Mutch better display earns Glens victory

Scott Napier scores for Glens. Glenrothes 3 Bathgate Thistle 1 - November 5, 2016. Pic: John Hay

Glenrothes put their recent disappointing performances behind them to claim an excellent three points against Bathgate Thistle at Warout Stadium on Saturday.

Glens goalkeeper Jack Small hurt himself in the warm up and had to be replaced by Scott Costello, while new signing Connor Schiavone made his debut.

Player-manager John Martin nearly opened the scoring firing in from the left hand side hitting the post.

An excellent chance fell to Bathgate’s Hutton but his shot was well wide.

Glens were looking much sharper than in recent weeks as chances fell to Aiden Anderson and Martin.

Scott Napier came close for Glens but his shot slipped just wide of the post.

Glens were creating chances but without an end product as a long ball found Ross Mutch but his effort went just wide.

The second half started with an audacious shot from Fenney straight from kick off which Costello tipped onto the cross bar.

A shot from Mutch was saved by the feet of Watson while Napier could only watch as his header was stopped by an excellent save from the Bathgate ‘keeper.

Glenrothes took a deserved lead after 56 minutes when Mutch ran through and shot under the body of Watson.

This seemed to bring Bathgate to life as Glens were pushed back to deep positions.

The next Glens chance fell to Smith who after some excellent dribbling had an effort cleared off the line.

On 65 minutes a cross ball from the left allowed Bathgate back into the game when Hutton headed home from a couple of yards.

The away side then had an effort cleared off the line by Russell.

Glens got their noses back in front on 78 minutes when an excellent run and shot from Napier found the net.

The game was put to bed in the 85th minute with a tremendous volley from Napier from just inside the left hand side of the box which flew past Watson.

Glens next match is on November 19 away to St Andrews United with a 2.00 p.m kick-off.

Glenrothes: Costello, Kinnes, Smith, Russell, Moffat, Anderson, Mutch, McDonald, Martin, Napier, Schiavone. Subs: Sneddon, Cooper, Hamill, Trialist,