Bathgate Thistle gazump county neighbours Linlithgow in Super League battle

Dec 17 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

BATHGATE Thistle boss Graeme Love guided the Jags to a stunning victory over county rivals Linlithgow Rose and admitted it was his best win since taking over as manager.

Bathgate came from behind to beat Rose on their own patch courtesy of a Brian Colligan leveller and Brian McPhee winner.

And Love was thrilled at the result which he reckons could act as a catalyst for the Jags’ season. “This was a great derby win,” beamed Love, “and probably the best since I took over as manager.”

Linlithgow came into this match on the back of an eight-game undefeated streak and naturally confident mood.

And when they opened the scoring in front of their own fans they must have expected to go on and win the match.

Debut boy Ian Nimmo lashed Rose in front from a Stuart McArthur corner but it was a lead they held for barely a minute.

Linlithgow captain John Ward gave away a foul on the edge of the area and Colligan needed no second invitation and he bent it home in style.

Bathgate completed their turnaround just before the hour mark when McPhee’s cross from the wing bypassed everyone and flew inside the far post.

It could prove to be a pivotal moment in Bathgate’s season and it was a result which thrilled boss Love. He continued: “I thought we had some terrific performances today from the players.

“Paul Riley was immense and is a player who has so much experience that it gives others around him the confidence to play their own game knowing he is alongside them.

“Brian McPhee was another and although he is close to 40-years-old he makes up for things with a great footballing mind.

“It’s players like this that make this job worthwhile. This was a big win for us today and hopefully we’ll take up the gauntlet for the rest of the season.”

Goalscorer McPhee played down his own impact instead opting to lavish praise on the Jags defence.

He said: “It was a case of putting the ball into the danger area and asking questions of the Linlithgow defence.

“It was good to get the winner but it was the defence who gave us the platform to win this game.”

Linlithgow manager Dave Baikie added: “Over the piece I felt we had the lion’s share of the possession but we huffed and puffed without creating anything.

“We struggled today without someone like Bathgate’s Jim Lister who held the ball up well for them. I tried to get the situation sorted by pushing forward John Ward but it was too late.

“Overall we were poor in too many areas of the pitch and our passing wasn’t what it should have been.

Linlithgow: McPherson, McEwan, Tyrrell, Ward, Donnelly, Kelly, Nimmo, Adam, Flannery (Wilson), McArthur (sub: Livingstone), McLennan (Manson). Subs: Vigili, Hogg, Bradley, Pinkowski.

Bathgate: Carlin, Wilson, Neill, Gupwell