Category: Match Reports – West of Scotland Cup 2018-2019

Larkhall Thistle 1 Craigmark Burntonians 8 – 25th May 2019

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Craigmark Burntonians
McBookie.com West Region Championship

 

Thistle went into their final game of the season with nothing to play for having failed to pick up the point they needed in midweek that could have seen them finish second bottom with a win today. The scheduling meant that the game was going up against the live televised Scottish Cup final but the crowd didn’t seem to be affected and looked normal for an end of season game.

 

The manager made a few changes from the team that lost in midweek but the absence of the youthful energy seemed to work against Larkhall as they came out looking flat from the start and lost a goal in the second minute after slack play down the right, a low cross and tap-in at the back post.

 

Thistle rallied well and were pushing for an equaliser when a two minute spell in the middle of the half changed the whole game. Thistle won a corner on the right and it was played out to Dick on the edge of the box, he swept a shot in and was very unlucky to see it crash off the underside of the bar. That was quickly followed up by Craig Forbes finding himself clear but his weak shot landed in the keeper’s arms.

 

From the counter attack Jags keeper Ryan Cooper came out to block and was caught and injured resulting in him having to go off with Aiden McMurray on as a sub, centre back Dickson taking over in goals. He’d only been between the sticks for a minute when Thistle were caught out again on the right, the Craigmark winger driving in unchallenged to score from a tight angle.

 

The third goal came on 33 minutes from a soft penalty award after a clumsy challenge and killed off any chance Thistle may have had to salvage something from the game. Craigmark added a fourth on the stroke of half time when their striker ran from behind the Larkhall defence to beat the offside trap and round keeper Dickson before rolling the ball into the net.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Craigmark Burntonians 4

 

Jags player Kris Dick had taken a bad knock in the first half and it was a surprise when the remaining two substitutes were used at half time and he was still on the park. His injury didn’t get any better and he was joined early on by left back Jack Adam who also picked up a knock in a tackle and never recovered.

 

The second half mirrored the first with a Craigmark goal at the start and end of it, also a penalty and fourth goal for the visitors. Thistle pulled a goal back right on the final whistle with a scuffed effort from Ben Elliott after Mark Cuthbertson had gone close with a good volley, the Jags first shot on target.

 

A surreal game and although Craigmark were vastly improved from Thistle’s visit to their park earlier in the season, the margin of their win was largely down to Thistle only having nine fit players on the park and an outfield player in goals.

 

So the season finished like last season with a seven-goal home defeat and much work to be done to prepare for the new campaign. Positives to take have been the emergence of some good young prospects who should go on to be decent junior players and the appointment of the new management team who seem to be taking the team in the right direction even allowing for today’s collapse.

 

Next season should be an interesting one with first ever league games against Ardrossan, trips to Greenock and Port Glasgow and renewing acquaintances with the likes of Shettleston and Maryhill. But for most the the games to look forward to will be the local derbies against Royal Albert, Bellshill, Lesmahagow, Lanark, Carluke and Wishaw.

 

Roll on next season and bring on the Albert and the Gow!

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Craigmark Burntonians 8

 

Cooper (McMurray 23); Kyle (K. Wilson 45) Boyle, Dickson, Adam; Dick, Forbes, B. wilson, Cuthbertson, Bathoz, Fernie (Elliott 45)

 

Larkhall Thistle 0 Arthurlie 4 – 27th April 2019

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Arthurlie
McBookie.com West Region Championship

 

Thistle probably saw their slim hopes of avoiding relegation disappear at Girvan last week when they lost a two goal lead to go down 3-2 so today’s game was the last chance to salvage something from a miserable season. Duncan Sinclair brought some familiar faces back with him both on and off the park on his first visit as opposing manager and nothing would have pleased the Jags supporters more than to send them away empty handed.

