Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Greenock
McBookie.com West Region – League One
Thistle went into today’s game level on points with their visitors and sitting second equal in the early league table. With Carluke going down at Ardrossan the result left Greenock top of the league.
Greenock nearly got off to the perfect start with a break down the right and a low cross to the back post for what looked like a tap-in but Ryan Cooper who has been in great form in the last two games produced a miraculous save.
Thistle wee under pressure for most of the half but should have taken the lead in the 17th minute, Mark Cuthbertson played a sweeping crossfield pass to McAlemby who did well to cut inside the defender and square the ball to Jack Currie but he skewed his shot round the post from six yards out.
Currie was involved minutes later when it took two defenders to bring him down on the edge of the box but the resultant tame free kick from Gracie was easily saved.
A goal might have made all the difference to the game but as it was, it was Greenock who took the lead in the 33d minute. Again it was a move down the right but this time Jags left back Dawson did well to block for a corner. The high ball into the six yard area should have been the keeper’s but instead was a free header that was blocked but eventually scrambled in from two yards.
Two minutes later another corner and another goal, this time from a glancing header that again was unchallenged. The ten minute nightmare spell for Larkhall was completed when the Greenock No.10, their best player broke free of the Jags high line and lobbed Cooper as he charged out of his goal. More than a suspicion of offside but playing an offside trap in a game without linesmen is always going to be open to risk.
Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Greenock 3
Greenock almost fluked a fourth goal five minutes into the second half with a cross that came back off the bar but Thistle were spurred into action and came to life a bit in the early stages.
Good pressure paid off with a goal from the penalty spot nine minutes into the half. A suspicion of handball was waved away but Jack Currie was fouled as he drove back into the box and Graham Gracie converted the spot kick.
The goal proved to be a false dawn as Thistle never really got going or came anywhere near the effort and energy of Greenock with the notable exception of Jack Currie who never let up all day and at times had four and five defenders round him with no help from anybody else.
The lead was extended to 4-1 with 16 minutes left, a poor attempt at a clearance only found the Greenock No. 10 and even Ryan Cooper couldn’t get near his fierce shot into the top corner. The scoring was completed with a goal that was embarrassing defensively, as the striker found himself unmarked just inside the box with time to bring the ball down, swivel and hit a shot on the half volley.
Hopefully today’s rude awakening was a blip rather than the team being found out, next Saturday should answer a lot of questions as Thistle are at home to another team who won well away from home today, Shettleston.
Full time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Greenock 5
Larkhall Thistle:
Cooper; Cowan (Galloway 67), Boyle, Dickson, Dawson (B. Wilson 51); Cuthbertson (Brunton 68), McAlemby, Gallagher, Scott, Currie, Gracie