Loch Park, New Cumnock
Glenafton Athletic v Larkhall Thistle
West of Scotland Cup – First Round
Four changes today for Thistle as Dawson, Chiedu, Cowan, Gracie made way for Dickson, Fraser, Wilson and O’Hagan for the difficult task of trying to beat an Ayrshire team two leagues above away from home. The bookies hadn’t given Larkhall any chance and by half time they were probably thinking that the home team’s 1/7 was on the generous side.
It took Glenafton until the 14th minute before they made their breakthrough with a quick move catching out the defence, Jags keeper David Cherry looked to have made a great save from Marlow’s shot but the ball spun up over him and just over the line despite last ditch attempt at a clearance off the line.
Thistle were under the cosh but managed to look threatening on occasion; O’Hagan sent Fraser away down the right wing and his high cross landed right at Wilson’s feet, the shot was going well wide but caught a deflection and could have gone anywhere but spun out for a corner and led to a good period of pressure for Larkhall.
Thistle’s high defensive line was mystifying considering the lack of pace at the back and the speed of the Glenafton forwards and they were caught cold again in the 27th minute as Orsi got in behind through the middle and slotted easily past Cherry.
It got worse seven minutes later as the game was killed off with Glenafton’s third goal, the ball was crossed in from the left and Wilson could have launched it clear but instead only knocked it down perfectly for a snap shot fom Marlow that gave Cherry no chance.
Just on half-time Cherry came charging out of his goals, unorthodox but he made a good double save. His good work was undone though when he totally misjudged a cross and McChesney got in front of him to head in for a 4-0 half time lead that the difference in quality probably merited.
Half time: Glenafton Athletic 4 Larkhall Thistle 0
Glenafton came out looking as hungry for more goals as if it had been 0-0 but although they got crosses in from the right side on several occasions early on they didn’t lead to anything. Thistle came back into the game a bit with a shout for handball then a couple of minutes later forced a double save from the home keeper when they really should have scored.
Glenafton continued to press looking for more goals but Thistle kept going and substitute Mark Cuthbertson gave a glimpse of what was to follow as he got a good shot in after nice build up play, but in the 77th minute he went one better with a thundering drive that crashed off the bar and went in off the keeper after good build up play from Grenfell and Currie.
At this point Larkhall were looking the more likely team to score but squandered a couple of half chances before Barthoz could have made the scoe more respectable but fell back as he was hitting the shot and scooped the ball over the bar.
Nothing much was probably expected today but credit to the Jags for at least winning the second half and restoring a bit of pride.
Correction
Eagle-eyed readers would have spotted that next week isn’t the 23rd, so next fixture is Girvan at home in the league kick off 1:45pm, followed by next Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie home to Kello Rovers kick off also 1:45pm. Thanks to John for pointing it out.
Full time: Glenafton Athletic 4 Larkhall Thistle 1
Cherry; Fraser, Boyle, Stewart, Dickson, O’Hagan (Dawson 54), Gallagher, Grenfell, Wilson (Cuthbertson 70), Bartoz, Currie