Good workout on Tuesday night against the Scottish Amateur Cup holders Thistle winning 3-2 with all players getting a runout.
Tag: Friendlies
Friendly – Larkhall Thistle 3 Darvel 4
Thistle continued their pre-season friendly programme with another fixture that has become a regular annual event, this year it was the Jags turn to host Darvel.
Darvel took the lead after 6 minutes when a failure to clear the ball allowed their No.5 time to pick his spot for an easy finish from 10 yards.
Thistle made an early first half substitution when Gary McStay came on for the injured Niall Reynolds with Declan Doyle dropping back into the back three. The move was to pay dividends right away as McStay grabbed a quick-fire hat-trick, the first being the pick of the bunch when he took time to compose himself and pick his spot after good work from Doyle on the right.
The visitors got themselves back into the game with a goal before half time, a free header from a corner after the Darvel player had made a good run into the box.
Half time: Larkhall Thistle 3 Darvel 2
Darvel equalised just after half time with a breakaway goal that caught the defence out, Thistle were caught remonstrating with the referee after McStay had gone down in the box looking for a penalty.
The two teams were evenly matched and a draw looked to be on the cards until Scott Nicholl got involved with three Darvel players at the stand side touchline and received a second booking, the first had been for a bad tackle that could have been a red on its own.
Thistle brought on a couple of youngsters for the last 15 minutes and both showed up very well, looking like a real threat to the Darvel defence but with the extra man the visitors got the decisive break at the end and wrapped up the win with yet another goal from a corner.
After scoring seven in each of the last two matches, this was a far more difficult test for the Jags and one they will have learned a fair bit from.
Full time: Larkhall Thistle 3 Darvel 4
Scorer: McStay (3)
Larkhall Thistle:
Thomson; Brown, Reynolds, Nicholl; Kelly, Doyle, Canning, Innes, McKeever, Reid, Clarke. Subs Moss, McStay, Gracie, Trialists
Friendly – Larkhall Thistle 7 Abbey Vale 1
Thistle welcomed Abbey Vale for what has now become a regular fixture in the pre-season calendar, this time though the clubs were playing for the inaugural Tommy Jamieson Memorial Cup, in memory of local man Tommy who had strong ties with both clubs.
With the exception of the goalkeeper – where Lee Moss once again stood in and played very well – Larkhall had what was probably their strongest starting team out so it was a good chance to see how they played together before the start of the competitive fixtures.
Two goals in the first three minutes from Matty Clarke gave Thistle the perfect start and looked to be a sign of things to come. The Jags went 3-0 up in under 10 minutes when Scott Nicholl swung a great cross onto Josh Payne’s head and he fired into the corner.
David Reid then made it four midway through the half with a low drive after the keeper had saved the initial shot and Clarke rounded off the first half scoring to complete his hat trick.
Half time: Larkhall Thistle 5 Abbey Vale 0
Hugh Kelly started the half in place of Ryan Innes in the centre of midfield and despite the big lead there was no letting up and some strong words from the manager at the early missed chances.
McKeever, Doyle and trialist Liam Mushett came on for Payne, Clarke and Reynolds after an hour but it took Thistle nearly 20 minutes of the second half to add to the lead when Reid finished after good work by Gracie on the left.
Mushett made it 7-0 when Brian Jack hit him with a cross from the byeline but Abbey Vale pulled a goal back right away with a free header from a corner.
A good show from Thistle and some very good passing moves and a scoreline that could easily have reached double figures with a bit more clinical finishing, especially in the second half.
Full time: Larkhall Thistle 7 Abbey Vale 1
Scorers: Clarke (3), Payne, Reid (2), Mushett
Larkhall Thistle:
Moss; Brown, Reynolds, Nicholl; Payne, Innes, Jack, Canning, Reid, Gracie, Clarke. Subs: Kelly, McKeever, Doyle, Mushett
Abbey Vale:
Holt; Ruddick, Edgar, Connelly, Love, Cameron, Telfer, Kennedy, Kerr, Thom, Malin. Subs: Mellon, Pirrie, Turner
Bus for Kinnoull next Saturday
There is a bus for Larkhall Thistle’s friendly game at Kinnoull (Perth) next Saturday, August 2nd. The bus leaves the Thistle park at 11am and seats are still available.
Contact Hugh Kerr on 07746 875 347.