Robertson Park, Viewpark
Thorniewood United v Larkhall Thistle
Central League First Division
Thistle travelled to Viewpark, their confidence boosted by a fine Scottish Cup win last Saturday. As expected Dunky fielded and unchanged for the third game running against the joint league leaders who had exited the Scottish last week to Bonnyrigg Rose.
Thorniewood started brightly down the slight slope and soon had the Jags under pressure and it was no surprise when they took the lead after slack play by the Thistle defence. They then went further ahead through their No 11, who at this stage was causing the Jags problems. This goal seemed to wake the Jags up and Matty Clarke failed to convert with just the keeper to beat after a brilliant run. He was then put through again with just the keeper to beat and again failed to convert. This was just a taste of what was to be a tremendous afternoon for the home keeper.
The visitors finally opened their account when Matty Clarke forced home a David Reid corner. Thistle finished the half strongly which was a sign of what was to come in the second period.
Half time: Thorniewood United 2 Larkhall Thistle 1
As expected the visitors came storming out in the second half and were soon swarming around the home goal with Thistle’s two full backs overlapping at every opportunity – Scott Nicholl really forcing the play with David Reid down the left side.
The ‘Wood keeper then had a string of top-class saves from Matty Clarke, Josh Payne and Ryan Innes before Thistle got the equaliser when Innes scored, again from a Reid corner.
The Jags now had their tails up with the keeper again excelling himself with a fine stop from Graham Gracie. A great ball from Reid ran tantalisingly across the goal line but unfortunately no Thistle player was able to connect, the ball just clearing the far post.
Little was seen of Thorniewood as an attacking force with their main danger coming from big high balls into the Thistle half but Neill Schoneville and Jordan Marshall dealt with everything thrown at them. After all the missed chances and fine stops by the home keeper it would have been a gross injustice if the Jags had not secured the three points and the winner duly arrived in the first minute of injury time when Graham Gracie cooly netted a through pass to seal the three points.
Full time: Thorniewood United 2 Larkhall Thistle 3
Larkhall Thistle:
Colquhoun; Reynolds, Marshall, Schoneville, Nicol; Payne, Jack, Innes, Reid; Clarke, Gracie. Subs; McKeever, Burns, McStay, Kelly, Doyle, David Thomson (GK)
Scorers: Clarke, Innes, Gracie
On a day when once again the fantastic team spirit showed through and everyone on the park contributed, the Man of the Match award this week goes to Scott Nicholl who was outstanding both in defence and going forward one of his best displays in the jersey.