and came to him 6 yards out but his header lobbed well over the bar.
Down the other end Talbot had another effort on target when Healy gathered it 25 yards out and spread the ball out right to find Glasgow who tried to place it beyond Longmuir but the keeper did well.
Lok now made a 2nd change with Evans coming on for Grant.
With quarter of an hour remaining Talbot put together a good move down the right that ended with Glasgow making it to the bye line & firing a great ball across the face of goal that only needed a touch but there were no takers in the centre.
Pollok had a half chance in the 77th minute. They won a corner down the left which was played into the space in front of the near post where Lyon attempted to flick it home but his shot cleared the bar.
Action then switched to the other end where Graham Wilson won a corner down the left. Glasgow’s in swinger caused Longmuir problems but he managed to flap it away. The ball came out to Stafford but he took a heavy touch and Pollok were away on the counter down the left. Talbot’s defence recovered but then gifted the ball back to Pollok via a poor attempt at a pass back to Leishman. Forde read it and gathered wide on the left but could only force a corner that Talbot defended well.
Tucker now made a further change with Hyslop coming on for Glasgow.
With 5 minutes remaining Talbot had a scare when McPherson & Aiden Wilson left the ball to one another. The Lok player looked set to burst through on goal but Wilson made a fantastic recovery tackle to clear the danger.
Lyon then became the latest Lok player booked when he was cautioned for dissent.
Both sides completed their changes late on with Pollok bringing on G McCann for Forde and Talbot replacing Healy with Boyd.
As the game moved into injury time Talbot had a chance to seal it. Boylan gathered on the right and knocked a good ball inside for Samson to chase but he was just beaten to outside the area by Longmuir.
Deep into added time Pollok were reduced to 10 men when Evans cleaned out Boylan with a terrible tackle. The Bot saw the clock down and claimed all 3 points to narrow the gap at the top to 8 points with 5 games in hand.
A good win in front of an impressive crowd. Next up for Talbot it’s back to Beechwood for a midweek fixture against Kilbirnie.
‘Gee’ sticks to his man in order to put him under pressure.
Unfortunately for McPherson, he has to exit the game very early through injury.
I’m doing the best I can Bryan…no need to shout.
Armstrong stays strong in this 50/50 challenge.
The crowd shelter from the elements, as Aiden Wilson looks to get another attack started.
Beith try to keep the attack going but Stafford does his best to win the ball back for Talbot.
BREAKTHROUGH FOR BEITH!!! Big Andy does his best to stop the narrow angled shot but he can’t prevent Beith from opening the scoring. 1-0.
Healy looks down, while Beith celebrate opening the scoring behind him.
BLINK AND YOU’LL MISS IT!!! Beith’s lead did not last long, as Samson finds a gap and fires a low shot into the back of the net. 1-1.
Keir wheels away to celebrate his goal.
The Talbot players continue to celebrate Samson’s goal, while ex-Talbot player ‘Butch’ looks on.
The crowd closely watch the action, as Boylan fires the ball down the park.
Glasgow is on the losing end of a hefty challenge.
Healy does his best to evade the challenge and continue his run.
CLOSE FOR TALBOT!!! Samson cleverly prods the ball past the ‘keeper but he can only watch the ball go agonisingly wide of the post.
He may have had to leave the game early due to injury but Big Neily still makes his presence known.
Boylan has a dig from distance but fails to find the back of the net.
Samson finds some space at the back post and fires a free header towards goal but…
…is only left feeling frustrated, as the ball, unfortunately hits the side netting.
Andy Leishman vents his anger after Beith go close to scoring.
SO SO CLOSE!!! Talbot go extremly close to taking the lead but they can only watch the ball smack off the crossbar.
GOOOOAAAALLLL!!! It’s two for Keir but more importantly it’s two for Talbot, as he heads home from very close range. 1-2.
Sheer delight for Talbot, as Samson races away to celebrate.
Boylan lets his feelings known to the officials.
Craig McCracken makes sure there is no way through for Beith and that Talbot see out a very important victory.
Folded seat…£6…B & M…Fire resistant…Best a gear!
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MATCH REPORT JIM McAULEY
A Keir Samson brace was enough to secure Talbot the points in this tough encounter which was ruined by a gale force wind which made the match totally farcical at times, but all credit to both sides for entertaining the four hundred plus crowd who were huddled into Bellsdale Park.
