Bathgate Thistle 6 v 2 Armadale Calcio

Monday 28 April 2014

Simpsons, Bathgate

 Team; Jake, Ben, Ross, Shaun, Leon, Robbie, Lewis, Bally, Connor, Aidan, Harry

Subs; Ryan, Sam, David, Scott, Danny

Bathgate have got form going into this one, with two good back to back wins. Armadale, however have beaten Bathgate in the two previous meetings this season and are two points ahead in the league table. The surface isn’t looking great but we’re all lined up for a great match.

The blues put immediate pressure on Armadale and Robbie tries his luck from long range when he spots the keeper off his line. Bathgate win a free kick at the edge of the box after the referee spots an infringement on Robbie. Lewis hits the free kick which comes off the cross bar, but Bally is on hand at the back post to head it home for the opening goal. Bathgate 1 v Armadale 0.

Bathgate are looking by far the better side and have taken confidence from the early goal. Most of the play is in the Armadale half. On the 30 minute mark, Bathgate score again. It’s another set piece, Shaun floats in a fantastic pass which Robbie meets on the penalty spot to bullet home.

Bathgate make a change and Harry is off to be replaced by Sam.  Bathgate are playing some terrific stuff and are in dreamland on 33 minutes when Connor lashes a shot from 20 yards into the net. It’s nice build up play, Ben wins then takes a throw in. He finds Robbie who cuts the ball back for Connor. The keeper had no chance. Bathgate 3 v 0 Armadale

Jake is making an important contribution at the other end. It’s a poor surface but he’s got down early to smoother the ball on a couple of occasions. The ref blows for half time, it has been a very one sided first half, our defence of Ben, Ross, Shaun & Leon haven’t allowed Armadale any space or opportunities

There’s no changes at half time and it’s repeat of the first half with a Bathgate goal inside the first 2 minutes. Aidan makes a great run down the right wing, his cross is only parried by the keeper and Robbie is on hand to head it home. Bathgate are running away with this now, it’s 4-0

Armadale are starting offer some resistance and credit to them, they pull a goal back on 42 minutes. A quick counter attack and a cut back is clinically finished, Jake gets both hands to it but can’t keep it out. Bathgate Thistle 4 v 1 Armadale. Bathgate make some changes to freshen things up; Scott, Danny and David are on for Aidan, Bally and Ben

This match isn’t over yet, Armadale get another goal back. A cross to the back post finds an unmarked Armadale player and he heads it home to make it 4-2. Sub – Lewis makes way for Ryan.

Armadale are growing in confidence and Leon has to make a last ditch challenge to prevent a goal scoring opportunity. That scare spurs Bathgate back into action, on the 65 minute mark Robbie cracks the post with a thunderbolt shot. The blues put the match beyond doubt just 1 minute later when Connor heads home for his second of the match, it’s now 5-2

Robbie gets his hat trick in the final minute, he smashes the ball into the net and it finishes 6-2.

Bathgate made a great start and were able to see out a period of pressure from Armadale. The win is our third in a row and the two points takes us level with Armadale with 2 games in hand. What a performance, well done boys.

It’s another big match on Saturday versus Murieston Blues, can we dare to dream and make it 4 in a row?