Jags lift honours in friendly clash

Nov 5 2008 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

TWO first-half goals were enough to ensure East Kilbride Thistle claimed victory over Royal Albert in this friendly tie, after a great performance from Ricky Orr.

Orr scored one and set-up another as the Jags prevailed and the Thistle midfielder could have had a hat-trick in the end.

With the Jags out of the Scottish Cup following their defeat to Whitburn, and with all other Super First Division teams in cup action, the Jags lined up a home friendly against Larkhall-based side.

In their first match for three weeks, Thistle had six first team players missing, so Ryan Kelly returned to the sweeper position, while Kevin Cunning operated wide in left midfield.

And making his long-awaited club debut in centre midfield was new signing, Benjamin Njemo.

It was the visitors who had the early chances though, with Barry Murdock firing a powerful shot just wide of goal in the third minute, before Barry Russell made a great block from Keenan’s strike.

But Thistle opened the scoring on 17 minutes when Ricky Orr broke up the pitch.

With the keeper advancing, Orr slotted a right-footed shot under him and into the net with the aid of the post.

And the Orr turned provider on 27 minutes when he took the ball to the bye-line before cutting the ball back to find Alan McCrae at the penalty spot.

The Jags striker was in no mood to pass up the chance and he fired low into the bottom left of Paterson's goal.

Early in the second-half Orr was again involved as he broke forward, beating the offside trap. As he ran through, he rounded the keeper outside the box, only to be clattered by Jamie Nesbit with a rugby style tackle.

Despite the Thistle faithful shouting for a sending off for the professional foul, referee Hugh McIntyre only deemed it worthy of a yellow card. Kevin Cunning's resultant free kick curled just wide.

Paterson put Royal Albert in trouble on 66 minutes when his goal kick fell well short of his own players.

Quickest to react was Ricky Orr, who picked up the loose ball 30 yards out and sprinted forward before firing a low shot just wide of Paterson's right hand post.

With the game fizzling out, Ross Ballantyne had the last attack of the game but his powerful right foot shot was turned round the post by Paterson.

Thistle travel to Kilbirnie on Saturday as they return to league duty. Kick-off is 2pm.