Thistle end goalless run and nearly grab late winner

Oct 13 2011 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

Oakley 2, Armadale Thistle 2

ARMADALE Thistle’s Scott Brown nearly snatched a late winner as they ended a run of three straight no-scoring draws by holding Oakley to a 2-2 draw at Blairwood Park.

The West Lothian side may not have yet registered a win in their Premier League campaign – but they scored their first and second goal of the season and gave leaders Oakley a real scare throughout the clash.

The Fifers started the stronger and put Thistle under a lot of early pressure although the Armadale defence held firm.

Indeed it was against the run of play that saw Armadale being the first to hit the net – only to have the goal chalked off for a foul.

But there was no disputing Oakley’s effort when a bullet header from Brian Ritchie opened the scoring for the home side. But this was met with an instant reply from Armadale’s Ryan Aitken whose strike pulled the visitors right back into the game.

But again Oakley took the lead – this time through Craig Morrison giving the Fifers a 2-1 advantage going into the break.

However, the second half belonged to Armadale who equalised early through Paul Wardlaw before taking the game to Oakley.

Thistle undoubtedly had the best of the second half chances and Scott Brown missed a great opportunity to take all three points a minute from time when he lobbed the keeper only to see the ball go agonisingly wide.

In a game that was a credit to the Premier League, Oakley dropped their first league points and Armadale scored their first league goals.

The Fife outfit remain top of the Premierleague on 13 points but have played a game more than chasing Glenrothes who are three points adrift.