Vics and Shotts fall to costly defeats
It wasn’t a good weekend for county clubs in the Super First Division as Blantyre Vics lost 3-0 away to table-toppers Kilsyth Rangers and Shotts went down 5-3 away to mid-table Yoker Athletic.
Blantyre boss John Gibson said:“the first half was fairly even. We created a couple of chances and Kieran Coleman had a header come off the post, but in the second half we hardly created any chances.
“We need to think about extending the squad and I’m hoping to sign a couple of players either this week or during the Christmas break.”
Sidelined on Saturday were defender Gary Campbell, through injury, and Peter Mcmahon, whose car broke down on his way to the game.
Vics are also reeling from a refereeing decision in their Junior Cup replay win over Bo’ness United, when the referee ordered extra-time when it should have gone straight to penalties. After a half, the referee supervisor advised penalties to begin, and Vics won 4-3.
Bo’ness appealed, calling for a replay, and it is understood that this will be heard by the Scottish Junior FA committee tonight (Thursday).
Shotts had a goal ‘chalked’off for offside, went behind twice within 20 minutes.
Andy Scott, Mark Duffy and Danny Burns turned that into a 3-2 lead, but Yoker netted twice in the last 10 minutes to win 5-3.
In the Central First Division Larkhall Thistle staged a dramatic late rally to beat fourth-placed Rossvale 2-1 to claim third place.
Manager Duncan Sinclair said:“the players really did well in what was a good game of football.
“Davie Thomson did well to save a first-half penalty, but we were 1-0 down with five minutes to go.
“Niall Reynolds equalised with a good shot, then Matty Clarke hit the winner two minutes into stoppage time.”
Ryan Innes and Mark Canning missed the game after picking up injuries in a midweek friendly when they beat Vale Amateurs 6-2 with doubles from Clark and Graham Gracie, and singles from Davie Reid and Innes.
Bellshill Athletic went down 4-2 away to Neilston, which slips them into the relegation zone with just eight points from 11 games.
Forth Wanderers won 3-2 at second-top St Roch’s, with goals from Willie Mclaren, Roddy Hunter and Barry Mcgeachan.
Manager Jamie Mckenzie said:“it was not one of our best performances, but the players did reasonably well to ensure a win.”
Wishaw crashed to a 4-1 friendly defeat against Central Second Division side Carluke Rovers on Monday.
Rovers, who were idle on Saturday, started well and took a 3-0 lead into the interval with goals from Jonny Wilson, Greg Fernie and Lewis Mcdougall.
Wilson grabbed his second of the game with a rocket shot, before Rovers scored with a penalty.