Thistle take the honours in county derby clash but both managers left to rue the tame tussle

Nov 13 2008 by Margaret Shaw, Hamilton Advertiser

LARKHALL Thistle won the derby duel with struggling Lesmahagow to edge into the top half of the Central League, First Division, with their third win in four league games.

But it was a tame tussle that left both bosses baffled.

Thistle gaffer Bobby Crilly said: “I had mixed reactions. I felt we were always in control but at 1-0 up we were winning comfortably and should have had two more but instead conceded a penalty which could have made it 1-1.

“At no time did I ever feel we would lose, just frustrated that we didn’t go on and add to our lead.

“It was good to see Rab Coulter play his first 90 minutes and Andy Crossey back after a spell out. We hope to have Craig Dewar and Stephen Marshall back as well this weekend.

“I managed to watch them on one of the Saturdays our game with Royal Albert was called off, so I’ve an idea how they will play. But we will have to do better than we did on Saturday when we go to play Maryhill.”

Robert Irving, ‘Gow’s assistant boss, commented: “Another defeat but the players, who had been working hard in training trying to rectify some of the mistakes they had been making, did everything we asked of them.

“I didn’t think we played that badly and was pleased with the performance and effort but they deserved more out of the game than they got.”

The opening goal a few minutes before half-time was set up by Andy Dorrans with a cross that Brian Watret head-flicked on to Andy Forrester to score his fourth goal in three games.

It then became a tale of two keepers. Heroic Stephen Soave saved Ross McGeachie’s penalty to deny ‘Gow an equaliser – then cruel luck struck teenage keeper Stewart Wilson.

With sub Joe Shields chasing a soft passback from Stewart McGeachie, Wilson came out to clear. But as he was poised to kick, the ball struck a bobble and bounced over his foot and agonisingly rolled into the net.

Irving added: “Apart from his unfortunate mishap, Wilson was probably our best player. The boy was distraught after what happened. He’s only 17, and we hope this hasn’t dented his confidence.”

Lesmahagow are at home to Vale of Leven this weekend.

Thorniewood United home fixture against Cumbernauld was called off, and now they are set to take on league-leaders Glencairn at Robertson Park.