GLENBRAE  1      GLENIFFER THISTLE  3

 

Gleniffer U17's continued their good start to the season with a hard earned three points at a windy Racecourse on Saturday but required every minute of the 90 played to record the victory. Playing against the wind in the opening half any ball played in the air was more likely to head in the direction of Sean Baird in the Thistle goal than its intended target at the other end of the field.

The Gleniffer players had the good sense to play the ball on the ground and this approach brought its reward as early as the second minute. Excellent interplay between Bryson and MacKenzie saw the Thistle front men work the ball to the edge of the Glenbrae area where the move was brought to an abrupt end when Bryson was dumped to the turf. The free kick was awarded 22 yards out and Jamie Henderson smacked it into the net with the aid of a slight deflection which wrong footed the Glenbrae keeper.

For 80 of the remaining 88 minutes the wind was the main contributor to the match with neither side managing to fully master the conditions or to produce much in the way of quality play. The home side, with the wind at their backs, pressed Gleniffer back for most of the remainder of the first half but with players having difficulty reading the flight of the ball the game was frequently interrupted with free kicks and Thistle were forced to concede a succession of corners. After 33 minutes Glenbrae finally took advantage of their many flag kicks and their unmarked striker had the simple task of nodding the ball home at the back post.

Highlights in the remainder of the half were few and far between but Scott Crawford did make one superb goal saving tackle inside his area to add to the two he made last week against Renfrew Vics and Matt McStay had a sparkling right wing run brought to an end by a tackle from behind which earned the defender a yellow card. No further goals however and the half ended level at one apiece.

The second period was a mirror image of the first with Gleniffer and the wind on the offensive and the home side forced to defend, unfortunately the quality of the play remained much the same. Thistle freshened up bringing on David Morrow to add pace on the left and within the first ten minutes also added Conor McFadden and Ali Herrington in the midfield and Stevie McKee up front.

Despite the fresh legs for Gleniffer it was Glenbrae who should have taken the lead after 70 minutes. A quick break on the right saw an excellent ball delivered into the Thistle box, a superb header bulleted towards the back of the Gleniffer net and an unbelievable save from Sean Baird, possibly his only involvement in the second half.

The Glenbrae midfield and backline coped well with everything that Thistle could throw at them until the 88th minute. With the draw looking the most likely result Kris Bryson took possession on the edge of the Glenbrae box, turned inside his marker and curled a left foot beauty inside the far post. To add insult to injury Alexander Crossan floated the last kick of the ball, a 30 yard free kick, into the top right hand corner of the goal to give Gleniffer the 3-1 win. 

 

Under 17 Scottish Cup 2^nd round

Gleniffer Thistle 0 Drumchapel Amateurs 3    

Gleniffer got off to the worst possible start in this Scottish Cup 2nd round match at Moredun on Saturday going a goal down after only three minutes, a blistering strike from the angle of the box flying high into the net past an unsighted Sean Baird who might well have struggled to reach it even if he had seen it coming.

Thistle could have taken the lead even earlier themselves, forcing a corner straight from the kick off, but when MacKenzie's delivery into the box was met by the head of the inrushing Scott Bramma the ball flew an inch the wrong side of the post.

As the game settled after the opening flurry Gleniffer fell further behind conceding the classic route one goal. A huge kick out from the visiting keeper was allowed to bounce just short of the Thistle area, falling perfectly for the Drumchapel striker who raced past the advancing Baird and stroked the ball into an open net.

Thistle buckled down to the task of forcing their way back into the match and no player could be faulted for effort as they became the more offensive side for the remainder of the first half driving forward across the width of the field. McStay and Bryson carried threat on the right, Bramma and McFadden on the left but the Amateurs defence worked hard to keep Thistle out and anything loose in the visitors area always seemed to be reached by a defenders foot and booted clear.

On the stroke of half time Alexander Crossan set off on a super run from the half way line charging all the way to the penalty spot but hit his shot straight at the keeper when it looked easier to score, perhaps an indication that this wasn't going to be Gleniffers' day.

Thistle brought on Declan Graham, a recent addition to the Gleniffer squad, at the start of the second half and he produced a fine performance showing composure on the ball, accurate passing and an awareness of what's going on around him.

Both sides produced some excellent play as the second half progressed but tended to cancel each other out and their was very little in the way of clear cut chances.

The visitors decided the match with ten minutes remaining curling a beauty of a free kick into the top right hand corner from 20 yards. The final chance of the game fell to the home side when Jamie White burst through the Drumchapel back line but was denied his opportunity when the referee called play back for offside against strike partner Crawford who didn't appear to be in a position to affect play.

Despite the disappointing result their were positives to be taken from the match for Gleniffer with good performances from Crossan and Pettigrew, an excellent second half from MacKenzie and new signing Graham looks to be a very good player.

Next match away to Johnstone Burgh Saturday 26/09/09

No report given for Johnstone Burgh game, if any player out there can assist it would be appreciated.

