Season ends on another high

We went into our final game at the weekend against Bathgate Thistle who needed a win to guarantee promotion although a draw or defeat would have been fine for them providing other results went their way.  

 

For ourselves, having secured our Division 2 status the previous week, we go into this one with no less than four lads who have played a massive part in this remarkable end to the season missing for a variety of reasons so yet again, it was always going to be a tough challenge against a side looking to confirm promotion in front of their own support.

 

Before kick off, the Thistle manager was full of praise regarding our recent run of results which had seen us take ten points from twelve against their fellow promotion chasers. It’s always nice to get a bit of recognition from your opponents and it was a much appreciated touch of class from these lads.  

 

The game itself was difficult with the baking heat add the recent dry spell leading to a rock hard pitch. It was obviously the same conditions for both sides though so it was important that we managed our minutes and kept the ball well. With a bench again full of either injured or returning from injury players, we started the match with two trialists and both showed up really well in the opening 45 minutes. Another injury on the half hour mark saw Adam Matthews need to be replaced with our third trialist who also fitted in seamlessly. However, both sides lacked that killer pass in the opening period though and it was little surprise to go in goalless at the break.  

 

It was our seasoned lads who gave everything and stood out against a very good side. Benzo (Ben Brown) and Naz (Nathan McDonald)  were brick walls in the centre of defence while Stewart Robertson again covered the whole pitch as he continued his recent run of great form.

 

Again though, there wasn’t much at all to report in terms of opportunities for either side and what little breakthroughs there were met with two confident ‘keepers.  

 

So, a scoreless end to the season but another very welcome point against a top side. There was a few moments of uncertainty for Thistle before news filtered through that other results had been favourable and the promotion celebrations could get underway. We wish them well in their Division 1 campaign next season.