A spirited Bathgate Thistle fell to a 1-0 defeat against league leaders Syngenta in their East of Scotland Conference Division X tie at Creamery Park, writes Callum McCormack.
An Andy Rodgers penalty just before half-time proved to be the difference as Syngenta sealed promotion to next season’s East of Scotland Division Two alongside Whitburn with the victory.
On paper, this looked to be an easy task for the league leaders against a Jags side containing six trialists, but recent weeks have seen a resurgent Thistle side under new gaffer Andy Malone.
The Dyes started brightly and the opening stages saw their push for an early lead thwarted by the hosts.
A reaction save from Sean Brown in the Bathgate goal would deny Rodgers an opener on seven minutes when the veteran’s powerful header appeared destined for the net before the keeper did well to deny Ally McInnes five minutes later.
Despite the early chances, it wasn’t all plain sailing with Thistle battling well but unable to convert any pressure they had into clear-cut chances.
Both Kai Wilson and Dylan Dyet would play inviting balls across the face of goal but neither would find any takers.
At the other end, Syngenta would continue to probe, often through Rodgers. The frontman broke through the Jags defence on 28 minutes but lacked the pace to separate himself with his shot under pressure going wide.
With just a minute remaining before the half-time break, the away side were awarded a penalty as Ricky Orr was adjudged to have pulled back Lennon Pirrie.
Rogers slammed home the spot-kick despite remonstrations from the Bathgate players.
The second half followed a similar pattern. The Dyes pushed for a second as Thistle looked to make the afternoon difficult for their guests.
Simon White was left wondering how his effort from distance didn’t find the net as it first hit the post, then Brown’s back, before being cleared off the line.
Seconds later, Syngenta would hit the woodwork again as Rodgers rose the highest but saw his header denied by the post.
Thistle almost got themselves back on level terms when Kenny Knox’s effort was spilled by Darren Hill with Bathgate skipper Gregor Dryden poking the ball home only to be ruled offside.
There would be one final chance for the visitors when James Finlay’s header back across goal was turned, once again, onto the post by Rogers.
The victory confirmed promotion for Syngenta but they passed up the chance to open up a sizeable lead in the goal difference department over rivals Whitburn as the title race goes down to the last day.
Jags boss Malone was full of praise for his side’s performance and backed them to take the positives into next season.
He said: “I thought the guys were unlucky. They worked hard against a top team that’s obviously won promotion.
“I thought they were excellent, they made Syngenta have to work for their victory. Ultimately that’s our aim for the forthcoming season, that we’ll be up at that end of the table at the end of the season.
“I think the guys have got the belief back in themselves. They are good players and they’ve shown that over the last three games.
“We can build for next season with that. We’ll have a good season.”
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