 Barrhead  1   Gleniffer Thistle  0

This match between the top two in the league took place in a howling gale at Cowan Park on Saturday with the wind helping neither side and hindering both. The conditions ensured that there was very little constructive play from either side and the ball probably spent at least a third of the match out of play.

As might be expected it was a match of few chances, two to be exact, one for each side with Gleniffers' coming inside the opening five minutes. A quickly taken Declan Graham free kick found Alexander Crossan inside the box but he drove his effort into the side net. Despite the best efforts of both sides that was about it for a goalless first half as each team cancelled the other out, neither keeper called into action and the wind the main contributor to events on the field.

The second half followed the pattern of the first almost exactly and in 65 minutes the second of the chances in the match arrived this time for the home side. Good close control allowed the Barrhead winger to cut the ball back from the dead ball line to the edge of the box where it was smashed high into the Gleniffer net from 18 yards for the goal which decided the match.

 

 

Under 17s League match

Gleniffer Thistle 3  Renfrew Vics 1

 

Occasionally the chance arises to watch a match that makes you wonder why you ever wasted £25 buying a ticket to watch the so called elite of the country when you can just as easily stand on the sidelines at Kirklandneuk and watch an U17's match packed with quality play and entertainment for free. This was that match and a conscious effort was required to remind yourself that of the 26 players involved none have reached their 17th birthday and more than a few even their 16th.

Gleniffer got off to a flyer with an early goal in the previous meeting of these two sides but it was Renfrew's turn for the early chance in this game and they probably should have gone ahead inside the first minute. Straight from kick off the ball was lofted to the edge of the Gleniffer box where Thistle's Pettigrew and Bramma collided as they both rose to head clear. The Vics' striker raced through and was only kept out by a brilliant diving save from Gleniffer keeper Baird, the first of at least three he would make before the final whistle.

Gleniffer settled quickly after their early fright and both sides proceeded to provide a master class in controlled passing football as the match became concentrated in the midfield. Determined to be constructive and keep possession when they had the ball the two teams adopted a short pass and move game, played at pace and to feet, progressing forward in skilful triangular movements through the middle or wide to runners on both flanks. The long ball and the "hoof up the middle and everybody chases it" were nowhere to be seen and not in the least missed either. The excellent play only required a goal to put the icing on the cake and it arrived after 15 minutes. Thistle were awarded a free kick on the touchline just inside the opposition half. Gary Pettigrew curled the ball to the six yard line where, after four years at the heart of the Gleniffer defence, David Wardrop rose to nod Thistle in front with his first ever goal for Gleniffer.

If anything the quality of the match improved another notch as Gleniffer enjoyed the boost of the goal and Renfrew pulled out all the stops in their search for the equaliser. Thistle were in great form in all areas of the field but none more so than the four in midfield where team captain Crossan was at his driving best and partner Graham quite superb both in possession and distribution and that at probably only 75% fit. But both of these were overshadowed by the performances of the two Jamie’s, Henderson in the midfield holding role and White in right sided attack. Henderson missed nothing and didn't waste a ball in the entire match and White was simply unplayable. 

With Gleniffer's back four also in good form and front pair McFadden and Bryson a constant threat a lesser side might well have been overrun but at no stage were Renfrew ever out of the match nor was it a one way procession as the Vics were every bit as inventive and attack minded as Thistle and with a touch more composure in the final third they could well have converted some of the good chances they made. And of course there was Sean Baird the Thistle keeper. Just before the break the ball was thumped through a ruck of players and somehow or other Baird got down to it to push it round the post. I don't know how he did that. I suspect he doesn't either.

 The half time whistle ended as good a half as I've seen in some time with Gleniffer holding a slender one-nil lead.

Thistle brought on the fresh legs of Matt McStay at the start of the second half which thankfully turned out to be every bit as good as the first.

Again it was the Renfrew side that started the sharper and inside two minutes they got the equaliser their attacking play deserved. Clever passing sent their right sided winger away and when he hung up a fine cross at the back post the ball was bundled home to level the match. Three minutes later Gleniffer reclaimed the lead after superb combination play between Bryson and White won a corner for the home side. The tallest Thistle player, Wardrop, had given Gleniffer the lead with a header in the first half and when Declan Graham swung the corner to the near post the head of the shortest, Matt McStay, repeated the process with a well directed nod.

Renfrew threw another player forward as they once again tried to fight their way back level and Gleniffer responded by replacing a now tiring front man Bryson, who had chased everything and got to most of it, with Ali Herrington who took to the unaccustomed role of centre forward like a duck to water and ten minutes after coming on single handily made the goal of the game to further extend Thistle's lead. Receiving the ball about 25 yards out with his back to goal Herrington's immediate control allowed him to turn, sell his marker an outrageous dummy, burst into the box, evade the fullback's tackle with a clever drag back, repeat the drag back trick on the goalkeeper and still have the composure to roll the ball across a now empty six yard area where man of the match White topped his excellent display with as easy a finish as he's ever likely to get.

