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