Blantyre Vics second in Division One after thrashing Port Glasgow

Sep 3 2009

BLANTYRE VICS grabbed all three points for the second successive Saturday as they rattled in another four goals to claim second place in the Central League First Division.

And Shotts Bon Accord took their goals tally to 11 in five days as they pounded the promising Thorniewood United 5-1.

They sit alongside Vics on the six-point mark.

In the local derby at Craighead Park, Lesmahagow and Larkhall Thistle had to settle for a point apiece after both sides tossed away so many chances in a 2-2 draw.

Vics, minus captain Brian Glancy, Anton Rodgers and Steve Smith, were punished for a Neil Newman mis-hit clearance as Port Glasgow snatched a 10th-minute lead.

But within eight minutes Vics were level when James Cochrane scored off a Gary Espener pass - and ahead four minutes later when Cochrane helped Espener gave Vics a 2-1 half-time lead.

Ross Fletcher chipped the Port keeper for the third goal and when a Ryan McAloon drive crashed off the post Espener was on hand to tap in number four.

Manager Willie Harvey said: "Fletcher's goal was our first bit of good football and after that we began to take control. It felt comfortable at 3-1 although I still don't think we're playing all that well."

Glancy, Rodgers and Smith will be back against Perthshire but Fletcher will be on holiday.

Shotts turned in a classy performance to thump Thorniewood United, with Paul McLaughlin hitting a hat-trick.

Steve Barker scored with a tap-in when his header rebounded off the bar. McLaughlin lobbed the keeper to double the lead then added his own second as he turned a slide-rule pass from Gary McStay into the net.

McStay, McLaughlin and Mark Duffy linked up well to set up McLaughlin for number four and the three-goal marksman replied by setting up the fifth for Duffy.

Ex-Bellshill Athletic midfielder Anton Franchetti stepped up from the bench to hit Thorniewood's consolation counter with a stunning volley.

Manager Tony McInally said: "We played well, passed the ball well and were 5-0 up with 35 minutes to go. It was a comprehensive victory.

"We've been working quite a bit on shape and how to open up teams and get behind their back-line. Three of our goals wouldn't have looked out of place in professional football.

Shotts head for Vale of Leven on Saturday to face a side still reeling from last Tuesday's 6-1 drubbing in the Sectional league Cup semi-final, at Shotts.

Weekend absentees Iain Wallace and John Boyack will come back into contention.

Thorniewood co-boss John Fallon said: "We didn't compete against a very good side who deserved everything they got.

“We were slow at the back, which led to three of the goals, while the others were well-worked from the halfway line where their pace just destroyed us."

United will again be without Stewart McCormack, Stephan Mullen and Andy Stewart for the home game against Maryhill.

They expect to field former Maryhill player-manager Kevin O'Neill and ex-Bellshill, Shotts and Forth striker Stephen Donachie as trialists.

There was plenty of goalmouth action at Craighead Park, with both sides scorning chances, but there were also several good saves by both keepers and a couple of headed goal-line clearances.

Craig Easton fired in Nikki Sullivan's pass to give 'Gow a seventh-minute lead as they edged the first half.

But Thistle came more into the game after the break and it was no surprise when Joe Shields equalised midway through the second half.

A slip by former 'Gow defender Alan Shields gave Ross McGeachie the chance to put 'Gow in front but, with four minutes to go, James Earlie slammed in the equaliser.

Robert Irving, Lesmahagow’s assistant boss, said: "We're really disappointed. We started not too badly and scored in seven minutes but after that it was a gradual decline.

"We've been working on defending corners and free-kicks so to lose a goal in the way we did was most disappointing. It's two points lost more than one point gained."

Phil Creaney, Matthew Aymard and Andy Brown could be back against Cumbernauld.

Larkhall manager Paul Anderson said: "It could have been 6-6. There were lots of chances, and a lot of poor defending, which meant some pleasing things and some disappointing things.

"To come off a 4-0 drubbing and twice come back to draw shows a lot of character and determination - and we came so close to snatching a late winner."

Stephen McInulty and Kevin Carson expect to be on call against Port Glasgow but Alan Shields is on holiday.