Recap

Sun 15th Oct 2017
League – Premier Division
Bathgate Thistle vs Hibeernian AFC
Goals: Weir x2, Cassidy, McBain
Subs: Stevenson, Mackie, McBain, McAllister, Cassidy

Bathgate looked to repeat last week’s result without the defensive errors but Hibeernian looked to put in a better showing. Both teams looked out of sorts playing on the 3G with no team really settling in the opening exchanges and Hibs had decently looked to be better against Ryan Weir after him grabbing six. Ryan did manage to get through, but the defense got back to cover well and kept him shut out in the opening exchanges. A short back pass from Dane Kapila to Cammie King let the Hibs striker in which had to bring two good saves form the Bathgate Keeper to keep in goalless.

Bathgate began to get a grip of the game and were probing but couldn’t get the final pass to carve open a chance until left back Toby Young chipped a great weighted pass into the running pass of Ryan Weir which he dribbled into the box to shot low and beat the goalkeeper. 1-0 Bathgate controlled the game to half time and looked very comfortable after scoring their goal.

HT 1-0

As the second half began Bathgate came out to try get the next goal and kill the game off. Bathgate’s play was much better but only decision making in the final third was letting them down. Ross Steel picked up the ball out wide from a throw in and picked out Ryan Weir at the back post with an excellent pass which he headed home to double the Bathgate lead. 2-0

Bathgate then made a change to freshen things with Steffan Cassidy replacing ross Steel. Bathgate looked to control the game and passed the ball well, but they couldn’t find away passed a lot more organised Hibs defence. With the game getting a little stale Bathgate made two changes with Reece McBain and Ross Stevenson replacing Graham Hamilton and Stevie Gardiner.

With these changes Bathgate created a little more and had a couple of chances to score and put pressure on with a few corners. A counter attack from Hibs saw Dane Kapila receive a yellow and he was then replaced by John Mackie.
Soon after Steffan Cassidy was played in and rounded the keeper to kill the game and then another sub got on the score sheet with Reece McBain adding the fourth. Bathgate looked comfortable and Brian McAllister replaced Ryan Weir for the final 10 minutes with Bathgate playing on the counter and trying to protect what would be a well-earned clean sheet. In the final minutes, however, a cheap free kick on the edge of the box was scored for too easily with the wall being set up on one side and the striker putting it in the opposite bottom corner. A poor end for Bathgate but a convincing win to make it four wins in a row.

FT 4-1

MOTM: Aaron McIlwraith – Worked incredibly hard with Calum in the middle and won plenty of tackles.