CLYDE THISTLE could only secure a point from their first game in the Paisley, Johnstone and District YFL’s top tier – but it was a topsy turvy and entertaining game against a strong Broomhill side at Nethercraigs Sports Complex.

At full time the ‘Rhu Jags’ were left wondering how they didn’t win this rollercoaster contest having gone 3-1 up in the second half, then going behind 4-3 before salvaging a point with a late equaliser.

Thistle began the match positively and in the early stages the best goalscoring opportunity fell to Charlie Cook.

A long ball allowed the striker to go through one-on-one with Broomhill’s goalkeeper but his low shot hit the inside of the far post.

Not long after that Cook found himself in a similar position when Nathan Brown released him with a superb raking pass over the home team’s backline, and this time the skilful number eight made no mistake as he passed the ball into the net.

The home team equalised when a clever pass was played through to one of their lively attackers, who curled an accurate finish low beyond Zak Logan who dived helplessly to his left.

Thistle got their noses back in front before half-time when a loose ball fell to captain for the day Adam Smith and his shot from 18 yards took a slight deflection off a defender before nestling in the bottom corner.

It was looking good for the visitors at this stage, and it was to get even better in the second period when a deep corner from Nathan curled to the back post and Jack Smith was there to volley the ball high into the roof of the net.

From a very strong position, however, Thistle switched off, and a simple pass released Broomhill’s left winger and he made it 3-2 with an accurate finish.

Despite being a goal down, Broomhill were now in the ascendancy and they equalised with a scrappy goal before going 4-3 up with a shot into the top corner after Thistle had failed to clear a corner.

A defeat would have been incredibly harsh on the Jags on their first league outing but an indirect free-kick awarded inside the 18-yard box allowed Nathan to smash a low drive into a crowded area and Lenin Campbell was in the right place at the right time to divert the ball home from close range.

Coach Chris Hedley said afterwards: “It was a tough 70 minutes for the boys on a big grass pitch but they all worked very hard, their effort was superb and they will learn from it.”

Squad: Zak Logan, Aidan Dixon, Brandon Mackie-Fleming, Ross McKinnon, Jay Black, Kyle Glancy, Aidan Clifford, Cammy Warner, Nathan Brown, Adam Smith, Charlie Cook, Jack Smith, Owen Hedley, Lenin Campbell, Aaron Dougan.