Category: Match Reports – League 2017-2018

Larkhall Thistle 0 Troon 7 – 27th May 2018

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Troon
McBookie.com Super First Division

 

Thistle’s last game of the season was also the last game for the management team of Dunky Sinclair, Tam McLaughlin and Jamie Sandilands. In marked contrast to last season’s epic encounter with St Roch’s there was nothing to play for today for the Jags although Troon were still chasing a promotion place via the playoffs.

 

Thistle got off to a good start attacking the old club end and nearly took the lead after just five minutes, Gary McStay rolled the ball from a corner to Billy Robb and his first-time shot brought out a great save from the Troon keeper. Mark Canning had featured prominently in the opening stages and sent a good effort wide of the post three minutes later.

 

 

It looked like the old stagers of Canning, McKeever and Gary McStay might have a final fling, they were all playing well but after 16 minutes it all turned sour as Troon took the lead with their first real attacking move of the game. Good play down the right then a ball into the box that the No.10 slid in unchallenged to meet and send high into the net.

 

Three more quickfire goals before the break put the game beyond doubt. Declan Doyle was outmanouevered on the left and the cross left an easy tap in from two yards for the second. The third came from the same position but the Troon No.11 in fairness did brillianly to twist and turn and get his cross in that left a free header right in front of goal.

 

The fourth came down the right, again a shot in that Johnny Duncan could only block and the follow up was slammed into the roof of the net.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Troon 4

 

Dunky made his final throw of the dice as manager with a triple half time substitution; Johnny McStay, Ryan Innes and Josh Payne for McKeever, Robb and Doyle but any thoughts that Thistle could get back into the game disappeared as early as the second minute of the half when Troon got their fifth from an unchallenged shot inside the box.

 

The only time Thistle threatened the visitors goal came 10 minutes into the second half, Gary McStay did well down the right wing, beating the left back and getting a cross in to Johnny McStay who hit a good volley just past the post.

 

Troon made it 6-0 with 20 minutes still left to go and thoughts of double figures must have crossed minds of players and supporters of both sides. As it was they settled for just one more three minutes from time to complete what was the most embarrassing result in many people’s memory.

 

Good luck to Sinky, Tam and Jamie and thanks for all your efforts, nobody will forget the double header with St Roch’s last season. Good luck also to those players who played their last games today and again thanks for all the good work.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Troon 7

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Duncan; Doyle (Payne 45), Brown, Mushett, Reynolds; McKeever, Canning (Innes 45), Jack, Robb (J McStay 45), Reid; G McStay. Subs: Clarke, Kelly

 

Scorers:

 

Booked: Robb

 

Irvine Meadow 2 Larkhall Thistle 1 – 5th May 2018

On: By: ian

Meadow Park, Irvine
Irvine Meadow v Larkhall Thistle
McBookie.com Super First Division

 

The phrase threadbare squad is often overused in senior football but Thistle arrived at Irvine with eleven fit players, a struggling Graham Gracie and a trialist. First team regulars Thomson, Brown, Payne, Canning and Innes along with Declan Doyle were all unavailable.

 

When Meadow took the lead in the 5th minute it looked like it was going to be a long day and that Thistle might be on the wrong end of a few goals. The ball was played in from the right by McLennan to Carnwath who was standing unmarked on the edge of box and swept it into the corner past a stranded Johnny Duncan.

 

 

Mark McKeever was the first to get a shot away for Larkhall a couple of minutes later, cutting back on the right side of the box before sending his effort over the bar. Irvine replied through McGuire who was given far too much space as he waltzed through and would probably have scored if his shot had been on target.

 

Thistle started dominating play around the 20 minute mark with a lot of good possession football and were on top for most of the rest of the half. They were finding it harder however to turn their superiority into goals but had a great chance after half an hour when Brian Jack pounced on a slip from a defender to claim the ball with a clear sight of goal. Jacko had a pass on but decided to try his luck but didn’t trouble Newman in the home goal with his shot.