 

Larkhall started the game brightly and were the first to threaten when a good move saw Bathoz in space at the edge of the box, his shot went wide but it signalled the intent and that Arthurlie were going to be in a game. The visitors back four had three ex-Thistle players Reynolds, Mushet and Scott Nichol as well as Josh Payne in midfield and David Reid on the bench.

 

The pivotal point in the game from a Thistle point of view came in the 18th minute, Niall Reynolds made a bad mistake and allowed Barthoz to rob him and outpace him as he headed for goal. As he set himself for a shot he was brought down by a desperate double challenge from two Arthurlie defenders, certainly a clear goal-scoring opportunity but the referee bottled it and only issued a yellow card to Mushet.

 

The decision as to prove damaging to Thistle as Mushet cleared everything that came into the box in the air, the only surprise was that Thistle kept playing to his strengths.

 

Arthurlie gradually came into the game and looked theatening in 21 minutes when a cross evaded McGraw in the home goal and was headed back across the face of the goal, the linesman made sure the threat didn’t come to anything by flagging for offside.

 

It was a brief let-off though as Athurlie took the lead a minute later, a simple through ball split the defence and McKay easily took it round the keeper to score. Eight minutes later the game was over as a contest as Arthurlie doubled their lead following a slack back-pass from Kris Dick which let in Marks for an easy finish.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Arthurlie 2

 

Larkhall in truth never looked like getting back in the game and although they managed to prevent a rout the Arthurlie defence was never put under any real pressure. Manager Brian Crawford made a double substitution just eight minutes into the second half when he brought on Dylan O’Hagan and trialist Ben Elliot. The youthful enthusiasm of sixteen year old Elliot gave Thistle a fresh injection as he put himself about well and chased down every lost cause but unfortunately he was deprived of any real service as there wasn’t really anything happening in the creative department.

 

Arthurlie nearly put the game beyond doubt shortly after when again McGraw was out of his goals and the striker in the clear but Ben Fraser did well to clear off the line. As the second half unfolded it looked inevitable that Arthurlie would add to their lead and the third goal did come 11 minutes from the end as once again McGraw found himself in no man’s land, this time Docherty went round him and slotted in.

 

Four minutes later Arthurlie completed the scoring when Docherty cut inside on the left wing and drilled the ball low into the net. Thistle rallied a bit and had their best effort a minute later when Elliot fed the ball to Barthoz and his curling effort went just over.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Arthurlie 4

 

McGraw; Rowan, McMurray, Boyle, Fraser, Dick, Brunton (O’Hagan, 53), Forbes, K Wilson (Hunter 80), Bartoz, Fernie (Elliot 53)

 

Larkhall Thistle 0 Kilsyth Rangers 5 – 30th March 2019

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Kilsyth Rangers
McBookie.com West Region Championship

 

After last week’s 6-0 defeat at Rutherglen, Thistle were looking to show that the result was more of a blip on the road to recovery rather than a relapse back to early season form. Conditions were perfect for football although the first decent Saturday of the year probably saw more folk cutting their grass than visiting Gasworks Park.

 

Thistle started very brightly and had the majority of early play and chances. New Jags striker Lynn had a busy opening 20 minutes, getting himself into good positions three times and he might well have had a goal or two with a more favourable rub of the green. As it was, it was Kilsyth who took the lead in the 13th minute, Larkhall’s weakness at defending corners being exposed again and a simple header from Salim at the back post.

 

Thistle rallied well and were the better team in the first half but couldn’t translate their possession into goals, and like so often happens got caught with the sucker punch just before half time, a nice dummy wrong footed the defence and Kelly ran on to beat Cooper with a low shot.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Kilsyth Rangers 2

 

The second half was a complete contrast to the first as Kilsyth imposed themselves on the game from the start and Thisle hardly got a look in. The second goal seemed to have been the killer as the Jags failed to get a foothold and hardly managed as much as an effort on goal, a tame shot by Barthoz that went well wide was about as much as they could muster.

 

Kilsyth by contrast grew in confidence as the game went on, the third goal came just before the hour mark from a break down the left and a cross that was met with a sliding shot and it killed off any hopes of a home revival.

