Depleted ’Dale stung by Thistle
AN UNDERSTRENGTH Carradale side missing eight players held on bravely before losing out late to Lochaber Thistle.
Despite fielding a totally different back four to their previous game, including a debut at left-back for Alan Glendinning and Daniel Docherty step- ping in at centre-back, ’Dale pushed Thistle all the way before tiredness took its toll as the visitors notched two late goals.
Taking to the 3G pitch at Kinloch last Saturday, the Andrew Smith-sponsored side started brightly in a very evenly contested first half.
Johnnie McCormick had two chances from first-time balls but his early shots over the advancing keeper both went past the post.
While the Lochaber based side were stronger, bigger and more experienced, the home team managed to keep them at bay to reach half-time on level terms.
In the second half, Stuart MacBrayne created a great chance 10 minutes in when his excellent free-kick from the left found the head of David Johnstone. His effort just cleared the bar.
With 20 minutes to go, Glendinning fouled the visitors’ left-back leading to a free-kick in a dangerous position. The subsequent strike was heading for the top corner before a stunning save by Neil McMillan pushed it onto the post and clear, drawing applause from the crowd.
Carradale responded just two minutes later when, after a great move involving five players, MacBrayne cut the ball back to Docherty just eight yards out from goal. The ball seemed to bobble as it reached his foot and the shot blazed over the bar.
The visitors punished ’Dale as they took the lead just minutes later. Following an excellent move down the right channel, the visitors’ striker found himself bearing down on goal but unselfishly squared it to their number eight to slam home.
Docherty was pushed up front as the home side searched for an equaliser, but Thistle stung once again with four minutes left to put the result beyond doubt.
David Johnstone was named man of the match, while the ball was sponsored by Neil Galbraith Electrical Services.
Carradale’s next game is away to Newshot in the second leg of the Thompson Trophy. The Kintyre side trail 3 - 2.