With Glencairn at the top of the league and Thistle pointless at the bottom, there wasn’t much expectation of a positive result today going into the game.

It all seemed to be going as planned when the visitors took the lead after seven minutes, Smith found himself unmarked at the back post for an easy finish. It looked like a rout was on the cards when Simeon doubled the lead 10 minutes later but the Jags managed to work their way into the game and had a couple of decent passages of play, they even created a chance that Mackiewicz should have put away.

Half time: Larkhall Thistle 0 Rutherglen Glencairn 2

The first fifteen minutes of the second half also remained goalless until Glens stretched their lead, again through Simeon and it was 0-4 a minute later when he completed his hat trick.

Thistle managed to pull a goal back through Mackiewicz before Glencairn added two late goals from Kerr and McKay.

Full time: Larkhall Thistle 1 Rutherglen Glencairn 6

Larkhall Thistle: McGraw; Fraser, Boyle, McMurray, Barclay, Hunter, Brunton, Adams, Mackiewicz, Miller, Simpson. Subs: Cuthbertson, Wells, Breen, Crawford, Alexander.

Rutherglen Glencairn: Whyte; Gebbie, McGregor, Donaldson, Kerr, Fraser, Leyden, Esplin, Smith, Simeon, McKay. Subs – Mitchell, Gormley, Quinn, McGuire, McLellan.

Thistle’s first competitive game under the new management provided a look at what might be expected in the coming season and the early signs are it’s going to be an uphill struggle. Glencairn were four up inside 18 minutes and the signs were that it was only going to get worse but to their credit the young Thistle team steadied the ship and saw out the rest of the half on more or less even terms, albeit with the keeper pulling off a couple of very good saves.

Half time: Rutherglen Glencairn 4 Larkhall Thistle 0

Two early second half goals for Glencairn took any sting out what was left of Thistle’s recovery ambitions and for the rest of the game it was damage limitation, three further goals could have been more but for more excellent work from the keeper.

Fair to say that the project still needs a bit of work.

Full time: Rutherglen Glencairn 9 Larkhall Thistle 0

The game will be played next Wednesday 1st June at 7:30pm.

There was a lot of surface water on the park and the game was in doubt but it has been cleared and the match goes ahead.

Entry is £4.00 and £2.00 for concessions.

Full Draw:
Benburb  – Rossvale
Beith Juniors  – Lugar Boswell Thistle
Maybole Juniors F.C – Shotts Bon Accord
Dalry Thistle  – Dunipace
Carluke Rovers  – St. Roch’s
Irvine Victoria  – Greenock Juniors
Maryhill  – Cumbernauld United
Kello Rovers  – Renfrew
Johnstone Burgh  – Largs Thistle
Newmains United  – Irvine Meadow
Port Glasgow Juniors  – Arthurlie
Ashfield  – Cambuslang Rangers
Pollok  – Neilston Juniors
Girvan  – Forth Wanderers
Lesmahagow Juniors  – Vale of Leven
Vale of Clyde  – Darvel Juniors
East Kilbride Thistle  – Saltcoats Victoria
Shettleston  – Annbank United F.C
Yoker Athletic  – Hurlford United
Kilsyth Rangers  – Kilwinning Rangers
Glenafton Athletic  – Troon
Whitletts Victoria – Blantyre Victoria
Ardrossan Winton Rovers  – St. Anthony’s
Larkhall Thistle  – Rutherglen Glencairn
Glasgow Perthshire  – Muirkirk Juniors