Stumbling Bathgate Thistle unfazed, insists Love

Oct 29 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

BATHGATE boss Graeme Love watched his side lose further ground in the Super League but insists the mood at Creamery Park remains upbeat.

The Jags lost 2-0 at home to second-placed Newtongrange Star on a day when they had a goal chopped off and finished with 10 men after Fraser Love was sent off.

“The result was poor for us,” admitted Love.

“We created plenty of chances but couldn't make the breakthrough. We needed a goal in the first half but it wouldn't come.

“We had a good half hour in the second half but having the goal disallowed was a blow.

“But it's not all doom and gloom here and I felt we played some good attacking football. “The one disappointing thing about the game was losing Ian Nicolson for quite a few weeks.

“As for the red card I thought it was the right decision.

“We have a real tester next week at Steelend in the Scottish Cup so we can't let the spirit drop and I know we'll be up for it.”

The first half was a very even affair with plenty of chances being created by each side but none being taken.

That all changed five minutes before the break when Star broke the deadlock.

Newtongrange striker Grant Meaney took a great pass from winger Roseburgh and controlled the ball before rifling home a 20 yarder.

Bathgate were shocked and there was further bad news when a couple of minutes later Fraser Love was red carded for a bad tackle leaving them with 10 men for the remainder of the league battle.

The second half was the same with plenty of chances for both sides with Bathgate striker Jim Lister especially unlucky on several occasions.

And they were left to rue those missed opportunities on 70 minutes when Newtongrange doubled their lead with a wonder-goal.

Playmaker Steven Thomson found plenty of space some 30 yards out, spun and unleashed an unstoppable thunderbolt into the top corner to seal the points.

Lister did have the ball in the net for Bathgate but both the referee’s assistant flagged him offside.

After this setback Bathgate struggled to find any rhythm and it was the Star who ran out winners.

Bathgate: Carlin, Wilson, Neill, Hunter, Menmuir, Reilly, Nicolson, F Love, Lister, McPhee, McLaren. Subs: Easton, McColligan, Fallon, Gupwell, Blaney, G Love.

Linlithgow Rose dropped yet more points in their up and down start to their season.

Rose had a very good second half against Kelty but failed in the final third and couldn’t make the breakthrough.

Next up for Rose is the Scottish Cup where they will face Thorniewood.

Premier League

There were two great results in the Premier League for the West Lothian clubs.

Fauldhouse thrashed Penicuik 4-2 despite falling a goal behind early on.

Kenny Martin bagged a glorious hat-trick while David Connolly bagged the fourth.

Armadale were also in action and like the Hoose they hit four in a 4-1 romp over Blairgowrie.

South Division

There were some good results for West Lothian sides with Blackburn going top after beating Livingston 2-1 with goals from Fraser Gillespie and Ryan Donnolly.

Broxburn followed suit with a good win at Dunbar. Chris Geddes and John Jeffrey were on the scoresheet for them.

Harthill swamped Dalkeith 5-0 with Stoneyburn beating Edinburgh 3-1 while West Calder beat Pumpherston 4-1.

So it's Blackburn who now look down from their lofty peak and do so on merit.

Manager Mark Campbell has a good-quality squad now and he's reaping the rewards with some fast-flowing football.

Broxburn are chasing them hard and sit proudly in second spot. It's a challenging league every season in the South Division but once again it looks like West Lothian sides are coming to the fore.