Published: Saturday, 29th December, 2007 17:30
Four off in Battle of the Burgh
By Calum Corral
Comments (1)
Print Article
Largs Thistle 0 Johnstone Burgh 0
In an incredible finish, the referee John McCrossan became the main player in this encounter as he flashed an amazing FOUR red cards to visitors Johnstone Burgh at Barrfields.
Despite this severe handicap, basement strugglers Burgh managed to hold on to a point after Largs squandered what seemed like chance after gilt-edged chance all afternoon.
Thistle's home form has been patchy all season and it is probably a relief to manager Sandy McLean that they will be hitting the road for the next three weeks as the Barrfields men travel to Kilbirnie, Maybole and Maryhill.
But Largs have only themselves to blame for some absolutely lousy finishing and even missed a penalty.
McLean sprung a surprise by resting skipper John Robertson but the side lacked his guidance and industry in the centre of play. Graham Black, Willie McClure and Phil Cannie were upfront while the midfield was packed with players with Mark McColl, Martin Dow, Kevin McCann and Michael Fulton, and it was a typically robust defence with Tom Molloy, Stewart Hendren and Neil Shearer limiting Johnstone to two chances in the whole match. Largs keeper Stephen Connick made yet another incredible save too in a match which seemed to drifting nowhere until that action-packed ending.
The first glorious opportunity for Largs came on eight minutes as the impressive Phil Cannie set up the first of many chances for his colleagues as he nipped down the left and pinged the ball across to the on-rushing Graham Black but he took the effort instantly and blazed the ball across the face of goal from five yards out.
Cannie dazzled the defence with one dribble but big keeper Donohoe smothered at the striker's feet after one mazy run.
A goal seemed only a matter of time and Thistle were awarded a penalty after Dow's cross was handled on the line on 21 minutes. Black's low drive was turned around the post for a comfortable save by Donohoe.
Largs seemed destined to score again after a good looping cross was met by Cannie who cushioned a header towards Dow but he screwed a volley skyward from six yards with the goal at his mercy, then Black forced his way through defenders but toe-poked the ball over the bar on the angle from six yards.
Former Largs striker David Brolly was booked for dissent while McClure brought the best out of keeper Donohoe with his diving header which resulted in the ball being clawed over the top right corner of the goal.
Brolly came very close to scoring after Johnstone created their first chance of the match on 52 minutes as Sherry's probing pass resulted in the ex-Largs man bulleting a shot over the bar from the edge of the box.
The same player then saw red for his second bookable offence as he took out Kevin McCann but the decision seemed harsh as the ball was there to be won.
Dow headed an opportunity straight at the keeper then Cannie tried an audacious back heel volley following a free kick into the box but the ref blew his whistle for an infringement.
Connick then made a marvellous save as he stretched down low to repel an effort around the post following a corner kick on 75 minutes.
Largs went for broke in the final 15 minutes as Jasper Donnelly, John Robertson and Alan McCabe all entered the field of player to replace Cannie, Black and McClure.
McCabe then headed over from another curling cross into the box but the match erupted into bedlam as Nisanci saw red for a two footed challenge near the right corner flag in the Thistle half on 82 minutes.
In the following minutes, Perrie was next to walk after another lunge and then Sherry was ordered off as the match was suddenly in danger of being abandoned as Johnstone Burgh were reduced to seven men amid incredible scenes as the Burgh bench went wild with fury at the referee who was unrepentant. Further challenges were going in as the match ended in heated fashion with former Largs captain Willie Armour in the thick of it after a challenge on Stewart Hendren which produced a yellow card and not a red which would have resulted in the game being abandoned.
In the midst of all this, Largs defender Neil Shearer ran through the Burgh defence and just had the keeper to beat but his limp chip was easily gathered by Donohoe to complete a miserable afternoon in front of goal for Thistle. The final whistle went after ten minutes of added time but given the amount of chances Largs had squandered during regulation time, they may have needed another 100 minutes just to get that elusive goal. It just was not going to be Thistle's afternoon and the final whistle was greeted by cheers from the Burgh players and management who had achieved what they had set out to do from the first minute and frustrate the life out of Thistle.
Largs: Connick, Molloy, Hendren. Shearer, McColl, Dow, Black, McCann, McClure, Cannie, Fulton. Subs: Robertson, McCabe, McLernon, Donnelly.
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Further Details
Clydebank clash opens 2009 for Thistle