Tag: Larkhall Thistle

Rossvale 4 Larkhall Thistle 0 – 12th May 2018

On: By: ian

Huntershill Village Hub, Bishopbriggs
Rossvale v Larkhall Thistle
Central League Cup

 

Thistle made their first visit to the new Rossvale park at Huntershill Village Hub, a council run facility where health and safety is the top priority. For some bizarre reason supporters are confined to one half of one side of the park but in fairness to the council everybody went home safely.

 

 

With only 11 fit first team players the Jags were up against it from the start but Matty Clarke had a chance to put them up after just four minutes when he was sent clear by David Reid but he wanted too much time and his shot across the keeper was saved.

 

Rossvale came back right away with a move down the left, the cross was met in the middle but the finish was blazed high over the bar. Jags keeper Stewart Thomson went down off the ball and it was obvious right away he was going to have to go off and be replaced by Johnny Duncan.

 

Rossvale settled down quickly and had the upper hand for the rest of the game as Thistle limped out tamely from the last competition of the season in what is probably the final season for the Central League Cup.

 

Rossvale had a couple of decent efforts before the first goal came for them after 28 minutes but it came from a corner for Thistle that was cleared over the top, leaving Niall Reynolds with no chance of catching the flying winger who crossed for the striker to take a touch and settle himself before slotting in.

 

Larkhall hit back right away, Gary McStay setting Graham Gracie up for a good shot that might have brought an equalser but was straight at the keeper. Reynolds kept Thistle in the game with a goal-line clearance a minute later but the reprieve was not to last for long. The Rossvale captain and best player easily stepped past Clarke before taking the ball on and hitting a shot that Duncan might have expected to do better with albeit it might have taken a bit of a deflection.

 

Even at half time it looked obvious that the game was done and there was going to be no way back.

 

Half time: Rossvale 2 Larkhall Thistle 0

 

After a quiet opening 15 minutes Thistle might have given themselves a chance with what turned out to be their last real attempt of the game. Gracie took a quick throw on the right to McStay who rolled the ball inside to Jack, he played it out to the left to Reid and his shot brought out a good save down low.

 

Things went from bad to worse as Gary McStay was booked then shown a second yellow for backchat, poor stuff when the backs were against the wall on a hot day and Gracie did his best to join him with a senseless barge into a Rossvale player’s back that he was lucky just to be booked for.

 

It was the end of any resistance from Thistle with the only question now was how many. The answer was another two that were both shambolic from a defensive point of view, the fourth coming five minutes from time when Thistle were down to nine men after Josh Payne had also been sent off.

 

A real low today after last week’s great effort at Irvine, hopefully the final three games will give the team a chance to get a few more league points on the board.

 

Finally congratulations to our neighbours Royal Albert who were confirmed as the Second Division champions today.

 

Full time: Rossvale 4 Larkhall Thistle 0

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Thonson (Duncan 11); Doyle (Cuthbertson 57), Brown, Reynolds; Kelly; Payne, Clarke, Jack, Reid; Gracie, G McStay

 

Sent off: G McStay, Payne

 

 

Irvine Meadow 2 Larkhall Thistle 1 – 5th May 2018

On: By: ian

Meadow Park, Irvine
Irvine Meadow v Larkhall Thistle
McBookie.com Super First Division

 

The phrase threadbare squad is often overused in senior football but Thistle arrived at Irvine with eleven fit players, a struggling Graham Gracie and a trialist. First team regulars Thomson, Brown, Payne, Canning and Innes along with Declan Doyle were all unavailable.

 

When Meadow took the lead in the 5th minute it looked like it was going to be a long day and that Thistle might be on the wrong end of a few goals. The ball was played in from the right by McLennan to Carnwath who was standing unmarked on the edge of box and swept it into the corner past a stranded Johnny Duncan.

 

 

Mark McKeever was the first to get a shot away for Larkhall a couple of minutes later, cutting back on the right side of the box before sending his effort over the bar. Irvine replied through McGuire who was given far too much space as he waltzed through and would probably have scored if his shot had been on target.

 

Thistle started dominating play around the 20 minute mark with a lot of good possession football and were on top for most of the rest of the half. They were finding it harder however to turn their superiority into goals but had a great chance after half an hour when Brian Jack pounced on a slip from a defender to claim the ball with a clear sight of goal. Jacko had a pass on but decided to try his luck but didn’t trouble Newman in the home goal with his shot.

