Linlithgow Rose:
Pinkowski, Robertson, Waugh, Gallacher, King, Bradley, Livingstone (James 67), Tyrell, Grady, Herd (Geddes 82),
McArthur (MacSween 67). Subs: Wilson, Penn.
Bathgate Thistle:
Carli, Nicolson, Neill,, G. Love, Trialist, Riley, Easton, McPhee (Lorek 84), McGrillen, P. Harvey (Fallon 77),
McColligan. Subs: Blaney, McFadyen, Longmuir.
Bathgate again were without a number of their key players including Stephen Docherty, John Harvey, Fraser Love,
Graeme McLaren and Stephen Menmuir leaving Manager Hill a restricted pool to call on for this important match. Thistle started
lively and Harvey was unlucky not to do better with his header in the ninth minute but the rose Rose handled confidently.
Five minutes later Paul harvey turned provider when he sent a c ross into the home penalty area but Easton's effort was well
held by keeper Pinkowski. Two minutes later the home side sent the crowd into raptures as they opened the scoring. A rose
attack was partially cleared but Livinstone while lying on the ground managed to get the ball back to McArthur who proceeded
to lob Carlin from 20 yards. Thistle managed to level the score in the twenty fifth minute after a good run down the right
side by Stewart Easton, his low cross found McGrillen but his shot was blocked by a Rose defender fortunately
the rebound came to Brain McPhee who smashed the ball past the keeper. Five minutes later McPhee was in action again when
he headered Ian Nicolson's corner from the right side high into the Rose net to give Bathgate the lead. Linlithgow had
a chance to draw level just before half time when Grady turned his marker but his fierce shot from fifteen yards found
the side netting.
Half time: Linlithgow Rose 1 - Bathgate Thistle 2.
On the hour mark Linlithgow should have drawn level when following a terrific twenty five yards drive from McArthur
the ball fell to Gallacher but the Rose player missed his kick and the danger was cleared. Five minutes later Linlithgow
made a double substitution with James and MacSween replacing Livingstone and McArthur. In the seventy third minute Thistle
were reduced to ten men when the trialist was sent off for inpeeding Grady when he was through on goal. Bradley's free kick
was well held by keeper Carlin. Three minutes later James sent in a cross from the left and found substitute MacSween who
knocked it into the Bathgate net to draw the home side level. Bathgate tried to shore up their defence when they took Harvey
off and replaced him with Fallon. Linlithgow were throwing everything at Bathgate in an attempt to find the minner and their
persistance paid off three minutes from time when Geddes took advantage of a static Thistle defence and popped home Rose's
third goal.
Bathgate will have to learn how to hold on to a lead when they enter the closing minutes as they have squandered
the chance to win on two consecutive weeks.
Linlithgow Rose 3 - Bathgate Thistle 2.
