Today’s game is off due to frozen pitch
Month: November 2019
Larkhall Thistle 1 Kello Rovers 3 – 23rd November 2019
Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Kello Rovers
Macron Scottish Junior Cup 4th Round
Thistle went into today’s game on the back of successive defeats that put them out of the West of Scotland Cup and probably killed off any lingering hopes in the league. They were hoping to avoid going out of three in a row in the Scottish Cup today. Three changes from last week’s home defeat to Girvan saw Ryan Cooper, Dom Chiedu and Mark Cuthbertson replaced by David Cherry, Warren Grenfell and Taylor Scott.
Larkhall’s first attack in earnest turned out to be their best of the half with Bartoz showing good feet to slip his marker and feed the ball into Jack Currie, his low shot forced the keeper down well to save. A minute later Scott was in acres of space but shot over the bar from 20 yards.
Kello were emerging as the more dangerous looking team and indeed they took the lead after 10 minutes when Dickson was left stranded in the left back position, Bartoz had to get over to cover and put the ball out for a corner, a low ball in that missed first defender for a tap in from three yards.
Five minutes later the Jags faced another corner and again failed to clear, Cherry got down to smother at the second attempt but the warning signs were there and it is obvious that corners are a problem. Thistle didn’t have much to shout about for the rest of the half but did have a more than reasonable claim for a penalty half way through when a Kello defender headed the ball onto his own arm.
There were more hair-raising moments when Dickson attempted to head back to the keeper but left it well short and his opponent nipped in and nearly scored. Larkhall played the ball out and won a free kick that Dickson delivered right on to Adam Boyle’s head, he got power on the header but hit it straight at the keeper.
From nearly scoring though, Thistle immediately went two down when Grenfell misjudged the pace on the ball while trying to usher it out for a goal kick, he got robbed and the ball across was drilled in low from 10 yards.
A very poor first half from a Larkhall point of view, nothing much in attack and slack in defence.
Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Kello Rovers 2
The second half began in the same lacklustre way but five minutes in Graham Gracie replaced Scott Cowan and made an immediate impact when he headed in with his first touch.
Defensive frailties almost put the game out of sight again though just minutes later as Dickson was caught out again, far too slow to cover and Cherry had to make a great stretch to tip over. From the resultant corner Kello were gifted a free header that was glanced just wide from 6 yards when a goal looked certain.
Kello were still the better team and had their own claim for a penalty when Cherry rushed out to contest a 50-50 and clattered into the onrushing striker who was subsequently booked, a decision that looked a bit generous to Larkhall to say the least.
As time ran out, Thistle produced two more attempts at goal both from Ben Fraser crosses from the right. The first was an acrobatic scissor kick from Scott followed by a late effort from substitute Billy Wilson who did well to bring the ball down and get a shot away although it went just past the post. In between these Thistle lost Kyle Stewart to a straight red card as he too struggled for pace and was caught out and forced into conceding a foul on the edge of the box.
As the ten men chased the equaliser deep into added time they were caught by a quick break and Kello wrapped up the win. The final incident was another sending off, this time for Ben Fraser who saw a straight red for a tackle.
In truth whichever team progressed from this tie would have needed a really kind draw to go any further but Kello were by far the better team on the day and deserved their win, good luck to them in the next round.
Full time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Kello Rovers 3
Larkhall Thistle:
Cherry; Fraser, Boyle, Stewart, Dickson, Cowan (Gracie 50), Bartoz (Cuthbertson 71), Grenfell, Gallagher, Scott, Currie (Wilson 79)
Larkhall Thistle 2 Girvan 3 – 16th November 2019
Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Girvan
McBookie.com West Region – League One
Thistle went into today’s game looking to do the double over Girvan after the opening day win in Ayrshire. There were pre-match injury doubts over David Cherry, Warren Grenfell, Graham Gracie, Michael Brunton and Scott Cowan – all potential starters but only Cowan made the starting line up.
Girvan gave early warning that they were capable of creating chances when Balfour hit the post from what was in fairness a sitter in the fourth minute, Thistle came right back at them and Jack Currie was in a similar position but opted to go near post instead of hitting the big gap to the keeper’s left.
Thistle came close again when Dom Chiedu switched the ball left to Bartoz who hit it first time but his shot went just past but it was Girvan who took the lead against the run of play in the 12th minute. The goal was a sloppy one from a defensive point of view with big striker Currie allowed time and space to pick his spot with a composed finish.
As was the theme of the game, Larkhall came right back at them, Dickson did well in nosebleed territory as he dribbled into the box before playing a teasing ball across the six yard area where Gallagher should have scored, the rebound fell for Cowan whose netbound drive was cleared well off the line by a defender.
It was wave after wave of Jags pressure and it looked inevitable that an equaliser would come but Girvan again showed the threat they possessed when Currie danced across the Larkhall defence before firing a shot just over from the edge of the box.
