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  • Thistle lose out to Social on penalties | Latest News | Tain Thistle AFC
  • Thistle lose out to Social on penalties

    <img class="imgright" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.tainthistle.co.uk/news/data/upimages/danny.jpg">The cruelty of penalties ended Thistle's hopes of an appearance in the Pattison Cup final next week, as Invergordon Social Club rode their luck to advance at a sunny Grant Park. <br /><br />The game finished 1-1 after ninety minutes, and extra time heralded no further goals. In the end, the shootout settled the issue, with Social's Kenny Ross scoring the decisive kick.<br /><br />Manager Arron Christie made changes to the side which struggled against Ross Club midweek, Michael Brand dropped in favour of Paul Cowie, while Liam Rostock came in to replace Calum Macdonald. Kyle Oliver was also reintroduced.<br /><br />The Tain men got off to a promising start when Darran Goller found his header saved by Barry Nimmons, but a fifteen minute spell of pressure from a young and pacey Social side saw them take the lead on 23 minutes, when Kenny Ross headed a cross past Martin from 2 yards. <br /><br />The goal followed a series of ISC attacks and was well deserved, Social having seen two efforts palmed wide by Martin, another hit the woodwork, and Martin saving again, this time a penalty from Ross. Thistle fought back into the game gradually, but were the weaker team of a high tempo first half.<br /><br />Thistle re-emerged for the second half a different side, dominating most of the play. Wingers Rostock and Goller both tested Nimmons but the Social keeper was up to the challenge, and Reid, later replaced by Durrand, missed a chance in front of goal, that should have been easier to score!<br /><br />As Thistle pushed for the equalizer, shoddy discipline from the Social Club saw them pick up bookings left right and centre, and soon, a straight red followed for Rob Mitchell after an assault on the felled Arron Christie. <br /><br />A rattled Social struggled to cope with the late pressure, and soon Tain found the net. Keith Dingwall was the man on hand to get the final touch on a goalmouth stramash that even goalkeeper Stevie Martin was up to join.<br /><br />Playing with the man advantage, Thistle had the better of extra time, but failed to find the elusive winner, having seen efforts from Goller, Rostock and Daniel Christie saved by Nimmons.<br /><br />The inevitable was the penalty shoot-out, and ten spot kicks later, Social Club had secured a place in the Pattison Cup final, by 3 kicks to 2. It was Thistle own ineptness from the spot which was their undoing, Steve Martin having done tremendously well to save two of Social's efforts. Thistle's Arron Christie and Oliver found the net while Farquhar hit the bar, Daniel Christie placed wide and Rostock's kick was saved by Nimmons.<br /><br />In the other semi, Ross-shire Club dumped League Cup winners Alness Athletic, 3-0. In league action, Inver held Balintore at bay to record a 3-2 win.<br /><br /><b>Team:</b><br />Martin, Rice (McGaw), Farquhar, Dingwall, A Christie, Oliver, D Christie, Goller, Rostock, Cowie (Macdonald), Reid (Durrand)<br /><br /><b>Subs not used:</b><br />Austin, Nimmons<br /><br /><b>Scorer:</b><br />Keith Dingwall 90<br /><br /><b>Bookings:</b><br />A Christie, Farquhar, Martin, D Christie<br /><br /><b>Man of the Match:</b><br />Steven Martin

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