Still Renfrew weren't done, pushing yet another player forward, determined to play the full 90 minutes. Unfortunately they came up against an equally determined Gleniffer back line which although stretched refused to break. Crawford, Pettigrew, Wardrop and Bramma coped with everything that came their way, Crossan and Henderson, another deserving candidate for man of the match, broke up attack after attack in the midfield and keeper Baird made a couple of good saves and another brilliant one as Gleniffer weathered the storm.

Gleniffer brought on the speedy and tricky David Morrow for the excellent but exhausted Graham and with so many committed forward Renfrew were frequently short at the back. Thistle had four on three on a number of occasions and when you're chasing a game the last thing you need is somebody with Morrow's pace racing down your left flank. Only a goal line clearance and a fine save from the Vics' keeper prevented Morrow from adding a couple to the score line.

Referee Bickerstaff's final whistle brought a cracking match to an end and he also deserves to be applauded for one of those fine "invisible referee" performances. Renfrew Vics will play half as well and win by a barrow load and Gleniffer were as good as I've seen them in years.

 

 

Under 17 League match

Gleniffer Thistle 1 Glenbrae Colts 1

This 17s match turned out to be a disappointment for Gleniffer Thistle, as they failed to re-capture the fine form that they had shown the previous week. 

Both sides struggled to get any real fluency into their play, with the result being it took until the 22nd minute before any real goalmouth action occurred: Glens' 'keeper Sean Baird brought off a fine save from a 12-yard angular drive.  In the next minute Thistle had a glorious opportunity to take the lead, after Conor McFadden was brought down in the box. Jamie Henderson stepped up, only to see his spot-kick clip the top of the crossbar.

Worse was to follow, as Glenbrae pushed forward, Thistle defender, Scott Bramma had the misfortune to see his header fly the helpless Sean Baird for the opening goal.

After the break, the pattern set in the first-half continued, with both sides failing to keep the ball on the deck.

Skipper Alex Crossan, who had a fine match in the Glen's engine room, was the architect for the equaliser in the 80th minute. Collecting the ball on the half-way line he made a surging run on the left, before sending a beautifully-weighted chip, from the edge of the box, to allow David Morrow to cut in from the wing before coolly slotting home an angled drive, to give the 'keeper no chance.

Both sides played out time and by full-time, a sharing of the points was a fair result. 

 

 

BARRHEAD  1   GLENIFFER THISTLE  2

Gleniffer started only their second competitive match since the beginning of October at Cowan Park on Saturday in a hastily arranged U17 League Cup tie against Barrhead B.C. The long layoff didn't appear to have affected either side as those watching were treated to a cracking match fiercely contested from start to finish and in the balance until the last kick.

Gleniffer got off to the worst possible start when the central defence and the keeper got themselves in a tangle allowing Barrhead striker Darren Boyle to steal the ball from all three of them and roll it into an open net to give the home side the lead after only eight minutes. To make matters worse an injury to Gleniffer full back Scott Morrow minutes later forced Thistle into an early substitution and reorganization with Jamie White coming on up front, MacKenzie dropping back into midfield and Jamie Henderson moves to the full back slot.

The changes seemed to work in Gleniffer's favour as Crossan and Herrington took a grip of the midfield and Thistle's passing provided plenty off ball for strikers Bryson and McFadden but efforts on goal were mainly from distance as the well organised home defence protected their area with good strength and no lack of skill as might have been expected from a side who have won every league and League Cup match they've played this season.

With Gleniffer the more offensive side and Barrhead defending well it was going to take something special from Thistle to get themselves level and in the 39th minute something special was exactly what Gleniffer produced. Excellent pass and move football between Crossan, Herrington and MacKenzie carried them from deep in their own half to the edge of the Barrhead box where Kris Bryson, despite the close attention of two defenders, managed to turn, find a gap no wider than the ball and strike home with a perfectly placed shot low to the keeper’s right.

Having got themselves level Thistle kept up their attacking pressure and just before half time Bryson again found a yard of space on the right hand side of the box. His fiercely struck shot across the keeper could only be parried and strike partner White raced in at the back post to slam the ball into the back of the net to give Gleniffer a just about deserved 2-1 half time lead.

Thistle could well have extended their lead inside the first five minutes of the second period when a good opportunity was manufactured for Ali Herrington 20 yards out but his powerful drive skimmed the cross bar on the way over. Not long after a quite fabulous solo run from Jamie White took the Gleniffer striker into the box and his curling shot across the keeper missed the back post by an inch.

The complexion off the match changed entirely for the final half hour with Barrhead becoming the more offensive side as they pushed for an equaliser and Gleniffer were hemmed in for almost all of that period. Full backs Henderson and Bramma responded to the challenge, tackling everything that moved, centre half  David Wardrop worked his socks off and sweeper Pettigrew seemed to be everywhere.

A 20 yard free kick came within half an inch of giving Barrhead an equaliser but keeper Baird somehow managed to finger tip it on to the bar and over.

Another positional change saw Thistle striker White fall back into midfield and MacKenzie moved forward to use his pace on the break and Matt McStay brought on for the tiring McFadden. Although MacKenzie's pace did get him in behind on a couple of occasions he couldn't work the keeper and the direction of play remained firmly towards Sean Baird's goal. With time slipping away the home side threw everything forward but Gleniffer were determined to hold out and defended as if their lives depended on it.

