Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Lesmahagow
Central League First Division
This was a tough game for the Jags the week before their Scottish Cup tie with Arniston Rangers and in the end it was a very lacklustre display. Thistle started with the same line-up as last week at Glenafton – David Reid was only on the bench after he missed last week’s game because of holidays and then had a stomach upset later this week. Matty Clarke was deemed not yet ready for inclusion in the team or bench.
Thistle started quite well and were soon buzzing around the visitors goal, ex-Thistle keeper Derek Barnes made a good early stop from Graham Gracie. While little had been seen of the Gow as an attacking force, they opened the scoring when No.9 Fitzpatrick latched on to through ball and from what looked a slightly offside position, scored with ease past Alan Colquhoun. Thistle were stung into action and again Barnes stopped a Ryan Innes shot when the midfielder should have done better. So far Lesmahagow had only had one real shot at goal but had made it count. Barnes again came to the rescue of the visitors again when he got his body in the way of a net-bound Scot Nicholl downward header after a perfect cross from Gary McStay. The Gow keeper then pushed a shot over the bar from Jordan Marshall.
Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Lesmahagow 1
Larkhall were out early for the second half but again lost an early goal, this time from a fine finish by Gow’s Currie after poor defensive work by the home team. Exactly the same as last week. Thistle proceded to huff and puff for the rest of the half resorting to big punts up the park which were easily handled by the Gow defence, with Keeper Barnes having virtually nothing to do. In fact Alan Colquhoun had the best save of the game tipping over a net-bound Fitpatrick drive. This was without a doubt one of Thistle’s worst home displays for a long time and let’s hope it is a one-off with the Scottish up next.
Full time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Lesmahagow 2
Website MoM: As far as website man of the match is concerned no one merited being named man of the match.
Larkhall Thistle:
Colquhoun, Reynolds ( McKeever), Marshall, Schoneville, Burns; Payne (Reid), Innes, Jack, Nicholl; McStay, Gracie. Subs: Brown, Kelly, Doyle, Thomson (GK)