 

Johnny McStay then had a couple of good attempts that both nearly produced a goal, firstly Mark McKeever took a quick throw and McStay turned quickly and shot, bringing a save from Newman down low at his near post for a corner. David Reid took it and Liam Mushett almost got his head to it as he dived in, just being beaten to the ball by a last gasp challenge.

 

The McStays combined just before the break, Gary putting in a good cross from the right that again a defender had to lunge at to stop Johnny forcing over the line.

 

Half time: Irvine Meadow 1 Larkhall Thistle 0

 

Thistle started the second half like they finished the first, on top and searching for the equaliser. Mushett had the first opportunity but sent his shot way over the bar but the Jags suffered a big blow minutes later when Johnny McStay saw a straight red. He squared up to an Irvine player off the ball, the referee was clearly heard telling both to break it up but McStay got sent off and the home played went unpunished, reportedly the offence was something McStay had said to the referee.

 

Meadow came into the game for a spell after the sending off, a couple of decent balls down the right channel nearly led to goals but Thistle showed they weren’t out of it yet with a tremendous Reid drive from distance bringing out a save from the keeper.

 

Thistle were drawing on all their fighting qualities and team spirit and battled brilliantly to try and get level and they did so in 75 minutes. Gary McStay had given it everything after working a shift in the morning before the game and was replaced by Graham Gracie who made an immediate impact with his strong running that the home defence didn’t fancy at all. He got his reward just six minutes after coming on when he ran on to a ball and lobbed the stranded keeper, not the easiest of finishes but his lob was hit to perfection.

 

Five minutes from time Meadow looked like they would snatch the win when Reid was robbed just inside his own box resulting in a poke that cleared the bar and it looked at that point the game was heading for a draw.

 

The referee’s performance would have pleased the home fans more than the away ones to put it mildly, and he had a final say as the game went into the second minute of added time, awarding a soft free kick twenty yards out. Substitute Darren Miller stepped up and smashed the ball straight through the wall into the roof of the net as the whole of the Meadow contingent went crazy.

 

Billy Robb was sent off after the final whistle as he lost his discipline and took out his frustration on the referee.

 

Given the circumstances of having been beaten twice recently by Irvine Meadow, the missing players and the fact that they went down to ten men with almost half a game to go this was possibly Thistle’s best performance of the season and they were desperately unlucky to come away from it without a point.

 

Full time: Irvine Meadow 2 Larkhall Thistle 1

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Duncan; Robb, Mushett, Reynolds; Kelly, Jack; McKeever, Clarke, Reid, J McStay, G McStay (Gracie 69). Subs: Trialist

 

Scorer: Gracie

 

Booked:Kelly, McKeever, Clarke, Gracie

 

Sent off: J McStay, Robb

 

Irvine Meadow: Newman, McLennan, Willet, Gow, Begley, Carnwath, Carson, Spence, McTernan, Gemmell, McGuire.

 

 

Largs Thistle 2 Larkhall Thistle 1 – 21st April 2018

On: By: ian

Barrfields Park, Largs
Largs Thistle v Larkhall Thistle
McBookie.com Super First Division

 

Larkhall went to their furthest flung league opponents with a depleted squad, Gary McStay, Andy Brown, Billy Robb, Hugh Kelly and Mark McKeever were all missing for various reasons. Josh Payne started the game at right back in a back three with Liam Mushett and Niall Reynolds.

 

 

Largs looked the more likely side in the early stages and came close on a couple of occasions, a good flowing move ended with a shot past the post when the Largs player looked like scoring and it was quickly followed by another effort that Thomson in the Jags goal had to look lively to save.

 

Midway through the half Thisle created their first real threat as Liam Mushett back-headed a floated free kick towards the goal and a Largs defender nearly turned the ball into his own goal trying to clear it, bringing out a great reaction save from his keeper.

