Bathgate Thistle's bounce gives hope to club

May 28 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

Bathgate Thistle 3 Hill of Beith 1

BATHGATE are just one win away from Super League safety after they clinched their third win on the bounce.

The Jags have been marooned at the bottom of the table for most of the season and relegation looked a certainty.

But boss Paul Jack set his side the challenge of winning their final four games of the season and ensuring Super League football at Creamery Park next season.

They won the first two and capped a hat-trick of wins with a home triumph over Hill of Beath on Saturday meaning they are just 90 minutes and one win away from a dramatic turnaround.

Forfar West End are the visitors to Bathgate on Saturday where Jack knows only a win will be good enough to beat the drop.

On Saturday, substitute Ian Nicolson gave Thistle a great start with a well-taken opener before Johnny Harvey added a second just before the break.

Hill of Beath pulled a goal back from ex-Bathgate player Andy Roberts but Graeme McLaren scored a third and sealed the points when the keeper fumbled his free-kick into the net. All roads now lead to Creamery Park on Saturday where the county fans are hoping to see the culmination of a junior football miracle.

Bathgate: Longmuir, Wilson, Neill, G Love, Gupwell, F Love, McPhee, Riley, J Harvey, McGrillen, McLaren. Subs: Nicolson, Fallon, Easton, Hunter, Lorek.