Longmuir, Wilson, Easton, F. Love, Menmuir, Neill, Nicholson, Elliott, McPhee, McGrillen, McLaren. Subs: Carlin, Fallon, Gupwell, McColligan, McFAdyen.

 

Fleming, Ross, C. Courts, Leighton, T. Courts, Moffat, Smart, Finlay, McGeorge, Mauchen, Laurie. Subs: Webster, Nelson, Frew, Doubleday, Coull.

 

 

Both teams took the field attempting to get back into winning ways after Scottish Cup exits lat week and it was Bathgate who started more promisingly with Elliott and McGrillen both coming close for the home team. Nicholson unleashed a 25 yard shot which whistled past the post with Fleming stranded before offside against Smart foiled a promising raid by the Fifers. McGrillen and McPhee had the ball in the net for Thistle, both correctly ruled out for offside before disaster struck reserve keeper Longmuir who inexplicably let a speculative 30 yard shot from CONRAD COURTS squirm under his body for the opening goal. Smart and McLaren had chances for both sides before fantastic work by McGeorge on the left set up a great chance for Kelty's second but Smart just failed to connect.

 

Bathgate's efforts for the equaliser in the last quarter of the match tended to fizzle out without seriously threatening Fleming in the Kelty goal with only the occasional effort on target and they seemed devoid of ideas or inspiration in a hugely disappointing day for the home side and the Fifers ran out deserved winners.