 

Largs went ahead five minutes later from a corner on the right, it was played into the danger zone and not dealt with by the defence and Scott Adam found himself in space in the middle of the box to stoop and head in from close range. They were lifted by the goal and immediately went looking for a second and nearly got it as Thomson had to save well with his feet when the Largs striker was clean through.

 

Larkhall got level just before half time against the run of play, David Reid took a corner on the right and Mushett got up well to get on the end of it, heading what looked to be a certain goal but it was scrambled off the line only as far as Matty Clarke who finished easily from a couple of yards.

 

Half time: Largs Thistle 1 Larkhall Thistle 1

 

Clarke almost carried on his good work into the second half as he took a free kick that Largs keeper Cousar had to be at full stretch to fingertip round the post. Largs responded through Stevenson who left Reynolds but produced a tame shot before the same player wriggled past the defence only to lift his shot over the bar. McWaters then got clear of four Larkhall defenders to cross for Fleming arriving late in the box but his header was wide of the post.

 

Stevenson got clear on the right minutes later but Thomson dived to save from his half-volley but the writing was on the wall and Largs took the lead for the second time right on the hour mark. They won a throw on the right and played the ball right to the byeline and cut along it before sending the ball  across the goal to the back post where Adam finished again for his second.

 

 

Liam Mushett picked up an injury and although he came back onto the park after treatment it was clear he was struggling and was replaced by young Mark Cuthbertson who did an excellent job when he came on and provided probably the one bright spot of the day with his performance.

Thistle were under the cosh for most of the rest of the game with the home side producing waves of attacks but the defence held out without conceding any further goals.

 

Ten minutes from the end there was a chance to snatch a draw when Johnny McStay intercepted a poor back pass and bore down on the goal but decided to go it alone rather than cut back for Reid who was in a great position to score. His shot was saved for a corner and when the ball came back out to Jack he hit a tremendous dipping volley from 25 yards that would have been a contender for goal of the season if the keeper hadn’t saved it.

 

A familiar result in Ayrshire but Largs were the better team on the day and deserved their win that takes them now third in the league. Thistle are third bottom, a point behind Kello Rovers who they play on Saturday.

 

Full time: Largs Thistle 2 Larkhall Thistle 1

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Thomson; Payne, Mushett, Reynolds; Canning; Clarke, Jack, Innes, Reid, J McStay, Gracie. Subs: Duncan (GK), Adams

 

Scorer: Clarke

 

Booked: Innes, Reid, Payne

 

Largs Thistle:

Cousar; Fisher, McMaster, Little, Jamieson, Muir, Stevenson, Fleming, Adam, McWaters, McKie

 

 

Larkhall Thistle 1 Irvine Meadow 2 – 14th April 2018

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Irvine Meadow
McBookie.com Super First Division

 

Thistle made four changes from the midweek game at Rutherglen – Stewart Thomson, Brian Jack, Matty Clarke and Johnny McStay replaced Johnny Duncan, Billy Robb, Ryan Innes and Gary McStay.

 

After the 4-0 loss two weeks ago the Jags were looking to put on a better show this time and they did, although in the end the result was the same.

 

Thistle started the game promisingly with a couple of good moves down the left that lacked a good final ball but they took the lead in the 15th minute with a well-worked goal. Graham Gracie got up well to flick on a long ball into the path of Matty Clarke who took the ball past the last defender and squeezed it just inside the left hand post.

 

Irvine struck back right away with a break and as their slipper-footed striker Boyd went into the box Liam Mushett came across his path and he went down looking for and getting the penalty. Justice was done as the penalty was blasted against the bar, a big let-off for Thistle but Meadow followed it up moments later with a shot that just cleared the bar.

 

Thistle’s best effort in the remainder of the half was a half-volley from Jack from 25 yards that the keeper got down to save.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Irvine Meadow 0

 

Two minutes into the second half Larkhall had a great opportunity to double their lead, Gracie found a bit of space and played the ball wide to McStay, he cut inside and made good space for the shot but he blasted his effort high over the bar.

