Shotts victory against Port Glasgow

Oct 8 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

SHOTTS clocked up a convincing 4-1 win over Port Glasgow and took advantage of cup ties elsewhere by snatching second-top spot in the Central League First Division.

It was a whirlwind start, as captain John Boyack set Iain Wallace free on the left to round his marker and cross for Kevin Barr to blast into the net.

Boyack doubled the lead midway through the first half and within 10 minutes of the restart Wallace and David Taylor, with his first goal for the club, stretched their lead to 4-0.

That goal was a special moment for ‘Scholesy’ Wallace, who was making his 200th appearance, and Barr made his first start after several exploits as a scoring substitute.

Keeper Craig Brown had a number of good saves but was denied a clean sheet when Port grabbed a deserved consolation five minutes from time.

Manager Tony McInally said: “Considering the conditions, they were excellent. I was delighted with their reaction too, coming off the back of a cup final defeat.

“They were out the traps quickly, scoring after 38 seconds!

“We showed character and style, it was very positive, and we’re starting to gel.”

Shotts now travel to Cumbernauld United after West Region secretary Scott Robertson made a Saturday night fixtures switch to accommodate Larkhall’s Scottish Cup replay.

It looks like a cracker with Cumbernauld – who McInally left two seasons ago to manage Lanark United – unbeaten after five games and sitting one place behind Shotts.

Both sides are on the 15-point mark, one behind leaders St Anthony’s.

Thorniewood United slipped down a couple of places after their 4-2 defeat at newly-promoted Dunipace, in a match that produced its fair share of controversial refereeing decisions.

Co-boss John Fallon blasted: “We felt we had a first-half goal when the ball seemed to be over the line, but the referee said ‘no’.

“Mark Daly, going in for a ball, received a kick on the throat and was knocked unconscious. When he struggled to his feet he was booked, then awarded a foul!”

Dunipace led 2-0 at the break, with both goals coming from free-kicks.

United came back into the game in the second half and Barry McGowan scored another wondergoal, before Eddie Logan equalised with a 20-yard volley.

But Dunipace restored their two-goal lead after dubious decisions following fouls on John Fallon and Kevin O’Neill.

Daly, with a facial knock, and O’Neill, who is suffering from a thigh injury, could both be doubtful for Saturday’s trip to face unbeaten St Anthony’s.

Lesmahagow are still searching for their first win after five attempts as they prepare to face Scottish Cup shock-troops Blantyre Vics at Castle Park.

Assistant manager Robert Irving bemoaned the goals drought in the wake of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Perthshire, saying: “We still can’t score goals!

“We created a few chances in the first half and we told them at half-time to keep it tight and hope for a break in front of goal – instead we conceded after five minutes.

“Jim Moore, back from honeymoon, came on for the last half-hour and created more crosses into the box than we had managed during the previous six games!”

He added: “Steve Cunningham had a shot that shaved the post, and Nikki Sullivan and John Logan had shots tipped round the upright.”

The club have been given a potential boost with news that midfielder David Bell has re-signed, while Barry Murdoch is returning following spells with Royal Albert and Larkhall Thistle.

Robert Irving said: “Davie has been working down south after asking to be put on the transfer list. He came on for 35 minutes on Saturday and did OK, but he’s not yet match-fit.

“Barry did well for us in his previous spell here. Considering he was often coming on from the sub’s bench, his goals per game ratio was very good.”