Tucker had elected to go with the starting line up that had faced Hearts the week previous, but as early as the tenth minute he was forced into a change when Neill McPherson limped off. Neill had been involved in a sore one two minutes earlier when he seemed to be caught as he cleared a ball down the pitch. He was replaced by Robbie McCracken who moved to right back as Chris Stafford moved into the middle of defence.
On 13 minutes with the wind at their backs and playing up the slope Beith had the first chance of the game when Fowler powered into the box and fired off a smart cross that Watt headed into the air where the wind blew the ball into the path of McLean but his outstretched leg failed to connect and the ball ended up in Leishman’s arms.
A minute later Watt tried a speculative shot from well out which was well wide while the busy Boylan showed his annoyance after being flagged offside with a clear run at goals on the cards.
Beith were putting the elements to good use and on the 18th minute Noble and McMahon capitalised on a Talbot clearance that had been caught up in the wind to set up Fowler who honed in on goals but his angled shot was turned around the post by the fingertips of Leishman in a save that was more spectacular due to the fact that the ball had taken a wicked bobble before he got to it.
The home side were dominating at this point and on the half hour mark a speculative wind assisted hoof up the pitch was gathered by Fowler who set up McMahon but he shot well past
Four minutes later Beith had the chance to open the scoring when Watt left a number of Talbot players in his wake but his pinpoint cross was headed narrowly over the bar by the unmarked Fowler.
It was no surprise when Beith took the lead on 41 minutes when Noble cleared a loose ball up the pitch, the ball seemed to pick up speed in the wind and that saw it fly past the Talbot back line into the path of Hepburn who set up Fowler and the striker slammed the ball into the net from about eight yards via the base of the post.
Beith’s celebrations were short lived as two minutes later Talbot were level due to a training ground move that must be one of the best goals so far this season. It started with Glasgow down the left who cut into the edge of the box before finding Armstrong he in turn fashioned a one two with Graham Wilson which Armstrong played to the feet of Boylan who’s deft touch left Samson unmarked who stroked the ball past Burgess.
Although being limited to very few chances due to the elements and some decent Beith defending Talbot fashioned two good moves before the interval when Glasgow and Grahan Wilson linked up but Wilson just couldn’t get the cross away and on the half time whistle Samson picked out Aiden Wilson but his cross was blocked.
The opening five minutes of the second half were frantic to say the least. Glasgow threw in a tantalising cross into the box but there were no takers while C. McCracken did well to block a Frize cross that was heading into the danger area.
Both sides were looking for chances as the game became more entertaining, Glasgow and McLean had shots blocked while a McGlinchy corner kick had alarm bells ringing in the Talbot defence but after an old fashioned stramash the ball was cleared.
In the 62nd minute Boylan looked to have put Talbot ahead when his 20 yard strike was heading to the bottom right of the net but Burgess pulled off a terrific one handed save. From the resultant corner Glasgow found the head of Samson but the ball hit the side netting. The Talbot fans were less than pleased two minutes later when Boylan had the ball in the net but the referee had blown for an infringement seconds earlier.
Beith were quick to show they were still in this game when Frize made a superb run down the wing and his low cross into the box was clipped well over the bar by McLean. Moments later Fowler had a half chance but he shot tamely into the keeper’s arms. On the 72nd minute Frize was kicking himself after finding himself unmarked he headed a McGlinchy corner well over the bar.
After that period of pressure by the home side Talbot delivered the sucker punch on the 76th minute after Samson won a free kick on the right of the Beith box. Glasgow delivered a wicked ball that fell to C.McCracken whose touch saw the ball cannon off the bar before being cleared for a corner. Glasgow fired the resultant corner right to the back post where Samson rose above the Beith defense to head the ball into the net.
Glasgow was unlucky not to get himself on the scoresheet when he latched onto a loose ball due to an excellent Armstrong tackle, he then powered up the middle of the park before chipping the keeper from 30 yards but the ball just dipped over the bar.
The last chance of the game came when R.McCracken latched onto a loose ball after Noble half cleared a Boylan cross and the youngster tried his luck from 25 yards but the ball took a vicious swerve and went a few yards past the post. Talbot started to wind down the clock by introducing Mason for G. Wilson, and on the last minute Boyd replaced Glasgow who limped off after catching a stud on the back of his heel.