 

Thistle had started the half well and six minutes later McStay’s head flick put Reid clear but unfortunately he didn’t make the most of the chance and the keeper robbed him. It was the goal that they needed though as a minute later the visitors equalised, a long ball down the middle was flicked on to McTernan who took it wide past Brown and Thomson and rolled it in from a tight angle.

 

Irvine were on the ascendancy now and could have scored a couple of minutes later when Boyd beat Reynolds but they got what was the winning goal just five minutes after the equaliser, a corner from he right landed in the middle of the area and the defence couldn’t clear it, Miller getting there to slam it in through the crowd.

 

The Jags came back well and had a couple of decent shouts for penalties that looked more like penalties than the one given to Irvine Meadow but they came closest to equalising through Liam Mushett. The big man had won every header all day at the back but this time nearly turned scorer as he headed a Gracie free kick onto the bar.

 

There were a couple of opportunities from free kicks before the end but they were wasted and the points had gone.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Irvine Meadow 2

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Thomson; Brown, Mushett, Reynolds; Canning; Payne, Jack, Reid; Gracie, Clarke, J McStay (G McStay 65)

 

Subs: Robb, Doyle, Kelly, McKeever

 

Booked: Reynolds

 

Irvine Meadow: Newman; McLennan, Willet, Begley, Miller, McGuire, Carson, Spence, Boyd, McTernan, Carnwath.

 

Johnstone Burgh 1 Larkhall Thistle 5 – 7th April 2018

On: By: ian

Keanie Park, Johnstone
Johnstone Burgh v Larkhall Thistle
Central League Cup Second Round

 

Manager Dunky Sinclair made four changes from last week with Billy Robb, Ryan Innes, Josh Payne and Matty Clarke replacing Liam Mushett, Mark Canning, David Reid and Gary McStay. Johnny Duncan kept his place in goal after Stewart Thompson failed a fitness test.

 

With Johnstone second bottom of the Second Division, it was a game that Thistle were expected to win.

 

Johnstone had the first effort on goal 14 minutes into the game with a shot that went wide, Thistle’s first meaningful attack five minutes later resulted in the opening goal for the Burgh. Ryan Jack played a god ball into Matty Clarke who shot into a crowd of players on the edge of the box, Johnstone broke away downhill and scored.

 

After the goal Thistle came into the game and Josh Payne went close with a shot that went high past the right hand post then Ryan Innen was in on the keeper after a one-two with Johnny McStay but the keeper got down to turn the ball round for a corner.

 

Thistle’s pressure brought the equaliser in 31 minutes when Payne got free down the right again and shot across the goal, the keeper got a hand to it but only managed to divert it into the path of Matty Clarke who finished easily at the back post.

 

Larkhall took the lead just before half time when Clarke dribbled the ball along the byeline and cut back for McStay to slam in from 10 yards.

 

Half time: Johnstone Burgh 1 Larkhall Thistle 2

 

Johnstone came out in the second half looking to try and get level and had most of the pressure in the early stages. Payne went close for Thistle ten minutes into the half against the run of play witha shot just over the bar after he had he created space at the edge of the box following good set up play from Innes and McStay.

 

Ten minutes later Jack played a one-two with Innes and got in a shot that was pushed round for a corner, he then got a good glancing header from the corner kick but sent it just over the bar.

 

Thistle were now in control of the game again and after the double substitution of Gary McStay and Graham Gracie for Johnny McStay and Matty Clarke totally dominated the rest of the game. The third goal came with 15 minutes left, McStay and Payne combining to set up Gracie who found the far corner.

 

Six minutes later any doubt about the outcome disappeared as Gracie broke down the left and his cross was deflected into the net for an own goal. Gracie was involved again for the fifth, holding the ball up an laying it off for Reynolds to finish.

 

Thistle are one of eight teams through to the third round, East Kilbride v Clydebank was postponed and another eight teams still need to play each other in the second round.

