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)

St Roch’s pulled in a good crowd for the anticipated hammering of traditional rivals Thistle, boosted by around 10 travelling supporters.

Thistle suffered an early blow when David Breen limped off with a hamstring injury but took a shock lead in the 17th minute, Mark Cuthbertson nicking in front of the defence to finish from close range.

The excitement was short lived however as the home side replied with three quick goals in five minutes and another shortly after.

A further goal before half time from a break down the right resulting in a low cross and easy finish summed up the extent of the Jags defensive frailties.

Half time St Roch’s 5 Larkhall Thistle 1

As they had in the first half, Thistle scored the first goal in the second period after a howler from the home keeper left Bartosz with an empty goal. The home team looked flustered for the first time although the chances of a comeback were slim to say the least but it took until the final quarter of the game for them to add to their lead with a scooped shot.

What followed later was an unfair reflection of the play, St Roch’s were better on the day but the margin was more than the young Jags team deserved to lose by. A daft challenge gave the referee no option but to award a penalty for 7-2 but the next goal was farcical, the wide right St Roch’s player being without exaggeration 10 yards offside before cutting the ball back.

The last goal was a more modest 2 yards offside but still blatant and though the home fans were desperate for another, they couldn’t manage double figures.

Positives for Thistle were thin on the ground but scoring first in both halves and getting two goals for the first time showed there is maybe something there to work with. Speed of thought and quickness on the ball need to improve drastically if the boys are going to make the step up to junior players as well as retaining the ball and not giving it away when not under any pressure.

Full time St Roch’s 9 Larkhall Thistle 2

Larkhall Thistle:
McGraw; R Adams, D Adams,

Holmes, Beattie, Hazizi (Park 70),

Brunton, Simpson, Bartosz,

Breen not shown (Paterson 10), Cuthbertson.

Subs not shown: Airth, Munn, Cooper