Category: McBookie.com West Region Championship 2018 – 2019

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

 

Kilsyth Rangers 9 Larkhall Thistle 1 – 5th January 2019

On: By: ian

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

 

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 1 Larkhall Thistle 0 – 22nd December 2018

On: By: ian

Huntershill, Bishopbriggs
Rossvale v Larkhall Thistle
McBookie.com West Region Championship

 

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

 

Dalry Thistle 2 Larkhall Thistle 1 – 17th November 2018

On: By: ian

Merksworth Park, Dalry
Dalry Thistle v Larkhall Thistle
McBookie.com West Region Championship

 

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)

 

Larkhall Thistle 2 Kello Rovers 3 – 3rd November 2018

On: By: ian

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

 

Today’s bottom of the league clash saw the Jags welcome Kello Rovers, the only other team in the four divisions who were yet to win a point in the league. The good news was that at least one of them would lose that unwanted tag, the bad news is that it wasn’t Thistle.

 

There were four changes to the starting eleven from last week and anybody who saw the game last week wouldn’t have had many complaints about them with Cooper restored in goals and Hunter, Campbell and Breen the all-change forward three.

 

Larkhall suffered a major dent to their hopes however when the visitors took the lead before half time with a shot across the keeper.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Kello Rovers 1

 

The second half was only six minutes old when the Jags fell further behind, a run down the right past Michael Brunton and a shot low into the far corner of the goal. It went from bad to worse less than 10 minutes later as Kello looked to have put the game out of sight, a defensive howler as an attempted headed clearance spun backwards towards the Jags goal and right into the path of the Kello striker who rolled it in past Cooper.

 

In a season of lows, 3-0 down at home to a team who had not previously won a point this was hopefully the low watermark.

 

Things did pick up a bit from there as Thistle took the game to Kello in an attempt to try and get back in the game and they pulled a goal back on 64 minutes with the one genuine moment of quality in the game. Craig Forbes picked up the ball just outside the box and turned inside past his marker before firing an unstoppable dipping shot up and over the keeper and into the top corner.

 

In fairness to the Jags they battled hard to try and get another goal and came close on a couple of occasions but they did make it 2-3 right at the end of scheduled time with a Hunter pop shot from distance that seemed to catch the keeper by surprise. It looked like it was going to be little more than a consolation but the referee played a further five minutes to make up for the Kello keeper’s time wasting.

 

The Jags pounded the visitors goal in the remaining time and came within a fraction from scoring when a Kello defender cleared a netbound shot off the line but they couldn’t get the final break that would have seen them get their first point.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 2 Kello Rovers 3

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Cooper; Fraser, Barclay (Rowan), Boyle, Brunton, Forbes, Dick, Adams (Simpson), Hunter, Campbell (Miller), Breen. Subs Bartosz, McGraw (GK)

Arthurlie 7 Larkhall Thistle 1 – 22nd September 2018

On: By: ian

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

 

With the Jags anchored at the foot of the table and without a point, maybe the last thing they would have wanted was a trip to face former manager Duncan Sinclair and his ex-Thistle players.

 

The game began with Thistle taking a shock first minute lead but Arthurlie soon took control of the game and were 3-1 up in 15 minutes. The fourth followed quickly from the penalty spot and the home side added a fifth before the interval.

 

Half time Arthurlie 5 Larkhall Thistle 1

 

Thistle came out brightly in the second half, approaching the game like it was still 0-0 and they had a right good go at it. Arthurlie however dampened the spirits again with two more goals to round off an emphatic win. The Jags though did keep going and created a couple of good chances that would have made the score more respectable.

 

Credit is due to the Jags players however for never giving the game up despite the scoreline and nobody epitomised the great positive attitude and willingness to fight more than captain Michael Brunton who put in a fantastic shift and seemed to be everywhere in the middle of the park.

 

Former Thistle players David Reid who had a great game at left back and Josh Payne who scored a couple of goals showed they will make a valuable contribution to Arthurlie this season.

 

Full time Arthurlie 7 Larkhall Thistle 1

 

Larkhall Thistle 1 Rutherglen Glencairn 6 – 15th September 2018

On: By: ian

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

 

With Glencairn at the top of the league and Thistle pointless at the bottom, there wasn’t much expectation of a positive result today going into the game.

 

It all seemed to be going as planned when the visitors took the lead after seven minutes, Smith found himself unmarked at the back post for an easy finish. It looked like a rout was on the cards when Simeon doubled the lead 10 minutes later but the Jags managed to work their way into the game and had a couple of decent passages of play, they even created a chance that Mackiewicz should have put away.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Rutherglen Glencairn 2

 

The first fifteen minutes of the second half also remained goalless until Glens stretched their lead, again through Simeon and it was 0-4 a minute later when he completed his hat trick.

 

Thistle managed to pull a goal back through Mackiewicz before Glencairn added two late goals from Kerr and McKay.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Rutherglen Glencairn 6

 

Larkhall Thistle: McGraw; Fraser, Boyle, McMurray, Barclay, Hunter, Brunton, Adams, Mackiewicz, Miller, Simpson. Subs: Cuthbertson, Wells, Breen, Crawford, Alexander.

 

Rutherglen Glencairn: Whyte; Gebbie, McGregor, Donaldson, Kerr, Fraser, Leyden, Esplin, Smith, Simeon, McKay. Subs – Mitchell, Gormley, Quinn, McGuire, McLellan.

 

Larkhall Thistle 1 Irvine Victoria 6 – 4th August 2018

On: By: ian

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

 

Thistle began their league campaign against Irvine Victoria, a team who found themselves in the same situation of having no players, manager or money going forward into the new season.

 

The first half showed a marked improvement in the young Jags team as they saw out the half on level terms with the sides creating a couple of chances each.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Irvine Victoria 0

 

The second half started with Vics doing most of the pressing and they got the breakthrough when the ball broke from a corner and was steered in for the opener. However the game turned on a couple of wild tackles from Ross Adams in a five minute spell resulting in Thistle being reduced to ten men.

 

Having just about held their own and stayed in the game at 11 v 11, the extra man proved too much and the Jags collapsed with Irvine tearing the defence apart almost at will. Vics scored again straight after the sending off with a free kick that took a horrible bobble when the keeper looked to have it covered but three more goals in a five minute spell tied it up. Thistle pulled one back from the penalty spot but lost the six almost straight from the restart.

 

With Irvine Victoria as one of the teams potentially competing at the foot of the table for survival, this is a benchmark of the improvement that will be needed to stay in the league.

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Irvine Victoria 6

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Cooper; Gibb, Kidd, Holmes, J. Adams, R. Adams, Riddoch, Broaton, Bartloz, M. Cuthbertson, Torrance
Subs: Munn, Airth, S. Cuthbertson, Campbell, McMurray

Scorer: Bartloz