Impressive league form continues for Thistle and Vale

LOCHAR picked up a welcome three points last Saturday in their defence of the South of Scotland League following a scrappy 4-2 victory over Mid Annandale at Lockerbie.

With Konar Pietsch suspended, under 20’s goalkeeper Blaine Badenhorst was handed the gloves for Thistle.

Lochar started brightly and pinned the Mids defence back, so it came as no surprise when they opened the scoring on 12 minutes after Finlay Kennedy dispossessed a Mids defender 20 yards from goal before advancing and sliding under the keeper.

However, the lead was short-lived as Mids drew level four minutes later. The home side broke an excellent dummy and saw Luke Hammond on hand to make it 1-1.

The goals kept on coming as Lochar took the lead again on 20 minutes when Zygadlo did well on the right before firing across goal where Cammy Shaw was lurking to side foot home from close range.

Shaw went close to adding to Lochar’s advantage but the Lockerbie keeper saved well.

Shaw had another chance of extending the lead on 33 minutes when he was upended in the box and awarded a penalty. But the striker saw his effort from 12 yards saved.

Badenhorst was called in to action late in the half and the youngster did well to turn a Mids effort round the post.

Lochar started the second period brightly and Shaw, who had another good chance, blazed over the bar.

Mids then drew level against the run of play not long after the hour mark following a counter attack.

Thistle, however, regained the lead within two minutes when a Kennedy free kick was glanced home by Lochar man of the match Rory Copland.

Mids continued to be a threat and a good save with his legs from Badenhorst kept Lochar in front.

As the game entered the final 15 minutes Lochar were the team on the front foot as their fitness began to show and the three points were secured late on when Kennedy cut back for Lewis Todd to fire home from six yards.

Over at Kirkcudbright, Abbey Vale continued their unbeaten start to the league after they thumped St Cuthbert Wanderers 6-0.

Ben Wallace scored a brace, while the other goals came from Rio Little, Olly Cairnie, Adrian Leybourn and the Saints defender, who unfortunately put the ball into his own net.

This weekend Lochar are without a fixture, while Vale host Newton Stewart in the first round of the League Cup.