Saturday 5th. May away Irvine Meadow League bus leaves Park at 11am.
Saturday 12th.May away Rossvale Central League Cup bus leaves Village Tavern 1pm.
Month: April 2018
Larkhall Thistle 3 Kello Rovers 0 – 28th April 2018
Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Kello Rovers
McBookie.com Super First Division
Thistle made several changes from the midweek loss to Petershill; Duncan, Doyle, McKeever, Innes and Clarke all dropped out to be replaced by Thomson, Mushett, Payne, Canning and Gary McStay.
The Jags got off to a shaky start with Kello having most of the early play and chances, in the seventh minute Josh Payne had to rescue the defence with a clearance off the line that set the tone for an excellent game from the youngster.
Kello had a claim for a penalty after 15 minutes with the suspicion of a shirt being pulled followed by the ball striking an arm from close range but the referee waved play on, however he appeared to use the totting up method of two half penalties making a whole one when he awarded a spot kick two minutes later for a challenge from Hugh Kelly. Stewart Thomson in the home goal kept up the Jags excellent recent record of keeping penalties out with a diving save to his left.
Johnny McStay had done well to rob a Kello defender and get his shot away and although not his best effort he made up for it in the 20th minute when he again took the ball off a dithering defender and took it forward, keeping his head well to slot past the keeper.
Five minutes later David Reid nearly made it two with a fierce drive from 25 yards and at this point Thistle were in control of the game and passing the ball confidently. Kello replied with a shot from range of their own that Thomson saved well but that was about it from them in the first half in an attacking sense.
Reid doubled the lead ten minutes from half time after Brian Jack’s flick header set him away, he took the ball wide past the last defender and looked to have taken a touch too many but in doing so created the perfect angle to draw the keeper and slot it past him into the opposite corner.
Half time: Larkhall Thistle 2 Kello Rovers 0
Two minutes into the second half the game was over as a contest as Liam Mushett rose to meet a corner from the left and made excellent use of the back of his neck to force the ball over the line.
Understandably with the game won Thistle’s performance dipped a bit and Kello came back into it but without the quality in the final third to threaten a realistic comeback. Their best effort came twenty minutes from time from a simple move, a throw-in found an unmarked team-mate who took the ball first time on the volley and forced a full length save from Thomson.
Thistle saved their best move of the game till the 80th minute, Kelly found Gary McStay on the right side of the penalty area with an inch perfect pass, he played the ball across the area to substitute Matty Clarke on the left who rolled it into the path of Reid to take the ball in and nearly put the icing on the cake but he was denied by another good stop from the keeper.
Two minutes later Clarke found himself in an almost identical position and his shot brought the same result from the keeper.
The win move Thistle up to the dizzy heights of fifth bottom with four games left to play against Kello Rovers (away), Cumbernauld (away), Troon (home) and starting at Irvine Meadow on Saturday.
Full time: Larkhall Thistle 3 Kello Rovers 0
Larkhall Thistle:
Thomson; Brown, Mushett (Robb 75), Reynolds; Canning (Clarke 71); Payne, Jack, Kelly, Reid; G McStay, (McKeever 79), J McStay. Subs: Gracie, Duncan (GK)
Scorers: J McStay, Reid, Mushett
Larkhall Thistle v Petershill Wednesday 25th. April
Petershill arrived as newly crowned champions of the Super 1st Division . Dunky made changes from Saturday’s game at Largs . Johnny Duncan, Declan Doyle , Hugh Kelly and Mark McKeever replacing Liam Mushet , Josh Payne , Mark Canning and Graham Gracie who all dropped to the bench with the exception of Liam who had not recovered from his injury at Largs.
As is traditional Thistle applauded the champions onto the park.
The home team started brightly against what was quite a strong wind. Jonny McStay had a shot just off target in five minutes. Slowly Petershill came into the game and after exerting pressure on the Thistle defence Gold netted with a header from close in. At this stage not a lot was seen of the home team in an attacking sense as the visitors tried to add to their tally . Jonny McStay then had a shot easily saved by Gibson in the visitors goal. Jonny Duncan was then called into action with a fine save from a Crerand shot.
