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

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

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Match Reports – League 2018-2019
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

Following two heavy defeats to high flying Glencairn and Kilsyth, Thistle went into today’s game with title-chasing Benburb more in hope than expectation. With almost a full squad to choose from, manager Brian Crawford decided to make four changes; keeper Colin McGraw and lone striker Greg Fernie started while playmaker Kris Dick and injured Mark Cuthbertson were left out, Dylan O’Hagan and Aidan McMurray coming back in.

Benburb had the ball in the net in the first minute but the goal was disallowed to much uproar from the Benburb dugout, an early warning of what was to come from the visiting management team. After the 12-1 game in January it looked like Benburb might have felt this was going to be a formality for them but when Thistle weathered the early pressure the tide started turning and the flow of the game was more away from the Gasworks end than towards it.

The first real chance of the game went the way of the Jags in the 27th minute, a great cross from Barthoz on the left found O’Hagan in space and his powerful downward header was just scrambled past the post by the Bens keeper.

Thistle had another chance just before half time when Fernie took the ball on the turn from a throw in and sent a first time shot just over the bar.

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Benburb 0

The second half carried on with Larkhall being more than just in the game and looking the most likely to score. Brunton’s good run on the right set up a shooting oppotunity for Forbes and he came close with his effort dipping just over the bar. Bathoz followed this up moments later with another shot that the keeper saved then a Jags corner on the right was bulleted just past the post by the head of Adam Boyle.

Thistle had possibly their best chance of the game in the 65th minute, again good work by Brunton on the right forced a mistake from the defender and he found Fernie 12 yards out. The striker had a half chance of a shot but unselfishishly decided to square the ball and unfortunately scuffed his pass.

Two minutes later Benburb were awarded a penalty for a clumsy challenge by Boyle that in truth he didn’t need to make, a soft award but probably a foul. Colin McGraw had the faint hopes of Jags fans in his hands but he pulled off a tremendous save to keep the score level.

Thistle heads wee up and subsitute Dylan Lynn was on the park for just two minutes before almost putting them ahead, he made a good run and checked back sending two defenders the wrong way before hitting a low shot that left the keeper scrambling.

With time ticking away it looked like Thistle were going to pick up an unexpected point but amazingly Benburb were awarded another penalty, again for a challenge that didn’t really need to be made as John Rowan came through from behind the Bens player and brought him down.

The old story then kicked in again, on top for a lot of the game but four minutes later the lead was doubled from a free header in the middle of the area. To their credit this time the Thistle didn’t cave in and in fact it was Larkhall who ended the game on top.

Thistle got the goal that nobody could have grudged them a minute into added time when Bathoz picked up the ball on the left wing and cut inside before firing a great low shot beyond the keeper that looked like it was going wide but just clipped the inside of the post and went the right side of the line.

A great performance against one of the best teams in the league that deserved at least a point and the Jags should take great heart from it for the rest of the season.

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Benburb 2

McGowan; Rowan, McMurray, Boyle, Fraser, O’Hagan, Brunton, Forbes, K Wilson (Breen 83), Bartoz, Fernie (Lynn 70) Subs: Dick, Hunter, Cooper (GK)

A month to the day since Thistle last completed a game – a 1-0 away win at Kello Rovers – this was to be a much different challenge with Glencairn sitting second top and the Jags bottom. It was to be a day when nothing went right for Larkhall.

There were setbacks before the game started as captain Michael Brunton and Jack Adams who had been playing well at left back were ruled out. New signing Steven Kyle made his debut in the defence but lasted just five minutes before he had to go off injured to be replaced by Aiden McMurray.

Thistle started the game well and had the bulk of the early play, taking the game to their opponents but fell behind to a goal against the run of play in the 13th minute. Keeper Ryan Cooper might have felt he could have done better with a low ball across the face of the goal but as he hesitated Mitchell nicked in at the back post to score.

The setback didn’t phase the young Jags team too much but Glencairn’s second was a bolt from the blue that nobody saw coming. McGregor won the ball from Ben Fraser on the wide right and whipped in an early shot/cross that dropped in high over Cooper with the keeper having no chance.

Cooper however kept Thistle’s slim hopes alive six minutes later, a simple through ball into the path of a runner who wasn’t picked up and got his shot away which the keeper did well to get a leg to. Half time came with Thistle having had decent possession but never really threatening the home goal.

