Sectional League Cup – Match 1
Moor Park, Lanark
Lanark United v Larkhall Thistle
Match report by Hugh Kerr.
Good solid display especially at the back with Larkhall Thistle very much in control in the early part of the game, resulting in the Jags taking the lead in 20 minutes with a great finish by Mark Canning from 22 yards after a great passing movement involving Scott McLachlan and Andy Brown. Thistle continued to dominate the first half and on at least two occasions Graham Gracie was unlucky with shots; one which went narrowly past and one that was netbound but deflected off a Lanark player for a corner.
Half Time: Lanark 0 Larkhall Thistle 1
The second half started with Lanark on the offensive without really troubling the Thistle defence. However the home team then had a great chance to draw level when Davy McEwan had a great stop from Lanark player/manager Brian Johnston and when the ball fell to the Yowes No. 10 he somehow managed to miss from 3 yards out. Hugh Kelly came on for Niall Reynolds then Jordan Marshall and Ryan Innes replaced Scott McLachlan and Brian Jack.
Lanark continued to push for the equaliser but the Thistle defence stood firm and in the final minutes the Jags could have added to their slender lead when a move involving Jordan Marshall, Mark Canning and Ryan Innes finished with Innes’s well hit shot being deflected for a corner. The game ended with Thistle on the offensive looking to seal victory.
Full Time: Lanark 0 Larkhall Thistle 1
Larkhall Thistle:
McEwan, Brown, McMinn, Cassidy, Reynolds; Jack, Canning, McLachlan, McKeever Gracie, McGeachie. Subs, Grant, Nicol, Marshall, Kelly, Innes,
McKeever