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
I have been keeping a watchful and reflective eye over the results of Larkhall since last years team disbanded. There is no doubt this season is going to be a struggle with the team picking up very few wins, if any.
I find it ironic that last season squad were often lambasted by this very website as not being good enough for this level. On reflection the supporters must wish they were turning out in the famous red and white just now.
Why would we want them back after they all decided to go? Years of mediocrity in the Central First division and no real cup runs. The supporters were there long before the last group of players and will still be there long after they’re gone. Thistle will rebuild and will be back.
Blasting ex-players is not a good advert or way forward.
Mediocrity is at least better than shipping an average of seven goals per week which is hardly likely to attract supporters. Very hard learning curve for youngsters
There was no blasting or berating of any players, past or present. The comment was that the supporters must wish last season’s players were still here, I said I don’t. That is not berating anybody. The players got offered better deals and went, good luck to them I wish them all well at their new clubs but we need to rebuild and look to the future with what we’ve got.
I dont think its helpful or constructive to berate ex or current players.
Mediocrity is better than shipping an average of seven goals per week. Awful learning curve for youngsters and hardly likely to attract support.
Sounds like it to me.
Something far wrong when a mass exodus happens, leading to the worst set of results in living memory, if not in the entire clubs history.
No criticism of the youngsters, but is it fair to them?
Hugh Kelly has a point, looks like a tailspin
Sad day when the club becomes whipping boys, we cant look back to great history.
Quite honestly Andy if you are a supporter who attends games make yourself known to me at next game and I will explain circumstances as regards mass exodus. As far as Hugh Kelly is concerned he has actually contacted me direct to deny that he put comments on website said somebody used his name. This club has been going for 140 years and has in the past had to regroup and you can be sure we will recover again given time . I appreciate your concern but like most clubs we would like more people to come in and give us supposedly old fashioned committee members who have been keeping club going for many years a bit of assistance.
Shug – sorry your name was taken in vain, I’ve removed it from the comments
I attended the away league cup tie v Blantyre Vics. Whilst it made for painful viewing to see this young new team hit for six, I’d ask supporters to remain with them. Chris L and Hughie K do a thankless sterling job and need your encouragement. I spoke to both of them so I know what an invidious position they were put in at the end of last season. The VICS found themselves in such a situation a few years ago. No manager, no signed players. Things have since improved for them and I have no doubt will for the Thistle. Even if it looks a forlorn hope just now with relegation likely, stick by them.
Finally I made a point both at half time and full time of personally congratulating the young keeper. Were it not for him it could have been double figures. He pulled of a series of great, point blank saves.
It would have been easy for his head to go down but he’s to be applauded for his performance
Sorry I don’t know his name.. All the best… John W.
I agree in general with your sentiments John but today must make Jags fans ill.
At St Rochs, of all places.
How much can be taken, especially these young lads?
How long is this going to last? There isnt anyone in Larky alive who can remember anything like it.
John the keeper is Ryan Cooper, I agree he’s been the pick of the crop of boys so far.
Thanks Iain 👍
Great memories can anyone name the player in one of the photographs who eventually left Scotland and became a millionaire.
Les Hutchinson