South Lochaber Thistle secure semi-final spot
South Lochaber Thistle fought their way into the semi-finals of the President’s League Cup with a hard fought win over reigning Division 3 champions, Newshot.
In a round of fixtures expected to be disrupted by the weather, the teams to took the field in a steady downpour of rain.
From kick off, the Jags looked composed and in control as the visitors failed to get hold of the ball and veteran midfielder David Forbes, skipper Martin Munro - playing as a striker - impish winger Sean Noble and towering Andrew MacLean began moving the ball in tight triangles, at a pace which made the Erskine outfit look leaden footed and bereft of ideas.
As the half progressed, Noble in particular, in tandem with full back Keir Kennedy, began causing havoc in the ’Shot defence, giving their rubenesque left back a torrid time.
Thistle had a couple of decent chances, a driven Munro effort was palmed to the side by the keeper and a Forbes free kick being stand out opportunities, but a break through remained elusive.
As the half due to a close, the visitors cam more into the game as SLT began giving away cheap free kicks from a pernickety referee.
At half time, Thistle made a couple of tactical changes to try to exploit the evident deficiencies of the away side’s personnel Alan MacLellan moving from wide left to up top and Munro and above swooping flanks.
The second half opened in much the same way as the first had ended with the canary-clad Newshot soaking up pressure, going long early and winning free kicks, as the consistency of the referee’s inconsistency ruining the match as a spectacle for the supporters.
Typically, it was from a Thistle attack that the opening goal came, but it was for Newshot. As the attack broke down, an aimlessly punted clearance was picked up by their striker, whose shot was well saved by local legend David Dunlop in the home side goal. However, the on-rushing midfielder capitalised on some hesitant defending to drive home a confident finish.
Parity was restored less than five minutes later as the Jags won a corner. Noble’s ball was swung in to the box on an enticing trajectory and was met by a powerful header from centre half Paul McFatridge who planted the ball into the top left hand corner of the net.
The game now opened up and Darren Duncan, in the heart of the home side midfield, Kieron Lopez and McFatridge began to have more to deal with. Although they rarely looked bothered, they tackled and headed away any ball which came into their zones with authority.
The visitors had limited chances but, as the watch ran down, they had a heartfelt penalty shout turned away by the referee.
Immediately, the Jags broke up the other end of the park and Noble steadied himself to send into another sumptuous delivery which was met by the on-rushing Munro who sent the ball crashing into the net to make the final score 2-1 and send the home fans home happy.