Half Time Larkhall Thistle 0 – Petershill 1
The visitors came out in the second half with all guns blazing and it was no surprise when no. 9 Hall netted in 61 min after a fine passing move. Graham Gracie then replaced Jonny McStay. Seven minutes later Hall netted again after some poor defensive work from the home team.
As in many previous games Thistle came to life when goals behind and Matty Clarke had a free kick that just went narrowly past with the keeper stranded. Div Reid then had a shot which was well off target.Josh Payne then replaced Hugh Kelly and was involved in the move that lead to Graham Gracie who headed Josh’s perfect cross by Gibson in the visitors goal with 15 minutes still too be played. Thistle took heart from this goal and Div. Reid then had a shot off target . However the home team were not too be denied and Div. netted the second goal from great ball from Matty Clarke. There was still ten minutes plus injury time to be played and for the first time the visitors looked edgy. Thistle tried as hard as they could but could not get the equaliser and Petershill made the game safe with a 90th. minute goal from Crerand
Team Duncan, Doyle, Brown , Reynolds, McKeever, Kelly , (Payne) Jack Innes, Reid, Jonny McStay(Gracie), Matty Clarke
Subs. Not used ; Thomson (gk) Canning , McStay ,
Once again we gave a team a start and against the champions it was to big a mountain to climb so it is on to Saturday when Kello are the visitors it what is virtually a six pointer.
Largs Thistle 2 Larkhall Thistle 1 – 21st April 2018
Barrfields Park, Largs
Largs Thistle v Larkhall Thistle
McBookie.com Super First Division
Larkhall went to their furthest flung league opponents with a depleted squad, Gary McStay, Andy Brown, Billy Robb, Hugh Kelly and Mark McKeever were all missing for various reasons. Josh Payne started the game at right back in a back three with Liam Mushett and Niall Reynolds.
Largs looked the more likely side in the early stages and came close on a couple of occasions, a good flowing move ended with a shot past the post when the Largs player looked like scoring and it was quickly followed by another effort that Thomson in the Jags goal had to look lively to save.
Midway through the half Thisle created their first real threat as Liam Mushett back-headed a floated free kick towards the goal and a Largs defender nearly turned the ball into his own goal trying to clear it, bringing out a great reaction save from his keeper.
Largs went ahead five minutes later from a corner on the right, it was played into the danger zone and not dealt with by the defence and Scott Adam found himself in space in the middle of the box to stoop and head in from close range. They were lifted by the goal and immediately went looking for a second and nearly got it as Thomson had to save well with his feet when the Largs striker was clean through.
Larkhall got level just before half time against the run of play, David Reid took a corner on the right and Mushett got up well to get on the end of it, heading what looked to be a certain goal but it was scrambled off the line only as far as Matty Clarke who finished easily from a couple of yards.
Half time: Largs Thistle 1 Larkhall Thistle 1
Clarke almost carried on his good work into the second half as he took a free kick that Largs keeper Cousar had to be at full stretch to fingertip round the post. Largs responded through Stevenson who left Reynolds but produced a tame shot before the same player wriggled past the defence only to lift his shot over the bar. McWaters then got clear of four Larkhall defenders to cross for Fleming arriving late in the box but his header was wide of the post.
Stevenson got clear on the right minutes later but Thomson dived to save from his half-volley but the writing was on the wall and Largs took the lead for the second time right on the hour mark. They won a throw on the right and played the ball right to the byeline and cut along it before sending the ball across the goal to the back post where Adam finished again for his second.
Liam Mushett picked up an injury and although he came back onto the park after treatment it was clear he was struggling and was replaced by young Mark Cuthbertson who did an excellent job when he came on and provided probably the one bright spot of the day with his performance.
Thistle were under the cosh for most of the rest of the game with the home side producing waves of attacks but the defence held out without conceding any further goals.
