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          Rose & Thistle FC 3 v 0 Carpenters Arms         (Division 2)

Team: Conetta, Walker, Leach, Marsden, Gray, Harris, Holman, Lindley, Gadsen, Miller, Waygood


Thistle approached the game with Carpenters as a 'Must-win' in their aim for promotion following a disappointing draw the previous week against College Old Boys. The team had several changes with Conetta being restored in goal, Walker coming in for Marshall at right back, and Miller starting in the right wing role, as Waygood was moved to an unfamiliar striking role.

Thistle started brightly with lots of possession in the early goings with Waygood proving an excellent target man. The pitch was restricting any real passing as the ball's bounce was unpredictable. Thistle's early attacks came down the right hand side with some good link up play between Walker, Miller and Lindley. Waygood was proving a threat early on to as his physical presence caused problems for the Carpenters centre backs. Thistle's early pressure was rewarded soon after, and it came from 'Big' Dave Marsden who has been in the goals recently. After a foul on the left wing, Gray floated a ball into the box, and as the Carpenters keeper came into no mans land, Marsden beat him to the ball and looped a header into the left corner off the post, 1-0 Thistle. This goal was deserved and the pressure continued as both Marsden and Harris were dominant in the air, with Holman and Lindley getting through lots of running. Walker, who missed the previous week’s game, was having a solid game at right back. Thistle were forced into an early sub as Leach had to go off due to illness and Davison came on to toughen up the defence alongside Marsden. Carpenters rarely threatened first half but did have some moments of sustained pressure with Conetta making a terrific flying save to deny a goal bound header. Thistle soon doubled their lead when a great corner from Gadsen was headed goal wards by Marsden and touched home by Miller, 2-0 Thistle. Marsden's presence at any set piece was causing Carpenters problems and a third goal arrived when another ball in from the left by Gray found Marsden who ended up volleying against the underside of the bar allowing Waygood to head home spectacularly from a yard out, 3-0 Thistle. Harris nearly added a fourth with a 25 yarder just over, but Half time arrived with Thistle 3 goals to the good.

No changes at Half time with Conetta asking for more of the same.

The second half took a while to get going with Thistle looking a bit to relaxed with the game seemingly in the bag. The defence soon stepped up their play forcing Carpenters to clear long and not create any chances, with Walker in particular having a great game at right back. Thistle continued to push for a fourth goal but the attack failed to click second half with no real chances created by any of the attacking players. The ball seemed to be drawn to the middle third of the pitch as Carpenters pushed for a consolation, Conetta making another good close range save. However, Conetta nearly gifted a goal to Carpenters as a through ball was not cleanly picked up by the keeper allowing the Carpenters striker the seemingly simple task of scoring an open goal. Walker however had other ideas, producing a fine sliding tackle to put the striker off forcing the shot into the side netting. This was soon followed by a superb sliding block by Marsden to help preserve a clean sheet for the back 5. The game finished with Thistle comfortable 3-0 winners but perhaps not at their best.

Conetta's unbeaten streak continued putting Thistle second in the league with 3 tough league games and a cup semi final to come at the end of a down and up season.