Recap

Sun 30th October 2016

Duddingston Utd vs Bathgate Thistle

Goals: Johnny Ward

Subs: Trialist

Sending Off: Dane Kapila

Bathgate travelled to Duddingston looking to bounce back after last week’s defeat and with a few changes in the side came out the blocks from the start with everyone trying to push on very early. Bathgate pressed high and were winning the ball in good areas with some players knocking the ball around well but the passed in the final third were either not good enough or some players were holding on to the ball too long. A few half chances for Bathgate with Ryan Weir being played into the box but forced wide and the chance fizzled out and Aaron McIlwraith heading one wide from a corner. First half hour of game Bathgate played at a good pace but couldn’t get the break through and seemed to tire and went a bit flat which allowed Duddingston back into the game. With Duddingston getting some more time and space on the ball they played some good exchanges of passes in the midfield and then spread the ball wide and from a good cross to the back post they headed to open the scoring.

1-0

This goal came against the run of play and Bathgate struggled to get going after this and Duddingston seemed to settle into the game and played much better. Bathgate seemed to be trying to force it and just couldn’t get the game level before half time.

HT 1-0

Second half started and with Bathgate looking to get back into the game straight away but were sluggish and Duddingston kept the ball well but seemed to look long with their final pass. Bathgate grew into the second half and began to create chances with several shots blocked on the edge of the area and at least two good defensive blocks in the 18-yard box to keep their lead intact. A ball played in behind the Duddingston defence looked to let Ryan Weir through to goal but their defender tripped Ryan with the referee saying no on what should have been a free kick on the edge of the box and a red card. Bathgate kept battling and had players being fouled all around the Duddingston box with Andrew Wood and Mark Mckenna going close with free kicks, one coming off the bar. A slight drop in concentration let Duddingston get in behind the Bathgate defence and despite several chances to clear they failed to do so. The ball was put in the box and Cammy King made a save then injured himself but the ball wasn’t cleared and with the keeper down Duddingston made it two.

2-0

There were much heated words exchanged between Bathgate players and the referee with some feeling the game should have been stopped for a head knock on the goal keeper but the referee said he didn’t see the keeper down. Dane Kapila was then sent off for persistent decent whilst arguing his case with the referee which left Bathgate with it all to do. Bathgate restarted and despite being reduced to 10 men kept the pressure on. There were about 3 or 4 corners played into a crowded box when finally, after several blocks and attempted clearances Bathgate pulled one back through Johnny Ward.

2-1

With only 5 minutes to go Bathgate looked to push for the equaliser however completely left themselves open at the back and after giving the ball away cheaply Duddingston were through and extended their lead.

3-1

With minutes to go Bathgate kept pushing but Duddingston kept tight at the back to see the game out.

FT 3-1

Another poor result despite a much better all-round performance, Duddingston made it difficult for Bathgate to score and the intensity in the final third wasn’t good enough.

MOTM: Craig King – A solid performance from Craig today, not many stood out today as great performances but Craig swept up at the back well and looked comfortable.