 

Full time: Johnstone Burgh 1 Larkhall Thistle 5

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Duncan; Doyle, Brown, Robb, Reynolds; Payne, Innes, Jack (Kelly 78), McKeever; J McStay (G McStay 68), Clarke (Gracie 68) Subs: Canning, Reid

 

Scorers: Clarke, J McStay, Gracie, Reynolds, og

 

Booked: Robb, Payne, J McStay

 

Larkhall Thistle 3 Darvel 0 – 24th March 2018

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Darvel
McBookie.com Super First Division

 

What appeared to be the first day of spring brought a sharp change from the first game of the season, where Thistle had gone to Ayrshire in a chilly downpour with the only thing more miserable than the weather being the football itself. On that day the Jags had been given a harsh reality check on the back of their tournament win at Kilbirnie and quickly realised that anything won in this league was going to have to be fought for all the way.

 

So to today and after a good showing where they were unlucky to lose at leaders Petershill and a first win since September in the previous game against Cumbernauld, Larkhall went into today’s game in as confident a mood as they’ve been all season. Graham Gracie was still injured and missed the game along with Ryan Innes who was serving the first game of his two match suspension. Josh Payne who had done so well as a sub in the last home game was also missing.

 

 

Thistle suffered an early disruption to their plans when Billy Robb pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury and was replaced by Declan Doyle at right back, the youngster making what was a rare appearance and consequently making a bit of a nervy start until he got into the game and went on to perform very well.

 

After a dour opening half hour with neither team playing much football or creating chances worthy of note other than a very early effort from the visitors which went close, the Jags took the lead in the 32nd minute. Good build up work from David Reid got the ball forward and into the box where Gary McStay was quickest to react and swept the ball low into the corner of the net.

 

Just on half time it was 2-0 with a goal that was completely out of character with the game so far and was one of the best goals seen at Gasworks Park this season. Again it was Gary McStay finishing off the move after a brilliant run from fellow veteran Mark McKeever who flicked the ball past one defender then played a one-two with Ryan Jack before shimmying another defender, leaving him flat-footed and cutting back for McStay to pass the ball in from 15 yards.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 2 Darvel 0

 

With the next goal in the game being vital, both teams came flying out of the traps for the start of the second half and while the tempo was raised, real chances were still at a premium – the best of them falling to Liam Mushett in the first couple of minutes of the half but the big centre half couldn’t squeeze it over the line from close range.

 

Thistle were hit by a further injury blow in the 64th minute when keeper Stewart Thomson went down holding the ball in what seemed to be a routine catch but didn’t get back up. The decision being made right away to replace him with Johnny Duncan indicated that it might have been a bit more serious than it looked. Tommo had had a fine game before he went off with a couple of good saves and excellent handling from crosses and corners.

 

 

The third goal came ten minutes from time and if the last goal was good, this was possibly even better. Johnny McStay was heavily involved in the build-up which was a passing move of the highest quality. He initially won the ball on the left wing and played a one-two with Mark Canning then another with Brian Jack out wide on the right before picking out Gary McStay in the box who supplied his third deadly finish of the afternoon.

 

The Jags did come under a bit of pressure in the closing stages of the game in terms of possession but all of the players on the park knew in their hearts that the third goal was the winner and there was no way back for Darvel.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 3 Darvel 0

 

A great all round team performance today with no weaknesses – good running and effort from the forward players, tenacity and strong tackling in midfield and a defence that held together as well as they have done for a long while and kept up their concentration levels throughout.

 

With Cumbernauld, Kello Rovers, Kilsyth Rangers, Maryhill and Shettleston all losing today it turned out to be an even better day for Thistle as they gained ground on all their relegation rivals.

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Thomson (Duncan 64); Robb (Doyle 13), Brown, Mushett, Reynolds; Canning; McKeever, Jack, Reid; G McStay, J McStay. Subs: Cuthbertson, Trialist

 

Booked: Reid

 

MoM:
If it hadn’t been for Gary McStay’s hat-trick it could have been almost anybody but his goals made the difference.