Barrhead forced a series of corners which resulted in two twenty player pile ups in the box but somehow Gleniffer managed to keep the ball out, indebted on one occasion to scorer White for a clearing header off the goal line.

The home side were still driving forward when referee Traynor's final whistle brought a cracking match to an end.

Excellent football from all 28 players involved over the ninety minutes and everyone of them can be proud of their contribution.

 

 

 

 

 

GLENIFFER THISTLE  2   JOHNSTONE BURGH  0

 

After another three week gap between fixtures Gleniffer returned to competitive action in this League Cup match against old rivals Johnstone Burgh and the three points collected ensure that Thistle will qualify for the knock out stages of the competition.

Following the recent heavy rain the pitch at K.G.V. was in remarkably good condition, unfortunately the effects of three weeks idle were apparent as Gleniffer's play lacked its' usual quality which was only seen in patches. What Thistle lacked in quality they more than made up for in effort. Pettigrew, in behind a back three, missed nothing the entire match, Wardrop won everything in the air and full backs Bramma and Henderson delivered their usual battling, tackling performances. Consequently keeper Baird had a reasonably comfortable 90 minutes although at no stage did Gleniffer dominate the match nor were Johnstone Burgh out of it until referee Lamond's final whistle.

Gleniffer front pair of Bryson and MacKenzie chased everything all night, frequently discovering that lost causes weren't lost at all, and one such chase forced the concession of the corner from which Thistle took the lead in the 11th minute. Alexander Crossan drove the flag kick across at pace and the head of Ali Herrington bulleted it to the back of the net from less than a yard.

The goal settled Gleniffer and their play improved, still not setting any heather on fire though, and appeared to have no effect on Burgh at all as they maintained their threat as if the goal had never happened.

Gleniffer failed to add to their opener and Burgh failed to equalize giving Thistle the narrowest of half time leads.

Better fare from both teams was provided in the second period though still niether could dominate the other and both threatened when they could but niether keeper was overworked. Thistle freshened up by bringing on Stevey McKee at right mid and a debut for trialist Mark Davies at centre mid and both added to the play. New boy Davies looked comfortable in the midfield with good control and pace, an eye for a pass and should be a good addition to the Gleniffer squad. But it was old boy McKee who had the greater impact being instrumental in the best Thistle move of the match which resulted in their second goal. McKee gathered the ball wide right on the half way line and stepped inside his marker before exchanging a clever one-two with the overlapping Henderson. McKee's next pass sent Henderson, who had continued his run, in behind the Burgh back line where great close control allowed him to skip across the box and three attempted tackles before driving home with his left foot at the near post.

Not the best Gleniffer performance of the season but enough to deserve the victory and maintain their 100 per cent record in their League Cup section.

GLENIFFER THISTLE  4   PARKMOOR  1

 

Summer football returned to the Racecourse on Saturday for Gleniffer U17's league match with Parkmoor and the game was all the better for it. There is a reason why the Spanish, the Italians, the Brazilians and the Argentinians are amongst the best players in the world. Wonder if it might be the weather?

No Ronaldo, Xavi or Messi on view ;yet, but a cracking watch all the same as Gleniffer overwhelmed the visitors in the opening exchanges and might have been five up in 20 minutes. In the first few minutes excellent pass and move play between Henderson and McKee on the Thistle right sent Henderson racing clear into the box. His low drive seemed net bound until the Parkmoor keeper made the first of the many fine saves which limited Thistle to the four goals they did manage. 

Gleniffer's almost continous attack ensured that it was only a matter of time before they found the back of the net and the opener arrived in the ninth minute. Alexander Crossan bounced a freekick from the Thistle left flank off the back post directly into the path of Davy Wardrop and the big central defender slotted home like a striker.

Number two arrived six minutes later and again from a Crossan delivery. Having given the traditional "two arms in the air" signal for a corner deep to the back post Crossan drove the ball along the ground to the front post where Ali Herrington had stepped off his marker and had no problem finding the net from six yards. It may have looked like a training groud move but I assure you it wasn't. 

Thistle created a host of chances and could have put the match beyond doubt in the first half and the fact that they didn't was down to a committed defensive performance from Parkmoor and a quite excellent display from keeper Nico Orr.

 Gleniffer defender Wardrop thought he had grabbed his second of the match with a crashing drive from the edge of the area but his strike was disallowed for offside and on the 20 minute mark a clever reverse pass sent the speeding MacKenzie clear forcing Orr to race from his line to make a brave save at the strikers feet. The loose ball fell to Jamie White 30 yards out and with the net unguarded the Gleniffer midfielder clipped it goalward for a certain score. Unbelievably Orr had recovered his feet, raced back to the goal line and at full stretch palmed the ball behind for a corner. Something very good or very lucky was going to be needed to get the ball past Orr for a third time.

