Craighead Park, Lesmahagow
Lesmahagow v Larkhall Thistle
Sectional League Cup – Game 4
Thistle put themselves into pole position for qualification from Section 1 with a surprisingly convincing win at old rivals Lesmahagow. The Jags completed their fixtures with 9 poins and a goal difference of +8, Lesmahagow and Lanark each have a game to play on Saturday against Forth and Royal Albert respectively and have goal differences of +1 and +3, so a big win for either of them could see them win the section.
Lesmahagow got off to a flying start with a goal virtually straight from the kickoff. The Jags were completely caught cold down the problem left side of defence again and full back Paul Burns was no match for the Gow winger who went past him and crossed for the first goal. More early pressure from the home side could have made matters worse but Thistle gradually came into the game and began to look for an equaliser which did arrive in the 13th minute, Matty Clarke hooking the ball home from close range after a scramble in the Lesmahagow defence.
Larkhall took the lead 10 minutes later when Gary McStay set up Matty Clarke in the middle of the box, he had time and space to drag the ball back and send the keeper the wrong way before rolling the ball into the corner. Thistle took charge of the game from then on and were rarely troubled again, Gow’s only other half chance in the first half being a long ball over the top that their striker got a head to but was put off enough by keeper Alan Colquhoun to send it over the bar.
Half Time: Lesmahagow 1 Larkhall Thistle 2
Manager Dunky Sinclair was forced into an early second half substitution when Ryan Innes went off in the 50th minute with an injury, possibly a dead-leg, to be replaced by winger Josh Payne. It proved to be a stroke of luck as the young lad had a tremendous half tearing the Gow defence apart with his tireless running.
Thistle’s first real chance of the second half came in the 54th minute from a great move, a ball through to McStay who backheeled it into the path of Clarke and his ball across the six yard line was just missed by Reid who was sliding in to meet it. The goal looked like it was coming though and the Jags went 3-1 up after 63 minutes, Payne again doing well on the right wing and setting up Clarke in front of goal, he sent the defender the wrong way and the ball was pounced on by Jordan Marshall arriving late into the box and driving it into the corner.
Four minutes later and Thistle were beginning to look like the could run riot when they added a fourth. The Lesmahagow defence was caught cold too high up the park and when Thistle broke up the hill they found themselves with a 5 v 3 advantage, Clarke drifted past one of the defenders and played the ball right to McStay who squared for Hugh Kelly to place the ball in the bottom corner for a rare goal.
Thistle had several opportunities to add to their lead, the best of which fell to Clarke who shot past and Reid who hid the post after a good run. Gow pulled a late goal back to make the score look a bit more respectable and again it exposed the Jags on the left of defence, keeper Colquhoun also slipping up by allowing himself to be beaten at his near post from range. Young Liam Thomson was the unluckiest pesson in the ground when his debut was spoiled by a paperwork glitch, Brian Jack coming on instead to replace McStay.
A good finish to the group section from Thistle but they still look to be a work in progress and looking to find their best team.
Full Time: Lesmahagow 1 Larkhall Thistle 2
Larkhall Thistle:
Colquhoun; Brown, Schoneville, Reynolds, Burns; Innes (Payne 50), Marshall, Kelly, Reid; McStay (Jack 83), Clarke
Scorers: Clarke (2), Marshall, Kelly
Booked: Burns, Kelly, Reid, Reynolds.
The paperwork glitch was down to me I did not put his number on 1 copy of the team lines although the referee is supposed to check both copies of teamlines and query anything not right must be my age catching up. My apologies to everyone and young Liam in particular
hi Ian first comment so bare with me. First and foremost I’d like to say your column is very good and upto date compared with previous clubs I’ve been at. Any way I’d just like to say I’ve really enjoyed my time so far at the club the boys have made me and my best friend Gary mcstay very welcome there a right good laugh. I urge you and the rest of the support to give me and gas a bit of time to settle in we will both hold our hands up and admit the standard is very high since we are both scottish cup winners we thought it be a walk in the park but it’s not I can assure its of a very high standard. Been really impressed with nially Reynolds he is a commanding a defender iv seen in the junior ranks and he could easily go play alongside his brother mark at Aberdeen who he speaks about regularly. Thanks for your time Ian. Mon the Larky!
First of all being captain of this marvelous group of boys it’s a pleasure and joy to walk into the changing room known I’m going to lead them out (if selected ) anyway just a quick word to welcome the new lads old and young on board.hopefully we will b raising a glass or bottle back at my gaff for celebration drinks come end of a successful season.
Hi, mark here or as my gaffer wee mcinnes likes to call me Marko, heard my bro Neily has been superb at the heart of your defence and he been telling all our family he is the top man now, trying to pass on all my knowledge to him as he’s asking what way to kick the ball if he’s facing his own goals and stuff like that, also great to see wee matty Clarke still playing he was a sub when we played together but a good wee player!!!
Thanks mark or marko
I feel it’s only right that I come forward at the culprit behind Burnsy and big Neilly’s messages, I thought it would be a laugh but cleary nobody has found them funny so I apologise. I wrote the message pretending to be Burnsy after my 3rd babysham on Saturday evening as I was celebrating ANOTHER goal! The one pretending to be big neilly was just out of jelousy as I cannot get my head around the fact that he is the skipper before me. Anyway heres to a successful season and again I apologise
Guess who’s back on the real fans forum yes you’ve.guessed it the bood bood ding ding booda! firstly of all I want tae say I’m still a Larky man frew and frew. Times I sit in ma hoose looking at ma fone hopping it will ring tae come bk cos am dying tae tie ma fitba laces like wee bunny rabbit ears again. Got a season ticket fur ibrox cos were gawn places and a like warburtons bread Noo always eat it fur ma piece at work.
Canni wait til Saturday to give the larkie fans wat they want and that’s having a quality left wing back wae legs thot I was brill against Rab Roy although Ma big heid was aw red wae the good weather so here’s to a good result on Saturday my saaaannns
Hi guys I’m feeling good at the moment things r going well ploughing money into my fav team the larkie soon I’ll b taking over as I’m becoming the sugar daddy fur the team I luv feel like the Harry Enfield guy loadsa money Goni become El presidenti but I’ll no pick masel in case a gie away a penalty