Ross, Krobot, Kirk, Hay, McMillan, Dailly, Abbot, Cargill, Hagan (Thomson 86), Blackwood (Bruce 89), Robertson. Subs: Brown, Leahy, Bannon.

 

Carlin, Fallon, Neill. G. Love, Menmuir, Nicolson, Easton, McPhee, P. Harvey (Wilson 73), McGrillen, McColligan. Subs: Longmuir, Blaney, McFadyen.

 

An historic meeting between both clubs, being the first time both have featured in the Scottish Challenge Cup  and also the first time two Junior clubs have played against each other in the competition. The teams arrived on the field to the skirl of the pipes and then it was down to the serious cup business.

 

Iain Nicolson fired in a shot in the fifteenth minute but his effort was well saved by Ross. Three minutes later it  was Robertson's turn but his 22 yard free kick was cleared by the Thistle defence. Two minutes later it was the visitor's turn again but McPhee's angled header was well saved by the Lochee keeper. In the twenty first minute the crowd, recorded as 406, was surprised to see Referee Clancy point to the spot and award Bathgate with a penalty kick after he deemed that Stephen Menmuir had been upended in the box. New signing Paul Harvey elected to take the spot kick and promptly sent Ross the wrong way to give Thistle a one goal lead. Both teams had chances to add to the score but the crowd were not to see any further scoring in the first half. Over the forty five minutes Thistle were probably just ahead of the home team and deserving of their one goal lead.

 

Half time: Lochee United 0 - Bathgate Thistle 1.

 

whatever Manager Raymond Mckinnon said to his squad at the half time break worked. Lochee applied pressure to the visitors right from the whistle and Carlin had to look sharp in the Thistle goals to save a left foot shot from Abbot after he had turned his marker and got a shot in from close range. Another moment of mystery in the seventieth minute when Referee Clancy awarded the home side a penalty kick when again he signed that Craig Robertson had been tripped in the box. Phil Hagan made no mistake as he sent Carlin the wrong way to bring the scores level. Twenty minutes later the Thistle players were furious when the referee awarded a free kick outside the box after Lochee's Robertson and Thistle's G. Love both fell. Craig Robertson took the kick and Carlin managed to palm the ball on to the crossbar but unfortunately it bounced down, struck his back and crossed the line to give the Bluebells a one goal lead. Three minutes later, while Thistle were trying to come to terms with going behind, Lochee added a third when the Thistle defence had several chances to clear their lines but failed to do so and Charlie Cargill snatched at the chance and smashed the ball past the helpless Carlin. Lochee looked the more agressive team in the second half and never ceased chasing the ball and in the end were rewarded by gaining a place in the second round of the Scottish Challenge Cup and another home tie this time against Buckie Thistle.

 

Full time: Lochee United 3 - Bathgate Thistle 1.