To summarise it was a hard won three points in difficult conditions against a decent Beith side. The injuries to McPherson and Glasgow we hope are superficial and they are up for selection next week. Robbie McCracken and Chris Stafford put in a great shift after the defensive switch around, while the whole team stuck to their tasks throughout the match.
VERY EARLY GOAL!!! With the game not long started Meadow take the lead, as a close range header fails to hit the back of the net but…
…the ball falls kindly for Meadow and they manage to bundle the ball home. 0-1.
Glasgow and Samson get ready to pounce but the defender clears the danger.
SO SO CLOSE!!! Keir Samson finds space inside the box and sends a very powerful header towards goal however…
…the ball is fired straight at the ‘keeper and thankfully for Meadow, he keeps hold of the ball.
Boylan does his best to race away from ex-Talbot player Kyle Faulds.
Jamie Glasgow gets stopped in his tracks, as the crowd look on.
Synchronicity is obviously the key to get your point across to the referee.
CLOSE AGAIN FOR TALBOT!!! The Medda ‘keeper pulls off a great save in order to stop Boylan from scoring from very close range.
Bryan Boylan tries his luck from distance but fails to find the back of the net.
The Talbot bench closely watch the action, as ‘Gee’ evades a challenge.
McCracken keeps his opponent at arms length while going on the attack.
Talbot come straight out the traps at the start of the second half and Graham Wilson goes close from inside the box.
The steely eyed Glasgow skips past his man and races down the park.
Faulds has a dig for Meadow but Craig McCracken blocks the way through.
TALBOT PULL LEVEL!!! ‘Gee’ gets onto the end of a great cross and coolly slots the ball home. 1-1.
Aiden Wilson goes for the spectacular from the edge of the box but…
…he can only vent his frustration, as he watches the ball sail over the bar.
MEDDA REGAIN THE LEAD!!! Meadow get awarded a penalty and they are spot on with sending Andy the wrong way and firing the ball home. 1-2.
Samson takes a tumble while winning the aerial battle.
TALBOT PULL LEVEL AGAIN!!! Samson rises the highest inside the box and finds the back of the net with a great looping header. 2-2.
Big Andy gets a big fist to the ball and clears the danger.
And moments later he does the exact same thing again to stop Meadow.
GOOOOAAAALLLL!!! And the comeback is complete! Talbot seal their place in the next round, as Craig McCracken fires a cracking late header into the top corner of the net. 3-2.
Que the bedlam!!!
Graham and Craig are in Cheshire Cat mode after the final whistle, as they celebrate a very good victory.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
The fans were well entertained in this thrilling cup tie as for the third time this season Talbot came from behind to beat Meadow and claim their place in the Scottish Junior quarter-finals.
Talbot got off on the wrong foot and fell behind after only 6 minutes with the first real attack of the game. McCloy stole a yard on Aiden Wilson and whipped a cross into the near post where WARDROPE steered a header off the underside of the bar that spun back over the line.
The Bot’s first threat came in the 12th minute when Armstrong found Glasgow in space on the right. He played it first time into the near post where McLennan dived to head it past his own post.
It should have been all level in the 16th minute when Talbot spurned a great opportunity to equalise. McCracken’s long diagonal picked out Glasgow down the left & he skinned Findlay before lifting a cross straight onto the head of Samson who headed it straight at Waters from 5 yards out.
It was then Meadow’s turn to threaten the Bot defence when Connor Boyd managed to wriggle past a couple of challenges. He broke free down the left & slid it across the face of goal but there was no support in the centre.
The visitors had the next shot on target on the half hour mark. The ball broke to Connor Boyd 25 yards out & he drilled it on target but straight at Leishman.
Talbot came close to levelling in the 38th minute. Aiden Wilson’s deep cross found Boylan at the far post & Waters produced a good stop to keep it out at his left post before Willet bundled it behind for the corner.
A minute later the Meadow keeper was back in the thick of it. Glasgow won the ball and slid a pass through to Boylan on the left. He skipped inside onto his right foot and lashed a shot at goal that Waters tipped over his crossbar.
Talbot ended the half on the attack. Boylan did well out on the right and swung over a cross to the far post toward Samson who claimed that his shirt was being held as he tried to reach it but the officials weren’t interested and Meadow went in a goal to the good.