Half time: Rutherglen Glencairn 2 Larkhall Thistle 0

The Jags sufferered a further blow a minute into the half, Fraser looked to have cleared the ball out of the box but it hit the Glencairn forward’s hand which allowed him to control it, he squared it across the 18 yard line and McRobbie was on hand to slot it into the corner.

The final setback of the day saw Fraser pick up a second yellow card for a lunge just eight minutes into the second half, a mountain to climb now became mission impossible and it was only a question of how many more Glencairn would score.

It looked ominous when three minutes later Simeon went round the keeper to roll the ball in for a fourth but Larkhall to their credit hung in there and stemmed the flow to an extent. There were further goals from McKay and Simeon but Thistle did create a couple of chances of their own. Forbes curled a shot just past the post, Boyle headed past from a corner after a good move had brought out a save from the home keeper and new signing Lynn hit a free kick that the keeper had to get down to save.

Not much was expected of Thistle today and as it turned out the score reflected the league positions but with a full squad to pick from and 11 men on the park it would surely have been a lot closer.

Full time: Rutherglen Glencairn 6 Larkhall Thistle 0

Cooper; Kyle (McMurray 5), Rowan, Boyle, Fraser, Forbes, Dick (O’Hagan 60) K Wilson, Bartoz, Lynn, Simpson (Fernie 60)

Thistle made their first ever visit to Nithside Park on league business looking to catch up ground on their hosts and make up for what was the most disappointing result of the season when they lost 3-2 at home to Kello in the reverse fixture.

The Jags started well and for the early stages had all the good pressure but without creating any real chances of note other than a couple of half-hearted penalty appeals.

Kello didn’t come to life until half way through the first half when the Larkhall defence switched off for a split second and didn’t deal with a through ball, it fell to a Kello striker who shot across Cooper and was unlucky to see his effort come back out off the post, Boyle did brilliantly to get a tackle in to prevent a goal from the rebound. A minute later Cooper had to get down well to save with Fraser completing the clearance.

Five minutes later Kello’s best move of the game ended with a man at the back post ready to pull the trigger and only a last gasp tackle from Fraser prevented a certain goal.

Thistle replied with Simpson and Dick linking well in the middle of the park and sending Brunton clear down the right, he beat two defenders and surged into the box before curling a shot that unfortunately didn’t trouble the home keeper. Brunton found himself clear again moments later after a good crossfield ball but elected to check back onto his left foot rather than hit a first time strike with his right, the ball broke to Simpson who choked his shot but it was met at the back post by Fernie who should have scored but shot into the side netting.

Half time: Kello Rovers 0 Larkhall Thistle 0

Kello started the second half well and put Thistle under a bit of pressure, the manager took swift action and replaced Kevin Wilson with Mark Cuthbertson. Right on the hour mark Kello had their best effort on goal following a corner when a good drive from 22 yards just cleared the bar.

Thistle responded and were again having the best of the play when they won a corner in the 71st minute, Mark Cutherberson rose unchallenged to head in for the opening goal of the game. The last scare for Larkhall came with 12 minutes left when Fraser again did great work clearing off the line.

The remainder of the game was blood and guts, a typical hard-fought junior game with no malice on either side and all players on the park giving 100%.

A good win in the end for Thistle and another step on the road to recovery. The new players are settling in well and starting to provide competition for places, the fact that one of the best players Craig Forbes was left out today and Thistle still won speaks volumes.

Full time: Kello Rovers 0 Larkhall Thistle 1

Cooper; Fraser, J Adams, Rowan, Boyle, Dick (Wilson 71), Brunton, K Wilson (M Cuthbertson 56), Fernie (Breen 62), Bartoz, Simpson

It was a day of firsts for Thistle today – first home league game since November last year more than three months ago, first ever visit of Whittletts Vics in the league, first clean sheet of the season and most importantly the first point of the league campaign. Storm Erik blew over with a whimper and the 1/9 favourites from Ayr came and went with about as much of an impression.

This was a new look Jags team, same players but with a conviction and determination and level of organisation previously unseen this season. And the decent sized crowd got behind the team in a way they hadn’t before, this was a Thistle team that gave them something to shout about at last.

The first half was fairly even with a couple of chances each and a great save by Ryan Cooper in the Thistle goal to keep the scoreline blank at the interval.

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Whittletts Vics 0

The second half saw the best performance from the young Jags team this season. Time after time they came close to scoring and it looked certain that they would eventually break Vics down.