 

The fourth and fifth goals showed up the makeshift nature of the defence as they tried to play out rather than clear their lines and got caught, in truth Kilsyth didn’t really have to work too hard for the goals.

 

As with the game last week, Thistle had to see out the game with ten men, this time through more unfortunate circumstances as Mark Cuthbertson went off with an injury after the three subs had already been used.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Kilsyth Rangers 5

 

Cooper; Forbes, Rowan, Boyle, Fraser, Dick (O’Hagan 60), Brunton, K Wilson (Fernie 45), Cuthbertson, Bartoz, Lynn (Simpson 69)

 

Larkhall Thistle 1 Givan 1 (match abandoned half time) – 2nd March 2019

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Girvan
McBookie.com West Region Championship

 

After a good recent run that had seen Thistle go unbeaten in three games, they had a chance today to draw within two points of their visitors and level on points with Kello Rovers if they had lost to Irvine Vics.

 

All of the early pressure was towards the Girvan end in the rain and swirling wind and Bartoz went close in the second minute with a header from a corner after Brunton had done well to win it. Girvan replied in the ninth minute when their striker found himself clear in the box and it took a good block from the ever-improving Rowan to clear the danger.

 

The wind was causing problems for both sides with passes going out of play regularly in a game that had plenty of endeavour but lacked a good deal of quality. Girvan did weather the early pressure though and got a strong foothold in the game half way through the first half.

 

There followed a good chance each, Brunton just failing to get a touch on a good through ball for Thistle and for Girvan a long ball from inside their own half that went all the way through but was headed just past the post.

 

Larkhall opened the scoring 10 minutes from half time with one of the most remarkable pieces of skill you will see anywhere, far less the Championship in the juniors. Dylan Simpson found himself blocked off from goal by two Girvan defenders on the right hand side of the box but managed somehow to fashion a cross high up into the air and right down onto the line with the back of his heel, the Girvan defence seemed to be in shock and the attempted clearance from the Girvan defender landed in the back of the net.

 

The lead only lasted five minutes however as Girvan rallied and got the equaliser they badly wanted. Thistle conceded a free kick on their left and the cross was swung in and met by the number 11 who got there in front of Brunton to poke it home from close range.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Girvan 1

 

There then followed one of the most bizarre decisions ever seen at Gasworks Park as the referee abandoned the game. The players had gone off for half time but strangely the subs were carrying the kit bags from the dugout back indoors. The referee and linesmen appeared with jackets on and ran about a bit. Then they dropped the ball on the grass and alarm bells started to ring, even though the ball bounced back up almost into the official’s arms.

 

Yes it was raining and the match officials were getting a bit wet. Yes there was a swirling wind but the park itself was 95% perfect with just a small rutted patch in one of the corners so why the game was called off it a complete mystery.

 

As it turned out, the Kello game was also abandoned with them winning 3-1 so if anything the calloffs benefitted Larkhall but that’s little consolation to the playes and fans, especially those who had made the long trip from Ayrshire.

 

Larkhall Thistle:

Cooper; Fraser, J Adams, Rowan, Boyle, Dick, Brunton, K Wilson, Bartoz, Simpson, Breen (Tialist 23)

 

Benburb 12 Larkhall Thistle 1 – 26th January 2019

On: By: ian

New Tinto Park, Glasgow
Benburb v Larkhall Thistle
McBookie.com West Region Championship

 

Thistle continued on their downward spiral today with another new low, conceding double figures for the first time this season. This was the fifth consecutive game that the Jags had played away from home and have now not had a home game for nearly three months.

 

Again they competed well in the early stages and although by half time the game was effectively over, Larkall weren’t being overrun and towards the half-time whistle actually looked like being the more likely team to score.

 

The first goal came from a defensive mix up and the second from a free header at the back post 25 minutes into the game but at that point things still had an air of respecatability and even another Bens goal from an excellent strike and 3-0 at half time wasn’t the worst outcome.

