Kirkstyle went on a road trip for todays game with only 12 players available for the match in symington. After losing 2-9 at home in the reverse fixture Thistle came out determined to take the points home. After a few sighters early on Barry Foster opened the scoring when Adam Corner spotted his run and played a 30 yard pass over the top right into his path and the striker made no mistake this time to put Kirkstyle 1-0 up. Ian Leaker playing out of position at right back was under constant pressure as Symington tried to overload the wings but coped with everything and looked a natural in the position as he stopped everything. In the middle of the park Steven Blackstock, Jack Burnett and Man of the Match Chris Callaghan knew they were going to have to put in a real shift and the 3 didn't dissapoint with a dominant display of powerful running and tigerish tackling up and down the park taking the game to Symington. McGuinness and Hamill looked comfortable in the defence with Symington reduced to long range shooting for most of the half. Adam Corner who was pinging balls for fun again found Foster who broke away from his marker, looked up and found Graeme O'Keeffe who finished first time for his 22nd goal of the season to give Kirkstyle some breathing space at 2-0. With five minutes left of the half Symington managed to get through the defence but just as it looked like they were going to concede Rab McGuinness managed to get back and deny Symington with a goal saving challenge 8 yards out. Right on halftime goalkeeper Colin Pettigrew was called into action when a cross into the box dropped under the bar but the keeper was on his toes and managed to turn it over. From the corner again Symington again looked destined to score with the ball dropping in the six yard box Jack Burnett got a leg out to turn a goal bound effort wide. HT Symington 0-2 Kirkstyle The second half started as it finished with Thistles front three Graeme O'Keeffe, Barry Corner and Barry Foster tearing The Symington defence apart but just couldn't add to the score. Colin Pettigrew was again called into action with a ball over the top catching the defence out but the keeper got to the loose ball and cleared under pressure injuring himself in the process. With fifteen minutes remaining and Kirkstyle starting to run out of steam McGuinness who had been on top form was late with a challenge and from the freekick Symington pulled one back as it flew into the top corner. 2-1 The last ten minutes saw Robert O'donohue come on to give Thistle fresh legs and he turned his man down the right and tried to pick out O'Keeffe in the middle but the cross was blocked. In the last minute Kirkstyle dug deep to make it over the line with Barry Foster chasing his man all the way back before picking up a yellow card for his tackle. But the whistle went and Kirkstyle took the points home after a deserved hard fought victory. Final score Symington Tinto 1-2 Kirkstyle Thistle
Referee's Man Of The Match Chris Callaghan
