Nine-Man Gowfers Hold Out For A Draw

Carnoustie Panmure 1 Bathgate 1

On winning the toss, Carnoustie elected to play with the strong westerly wind at their backs in the first half and it was Bathgate who got the game under way. The visitors attacked from the off and had an early chance when Haynes got on the end of a Wilson cross from the right, but his header lacked direction and went weakly past.

Shortly afterwards, Carnoustie also came close to scoring at the other end when Cook fired in a cross from the right to Voigt, but 'keeper Carlin came smartly off his line to claim the ball before the home striker could get in a shot.

Steele kept the pressure on the Thistle goal with a fine solo run up the right, but his cross to the far post was caught by the strong wind and carried over the bar.

Just when the Gowfers were starting to gain the upper hand, they suffered a controversial setback in 10 minutes when Haynes went down apparently unchallenged inside the home box and the referee awarded a rather 'soft' penalty. Craig and Abbot were both booked for protesting, but the decision stood and MCGRILLEN duly sent Whyte the wrong way from the spot to put Thistle ahead.

Straight from the centre, Carnoustie almost snatched an early equaliser when a Voigt shot was deflected for a corner by Hunter. Muhsin's flag kick was palmed away by Carlin, but fell to Voigt, who shot narrowly past from 10 yards.

Bathgate then pushed forward once more and came close to doubling their lead after McFadyen was fouled by Robertson just outside the home box. McGrillen's free kick cleared the defensive wall, but also the crossbar, much to the Gowfers' relief. Back at the other end, Carnoustie won a corner on the left off Neill. Muhsin's cross was headed only partially clear by Wilson and dropped out to Abbot, who drove high over the top from the edge of the box.

In 26 minutes, however, the Gowfers did get back on level terms. Steele beat Wilson on the bye-line and crossed to the far post where the unmarked COOK volleyed the ball home from close-in, giving Carlin no chance.

Shortly afterwards, Carnoustie were through again and Steele appeared to be fouled inside the box, but despite the loud home appeals, no penalty was given.

Hendry then gave the Gowfers' support a few anxious moments when he was short with a headed backpass, but Whyte, coming quickly off his line, got to the ball just ahead of the in-rushing McGrillen.

With wind advantage, Carnoustie continued to do most of the pressing and came close to going ahead when Muhsin tried his luck with a long-range effort, which was well held by Carlin.

Abbot then forced a corner on the left, which he took himself to Collier, whose fierce drive from the edge of the box produced another fine save from the Bathgate 'keeper at his right-hand post.

Just on half-time, Thistle made a rare sortie upfield and won a corner on the right, but McFadyen headed narrowly past from McGrillen's cross.

Half Time : Carnoustie Panmure 1 Bathgate 1

On the restart, McFadyen made a good run up the Bathgate left, but as had happened many times to Carnoustie in the first half, the move ended with his cross drifting over the crossbar in the strong wind.

Haynes then tried his luck from 35 yards, but his effort was well held by Whyte. The first substitution of the match was made by Bathgate in 54 minutes when McFadyen went off and was replaced by Lorek.

Two minutes later, a clash on the halfway line resulted in two players being issued with straight red cards. Thistle right-back Wilson committed the initial crime against Collier, who then retaliated and also received his marching orders reducing both sides to 10 men.

Play was now becoming rather towsy and in 63 minutes Haynes was booked for a foul on Robertson.

A minute later, Bathgate made another change with Harvey being substituted by Easton.

Carnoustie had what seemed another strong penalty claim turned down when after making a fine solo run into the box, Cook appeared to be pushed off the ball by Hunter, but the referee saw nothing wrong and waved play on.

In 70 minutes, Cook went down injured with a leg knock, but resumed after treatment.

Just after this, Carnoustie had a lucky escape when Haynes ran on to a loose ball 35 yards out, but saw his long-range effort rebound from the crossbar with Whyte seemingly beaten.

Thistle continued to press and won a corner on the left. Lorek played the ball out to Love, who shot high over the top from outside the box.

Narey then launched a quick Carnoustie counter-attack with a good ball up the right to Muhsin, who crossed low and hard into the six yard box. Carlin and Voigt clashed as they went for the ball and both required treatment before continuing.

In 80 minutes, Kelly was introduced to the fray for Carnoustie in place of Steele, who had taken a knock.

There was further controversy in 87 minutes when Docherty was booked for a foul on Abbot 40 yards out. Amazingly, however, Abbot was also shown the yellow card and as he had already been booked earlier, this was quickly followed by the red and Carnoustie were down to nine men.

In the closing Stages, Bathgate piled on the pressure hoping to capitalise on the extra man advantage.

A cross from the right by Wilson was punched into the Gowfers' net by Docherty, but although the referee disallowed the goal and awarded a free kick, he again incurred the wrath of the home support by failing to take any action against the offending Thistle player, who only moments earlier had been yellow-carded and almost certainly should have been ordered-off for a second bookable offence.

Right on the final whistle, a 25 yard shot by Lorek took a deflection off one of his own players, but Whyte made a fine save at his left-hand post to guarantee the Gowfers one point when all three would have been more just reward for their efforts.

Line-Ups:

Carnoustie Panmure : Whyte, Narey, Craig, Robertson, Hendry, Muhsin, Cook, Abbot, Collier, Voigt, Steele (Kelly 80).

Substitutes Not Used: Cumming, O'Boyle, Conway, McCafferty (gk).

Bathgate : Carlin, Wilson, Smith, Hunter, Neill, Love, Harvey (Easton 64), Docherty, Haynes, McGrillen, McFadyen (Lorek 54).

Substitutes Not Used : Nicholson, Gaughan, Longmuir (gk).

Match Report Courtesy Of Guide And Gazette Newspaper