 

Thistle were on the ascendancy just before the break with several decent efforts and could well have got a goal or two back.

 

Half time: Benburb 3 Larkhall Thistle 0

 

The second half carried on where the first had finished with the action mostly being in Benburb’s half and Thistle looking dangerous. However the game changed 12 minutes into the half when Benburb scored the fourth with their striker rounding McGraw in the Jags goal. The fifth followed six minutes later when McLaren scored with a low shot in off the post but Thistle struck back immediately to pull it back to 5-1.

 

The game was gone but having pulled a goal back Larkhall looked to at least not make the score any worse, however it did 8 minutes later with a devastating passing move along the deck, finishing with a shot from the unmarked striker standing in the middle of the area.

 

Understandably the Jags wilted after that goal whilst Benburb stepped it up and looked to pile on the goals. And pile on the goals is exactly what they did, six of them in a horror 15 minute spell that took the score beyond even the 9s previously conceded this season.

 

It was obvious that Benburb were quicker, slicker and had more ability especially on their own artificial surface so the Thistle game plan of trying to go toe to toe with them and play them at their own game was always going to be doomed. At 4-0 damage limitatation was called for and it was crying out for somebody to break up play and put their foot on the ball, an old head.

 

Benburb are a good team and good luck to them for the rest of the season, Thistle need to put this one behind them as quickly as possible.

 

Full time: Benburb 12 Larkhall Thistle 1

 

Larkhall Thistle:

McGraw; Forbes, Fraser (J Adams 36), Boyle, McMurray, Rowan, O’Hagan, Simpson, Breen (Dick 45), Bartoz (Holmes 33), Brunton

 

Larkhall Thistle 2 Murkirk 3 – 10th November 2018

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Murkirk
Ardagh Group West of Scotland Cup

 

Thistle went into today’s game on the back of a 3-2 home defeat to Kello Rovers, which before the game looked like being their best chance of a league win. Muirkirk are third bottom of League 2 and today’s game looked like the last chance of a win of any kind, as it turned out it was another defeat and exit from another cup at the first time of asking.

 

11 minutes into the game Larkhall found themselves in the familiar position of being a goal down, the defence failed to clear a corner properly and the second ball was finished from close range.

 

The Jags came into the game and played a bit of football in what turned out to be a decent first half for them. They created a few chances most notably a Miller header that he should have scored with and a move down the right that found Forbes in on goal but his touch was too heavy, allowing the keeper time to get out and block his shot.

 

Thistle did draw level just before half time though with a wonder strike from Michael Brunton, winning the ball and playing a one-two before unleashing an unstoppable shot that dipped high into the top corner.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Murkirk 1

 

The decision to play McGraw in goals ahead of young Cooper surprised most given the way he had struggled and ten minutes into the half his error proved to be the turning point in the game. The keeper came out of his goal to challenge for a high ball and got nowhere near it, instead clattering into the Muirkirk forward and conceding a penalty which was easily converted.

 

Five minutes later a move down the left wing had the home defence floundering and the cross was easily slotted past McGraw to make it 3-1.

 

Thistle manager Derek Holmes reacted right away by taking off Miller who had posed no threat in attack and replacing him with Hunter, a move that almost paid off right away as he made a good run and was put in by Forbes only for the keeper to dive at his feet and thwart him.

 

With time running out, Thistle won a corner on the right and the kick was swept first time into the roof of the net by Ben Fraser who again had a good game for the Jags.

 

As it was last week, the closing stages were all about Thistle bombarding the visitors goal in search of an equaliser, if they could bring that kind of urgency and will to win to the other 85 minutes they might have a chance of doing something.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 2 Murkirk 3

 

Larkhall Thistle:
McGowan, Rowan, Fraser, Boyle, McMurray, Dick (Simpson), Forbes (Campbell), O’Hagan, Bartosz, Miller (Hunter), Brunton. Subs Holmes, Cooper (GK)