Thistle get off to a super start in cup win
East Kilbride Thistle got their pre-season campaign off to a flying start as they retained the Tommy McGrane Cup in an eight-goal thriller with Stranraer Under-20s.
The Showpark sides’ annual tournament is now in its 12th year, but Saturday was the first time the Jags have retained the trophy and only the third time they have managed to win it.
Goals from Adam Boyle, Barry Devine, Chris Faulds, Aaron Connolly and Steven Oates were enough to see off a talented Blues team, who twice clawed themselves level early on before Thistle took control.
With five different goal scorers Jags boss Billy Campbell was a happy man at the final whistle.
He told the News: “I thoroughly enjoyed that.
“Stranraer are a smashing team with great talent, so I’m really pleased with how the boys performed.
“We played with a great tempo and I’m delighted to win.
“We were a bit unfortunate with a couple of the goals we gave away, but it’s pleasing to have five different scorers.
“There were some very well worked goals as well, so there’s a lot of positives.
“Steven Oates, Scott Edgar, Ross McNair, Martin Colgan, Darryl McDowall, Andy Gibson and Steveie Russell all got a bit of the action, so it’s great to see so many of the new boys involved.”
Thistle got their noses in front after 13 minutes as Adam Boyle latched onto a long throw to turn the ball home.
The lead lasted no more than five minutes as Stranraer equalised from the penalty spot after a Barry Devine challenge just inside the area.
Goals then rained in at the Showpark as Thistle took the lead again on 23 minutes from the penalty spot as Chris Faulds was tripped as he turned his marker. Devine stepped up to hammer