Just before half time Cowan was fouled on the edge of the box, it might have been just inside but the referee played advantage as he squared to Sean Gallagher but the midfielder playing up front passed up the chance again. Right on half time he had an even better opportunity but again it came to nothing as he side footed over the bar.
Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Girvan 1
Larkhall began the second half as they finished the first, on top and looking to get level. They won a corner on the left which bobbed about inside the box and as it came back out Adam Boyle got in a great header that rattled the bar with the keeper beaten.
However that was Girvan’s cue to wake up and for the next 20 minutes it was all one way traffic in the other direction. Girvan’s captain and playmaker Harvey forced two magnificent saves from Ryan Cooper but third time lucky as he cut inside and curled an unstoppable effort into the top corner.
More Girvan pressure followed and Cooper had to get out to block yet again from Harvey as the visitors threatened to run riot. As it was with Thistle in the first half though, failure to take their chances came back to bite Girvan as Thistle staged a remarkable two minute recovery.
The first goal was out of nothing, Thistle had been totally ineffective in attack since Boyle’s header but for once Jack Currie managed to slip his markers and get in behind. He picked out substitute Taylor Scott on his left who rolled the ball into the corner to put Thistle right back in the game.
A minute later it was 2-2, Taylor Scott was involved again as he played the ball left to Bartoz who drove it low into the danger area, it came back out to Mark Cuthbertson who hit a fierce drive high into the net.
It was anybody’s game at this stage with Girvan looking still the more likely to score and they looked certain to 10 minutes from time when Harvey was left unmarked five yards out at the back post but inexplicably fired high into the air. Dempsie then brought out another fantastic save from Cooper as he cut in from the left and looked certain to score before Harvey forced another save from point blank range.
Just as the game looked to be heading for a draw, Thistle were hit with the sucker punch and after Cooper had saved the initial effort with his feet, it broke perfectly for Currie to tap in from close range.
Chiedu was sent off for a second booking in almost the last act of the game.
The absences of Grenfell in the middle of the park and Gracie up front were a big loss for Thistle today, they were wasteful in attack and should have been well ahead by half time. Girvan were by far the better team in the second half and could have scored five or six so there’s no real argument about the result.
Great performance from Ryan Cooper today who saved Thistle from a thrashing and solid work in midfield from Mark Cuthbertson who now looks like a real first team player.
Full time: Larkhall Thistle 2 Girvan 3
Larkhall Thistle:
Cooper; Fraser, Stewart, Chiedu, Dickson (Taylor 65), Boyle, Bartoz, Cuthbertson (Wilson 80), Cowan, Gallagher, Currie
Girvan:
Sloan; Marshall, Warren, Mitchell, Wells, Balfour, McClymont, Davidson, Dempsie, Currie, Harvey
Today’sgame is on K.O. 1.45pm
Larkhall Thistle v Kello Rovers- Scottish Cup
The club would like to thank D. McDonald Decorators Ltd. for their match sponsorship for the above game.
Also Johnny Grenfell for sponsoring the match ball for this game
Glenafton Athletic 4 Larkhall Thistle 1 – 9th November 2019
Loch Park, New Cumnock
Glenafton Athletic v Larkhall Thistle
West of Scotland Cup – First Round
Four changes today for Thistle as Dawson, Chiedu, Cowan, Gracie made way for Dickson, Fraser, Wilson and O’Hagan for the difficult task of trying to beat an Ayrshire team two leagues above away from home. The bookies hadn’t given Larkhall any chance and by half time they were probably thinking that the home team’s 1/7 was on the generous side.
It took Glenafton until the 14th minute before they made their breakthrough with a quick move catching out the defence, Jags keeper David Cherry looked to have made a great save from Marlow’s shot but the ball spun up over him and just over the line despite last ditch attempt at a clearance off the line.
Thistle were under the cosh but managed to look threatening on occasion; O’Hagan sent Fraser away down the right wing and his high cross landed right at Wilson’s feet, the shot was going well wide but caught a deflection and could have gone anywhere but spun out for a corner and led to a good period of pressure for Larkhall.
Thistle’s high defensive line was mystifying considering the lack of pace at the back and the speed of the Glenafton forwards and they were caught cold again in the 27th minute as Orsi got in behind through the middle and slotted easily past Cherry.
It got worse seven minutes later as the game was killed off with Glenafton’s third goal, the ball was crossed in from the left and Wilson could have launched it clear but instead only knocked it down perfectly for a snap shot fom Marlow that gave Cherry no chance.
Just on half-time Cherry came charging out of his goals, unorthodox but he made a good double save. His good work was undone though when he totally misjudged a cross and McChesney got in front of him to head in for a 4-0 half time lead that the difference in quality probably merited.
Half time: Glenafton Athletic 4 Larkhall Thistle 0
Glenafton came out looking as hungry for more goals as if it had been 0-0 but although they got crosses in from the right side on several occasions early on they didn’t lead to anything. Thistle came back into the game a bit with a shout for handball then a couple of minutes later forced a double save from the home keeper when they really should have scored.