Ten minutes from the end there was a chance to snatch a draw when Johnny McStay intercepted a poor back pass and bore down on the goal but decided to go it alone rather than cut back for Reid who was in a great position to score. His shot was saved for a corner and when the ball came back out to Jack he hit a tremendous dipping volley from 25 yards that would have been a contender for goal of the season if the keeper hadn’t saved it.
A familiar result in Ayrshire but Largs were the better team on the day and deserved their win that takes them now third in the league. Thistle are third bottom, a point behind Kello Rovers who they play on Saturday.
Full time: Largs Thistle 2 Larkhall Thistle 1
Larkhall Thistle:
Thomson; Payne, Mushett, Reynolds; Canning; Clarke, Jack, Innes, Reid, J McStay, Gracie. Subs: Duncan (GK), Adams
Scorer: Clarke
Booked: Innes, Reid, Payne
Largs Thistle:
Cousar; Fisher, McMaster, Little, Jamieson, Muir, Stevenson, Fleming, Adam, McWaters, McKie
It is with great sadness that I have to post this information. Edwina the dear wife of committee member Levi McPhee and the mother of Chloe passed away yesterday.
No words can really say how everyone at the club feels at this moment and time but Levi and Chloe and the rest of the family are very much in our thoughts. Rest in peace now Edwina you were so brave.
Maryhill v Larkhall Thistle Wednesday 18th. April
Thistle went into this fixture without Billy Robb on holiday with Mark McKeever, Stuart Thomson and Declan Doyle all struggling to make the kick off due to work commitments.
Jonny Duncan came into the team with Mark Canning and Graham Gracie dropping to the bench.
Thistle started strongly on what was a very bumpy pitch quite badly rutted in places making ball control difficult at times. Chances at both ends were few and far between with the home team looking the more likely.
After a couple of fruitless corners Maryhill took the lead from a corner on the right which cleared the Thistle defence and was bundled into the net at the back post with Ryan Innes unable to stop it on the line.This reverse stung the visitors into action and Div. Reid fired a free kick against the defensive wall . However the Jags equalised again from a free kick on the edge of the box given for a foul on Gary McStay . Up stepped Matty Clarke to despatch a tremendous shot past the home keeper for the equaliser.
Half Time Maryhill 1 Larkhall Thistle 1
Thistle opened up strongly in the second half and Johnny McStay had a run and shot which was off target . The game was becoming a real battle with both team going at each other with Thistle then being awarded a penalty for foul in the box on Div. Reid but Matty Clarke’s penalty was saved by the Maryhill keeper. This stung the home team into action and Jonny Duncan had a fine save diving to his left to turn a net bound shot round his left hand post. Gary McStay was then replaced by Graham Gracie as Thistle pushed for the next goal. This duly arrived when Graham Gracie latched onto a Jonny McStay flick to hit an angled drive past the Maryhill keeper into the top left hand corner.Maryhill then went on the offensive and were awarded a penalty for a push in the box but Jonny Duncan pulled off a fine save diving to his right and pushing the ball onto the post with the ball being scrambled clear. Hugh Kelly then replaced Matty Clarke as Thistle battled to hold on to their advantage . The home team went on the offensive winning a number of corners but the Jags defence stood firm. Mark Canning then replaced Liam Mushet after the big man took a knock . Thistle defended well for the remainder of the game for a precious three points.
Team ; Jonny Duncan, Matty Clarke ( Hugh Kelly) , Andy Brown,Liam Mushet (Mark Canning), Niall Reynolds ,Josh Payne , Brian Jack, Ryan Innes , Div Reid, Gary McStay (Graham Gracie) Jonny McStay Subs Declan Doyle , Mark Cuthbertson.
Again every player gave their all on the night for what turned out to be three vital points especially with Kello , Shettleston and Kilsyth all losing.
Larkhall Thistle 1 Irvine Meadow 2 – 14th April 2018
Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Irvine Meadow
McBookie.com Super First Division
Thistle made four changes from the midweek game at Rutherglen – Stewart Thomson, Brian Jack, Matty Clarke and Johnny McStay replaced Johnny Duncan, Billy Robb, Ryan Innes and Gary McStay.