Larkhall should have taken the lead in the first few minutes of the half when they were unlucky to see a header come back off the post after good set up play from Simpson and 10 minutes in a good effort from distance by Dick flew just over the bar.

Minutes later Thistle had a legitamate looking goal chalked off for offside although Brunton looked to have timed his run perfectly to leave the defence stranded before slotting past the keeper.

It was all Jags pressure and yet another corner resulted in a good header from O’Hagan that just cleared the bar and with 15 minutes left Bartotz had a great chance to score when he latched onto a defence splitting ball but took too long getting his shot away.

Trialist Greg Fernie had replaced Dick and impressed in the short time he was on the park, managing two decent attempts at goal and the final action saw Simpson who had his best game in a Thistle shirt bring out a fine save from The Whittletts keeper from a late free kick.

No Thistle supporter could realistically have imagined the scenario after losing 12-1 at Benburb just two weeks ago but many of the home fans went away almost disappointed with the result such was the Jags domination of the second half.

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Whittletts Vics 0

Larkhall Thistle:
Cooper; Fraser, J Adam, Rowan, Boyle, Dick (Fernie 68), Brunton, O’Hagan, Bartosz (Breen), Simpson, Forbes. Subs Melvin (GK), Hunter, Holmes, M Cuthbertson

Thistle made their first visit to Kilsyth for several years hoping to continue the recent improvement but after a disastrous second half finished firmly back at square one having conceded nine goals for the fourth time this season. Late pre-match setbacks, injuries and lack of fitness saw a makeshift Jags defence lacking in any pace and a rookie goalkeeper called up for a debut he will want to forget, although young Lewis Melvin had a decent game and was not at fault for any of the goals.

Not for the first time this season, Larkhall took the lead and looked good in the early stages of the game. Michael Brunton made a good run down the left wing and his cross was only half cleared, landing perfectly for Dick 25 yards out who crashed the ball into the back of the net. The lead lasted a full three minutes until a ball over the top saw a Kilsyth forward in acres of space and he finished easily, albeit with a hint of offside that the Jags contingent claimed loudly for.

Kilsyth had several good chances in what remained of the first half and should have been in front but it could well have been Thistle going in to the interval ahead, Hunter got the break of the ball 30 yards out and ran clear but the home keeper was more than equal to him and got down well to block.

Half time: Kilsyth Rangers 1 Larkhall Thistle 1

The game turned two minutes into the second half when Barclay lunged into a tackle on the edge of the box. It may or may not have been inside but the referee had no doubt and awarded a penalty which was converted to give Kilsyth the lead.

What happened next was the worst collapse that probably anyone connected with the club has ever known, to lose a game 9-1 is bad enough in any circumstances but to have drawn the first half 1-1 then lose the second 8-0 is almost beyond belief. The players heads went down after the second goal but there was nobody to pick them up and get them going again, either on or off the field. The team was all over the place and the defending was chaotic at best and comic at worst.

Halfway through the second half at 4-1 down Thistle had their only chance of the second half when substitute Mark Cuthbertson went round the keeper but could only find the side netting with his shot. At 4-2 it might have been a different game, Thistle might have rallied and got their confidence back but instead they lost three goals in a crazy three minute spell and from then on the main objective was to avoid double figures.

Another penalty for a foul by Aiden McMurray made it 8-1 before the day was summed up by the final goal. Four Thistle defenders were in a line inside their half when Kilsyth cleared the ball forward, none of the Jags players could catch the Kilsyth man who ran from behind them and it took David Breen bringing him down just outside the box to prevent him from scoring. The resultant free kick was curled just inside the post giving Melvin no chance.

With 21 straight defeats this season and a return to the early season hammerings looking on the cards it is difficult to see where the team goes from here.

Full time: Kilsyth Rangers 9 Larkhall Thistle 1

Larkhall Thistle:
Melvin, Forbes, Brunton, Barclay (Holmes), Doyle, McMurray, Dick (Campbell), O’Hagan, Breen Barthoz, Hunter (M. Cuthbertson). Subs: Simpson, S. Cuthbertson

Rossvale away in the winter is never the most tempting prospect and with the home team chasing promotion against pointless Thistle it looked like being a long afternoon in the freezing wind at the soulless community facility.