Tucker’s half-time team talk did the trick & Talbot came out all guns blazing at the start of the 2nd period. Within a minute of the re-start Graham Wilson was denied by Waters as he let fly from 18 yards only to see the Meadow keeper parry his effort away.
A 2nd goal would’ve left Talbot with a mountain to climb and Meadow had a half chance in the 48th minute to double their lead. Connor Boyd was in space on the right edge of the area but couldn’t beat Leishman from a tight angle with Andy turning his shot wide of the left post.
Talbot squared the tie in the 55th minute. Armstrong slipped the ball into the path of the overlapping Aiden Wilson whose low cross into the centre was converted by GRAHAM WILSON to make it 1-1.
In the 58th minute Talbot had a half chance to take the lead. Stafford’s cross found its way to Aiden Wilson in a bit of space inside the area but he lashed his shot well over the bar.
Having fought their way back into it Talbot found themselves facing a spot kick in the 59th minute in what must surely be a contender for softest penalty award of the season. A shy from the right was thrown into Wardrope who crumpled to the ground under the flimsiest of challenges from Armstrong. Not only did he fall over at the slightest pretext it looked to be a foot or so outside the penalty area but the ref pointed to the spot and MCLENNAN made no mistake from 12 yards to put Meadow back in front.
Talbot dusted themselves down and were back on the attack in the 61st minute when they won a free kick 35 yards. Glasgow hit it into the area where it broke into the path of Healy who fired a shot just over from 15 yards.
Meadow made the game’s first change in the 64th minute when Graham Boyd was replaced by McNab.
In the 67th minute Aiden Wilson swung a cross beyond the far post which Stafford headed back across goal. Waters came for it & dropped it but unfortunately no Bot player was close enough to take advantage & the defence were able to clear it out for a shy. The shy was taken quickly to Aiden Wilson who lifted a cross toward the far post where KIER SAMSON glanced a header beyond Waters inside the left post to make it 2-2.
It was then Meadow’s turn to exert some pressure when they forced a couple of corners in quick succession but Talbot withstood the inswinging deliveries.
Meadow made their 2nd change in the 71st minute with McCloy going off to be replaced by McKie.
The first card of the afternoon appeared in the 72nd minute with ex-Bot midfielder Faulds receiving a caution for a challenge on Glasgow.
Talbot had a let off in the 79th minute when Meadow broke and the ball was passed out to McNab in space on the left of the area. He lifted a cross towards the far post which Wardrope managed to head wide from a yard out.
Tucker now made a double substitution with Healy & Boylan making way for Mason & Hyslop.
It looked next goal the winner & Talbot nearly grabbed it in the 81st minute. Glasgow cut in off the left & powered a right foot shot on target which brought out a top save from Waters who dived to his left to turn it wide of the post.
Two minutes later Talbot won a free kick in a good area after Faulds bundled Armstrong over 22 yards out. Armstrong clipped it toward the far post but Meadow defended it well & were able to clear.
The woodwork came to Talbot’s rescue in the 86th minute when Meadow broke down the left. The ball was played into the near post where McNab’s shot from a tight angle hit the right post. The rebound came back to him but his follow up effort was blocked by Leishman.
This proved to be pivotal as Talbot went down the other end and went in front for the first time. Glasgow’s cross from the right saw Mason bundled over in the area as he went to meet it but the referee waved play on. The ball came out to Graham Wilson & he chipped a cross toward the back post where CRAIG MCCRACKEN rose to head it home off the underside of the bar. This proved to be his last involvement as he’d taken a knock and was replaced for the closing stages by Lyle.
Meadow pushed hard in the closing minutes – piling bodies forward to snatch an equaliser – but Talbot held firm for the win and will now face a trip to Shotts Bon Accord in the last 8. Next up for Talbot it’s the senior cup where for the first time in Beechwood’s history Talbot will host top flight opposition when they face Hearts.
An early chance for Talbot but the Craigmark ‘keeper bravely gathers the ball at the feet of Samson.
Jamie Glasgow does his best to muscle his way past his opponent.
CHANCE!!! Craigmark go for the spectacular but fail to find the back of the net.
HAD-TO-BE, SURELY!!! Craigmark find space inside the box and fire a powerful header towards goal where…
…Big Andy pulls off an unbelievable save in order to deny them.
