Win sees Blanefield hit top spot
Blanefield Thistle have taken over as leaders in this season’s James D Bilsland Ltd-sponsored Forth and Endrick League after a top-of-the-table clash on Tuesday night.
In a re-arranged fixture, the Jags overcame former table toppers Gartocharn 2-0 to leapfrog them on goal difference.
The league is still being plagued with cancellations with Deanston yet to play a game this season. The association secretary who had a match against Deanston cancelled and only Aberfoyle agreed to play them on a new date. All the others - Thornhill, Gargunnock, Buchlyvie, Gartocharn, Blanefield and Killearn - have claimed the points.
The Aberfoyle v Deanston game has now been re-arranged for Friday, June 1.
Last Friday only two games went ahead. Balfron’s Ross MacKenzie gave his side an early lead against Aberfoyle but they were unable to capitalise on that against the rugged Rob Roy defence and as half-time neared, Sean Wilbert equalised.
The second half was a hard slog by two wellmatched sides, neither managing to score. In the end both were possibly relieved to have salvaged one point.
Drymen and Thornhill agreed to postpone their match and the other game played was at Buchlyvie where Gartocharn were the visitors.
Gartocharn took an early lead and then eased off allowing Buchlyvie to get back into the game. The equaliser duly arrived to give Gartocharn a bit of a wake-up call. They responded and Gregor Mitchell restored their lead before halftime.
They stepped up their game in the second half and added three more goals from Chris Poole (2) and John Campbell.
Gargunnock sit in third place after a 3-0 win at Killearn with goals from Darren Petrie (2) and Paul Carruthers while Aberfoyle’s mini-run of success continued with a thumping 4-0 win against outof-touch Drymen. The Rob Roy men on target in a 4-0 win were Jack Hill with a hat-trick and Louis Stewart.
Current champions Balfron are well down the table but they showed their potential with a resounding 6-1 win over Buchlyvie. Andy Pender opened their account after 12 minutes and in the last 10 minutes of the half
Sam Greenock and Ewan Sneddon put them 3-0 ahead before Alistair Garry cracked in a beauty to give Buchlyvie some hope.
Balfron saw that off with two goals from Pender in the first 20 minutes of the second half and Cally McLaren made it 6-1 before the close.
There are no games tonight (Friday) with all hands making preparation for Saturday’s Drymen Show.
Four matches are scheduled for Tuesday. Current leaders Blanefield Thistle are at Buchlyvie while second-place Gartocharn go to Thornhill.
Challengers Gargunnock are at home to Balfron while the other fixture is at Drymen where Deanston may - or may not - make their belated 2018 debut. Stirling Karate Club will be giving a demonstration of Shotokan Karate skills on Wednesday, May 30 in a free“come and try”event at Studio 3, The PEAK from 7.30pm.
Ages of club members range from young children to those in their 70s and include beginners through to black belt.The free taster classes will take place from 7.45-8.30pm.
There will be separate classes for adults, aged 50-plus and for children over 10. For more info call 07703 207026 or visit the club Facebook page.