JAGS CONTINUE THEIR DOWNWARD SPIRAL.

WLAYFC League 2013/14

Murieston Utd (W)    4    (2)      v      (0)     1     Bathgate Thistle CFC

17/11/2013 3G Bankton Mains Park, Livingston.  Bright sunny and cold.

The Jags recent slump continued unabated as they fell to another comprehensive defeat to a fit and well organised Murie side who ran out comfortable winners as confidence and resilience visibly drained out of Thistle.

Thistle still hampered by injuries to key players re-organised their resources and more than matched their local rivals in the early exchanges but Utd drew first blood when they failed to defend a long cross field pass and were caught out of position by the cut back.  Thistle redoubled their efforts without troubling the Murieston keeper and fell further behind when another poorly defended high ball was dispatched into the corner as it fell kindly for the in-rushing forward.

Coach Kelly rang the changes in an effort to revitalise the team but Murieston grew in confidence and effectively killed off the match as they broke through on the right for a good finish.  The tireless Dalton, who had made a difference since his introduction, managed to set up a consolation for Dwyer but the final nail in the coffin arrived shortly thereafter when another poor clearance was punished.

A deserved victory for Murie against the toothless Jags who need to reassess their current objectives and concentrate on consolidation and development in their inaugural season as their core is not unattractive or unviable.

M.o.M. – Bell was at the heart of the engine room in an effective first half but Young just edges it with his usual assured manner throughout.