Thistle are too sharp
Quick start sets up Bathgate cup victory
Bathgate Thistle were able to cause a League Cup upset thanks to a lightning fast start in the howling wind at Park View.
The Jags, who sit a division below Fauldhouse, found themselves two goals to the good after just six minutes and were able to hold on under heavy pressure from the Hoose in the second half.
The heavy winds circling around Park View ensured that both sides enjoyed almost constant pressure for a half, but it was the visitors who made the most of their opportunities and defended stoutly as they held on for the three points.
Jon Connolly’s men went into the derby fixture having already secured their place in the last-16 and, perhaps, that contributed to their sluggish start.
Bathgate were in front after just two minutes when Aiden McKee found himself in space and fired across goal John Mullen and into the far corner.
The keeper made a smart save from the impressive Darren Dalrymple moments later but the Jags would double their advantage in calamitous circumstances in the sixth minute.
A lack of communication in the United defence meant a harmless long ball resulted in Joe McCafferty’s header back to his onrushing goalkeeper rolling into the empty net.
The remainder of the first half saw almost constant Bathgate pressure with Mullen pulling off a tremendous save to tip a Dalrymple effort on to the post while McKee and Robin Feeney all went close during an opening 45 minutes that could have seen the Jags
four goals in front.
As expected, the nature of the game turned after the break with Fauldhouse making the wind count in their favour.
Jack Currie rose the highest from a David O’Donnell corner but was unable to keep his header down.
They were given a lifeline just before the hour mark when Ryan Smillie pounced in between the Jags defenders and keeper Michael McGee with the stopper conceding a penalty as he clattered into the Hoose striker.
O’Donnell calmly slotted the ball home to cut the deficit in half and the hosts now firmly had their tails up heading into the final half hour.
For all their possession, though, genuine chances were few and far between as the Jags defended resolutely.
O’Donnell’s deliveries from the Fauldhouse right were proving a constant threat with one almost being deflected into his own net by Reece Thomson before his pass across the face of goal was inches away from the outstretched leg of Currie, who would surely have levelled things up had he got a touch.
Things began to get heated in the closing stages with several cards being shown following a stramash after the Hoose were awarded an indirect freekick inside the Jags’ penalty area, but the visitors were able to cling on and ensure their League Cup campaign ended on a high note.