 

Johnny McStay then had a couple of good attempts that both nearly produced a goal, firstly Mark McKeever took a quick throw and McStay turned quickly and shot, bringing a save from Newman down low at his near post for a corner. David Reid took it and Liam Mushett almost got his head to it as he dived in, just being beaten to the ball by a last gasp challenge.

 

The McStays combined just before the break, Gary putting in a good cross from the right that again a defender had to lunge at to stop Johnny forcing over the line.

 

Half time: Irvine Meadow 1 Larkhall Thistle 0

 

Thistle started the second half like they finished the first, on top and searching for the equaliser. Mushett had the first opportunity but sent his shot way over the bar but the Jags suffered a big blow minutes later when Johnny McStay saw a straight red. He squared up to an Irvine player off the ball, the referee was clearly heard telling both to break it up but McStay got sent off and the home played went unpunished, reportedly the offence was something McStay had said to the referee.

 

Meadow came into the game for a spell after the sending off, a couple of decent balls down the right channel nearly led to goals but Thistle showed they weren’t out of it yet with a tremendous Reid drive from distance bringing out a save from the keeper.

 

Thistle were drawing on all their fighting qualities and team spirit and battled brilliantly to try and get level and they did so in 75 minutes. Gary McStay had given it everything after working a shift in the morning before the game and was replaced by Graham Gracie who made an immediate impact with his strong running that the home defence didn’t fancy at all. He got his reward just six minutes after coming on when he ran on to a ball and lobbed the stranded keeper, not the easiest of finishes but his lob was hit to perfection.

 

Five minutes from time Meadow looked like they would snatch the win when Reid was robbed just inside his own box resulting in a poke that cleared the bar and it looked at that point the game was heading for a draw.

 

The referee’s performance would have pleased the home fans more than the away ones to put it mildly, and he had a final say as the game went into the second minute of added time, awarding a soft free kick twenty yards out. Substitute Darren Miller stepped up and smashed the ball straight through the wall into the roof of the net as the whole of the Meadow contingent went crazy.

 

Billy Robb was sent off after the final whistle as he lost his discipline and took out his frustration on the referee.

 

Given the circumstances of having been beaten twice recently by Irvine Meadow, the missing players and the fact that they went down to ten men with almost half a game to go this was possibly Thistle’s best performance of the season and they were desperately unlucky to come away from it without a point.

 

Full time: Irvine Meadow 2 Larkhall Thistle 1

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Duncan; Robb, Mushett, Reynolds; Kelly, Jack; McKeever, Clarke, Reid, J McStay, G McStay (Gracie 69). Subs: Trialist

 

Scorer: Gracie

 

Booked:Kelly, McKeever, Clarke, Gracie

 

Sent off: J McStay, Robb

 

Irvine Meadow: Newman, McLennan, Willet, Gow, Begley, Carnwath, Carson, Spence, McTernan, Gemmell, McGuire.

 

 

Larkhall Thistle 3 Kello Rovers 0 – 28th April 2018

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Kello Rovers
McBookie.com Super First Division

 

Thistle made several changes from the midweek loss to Petershill; Duncan, Doyle, McKeever, Innes and Clarke all dropped out to be replaced by Thomson, Mushett, Payne, Canning and Gary McStay.

 

The Jags got off to a shaky start with Kello having most of the early play and chances, in the seventh minute Josh Payne had to rescue the defence with a clearance off the line that set the tone for an excellent game from the youngster.

 

Kello had a claim for a penalty after 15 minutes with the suspicion of a shirt being pulled followed by the ball striking an arm from close range but the referee waved play on, however he appeared to use the totting up method of two half penalties making a whole one when he awarded a spot kick two minutes later for a challenge from Hugh Kelly. Stewart Thomson in the home goal kept up the Jags excellent recent record of keeping penalties out with a diving save to his left.

 

 

Johnny McStay had done well to rob a Kello defender and get his shot away and although not his best effort he made up for it in the 20th minute when he again took the ball off a dithering defender and took it forward, keeping his head well to slot past the keeper.

 

Five minutes later David Reid nearly made it two with a fierce drive from 25 yards and at this point Thistle were in control of the game and passing the ball confidently. Kello replied with a shot from range of their own that Thomson saved well but that was about it from them in the first half in an attacking sense.

