Bathgate Thistle knocked out of cup

Nov 3 2011 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

TEN-MAN Ashfield fought back from a goal down to send Bathgate Thistle crashing out of the Scottish Junior Cup.

Thistle had taken an early lead over the West Super League First Division champions when Gregor Buchanan latched onto a loose ball and fired past visiting goalkeeper Gary McLenaghan.

The Glasgow side had two great chances to level the score but Chris Hall headed over the bar on the half -hour mark before Shaun Fraser blasted over the crossbar with just Andy Carlin to beat in the Bathgate goal.

The West Lothian men held onto their lead going into the break, but whatever Ashfield boss Stevie Rankin said to his players at half-time seemed to work as they came out fired up.

And they only had to wait five minutes for parity when Chris Hall headed a corner-kick beyond keeper Carlin to level the match.

It was now “game-on” and the Glasgow side continued to press forward at every opportunity and forced a number of corners.

However, they received a setback when Mark Thomson was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 70th minute.

But despite Bathgate having an extra man, the ten of Ashfield looked the more determined side and were rewarded for their efforts when they scored what proved to be the winner 13 minutes from time.

Super sub William Ferguson connect with a Shaun Fraser cross to beat Carlin and send Bathgate crashing out of the Cup.

Thistle boss Graeme Love will now need to rally his troops for their Superleague match on Saturday against rivals Linlithgow Rose.

League business is now the priority for both sides following the early exits in the Junior Cup.

And both managers have one thing of their minds – claiming the three points.

Love said: “It’s a big game for both sides and that’s something as a player or a manager you look forward to. We’re off the back of a cup defeat and that’s something that the players will look at and we will try to rectify any areas they came up short.

“It’s not a motivational thing because these games bring their own motivation.

“We’ve had a lot of draws recently, but if we do manage to get the win we’ll go ahead of them in the league.

“It’s about staying positive and looking to get the result.”

Rose boss David Baikie, whose side crashed out of the Scottish Junior Cup at the first round stage, reckons Thistle will throw everything at them.

He said: “They’ve drawn quite a few games but they haven’t lost many.

“They’ll lift their game because they’re playing us and because it’s at their patch it should be a very tough game.

“But now that we’re out of the Junior Cup, we’ve got to focus on doing well in the league.

“So it’s an important game for us and a win would make a big difference towards that.”

Thistle have a full squad to choose from whereas Derek Fleming, Gordon Herd and Colin Strickland are all doubtful for Rose ahead of the big game.

The two sides meet at Creamery Park at 2pm.

IN the Premier League, high-flying Broxburn Athletic host Arniston Rovers. Athletic will go into the game with confidence after blowing away Dalry 6-0 in the Junior Cup last weekend.

Meanwhile, Armadale will look to follow up their Cup success when they take on Glenrothes.

South Division strugglers Stoneyburn take on Haddington, while Pumpherston look to bounce back from their 6-0 Cup defeat by taking on second-bottom Edinburgh United.

The capital side could pose a threat after beating Stoneyburn 4-2 on Saturday, having drawn with Whitburn the week before.

Harthill take on Dalkeith at home this weekend and will aim to try to recover from losing 3-2 to title-chaser Tranent last Saturday.