Month: May 2019

Charity Match Saturday 1st. Larkhall Thistle v Royal Albert

On: By: hugh

Ex players from both clubs are taking part in a charity match on behalf of ALZEIHMERS a condition that has effected most of our families at one point or another or we all know someone suffering at this time . Ex players from both clubs will play in this match for a very worthy cause.

K.O. is 2pm.and the organisers have arranged a bouncy castle and face painting for the kids.

Admission to the game is £5 with a half time raffle and a prize raffle in the clubhouse after the game with all proceeds going to the charity.. So why not come along and support this worthy cause .

 

THISTLE  SQUAD

LEE MOSS – KEEPER

STEWART THOMSON –  KEEPER

STEWART THOMSON 

DAVID CRILLEY

JOE COYLE

PAUL MACANENAY

JAMES DURIS

JAMIE THOMSON

SCOTT DUNSMORE

STEWART BOVILL

ALLAN WATSON

MARK MURRAY

ANDY BROWN

ANDY THOMSON

GRAHAM GRACIE

BRIAN CRAWFORD

NEILL ROWATT

JOE SHIELDS

BRIAN SHELDON

TAM MORGAN

 

PHYSIO – JULIE THOMSON

Category: General Leave a comment/

Larkhall Thistle 1 Craigmark Burntonians 8 – 25th May 2019

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Craigmark Burntonians
McBookie.com West Region Championship

 

Thistle went into their final game of the season with nothing to play for having failed to pick up the point they needed in midweek that could have seen them finish second bottom with a win today. The scheduling meant that the game was going up against the live televised Scottish Cup final but the crowd didn’t seem to be affected and looked normal for an end of season game.

 

The manager made a few changes from the team that lost in midweek but the absence of the youthful energy seemed to work against Larkhall as they came out looking flat from the start and lost a goal in the second minute after slack play down the right, a low cross and tap-in at the back post.

 

Thistle rallied well and were pushing for an equaliser when a two minute spell in the middle of the half changed the whole game. Thistle won a corner on the right and it was played out to Dick on the edge of the box, he swept a shot in and was very unlucky to see it crash off the underside of the bar. That was quickly followed up by Craig Forbes finding himself clear but his weak shot landed in the keeper’s arms.

 

From the counter attack Jags keeper Ryan Cooper came out to block and was caught and injured resulting in him having to go off with Aiden McMurray on as a sub, centre back Dickson taking over in goals. He’d only been between the sticks for a minute when Thistle were caught out again on the right, the Craigmark winger driving in unchallenged to score from a tight angle.

 

The third goal came on 33 minutes from a soft penalty award after a clumsy challenge and killed off any chance Thistle may have had to salvage something from the game. Craigmark added a fourth on the stroke of half time when their striker ran from behind the Larkhall defence to beat the offside trap and round keeper Dickson before rolling the ball into the net.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Craigmark Burntonians 4

 

Jags player Kris Dick had taken a bad knock in the first half and it was a surprise when the remaining two substitutes were used at half time and he was still on the park. His injury didn’t get any better and he was joined early on by left back Jack Adam who also picked up a knock in a tackle and never recovered.

 

The second half mirrored the first with a Craigmark goal at the start and end of it, also a penalty and fourth goal for the visitors. Thistle pulled a goal back right on the final whistle with a scuffed effort from Ben Elliott after Mark Cuthbertson had gone close with a good volley, the Jags first shot on target.

 

A surreal game and although Craigmark were vastly improved from Thistle’s visit to their park earlier in the season, the margin of their win was largely down to Thistle only having nine fit players on the park and an outfield player in goals.

 

So the season finished like last season with a seven-goal home defeat and much work to be done to prepare for the new campaign. Positives to take have been the emergence of some good young prospects who should go on to be decent junior players and the appointment of the new management team who seem to be taking the team in the right direction even allowing for today’s collapse.

 

Next season should be an interesting one with first ever league games against Ardrossan, trips to Greenock and Port Glasgow and renewing acquaintances with the likes of Shettleston and Maryhill. But for most the the games to look forward to will be the local derbies against Royal Albert, Bellshill, Lesmahagow, Lanark, Carluke and Wishaw.

