Fine header from Strollers man enough to beat Thistle

DANNY FORBES scored with a powerful header from a Peter Newby corner early in the second half to secure all three points for Civil Service Strollers and move them into third place in the Central Taxis Premier Division.

The game failed to rise above the level of mediocrity with a bouncy pitch and a strong wind not helping either team who were both decimated with the unavailability of several players.

Lothian Thistle were dealt a problem in the pre-match warm-up when goalkeeper Kevin Swain pulled a thigh muscle but after treatment opted to play. However, he was unable to take goal kicks and he failed to reappear for the second half which meant that head coach Fraser Ogilvie, who had played the first half at centre forward, took over the gloves in the second half.

Lothian were without the suspended trio of Jordan Hall, Craig Hume and Mark Lothian while the Strollers were missing Craig Dickson, Russell Hogarth, Mike Somerville, John Dunn and Neil Campbell.

Despite his injured thigh, Swain was called into action in only the second minute to make a superb save low to his left from a Ross Millar header following a Newby corner.

Lothian had the benefit of a strong wind at their backs and a Daniel McAleavy free kick flew narrowly over then a Wayne McIntosh low cross caused havoc before Stewart O'Neill had a ten-yard shot blocked. McIntosh then shot wide when a pass to Franco Ruiz looked to be a better option before Ogilvie fired in a curling 30-yard free kick and Gavin Ramsey did well to touch the ball over the cross bar.

There was a controversial moment midway through the opening 45 minutes when Ogilvie appeared to be brought down by Paul Russell in the penalty box but the referee, Paul Hanlon, booked the striker for taking a dive. Lothian finished the first half on the offensive with O'Neill and Charles McAleavy both testing Ramsey in the Strollers goal.

There were only five minutes of the second half played when Newby fired over an accurate corner which Forbes met magnificently to head the ball into the bottom corner of the net from eight yards out.

"It was a perfect ball in from Peter," admitted Forbes. "I just headed the ball into the corner and I was over the moon with that. I want to keep scoring goals and help us to finish as high up the league as possible."

Lothian retaliated immediately when McIntosh brought out a fine save from Ramsey and the rebound fell to Gary Black who lifted his close range effort high over the crossbar. Liam Jack made a timely tackle on McIntosh before a Black header was held by Ramsey low down then a Daniel McAleavy free kick was only inches wide of the post.

However, the best chance of the game fell to Lothian's captain and leading goalscorer, McIntosh, in the 86th minute. Daniel McAleavy performed superbly on the left wing to create space for an inch-perfect cross which picked out the unmarked McIntosh only five yards out but he directed his header over the bar.

It proved to be the final action of a game in which stand-in goalkeeper Ogilvie was not called upon to make a single save.

"I felt that we had the better of the play in the first half although we created no clear-cut chances. In the second half we came out and it took us 15 minutes before we really started and by that time we were a goal down because of some very slack marking at a corner kick.

"It seems like one step forward and two backwards after beating Whitehill Welfare in our last game. I felt that the Strollers worked harder than us and maybe we showed a lack of self-belief."

Keith Stewart, the Strollers joint-manager, said: "I think that the pitch and the wind won the game. Having said that I felt that we defended really well and although Lothian pushed us in the last ten minutes we competed exceptionally well.

"Neither goalkeeper had much to do although I am very pleased to come to one of the top sides in the league and go away with all three points. If we could finish the league campaign unbeaten in our remaining three games then I would be overjoyed.

"From my point of view Paul Russell played his first game of the season and did superbly while two of our Under-19 team, James Lamb and Denholm Pennycuik, also did well. Overall, I am happy for my players who tackled the conditions professionally."

Lothian Thistle: Swain (Black 46), MacAulay, D McAleavy, Young, Wilkes, C McAleavy, Ruiz, Herd, Ogilvie, McIntosh, S O'Neill. Sub: P O'Neill.

Civil Service: Ramsey, Robertson, Jack, Russell, Millar, Forbes (Rennie 77), Newby, Wilson, Burgess (Pennycuik 27), Lamb, Bain. Subs: Raeburn, Dillion, Cosgrove.