FPC FC 6 PTFC 1

Last updated : 18 August 2005 By Chris

All in all 19 showed up, an excellent figure for a midweek game with only Del Wilson and Craig Pettigrew dropping from last week’s squad, to be replaced by Alexander, Wyper and J. Hendry.

With the nature of last weeks 11-1 triumph, Manager Frazzle, and his new ‘Gaffer’ Baseball Cap, felt compelled to start with the same XI that performed so well against the boys from Dunfermline, despite 5 of the 11 goals coming from the bench. Clarko was none too amused at this decision, having played pretty much the whole game for Dunfermline 10 days previously. Since Thistle wouldn’t have him in their side, he had to make do with a place on the bench alongside J.Hendry, Miller, Alexander, Boyd, Wyper and Speedie.

Despite the Wishaw pitch sporting a few barren patches, FPC were first into their stride with David Hendry opening the scoring for his fifth of the season. Dave did his best to miss but the ball still found the top corner of the net. Two minutes later and it was 2-0, Gardiner opening his account for the season, seeing his goal bound drive given a helping hand by a defender to extend the Corner’s advantage.


FPC seemed to lose their way somewhat after this bright opening, failing to create another clear cut chance before the break. This was punished by Thistle, who took full advantage of a penalty, the second FPC have conceded in two games, after Lynas barged his opponent to the deck at the right side of FPC’s area.

Unfortunately for the Corner, unlike last week, this time the ball was duly dispatched to Farmer’s left, hitting the back of the net before the despairing keeper could make a move.

Alexander was introduced for Gardiner, after the latter put in an awesome display of chasing everything that moved to grant PTFC as little time as possible. Darryn moved straight away to fill the void at the front, although later made do with having to drop back to midfield, as the only safe place to play.

Second half sub Ross Clark was as far up the pitch as humanly possible.

2-1 at the break to FPC, Frazzle deciding to just make one change, Topper replaced Mick Anderson, who had a rather unfortunate problem involving his shorts and some nettles as he went to hunt for a wayward clearance.

Within 10 minutes of the restart, it was 4-1 to FPC and John H, Miller was on the pitch as well as Mick being re-introduced after a new pair of shorts was located. Goal number three was a brilliant team move, with great one touch passing and movement, culminating in Tony O’Neill scoring his first ever FPC goal that didn’t involve a 30 yard volley.

Nonetheless, a cool finish in the bottom corner and the writing was on the wall for Thistle at this point.

It was all over a few minutes later when Darryn Alexander, opened his account for the season, albeit with a heavily deflected effort that looped over the keeper. Cue a mad celebration, which will definitely have to be toned down if he wants to keep his place in the side next week.

5-1, and it was clear to see that Clarko was having a big impact on the game, falling over in the box and causing general confusion to allow Joe Lynas to nip in and cap an excellent display with his third of the season. Chances were coming thick and fast at this point, with Clarko, Miller, Anderson and Alexander all going close before the sixth was finally achieved. A neat turn and finish from the edge of the box from Alexander saw the return of the mad celebration prompting an announcement that Darryn will be dropped for next week!

By this point all the subs had been brought on, with Wyper and Speedie dropping into defence, and the match starting to resemble a bounce game with no real resistance from the visiting PTFC.net side. A couple of slack passes prompted a cry of “suicide” from the Junkie Mick, as FPC almost became masters of their own downfall at the back. It wasn’t to be, and there was just about time left for Joe to miss a glorious chance to double his tally for the match, instead shooting straight at the keeper.

All in all a comfortable win for the Corner, now seven on the bounce in competitive matches, and 17 goals scored in 180 minutes since Leeds. Everyone in the squad can take heart from the performance, and look forward with relish to the third home game in a row, against Arab FC, on Saturday.


Squad: Farmer, Hepworth (J.Hendry 48) Mitch (Speedie 65) Ramage, Galloway (Miller 50) O’Neill (Anderson 50) Cunningham (Clark 48) D.Hendry (Wyper 65) Anderson (Boyd 45) Lynas, Gardiner (Alexander 40).

Scorers: D.Hendry, Gardiner, O’Neill, Alexander (2) Lynas.

Booked: None.

Sent off: None.