McPhee is an instant Bathgate hero with four-goal haul

Aug 28 2008 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

BATHGATE fans were in seventh heaven as they hit seven without reply at home to Armadale.

Thistle have now scored 12 goals against neighbours Armadale in their last two meetings.

The gulf between the Super League and the lower divisions appears to be widening.

Bathgate opened their account after just five minutes with a header from Graeme McLaren.

More goals from Brian McPhee, Paul McGrillen and another from Graeme McLaren before half time put Thistle comfortably in control.

But after the break McPhee, who is making an instant impression after signing from Dumbarton, bagged a classy hat-trick to take his match tally to four.

And trialist Andy McLaren is also showing signs of his undoubted ability and his addition to the squad would be a real coup.

Bathgate already have a very experienced pool of players but the recent signings look to be taking them to a new level.

Bathgate: Longmuir, Wilson, Neill, Fallon, Menmuir, F Love, Trialist, Nicolson, McGrillen, McPhee, McLaren. Subs: McColligan, Easton, McFadyen, Carlin, Trialist.

Armadale: Wood, Suchinsky, Bonnar, McCulloch, O’Neill, Rodgers, Burnett, Purdie, Feeney, Johnstone, Malcolm. Subs: Campbell, McInally, Malone, McMeechan, Alexander.

Elsewhere in the County LINLITHGOW were at Edinburgh and won 3–1 with a double from Stuart McArthur and a strike from Gary Livingstone enough to maintain the holders’ bid to retain the trophy on track.

BROXBURN drew 2–2 at home to Super League side Bonnyrigg who were hanging on at the end.

The visitors had stormed into a two-goal lead at the break but the second half belonged to a Broxburn side brimming with confidence.

Broxburn should have pulled a goal back just five minutes after the break when they were awarded a penalty.

But the usually reliable Craig Chilton smacked the spot-kick against post.

However, the goal was delayed only three more minutes when Alan Dickov blasted the ball past the keeper.

Broxburn now had their tails up and it was no surprise when they grabbed an equaliser as a Craig Young volley was blocked only to be poked home by Lee Cruikshank.

PUMPHERSTON, with a lot of new young signings on board, found it hard against an experienced Dalkeith side.

They went down 2–0 in a poor game with Dalkeith having the match won by half time.

LIVINGSTON were at Super League side Camelon but lost 3–1.

Steven Thomson grabbed the consolation goal for Bobby Ramsay’s men.

FAULDHOUSE kept up their momentum with a 2–0 win at home to Blackburn.

On the spot for Fauldhouse were Ally Graham in the first half and Iain Watson in the second.

The main problem for Fauldhouse has been their inconsistency as they have the talent in the squad.

STONEYBURN edged out West Calder 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller.

West Calder were looking to build on their recent 1–0 win at Fauldhouse but they couldn’t find another goal which would have suited both sides.

On the scoresheet for Stoneyburn were Steven Tardeti, James Jeffreys, a trialist and Brian Moore.

For West Calder Gary Hamilton, David Paris and Davy Reid all netted.

There were also a round of League Cup games played on Monday night.

BATHGATE were at Camelon with Camelon being favourites for a place in the last four.

But the two sides ground out a goalless draw which earned Thistle a semi-final date with Linlithgow which was due to be played last night (Wednesday).

WHITBURN beat West Calder 4–1 away goals from Alex Lurinski, an own goal, Andrew Doig and Andy Roberts for Whitburn. Stuart McLeod scored for West Calder.

Whitburn’s reward was a final four clash with Newtongrange, also due to be played last night.

FAULDHOUSE beat Harthill 3–2 in a five-goal thriller.

On the scoresheet for Fauldhouse were Ross McGeachie, Kevin McDade and Chris McLennaghan.

Harthill’s goals came courtesy of two impressive trialists.