Below par Thistle do enough for crucial win

Nov 26 2008 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

EAST Kilbride Thistle earned a vital three points on Saturday with a battling 2-1 win over bottom side Port Glasgow.

Despite their lowly position in Super League Division One, Port Glasgow had the upper hand against Thistle but the visitors fought hard for their victory.

Port Glasgow took the game to Thistle right from the start with McDonald in Thistle's goal being the busier 'keeper. He was called into action in the first couple of minutes as he saved at the feet of a Port Glasgow attacker just as full back Barry Russell made a tackle.

The home side continued to surge forward and Monaghan was put through on goal only to fire over.

The game continued to flow against Thistle, who were under increased pressure from the Port Glasgow frontline, and on 14 minutes Banks drove his 22-yard free-kick past the post as the Jags struggled to contain Glasgow.

But Thistle reminded the home side that there were two teams involved in this clash as they created a few chances. First, Davies fired a long ball towards McClung who couldn't quite reach it before Paul Woods got in on the act with a shot from outside the box that went wide.

And then, against the run of play, Thistle opened the scoring after 24 minutes. A Russell throw-in on the left to Ballantyne saw the midfielder turn his marker and advance towards the penalty box. He then unleashed an unstoppable drive that beat Kidd at his right post to give the Jags an unexpected lead.

A few minutes later Davies had the opportunity Thistle’s tally as McRae put him through on goal, but his attempted chip didn’t pay off and the ball scuffed wide of the target.

Port Glasgow again showed up Thistle's defensive frailties and McDonald was called into action on a couple of occasions. And Thistle were fortunate to go in with the lead at half time and if Port Glasgow had capitalised on their efforts in the first 20mins Thistle would have been struggling to get back into the game.

The second half was almost a re-run of the first with Port Glasgow having most of the early play. McDonald was called into action as he saved well at the feet of Monaghan then Russell was forced into a sliding challenge to clear the ball.

It wasn't until the 57th minute before Thistle threatened the Port's goal and, amazingly, they increased their lead.

Davies found young midfielder Moore unmarked and on hand to shoot goalwards at the back post and, after his first shot cannoned back to him to off a defender, he needed no invitation to bury the ball past a group of defenders.

Although Port Glasgow had most of the pressure and some of their play was good, their final ball was poor during the match.

However, that was to change on 75 minutes when a cross from the right found Monaghan rushing in and he didn't miss from close range with a header.

Port Glasgow took strength from this and increased the pressure on Thistle's defence, but the Jags survived a late onslaught to come away with all three points.

This was not one of Thistle's better performances and, in fact, they have played better and lost.

Thistle played with three up front but the goals came from the supporting midfielder's and Thistle will have to be on top of their game for the trip to Largs on Saturday, kick-off 2pm.