Bathgate Thistle 8 v 0 Blackburn United

30 August 2014

Simpsons, Bathgate. Scottish Cup

Team Jake, David, Ross, Sean, Leon, Sam, Bally, Connor, Scott, Robbie, Bailey

Subs; Aidan, Harry, Lewis, James

Today’s opponent, Blackburn United, are newly promoted after a successful season in Division 2. The teams met in the cup last year when Bathgate came out top in a hard fought 2-1 victory.  To add some spice to today’s match, Blackburn have 2 former Bathgate players in their line up; Danny & Jack. Bathgate start with an unchanged team after last week’s 8-1 league victory.

There’s some similiarity with last week’s match, Bathgate were 3-0 up after 10 minutes, this week it takes 22 minutes and Robbie gets the opening goal in both matches. After just 7 minutes he spots the keeper off his line and hits it from 25 yards out. The ball is held up nicely by the wind and drops just under the cross bar to open Bathgate’s account for the day 1-0

On 17 minutes Robbie wins the ball in the middle, he plays it out to the left wing to Bailey. Baillie makes a strong run beating a defender and powering his way into the box then beats the keeper at his near post 2-0

Bathgate are piling on the pressure are attacking relentlessly, Connor hits the post with a good strike, then Bailey is denied what looked to be a good penalty claim. On 22 minutes Connor has a run and shot, he strikes the ball true and hard and the keeper can only get a hand to it. It falls to Scott who follows up and is on hand to knock it home 3-0

On 33 minutes, Connor is taken out after a blatant foul on the touchline, he takes the free kick which reaches Bailey in the box who despatches it home 4-0. Bathgate go into half time 4 goals up from 4 different scorers. The game has been scrappy with Blackburn playing the long ball at every opportunity but Bathgate are well on top with Jake having barely made a save

There are no changes at half time for Bathgate. On 42 minutes Connor shows some great dribbling skills and strikes a great shot which comes off the crossbar. Bathgate make a couple of substitutions with Connor and Leon making way for Aidan & James

Bathgate make some more changes after 46 minutes with Scott & Sam making way for Harry & Lewis. Robbie gets his second goal of the match on 53minutes with a strike from the edge of the box into the bottom left corner of the net. It’s now 5-0.

Bathgate win a penalty just 60 seconds later. Lewis’ free kick strikes a defender’s arm and it’s a clear penalty. Ross takes it opting to hit it high and down the middle to make it 6-0

Bathgate make some more changes to see the game out; Bailey, Robbie & Bally make way for Scott, Connor & Sam.

Connor makes an impact straight away with a run across the edge of the box, he then powers in a great left foot strike. The keeper had no chance with that one.  Aiden and Jack then each pick up a booking after an off the ball altercation.