Opposition swamp Kippen with 29 goals
Two game shocker for battlers
Bottom of the table Kippen conceded 29 goals in two games against Deanston and Balfron in the recent Forth and Endrick matches.
On Friday night, they played host to Deanston but the visitors took advantage of the hospitality to score 10 first half goals before adding another couple in the second with Kippen finding the net once.
On Tuesday, Balfron made the journey to Kippen where the home side were no less welcoming, conceding a first minute goal as Rovers raced to a 10- 1 interval lead. Keeper Conor Gibson did his best for Kippen but was helpless as another seven flew past him in Balfron’s 17-1 win. Scorers were Kevin Meggat (7), Ewan Sneddon (2), Cammy Rubython (2), Andy Pender (2), Ross MacKenzie, Scott Ross, Kevin Boyd and Gary Buchanan. Kippen’s scorer was Callum Graham.
The victory was a boost for Balfron after they had gone down 3-1 at old rivals Blanefield on Friday. Thistle took the lead in 15 minutes when Kris Dempsey ended a scramble in the visitors’ goalmouth by sticking the ball in the net. Callum Linning added a second 13 minutes later when his 30 yard free kick deceived the keeper and that completed the first half scoring.
Balfron came back strongly after the restart and Ross MacKenzie reduced the deficit with a deflected shot. Their hopes of a comeback were squashed on the hour mark when an attempted clearance was sclaffed across goal and Ian McGregor on the edge of the box took the ball on the volley to drive home an unstoppable shot. Both sides battered at each other in the last half hour but there was no more scoring.
On Tuesday’s card the top match was at Killearn where an improving Gartocharn side challenged the league leaders. The visitors got off to a flying start when one of their new young players Rhys Perceval put them ahead. With little between the sides, Gartocharn held on to their lead until five minutes before the break when Scott Cameron scored Killearn’s equaliser.
In the second half Killearn had the better chances but Hugh Wyllie in the Gartocharn was in his usual reliable form and with 75 minutes played the match was still tied. Then the visitors’ experienced pair showed their young colleagues how to win games.
Rab Muir opened up the Killearn defence and Dougie Wilson coolly finished the job to put Gartocharn in front. Killearn’s hopes of a share of the points were dashed in the closing minutes with keeper Wyllie pulling off another brilliant save.
Blanefield continued their run of form with a good win at Buchlyvie. Cammy Sneddon, Cammy Smith and Colin Hannah all scored to give them a 3-0 lead in the first half. The second half was closer but Buchlyvie were unable to make any real impact and Thistle ran out comfortable winners.
The only other match played was at Gargunnock where up-and-down team Fintry provided the opposition. The home side have shown good form recently without getting the results they have worked for. This time it clicked into place and five of their players scored to give them a good win. The scorers were Matthew Stevenson, Tam Hunter, Grant Gray, James Letford jun. and Graham Balfour.
Results:
League - Friday, June 5: Blanefield Thistle 3- 1 Balfron Rovers; Kippen 1- 12 Deanston. Tuesday, June 9: Buchlyvie United 0-3 Blanefield Thistle; Gargunnock 5-0 Fintry; Killearn 1-2 Gartocharn; Kippen 1- 17 Balfron Rovers.
Fixtures:
League - Friday, June 12: Buchlyvie United v Deanston; Drymen United v Fintry.
MacGregor Ferguson Cup semifinals - Sunday, June 14: Ties featuring Aberfoyle Rob Roy, Blanefield Thistle, Gartocharn and Thornhill.
League - Tuesday, June 16: Balfron Rovers v Deanston; Blanefield Thistle v Kippen; Buchlyvie United v Killearn; Drymen United v Aberfoyle Rob Roy; Gartocharn v Gargunnock; Thornhill v Fintry.