Today our president is 66 years young. Chris has been a stalwart at the club for many years and the pristine condition of the club premises and surrounds are testament to his commitment and dedication to the club as are the number of advertising boards and advertisers in the programme.
Have a happy birthday from everyone at the club.
Victoria Park, Irvine
Irvine Victoria v Larkhall Thistle
McBookie.com West Region Championship
After an even start to the game Vics took the lead in the 19th minute. The Thistle defence claimed offside but the stand side linesman ruled that Ben Fraser had played it to the striker.
Thistle fell further behind in 28 minutes when a good move through the centre of the Jags defence was finished with a chip over the advancing McGraw in goals.
Larkhall had a stonewall penalty claim denied four minutes later but two minutes later the referee did award a spot kick – to the home side. No question about the decision as McGraw came out and clattered the Vics player
Half time: Irvine Victoria 3 Larkhall Thistle 0
15 minutes into the second half substitute Kevin Campbell did well to win the ball and play it through to Brunton who slid it past the keeper to make it 3-1.
Miller was booked for a nasty looking foul and was replaced minutes later by Breen and Thistle made another substitution when Holmes came on for Simpson.
With just over 15 minutes left Victoria got their second penalty for a sliding challenge by Rowan when the Vics man was going away from goal.
Fraser had been the one out of the back four who had been playing well but ruined his day when he got a second yellow card for a stupid handball in the opposition box.
Vics completed the scoring with a breakaway and quick move up the park which exploited the space left by Fraser’s absence on their right and a square ball into the middle was easily finished.
Full time: Irvine Victoria 5 Larkhall Thistle 1
McGraw, Rowan, Fraser, Boyle, Barclay (Campbell), Dick, Adams, Simpson (Holmes), Miller (Breen), Forbes, Brunton. Subs: Hunter, Cooper GK
Saturday 27th. October Irvine Victoria away – League
Saturday 3rd. November Kello Rovers home- League
Saturday 10th. November Muirkirk Juniors home – West of Scotland Cup
Saturday 17th. November Dalry Thistle away- League
Saturday 24th. November fixture not known
Saturday 1st. December Benburb home- League
Saturday 8th. December Craigmark Bruntonians away – League
Saturday 15th.December Girvan home -League
Saturday 22nd December Rossvale away – League
Saturday 29th. December Darvel away- League
Thistle were without Michael Brunton on holiday and John Barclay through injury with manager Derek Holmes also on holiday for his 40th. birthday
Neilston started on the offensive and had the home defence under pressure almost immediately and took the lead in four minutes with a goal that had more than a hint of offside about it which would be feature of the assistant referee on the dugout side of the park as he struggled to keep pace with the play. Neilston kept the pressure up and scored a second goal in 16 minutes when Colin McGraw was lobbed by the Neilston forward. Very little had been seen of the Jags as an attacking force but as half time drew near Jordan Miller struck the crossbar with the keeper helpless.
Half time – Larkhall Thistle 0 Neilston Juniors 2
Whatever Brian and Davy said to the players in the dressing room certainly had an effect as they came out in determined fashion and immediately took the game to the visitors. Bartosz had an early chance but the Neilston keeper had a fine save. Darren Holmes then replaced Ross Adams through injury. Craig Forbes then had shot just off target before David Breen replaced the hardworking Kevin Campbell in an attempt to find a goal . The visiting keeper then pulled off a top class save from David Breen. Craig Forbes then was put through by a Dylan Simpson flick but the angle was to acute and he couldn’t find the target . David Breen then brought out another fine stop from the Neilston keeper as the home team strived for the goal which would possibly turn the game in there favour. Darren Hunter replaced Bartosz with Neilston pushing forward with Colin McGraw bringing off a couple of good saves . Thistle battled to the end but just could not get the goal to bring them back into the game.
Team; Colin McGraw, Ross Adams , Ben Fraser, John Rowan, Adam Boyle , Bartosz, Kris Dick , Dylan Simpson ,Craig Forbes , Jordan Miller, Kevin Campbell
Subs not used Jordan Munn, Ryan Cooper
Once again the players can not be criticised for their efforts and were the better team in the second half and there is on a weekly basis a definite improvement.
