Month: February 2020

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Ardrossan Winton Rovers
McBookie.com West Region – League One

 

 

Thistle made two changes from last week’s derby win against Royal Albert with Warren Grenfell and Taylor Scott replacing Shaun Gallagher and Jack Currie. Storm Ciara was just hitting the west coast as the game began with Thistle kicking against a strong wind on a very soft park that was only just playable.

 

With the advantage of the wind, Ardrossan were on top in the early stages of the game without putting the finishing touches to anything but it was Thistle who nearly took the lead with an ambitious overhead attempt from Grenfell that was saved and rebounded to Mark Cuthbertson but his close range effort was smothered.

 

As the game warmed up, Rovers replied with a good chance of their own as the ball was played wide right to Campbell whose shot was well saved by David Cherry and the follow up blasted over the bar. The visitors kept the pressure on and forced Cherry into a brilliant double save from a close range header that he somehow got down to then recovering quickly to get to the follow up shot.

 

Ardrossan had a final chance to go into the break with a lead as Adam Boyle went down injured in the box the ball went wide left and when the cross came in two players in light blue somehow contrived to miss an open goal between them, there was then a scramble as the Larkhall defence regrouped and managed to clear the ball right on the whistle.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Ardrossan Winton Rovers 0

 

The first real incident of the second half produced the only goal of the game and also the most controversial moment. Ardrossan had the ball in the middle of the park and their midfielder played a great through ball that caught the Jags defence out and put two strikers clear. However the referee had failed to spot that both of them were blatantly offside, it was an easy decision and a bad mistake from the referee as McKenna ran on to slot past Cherry.

 

Five minutes later Larkhall had a golden opportunity to draw level when Taylor Scott was put clear in on goal but he checked back instead of going on to shoot and the chance was lost. It was a difficult day for Scott as he was asked to fill the unfamiliar lone striker role against a physical old-school junior defence that didn’t give an inch.

 

Grenfell had another good opportunity midway through the half but sent his shot over the bar, then it was over to Ardrossan who took charge of the second half and created nearly all the chances. A hook shot that caught out the Thistle defence went just past the post quickly followed by a one on one where it looked easier to score but the ball was slipped past the post.

 

Thistle’s only real chance in the closing stages fell to Dom Chiedu who brought out a point blank save from the keeper with a header from six yards and in the other goal Cherry made another spectacular double save just before the end to prevent Ardrossan doubling their lead.

 

There was a late debut for new signing David Donnachie who coped well in defence and pass marks for most today with David Cherry by far the best for Thistle.

 

Not a day for silky skill with the high winds and choppy park ruining any chance of good football but Ardrossan probably just deserved their win although there’s no doubt that the referee’s mistake cost Thistle a share of the points.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Ardrossan Winton Rovers 1

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Cherry; Boyle, Dickson, Chiedu, Stewart; B Wilson (Elliot 70), McCambley (Donnachie 82), Grenfell, Barthoz (Cowan 78), Scott, Cuthbertson

 

Ardrossan Winton Rovers:
Lochhead; Brown, Hunter, McGregor, Lochhead, Hannah, Henderson, Campbell, Kennedy, McKenna, McMenamay