Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Arthurlie
McBookie.com West Region Championship
Thistle probably saw their slim hopes of avoiding relegation disappear at Girvan last week when they lost a two goal lead to go down 3-2 so today’s game was the last chance to salvage something from a miserable season. Duncan Sinclair brought some familiar faces back with him both on and off the park on his first visit as opposing manager and nothing would have pleased the Jags supporters more than to send them away empty handed.
Larkhall started the game brightly and were the first to threaten when a good move saw Bathoz in space at the edge of the box, his shot went wide but it signalled the intent and that Arthurlie were going to be in a game. The visitors back four had three ex-Thistle players Reynolds, Mushet and Scott Nichol as well as Josh Payne in midfield and David Reid on the bench.
The pivotal point in the game from a Thistle point of view came in the 18th minute, Niall Reynolds made a bad mistake and allowed Barthoz to rob him and outpace him as he headed for goal. As he set himself for a shot he was brought down by a desperate double challenge from two Arthurlie defenders, certainly a clear goal-scoring opportunity but the referee bottled it and only issued a yellow card to Mushet.
The decision as to prove damaging to Thistle as Mushet cleared everything that came into the box in the air, the only surprise was that Thistle kept playing to his strengths.
Arthurlie gradually came into the game and looked theatening in 21 minutes when a cross evaded McGraw in the home goal and was headed back across the face of the goal, the linesman made sure the threat didn’t come to anything by flagging for offside.
It was a brief let-off though as Athurlie took the lead a minute later, a simple through ball split the defence and McKay easily took it round the keeper to score. Eight minutes later the game was over as a contest as Arthurlie doubled their lead following a slack back-pass from Kris Dick which let in Marks for an easy finish.
Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Arthurlie 2
Larkhall in truth never looked like getting back in the game and although they managed to prevent a rout the Arthurlie defence was never put under any real pressure. Manager Brian Crawford made a double substitution just eight minutes into the second half when he brought on Dylan O’Hagan and trialist Ben Elliot. The youthful enthusiasm of sixteen year old Elliot gave Thistle a fresh injection as he put himself about well and chased down every lost cause but unfortunately he was deprived of any real service as there wasn’t really anything happening in the creative department.
Arthurlie nearly put the game beyond doubt shortly after when again McGraw was out of his goals and the striker in the clear but Ben Fraser did well to clear off the line. As the second half unfolded it looked inevitable that Arthurlie would add to their lead and the third goal did come 11 minutes from the end as once again McGraw found himself in no man’s land, this time Docherty went round him and slotted in.
Four minutes later Arthurlie completed the scoring when Docherty cut inside on the left wing and drilled the ball low into the net. Thistle rallied a bit and had their best effort a minute later when Elliot fed the ball to Barthoz and his curling effort went just over.
Full time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Arthurlie 4
McGraw; Rowan, McMurray, Boyle, Fraser, Dick, Brunton (O’Hagan, 53), Forbes, K Wilson (Hunter 80), Bartoz, Fernie (Elliot 53)
