Author: hugh

Thistle started confidently and competed very well for the first 20 minutes but then proceeded to lose four goals before half time. Worse was to follow at the start of the second period when they lost a fifth goal in the opening minute. But credit to the players they dug in and reduced the leeway with a fine headed goal after fine run and cross by the trialist right back. They then continued to have the upper hand but could not score any further goals subsequently losing a couple of late goals.

The players cannot be criticised for lack of effort without a doubt everyone gave their all which was very encouraging for all concerned.

Team; McGraw , Trialist , Beattie ,(Hazizi) Barclay , Boyle, Adams,(Munn) Brunton, Hunter ,Bartosz, Miller(Campbell), Simpson

Substitutes not used Euan Alexander, Ryan Airth.

 

With Girvan on William Hill Scottish Cup preliminary Rd. Thistle have arranged a friendly at Gasworks Park against their old friends St. Anthony’s K.O. 2pm.

Thistle arrived in sunny Ayr minus 7 signed players due to holidays work commitments and injuries with four trialists in the starting line up.

Thistle started quite brightly without putting the home team under any serious pressure and then proceeded to lost what can only be described as three preventable goals in the space of 15 mins. the third being a very dubious penalty decision.   To the players credit they re grouped and half time arrived with no further goals.

H/ time Whittlets Vics 3 Larkhall Thistle 0

Thistle made a change at half time with trialist (no 11) replaced by David Hazizi and the wide man came close on two occasions to reducing the leeway. Thistle were enjoying a good spell of pressure with both Bartosz and Michael Brunton coming close (trialist no.10) was then replaced by Mark Cuthbertson then Thistle lost 3 goals in 5 minutes . Bartosz then had to be replaced by Scott Cuthbertson due to injury. With 80 minutes on the clock Thistle were reduced to 10 when Darren Holmes was injured and could not continue. A further 3 goals were concede in the final 13 minutes.

Thistle showed glimpses at times with a couple of the trialists showing promise.

Final score Whittlets Vics 9- Larkhall Thistle 0

Team ; McGraw, Gibb, Adam, Trialist, Holmes, Trialist , McMurray, Brunton, Bartosz, Trialist, Trialist

Subs Hazizi for Trialist no.11, Mark Cuthbertson for trialist no.10, Scott Cuthbertson for Bartosz

G/keeping sub. Euan Alexander.

 

Saturday 18th. August St. Rochs Away

Saturday 25th. August Whittlets Vics Away

Saturday   1st. September St. Anthonys Friendly home should have been Girvan postponed due to cup game in William Hill Scottish Cup preliminary round.

Saturday   8th. September Cumbernauld away

Saturday 15th. September  Rutherglen Glencairn home (also 1st. round Scottish only 1 tie)

Saturday 22th. September  Arthurlie away

Saturday 29th. September 2nd round Scottish

Saturday   6th. October Darvel Home

Saturday  13th. October Kilsyth Rangers away

Saturday   20th. October Neilston Home

Saturday   27th  October 3rd.round Scottish Cup

Saturday     3rd. November Kello Home

Saturday    10th. November Muirkirk home West of Scotland Cup

Saturday    17th. November Dalry Thistle Away

Saturday     24th. November 3rd. round Scottish Cup

Saturday       1st. December Benburb Home.

The West Region have announced that all games scheduled for the 22nd.August have been cancelled due to the travel distances for some clubs and the problem of poor light making even a 6.30 pm k.o.. unpractical. This fixture will now be played 1st. December.

Thistle started very well with a team containing 4 young lads and a mixture of trialists and signed players only to loose the opening goal as the result of a massive blunder by the assistant referee failing to raise his flag for offside with at least 3 Cumbernauld players in an offside position with one of them finally netting from close in. With regular keeper Ryan Cooper unavailable Young Lewis Melvin was in goal and was very unfortunate when he just failed to push a well struck Div. Reid free kick round the post . So half time Thistle 0 – Cumbernauld 2.

Thistle lost Mark Cuthbertson and Kevin Campbell to injury being replaced by two trialists.

With fifteen minute left to play the jags were 4-0 down but lack of experience and fitness resulted in a further 4 goals for the team who have been installed as favourites to win the league.

The management team are actively working to bring in some experienced players but patience will need be shown be everyone.

After Thistle’s fighting display against East Kilbride on Monday night losing 3-2 after a spirited display a much  changed team with 4 trialists in the line up were eventually well beaten by a strong Vics. line up. Thistle were 4-1 down at the break but improved in the second half. East Kilbride won the section after beating Glencairn 3-1.

The club are under no illusions that there is a great deal of work to be done having to start from scratch  with no players remaining from last season so patience will be the key word for us all.

On to Saturday now with Irvine Vics. the visitors for the opening league game of the season.

The club would like to offer their sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Sandy who passed away last night . Past committee man and lifelong supporter Sandy fought a brave battle against failing health issues. Yet again we have lost a member or the Jags family. What’s a game of football at such a sad time.

Rest in peace Sandy.

The annual general meeting will take place in the clubhouse on Sunday 1st. July at 11am. a good attendance of members is requested.

The club have great pleasure in announcing that Derek Holmes has been appointed as the club’s new manager. Derek comes with a wealth of experience as a player and licenced coach. He will be assisted by Brian Crawford who has spent nearly all his football days at our level and had a season at Gasworks Park. We welcome both Derek and Brian to the club.