ACTION FROMTHE JUNIORS
Royal Albert outplayed Larkhall in cup tussle
Josh Payne hit a cracker of an equaliser to give new Super First Division side Larkhall Thistle a face-saving draw after being outplayed by Royal Albert at Gasworks Park.
That draw saw Thistle share the seven-point top spot in the Sectional League Cup Section One table alongside Forth Wanderers, ahead of the deciding tussle at Larkhall last night (Wednesday).
Forth claimed that top spot after an incredible midweek encounter at home to Lesmahagow, when they stormed back from 5-2 down, going into the final third, to win 6-5, despite being down to 10 men.
Albert, who beat Lanark 3-0 last Wednesday, with goals from Alan Campbell, Josh Anderson and David Stillie, created the majority of goalscoring opportunities in the first half on Saturday.
Albert had three penalty claims denied, a tap-in knocked off the line and another off a post, before Alan Campbell stabbed the ball over the line amid a goalmouth melee to open the scoring in 57 minutes.
Graham Gracie had a close-in effort nudged off the line before Payne fired in a right-foot rocket from the edge of the box in 72 minutes to level.
Thistle boss Duncan Sinclair said: “We were lucky to get out of that game with a point – no disrespect to Royal Albert, but that’s the worst I’ve seen in four years at the club.
“Josh Payne’s goal was a wee bit of magic – the only spot we had all day.”
Albert manager Jamie Nesbitt said: “We’re a wee bit disappointed not to come away with three points – over the piece, I think we deserved it.
“Our goal came after three handballs and I felt we deserved at least one of the penalty calls before Alan Campbell tapped the ball over the line.
“Last Wednesday we beat Lanark 3-0. We did well and took our chances.”
Forth manager Jamie Mckenzie said: “It was an eventful game on Wednesday and you’ve got to admire the team spirit, after going down to 10 men with a half-hour to go, when we were down 5-2.”
Kris Jarvie and Keigan Parker put Forth into a 2-1 lead, but Lesmahagow levelled and Martin Harty was sent off for Wanderers.
’Gow added two more strikes before Connor Mcardle scored twice, either side of a Kris Dick penalty, to level at 5-5.
After Dillon Macdonald was sent off for ’Gow Forth then regained the upper hand, with Barry Mcgeechan hitting a last-gasp winner.
Steve Higgins, a close-season signing from Sauchie, scored four goals on his ’Gow debut, with Paul Mcvey scoring the other.
Martin Mcguire scored in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Lanark, whose goal came from Connor Stewart.