Kello Rovers 0 Larkhall Thistle 1 – 23rd February 2019
Nithside Park, Kirkconnel
Kello Rovers v Larkhall Thistle
McBookie.com West Region Championship
Thistle made their first ever visit to Nithside Park on league business looking to catch up ground on their hosts and make up for what was the most disappointing result of the season when they lost 3-2 at home to Kello in the reverse fixture.
The Jags started well and for the early stages had all the good pressure but without creating any real chances of note other than a couple of half-hearted penalty appeals.
Kello didn’t come to life until half way through the first half when the Larkhall defence switched off for a split second and didn’t deal with a through ball, it fell to a Kello striker who shot across Cooper and was unlucky to see his effort come back out off the post, Boyle did brilliantly to get a tackle in to prevent a goal from the rebound. A minute later Cooper had to get down well to save with Fraser completing the clearance.
Five minutes later Kello’s best move of the game ended with a man at the back post ready to pull the trigger and only a last gasp tackle from Fraser prevented a certain goal.
Thistle replied with Simpson and Dick linking well in the middle of the park and sending Brunton clear down the right, he beat two defenders and surged into the box before curling a shot that unfortunately didn’t trouble the home keeper. Brunton found himself clear again moments later after a good crossfield ball but elected to check back onto his left foot rather than hit a first time strike with his right, the ball broke to Simpson who choked his shot but it was met at the back post by Fernie who should have scored but shot into the side netting.
Half time: Kello Rovers 0 Larkhall Thistle 0
Kello started the second half well and put Thistle under a bit of pressure, the manager took swift action and replaced Kevin Wilson with Mark Cuthbertson. Right on the hour mark Kello had their best effort on goal following a corner when a good drive from 22 yards just cleared the bar.
Thistle responded and were again having the best of the play when they won a corner in the 71st minute, Mark Cutherberson rose unchallenged to head in for the opening goal of the game. The last scare for Larkhall came with 12 minutes left when Fraser again did great work clearing off the line.
The remainder of the game was blood and guts, a typical hard-fought junior game with no malice on either side and all players on the park giving 100%.
A good win in the end for Thistle and another step on the road to recovery. The new players are settling in well and starting to provide competition for places, the fact that one of the best players Craig Forbes was left out today and Thistle still won speaks volumes.
Full time: Kello Rovers 0 Larkhall Thistle 1
Cooper; Fraser, J Adams, Rowan, Boyle, Dick (Wilson 71), Brunton, K Wilson (M Cuthbertson 56), Fernie (Breen 62), Bartoz, Simpson