 

*** Video uploading and will be available in the morning

Larkhall Thistle 2 Cumbernauld United 1 – 10th March 2018

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Cumbernauld United
McBookie.com Super First Division

 

After an early pitch inspection due to the heavy rain the game went ahead as planned, however if the rain had come a couple of hours earlier it would probably have been enough to have seen the match postponed. As it was the park cut up badly and got worse as the game went on, for those of us old eough to remember Match of the Day with the likes of Derby at the Baseball Ground this was reminiscent of times gone by.

 

The game being on brought some much needed revenue for Thistle but the downside was several first team picks missing including Graham Gracie, David Reid and Craig Forbes. Josh Payne started on the bench.

 

The football itself in the first half wasn’t enough to warm up what was a decent crowd considering the conditions with neither side creating many chances. Cumbernauld went close with a long range chip and Thistle might have taken the lead just before the half hour mark but Mark Canning’s drive from the edge of the box crashed off the top corner of the woodwork. It was the kind of break Thistle had become used to getting but they say these things even themselves out and they did in the second half.

 

 

Minutes later Cumbernauld’s busy number 8 hit a good drive that Thomson got down to save but the pressure stayed on the Jags goal and it led to a Cumbernauld corner on the left. The ball was swung in to the back post and their big centre half Ross McCabe rose unchallenged to head in and give the visitors a half-time lead.

 

 

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Cumbernauld United 1

 

The second half saw more slogging away from both sides in a game that was becoming increasingly bogged down by the weather and heavy underfoot conditions and neither team troubled the opposition goal much in the first part of it. The game was crying out for a change, Thistle’s new four at the back formation meant they were short in midfield but before the manager could make the substitution, they drew level in the 67th minute with a well constructed goal. A high ball into the box from Andy Brown was cushioned by Gary McStay and knocked down into the path of Canning who slotted it first time into the corner of the net.

 

 

Gary McStay had shown some great touches up to and including the goal and so there was surprise all round when it was him who made way for Josh Payne straight after the goal. Young Josh made an immediate impact with his pace down the left and was to have a big say in the outcome of the game.

 

Three minutes later Larkhall turned the game around altogether with what turned out to be the winning goal and this time it was down to a double slice of good fortune. Payne drove down the left and cut inside leaving the Cumbernauld defence floundering, The Cumbernauld defender swiped at his cross to try and clear but only managed to trickle the ball as far as Billy Robb. Billy’s shot was on target but took a massive deflection that lifted it up and the opposite way from where the keeper was moving giving him no chance.

 

 

The Jags players and supporters were jubillant in a way that hasn’t been seen since the St Roch’s game as a wave of relief swept around the ground, the job now was to hold the lead and see out the game for a vital win.

 

To be honest as the game went into its closing stages and the conditions got worse anything could have happened as the game descended almost into farce, the ball was sticking and players were falling over in the mud. Thistle defended well though and held out for the win that gets them back into contention for avoiding the drop.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 2 Cumbernauld United 1

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Thomson; Robb (Kelly 82), Brown, Mushett, Reynolds; McKeever (Jack 88), Canning, Innes, Clarke; G McStay (Payne 67), J McStay. Subs: Doyle, Duncan (GK)

 

Booked: Johnny McStay, Mushett

 

Cumbernauld United:
Murphy; Higgins, McCabe, Murphy, Stevenson, McMenamin; Winters, McLaughlin, McCabe; Malone, Lennon

 

MoM:
It’s getting to be a familiar theme again this season but Ryan Innes was everywhere in the midfieldand did more than anybody to keep the momentum going.

 

*** Video uploading, available in the morning

 

Larkhall Thistle 1 Shettleston 1 – 17th February 2018

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Shettleston
McBookie.com Super First Division

 

This was a game that both teams would have felt they needed to win to give themselves a realistic chance of escaping relegation. Before the game Shettleston were sitting in 12th place on 8 points with Thistle a point and place behind them, 13th on 7 points.

