Recap

Sun 13^th March

Bathgate Thistle 5-4 Armadale Thistle

Goals: Nathan Charles x3, Andrew Wood, Aaron Mcilwraith

Subs: Kyle Gibson, Jordan Gibson, Mark McKenna, Reece McBain, Chris Glen

Bathgate played their first game on grass at home in many months and were at almost full strength with only one player unavailable. Bathgate started well looking to build on last week’s win with only a couple of changes. Nathan Charles could have opened the scoring when he was played through but shot straight at the goalkeeper. Armadale were pushing the ball wide trying to get in behind the Bathgate defence but apart from one or two small mistakes these attacks were dealt with easily. Bathgate took the lead when some good pressing from Andrew Wood enabled him to block a clearance to then steel the ball and slot home. Armadale should have scored shortly after a breakaway from a Bathgate corner which was twice blocked in the box but the ball was played long up the park and Ryan Stevenson was beaten with the Armadale striker one on one Marcus Havern made and excellent save from close range. Some cheap free kicks were given away by Bathgate, several in a row and Bathgate were punished for this when an Armadale player was tripped outside the area with the free kick then deflected off the wall to beat Marcus in goal to level the game. Bathgate began to press high and try to play football and were getting joy down both wings whilst being cautious off the counter attack. Stephen Mclay beat a couple of the Armadale defence but his cross or shot was blocked which then fell to Nathan Charles, his initial turn and shot was blocked but he to a touch to the side and finished the rebound. Bathgate taking the lead seemed to settle them and they started to dominate the match and were through on goal a couple of times with one being called offside and Stephen Mclay making a great run passing 3 or 4 players before shooting high over the bar. Bathgate increased their lead when a ball worked wide was crossed into the box for a tap in for Nathan Charles second of the day. Bathgate controlled the game at this point as half time approached.

HT 3-1

Bathgate started the second half looking to increase their lead and seal the 3 pts and they started the second half in control as much as the second half. Shortly into the second half a cross ball into the box was smashed onto the bar and in by Aaron Mcilwraith to increase Bathgate’s lead. Bathgate began to make some changes and this upset the rhythm slightly but they should have had another goal when Nathan scored from a corner which was then ruled out for a soft foul on the keeper. Against the run of play Armadale pulled one back after a mistake in defence allowing Armadale to run through and score although Bathgate had several chances to clear their lines. A few more changes were made from Bathgate looking at freshening up the squad but this seemed to leave the team disjointed and the game became very open with chances at both ends. Bathgate then won a free kick on the edge of the area which was hit by Andrew Wood which the keeper tipped over and Ryan Stevenson had a free kick just go over also. Another free kick was won on the edge of the area and Nathan Charles rocketed one in the top corner to claim his hat trick. Bathgate played a ball over the top which Kyle Gibson done well to get on the end of and struck a shot at the keeper which he fumbled into his on net but the referee deemed it had not crossed the line. Bathgate’s play began to be sloppy and with them giving the ball away cheaply a long ball over the top to an offside Armadale player was allowed to run in and score. This made it 5-3 with about 5 or 10 minutes to go. Bathgate looked to just see out the game for the free kicks but could not keep the ball and kept giving away silly fouls which when Armadale got one on the edge of the box the striker put it into the keepers near post which he failed to save. There was a nervy finish but Bathgate done enough to secure the win.

A good 60 minutes today but let down by conceding cheap goals and made it look like Armadale were in the game but really Bathgate should have had 6 or 7 and be well clear.

MOTM: Nathan Charles