Sovereign Poker 2 v 4 Rose & Thistle FC          (Division 2)

Team: Conetta, Marshall, Davison, Walker, Mehta, Harris, Holman, Waygood, Lindley, Miller, Allery
Subs: Pickett, Leach, Scales

Thistle knew this would be a tough game having lost to Sovereign earlier in the season in a close game which ended 2-1. Conetta made a few changes to the starting XI, the returning Allery starting upfront, with Marshall at right back, Walker centre back alongside Davison, and Mehta starting at left back.

Thistle started brightly with Lindley winning a corner inside the first minute, and nearly getting an assist from the resulting set piece but Miller was unable to react in time to his downward header. Thistle used their pace and skill with Lindley down the left early but couldn't convert their pressure into a goal. Instead, it was Sovereign who scored with the aid of a dubious penalty decision. Walker was adjudged to have fouled the Sovereign forward who seemed to fall over himself. None the less up stepped the Sovereign left back and despite Conetta going the right way, the ball hit the back of the net, 1-0 Sovereign. Thistle should have stepped up and pressed for an equaliser but struggled to find their rhythm, with Lindley, Miller and Allery being very ineffective. Sovereign nearly doubled their lead just before half time. As Conetta rushed out to block the Sovereign forward, the ball broke loose and the other Sovereign striker side footed towards an empty net only for Mehta to superbly head clear off the line. Half time came with Thistle not playing to their potential and 1-0 down to a team who had the better of the first half.

Conetta had few words to say at Half time but emphasised the use of the wings, and to play the ball on the ground rather than continue to play long.

Thistle started the second half much better with lots more commitment and some much overdue passing. This was more evident after the defence dropped slightly deeper allowing Harris, Holman and Waygood to get more of the ball in the midfield. Marshall was improving and getting more of the ball at right back, as Davison continually ordered the back line into good positions. Thistle's pressure was increasing, and after Marshall found Miller on the right, his cross was met by Lindley who's header was denied by a good save from the keeper. However from the resulting passage of play Thistle were rewarded with an equaliser from the penalty spot, Lindley being man handled in the box when contesting a header. Allery stepped up confidently and sent the keeper the wrong way, 'Berbatov-esq', 1-1. Thistle had all the momentum now, but against the run of play Sovereign re-took the lead. A simple ball over the top allowed the big Sovereign striker to get goal side of Mehta and coolly slot home leaving Conetta no chance, 2-1 Sovereign. This sparked Thistle into life, with constant pressure coming from both flanks and Allery looking a threat through the middle. Holman and captain Waygoof also posing more of a threat from the middle of the park. A Thistle equaliser came when a Marshall long throw was only cleared to the edge of the box where Miller struck a sweet half volley into the top corner, 2-2. Thistle were looking for a winner now, but nearly threw away the lead straight from the kick off as Sovereign again went close, and then shortly after being denied by the crossbar. At this point Davison had to be subbed due to an ankle knock with the late Leach replacing him at centre back. Thistle missed a glorious chance when Allery missed a header from 6 yards out after a great cross from Waygood. Thistle did however get a third when another long throw from Marshall was flicked on at the near post and the towering mass of Harris headed the ball home (as well as the defender) which sparked a joyous celebration from the big man with his Mum watching on, 3-2 Thistle. The lead at this stage was never safe, but the back four remained solid with Walker in particular doing well in the unfamiliar position of centre back. A fourth goal arrived when a long clearance out of defence found Allery baring down on goal, and after nicking the ball away from the defender and nearly being taken out in the process, neatly rolled the ball past the Sovereign keeper, 4-2 Thistle.

The game ended in good spirits as Thistle won the warm up match a week ahead of the cup semi final, where a similar result would be needed. A solid game all round with good performances all over the pitch and much improved seconed half performance which now extends the unbeaten league run to 8 games.