Lochar edge out Larkhall

IT was Lochar who won the battle of the Thistles after coming away with a fine 2-0 victory away to Larkhall in a South Challenge third round tie.

Lochar started strongly and had an excellent opportunity to open the scoring on seven minutes.

Marcus Zygadlo broke clear and found Finlay Kennedy but the midfielder’s effort was well blocked before arriving safely into the Larkhall keepers hands.

The game became scrappy as the half wore on but it always seemed that the visitors were the most dangerous.

They had a couple of chances before half time but the sides went in goalless at the break as the tie sat firmly in the balance.

Lochar again started the second period brightly. And the deadlock was finally broken on the hour mark when Konar Pietsch’s ball found Scott Milligan on the half way line, the forward controlled well with his chest before clipping the ball over a defender for the dangerous Zygadlo to drive at the defence.

The speed of the winger saw him outstrip the Larkhall back-line and he poked the ball under the keeper to give his side the lead.

The in form winger had a chance to double Lochar Thistle’s lead minutes later when he rounded the keeper, but his effort from an acute angle went agonisingly past the post much to the relief of the home side.

Larkhall Thistle had to throw men forward to try and draw level but the Lochar defence thwarted any dangers.

Pietsch came to Lochar’s rescue a couple of times in the final ten minutes when he saved well but also commanded his area excellently.

The tie was put to bed in the final minute of regular time when again Zygadlo did well down the right, while Lewis Todd had also joined in on the attack. The pair linked well to advance into the box before Todd cut the ball back to Zygadlo. His effort was superbly saved by the keeper before Todd’s follow up header was blocked, however, on hand was Cammy Shaw. He fired home from close range to bring ecstatic cheers from the Lochar support and seal progression into the fourth round of the coveted non-league competition.