match270903

It was a day of contrasting fortunes for Thornton's two former Crossgates' players, Neil McLeod and Graeme Deans, as the former was ordered-off for preventing the ball from entering the net with his hand and the latter scored to cement his position as this season's top scorer at Memorial Park.
For short-staffed Hibs, Ryan Kennedy passed a late fitness test, Kieran McGuire shrugged off illness to allow him to don a substitute's jersey and there was also a place on the bench for former Lochgelly and Dundonald striker Darren Duffy. Primrose had Craig Scott side lined through injury and McKenzie stood in for the Primrose's vice captain.
Hibs took the lead in the 3rd minute in rather fortunate circumstances when Gary Cassells' cross was sliced into his own net by Gregg Robertson, the second week in a row the Primrose have gifted a goal. Shortly afterwards Adam Drummond had a netbound shot cleared by Robertson as the home side looked to increase their lead but the next goal came at the other end courtesy of Gareth Hall whose crisp first time, left foot shot, from 20 yards flashed in low at Alec Webster's left hand post.
Brian Boardman was causing the Hibs' defence no end of problems and he almost gave Primrose the lead when he robbed Ryan Kennedy in the area but Alec Webster made a superb save at the expense of a corner-kick. Boardman took it and Kennedy had to knock the inswinging ball off the line.
There were loud shouts for a penalty from those in green and white when Kevin Masson went down heavily in the area but referee Neil Marshalsey was having none of it and waved play on.
Thornton regained their lead just before half-time as Gary Cassells played Adam Drummond in and he took one touch to steady himself before playing the ball below the diving Steven Horn.
Half Time: Thornton 2 Crossgates 1
The game continued in a scrappy end to end manner and on the hour mark Crossgates were awarded a corner-kick and with the Hibs' defenders still questioning the validity of this decision with the referee as they felt the ball had been taken out of play by Boardman who playing the whistle kept going and sent the ball onto the head of the unmarked Mike Brown. His netbound header was 'saved' on the line by Neil McLeod who left the ref. with no alternative but to flash a red card at the Hibs' defender and award the visitors a penalty kick. Brown took it himself but Alec Webster made a great save however Brown followed up to knock the loose ball into the net.
A class of heads meant Primrose sweeper Haggett had to leave the pitch and before he was replaced by sub McCreadie Thornton went ahead for the third time in the game when Gary Cassells released Adam Drummond in the inside left channel. He showed the ball to his opponent before getting to the byeline and cutting the ball back to Graeme Deans who shot home from eight yards.
The final goal came with ten minutes remaining when Boardman capitalised on a bit of indecision by Ryan Kennedy to lob the ball over the stranded Webster.

Primrose:
Horn, Haggett, Ravenscroft, A. Ferguson, McKenzie, Mullen, Robertson, Hall, Boardman, Buchanan, M. Brown
Subs: Coull, R. Brown, Arnott, McCreadie, Campbell

Thornton:
Webster, Etim, McLeod, Dursley, Kennedy, Ferguson, Deans, McAllister, Drummond, Cassells, Masson
Subs: McGuire, Duffy, Syme, Danks

Ref: N. Marshalsey

Derrick Easton Man of the match: Gareth Hall, worked hard, scored a good goal.