Gasworks Park
Larkhall Thistle v Neilston
Central League First Division
After last Saturday’s poor performance Dunky rang the changes which in some cases surprised the supporters. Thistle started well with some good inter-passing play without really threatening the Neilston goal. The game quickly developed into a dour struggle with defences very much on top and chances at both ends few and far between, although Neilston’s height advantage was a worry for the home defence. The visitors had to replace their No9 just before half time through injury.
Half Time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Neilston 0
Thistle came out in the second half determined to take the game to the visitors and forced a number of fruitless corners. It was becoming clear as the game progressed that one goal was odds-on to win the game and Thistle came so close when a fine cross from Graham Gracie was met no more than 4 yards from goal by Gary McStay who shot weakly into the arms of the Neilston keeper.
This let off seemed to spur the visitors and Alan Colquhoun made a great one-handed save from the Neilston No9. Thistle then replaced McStay with Bryan Felvus and McKeever with Matty Clarke. The visitors then lost their No7 for two yellow cards but straight afterwards struck the top of the crossbar with the Jags defence all at sea.
Gracie was next to have a good opportunity to open the scoring when he raced clear of his marker but could not convert a one-on-one with the keeper, dragging the ball wide of the goal and the chance was missed.
The game petered out with a draw probably the correct result.
Full Time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Neilston 0
Larkhall Thistle: Colquhoun; Brown, Marshall, Reynolds, Nicholl; McKeever (Clarke), Innes, Jack, Payne; Gracie, McStay (Felvus). Subs not used: Schoneville, Doyle, Burns.
Man of the Match for his clean sheet – Alan Colquhoun
Good to see Scott Nicholl back in the team as well as last season’s player of the year, maybe no coincidence it was a clean sheet.
You could be right Sunny Surrey