Sensational six sends Rutherglen through
LARKHALL THISTLE ................................. 0 GLENCAIRN ............................................... 6
Peter Ferguson
Glencairn got their reward for never giving up hope as they topped the Sectional League Cup group by smashing six goals past hosts Larkhall Thistle.
With only nine minutes left on the clock the Glens were going out of the competition, but a late comeback by East Kilbride Thistle to win against Blantyre Victoria meant that Glencairn won the section on goal difference, setting up a tie against Cambuslang Rangers in the next round.
It came as no surprise when the Glens took the lead in the 16th minute when Mackie’s incisive pass released Simeon, who squared it for Jay McKay to score.
The Glens doubled their lead in the 22nd minute after Larkhall were caught trying to play out of defence by Simeon, who raced forward and found Jordan Leyden, who finished well.
Harry Galloway had a big chance to pull one back for Thistle as he ran through on goal in the 32nd minute, but keeper Scott McLellan stood up to the challenge.
Glencairn made the home side pay for that miss with a brilliant third goal in the 35th minute, Simeon again the architect, with a cross for Jay McKay to notch his 50th goal for Glencairn.
The pattern remained the same in the second half. Leyden’s crossfield pass released Dale Simeon, and he produced a sublime finish with the outside of his boot to curl the ball past Cherrie.
The score was 5-0 in the 70th minute, and there are no prizes for guessing the creator. Simeon found space on the right, and his cross laid the ball on a plate for sub Liam Gormley, who fired home.
It just wasn’t to be Larkhall’s night in front of goal. They were awarded a penalty in the 82nd minute, but couldn’t convert and McLellan saved Currie’s effort.
The save coincided with word coming through that East Kilbride were ahead against Blantyre, and Dale Simeon gave supporters even more to cheer as he got his second and Glencairn’s sixth in the 85th minute, spinning away from his marker and smashing the ball home.