Thistle and Killie play out stalemate

Boroughmuir Thistle and Kilmarnock played out a hard-fought goalless draw at Rugby Park on Sunday afternoon.

A slow first half devoid of clear-cut chances came and went as both teams cancelled each other out and battled hard in midfield.

Thistle improved in the second half, creating a number of opportunities, but just couldn’t quite find a breakthrough.

The result means that Boroughmuir sit in fifth place on seven points, and six points behind league leaders Hamilton Accies.

It took until the 20th minute before either side created an opportunity of note, as Dionne Brown’s free kick flew just over the crossbar for the home side.

A minute later, Becky Galbraith tried her luck from a tight angle inside the box but the Killie ‘keeper was equal to her effort.

Shortly before half time, Abby Robinson rounded off the little goalmouth action in the first half when she shot over Toni Harkness’ crossbar.

Thistle looked an improved side in the second half, almost instantly creating a chance via Cara Borthwick whose low cross from the right narrowly evaded anyone in Boroughmuir’s grey away colours.

Borthwick was then at the heart of the attacking action once again when she crossed for substitute Emily Arthur, but the forward was unfortunate to slip on the artificial surface just as she shaped to connect with the ball.

Defensively, Thistle stood strong to thwart the few chances Kilmarnock managed to create and always looked up for the fight in midfield.

With 12 minutes remaining Robin Gallagher picked up Cailin Michie’s pin-point through ball but just couldn’t quite convert from inside the box, and Maria Novoa-Torrente’s hooked half-volley flew over the bar as a frustrating match in front of goal came to an end.

Next up for Boroughmuir is a home match against St Johnstone on Sunday 22nd September, with the game kicking off at 1pm.

Kilmarnock: Currie, MacConnell, MacMillan, McCulloch, Martin, O’Brien, Linden, Robinson (C), Burns, Brown, Gray

Subs: Kerrigan, Brady, Crooks, Reside, Cowan, Galloway, Hanvey, Scott, Murray

Boroughmuir Thistle: Harkness, Sheehan, Mason (C) (Orr-Love 83’), Simmons, Michie, Novoa-Torrente, Galbraith (Arthur 50’), Gibson, McCafferty, Borthwick (Macleod 83’), Parrish (Gallagher 68’)

Subs: Angelini, Gallagher, Armstrong, Arthur, Macleod, Brady, Orr-Love, Hinchcliffe, Aitchison

Referee: Ross Menzies

Post-match reaction