 

The Jags had several players missing, Johnny McStay Liam Mushett and Craig Forbes were all working while Matty Clarke has a knee injury and is out for four weeks. Billy Robb made a welcome return to the defence and Josh Payne was restored to the right midfield slot.

 

The first half hour of the game passed off with hardly an incident to report, a scrappy opening with both teams living up to their billing as relegation candidates and not much football being played or chances created.

 

Hugh Kelly replaced Brian Jack in the centre of midfield after just over half an hour and was one of the few Jags success stories on the day with his calmness on the ball and range of passing.

 

 

Shettleston could have taken the lead before the interval when their striker went clean through on goal with just Johnny Duncan to beat but he maybe tried to be too fancy with his finish and flicked it past the outside of the post.

 

Minutes later the Jags also had a chance to go in with a half time advantage but Ryan Innes’s effort from 20 yards hit the post and went past.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Shettleston 0

 

The second half was only two minutes old when Thistle produced their best moment of the game, Niall Reynolds burst down the left side and put in a cross that missed out the keeper and fell to Gary McStay who laid it back to Innes for a tap-in.

 

After the goal the Jags were on top and could have extended their lead when Graham Gracie hit a good free kick that went just past the post and they had a good spell of possession, dominating the play but without creating any more real chances.

 

The game turned on an incident midway through the half when Shettleston felt they should have had a penalty, the ball hit Reynolds on the arm but the referee indicated that he saw the incident as accidental. Needless to say, Shettleston saw it the other way and it only fired them up with a sense of injustice that saw them take control of the game.

 

It only took five minutes for them to get level but the goal itself was a bit of a sore one for Thistle, a deflected shot from the edge of the box that left Duncan flatfooted, hit the post and in contrast to Innes’s earlier effort went in.

 

Thistle hit back with a Gracie dribble that ended with a shot that was well saved, then a penalty shout similar to the one Shettleston claimed for in the first half was also turned down.

 

The last period of the game saw both teams going for the winner that would have given them a massive boost but it was the keepers who were on top, Shettleston’s hobbled off after a clash with Gracie that resulted in what sounded like a very painful injury, best wishes to him for a full recovery. He was replaced by what seemed to be an outfield player but his performance between the sticks for the last 10 minutes was outstanding, one save in particular from a Canning drive that saved a point for his team.

 

Johnny Duncan also had a fine save from a deflected shot that he had to correct himself and go the other way to reach.

 

All in all a draw was probably the right result on the day with neither team really producing enough quality to win the game.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Shettleston 1

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Duncan; Robb, Brown, Reynolds; Canning; Payne, Innes, Jack (Kelly 32), Reid; G McStay, Gracie. Subs: McKeever, Doyle, Thomson (GK)

 

Booked: Innes

 

MoM: Ryan Innes gave everything as usual and was just shaded for man of the match by Billy Robb who was solid at the back and provided some great out balls.

 

Cambuslang Rangers 4 Larkhall Thistle 2 – 6th January 2018

On: By: ian

Somervell Park, Cambuslang
Cambuslang Rangers v Larkhall Thistle
McBookie.com Super First Division

 

After an enforced layoff since the middle of November last year, Thistle returned to league business at a bitterly cold Cambuslang. The Jags were hoping for some New Year cheer at their high-flying rivals – having slumped to third bottom with only seven points taken from their nine games so far.

 

The loss of Billy Robb at the centre of deence was a big blow to Thistle’s hopes of taking anything from the game but Liam Mushett wasn’t the only one who looked rusty after the long break. Craig Forbes started at right back in a new look formation but it left the Jags short in midfield and meant little in the way of creativity and chances being created.

