WEST LOTHIAN YOUTH LEAGUE: Thursday 19 May, 2016, Armadale

Bathgate Thistle moved to second in the league with a spirited victory away at Armadale despite near-monsoon conditions for much of the evening.

The inclement weather didn’t dampen the visitors’ desire as trialists Robbie and Gregor scored the goals to secure three hard-earned points.

Robbie opened the scoring early in the game with a fine finish across the goalkeeper. However, Armadale equalised within minutes via a neat finish from a through ball in behind the Thistle defence.

After Dylan’s shot was parried, Gregor pounced from close range to put the boys in blue 2-1 ahead seconds before the interval. That proved to be a crucial intervention at a vital juncture of the game.

Calcio sent ball after ball deep into Bathgate territory in the second half but couldn’t force a way through. John, Kieran, Darren, Sean and Leon all stood firm against the pressure, with John pulling off two stupefying saves.

The result was put beyond doubt when Robbie collected the ball and launched a thunderous 30-yarder into the roof of the net. That extended Bathgate’s advatage to 3-1 and put the game out of Armadale’s reach.

Robbie would be sent off for a second yellow card before the end, but that didn’t detract from Bathgate’s tenacious display and pleasing result.