Tag: Larkhall Thistle

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.

 

Cambuslang Rangers 4 Larkhall Thistle 2 – 6th January 2018

On: By: ian

Somervell Park, Cambuslang
Cambuslang Rangers v Larkhall Thistle
McBookie.com Super First Division

 

After an enforced layoff since the middle of November last year, Thistle returned to league business at a bitterly cold Cambuslang. The Jags were hoping for some New Year cheer at their high-flying rivals – having slumped to third bottom with only seven points taken from their nine games so far.

 

The loss of Billy Robb at the centre of deence was a big blow to Thistle’s hopes of taking anything from the game but Liam Mushett wasn’t the only one who looked rusty after the long break. Craig Forbes started at right back in a new look formation but it left the Jags short in midfield and meant little in the way of creativity and chances being created.

 

After a scrappy opening period, Cambuslang began to take control of the game but it was Larkhall who could have taken the lead in the 16th minute when a corner found Graham Gracie six yards out but his shot was blocked by a defender. Gracie appeared to have been earmarked as the danger man as he found himself with two or three markers every time he got the ball.

 

Cambuslang could have taken the lead themselves just a minute later but the centre half’s header was straight at Johnny Duncan. The keeper was called into action again five minutes later but this time it was a great save from a well hit drive that looked to be flying into the roof of the net.

 

Thistle sqandered a great chance to take the lead in the 25th minute when Mushett sent a free header past the post when anything on target would have been a goal. After that let off, the home side got the breakthrough that they deserved when they went straight back up the park and scored from a nice passing move finished by Molloy who rolled the ball into the corner unchallenged. They almost doubled the lead a minute later when their pony-tailed right winged produced a great run and shot that Duncan could only parry into the six yard box before it was scrambled clear.

 

The game looked to be over as a contest in 33 minutes when Mushett couldn’t get near the Lang forward on the left wing to prevent the cross and again Duncan was left helpless as Molloy tapped in from two yards. Thistle hadn’t quite given up the ghost yet and good play between Reid and Gracie on the left saw Gracie clear through with just the keeper to beat, he chose to go round the goalie but his shot from a wide angle was cleared off the line by the centre half.

 

The referee denied the Jags what looked to be a good shout for a penalty when Ryan Innes had his feet taken away from him just inside the edge of the box, no foul was the verdict. Thistle finished the half on top and could have pulled a goal back when Gracie headed down for Innes but he blasted just over the bar.

 

Half time: Cambuslang Rangers 2 Larkhall Thistle 0

 

Thistle came out for the second half with the same eleven on the park but that would be set to change fairly quickly.

 

Cambuslang were first to threaten when Mushett gave the ball straight to an opponent who shot over the bar and the Jags took the warning and rallied well. With the next goal being crucial they gave it a good go, albeit without any real end product and it was a real kick in the sore bits when Cambuslang extended their lead in the 62nd minute. Andy Brown for once missed a ball in the air and it fell perfectly for Simeon who cut back and Love tapped in from close range.

 

That should have been it but the substitution of Johnny McStay for Gary McStay injected fresh energy up front and the fightback began. McStay grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and roared and bullied his team mates into shaking off the lethargy and getting stuck in. He led the charge himself when he robbed the home centre half on the right wing and dribbled towards the goal, shrugging off three defenders before laying the ball off to Innes who crashed it into the net from twelve yards.

 

The home nerves were in shreds minutes later. Andy Brown headed the ball clear and it went straight through the middle into the path of Gracie who took it past the keeper and was hauled down. For some reason that only the referee knows, he didn’t produce a card of either colour but did award the penalty which Mark Canning rolled into the corner as the keeper dived the other way.

 

With Thistle going all out for the equaliser they were caught on the break when Mushett again gave the ball away and the game should and would have been put beyond doubt but for a magnificent double block by Andy Brown who must have felt like a one man defence at times.

 

It was all Thistle pressure as the game went deep into injury time but a long hooked clearance sent the Lang No.12 away and although he looked a mile offside he was allowed to square it to Simeon who scored to finish the game.

 

Shettleston picked up their second win of the season to go above Thistle in the table and the situation is now starting to look very ominous as the Jags sit second bottom wondering where the next win is going to come from.

