2016/17 – Page 6 – Thorn Athletic Football Club

Thorn Athletic 7 Weir Recreation 1

THORN ATHLETIC clinched their place in the quarter-finals of the Douglas Smith League Cup with a 7-1 demolition of Weir Recreation.

The Johnstone side topped the group with two wins and a draw over rivals Giffnock North, who they pipped with their superior goal difference.

And manager James Donnelly was delighted to secure an unbeaten run in the section 8 of the group stage.

He said: “We have been battered by holidays and suspensions for the first few weeks but we have managed to rally round and progress to the quarter-finals which was the aim at the outset.

“Fourteen goals scored in three games proves that we have a threat going forward and hopefully we can only get stronger from here on in.

“The squad has been stretched but everyone has done what’s been asked of them.”

The scoreline flattered the Glasgow side and Thorn should have been well out of sight by the interval.

Craig McMahon opened the scoring after three minutes but Thorn were soon pegged back when slack defending once again allowed Weirs to level.

However a free-kick was awarded 25 yards out and Paul Young stepped up to curl a lovely shot around the wall and into the corner of the net to restore the lead.

From then on it was one way traffic with McMahon, Tom Smith and Ryan Crawford passing up gilt-edged opportunities.

But soon after the restart McMahon finally made it 3-1 and put the game beyond doubt.

Darren Lamont nodded in the fourth from Young’s corner before Liam Allen made it five.

Chances were aplenty and boss Donnelly rang the changes replacing keeper Liam McWilliams with brother Tony and introducing Johnny McEwan and flu-hit Dean Scott.

Scott didn’t take long to get on the scoresheet with number six after some fine play down the left.

And Ross Horne rounded it off with a goal five minutes before time against deflated opponents.

A solid display at the back and plentiful goalscoring opportunities

Giffnock North 1 Thorn Athletic 1

TEN-MAN Thorn Athletic secured a heroic away point against much-fancied Giffnock as they took a step closer to League Cup progress.

The Glasgow giants knew a draw wasn’t enough against the Johnstone side with goal difference going to be crucial in the fight for top spot in the section.

And James Donnelly’s team now go into Saturday’s home clash with Weir Recreation knowing that a reasonable win would see them reach the quarter finals.

Red-hot striker Craig McMahon made a lightening start and could have opened the scoring early on but eventually dragged his shot wide.

But he was not put off and soon broke through again after a pass from Tony Galbraith and this time made no mistake with his shot across the keeper and into the net.

Giffnock started slowly but going behind soon saw them step up a gear and control proceedings.

Thorn remained dangerous with Tom Smith and McMahon causing problems for an experienced home defence that included Scotland’s amateur No1 Craig Marshall.

Some strange refereeing decisions from the match official left players on both sides scratching their heads.

Donny Morrison saw his name in the book for dissent and not long after tempers on the touchline boiled over as back-up keeper and coach Tony McWilliams kicked out only to see a yellow card flashed back.

Both teams had a few half chances and Giffnock were finally rewarded with an equaliser when a poor clearance came back into the box and home skipper Mark Shanta was played on side as he directed a backwards header past Liam McWilliams.

With the teams level at the break Thorn really had to produce more in the second half to trouble their rivals.

And with half an hour to go that was made to look like an impossible task when Morrison appeared to head the ball onto his hand on the edge of the area.

The inexperienced whistler blew and reached for a second yellow card followed swiftly by a red and sent Morrison off.

The resultant free-kick was a poor effort and Thorn knew they had to regroup fast.

Giffnock sensed blood and began to throw bodies forward and balls into the box. As the game wore on Thorn’s forays up the park were restricted to only the odd breakaway.

Giffnock penalty claims were waved away with 20 minutes to go with howls of derision and figures on the home touchline becoming increasingly exasperated.

However, Thorn were defending well and dealing with most of what the home side threw at them.

Tired legs crept in and that was probably the biggest danger to Donnelly’s team as they edged closer and closer to a crucial away point.

It looked like disaster had struck in the closing moments when the ball ended up in the Thorn net but play was hauled back by the official to the relief of the away touchline.

And in the dying moments a few welcome fouls from the home side allowed Thorn to see it out and head home the happier of the two sides.

Tom Smith

ABOUT TOM SMITH…

Powerful and pacy frontman with a deadly strike. Top goalscorer at the club for the past two seasons weighing in with crucial goals on the way to a memorable Premier League and Challenge Cup double. Looks after himself and when he’s in the mood then he can be unplayable. Mr Polite off the park but has proved to be more than a handful for defenders as he continues to go from strength to strength during his Thorn career.