CHANCE FOR TALBOT!!! Although under pressure, Glasgow still has a go at goal from close range but he can only send the ball wide of the post.
Samson manages to skip past the ‘keeper and goes chasing after the ball where he then…
…has a dig from an awkward angle but his shot gets blocked by the defender.
PENALTY…MAYBE??? While racing into the box, Boylan gets out muscled for possession and gets bundled over.
ANOTHER TALBOT CHANCE!!! ‘Gee’ goes for glory from the six yard box but he can’t find a way through the two Craigmark defenders.
WHAT-A-CHANCE!!! With an open goal in front of him, Keir Samson slides in and fires the ball towards the gaping net but…
…he fails to score, as the Craigmark defender does enough to deflect the ball wide…just.
Armstrong leaves his man tumbling onto the deck, as he races up the park.
Talbot get awarded an in direct free-kick, while Craigmark show their frustration over the decision.
From the resulting in direct free-kick, ‘Gee’ can only fire the ball into the red ‘n’ white wall.
McCracken fires the ball up the park, while getting shoulder barged from his opponent.
UNBELIEVABLE GOAL, JEFF!!! Talbot finally make the breakthrough via a ‘reeker’ of a strike from Graham Wilson from outside the box, which leaves the ‘keeper rooted to the spot. 0-1.
Craigmark look deflated, while the Talbot players and fans go wild after Graham’s thundering strike.
Jamie’s smile says it all, as the players continue to celebrate Graham’s goal.
SEALED WITH A GLASGOW KISS!!! Talbot make sure of the win, as Jamie finds the back of the net via a diving header from close range. 0-2.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAY’S REPORT
Talbot returned to winning ways at the start of 2022 with a 2-0 win away at a rain soaked Dalmellington.
Craigmark were up for it and they made the early running without being able to test the Talbot defence. The first chance of the match came Talbot’s way in the 7th minute when Glasgow slipped a pass into the path of Samson who burst into the box but over-carried it & Johnson came off his line to smother it.
Leishman was called into action in the 14th minute when Boyle cut the ball back to Cherrie who hammered a shot on target from 25 yards that flew straight at the Talbot goalie.
The home side would have grabbed the opener in the 23rd minute but for a great reflex save. Aiden Wilson conceded a free kick wide on the right which Newton delivered toward the back post. McCrum met it to power a header on goal that Leishman managed to turn behind for the corner.
When the corner came over Talbot cleared it and countered through Glasgow who was hauled to the ground by Lamont who received a caution. Healy drilled the free kick into the box where Graham Wilson flicked it on to Samson racing in behind the defence. He looked set to score but Johnson pulled off a good stop to deny him.
Talbot were slowly gaining the upper hand and threatened the Craigmark goal twice in a minute. Firstly, Boylan did well down the right before squaring it across the area to Glasgow whose side-footed effort was deflected wide of the right post. When the corner came over it found Aiden Wilson at the back post and his effort came back off the woodwork.
In the 32nd minute Talbot had another chance to take the lead. A poor goal kick by Johnson was headed in behind the home defence allowing Samson a clear run on goal. He took it round the keeper and tried to pass it into the net but Kirkwood was on hand to clear it off the line.
Next to try their luck was Healy who brought out a decent save from Johnson in the 37th minute when the keeper dived to his left to save his shot from just outside the area.
A minute later Talbot passed up a good opportunity. Boylan raced free down the left & cut it back into the path of Graham Wilson who misjudged it and got the ball stuck between his feet and the chance was lost.
In the 39th minute Graham Wilson fed the ball out to Boylan on the left and he surged forward before cutting inside and blasting a shot across goal and wide of the left post.
Talbot kept pushing but to no avail and half-time came at just the right time for a Craigmark side under increasing pressure.
The 2nd half started where the 1st had left off with Talbot on top and the Bot were inches from taking the lead in the 49th minute. Glasgow’s shot for goal was blocked but the ball spun into the path of Graham Wilson 25 yards out and he cracked a shot off the crossbar with the keeper well beaten.
Robbie McCracken had his name taken in the 52nd minute when Connelly turned him and he hauled him back.
