Gracie bags three as Larkhall go nap
Vale have no answer to a real rout at Gasworks
Larkhall ............... 5 Vale of Clyde ....... 0
Graham Gracie notched his third hat-trick of the season as Larkhall Thistle beat Vale of Clyde 5-0 to retain third spot in the Central First Division.
Now they are poised for another cracker as they head for Glasgow to take on St Roch’s in a tense second v third points tussle.
Gracie made an impact after only five minutes when he pounced to net from close range after a Davie Reid shot was deflected in a crowded six-yard box.
Josh Payne then had a 20-yard left-foot shot saved low at the far post, before Mark Canning’s through-ball caught the Vale defence napping and Matty Clarke put Jags 2-0 ahead after 15 minutes.
Jags went close with a Reid shot, a Liam Mushet header and a Canning free kick before Gracie blasted in a shot that took a deflection off a Vale defender and flew past the keeper.
Gracie then added a late knockout punch by steering home a Gary Mcstay through-ball in 85 minutes and provided a touch of individual brilliance to slide home the fifth in 89 minutes.
Manager Duncan Sinclair said: “It was a good result – I thought it was five going on seven or eight.
“We missed a few chances, and their keeper made four great saves.
“To score five goals at home is always good news, and not letting in any at the other end is even better.
“Graham is always good for goals, and the boys at the back will be happy with a clean sheet.
“A few players missed out through injury, including Mark Mckeever, who had been our best player in the past three games.”
Lesmahagow, who haven’t won at home since October, lost 4-3 to Forth Wanderers despite twice taking the lead.
Mark Fitzpatrick had an early penalty saved before Warren Grenfell scored for Forth in 19 minutes.
Fitzpatrick equalised five minutes later, then Jon Mcstay lobbed in a cracking effort from distance to put Lesmahagow 2-1 in front, but Taylor Scott equalised before half-time.
Fitzpatrick turned in a Mcstay pass to put Lesmahagow 3-2 ahead, then ’Gow brought on Colin Boylan, who was only on the pitch for a matter of minutes before being sent off for kicking out at a Forth player.
Kevin Bradley equalised in 78 minutes, then hit the winner in 81 minutes from good build-up play by Willie Mclaren.
Defenders Scott Cumming, Robbie Kilpatrick and Craig Steele are out injured and unlikely to feature at home to Thorniewood United.
Boylan picked up a three-game ban following his dismissal for violent conduct.