Although it was the goals from Ross Morgan, Stuart McDonald and Adam Drummond that allowed Thornton Hibs to collect the three points, their 'keeper, Scott Russell played a major role too as he made two terrific saves within a minute of each other to keep his side’s unbeaten record intact.
The Hibs’ top scorer, Ross Morgan, opened the scoring in the 23rd minute as he lashed the ball home from eight yards and four minutes later his volley struck David Stein’s arm two yards from goal but the referee deemed there had been no intent and waved aside decent claims for a penalty.
Thornton really needed at least a two goal cushion before they turned round to face the elements in the second-half so Stuart McDonald’s goal two minutes before the interval was timely indeed. Keiran McGuire’s wind assisted powerful drive from distance took a wicked bounce in front of Colin Rushford and rebounded off the Albert goalie’s chest. The ball went wide and it was a quality finish from McDonald for his first goal since November 2007.
Craig McCreadie had the ball in the home goal within sixty seconds however the referee ruled it out because of offside to the relief of the home support.
And so it was the Hibs’ turn to try and, quite literally, weather the storm as the second-half began. Within five minutes, Andy Barratt reduced the leeway as he smashed home a penalty kick after the ref judged that John Dickson had impeded McCreadie in the area.
In the 69th minute, Adam Drummond restored Thornton’s two goal advantage from the penalty spot after John Halley was brought down by Ryan Dair and then two minutes later Scott Russell made the first of his two great saves as he tipped over Andy Barratt’s superb strike. Just at the back of that McCreadie went through one on one with the Hibs #1 but Russell made a brave save at the feet of the Lochgelly midfielder then got up smartly to collect the loose ball.
Drummond had an opportunity to kill the game in the 80th minute when the Hibs were awarded another penalty after Gary Thomson was upended but his effort came down with snow on it.
With seven minutes remaining, Lochgelly were reduced to ten men following Craig Farley’s dismissal to complete their day of misery. |