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Each player has recruited their own sponsor this season to help the club develop and have continued stability. Without this support from individuals and businesses then the grassroots football community simply couldn’t continue. So if you can, please support the businesses or charities that support us. Thank you!

Tony Galbraith

Ryan Crawford

ABOUT RYAN CRAWFORD…

Ryan’s been one of the real success stories of the last few years in terms of his development and game maturity. Now recognised as a hugely talented midfielder and increasing goal threat, he has ascended to become club captain and earn recognition with the Caledonian Select and the Scotland Amateur team, where he has been rewarded with several caps. Brings his effusive character to the dressing room and the team and with his hard work and dedication is sure to add new dimensions to his game.

BUSINESS SPONSOR OR CHOSEN CHARITY FOR SEASON 2019-20

AWAITING CONFIRMATION

Each player has recruited their own sponsor this season to help the club develop and have continued stability. Without this support from individuals and businesses then the grassroots football community simply couldn’t continue. So if you can, please support the businesses or charities that support us. Thank you!

Thorn Athletic v Gartcosh United

SIX-SHOOTERS Thorn Athletic kicked off the competitive campaign in style as they sent Glasgow outfit Gartcosh packing.

The Johnstone side top their League Cup section after their opening day win that came in more style than was predicted.

With no fewer than eight members of the squad missing through suspension and holidays there was pressure on the remainder of the team to come up with the goods. And that they did.

And there was no shortage of good play on show as well as some slick finishing from the home side.

The opener came when Darren Lamont played a good through ball to Craig McMahon and he finished well as he went one on one with the goalkeeper.

It seemed to shake the visitors and as Thorn pressed high up the park a short back pass to the keeper saw Ryan Crawford nip in to round the keeper for the second.

The third goal bizarrely came direct from a corner kick as Liam Allen swung it in only to see the ball evade everyone and end up in the back of the net.

By this point Thorn were well on top and determined to turn the screw on a team they will also meet during the league campaign.

A great team move led to a delightful one two between Tom Smith and McMahon, with Smith applying the finish into the bottom corner to make it 4-0 at the interval.

The Glasgow side’s manager was close to meltdown at the interval as he tried to force a response from his men.

The second half started in scrappy fashion as Gartcosh began to become heavy handed in their attempts to thwart their dominant hosts.

And they eventually sneaked a consolation after some poor play in midfield allowed them to breach the home rearguard.

But Thorn hit back immediately after Crawford grabbed his second following a good ball in from wide.

And soon Thorn added the icing on the cake when the ball broke in the box to Allen and he dispatched a fine finish with his weaker foot past a despondent keeper.

Manager James Donnelly said: “It was just the way we wanted to open the season with a win as it’s been a long pre-season campaign for the boys.

“The squad has undergone a fair amount of surgery again during the summer but we are in relatively good shape considering the suspensions and holidays we have had to contend with.

“It will be well into September before things settle down but I’ve been impressed by the squad.”

Jamie White

ABOUT JAMIE WHITE…

Jamie is a real mercurial talent and his old fashioned wide play can make him a real joy to watch at times. His attacking skills and quality can make him a real handful for defences. While he has huge creative potential he remains a hard worker and vital to the wellbeing of the team. Again his rise to prominence has coincided with a successful period at the club and despite having had his injury problems, looks to back in the groove once again.

BUSINESS SPONSOR OR CHOSEN CHARITY FOR SEASON 2019-20

AWAITING CONFIRMATION

Each player has recruited their own sponsor this season to help the club develop and have continued stability. Without this support from individuals and businesses then the grassroots football community simply couldn’t continue. So if you can, please support the businesses or charities that support us. Thank you!

Joe Rae

ABOUT JOE RAE…

Joe is an experienced defender that has really grown in stature during his first few years at the club. A mainstay of the Caledonian League Select side that enjoyed success last season. Cool on the ball and excellent at both covering and interceptions you could also use him in the midfield area without any hesitation. A real asset to the club and has been key to the team’s success in recent years.

BUSINESS SPONSOR OR CHOSEN CHARITY FOR SEASON 2019-20

AWAITING CONFIRMATION

Each player has recruited their own sponsor this season to help the club develop and have continued stability. Without this support from individuals and businesses then the grassroots football community simply couldn’t continue. So if you can, please support the businesses or charities that support us. Thank you!