Jags go nap in final away fixture of the year

South Lochaber Thistle (SLT) ensured that their last away fixture of the year ended in fine style with a thumping victory over table-topping Dumbarton outfit St Patrick’s FPs 2nd XI.

Thistle’s cup form meant they began the tie 29 points behind the hosts, albeit with a stonking nine games in hand to make up the deficit.

And, despite the final score, it was the Kinlochleven outfit who began slowest with St Pat’s keeping the ball well.

The Jags’ bad start in terms of performance then cost them on the scoresheet too when the ball was chipped to the back post and a Pat’s player made no mistake with his header.

But SLT are nothing if not determined. A fine piece of play in the middle of the park saw club veteran and founding father David Forbes continue his recent evergreen form. Shaping a pass superbly, he set up skipper Martin Munro who, as he so often does, drove the ball into the net to equalise from 20 yards.

This goal looked to act as a catalyst for the visitors who fashioned a great chance for striker Archie Gillies but his selfless decision to pass saw

St Pat’s able to scramble the danger clear. Deadlock at the break. Not satisfied with being a provider, Forbes projected Thistle into the lead with a firecracker of a shot from 25 yards to edge the Highlanders ahead 2-1.

Controversy then occurred as the towering midfielder, and magnet for brutal challenges, Andrew Maclean was clattered to the floor with a shin-high, studs-up challenge. The decision of referee James Gallacher to deem this only a yellow card saw an outraged Barry Macdonald on the sideline, manager Alan Gray whilst on the field to treat the felled midfielder and Maclean himself all also joining the offending St Pat’s player in Gallacher’s notebook for the vehemence of their protest.

Undeterred, the Jags utilised this injustice in the best possible way. First, Gillies scored his first goal for SLT. The youngster rounding off an excellent