Larkhall held their own in the first half until ten minutes before half time when a lucky deflection saw Rossvale go into the break a goal up..

Half time: Rossvale 1 Larkhall Thistle 0

The second half started with a spell of Rossvale pressure as they looked to build on their lead but Larkhall managed to hold out and weather the storm before coming back into the game.

The last half hour of the game was possibly a watershed for the Jags as they matched their opponenets with an impressive display that showed the team coming together at last. Good passages of passing play as well as determination in the tackle and being first to nearly every ball must have given heart to the manager and fans alike as the young Thistle team finally came of age.

So much so in fact that by the end of the game Rossvale were reduced to blatant time wasting tactics to try and hold on to their one goal advantage. They did have three very good chances to extend their lead, hitting the post and missing from point blank range but Larkhall had a strong claim for a penalty turned down when the giant home defender handballed in the box.

It will probably be too late to save the team from going down but it now looks inevitable that there will be points on the board sooner rather than later and Thistle can look forward to the new year with renewed optimism.

Full time: Rossvale 1 Larkhall Thistle 0

Larkhall Thistle:
McGraw; Rowan (M Cuthbertson), Fraser, Boyle, McMurray, Brunton, Dick (S Cuthbertson), O’Hagan, Breen, Forbes. J Adams

There was a time not so long ago when Thistle would have been confident of going to Dalmellington and coming away with a result but the fortunes of the two clubs have gone in opposite directions recently and Craigmark started the game as favourites.

The first half was evenly balanced with the heavy underfoot conditions not lending themselves to much pretty football or goalscoring chances.

Thistle came close on the half hour mark when Barthosz almost got on the end of a great through ball from Dick but was just beaten to it by the home keeper.

Just as it looked like the teams would go into the break goalless, Craigmark took the lead in the 44th minute with a free header from a corner that was swung into the edge of the six yard box and met by the Craigmark striker without any challenge leaving Ryan Cooper with no chance in the Thistle goal.

Half time: Craigmark Burntonians 1 Larkhall Thistle 0

The second half was more of the same with possession evenly shared between the teams. As the conditions worsened and the rain got heavier, Craigmark looked more threatening and created a number of chances that the Jags defence did well to defend, in particular Aiden McMurray who had an excellent game.

The best that Larkhall could muster in the second half was a pop from Bartosz from distance after he had got to a long ball out from Cooper and a header from substitute Barclay that the home keeper did well to get down to and save.

Despite Thistle having decent possession and a lot of effort, Craigmark did just on balance deserve the win, they were good in defence and more threatening in attack.

Full time: Craigmark Burntonians 1 Larkhall Thistle 0

Larkhall Thistle:
Cooper; Rowan, Boyle, McMurray, Brunton, Dick (Holmes), O’Hagan, Forbes. Bartosz, Hunter (Cuthbertson 78), Campbell (Barclay 63)

Thistle manager Derek Holmes made two changes from last week’s defeat to Muirkirk, Simpson and Hunter replacing Miller and Brunton but the Jags once again fell behind to an early goal.

Worse was to follow though when they were caught out badly down the problem right defensive side as Dalry broke away, the cross easily finished at the back post to give the home side a two goal lead at the interval.

Half time: Dalry Thistle 2 Larkhall Thistle 0

The second half started with Michael Brunton coming on for Ben Fraser at left back, a switch that looked like it must have been down to an injury.

Larkhall began the second half well with a good spell of pressure, a shot from Brunton brought loud claims for a penalty for handball and his follow up shot was heading into the roof of the net and only stopped by a great save as the Dalry keeper tipped the ball over the bar.

Thistle got the goal that their pressure deserved with 15 minutes left through a simple cross and a header from Breen that went in off the bottom of the post.

In the closing stages of the match both teams went for it and Larkhall keeper Colin McGraw had by far his best game as he made no fewer than five excellent saves to prevent the home side extending their lead.

For the third week in a row Thistle pounded the opposition defence in the closing stages and had a couple of chances to score and claim that elusive first point but again it wasn’t to be.

Full time: Dalry Thistle 2 Larkhall Thistle 1

Scorer: Breen

Larkhall Thistle:
McGowan, Rowan, Fraser, Boyle, McMurray, Dick, 11 Simpson, 8 Forbes 7 O’Hagan (Campbell), 9 Bartosz, Miller 10 Hunter (Breen), 12 Brunton. Subs Miller, Cooper (GK)