05/04/2016  |  League

Threave Rovers   1  v  4  Cumbernauld Colts

With back to back wins against Gretna 2008 the Colts made the long midweek trek to Threave hoping to make it three wins in three. No-one travelled expecting this to be an easy game, Threave certainly a better side now than in the reverse fixture earlier in the season which was manager McGinley's first back in charge. They have been on a good run of late, 7 points in 9, giving themselves a fighting chance of staying up.

And with that in mind the rather unorthodox preparation wouldn't have settled the Colts as they had to get stripped on the bus following a traffic holdup!

In the early stages the home side had the better of the chances, their central striker proving to be a handful and unfortunate to see his left foot effort from 25 yards whistle just wide of Fahey's left hand post with the keeper helpless.

As the game wore on though Colts too created chances, Selkirk seeing a shot blocked from the edge of the area that led to a corner, Broadfoot picking out Ward at the back post with the Colts skipper forcing a point blank save from the home keeper.

And the away side did take the lead just after the quarter hour, Barclay turning in midfield to spot the run of Kirwan on the left, the pacey fullback driving beyond one challenge before being felled by a sliding challenge in the box, an easy call for the official. Broadfoot stepped up right footed and sent the keeper the wrong way to give the Colts the lead.

And it was nearly two moments after as Broadfoot played a neat one-two with Black centrally before unleashing an effort from 25 yards that skimmed the post on its way past.

Top their credit though the home side remained a constant threat, pressing the ball high and getting their rewards from a rather unorthodox equaliser. Oliver played back to Fahey who, under pressure, kicked off the head of the centre forward 20 yards out, the ball looping back over the keeper and into the net.

Not much in the way of further action in the first half and the sides went in 1-1.

Into the second half and the Colts had clearly been given instruction to lift the tempo after the break as to a man everything was sharper, pressing was better and they got their reward 15 minutes in as on form Selkirk made it 2-1 to the Broadwood men. O'Neill and Broadfoot worked a quick free kick on the right, Black picking up the ball at the back post and finding Selkirk who headed home.

Further efforts came for Barclay, Kirwan and Hunter before the home side nearly grabbed a spectacular equaliser with a first time half volley from 30 yards which whistled just wide.

As the game wore on though it was Colts that looked most likely and the tireless Kirwan, causing all sorts of problems on the Colts left, was the man to get it. He picked up a pass from Barclay on half way and drove right down the line and into the box, squaring towards Selikirk. The defenders last gasp interception stopped a Selkirk tap in, but the ball fell kindly for Kirwan who slammed home for 3-1.

And the visitors saved the best for last, Broadfoot picking up in midfield and finding Selkirk who took a sublime first touch to deceive his marker before playing a defence splitting pass into the path of Barclay who dinked the keeper from 12 yards to make it 4-1 in stoppage time.

In truth, 4-1 was probably harsh on the home side, Colts deserving the points but at 2-1 with 2 minutes remaining probably a fairer reflection on the contest.

Three wins in three for the Broadwood men though, leaving them four points ahead of East Kilbride in fourth place with 3 games each to play. Colts will be hoping to continue their fine form as they welcome Selkirk to Broadwood for the last home game of the season on Saturday.