Wardrope, Connelly, McBride, Swift, Swift, McGovan, Crilly, Ryan, Hamilton, Bradford, McLaren, McGinty. Subs: Jaconelli, Strain, Robertson, McLaughlin, Farrell.

 

Carlin, Wilson, Neill, F. Love, Menmuir, McColligan, Nicolson, Elliot, Lister, McGrillen, McLaren. Subs: Longmuir, McFadyen, McPhee, Gupwell, Easton.

 

Referee: Mr. D. Nicholls (Glasgow)

 

This was unquestionably the tie of the round with Bathgate Thistle the cup holders facing big spending Meadow, this years cup favourites.

 

Bathgate took the field minus several key players including captain Graeme Love who was starting a five match suspension but they did field Jim Lister signed late on Friday from Berwick Rangers. Bathgate played three at the back with Fraser Love playing in an unaccustomed sweeper role. Their pre match plans were disrupted with a serious head injury to full back Wilson after only two minutes and he had to be carried off to hospital where 8 stitches were inserted into a severe head gash. Easton substituted. Ex Scotland star Andy McLaren was showing up well for the home side and twice in the opening 10 minutes fired over dangerous crosses which zoomed across the face of the goal without any takers for the home side. Ryan was causing problems on the right and Carlin twice saved efforts before the visitors went ahead with a goal from Graeme McLaren who fired home from 22 yards after 24 minutes. Bathgate were on top at this stage and added number two 6 minutes later when McGrillen headed home a corner after good work by new striker Lister.

 

Bathgate were commanding at this stage with Elliot and Nicolson showing up well in midfield and the home side left the field at half time to a chorus of boos from the noisy home support.

 

 

Irvine, as expected, started on the offensive and again Carlin came to the rescue with great saves from Bradford and Hamilton. The outcome of the match was decided after 58 minutes. Paul McGrillen was brought down by keeper Wardrope but referee Nicholls waved play on and 30 seconds later McColligan attempted a 35 yard pass back to Carlin only for it to be intercepted by ex-Ranger player Brian McGinty who slotted the ball home much to the dismay of the visiting defence. Meadow were firing on all cylinders now and amazingly Brian McGinty completed his hat trick within four minutes heading home a Ryan cross and then smashing an unstoppable shot from 20 yards leaving hero Carlin helpless on both occasions. 3 goals in five minutes left Bathgate shell shocked.

 

Bathgate made two further substitutions in an attempt to salvage the tie but managed only a few half hearted attempts and Meadow came close to adding to the tally when Hamilton's header came back off the bar.

 

A truly memorable match with the proverbial game of two halves a valid description and Thistle left Meadow Park just wondering how they let a winning position slip through their hands - not for the first time this season!

 

It's back to league business next week and Bathgate will have to pick themselves up and have a serious look at their performances and see how they can get back to being serious contenders in the junior ranks.