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Thistle crash out of League Cup
Tain Thistle suffered a repeat of their 2013 fate as they crashed out of the League Cup in the first round today against local rivals Balintore. A hat-trick completed either side of half-time saw the Seaboard side hold firm against a Martin Smith equaliser to go 4-1 up, before Darran Goller pulled a goal back for Tain.<br /><br /><img class="imgright" src="http://www.tainthistle.co.uk/news/data/upimages/2014chippiebalty.jpg">Missing Martyn Farquhar and Arron Christie, gaffer Darren Mackay had to switch things about for his first competitive game in charge of the club, with Graeme Davis and Michael Brand being flanked by Brian Cameron and Joe Sutherland at the back. A midfield of Daniel Christie, Chris Mailley, Paul Cowie and Andy Durrand completed the 4-4-2 with Martin Smith and Darran Goller up top. Standing in to wear the familiar pink keeper's jersey following the sudden departure of Robert Ross was Niall McVicar.<br /><br />Mackay's first eleven lasted only thirteen minutes, however, before the blood and thunder nature of the "derby" took its toll on Joe Sutherland, as the amateur boxer, victorious in a bout against Patrick Coates in Aberdeen earlier this month, never made it back to his feet after a knockout blow to his ankle. Returning to the side for the first time since 2008, Craig McCourt made his return debut as a substitute, forcing a reshuffle in the ranks.<br /><br />Balintore drew first blood on 26 minutes following a controversially high boot to the face of the 6' 3" Michael Brand, which referee Michael Stainke deemed to be of adequate height. The young and pacey Balintore forward Terence Brady raced beyond the defence following the melee to net his first goal of the afternoon.<br /><br />Thistle bounced back to equalise with four minutes left on the first half clock, taking advantage of an ill-taken James Metcalfe throw-in, the Balintore defender leaving his keeper Ross Henderson to deal with the imposing figure of Thistle's Martin Smith. Instinctively and in timely fashion, Smith nodded over Henderson to make it 1-1.<br /><br />Having regrouped, Balintore emerged after the break as the more determined of the two sides, and they went 2-1 ahead five minutes into the second period, Brady again the scorer following a frenetic goalmouth stramash. Just eight minutes later, the Seaboarders asserted themselves as comfortable leaders when the diminutive Brady completed his treble.<br /><br />Struggling with a knock to his knee in the first half, Thistle's McCourt was eventually replaced by Lewis Ross in the forward line, but the change, and a switch to 3-4-3 heralded no come-back for the Jags. Twenty minutes of pressure resulted in plenty of possession but nothing to celebrate as the Balintore back line kept the Jags at bay.<br /><br />On the counter, Balintore wrapped things up with a fourth goal on 85 minutes, this time for Metcalfe, making amends for his earlier error with a well taken strike.<br /><br />With injury time left to play, Darran Goller pulled a goal back for Thistle, but the point notched was merely academic as Mr Stainke brought the game to a close just a minute later.<br /><br />While Balintore move onto the League Cup semi-finals for a match with Fortrose Union, Thistle look ahead to beginning their league campaign with a home game against new boys Dornoch City. The game takes place this Wednesday at the Links, with a 7pm kick off and manager Darren Mackay and his squad will be looking to get back to winning ways in their quest to defend the Ross-shire Welfare league championship.<br /><br /><b>Team:</b><br />McVicar, Cameron, Sutherland (McCourt (L Ross)), Davis, Brand, Cowie, Mailley, Durrand (Gourlay), D Christie, Goller, Smith<br /><br /><b>Subs not used:</b><br />Rostock<br /><br /><b>Goals:</b><br />Smith 41, Goller 89
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