Talbot boss content with point against title rivals

AUCHINLECK Talbot boss Tommy Sloan admitted that a draw with Beith wasn’t what he was hoping for from Saturday’s crunch tie between two of the top flight’s main title contenders.

Scott Schoneville supplied an excellent finish from the angle to put Talbot in front after 10 minutes, but Evan Dunne headed home for the defending champions on the stroke of half-time to level the match.

Despite the best efforts of both teams, that was how it stayed - with the two sides still separated by just two points in the standings.

The 1-1 draw means Talbot have lost just one of their last 14 games in all competitions - though it also brought an end to a remarkable run, stretching back to early September, that had seen Talbot win 13 matches in a row at Beechwood Park.

Sloan told Talbot’s media team after the match: “I was disappointed a wee bit in the first half performance, I don’t think we started the game very well.

“We were a bit nervous and tentative at times even though we got a lead and hit the woodwork. I don’t think we got on the ball much, there were too many longer balls.

“I thought we improved in the second half and the last five or ten minutes we were pushing for a winner so that was certainly pleasing.

“A home draw is not what we’re looking for but we’ll take it and move onto the next game. It continues a decent run for us.”

Talbot took their impressive league form to New Cumnock on Tuesday night, after this issue of the Chronicle went to press, for a local derby against a Glenafton side who are fighting for their lives at the foot of the table.

This Saturday, April 6, Sloan’s side continue their quest to retain the West of Scotland Cup when they take on Pollok in the semi-final at Beechwood Park (KO 2pm).