After the 4-0 loss two weeks ago the Jags were looking to put on a better show this time and they did, although in the end the result was the same.
Thistle started the game promisingly with a couple of good moves down the left that lacked a good final ball but they took the lead in the 15th minute with a well-worked goal. Graham Gracie got up well to flick on a long ball into the path of Matty Clarke who took the ball past the last defender and squeezed it just inside the left hand post.
Irvine struck back right away with a break and as their slipper-footed striker Boyd went into the box Liam Mushett came across his path and he went down looking for and getting the penalty. Justice was done as the penalty was blasted against the bar, a big let-off for Thistle but Meadow followed it up moments later with a shot that just cleared the bar.
Thistle’s best effort in the remainder of the half was a half-volley from Jack from 25 yards that the keeper got down to save.
Half time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Irvine Meadow 0
Two minutes into the second half Larkhall had a great opportunity to double their lead, Gracie found a bit of space and played the ball wide to McStay, he cut inside and made good space for the shot but he blasted his effort high over the bar.
Thistle had started the half well and six minutes later McStay’s head flick put Reid clear but unfortunately he didn’t make the most of the chance and the keeper robbed him. It was the goal that they needed though as a minute later the visitors equalised, a long ball down the middle was flicked on to McTernan who took it wide past Brown and Thomson and rolled it in from a tight angle.
Irvine were on the ascendancy now and could have scored a couple of minutes later when Boyd beat Reynolds but they got what was the winning goal just five minutes after the equaliser, a corner from he right landed in the middle of the area and the defence couldn’t clear it, Miller getting there to slam it in through the crowd.
The Jags came back well and had a couple of decent shouts for penalties that looked more like penalties than the one given to Irvine Meadow but they came closest to equalising through Liam Mushett. The big man had won every header all day at the back but this time nearly turned scorer as he headed a Gracie free kick onto the bar.
There were a couple of opportunities from free kicks before the end but they were wasted and the points had gone.
Full time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Irvine Meadow 2
Larkhall Thistle:
Thomson; Brown, Mushett, Reynolds; Canning; Payne, Jack, Reid; Gracie, Clarke, J McStay (G McStay 65)
Subs: Robb, Doyle, Kelly, McKeever
Booked: Reynolds
Irvine Meadow: Newman; McLennan, Willet, Begley, Miller, McGuire, Carson, Spence, Boyd, McTernan, Carnwath.
Rutherglen Glencairn v Larkhall Thistle
My apologies I made an error in the game report the half time score was actually 1-0 with the penalty incident happening early in the second half . That what happens when you try and write the match report late at night when your knackered.
Rutherglen Glencairn v Larkhall Thistle
On what was a bitterly cold night with a freezing easterly wind Dunky brought back Liam Mushett into defence with Declan Doyle on the bench due to him not being available at kick off. Graham Gracie and Gary Mcstay retained there places after coming off the bench with Mark Canning and Div. Reid also returning.
Thistle won the toss and elected to kick with wind . They started brightly with . Div. Reid prominent but they never really threatened the home keeper. Glencairn slowly came into the game with Leyden and McArdle prominent aided by Tony Fraser. The home team were starting to trouble the visitors defence and it was no surprise when the Glens went ahead in 27 minute with a fine strike by Gary Smith. At this stage Thistle were really struggling and went further behind after the referee awarded a very dubious penalty when Ryan Innes clearly won the ball quite honestly he reacted to the shouts of the home players and bench. Gary Smith netted his second goal from the spot sending Johnny Duncan the wrong way.. The Glens continued to press but half – time arrived with the score remaining 2-0.