As it turned out it was something very good and came in the 40th minute. Great hold up play from striker Bryson allowed him to keep possession of the ball and when he laid it back who should be charging forward but centre half Wardrop, now totally convinced that he actually was a centre forward. With good control Wardrop danced into the box through two tackles before a third crashed him to the ground. Step forward full back Scott Bramma who fairly hammered the ball home from the spot for his first goal of the season to give Gleniffer a comfortable half time lead of 3-0 though it could have, and maybe should have, been twice that.

Gleniffer took the foot of the gas in the second half although they still managed to fashion a chance or two but nothing near as decisive as the opportunities made in the first period and an encouraged Parkmoor proved that they could indeed play a bit in the attacking half. Better quality passing and build up play saw them buzzing about the edges of the Thistle area and when the entire Gleniffer defence stopped; loudly claiming a hand ball on the edge of the box, the Parkmoor players heeded the old adage of  "play to the whistle" and promptly smacked the ball past the helpless Baird in the Thistle goal.

Further encouraged by getting on the scoresheet Parkmoor could have added two more before Gleniffer clicked back into gear. Thankfully for Thistle Sean Baird had maintained concentration and made the two saves that keepers shouldn't really make, but then he does that most weeks, though the entire team needs to learn to stay switched on for the entire 90 minutes to prevent the opportunities arising in the first place.

The fright, and a gentle reminder from the coaching staff on the sidelines about the standards required by the club, worked wonders and Gleniffer finished the match strongly with Conor McFadden netting a fourth when Orr brilliantly parried a Henderson piledriver but helpless when the alert McFadden was first to react to the loose ball.

 A good performance from Thistle, but a touch short of dazzling, with Davy Wardrop the pick of the bunch. In addition to his offensive efforts he was faultless in his official duties in central defence but man of the match has to go to the Parkmoor keeper, Nico Orr. 

   GLENIFFER THISTLE  4   JOHNSTONE BURGH  0

 

Gleniffer U17's played the first competitive league match at the club's new facility on Abbotsinch Road on Saturday and produced a performance worthy of the occasion. Despite going two down in only 9 minutes and being under constant pressure throughout the game, visitors Johnstone Burgh worked their socks off all the way to the final whistle and not a single head dropped at any stage.

 Thistle were in dazzling form all over the park. Herrington's ball skills made him almost unplayable in central midfield and his partner Crossan sprayed passes left and right with pinpoint accuracy but it was an early break on the right flank which provided Gleniffer's opener in only the 6th minute. Full back Crawford carried the ball out of defence and found Stevie McKee on the right touchline. McKee carved his way through the right side defence and laid the ball inside to striker Bryson on the 18 yard line who turned his marker and looped the ball over the Burgh keeper to put Gleniffer ahead.  

Two minutes later McKee and Bryson were at it again. Great interplay between the pair presented a chance for McKee which was blocked, a chance for Bryson with the rebound, also blocked, but third time lucky for Thistle and Ali Herrington who picked his spot from 16 yards and drove the ball home low to the keeper’s right. 

Thistle could have added a stack of goals before the break. Bryson might have added a couple more, Jamie White rattled the crossbar and striker McKenzie might have had a hat trick with a touch more composure in the box. Might haves and could haves don't add to the score line however and Gleniffer had to settle for the two early strikes they did manage in a very watchable first half.

With a strong breeze at their backs Thistle continued their offensive play in the second forty five and it seemed only a matter of time before they added to their tally. The fact that it took them until well into the second period speaks volumes for the attitude and work rate of the Burgh players. Though they offered little in the way of attack, the Gleniffer back four had a comfortable afternoon and Sean Baird not a save to make, doesn't mean the Johnstone side weren't trying.

Thistle introduced trialist Braeden Hidalgo on their right flank and later his younger brother Aaron up front and both looked accomplished players, comfortable and composed in possession and indeed young Aaron nearly got himself on the score sheet with a rasping drive which crashed off the left hand post.

At the midpoint of the half Gleniffer increased the margin to three. A 25 yard rocket from Ali Herrington rebounded straight into his path and, as he had done in the first half, again picked his spot to finish at the second attempt from just outside the area.

Thistle finished strongly and added a fourth at the death, Mark Davies cutting in from wide right and curling a beauty over the Burgh keeper and into the net at the back post for his first score since joining the club.

A quite excellent performance from Gleniffer with McKee and Bryson having fine games, the Hidalgo brothers looking more than useful but man of the match goes to Ali Herrington for a superb display

 

 

GLENIFFER THISTLE  8   INVERCLYDE  1

Gleniffer U17's started their second match on their new home pitch fielding eight fit players and the three least injured of the squad to make up the starting eleven. The subs listed for the game wouldn't normally even have made the team sheet due to injury but with Thistle down to the bare bones in terms of available players it was a case of needs must.

A hard fought game is normally the order of the day when Inverclyde are the visitors and Saturday’s meeting was no exception, for the first hour at least.

Thistle got off to the perfect start taking the lead in only three minutes. The power and perseverance of Alexander Crossan allowed him to reach a ball he was far from favourite to collect and a smart turn and touch inside from the byline was gathered by Ali Herrington who smashed a dipping shot from 18 yards just under the cross bar for his sixth goal in his last six matches.

