Jags lose out in semi

May 20 2009 by Andrew Weston, Wishaw Press

OVERTOWN Thistle were beaten 2-1 by Woodhall Thistle in the semi-final of the Paterson Trophy league cup at Jock Stein Park, Hamilton, on Monday evening.

Overtown got off to a dream start forcing Woodhall onto the back foot in the opening five minutes.

After a series of corner kicks they were rewarded with a goal when Greg Stevenson side-footed into the Woodhall net from a corner.

The match became very physical and Woodhall were lucky not to get a man sent off on 26 minutes when the Overtown keeper Scott Shepherd had to leave the field with a broken nose after a challenge.

Full-back Gary Phillips took over in goals but he could do nothing when Woodhall equalised with a fierce shot from the edge of the box on the stroke of half-time.

More controversy followed in the second half when Woodhall’s David McCallum was given a straight red when he dived in with studs showing on stand-in keeper Gary Phillips.

Phillips also had to leave the field and Overtown were onto their third goalkeeper of the match when striker Wullie Baxter took over between the sticks.

The unfortunate Overtown side lost a goal with only three minutes remaining when Baxter showed his lack of goalkeeping skills and was beaten with a low drive from outside the area.

Overtown rallied and had Woodhall Thistle defending desperately to hold onto their narrow lead and only a mad scramble in the Woodhall goalmouth prevented the match going into extra time.