Fullerton Park, Glasgow
Vale of Clyde v Larkhall Thistle
Central League First Division
Manager Dunky Sinclair went with the same starting eleven as last week, with Neil Schoneville returning from suspension but only on the bench. The game started very slowly with very little goal line action. Vale of Clyde had a goal disallowed for offside then David Reid had a couple of half chances to open his account. Thistle were dealt a blow when Mark Canning had to be substituted due to an ankle injury with Graham Gracie coming on, Ryan Innes moving into the middle and Reid moving to the right.
Worse was to follow for Thistle when, for the third away game in a row, they were reduced to ten men after the dismissal of Hugh Kelly for allegedly directing foul and abusive language at a Vale player. So once again the players faced an uphill task playing 50 odd minutes with ten men.
Half Time: Vale of Clyde 0 Larkhall Thistle 0
Thistle came out for the second half determined to take the game to the home team and five minutes in Ross McGeachie was replaced by Schoneville.
Thistle took the lead with tremendous goal from Reid, cutting in from the wing and crashing an great shot past the Vale of Clyde keeper. The lead did not last long with the Vale getting back on equal terms shortly after. Brian Jack came on to replace Reid then the Jags got what proved to be the winning goal with a fabulous goal from Gracie, heading home from a corner kick.
Full Time: Vale of Clyde 1 Larkhall Thistle 2
Larkhall Thistle:
Colquhoun; Reynolds, Brown, Marshall, Nicholl; Canning (Gracie), Innes, Kelly, McKeever; McGeachie (Schoneville) Reid (Jack). Subs: Clarke, Cooke
Thistle scorers: Reid, Gracie
Best on the day: On an another away day when things were not going well the players showed great spirit and togetherness to win when a man down for the second half. Everyone played their part but the man of the match award goes to Niall Reynolds.