 

Reid doubled the lead ten minutes from half time after Brian Jack’s flick header set him away, he took the ball wide past the last defender and looked to have taken a touch too many but in doing so created the perfect angle to draw the keeper and slot it past him into the opposite corner.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 2 Kello Rovers 0

 

Two minutes into the second half the game was over as a contest as Liam Mushett rose to meet a corner from the left and made excellent use of the back of his neck to force the ball over the line.

 

Understandably with the game won Thistle’s performance dipped a bit and Kello came back into it but without the quality in the final third to threaten a realistic comeback. Their best effort came twenty minutes from time from a simple move, a throw-in found an unmarked team-mate who took the ball first time on the volley and forced a full length save from Thomson.

 

Thistle saved their best move of the game till the 80th minute, Kelly found Gary McStay on the right side of the penalty area with an inch perfect pass, he played the ball across the area to substitute Matty Clarke on the left who rolled it into the path of Reid to take the ball in and nearly put the icing on the cake but he was denied by another good stop from the keeper.

 

Two minutes later Clarke found himself in an almost identical position and his shot brought the same result from the keeper.

 

The win move Thistle up to the dizzy heights of fifth bottom with four games left to play against Kello Rovers (away), Cumbernauld (away), Troon (home) and starting at Irvine Meadow on Saturday.

 

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 3 Kello Rovers 0

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Thomson; Brown, Mushett (Robb 75), Reynolds; Canning (Clarke 71); Payne, Jack, Kelly, Reid; G McStay, (McKeever 79), J McStay. Subs: Gracie, Duncan (GK)

Scorers: J McStay, Reid, Mushett

 

Largs Thistle 2 Larkhall Thistle 1 – 21st April 2018

On: By: ian

Barrfields Park, Largs
Largs Thistle v Larkhall Thistle
McBookie.com Super First Division

 

Larkhall went to their furthest flung league opponents with a depleted squad, Gary McStay, Andy Brown, Billy Robb, Hugh Kelly and Mark McKeever were all missing for various reasons. Josh Payne started the game at right back in a back three with Liam Mushett and Niall Reynolds.

 

 

Largs looked the more likely side in the early stages and came close on a couple of occasions, a good flowing move ended with a shot past the post when the Largs player looked like scoring and it was quickly followed by another effort that Thomson in the Jags goal had to look lively to save.

 

Midway through the half Thisle created their first real threat as Liam Mushett back-headed a floated free kick towards the goal and a Largs defender nearly turned the ball into his own goal trying to clear it, bringing out a great reaction save from his keeper.

 

Largs went ahead five minutes later from a corner on the right, it was played into the danger zone and not dealt with by the defence and Scott Adam found himself in space in the middle of the box to stoop and head in from close range. They were lifted by the goal and immediately went looking for a second and nearly got it as Thomson had to save well with his feet when the Largs striker was clean through.

 

Larkhall got level just before half time against the run of play, David Reid took a corner on the right and Mushett got up well to get on the end of it, heading what looked to be a certain goal but it was scrambled off the line only as far as Matty Clarke who finished easily from a couple of yards.

 

Half time: Largs Thistle 1 Larkhall Thistle 1

 

Clarke almost carried on his good work into the second half as he took a free kick that Largs keeper Cousar had to be at full stretch to fingertip round the post. Largs responded through Stevenson who left Reynolds but produced a tame shot before the same player wriggled past the defence only to lift his shot over the bar. McWaters then got clear of four Larkhall defenders to cross for Fleming arriving late in the box but his header was wide of the post.

 

Stevenson got clear on the right minutes later but Thomson dived to save from his half-volley but the writing was on the wall and Largs took the lead for the second time right on the hour mark. They won a throw on the right and played the ball right to the byeline and cut along it before sending the ball  across the goal to the back post where Adam finished again for his second.

 

 

Liam Mushett picked up an injury and although he came back onto the park after treatment it was clear he was struggling and was replaced by young Mark Cuthbertson who did an excellent job when he came on and provided probably the one bright spot of the day with his performance.

Thistle were under the cosh for most of the rest of the game with the home side producing waves of attacks but the defence held out without conceding any further goals.