 

Roll on next season and bring on the Albert and the Gow!

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Craigmark Burntonians 8

 

Cooper (McMurray 23); Kyle (K. Wilson 45) Boyle, Dickson, Adam; Dick, Forbes, B. wilson, Cuthbertson, Bathoz, Fernie (Elliott 45)

 

Larkhall Thistle 0 – St. Rochs 2 -22ndMay 2019

On: By: hugh

Thistle started this game minus John Rowan and Kevin Wilson injured, Bartosz suspended with Ben Fraser, Michael Brunton on holiday and keeper Ryan Cooper in London with his work.

As usual for this game the club had to go to extreme lengths to keep both clubs supporters apart costing money in terms of providing toilet facilities for the visiting support and revenue loss in terms of the club snack shop remaining closed.

The report on the game is very much diluted as the writer like everyone on the committee and some volunteers were engaged in stewarding duties etc.

The first half was pretty even and was very much a typical end of season game with a fine save from Euan Alexander keeping the score level.

The Roch started strongly in the second half and went ahead when McManus scored what was without doubt a goal that could have been prevented .

Thistle then went on too miss some gilt edged chances before McManus rose unchallenged to head home a Hanlon free kick .

Thistle pressed to the end but couldn’t find a way past the visiting keeper

Team ; Alexander, Forbes , Dickson , McMurray , Boyle, B. Wilson, Carling , O’Hagan , Galloway , M. Cuthbertson

Subs. Breen , Shanley , Elliot ,Dick, Adam.

Larkhall Thistle 2 Girvan 0 – 18th May 2019

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Girvan
McBookie.com West Region Championship

 

Today was gala day in Larkhall and the revived event seemed to have drawn most of the passing trade and left this end of season affair with a sparse crowd. Thistle however were looking to put on a gala performance in what was the replay of the game that was abandoned at the start of March.

 

After an early flurry from Girvan where they looked interested for about the first ten minutes, it was all Larkhall for the rest of the game. Girvan did however have the first meaningful attempt on goal after 24 minutes when their hat trick hero No.9 from the last fixture hit a decent shot that went just past the post. That was about it from them in any kind of attacking sense and Jags keeper Ryan Cooper could have brought a deck chair he had so little to do.

 

Thistle took the lead a minute later when Ryan Carling who had an excellent day, pinged a ball across the park to Greg Fernie who controlled it on his chest and volleyed past the keeper from 20 yards, an outstanding goal.

 

Just before the interval Thistle had a good chance to add to the lead fom a cross but Forbes and O’Hagan got in each other’s way and the header went over the bar.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Girvan 0

 

Larkhall started the second half as they had ended the first, well on top right from the off and pressed the visitors back with their vastly superior energy levels and running.

 

Kevin Wilson nearly made it 2-0 with a tremendous drive when he was given the freedom of the midfield to stroll up and have a pop at goal, his effort came off the underside of the bar and bounced somewhere in the vicinty of the line. It would have been interesting to see what Goal Line Decision technology would have made of it but as far as junior football goes it was one that the referee couldn’t give.

 

Thistle did double the lead however right on the hour mark with another very good goal, Dixon took the ball down the left wing and delivered a great cross into the area, Fernie found himself unmarked and calmly volleyed past the keeper.

 

It was no more than Thistle deserved and Fernie almost completed his hat trick 12 minutes later with what looked like his easiest chance of the day but he shot over from 6 yards although in fairness the ball might have taken a bobble.

 

Larkhall saw out the game for easily their most convincing win of the season and with some new faces coming in and grabbing their chance by the scruff of the neck, next season looks promising already.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 2 Girvan 0

 

Cooper; Forbes, Boyle, McMurray, Dixon, wilson, Carling (J. Adam 87), Crawford (Breen 79), Fernie (R. Adams 87), O’Hagan, Galloway

 

TAGS
—-
Larkhall Thistle, Girvan, match reports, Gasworks Park, McBookie.com West Region Championship 2018 – 2019

CATEGORIES
———-
Match Reports – League 2018-2019
McBookie.com West Region Championship

Larkhall Thistle 4 Dalry Thistle 5 – 4th May 2019

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Dalry Thistle
McBookie.com West Region Championship

 

In the reverse fixture at Dalry in November, Larkhall had lost narrowly and looked like they might have taken something from an away game for the first time so they went into today’s game with some hope of a positive result.

