Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Irvine Victoria
McBookie.com West Region Championship
Thistle began their league campaign against Irvine Victoria, a team who found themselves in the same situation of having no players, manager or money going forward into the new season.
The first half showed a marked improvement in the young Jags team as they saw out the half on level terms with the sides creating a couple of chances each.
Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Irvine Victoria 0
The second half started with Vics doing most of the pressing and they got the breakthrough when the ball broke from a corner and was steered in for the opener. However the game turned on a couple of wild tackles from Ross Adams in a five minute spell resulting in Thistle being reduced to ten men.
Having just about held their own and stayed in the game at 11 v 11, the extra man proved too much and the Jags collapsed with Irvine tearing the defence apart almost at will. Vics scored again straight after the sending off with a free kick that took a horrible bobble when the keeper looked to have it covered but three more goals in a five minute spell tied it up. Thistle pulled one back from the penalty spot but lost the six almost straight from the restart.
With Irvine Victoria as one of the teams potentially competing at the foot of the table for survival, this is a benchmark of the improvement that will be needed to stay in the league.
Full time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Irvine Victoria 6
Larkhall Thistle:
Cooper; Gibb, Kidd, Holmes, J. Adams, R. Adams, Riddoch, Broaton, Bartloz, M. Cuthbertson, Torrance
Subs: Munn, Airth, S. Cuthbertson, Campbell, McMurray
Scorer: Bartloz