The play swung from end to end as both sides demonstrated their determination to play an attacking game with Thistle chances falling to Mark Davies and a couple for Crossan driving forward from the midfield. At the other end the Gleniffer defence were kept on their toes as the visitors put together good passing moves of their own to create openings but they also failed to hit the target.

As the half hour approached Thistle had the chance to double their lead from the penalty spot, Kris Bryson upended as he danced his way into the box but the spot kick was well saved by Inverclyde keeper McRae. To add insult to injury Inverclyde raced away to the other end where Scott Bramma headed a net bound effort off the goal line but almost inevitably the visitors drew level from the resultant corner. Some slack marking and a powerful header sending the ball to the back of the net.

And so it continued until the interval with neither side able to get their noses in front but with the visitors looking the more likely.

Two of the Gleniffer injured three were unable to take the field for the second half and were replaced by two of the injured subs and despite these drawbacks the home side fairly flew into the second period when Mark Davies almost put Thistle ahead in the first minute of the half, getting on to a brilliant through ball from McKee but again the keeper made a good save. No chance for the keeper three minutes later however as Jamie White left two defenders trailing as he pushed into the box and curled a beauty across the keeper and home at the back post.

Gleniffer really picked up the pace having got themselves back in front and the visitors somewhat collapsed as Thistle seemed to find the net with practically every attack. Stevie McKee had the ball in the net but the strike was disallowed for offside but two minutes later McKee did it for real with a brave header and Gleniffer had a two goal cushion. Two more added by Mark Davies, both from the right side of the box after he cleverly made space to get the shots away increased the margin to four and when Connor McFadden smashed home from six yard in the 75th minute only an offside decision stopped it going to five.

5-1 up with ten minutes to go but still Thistle kept the foot on the gas. Two more from the man in form, Ali Herrington, and both examples of his dazzling ball control; the second of the two seeing him beat at least five players before smacking the ball into the net to take his tally to eight in six consecutive games. The final word came from Kris Bryson when he smashed the ball home in the last minute for number eight to record Gleniffer's highest score of the season and judging by the football they played in the second forty five they were well worth it.

Herrington dazzling, practically unplayable, Crossan, White, Davies and Bramma brilliant, but basically, a whole team in incredible form and praise for the walking wounded who turned in cracking performances.

 

Parkmoor under 17s  0    Gleniffer Thistle 2

This previously postponed league match was eventually played on Wednesday night on the aptly named Bishopton Top. Despite a rock hard surface, which caused many a strange bounce, it was well suited to any team who play to feet and prefer a quick pass and move style to the longer launch and chase. Indeed anything played long invariably ran off the pitch or through to the keepers.

The first chance of the match fell to Thistle from a Stuart MacKenzie corner which took one of those strange bounces smacked off the shins of Ali Herrington and flew straight into the keeper’s arms. When Herrington fails to control a ball it is definitely the pitch's fault.

The home side were definitely coping better with the underfoot conditions and some of their short and pacey passing play was a pleasure to watch yet they failed to create a single clear cut chance in the opening half hour. In the final third Bramma or Crawford would make a telling tackle, Wardrop would break up a promising move and Gary Pettigrew swept up everything that did make it as far as the penalty area.

Any unknowing spectator asked to identify the team at the top end of the league would almost certainly have made the wrong choice yet scoring chances when they did come along came Gleniffer's way.

Thistle seemed certain to take the lead on the 20 minute mark when Jamie White tricked his way through two tackles and swung a perfect cross to the back post into the path of the unmarked MacKenzie, but as he was about to tap home he lost his footing, twisted an ankle and was unable to take any further part in the match. 

Just before the half hour Gleniffer finally broke the deadlock with a cracking goal from the head of striker Kris Bryson. Pettigrew drove a free kick across the box at tremendous pace, Bryson timed his run and leap to perfection and the ball flew into the net giving the keeper no time to react though it's doubtful that he even saw it. Bryson doesn't get many with his head and he may think twice before sticking his head in front of the next cross that comes his way.

With five minutes of the first period left Thistle doubled their advantage when another free kick, delivered this time by Scott Bramma, bounced off the defensive wall and broke for Bryson inside the box. In a flash the Gleniffer front man struck for goal only to see his effort fly off a post, roll across the six yard box before being buried at the other  by the alert Herrington.

The home side should have pulled on back on the stroke of half time from a long throw in but Sean Baird made an incredible save and maintained Thistle's two goal margin at the break.

The second 45 turned out to be a tame affair with each side cancelling out the efforts of the other and there was little in the way of goalmouth action, the ball spending as much time at the bottom of the steep hill which runs along one side of the park as it did on the playing surface. It's not called Bishopton Top for nothing. Bryson had to leave the field not long into the half suffering from the effects of his first half header and time was played out with neither side adding to the score line.

A hard earned and somewhat lucky three points collected by Gleniffer as they fell far short of their recent excellent form which has seen them win ten on the trot scoring 36 goals and conceding only 5. These points are surely owed to the bravery of Bryson, the alertness of Herrington and perhaps the winning habit they have developed over those ten matches.

