Victoria Park, Blantyre
Blantyre Vics v Larkhall Thistle
Thistle started with the same eleven that were successful at Dunipace with the exception of Scot Nicoll who was starting a two game suspension, Mark McKeever replaced him at left back.
The Jags started well and were soon were putting the Vics under pressure without any real threat but they took the lead after 15 mins, Ryan Innes scoring with a bullet header from a Hugh Kelly corner. The lead lasted only five minutes, slack defending allowing the Vics to equalise.
The game was now end to end with Hugh Kelly getting what was to prove a very costly yellow card. Thistle regained the lead when the Vics keeper mistimed a forward pass which resulted in Graham Gracie controlling the ball and taking it round the keeper before netting.
This lead lasted no time at all with the Vics equalising again after poor defensive work from the visitors.
Half Time: Blantyre Vics 2 Larkhall Thistle 2
Five minutes into the second half the home team went ahead from a corner when their centre half was left totally unmarked and he netted with a strong header and Thistle struggled to get into the game after losing this goal. With 15 minutes left Thistle made a double substitution with Graham Gracie and Brian Jack being replaced by Ross McGeachie and David Reid. Hugh Kelly then received his second yellow which some people thought was of the soft variety and left the Jags to play out the remainder of the game with 10 men.
As things stand at the moment Thistle still need another win to completely dispel the threat of relagation, so Wednesday’s game against St Anthony’s at Larkhall is very much a six pointer with Thistle on 29 points with four games left and the Ants on 27 points with two left.
Full Time: Blantyre Vics 3 Larkhall Thistle 2
After last week’s great display at Dunipace the team tried hard but it was just not their day. Neil Schoneville and Andy Brown played well but Ryan Innes worked hard never missed a tackle so he is today’s man of the match.
Thistle scorers: Innes, Gracie
Larkhall Thistle: Colquhoun, Brown, McKeever, Reynolds, Schoneville; Innes, Kelly, Marshall, Jack (Reid); Clarke, Gracie (McGeachie)
Subs: Mcphee, Trialist, Trialist