 

Full time: Cambuslang Rangers 4 Larkhall Thistle 2

 

*** Sorry camera out of action this week

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Duncan; Forbes (Jack 81), Mushett, Brown, Reynolds; Canning; Payne, Innes, Reid (Clarke 63); G McStay (J McStay 57), Gracie. Subs: McKeever, Thomson (GK)

 

Scorers: Innes, Canning

 

Booked: Innes, Forbes, Gracie

MoM: Good performances from Duncan and Johnny McStay and pass marks for Canning, Innes and Forbes but Andy Brown did his best to hold a ragged defence together with an outstanding display.

 

 

Larkhall Thistle 0 Largs Thistle 1 – 9th September 2017

On: By: hugh

With Stewart Thomson still injured, Johnny Duncan continued in goal. Also missing through injury was Hugh Kelly and David Reid was still on holiday.

Dunky started with the same line up as last week against Kilsyth Rangers.

Once again as in past weeks Thistle were slow off the mark and Largs came at them early on and soon had the home team under pressure. It was no surprise then when Largs went ahead, Adams slipped the ball to Muir who converted easily. Thistle just could not get going as an attacking force and the visitors nearly went further ahead after the dugout side assistant allowed Muir to continue when he looked to be offside. Only good work by Johnny Duncan and Liam Mushett who headed the subsequent shot over the bar kept the score at 0-1.

Thistle finally managed to put the visitors under pressure towards the end of the half when a tremendous cross from Scott Nicholl was headed narrowly past by Ryan Innes with keeper Lundy stranded. Matty Clarke then had a snap shot which was deflected for what turned out to be fruitless corner.

Largs then reminded the Jags of how dangerous they can be when Muir sent over a cross which Orr headed narrowly over when he should have done better. Johnny McStay replied with a shot which went well over when he should have at least tested keeper. Orr and Adam then combined for Largs but the big No.9 could not hit the target.

Half Time Larkhall Thistle 0 Largs Thistle 1

Thistle started the second half as in previous games with all guns blazing, and it took Mark Canning just four minutes to go close when he struck the base of the post with the keeper helpless. This was a sign of things to come with Lundy playing a big part in the rest of the game, pulling off some stunning saves and time-wasting which went totally unpunished.

Larkhall were now in control of the game and Innes went very close with a header. On the hour mark Graham Gracie replaced Mark McKeever, with Clarke moving out to the left. Canning was next to try and get the Jags level but headed over when he probably should have done better.

Lundy then produced two stunning stops from Canning and Gracie was denied a penalty when he was brought down as he weaved his way across the box. To be fair the referee was unsighted but the dugout side assistant did not raise his flag when most people thought it was a stonewaller.

A fine move involving Clarke and Gracie ended with McStay just failing to connect at the back post for what would have been a certain equaliser. In the dying minutes Thistle saw their hopes disappear when Canning was again thwarted by yet another fine safe by Lundy. The game ended with the visitors celebrating their victory.

 

Larkhall Thistle:
Johnny Duncan, Andy Brown, Liam Mushett, Scott Nicol; Josh Payne, Mark Canning, Ryan Innes, Craig Forbes, Mark McKeever (Graham Gracie), Matty Clarke, Jonny McStay.

Subs: Gary McStay, Brian Jack, Niall Reynolds, Billy Robb

Booked: Andy Brown, Scott Nicol

Largs Thistle:
Lundy; McMaster, Gilbride, Little, Fleming, Orr, Muir, Adam, Campbell, Burden, McWalter. Subs, Kasubundi, McVey, Jamieson.

 

Once again the Jags suffered for their slow start and giving the opposition too much space but the players must be credited for a spirited recovery in the second half but came across a goalkeeper in inspired form and this coupled with some bad luck resulted in defeat.

Mark Canning had a good second half as did Ryan Innes but today’s man of the match award goes to Andy Brown who was excellent for the full game.

Vale of Clyde goals

On: By: ian

Video of the goals from Vale of Clyde v Thistle on Monday night. Thanks to Pie and Bovril contributor Lokforever for the video.