 

That hope had all but disappeared by half time though as Thistle slumped to a 4-1 interval deficit. The game got off to the worst possible start when Dalry took the lead after just three minutes fom a simple cross and header at the back post.

 

Thistle equalised from the penalty spot after 20 minutes when Elliot was hauled down and Barthoz scored low in off the post and the Jags looked to be right back in the game. Elliot nearly put the Jags ahead a minute later with a shot across the goal that slid just past the post.

 

Dalry though responded by taking the lead, a run down the left and a square ball across was tapped in at the back post and that was followed up shortly after by a third when the Dalry player wasn’t closed down and hit a pot shot fom the edge of the box into the bottom corner.

 

Five minutes from the interval Dalry looked to have the game sewn up when they made it 4-1, again the move came down the left with the player allowed to turn inside and curl what was admittedly an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Dalry Thistle 4

 

Larkhall were sent back out with the addition of Michael Brunton in place of Kevin Wilson who looked to have been toiling a bit, and also what appeaed to have been a severe rocket fom the manager as they set about turning the game on its head. They switched to a back four and looked more comfortable and assured from the start.

 

An early goal started to put some doubt in the Dalry minds, Brunton having an immediate impact with a run down the right and cross that was only cleared as far as Elliot who finished from six yards out. Right on the hour mark the visitors were shaken again when the in-form Barthoz found space in the box and turned to smash the ball past the helpless keeper with a great finish.

 

The Jags tails were up now and just three minutes later they stunned Gasworks Park with an equaliser. Mark Cuthbertson made a good run and was brought down 25 yards fom goal, Kris Dick drilled the resultant free kick low into the net to make it 4-4.

 

The game settled down after that early bout of scoring with both sides possibly more intent on not losing than getting a winner but as it went into the last 15 minutes Elliot who was outstanding all afternoon had a great chance to put Thistle ahead but his curling effort went just past the post.

 

Seven minutes from time came the most controversial moment of an eventful match. Larkhall’s Kris Dick picked up an injury and as the home bench tried to get the referee to allow them to make a substitution, he let the game to go on and Dalry broke to score a hotly disputed winner.

 

Two minutes from the end of normal time Barthoz made a good run down the left and his cross was handled in the box, the Dalry defender was far enough away from him for it to have been a strong penalty claim.

 

Just on 90 minutes Dalry hit the post and thankfully didn’t add to their lead with a goal that would have really flattered them on the day. A fantastic fighting recovery from Thistle in the second half in what was one of the real highlights of the season, some great performances particularly Michael Brunton who came on and changed the game and 16 year old Ben Elliot who was brilliant all day and led the line like a veteran, never giving the Dalry defence a minute’s peace and who hopefully will be signed up as a matter of urgency for next season.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 4 Dalry Thistle 5

 

Larkhall Thistle:

Alexander; Fraser, McMurray, Boyle, Dick (Fernie 83), O’Hagan, Forbes, K Wilson (Brunton 45), Cuthbertson, Bartoz, Elliot

 

Darvel Jnrs 1 Larkhall Thistle 0 Wed. 1st. May

On: By: hugh

Thistle travelled to neutral venue Hurlford for this game as Darvel’s ground was closed for repair Ryan Cooper returned with trialist in mid field and up front..

Up against a big strong team Thistle started well and in a game with very few chances quite honestly the visitors should have secured at least a draw. Craig Fernie went close with a header with home keeper stranded the ball going narrowly past.

Half time 0-0

Darvel as you would expect with their more experienced players came more into the game and after hitting the crossbar they opened the scoring . Shortly afterwards Ryan Cooper saved a penalty . Thistle as much as they pushed forward couldn’t get the equaliser.

Team Cooper, Fraser, Fernie,McMurray , Boyle ,Wilson , Brunton , Trialist , Trialist , M. Cuthbertson , Bartosz.

Subs; Trialist , Hunter, O Hagan ,Breen , trialist.

 

As a team Thistle played well with no failures and deserved at least a draw but unfortunately in football you don’t always get what you deserve.