 

Gleniffer Thistle under 17s 2  Barrhead  2

Gleniffer Thistle played for the third time at their new park at Abbotsinch Road and for the third time produced a cracker of a match. This one, though not the highest scoring, the best of the lot and due in no small part to the quality of the opposition in League winners Barrhead who matched Gleniffer at every turn and it is little surprise that at 90 minutes the two sides couldn't be separated. Thistle and Barrhead have now met on four occasions this season with each match improving on the one previous and they were top class to begin with. The total could rise to six as the two sides are still involved in both P&D cup competitions.

The opening twenty minutes of Saturday's match was a joy to watch as both sides proved they knew how to play the game in all areas of the field.  Gleniffer's attacking moves were well constructed by Henderson and Herrington from the midfield with accurate passing to feet, control and skill on the ball and all at serious pace. Pace, too, on both flanks with White and Davies giving their opposite numbers an exhausting afternoon. Up front the pace of MacKenzie and the power of stand in striker Crossan; in place of a half  fit Kris Bryson who only just made the subs bench, kept the Barrhead back line fully engaged. Everything said to describe Gleniffer play could be applied just as well to the visitors though neither keeper was seriously tested as both defences were excellent throughout and play in the majority changed direction when it reached either back four.

Thistle opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a delightfully constructed move. Jamie White picked up the ball on the half way line and headed for goal at incredible pace. Brilliant footwork allowed him to trick his way past two opponents before he found MacKenzie on the edge of the area. MacKenzie immediately laid the ball into the path of Henderson charging forward on the supporting run who faked a shot on goal but without breaking stride gathered the ball instead, twisted through two tackles into the area and beat the keeper from twelve yards with a powerful drive to put Gleniffer ahead.

Thistle just about deserved their lead as they were marginally ahead of their opponents in offensive play but that balance was about to change as Barrhead pressed forward for a leveller before the break. A towering performance from central defender Wardrop, the battling, tackling display they produce every week from full backs Crawford and Bramma, Pettigrew sweeping up in behind and a superb block by the feet of keeper Baird prevented them from doing so and Gleniffer held a narrow lead at the end of a first class first half.

Thistle were caught on the back foot right at the start of the second half, perhaps not at the same level of concentration they had maintained in the first. Barrhead were having none of that and raced away in the first minute of play and drew level with a looping shot over Baird's head from just inside the area.

 Neither side was about to settle for a point apiece and both set out to grab all three with chances for each to accomplish it.

The main threat to Gleniffer came from the visitors' superbly delivered set pieces. Those met in the air were confidently dealt with but anything allowed to bounce posed a problem. Somehow or other a Thistle foot always seemed to be the first to get to anything loose, the ball was thumped clear and Barrhead were unable to gain the advantage.

At the other end the fine control of White allowed him to carve his way into the box and his curling shot across the keeper just missed the back post, a Wardrop header from a MacKenzie corner looped over the bar and two chances for McFadden might have been converted if the striker had gone for power instead of placement though the keeper was forced to make fine saves on both occasions. The addition of the half fit Bryson, though you wouldn't have known it judging by his performance, increased Gleniffer's forward momentum and when his persistence won a corner in the 80th minute disaster struck for the visitors.

The fiercely struck Crossan flag kick curled and dipped into the six yard box, took a wicked bounce and flew into the Barrhead net off the shins of a blameless defender. An awful way to win a match but with time running out it seemed as if it would be Gleniffer who grabbed the three points though the drama wasn't finished yet and in the fourth minute of time added it was the home side's turn to suffer a disaster.

Having weathered a late storm of Barrhead attack as they chased an equaliser for the second time Thistle contributed to their own downfall by gifting away possession with a poor clearance from inside their area. The ball was seized upon by the eager Barrhead strikers and three passes later nestled in the back of the Gleniffer net.

Leaving the field at 2-2 Thistle probably felt like they lost the match and Barrhead that they got out of jail but if the score line is to reflect the match a draw was the only possible result.

Gleniffer continue their recent excellent form being the only team this season to take a point from the league winners and will surely have learned that the lapses you get away with most weeks you won’t get away with against a team of Barrhead's quality.

 

PORT GLASGOW 2   GLENIFFER THISTLE  5

 

Gleniffer Thistle U17's made their first visit to Parklee in three seasons and came away with a 5-2 victory and three points following an excellent second half performance, having trailed one to nil at the break.

The evening kick off beside the Clyde proved to be the much clinched " game off two half’s."

The home side definitely had the better of the opening forty five and deservedly took the lead in the 15th minute, a high ball into the area spilling loose and providing an easy finish for the Port attacker. Gleniffer were struggling to get any type of rhythm going as Port Glasgow played a high line and the Thistle strikers were frequently caught offside. Missing three of the usual back four didn't help either there places being taken by a midfielder, a centre forward and a trialist. Somehow Gleniffer weathered the remainder of the half without further loss and left the field only one behind though a repeat of their first half performance in the second would surely spell the end of their twelve match undefeated run. 