 

Ten minutes from the end there was a chance to snatch a draw when Johnny McStay intercepted a poor back pass and bore down on the goal but decided to go it alone rather than cut back for Reid who was in a great position to score. His shot was saved for a corner and when the ball came back out to Jack he hit a tremendous dipping volley from 25 yards that would have been a contender for goal of the season if the keeper hadn’t saved it.

 

A familiar result in Ayrshire but Largs were the better team on the day and deserved their win that takes them now third in the league. Thistle are third bottom, a point behind Kello Rovers who they play on Saturday.

 

Full time: Largs Thistle 2 Larkhall Thistle 1

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Thomson; Payne, Mushett, Reynolds; Canning; Clarke, Jack, Innes, Reid, J McStay, Gracie. Subs: Duncan (GK), Adams

 

Scorer: Clarke

 

Booked: Innes, Reid, Payne

 

Largs Thistle:

Cousar; Fisher, McMaster, Little, Jamieson, Muir, Stevenson, Fleming, Adam, McWaters, McKie

 

 

Larkhall Thistle 1 Irvine Meadow 2 – 14th April 2018

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Irvine Meadow
McBookie.com Super First Division

 

Thistle made four changes from the midweek game at Rutherglen – Stewart Thomson, Brian Jack, Matty Clarke and Johnny McStay replaced Johnny Duncan, Billy Robb, Ryan Innes and Gary McStay.

 

After the 4-0 loss two weeks ago the Jags were looking to put on a better show this time and they did, although in the end the result was the same.

 

Thistle started the game promisingly with a couple of good moves down the left that lacked a good final ball but they took the lead in the 15th minute with a well-worked goal. Graham Gracie got up well to flick on a long ball into the path of Matty Clarke who took the ball past the last defender and squeezed it just inside the left hand post.

 

Irvine struck back right away with a break and as their slipper-footed striker Boyd went into the box Liam Mushett came across his path and he went down looking for and getting the penalty. Justice was done as the penalty was blasted against the bar, a big let-off for Thistle but Meadow followed it up moments later with a shot that just cleared the bar.

 

Thistle’s best effort in the remainder of the half was a half-volley from Jack from 25 yards that the keeper got down to save.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Irvine Meadow 0

 

Two minutes into the second half Larkhall had a great opportunity to double their lead, Gracie found a bit of space and played the ball wide to McStay, he cut inside and made good space for the shot but he blasted his effort high over the bar.

 

Thistle had started the half well and six minutes later McStay’s head flick put Reid clear but unfortunately he didn’t make the most of the chance and the keeper robbed him. It was the goal that they needed though as a minute later the visitors equalised, a long ball down the middle was flicked on to McTernan who took it wide past Brown and Thomson and rolled it in from a tight angle.

 

Irvine were on the ascendancy now and could have scored a couple of minutes later when Boyd beat Reynolds but they got what was the winning goal just five minutes after the equaliser, a corner from he right landed in the middle of the area and the defence couldn’t clear it, Miller getting there to slam it in through the crowd.

 

The Jags came back well and had a couple of decent shouts for penalties that looked more like penalties than the one given to Irvine Meadow but they came closest to equalising through Liam Mushett. The big man had won every header all day at the back but this time nearly turned scorer as he headed a Gracie free kick onto the bar.

 

There were a couple of opportunities from free kicks before the end but they were wasted and the points had gone.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Irvine Meadow 2

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Thomson; Brown, Mushett, Reynolds; Canning; Payne, Jack, Reid; Gracie, Clarke, J McStay (G McStay 65)

 

Subs: Robb, Doyle, Kelly, McKeever

 

Booked: Reynolds

 

Irvine Meadow: Newman; McLennan, Willet, Begley, Miller, McGuire, Carson, Spence, Boyd, McTernan, Carnwath.

 

Johnstone Burgh 1 Larkhall Thistle 5 – 7th April 2018

On: By: ian

Keanie Park, Johnstone
Johnstone Burgh v Larkhall Thistle
Central League Cup Second Round

 

Manager Dunky Sinclair made four changes from last week with Billy Robb, Ryan Innes, Josh Payne and Matty Clarke replacing Liam Mushett, Mark Canning, David Reid and Gary McStay. Johnny Duncan kept his place in goal after Stewart Thompson failed a fitness test.