Let me start by saying that I have no Intention of making this a regular occurrence. Firstly I much prefer to speak face to face and don’t really enjoy communicating by writing; and secondly , the Committee would not allow me to do so! From now on , Hughie and Derek will keep you all informed as to the general progress within the club in their articles in the match day programme.
I’m pleased to say that the response to the statement I made on behalf of the club in the last programme which was also displayed on the Club’s Facebook Page and website has been overwhelming.
This was by phone ,by text , by email and by general interaction between the Committee and the public , particularly on social media sites where positivity was shown by people using their own names.
Messages from far and wide , good numbers of whom are not involved or from Larkhall but are with other Clubs in our level of football and fully appreciate the problems we have encountered which are quite obviously not unique, as many other clubs have suffered the same or similar predicaments. The reason the Statement was made was because we felt the time was right to do so.Some people will be of the opinion that something should have been said sooner , others that we should keep our business between ourselves and the Membership. Either way it was not made, as suggested on a Social Media site, to gain sympathy.
This now gives me the chance to address another subject . When we are accused of mismanaging the Club and that we should all step aside and make way for a new generation who really have the Club at heart, there are a number of flaws in this suggestion.
We are a constitutionally , democratically run Members Football Club and operate in this way and have always done so . All Officials, Committee and general public buy their own season ticket and by doing so become Members of the Club. This entitles you to attend the AGM at which all Officials and Committee positions are declared vacant and those positions are voted on and filled by the Membership old and new. It is no coincidence that the majority of Club Committees consist of people of the older generation. This is mainly because Committees evolve over time as supporters become more involved in the day to day running of a Club because more times becomes available to them.
So the suggestion that we should individually or collectively all stand down, resign or simply walk away from something we all love, is rather absurd and clearly only said out of spite or with malicious intent . To the majority of you who are reading this, I’m sure you agree that I am stating the obvious.
We who represent the club are reasonably well known to the Larkhall community and enjoy the rapport that affords us. However we find ourselves at a disadvantage to Mr “larkyforever” as we are unable to engage with him directly. I unashamedly genuinely make an offer, to someone who clearly has both passion for the ‘ Jags’ and ideas that could help us move forward, to please make yourself known to us, buy , or renew your season ticket, become actively involved and a potential Committee Member . Larkhall Thistle is a broad church and we are happy to welcome all.
Once again, thanks to everyone for their understanding and continued support.
Chris Lenson – President
The start of today’s game was marked with a minutes silence for lifelong supporter Danny McLeish and former player Davy Booth rest in peace guys.
Thistle today included two trialists in the starting line up and one on the bench with Michael Brunton missing because of a family bereavement and Craig Forbes also on holiday.
Like previous weeks Thistle started very well and were soon applying pressure on the Darvel goal and duly opened the scoring with Ben Fraser netting with a fine shot. Unlike previous occasions when we have scored first we then proceeded to concede immediately but not today although Darvel eventually equalised after a corner kick was not properly cleared .
Half Time Thistle 1 Darvel1.
The home team had to make an enforced change with John Barclay who sustained a hamstring injury being replaced by Darren Holmes. It was soon apparent that the Darvel players had received some stern words in the dressing room as they started the second period in determined fashion and soon had the Thistle defence under pressure .Darren Hunter was then replaced by David Breen. The visitors went ahead after 60 minutes with a drive from the edge of the box and added to their lead 10 minute later with a headed goal. However the Jags dug deep and Adam Boyle headed a fine second goal but could not get back on level terms.
Without a doubt a much improved performance on previous weeks and again the effort and commitment of each and every player cannot be criticised.
Team Colin McGraw, Trialist ,Ben Fraser, Adam Boyle, John Barclay,(Darren Holmes) Darren Hunter(David Breen) Kevin Campbell, Trialist , Bartosz , R. Adams , Simpson
Subs.not Used G/Keeper Ryan Cooper, Trialist, Scott Cuthbertson.