No such repeat however and a nine minute hat-trick from Gleniffer striker Conor McFadden and a goal from Mark Davies turned the game on its' head. Finally coming to terms with the home side’s offside trap McFadden was released into the area in the 60th minute and stepped round the keeper before being dragged to the ground. The same player coolly sent the keeper the wrong way from 12 yards to pull Thistle level and four minutes later they got their noses in front. Again McFadden was the man of the moment as he chased an apparent lost cause but forced the defender into a hasty attempt at a clearance. When the ball rolled loose McFadden was the first to react and knocked the ball home low to the keeper’s right.

Next to pay dividends for the visitors was a Crossan corner won by the captain himself after he had charged half the length of the field to the dead ball line before a good defensive tackle sent the ball behind. Crossan drove the flag kick to the front post where Ali Herrington laid it back to the 18 yard line and Mark Davies rattled it home. Bad became worse for the Port in the 69th minute when McFadden completed his hat-trick, again from the spot after Ali Herrington was brought down by the keeper.

Gleniffer were now on song and powered forward at every opportunity, perhaps too offensive and they paid the price at the other end when the home side won a penalty for a push in the box. The Port pulled a goal back from the spot and the boost of the strike helped them push on and they would certainly have narrowed the gap to one but for one of those Sean Baird saves that belong in the "how did he get to that" category. The strike, met perfectly on the volley and bulleting straight for the top right corner, would have been goal of the match until Sean got a hand to it and sent it over the bar. To add insult to injury he made another great stop from the corner.

Thistle quickly got over their five minute wobble and finished the remaining ten minutes of the match in the oppositions half. They could possibly have had another penalty when a brilliant Herrington run into the box was brought to an end when he was crashed to the ground.

The last word goes to Stevie McKee who, with the home side playing offside almost on the halfway line, raced away in splendid isolation, cut across the recovering defender and beat the keeper with a clever chip.

Thistle may have toiled in the first half but were superb in the second. Great displays from Mark Davies a real find on the right, Bryson’s usual nonstop play, Crossan and Herrington in the middle, Wardrop marshalling a makeshift defence and man of the match, three goal McFadden.

 

 

  PARKMOOR  0    GLENIFFER THISTLE  5

 

Gleniffer Thistle U17's cruised through their quarter final of the McPhilips Cup with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Parkmoor at Inchinnan Playing Fields on Saturday setting up a semi final meeting with Barrhead  having already reached the last four of the U17 League Cup. Two semi finals will ensure a competitive end to the season for Thistle.

With the current exams timetable making demands on players time Gleniffer also enjoyed the luxury of a full squad to pick from for the first time since Easter and dominated the match throughout.

Thistle pressed forward from the start and it was just as well a full squad was available as they lost Ali Herrington after only five minutes with an ankle knock and full back Scott Bramma just after half time. Gleniffer's rhythm was unaffected however as ready replacements were available in Alexander Crossan for Herrington, MacKenzie moved to the left back slot and Stevie McKee filled the midfield gap.

It was somewhat surprising that it took Thistle 15 minutes to open the scoring and a scrambled effort it was when it did arrive. Mid week hat trick man McFadden raced through the Parkmoor back line and round the keeper, but his strike for goal was blocked on the line. Thistle striker Bryson had two chances to bundle home the loose ball but both were brilliantly blocked by the home keeper. Fourth time lucky for Gleniffer when Bryson lifted the ball to the back post and Jamie White nodded home.

It was even more surprising that Thistle were unable to add to the score line before the break as they fashioned numerous chances with some dazzling build up play though perhaps a touch guilty of overplaying the ball and trying to walk it into the net. Added to this was a determined performance from the Parkmoor back line.  Although the home side offered little going forward they certainly know how to defend their goal and the keeper would have had a good claim for man of the match. I don't know if the Parkmoor keeper plays this way every week but in the three meetings of these two sides this season he has been outstanding.

The second period followed the pattern of the first with Gleniffer in complete control and in the mood. No defence can withstand that sort of pressure, regardless of how determined they are, and it seemed certain that Thistle would add a few more before the end.

Ten minutes in Kris Bryson got the second for Gleniffer from close range after an excellent passing move and when the head of the flying Jamie White met a driven Crossan corner for a third ten minutes later the match as a contest was probably over. The headed goal from White pushes him clear as Thistle's top scorer this season.

Gleniffer were by this stage playing delightful football that was a joy to watch. Crossan sprayed pinpoint passes left and right, McKee was causing havoc on the right hand side and stand in left full back MacKenzie was twice as offensive from the back line as he had been from his original midfield berth, his blistering pace allowing him to carve his way through the left side practically at will.

Gleniffer welcomed back Matt McStay in the 75th minute after a month's absence and in the final 15 minutes McStay reminded those watching of what they had been missing. In the cameo appearance McStay laid a fourth on a plate for Jamie Henderson and two minutes from time put the finishing touch to a brilliant passing move, driving the ball under the keeper for number five.

Gleniffer all stars, no weaknesses and their unbeaten run goes to fourteen.