 

With Johnstone second bottom of the Second Division, it was a game that Thistle were expected to win.

 

Johnstone had the first effort on goal 14 minutes into the game with a shot that went wide, Thistle’s first meaningful attack five minutes later resulted in the opening goal for the Burgh. Ryan Jack played a god ball into Matty Clarke who shot into a crowd of players on the edge of the box, Johnstone broke away downhill and scored.

 

After the goal Thistle came into the game and Josh Payne went close with a shot that went high past the right hand post then Ryan Innen was in on the keeper after a one-two with Johnny McStay but the keeper got down to turn the ball round for a corner.

 

Thistle’s pressure brought the equaliser in 31 minutes when Payne got free down the right again and shot across the goal, the keeper got a hand to it but only managed to divert it into the path of Matty Clarke who finished easily at the back post.

 

Larkhall took the lead just before half time when Clarke dribbled the ball along the byeline and cut back for McStay to slam in from 10 yards.

 

Half time: Johnstone Burgh 1 Larkhall Thistle 2

 

Johnstone came out in the second half looking to try and get level and had most of the pressure in the early stages. Payne went close for Thistle ten minutes into the half against the run of play witha shot just over the bar after he had he created space at the edge of the box following good set up play from Innes and McStay.

 

Ten minutes later Jack played a one-two with Innes and got in a shot that was pushed round for a corner, he then got a good glancing header from the corner kick but sent it just over the bar.

 

Thistle were now in control of the game again and after the double substitution of Gary McStay and Graham Gracie for Johnny McStay and Matty Clarke totally dominated the rest of the game. The third goal came with 15 minutes left, McStay and Payne combining to set up Gracie who found the far corner.

 

Six minutes later any doubt about the outcome disappeared as Gracie broke down the left and his cross was deflected into the net for an own goal. Gracie was involved again for the fifth, holding the ball up an laying it off for Reynolds to finish.

 

Thistle are one of eight teams through to the third round, East Kilbride v Clydebank was postponed and another eight teams still need to play each other in the second round.

 

Full time: Johnstone Burgh 1 Larkhall Thistle 5

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Duncan; Doyle, Brown, Robb, Reynolds; Payne, Innes, Jack (Kelly 78), McKeever; J McStay (G McStay 68), Clarke (Gracie 68) Subs: Canning, Reid

 

Scorers: Clarke, J McStay, Gracie, Reynolds, og

 

Booked: Robb, Payne, J McStay

 

Larkhall Thistle 0 Irvine Meadow 4 – 31st March 2018

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Irvine Meadow
West of Scotland Cup

 

With Thistle and Irvine Meadow in the same league this season, the teams found themselves in the unusual position of meeting each other for the first time at the end of March with the two league games also still left to play. The Jags went into the game on the back of two consecutive home wins for the first time this season while Irvine Meadow went into the game high on confidence after an excellent result last week, a 2-0 win against high-flying Cambuslang Rangers.

 

The Jags were still missing Graham Gracie, Ryan Innes and Craig Forbes, while Declan Doyle who came on as a sub last week kept his place at right back.

 

Thistle were first to threaten after seven minutes when David Reid broke down the left side and whipped in a cross that Johnny McStay just failed to connect with, Irvine Meadow’s first attempt came five minutes later when a cross was cushioned into the path of their number 8 who half-volleyed over the bar from 25 yards.

 

Larkhall keeper Johnny Duncan was called into his first serious action midway through the half when he got down well to save a shot from the right after Niall Reynolds had been caught out of position. Minutes later another cross from the right found the Meadow number 9 isolated in the middle of the box and Duncan did well to come out and block what would have been a certain goal. Reid burst forward in reply and kept going down the left, getting a decent shot away that cleared the far post.

 

Both teams were going for it in an open cup tie and the game flowed from side to side with not much let up throughout the first half. The referee however was coming under fire from the home contingent for a series of questionable decisions, most notably failing to book an Irvine player for grabbing Reid round the throat and throwing him down just minutes after he’d booked Doyle for a softer foul the other way and a couple of bad advantage decisions that he failed to let go.

