Recap

Sun 28^th Feb

Meadowbank FC 6-1 Bathgate Thistle

Goals: Steffan Cassidy

Subs: Steffan Cassidy, Reece McBain, Nathan Charles, Brian Currie

Bathgate travelled to Meadowbank sports centre for a top of the league clash versus Meadowbank. Bathgate started nervously and we dealt a blow 5 mins in when Ross Steel was injured and Steffan Cassidy came on to replace him with him going into midfield and Andrew Wood being pushed on further. A ball played into the Meadowbank box which was missed by their defender gave Kenny Bates what looked like a tap in but he didn’t connect with the ball and the keeper saved easily. Bathgate were still trying to settle in the game when a poor clearance from Mark McKenna fell to the Meadowbank player to rocket in the top corner from just outside the 18-yard box. With Bathgate struggling to cope with the movement of the home side they kept pressing for the second and were rewarded when a ball played wide was then played forward to their striker who shot across goal into the bottom corner. Bathgate had a couple of chances to get into back into the game with Stephen McLay missing out on a tap in at the back post after a good Ryan Weir run and cross. Towards the end of the first half Bathgate seemed to be getting hold of the game and a pass from Ryan Stevenson picked out Ryan Weir who touched nicely into the path of the advancing Steffan Cassidy which took a touch and tucked under the keeper. Bathgate pressed as the half came to a close but couldn’t get the equaliser.

HT 2-1

The second half started the same as the first with Meadowbank coming out string and had a couple of chances to increase their lead. The game was pretty fast paced and end to end as both sides looked to score the next goal. Bathgate had a great chance to level the game when Ryan Weir took the ball down in the box from a cross and cut across the box then shooting into the opposite corner. The keeper tipped it round the post but with more power in the shot it would have been a goal. With both sides still looking to get in front, Meadowbank broke away on the counter, as they drove into the box Mark McKenna tried to tackle but caught the striker inside the box, penalty. No arguments from Bathgate as it was a clear penalty which Meadowbank Scored with a good Penalty. The heads seemed to drop for Bathgate at this point and the confidence was high for Meadowbank, another ball played into the striker saw him breeze past 3 or 4 Bathgate defenders to score inside the 6-yard box, far too easy at this point for Meadowbank. Meadowbank kept the pressure on and got a 5^th when Bathgate couldn’t clear their lines and the ball was headed back into the box where the unmarked player shot to score. Meadowbank got the 6^th in the final minute where they drove into the box shot which was saved but none of the Bathgate defence reacted quick enough and the rebound was driven low in the bottom corner.

A poor showing for Bathgate today with too many mistakes and failure to take chances.

FT 6-1

MOTM: Marcus Havern