Thistle given unusal taste of defeat

Fife Thistle........................3

Thistle travelled to Freuchie for a league match but a moment of madness on the hour mark helped bring an end to the Balmullo side’s long unbeaten run as they succumb to their first league defeat in over six months.

Thistle started poorly and found themselves a goal down after only five minutes when Kerr prodded the ball home.

Thistle got themselves back on level terms in the 21st minute when but Gough netted.

Freuchie were back in front as Hopkins headed home unchallenged.

It was end to end and 5 minutes from the break Thistle were back on level terms again when Jukes headed home a Shepherd free kick at the front post.

The second half saw Thistle finally getting into their stride and Gorgon fired through a ruck of players to put his side in front.

On the hour mark the flow of the match changed when Brown was sent off for Thistle after a needless and wreckless challenge although the defender looked to have lost his footing as he went in.

With just 10 minutes remaining Freuchie got themselves back on level terms when Henderson could only parry a low Kelly shot into the path of Kerr who gleefully took full advantage as he slotted the ball home.

It looked as though Thistle were going to hold out for a share of the spoils, but with just a minute remaining a speculative shot from all of 35 yards from Kelly managed to beat Henderson.

Alba Mortgage Solutions Man of the Match – Rory Shepherd.

Thistle – Henderson, Ireland (Bell 89), Carson, Brown, Ross (Band 46), Shepherd, Gough, McLaren (McShane 64), McArthur (Capt.), Jukes (Barnes 71), Gorgon.

Subs – Cameron.

On Saturday Fife Thistle travel to Kinross to face Fossoway in the quarter final of the Peter Omand Cup at 2pm and then on Tuesday night they play host to St Monans Swallows.