 

Johnny McStay had possibly Thistle’s best chance of the half to take the lead with a header from six yards, in fairness to him it had taken a touch off a defender before it reached him and he got slightly underneath it. Meadow’s centre half rounded off the half with a shot again from the right that flew just over the bar.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Irvine Meadow 0

 

Thistle got off to a bit of a flyer in the second half with Mark KcKeever bringing out a good save after he had been put in by Brian Jack, that was followed by a Reid shot that was heading for the roof of the net but was again saved well. Another run by Reid ended when he was fouled twenty yards out and took the free kick himself, this time straight at the keeper.

 

Seventy minutes into the game the tide started to turn the way of Irvine who brought out another two good saves from Duncan in quick succession. The first half had been even with both teams making chances but neither being able to take them and the game was crying out for somebody with a bit of spark who was going to make the difference. Why Eddie McTernan only came on as a substitute was a bit of a mystery as he was by far the visitors best player on the day and single handedly changed the game.

 

Meadow took the lead with 16 minutes left just as the game looked to be heading for a stalemate. A ball in from the left was missed by Liam Mushett in the middle and the ball fell perfectly for McTernan who slotted it across Duncan into the far corner.

 

The goal signalled a collase in the home defence and a further three goals in an eight minute spell gave the game a somewhat surreal final score line. McTernan got his second with the goal of the game, cutting across the edge of the area before curling a shot into the top corner then set up the third when he took the ball wide after the Jags defence had failed to deal with a long ball, squaring across the six yard box for a back post tap in for Boyd. The scoring was completed by Carson who finished a cross from the right with a scuffed shot that squeezed just inside the post.

 

David Reid picked up a second yellow card minutes before the end.

 

It was a day to forget for Thistle but although Irvine Meadow were the better team on the day and deserved the win, it should never have been a four goal defeat on the balance of play and chances created. Hopefully some lessons to be learned ahead of the teams meeting in the league in a couple of weeks.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Irvine Meadow 4

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Duncan 64; Doyle (Robb 73), Brown, Mushett, Reynolds; Canning; McKeever (Payne 66) Jack, Reid; G McStay (Clarke 66), J McStay. Subs: Thomson (GK), Cuthbertson

 

Booked: Doyle, Mushett

 

Sent off: Reid

 

MoM:
The defence is clearly a problem for the Jags with Andy Brown the only one who looks able to compete with the better teams at this level and he did his best to mount a one-man resistance today with a great performance, just shading it from Johnny Duncan who had several very good saves and not much chance with the goals.

 

 

Larkhall Thistle 3 Darvel 0 – 24th March 2018

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Darvel
McBookie.com Super First Division

 

What appeared to be the first day of spring brought a sharp change from the first game of the season, where Thistle had gone to Ayrshire in a chilly downpour with the only thing more miserable than the weather being the football itself. On that day the Jags had been given a harsh reality check on the back of their tournament win at Kilbirnie and quickly realised that anything won in this league was going to have to be fought for all the way.

 

So to today and after a good showing where they were unlucky to lose at leaders Petershill and a first win since September in the previous game against Cumbernauld, Larkhall went into today’s game in as confident a mood as they’ve been all season. Graham Gracie was still injured and missed the game along with Ryan Innes who was serving the first game of his two match suspension. Josh Payne who had done so well as a sub in the last home game was also missing.

 

 

Thistle suffered an early disruption to their plans when Billy Robb pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury and was replaced by Declan Doyle at right back, the youngster making what was a rare appearance and consequently making a bit of a nervy start until he got into the game and went on to perform very well.

 

After a dour opening half hour with neither team playing much football or creating chances worthy of note other than a very early effort from the visitors which went close, the Jags took the lead in the 32nd minute. Good build up work from David Reid got the ball forward and into the box where Gary McStay was quickest to react and swept the ball low into the corner of the net.

 

Just on half time it was 2-0 with a goal that was completely out of character with the game so far and was one of the best goals seen at Gasworks Park this season. Again it was Gary McStay finishing off the move after a brilliant run from fellow veteran Mark McKeever who flicked the ball past one defender then played a one-two with Ryan Jack before shimmying another defender, leaving him flat-footed and cutting back for McStay to pass the ball in from 15 yards.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 2 Darvel 0

 

With the next goal in the game being vital, both teams came flying out of the traps for the start of the second half and while the tempo was raised, real chances were still at a premium – the best of them falling to Liam Mushett in the first couple of minutes of the half but the big centre half couldn’t squeeze it over the line from close range.

