Maryhill v Larkhall

[hollerman]

Central League – Division 1

Saturday 27^th February 2016

MARYHILL 3 LARKHALL THISTLE 1

Maryhill earned a well-deserved three points in their first home game for four months.The majority of meetings between these two teams in recent times have ended in draws,and although a repeat of last seasons’ thrilling 5-5 encounter was never a realistic prospect,the spectators certainly got their money’s worth after an engrossing and entertaining match.

Maryhill started strongly, and once again impressed with some fine football. The closest they came to scoring was after ten minutes when William Wells, back to something like his old form, fired in a low drive from the edge of the penalty area, but Stewart Thomson in the Larkhall goal made a fine save. Somewhat against the run of play, Larkhall took the lead in the fifteenth minute when, following a flurry of activity in the Maryhill six yard box, Craig Ferguson’s clearance struck ANDY BROWN and ended up in the net. Despite this setback, Maryhill continued to dominate play, and equalised nine minutes later. Andy Monaghan’s shot rebounded from a Larkhall defender into the path of Paul Callander, and the midfielder’s cross was met by JUSTIN BEGG, who headed into the net. Larkhall hit back, and enjoyed a spell of pressure. A well-struck free kick from Scott Nicol was well saved by Hill keeper Grant Hay, then an uncharacteristic error from Andy Banks provided an opportunity for Bryan Felvus, but Hay made another good save to avert the danger. Just before the interval, a good run from Paul Callander set up William Wells, but Thomson brought off another excellent save.

Half Time - Maryhill 1 Larkhall 1

Maryhill continued on top after the break, and after five minutes Andy Monaghan connected with a cross from Craig Ferguson. His shot looked to heading for the net, but Thomson somehow managed to turn the ball past the post – a truly top class save. William Wells and Justin Begg both passed up great chances to score, before the constant pressure finally paid off with a second goal from JUSTIN BEGG, who was on hand to head home after a blistering drive from Paul Coye had come back off the crossbar. Wells and Coyle combined well before the latter shot just wide, then Wells and sub Jamie Docherty both had goal bound efforts blocked in quick succession. Larkhall threatened only in isolated bursts, with sub Mattie Clarke proving an effective addition. On one occasion he beat three Hill players before sending an inviting cross across the face of the goal, but unfortunately for Thistle no one was in a position to take advantage. Maryhill made sure of victory ten minutes from the end with a spectacular effort from WILLIAM WELLS. Picking up the ball just over the half way line, he sailed past three Larkhall defenders, and despite the attempts of two of them to bring him down, he carried on and slotted a low shot past Thomson to make it 3-1. They should have added more goals, but further outstanding saves from Thomson stopped Wells (twice) and Docherty from increasing the winning margin. Larkhall were not completely out of the picture, and in the closing minutes a good run from Clarke ended with his shot just drifting wide of the goal.

In the end, this was a comfortable win for Maryhill, and only some profligate finishing and an inspired display of goalkeeping prevented them from recording a more emphatic win.

MARYHILL-: Hay, Lundie, Coyle (L.Tolland 84), Walton, Banks, Callander, Furay (Owens 84), Ferguson, Monaghan, Begg (Docherty 76), Wells.

SUBS (not used) – Orr, McLernon.

SCORERS – Begg (24, 56), Wells (80)

YELLOW CARDS – Coyle (30), Callander (44)

RED CARDS – None

LARKHALL-: S.Thomson, Doyle, Burns, Marshall, Brown, Jack, Reid (Kelly 59), Innes, Gracie,Felvus (Clarke 64), Nicol.

SUBS (not used) – McStay, Payne, D.Thomson

SCORER - Brown (15)

YELLOW CARD - Nicol (39)

RED CARDS -None

REFEREE – Gary Logan