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)