Subs: Corey McGill, Nathan Charles, Adam Keenan

Bathgate played away to Armadale on Sunday on a hot afternoon. Armadale started the match much brighter pressuring the Bathgate defence early mostly with long balls which the Bathgate defence did not deal with well. Bathgate created some chances early on and Andrew Wood had a header saved well by the Armadale keeper that should have put them one up. Just after Armadale got a corner which they scored from after poor making in the box which the Armadale striker finished well with a good header. Armadale put on the pressure and should have really went two up with some good chances after more mistakes in the Bathgate back line. Bathgate got to grips with things and had a couple of corners before Aaron made a great edge of the box run to score from a great Andrew Wood cross. Not many chances were created from either side as the game got scrapy before half time.

HT 1-1

Bathgate looked to improve second half but unfortunately didn’t get going and Armadale pounced on several mistakes but couldn’t put the ball in the net. Bathgate had to clear there lines a few times with keeper Marcus making a few good saves and also both centre backs clearing there lines well on a couple of occasions. Against the run of play, after a set play, a failed Armadale clearance was picked up inside the area which was put away by Ross Steel, Bathgate 2-1. Armadale hit back almost straight away after a long throw was put in the box and bathgate failed to clear which was then tapped in at the back post to level the game. The game became very edgy with both teams looking to win but reluctant to lose. Bathgate made some changes and from a quick free kick from Franny, Nathan who was just on, was played in unmarked in the box which he took a touch and finished to make it 3-2. The game then went very stale with Bathgate slowing play to see out the game and Armadale struggled to come up with any kind of threat to get back into the game.

FT 2-3

MOTM: Aaron Mcilwraith

Good 3 pts after a very poor display and a few players not at there best. We were certainly no where near the level of performance we have had in our first few games but pleased to get the win against a much improved battling Armadale Thistle.