A minute later Talbot were back on the attack. Graham Wilson’s diagonal ball clipped off the top of Lamont’s head but still found its way out to Boylan in space on the right. He clipped it into the near post for the run of Samson who tried to slide it in but saw his effort deflected behind for the corner.
Craigmark made the game’s first change in the 57th minute when Tan left the field to be replaced by Ryan Caddis.
Talbot’s next chance came in the 59th minute following a Craigmark corner. Connelly crossed it in from the right only for Armstrong to head it clear and Talbot to break quickly up field. The ball was switched out to Boylan on the right but his cross was headed clear at the near post.
Johnson had been having problems with his goal kicks all afternoon and he bodged another in the 63rd minute, forcing one of his defenders to rush a pass back to him which the keeper gathered just inside the area, resulting in an indirect free kick to Talbot. As customarily happens, the referee couldn’t get the defensive wall to retreat the full distance and when the ball was touched off to Graham Wilson his shot was blocked by a defender only a few yards away.
Johnson now received a yellow card for time-wasting and was joined in the book moments later by Stafford who was penalised for a foul on Connelly.
Unfortunately, by this time torrential rain was falling which not only made life difficult for the players but isn’t ideal for match reporting either as it rendered my notepad all but illegible leaving me falling back on my dodgy memory.
At some stage Hyslop came on in place of Robbie McCracken.
The deadlock was broken in the 71st minute. Armstrong won a corner out on the right which he took himself. He fired it low into the near post where it was cleared out to the edge of the area where GRAHAM WILSON lashed an unstoppable shot beyond Johnson to put Talbot 1-0 in front.
Talbot now made another change with McDowall coming on for Boylan.
The game was made safe in the 81st minute when Talbot doubled their lead. Craig McCracken swept over a good cross from the right which JAMIE GLASGOW stooped to meet in front of goal and head past the keeper.
Tucker now made a final change with Boyd on in place of Glasgow.
As the game headed into added time Talbot almost added a third. The ball broke to Craig McCracken inside the penalty area and he drilled a shot at goal from 15 yards out that Johnson did well to keep out.
A good win in atrocious conditions and the prize for Talbot is a place in the 4th round of the Junior cup where they host Irvine Meadow next Saturday.
‘Shankers’ goes on the early attack but gets stopped in his tracks.
Obviously Mark has found something funny but Wullie Boyd certainly didn’t.
HALF A CHANCE FOR TALBOT! Glasgow vents his frustration, as he sees his shot smash into the side netting.
CHANCE!!! Talbot breath a sigh of relief, as Kilwinning miss a glorious chance to score from right in front of goal but they can only watch the ball sail over the crossbar.
Kilwinning clear the danger before Samson can race into the box.
Jamie Glasgow fights for possession, as Gareth closely watches.
Keir Samson looked all set to break free but the defender manages to get a foot to the ball in order to thwart him.
From a corner, Armstrong tries to get on the end of it but the danger gets cleared by the Buffs’ defence.
Shankland evades the challenge and races away with the ball.
The pain is written all over the Buffs player’s face after a hefty challenge.
The Kilwinning bench don’t look too happy with Mark after he fouls his opponent.
With half-time looming, Craig McCracken has a dig from long range but his shot gets blocked.
PENALTY!!! The Buffs get awarded a penalty early in the second half after a handball from Talbot, where Big Andy goes the right way and…
…pulls off a great save but…
…Kilwinning are first to the rebound and smash the ball home. 1-0.
Talbot look dejected, as the boys in blue and white go nuts after scoring.
‘Gee’ tries his luck from a very tight angle but fails to find the back of the net.
Glasgow lets his feelings known to the referee.
OH-SO-CLOSE!!! McCracken goes extremely close to equalising with a powerful close range header but the ‘keeper pulls off a great save to stop him from scoring.
The Talbot bench air their views.
‘Gee’ takes a tumble, while Gareth races on up the wing.
ANOTHER CHANCE FOR TALBOT!!! Graham Wilson sends a looping header towards goal but the Buffs ‘keeper manages to get both hands to the ball.
‘Shankers’ tries his luck straight from a corner but the ‘keeper gets a hand to it and palms it over the crossbar.
The full-time whistle gets blown and the Kilwinning players ‘go wild in the aisles’ after a hard fought victory.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL FLYNN.
