BROKEN HEARTS
Bathgate stun table toppers Kennoway
Bathgate Thistle boss Andy Colley hailed his team’s second half performance as they defeated Premier League leaders Kennoway Star Hearts.
The Jags went into the break lucky to be trailing by a single goal but some words of advice at half-time galvanised the team and they found the net three times after the break to seal the points.
The gaffer admits a change of plan during the interval swung the match in their favour.
He commented: “We had a few words and I changed things up at the break. We didn’t moan and shout, just told them what we needed them to do and they did it.
“We had our two wingers really playing up top as strikers to match them and it worked a treat. We were much the better team in the second half and really missed a load of chances. We could easily have scored six or seven.”
The visitors went into the game hoping to make it six league wins on the bounce as they look for promotion to the Superleague and there can be no denying that they were the better team in the first half.
Jags goalkeeper James Penman, making his second appearance for the club, made a series of decent saves but was unable to prevent Kyle Wilson from slamming the ball home after some sloppy defending gave Kennoway the lead.
But it was all change in the second half and the hosts looked like a completely different side.
Jamie Clark forced a neat save with a stinging free-kick but Thistle would equalise from the corner as David Taylor’s header looped over the keeper and into the net.
Hearts had chances to re-take the lead but Penman was in fine form and pulled off a couple of neat saves
to keep his team on level terms. The momentum was beginning to swing in Bathgate’s favour and they would deservedly take the lead when JohnJames Henderson netted his first for the club.
There was an element of luck as his cross took a slight deflection and trundled over the line, but the Jags had got their noses in front and there was no sign of them letting their lead slip.
The victory was sealed in stunning fashion as Darren Dalrymple won the ball just inside his own half before tearing down the left wing, cutting inside through a pair of defenders and fizzing an effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
The Jags had plenty of chances to increase their lead but a sturdy defensive effort ensured further goals weren’t needed and a delighted Colley was full of praise for his side. He commented: “There was plenty of effort and determination from the team so I’m delighted with that aspect and the second-half performance was terrific.
“We made changes and the players listened and went out and got their rewards with a fine win. Darren’s goal was incredible but he always has that in his locker.
“We’ve been in great form in the last couple of months.
“It’s a bit too late to really challenge for those promotion places but there’s plenty of confidence in the team and we’re looking to continue the form and get as many points between now and the end of the season as possible.”
Colley added: “Kennoway are top of the league for a reason, so to beat them and play so well, everyone has to be happy.”