Dunky reacted to the first half display by replacing Billy Robb with Brian Jack to help bolster the mid – field . It soon became clear that some strong words had been said in the visiting dressing room as the Jags came out very much on the offensive and pulled a goal back after 54 minutes with a tremendous volley from Mark Canning after fine work by Graham Gracie. The Jags now had their tails up and went in search of the equaliser with Div. Reid coming close. Dunky then took off Gary McStay and replaced him with Jonny McStay and this change had an immediate effect when the big man with his first touch of the ball guided a Josh Payne corner into the net. Glens were stung by this goal and laid siege to the visitors goal but the Thistle defence stood firm. Thistle then had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for what was at best minimum contact on the keeper . Matty Clarke then replaced Josh Payne . Thistle continued to push and had yet another goal chalked off the assistant flagging for offside against Liam Mushett when he knocked the ball home from a Jonny Mcstay head flick . It looked a very close decision indeed. In fading light the game petered out with both teams settling for the draw. Thank goodness apart from Ryan Innes needing attention for a facial cut there was not a lot of injury time because it was becoming really dark as the whistle blew for time up.
Teams- Thistle – Johnny Duncan, Billy Robb (Brian Jack) Andy Brown , Liam Mushett, Niall Reynolds, Josh Payne (Matty Clarke) , Ryan Innes , Mark Canning , Div Reid , Graham Gracie, Gary McStay ,( Jonny McStay )
Subs. not used – Declan Doyle , Mark Cuthbertson.
In a game of two halves as far as performance is concerned everyone raised their game in the second half so there was plenty candidates for man of the match but the award goes to the skipper Mark Canning not only for his goal but his leadership skills.
Johnstone Burgh 1 Larkhall Thistle 5 – 7th April 2018
Keanie Park, Johnstone
Johnstone Burgh v Larkhall Thistle
Central League Cup Second Round
Manager Dunky Sinclair made four changes from last week with Billy Robb, Ryan Innes, Josh Payne and Matty Clarke replacing Liam Mushett, Mark Canning, David Reid and Gary McStay. Johnny Duncan kept his place in goal after Stewart Thompson failed a fitness test.
With Johnstone second bottom of the Second Division, it was a game that Thistle were expected to win.
Johnstone had the first effort on goal 14 minutes into the game with a shot that went wide, Thistle’s first meaningful attack five minutes later resulted in the opening goal for the Burgh. Ryan Jack played a god ball into Matty Clarke who shot into a crowd of players on the edge of the box, Johnstone broke away downhill and scored.
After the goal Thistle came into the game and Josh Payne went close with a shot that went high past the right hand post then Ryan Innen was in on the keeper after a one-two with Johnny McStay but the keeper got down to turn the ball round for a corner.
Thistle’s pressure brought the equaliser in 31 minutes when Payne got free down the right again and shot across the goal, the keeper got a hand to it but only managed to divert it into the path of Matty Clarke who finished easily at the back post.
Larkhall took the lead just before half time when Clarke dribbled the ball along the byeline and cut back for McStay to slam in from 10 yards.
Half time: Johnstone Burgh 1 Larkhall Thistle 2
Johnstone came out in the second half looking to try and get level and had most of the pressure in the early stages. Payne went close for Thistle ten minutes into the half against the run of play witha shot just over the bar after he had he created space at the edge of the box following good set up play from Innes and McStay.
Ten minutes later Jack played a one-two with Innes and got in a shot that was pushed round for a corner, he then got a good glancing header from the corner kick but sent it just over the bar.
Thistle were now in control of the game again and after the double substitution of Gary McStay and Graham Gracie for Johnny McStay and Matty Clarke totally dominated the rest of the game. The third goal came with 15 minutes left, McStay and Payne combining to set up Gracie who found the far corner.
Six minutes later any doubt about the outcome disappeared as Gracie broke down the left and his cross was deflected into the net for an own goal. Gracie was involved again for the fifth, holding the ball up an laying it off for Reynolds to finish.
Thistle are one of eight teams through to the third round, East Kilbride v Clydebank was postponed and another eight teams still need to play each other in the second round.
Full time: Johnstone Burgh 1 Larkhall Thistle 5
Larkhall Thistle:
Duncan; Doyle, Brown, Robb, Reynolds; Payne, Innes, Jack (Kelly 78), McKeever; J McStay (G McStay 68), Clarke (Gracie 68) Subs: Canning, Reid
Scorers: Clarke, J McStay, Gracie, Reynolds, og
Booked: Robb, Payne, J McStay