Strollers are down for the ten count

Glenrothes Strollers..........1

Thistle went into the match last Saturday knowing nothing short of a win would suffice to keep their promotion hopes alive.

The opening goal arrived after six minutes when Petrie slotted into the bottom corner after neat play from Ireland and then just 4 minutes later Barnes despatched a tremendous curling effort into the roof of the net.

The Strollers responded well to the early setback and pulled a goal back just a minute later.

Thistle started the second half like a team possessed and doubled their advantage just minutes after the restart when Barnes grabbed his 30th goal of the campaign.

Barnes then turned provider as he set up Petrie.

On the hour Shepherd got involved in the goals as he blasted into the roof of the net after great play from Barnes and then the move of the game involved Barnes and Petrie playing a succession of 1-2’s before Barnes slammed home for his hat-trick.

After 70 minutes it was 7-1 with the unstoppable Barnes again the scorer after he knocked home an inch perfect ball from Shepherd then 3 minutes later Barnes grabbed his fifth of the game.

Substitute Cameron made it 9-1.

Thistle completed the rout just three minutes from time with a well worked corner. Carson started a run from deep in his own half and Moir sent his corner along the ground and into the path of the Thistle skipper who didn’t even need to break his stride as he struck the ball first time firing low into the net.

Golf City Taxis Man of the Match – Ronnie Barnes.

Thistle – Henderson (Anderson 80), Gorgon (Ross 60), Carson (Capt.), Gough, McShane, Ireland (Bell 56), McArthur (Cameron 76), Moir, Shepherd, Barnes, Petrie (Jones 66).

Sub – Love.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Thistle play their final home game of the season when they face Kirkcaldy Rovers in the league with a 2pm kick off.