 

Thistle were hit by a further injury blow in the 64th minute when keeper Stewart Thomson went down holding the ball in what seemed to be a routine catch but didn’t get back up. The decision being made right away to replace him with Johnny Duncan indicated that it might have been a bit more serious than it looked. Tommo had had a fine game before he went off with a couple of good saves and excellent handling from crosses and corners.

 

 

The third goal came ten minutes from time and if the last goal was good, this was possibly even better. Johnny McStay was heavily involved in the build-up which was a passing move of the highest quality. He initially won the ball on the left wing and played a one-two with Mark Canning then another with Brian Jack out wide on the right before picking out Gary McStay in the box who supplied his third deadly finish of the afternoon.

 

The Jags did come under a bit of pressure in the closing stages of the game in terms of possession but all of the players on the park knew in their hearts that the third goal was the winner and there was no way back for Darvel.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 3 Darvel 0

 

A great all round team performance today with no weaknesses – good running and effort from the forward players, tenacity and strong tackling in midfield and a defence that held together as well as they have done for a long while and kept up their concentration levels throughout.

 

With Cumbernauld, Kello Rovers, Kilsyth Rangers, Maryhill and Shettleston all losing today it turned out to be an even better day for Thistle as they gained ground on all their relegation rivals.

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Thomson (Duncan 64); Robb (Doyle 13), Brown, Mushett, Reynolds; Canning; McKeever, Jack, Reid; G McStay, J McStay. Subs: Cuthbertson, Trialist

 

Booked: Reid

 

MoM:
If it hadn’t been for Gary McStay’s hat-trick it could have been almost anybody but his goals made the difference.

 

*** Video uploading and will be available in the morning

Larkhall Thistle 2 Cumbernauld United 1 – 10th March 2018

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Cumbernauld United
McBookie.com Super First Division

 

After an early pitch inspection due to the heavy rain the game went ahead as planned, however if the rain had come a couple of hours earlier it would probably have been enough to have seen the match postponed. As it was the park cut up badly and got worse as the game went on, for those of us old eough to remember Match of the Day with the likes of Derby at the Baseball Ground this was reminiscent of times gone by.

 

The game being on brought some much needed revenue for Thistle but the downside was several first team picks missing including Graham Gracie, David Reid and Craig Forbes. Josh Payne started on the bench.

 

The football itself in the first half wasn’t enough to warm up what was a decent crowd considering the conditions with neither side creating many chances. Cumbernauld went close with a long range chip and Thistle might have taken the lead just before the half hour mark but Mark Canning’s drive from the edge of the box crashed off the top corner of the woodwork. It was the kind of break Thistle had become used to getting but they say these things even themselves out and they did in the second half.

 

 

Minutes later Cumbernauld’s busy number 8 hit a good drive that Thomson got down to save but the pressure stayed on the Jags goal and it led to a Cumbernauld corner on the left. The ball was swung in to the back post and their big centre half Ross McCabe rose unchallenged to head in and give the visitors a half-time lead.

 

 

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Cumbernauld United 1

 

The second half saw more slogging away from both sides in a game that was becoming increasingly bogged down by the weather and heavy underfoot conditions and neither team troubled the opposition goal much in the first part of it. The game was crying out for a change, Thistle’s new four at the back formation meant they were short in midfield but before the manager could make the substitution, they drew level in the 67th minute with a well constructed goal. A high ball into the box from Andy Brown was cushioned by Gary McStay and knocked down into the path of Canning who slotted it first time into the corner of the net.

 

 

Gary McStay had shown some great touches up to and including the goal and so there was surprise all round when it was him who made way for Josh Payne straight after the goal. Young Josh made an immediate impact with his pace down the left and was to have a big say in the outcome of the game.

 

Three minutes later Larkhall turned the game around altogether with what turned out to be the winning goal and this time it was down to a double slice of good fortune. Payne drove down the left and cut inside leaving the Cumbernauld defence floundering, The Cumbernauld defender swiped at his cross to try and clear but only managed to trickle the ball as far as Billy Robb. Billy’s shot was on target but took a massive deflection that lifted it up and the opposite way from where the keeper was moving giving him no chance.

 

 

The Jags players and supporters were jubillant in a way that hasn’t been seen since the St Roch’s game as a wave of relief swept around the ground, the job now was to hold the lead and see out the game for a vital win.