MURRAYS MATCH REPORT
Talbot entered the winter break on a low note as they slumped to their 2nd 1-0 defeat in a row; losing narrowly to the Buffs at the Kilwinning Sports Centre.
The 1st half made an excellent case for summer football with little to keep the fans warm on a Baltic day.
The Bot had a half chance early on when Samson burst free on the left but he fired into the side-netting.
Kilwinning had the half’s only real chance in the 8th minute. Ramsay’s cross was blocked behind by Aiden Wilson and when the corner came over from the right it skimmed off Graham Wilson’s head and fell kindly for Wood but the full-back hoofed it over the bar from 8 yards out.
In the 17th minute Samson looked like he was going to race through on goal but a Buffs defender got back to make a timely sliding tackle to knock it back to the keeper.
Kilwinning were slightly edging it on possession but neither side were asking any questions of the opposing goalie and the only other noteworthy incidents of the 1st half were bookings for Shankland for a foul on the touchline and Graham Wilson also had his name taken in the 40th minute.
Kilwinning came out with a bit more intent at the start of the 2nd half and this proved to be the difference on the day. The Buffs forced a corner down the right within a minute of the restart which was cleared at the near post; however the linesman’s flag was raised and after consulting him with the referee awarded a penalty. Hanvey took it and although Leishman guessed right & did well to block it to his left he was helpless to prevent HANVEY bundling home the rebound from close range.
Talbot lifted it after falling behind and Barclay was called into action on 56 minutes when Graham Wilson raced down the left of the penalty area. He tried to square it across the face of goal and it took a deflection off a defender but Barclay was able to turn it behind. The resultant corner was played into the back post area where it bobbled about for a bit before the defence eventually cleared.
With 59 minutes gone Glasgow turned inside the area & drilled a shot on target but it was comfortably held by Barclay.
In the 63rd minute Glasgow received a caution for kicking the ball away after the umpteenth marginal decision went the home side’s way.
The Buffs had went quiet since the goal but threatened to double their lead in the 65th minute. A long shy from the right was cleared at the near post but came back out to Monti and he cut in off the right flank before shooting just over the crossbar.
Talbot won a free kick out wide on the left in the 68th minute when Samson was obstructed. This also resulted in a booking for the Buffs player but who it was I couldn’t say as Kilwinning’s choice of having silhouette’s as opposed to numbers on their shirts made it all but impossible to tell.
Shankland took the free kick and swept it over to the back post where McCracken met it & directed a header for goal that Barclay saved well at his left post. The ball broke loose but didn’t fall Talbot’s way and the defence cleared.
Kilwinning picked up a further caution in the 75th minute when Monti was booked.
11 minutes from time Talbot made their first change with Mason coming on in place of Healy.
A minute later the Buffs almost added a second. A long ball was floated up the left which Collins did well to keep in play. He then surged in off the left touchline into the area and fired a shot across goal and wide of the far post.
After this it was 10 minutes of one-way traffic with Talbot pegging the home side back in their final third looking for an equaliser.
A half chance came Talbot’s way in the 83rd minute when Aiden Wilson picked out Mason on the overlap. His cross to the back post was met by Samson and his header fell to Graham Wilson who hit the target but without the power to trouble the keeper.
With 5 minutes remaining Talbot made another change with Boyd making way for Hyslop.
Talbot’s next chance came via a corner from the right. Shankland’s first ball in was well defended but it came back out wide to him and when he crossed it in a 2nd time Graham Wilson got his head to it but it flew straight at the keeper.
It wasn’t Talbot’s day and this was underlined in the 87th minute. Samson had an effort from 12 yards and his angled drive nearly squirmed through the keeper but he got enough of a deflection on it to send it up and over the crossbar. When the corner came in to the back post Barclay took command of it and punched clear under pressure.
A minute from time Talbot missed another opportunity to level. Glasgow whipped over a great ball from the right that went straight across the face of goal to Aiden Wilson beyond the back post but he lashed it off target from a tight angle.
As the game entered injury time Talbot forced another couple of corners – the first of which Barclay did well to turn over his own bar as the in swinger came in from the right but the Buffs defended the 2nd one well and the ref’s whistle signalled the end.
That’s it for Talbot for 2021 and it’s not until January 8th Talbot are back in action when they travel to Dalmellington to face Craigmark in the Junior cup. Merry Christmas when it comes to all in Talbot land.
