Talbot keep up title tilt

Goals from Gareth Armstrong and Stevie Wilson earned Auchinleck victory over Troon at windswept Portland Park, writes Colin Paterson.

On a freezing afternoon, Talbot were hot stuff either side of the interval.

It was a win which lifted the Beechwood Park men up to sixth in the West Region Premiership table – they are 16 points behind leaders Kilwinning Rangers but with seven games in hand.

‘ Bot boss Tommy Sloan said: “I’m delighted with the performance. There were a lot of good performers in our side and I thought we were worth the win in the end.

“It was really tough. You had to try and keep the ball on the deck and I think we showed that in wee spells in the first half but Troon were always a threat.

“The first goal came at the right time and it was about managing the game and seeing it out when we got the second.

“We were pretty solid and we came through it really well. We’ve just got to take it one game at a time and forget about everybody else’s results.”

With the gale at their backs, it was advantage Troon in the first half but their only real effort came in the 24th minute when Ryan Stevenson’s free- kick was blocked by keeper Andy Leishman.

Seasiders custodian Scott Johnstone did well to repel Jamie Glasgow’s fierce strike at his near post in the 35th minute but Talbot secured the breakthrough four minutes later.

Stevenson gave the ball away cheaply with Talbot working it out to the left flank for Mark Shankland whose cross was nodded in by Armstrong.

It was then 2- 0 in the 52nd minute when a long ball forward sent Wilson racing clear and he made no mistake with an accomplished finish to beat Johnstone.

Troon caretaker manager, Jimmy Kirkwood, said: “Conditions were a leveller for both teams and losing the first goal was a setback for us.

“I think Auchinleck’s defenders earned their money. [ Neill] McPherson and [ Craig] McCracken were excellent.