Match report by Robert Allen, 01.05.16

Bathgate Thistle U19s were disappointed today as they narrowly lost to Fauldhouse United 3-2 in the Daniel Stavert Trophy at Park View, Fauldhouse.

Paul Kelly’s side were denied a place in the final and the boys will rue their poor start to the match.  Fauldhouse took the lead after 14 minutes when a long pass evaded the defence and their forward took advantage to poke the ball past the keeper and into the net.

Bathgate went further behind as a mix-up at the back left them exposed and  keeper Kennedy was left one on one with an attacker.  He could not do much as he was rounded and the ball was stroked into the net to put Bathgate’s young guns 2 behind after 20 minutes.

Bathgate tried desperately to get themselves back into the match. They managed to force a string of corners without really looking like scoring.  However, on 38 minutes their hard work paid off and they did manage to score with a stunning free kick from Jack which left the keeper with no chance.

Bathgate came out all guns blazing at the beginning of the second half and equalised almost immediately.  A corner from the right hand side was delivered into the 6 yard box and Aaron attacked the ball to head the sides level.  It was exactly what Bathgate deserved after such a poor start to the game.

Disappointingly Fauldhouse went straight back up the other end and restored the lead with a low drive from the right side that the keeper had no chance with.

Incredibly, Bathgate equalised once more.  This time Aaron scored again from another corner after some excellent play in the build up by the young Jags side.

The next few minutes seemed to be going in the away sides favour as their passing and determination saw them press their hosts back.  They were always susceptible to the long ball over the top as they were holding a high defensive line.  So it was that this ultimately brought the 4th goal for Fauldhouse as they took advantage of the space and crashed a shot in off the underside of the bar.

The game was marred then by a cynical act of violent play by the Fauldhouse number 5 who struck Bathgate’s Bell as the rest of his team-mates celebrated.  The ref, unaware, could no nothing but the Fauldhouse manager tellingly hooked the player right away.

The remainder of the game saw Bathgate try to get the goal to take them to extra time but it was not to be and Fauldhouse progress to the final.  We wish them well.