Fitzpatrick, R. Morris, Paterson, McNaughton, Wemyss, Justowiak, Holden, O'Connor (Elvin 86), Kenneth, Webster, Pepper (Scott 80). Subs:Craik, S. Morris.

 

Carlin, Wilson, Neill (McPhee 46), F. Love, Gupwell, Menmuir, Easton, McColligan, Lister, McFadyen (McGrillen 46) (Elliott 71), McLaren. Subs: Longmuir, Blaney.

 

Tayport started the livlier of the two teams and a fierce shot in the fourth minute from Tayport's O'Connor was deflected past the post by Fraser Love. Nine minutes later an innocent looking ball was lobbed into the Thistle penalty area and it was missed by Neill but landed to Robbie Holden who turned it past Carlin to put the home side one up. Nine minutes later Thistle were in trouble again when Referee Stevenson awarded Tayport with a penalty. Barry McNaughton elected to take the spot kick and gave Andy Carlin no chance and put the Fifers two ahead. In the twenty fifth minute Stewart Easton worked through the centre and slipped the ball through to Wilson but his shot was sliced past Fitzpatrick's left post. Four minutes later Jim Lister showed his strength as he worked his way past several of the Tayport defence but his final effort was well held by the Tayport keeper. In the thirty fourth minute Easton fired a lovely through ball to Graeme McLaren who sent in a delightful cross but Chris McFadyen's shot was off target. Three minutes from half time Tayport should have increased their lead when Webster found himself unmarked on the left and he sent a cross over which found Kenneth unmarked and his shot was well blocked by keeper Carlin.

 

 

Bathgate replaced Neill and McFadyen at the interval and brought on McGrillen and McPhee. Bathgate were still struggling to get into the game and another defensive error allowed Kenneth to be unmarked but Carlin once again came to the rescue blocking the shot. On the hour mark a moment of madness from Bathgate's Gupwell saw him being shown a straight red card adding further to Thistle's problems. Referee Stevenson was having a card happy day and when he red carded Stewart Easton for 'denying a goal scoring opportunity' which Ronaldo could not have done anything with it must go down as one of the softest red cards ever shown in junior football. Six minutes from time Bathgate got a consolation goal when following good work by Graeme McLaren on the left Jim Lister's diving header shot into the corner of the net. Bathgate looked out of sorts and totally devoid of ideas and they will have to improve quickly if they intend staying in the top division.