Category: McBookie.com West Region Championship 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 2 Girvan 0 – 18th May 2019

On: By: ian

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

 

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

 

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

CATEGORIES
———-
Match Reports – League 2018-2019
McBookie.com West Region Championship

Larkhall Thistle 4 Dalry Thistle 5 – 4th May 2019

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Dalry Thistle
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

 

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 1 Benburb 2 – 13th April 2019

On: By: ian

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

 

 

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)

 

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)

 

Rutherglen Glencairn 6 Larkhall Thistle 0 – 23rd March 2019

On: By: ian

Celcius Stadium, Rutherglen
Rutherglen Glencairn v Larkhall Thistle
McBookie.com West Region Championship

 

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)

 

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)

 

Kello Rovers 0 Larkhall Thistle 1 – 23rd February 2019

On: By: ian

Kello Rovers 0 Larkhall Thistle 1 – 23rd February 2019
Nithside Park, Kirkconnel
Kello Rovers v Larkhall Thistle
McBookie.com West Region Championship

 

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

 

Larkhall Thistle 0 Whittletts Vics 0 – 9th February 2019

On: By: ian

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

 

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