Month: January 2019

Benburb 12 Larkhall Thistle 1 – 26th January 2019

On: By: ian

New Tinto Park, Glasgow
Benburb v Larkhall Thistle
McBookie.com West Region Championship

 

Thistle continued on their downward spiral today with another new low, conceding double figures for the first time this season. This was the fifth consecutive game that the Jags had played away from home and have now not had a home game for nearly three months.

 

Again they competed well in the early stages and although by half time the game was effectively over, Larkall weren’t being overrun and towards the half-time whistle actually looked like being the more likely team to score.

 

The first goal came from a defensive mix up and the second from a free header at the back post 25 minutes into the game but at that point things still had an air of respecatability and even another Bens goal from an excellent strike and 3-0 at half time wasn’t the worst outcome.

 

Thistle were on the ascendancy just before the break with several decent efforts and could well have got a goal or two back.

 

Half time: Benburb 3 Larkhall Thistle 0

 

The second half carried on where the first had finished with the action mostly being in Benburb’s half and Thistle looking dangerous. However the game changed 12 minutes into the half when Benburb scored the fourth with their striker rounding McGraw in the Jags goal. The fifth followed six minutes later when McLaren scored with a low shot in off the post but Thistle struck back immediately to pull it back to 5-1.

 

The game was gone but having pulled a goal back Larkhall looked to at least not make the score any worse, however it did 8 minutes later with a devastating passing move along the deck, finishing with a shot from the unmarked striker standing in the middle of the area.

 

Understandably the Jags wilted after that goal whilst Benburb stepped it up and looked to pile on the goals. And pile on the goals is exactly what they did, six of them in a horror 15 minute spell that took the score beyond even the 9s previously conceded this season.

 

It was obvious that Benburb were quicker, slicker and had more ability especially on their own artificial surface so the Thistle game plan of trying to go toe to toe with them and play them at their own game was always going to be doomed. At 4-0 damage limitatation was called for and it was crying out for somebody to break up play and put their foot on the ball, an old head.

 

Benburb are a good team and good luck to them for the rest of the season, Thistle need to put this one behind them as quickly as possible.

 

Full time: Benburb 12 Larkhall Thistle 1

 

Larkhall Thistle:

McGraw; Forbes, Fraser (J Adams 36), Boyle, McMurray, Rowan, O’Hagan, Simpson, Breen (Dick 45), Bartoz (Holmes 33), Brunton

 

Today’s Game

On: By: hugh

Today’s game off due to frozen pitch

Derek Holmes

On: By: hugh

It is with deep regret that the club have to announce that Derek has left the club due to family and health reasons. The club would like to thank Derek for his efforts during what has been a very difficult period for the club.

Brian Crawford has been appointed manager with Davy Adams as his assistant.

signing news

On: By: hugh

We are pleased to announce the signing of French born Centre half/ defensive midfielder Aurelien Norset.

Aurelien is 26 years old and has had .a varied career both in The United States and Europe but more recently he was a full time player with Vestri in Iceland and last season played with Umea F.C. in the Swedish first division.

On behalf of everyone welcome to the club Aurelien.

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Kilsyth Rangers 9 Larkhall Thistle 1 – 5th January 2019

On: By: ian

Duncansfield Park, Kilsyth
Kilsyth Rangers v Larkhall Thistle
McBookie.com West Region Championship

 

Thistle made their first visit to Kilsyth for several years hoping to continue the recent improvement but after a disastrous second half finished firmly back at square one having conceded nine goals for the fourth time this season. Late pre-match setbacks, injuries and lack of fitness saw a makeshift Jags defence lacking in any pace and a rookie goalkeeper called up for a debut he will want to forget, although young Lewis Melvin had a decent game and was not at fault for any of the goals.

 

Not for the first time this season, Larkhall took the lead and looked good in the early stages of the game. Michael Brunton made a good run down the left wing and his cross was only half cleared, landing perfectly for Dick 25 yards out who crashed the ball into the back of the net. The lead lasted a full three minutes until a ball over the top saw a Kilsyth forward in acres of space and he finished easily, albeit with a hint of offside that the Jags contingent claimed loudly for.

 

Kilsyth had several good chances in what remained of the first half and should have been in front but it could well have been Thistle going in to the interval ahead, Hunter got the break of the ball 30 yards out and ran clear but the home keeper was more than equal to him and got down well to block.

 

Half time: Kilsyth Rangers 1 Larkhall Thistle 1

 

The game turned two minutes into the second half when Barclay lunged into a tackle on the edge of the box. It may or may not have been inside but the referee had no doubt and awarded a penalty which was converted to give Kilsyth the lead.

 

What happened next was the worst collapse that probably anyone connected with the club has ever known, to lose a game 9-1 is bad enough in any circumstances but to have drawn the first half 1-1 then lose the second 8-0 is almost beyond belief. The players heads went down after the second goal but there was nobody to pick them up and get them going again, either on or off the field. The team was all over the place and the defending was chaotic at best and comic at worst.

 

Halfway through the second half at 4-1 down Thistle had their only chance of the second half when substitute Mark Cuthbertson went round the keeper but could only find the side netting with his shot. At 4-2 it might have been a different game, Thistle might have rallied and got their confidence back but instead they lost three goals in a crazy three minute spell and from then on the main objective was to avoid double figures.

 

Another penalty for a foul by Aiden McMurray made it 8-1 before the day was summed up by the final goal. Four Thistle defenders were in a line inside their half when Kilsyth cleared the ball forward, none of the Jags players could catch the Kilsyth man who ran from behind them and it took David Breen bringing him down just outside the box to prevent him from scoring. The resultant free kick was curled just inside the post giving Melvin no chance.

 

With 21 straight defeats this season and a return to the early season hammerings looking on the cards it is difficult to see where the team goes from here.

 

Full time: Kilsyth Rangers 9 Larkhall Thistle 1

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Melvin, Forbes, Brunton, Barclay (Holmes), Doyle, McMurray, Dick (Campbell), O’Hagan, Breen Barthoz, Hunter (M. Cuthbertson). Subs: Simpson, S. Cuthbertson