Glenafton continued to press looking for more goals but Thistle kept going and substitute Mark Cuthbertson gave a glimpse of what was to follow as he got a good shot in after nice build up play, but in the 77th minute he went one better with a thundering drive that crashed off the bar and went in off the keeper after good build up play from Grenfell and Currie.
At this point Larkhall were looking the more likely team to score but squandered a couple of half chances before Barthoz could have made the scoe more respectable but fell back as he was hitting the shot and scooped the ball over the bar.
Nothing much was probably expected today but credit to the Jags for at least winning the second half and restoring a bit of pride.
Correction
Eagle-eyed readers would have spotted that next week isn’t the 23rd, so next fixture is Girvan at home in the league kick off 1:45pm, followed by next Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie home to Kello Rovers kick off also 1:45pm. Thanks to John for pointing it out.
Full time: Glenafton Athletic 4 Larkhall Thistle 1
Cherry; Fraser, Boyle, Stewart, Dickson, O’Hagan (Dawson 54), Gallagher, Grenfell, Wilson (Cuthbertson 70), Bartoz, Currie
Scottish Cup 4th Round
LarkhallThistle v Kello Saturday 23rd. November K.O. 1.45pm
Larkhall Thistle 2 East Kilbride Thistle 0 – 2nd November 2019
Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v East Kilbride Thistle
McBookie.com West Region – League One
After last week’s trip up north in the Scottish Cup, Thistle got back to league business today with a game they were expected to win against East Kilbride. The other Thistle were closer to the bottom of the table than the top and today was a chance to make up ground on the league leaders.
The early signs weren’t too encouraging though as Larkhall got off to a shaky start, Jack Currie gave the ball away in the second minute and the resulting quick break produced a corner, a good ball in and a header just over the bar.
Thistle’s first foray forward resulted in a free lick that Paul Dawson put into a good area but there were no takers and minutes later Bartoz put a great ball in but Currie’s touch wasn’t good enough and the chance was gone.
By the 15 minute mark Larkhall were on top and a free kick from Kyle Stewart was glanced on by Sean Gallagher but the keeper got down to save but it was nearly the visitors who scored on the break as Cherry showed great reactions to get down and save the netbound header.
Midway through the half Larkhall produced their best bit of football yet, Scott Cowan broke down the right and played a great ball across the field to Bartoz who ran from deep to get on the end of it and play it across the penalty box for Currie who took a touch but the keeper was too quick for him and got out well to smother.
Currie was having an eventful day and ten minutes from half time a long ball from keeper David Cherry put him clear and only a very physical challenge that was bordering on a penalty prevented him from getting a proper shot in. East Kilbride replied with a break down the right, the cross wasn’t cleared but fortunately the resultant shot was blocked.
Just before half time Cowan’s ball to Currie put him in behind the defence again but he tried to beat the keeper from a tight angle rather than pick out Gracie at the back post.
Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 East Kilbride Thistle 0
The rain in the last couple of days had taken its toll and the park was cutting up, players were losing their footing and slipping all over the place but Larkhall settled quicker and took the lead after five minutes. Dom Chiedu floated a perfect ball in behind two defenders right to Currie’s feet, for once he wasn’t being manhandled and he took a touch and slotted the ball home.
Twenty minutes into the half Larkhall looked certain to score, Cowan skipped past the left back and delivered onto Currie’s head in the middle of the six yard box, the keeper rode his luck a bit with the header being straight at him but his reactions were fantastic to keep the ball out.
It was only a momentary reprieve however, a minute later Currie and Gracie took turns at trying to bludgeon their way through the packed defence, Gracie was fouled as he set himself for a shot and took the penalty himself, coolly rolling the ball the other way as the keeper made his move.
East Kilbride almost took advantage of Thistle’s defence going to sleep after the goal and wandered through the gaping holes before Cherry got lucky with a shot straight at him and there was another let-off moments later when a header from a free kick dropped just past the post.
Thistle’s last attempt to stretch the lead fell to Gracie who cut across the box past three defenders before shooting from a tight angle, the ball clearing the back post and also Currie’s foot as he slid in.
East Kilbride nearly pulled a goal back five minutes from time, the left back played a long ball down the line for the wide team mate, Chiedu dived in and missed the ball and he went past Stewart before hitting a shot that looked a certain goal only to see the ball come back out off the inside of the post.
A deserved win for Thistle against a stubborn defence but an attack that never really offered much. Jack Currie battled all day up front and the defence managed a rare clean sheet but the player who caught the eye most was the ever improving Scott Cowan on the right wing.
The win leaves Thistle in fifth place in the table with games in hand over Greenock and Port Glasgow who are in third and fourth place.
Full time: Larkhall Thistle 2 East Kilbride Thistle 0
Larkhall Thistle:
Cherry; Dawson, Stewart, Chiedu, Boyle, Bartoz (Taylor 62), Gallagher (Wilson 80), Grenfell (Fraser 68), Cowan, Gracie, Currie