 

To be honest as the game went into its closing stages and the conditions got worse anything could have happened as the game descended almost into farce, the ball was sticking and players were falling over in the mud. Thistle defended well though and held out for the win that gets them back into contention for avoiding the drop.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 2 Cumbernauld United 1

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Thomson; Robb (Kelly 82), Brown, Mushett, Reynolds; McKeever (Jack 88), Canning, Innes, Clarke; G McStay (Payne 67), J McStay. Subs: Doyle, Duncan (GK)

 

Booked: Johnny McStay, Mushett

 

Cumbernauld United:
Murphy; Higgins, McCabe, Murphy, Stevenson, McMenamin; Winters, McLaughlin, McCabe; Malone, Lennon

 

MoM:
It’s getting to be a familiar theme again this season but Ryan Innes was everywhere in the midfieldand did more than anybody to keep the momentum going.

 

*** Video uploading, available in the morning

 

Larkhall Thistle 1 Shettleston 1 – 17th February 2018

On: By: ian

Gasworks Park, Larkhall
Larkhall Thistle v Shettleston
McBookie.com Super First Division

 

This was a game that both teams would have felt they needed to win to give themselves a realistic chance of escaping relegation. Before the game Shettleston were sitting in 12th place on 8 points with Thistle a point and place behind them, 13th on 7 points.

 

The Jags had several players missing, Johnny McStay Liam Mushett and Craig Forbes were all working while Matty Clarke has a knee injury and is out for four weeks. Billy Robb made a welcome return to the defence and Josh Payne was restored to the right midfield slot.

 

The first half hour of the game passed off with hardly an incident to report, a scrappy opening with both teams living up to their billing as relegation candidates and not much football being played or chances created.

 

Hugh Kelly replaced Brian Jack in the centre of midfield after just over half an hour and was one of the few Jags success stories on the day with his calmness on the ball and range of passing.

 

 

Shettleston could have taken the lead before the interval when their striker went clean through on goal with just Johnny Duncan to beat but he maybe tried to be too fancy with his finish and flicked it past the outside of the post.

 

Minutes later the Jags also had a chance to go in with a half time advantage but Ryan Innes’s effort from 20 yards hit the post and went past.

 

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Shettleston 0

 

The second half was only two minutes old when Thistle produced their best moment of the game, Niall Reynolds burst down the left side and put in a cross that missed out the keeper and fell to Gary McStay who laid it back to Innes for a tap-in.

 

After the goal the Jags were on top and could have extended their lead when Graham Gracie hit a good free kick that went just past the post and they had a good spell of possession, dominating the play but without creating any more real chances.

 

The game turned on an incident midway through the half when Shettleston felt they should have had a penalty, the ball hit Reynolds on the arm but the referee indicated that he saw the incident as accidental. Needless to say, Shettleston saw it the other way and it only fired them up with a sense of injustice that saw them take control of the game.

 

It only took five minutes for them to get level but the goal itself was a bit of a sore one for Thistle, a deflected shot from the edge of the box that left Duncan flatfooted, hit the post and in contrast to Innes’s earlier effort went in.

 

Thistle hit back with a Gracie dribble that ended with a shot that was well saved, then a penalty shout similar to the one Shettleston claimed for in the first half was also turned down.

 

The last period of the game saw both teams going for the winner that would have given them a massive boost but it was the keepers who were on top, Shettleston’s hobbled off after a clash with Gracie that resulted in what sounded like a very painful injury, best wishes to him for a full recovery. He was replaced by what seemed to be an outfield player but his performance between the sticks for the last 10 minutes was outstanding, one save in particular from a Canning drive that saved a point for his team.

 

Johnny Duncan also had a fine save from a deflected shot that he had to correct himself and go the other way to reach.

 

All in all a draw was probably the right result on the day with neither team really producing enough quality to win the game.

 

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Shettleston 1

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Duncan; Robb, Brown, Reynolds; Canning; Payne, Innes, Jack (Kelly 32), Reid; G McStay, Gracie. Subs: McKeever, Doyle, Thomson (GK)

 

Booked: Innes

 

MoM: Ryan Innes gave everything as usual and was just shaded for man of the match by Billy Robb who was solid at the back and provided some great out balls.