 

After a scrappy opening period, Cambuslang began to take control of the game but it was Larkhall who could have taken the lead in the 16th minute when a corner found Graham Gracie six yards out but his shot was blocked by a defender. Gracie appeared to have been earmarked as the danger man as he found himself with two or three markers every time he got the ball.

 

Cambuslang could have taken the lead themselves just a minute later but the centre half’s header was straight at Johnny Duncan. The keeper was called into action again five minutes later but this time it was a great save from a well hit drive that looked to be flying into the roof of the net.

 

Thistle sqandered a great chance to take the lead in the 25th minute when Mushett sent a free header past the post when anything on target would have been a goal. After that let off, the home side got the breakthrough that they deserved when they went straight back up the park and scored from a nice passing move finished by Molloy who rolled the ball into the corner unchallenged. They almost doubled the lead a minute later when their pony-tailed right winged produced a great run and shot that Duncan could only parry into the six yard box before it was scrambled clear.

 

The game looked to be over as a contest in 33 minutes when Mushett couldn’t get near the Lang forward on the left wing to prevent the cross and again Duncan was left helpless as Molloy tapped in from two yards. Thistle hadn’t quite given up the ghost yet and good play between Reid and Gracie on the left saw Gracie clear through with just the keeper to beat, he chose to go round the goalie but his shot from a wide angle was cleared off the line by the centre half.

 

The referee denied the Jags what looked to be a good shout for a penalty when Ryan Innes had his feet taken away from him just inside the edge of the box, no foul was the verdict. Thistle finished the half on top and could have pulled a goal back when Gracie headed down for Innes but he blasted just over the bar.

 

Half time: Cambuslang Rangers 2 Larkhall Thistle 0

 

Thistle came out for the second half with the same eleven on the park but that would be set to change fairly quickly.

 

Cambuslang were first to threaten when Mushett gave the ball straight to an opponent who shot over the bar and the Jags took the warning and rallied well. With the next goal being crucial they gave it a good go, albeit without any real end product and it was a real kick in the sore bits when Cambuslang extended their lead in the 62nd minute. Andy Brown for once missed a ball in the air and it fell perfectly for Simeon who cut back and Love tapped in from close range.

 

That should have been it but the substitution of Johnny McStay for Gary McStay injected fresh energy up front and the fightback began. McStay grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and roared and bullied his team mates into shaking off the lethargy and getting stuck in. He led the charge himself when he robbed the home centre half on the right wing and dribbled towards the goal, shrugging off three defenders before laying the ball off to Innes who crashed it into the net from twelve yards.

 

The home nerves were in shreds minutes later. Andy Brown headed the ball clear and it went straight through the middle into the path of Gracie who took it past the keeper and was hauled down. For some reason that only the referee knows, he didn’t produce a card of either colour but did award the penalty which Mark Canning rolled into the corner as the keeper dived the other way.

 

With Thistle going all out for the equaliser they were caught on the break when Mushett again gave the ball away and the game should and would have been put beyond doubt but for a magnificent double block by Andy Brown who must have felt like a one man defence at times.

 

It was all Thistle pressure as the game went deep into injury time but a long hooked clearance sent the Lang No.12 away and although he looked a mile offside he was allowed to square it to Simeon who scored to finish the game.

 

Shettleston picked up their second win of the season to go above Thistle in the table and the situation is now starting to look very ominous as the Jags sit second bottom wondering where the next win is going to come from.

 

Full time: Cambuslang Rangers 4 Larkhall Thistle 2

 

*** Sorry camera out of action this week

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Duncan; Forbes (Jack 81), Mushett, Brown, Reynolds; Canning; Payne, Innes, Reid (Clarke 63); G McStay (J McStay 57), Gracie. Subs: McKeever, Thomson (GK)

 

Scorers: Innes, Canning

 

Booked: Innes, Forbes, Gracie

MoM: Good performances from Duncan and Johnny McStay and pass marks for Canning, Innes and Forbes but Andy Brown did his best to hold a ragged defence together with an outstanding display.