Month: September 2017

With Stewart Thomson still injured, Johnny Duncan continued in goal. Also missing through injury was Hugh Kelly and David Reid was still on holiday.

Dunky started with the same line up as last week against Kilsyth Rangers.

Once again as in past weeks Thistle were slow off the mark and Largs came at them early on and soon had the home team under pressure. It was no surprise then when Largs went ahead, Adams slipped the ball to Muir who converted easily. Thistle just could not get going as an attacking force and the visitors nearly went further ahead after the dugout side assistant allowed Muir to continue when he looked to be offside. Only good work by Johnny Duncan and Liam Mushett who headed the subsequent shot over the bar kept the score at 0-1.

Thistle finally managed to put the visitors under pressure towards the end of the half when a tremendous cross from Scott Nicholl was headed narrowly past by Ryan Innes with keeper Lundy stranded. Matty Clarke then had a snap shot which was deflected for what turned out to be fruitless corner.

Largs then reminded the Jags of how dangerous they can be when Muir sent over a cross which Orr headed narrowly over when he should have done better. Johnny McStay replied with a shot which went well over when he should have at least tested keeper. Orr and Adam then combined for Largs but the big No.9 could not hit the target.

Half Time Larkhall Thistle 0 Largs Thistle 1

Thistle started the second half as in previous games with all guns blazing, and it took Mark Canning just four minutes to go close when he struck the base of the post with the keeper helpless. This was a sign of things to come with Lundy playing a big part in the rest of the game, pulling off some stunning saves and time-wasting which went totally unpunished.

Larkhall were now in control of the game and Innes went very close with a header. On the hour mark Graham Gracie replaced Mark McKeever, with Clarke moving out to the left. Canning was next to try and get the Jags level but headed over when he probably should have done better.

Lundy then produced two stunning stops from Canning and Gracie was denied a penalty when he was brought down as he weaved his way across the box. To be fair the referee was unsighted but the dugout side assistant did not raise his flag when most people thought it was a stonewaller.

A fine move involving Clarke and Gracie ended with McStay just failing to connect at the back post for what would have been a certain equaliser. In the dying minutes Thistle saw their hopes disappear when Canning was again thwarted by yet another fine safe by Lundy. The game ended with the visitors celebrating their victory.

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Johnny Duncan, Andy Brown, Liam Mushett, Scott Nicol; Josh Payne, Mark Canning, Ryan Innes, Craig Forbes, Mark McKeever (Graham Gracie), Matty Clarke, Jonny McStay.

Subs: Gary McStay, Brian Jack, Niall Reynolds, Billy Robb

Booked: Andy Brown, Scott Nicol

Largs Thistle:
Lundy; McMaster, Gilbride, Little, Fleming, Orr, Muir, Adam, Campbell, Burden, McWalter. Subs, Kasubundi, McVey, Jamieson.

 

Once again the Jags suffered for their slow start and giving the opposition too much space but the players must be credited for a spirited recovery in the second half but came across a goalkeeper in inspired form and this coupled with some bad luck resulted in defeat.

Mark Canning had a good second half as did Ryan Innes but today’s man of the match award goes to Andy Brown who was excellent for the full game.