Thornton kicked-off their pre-season friendlies with a visit to the well manicured Ore Park to take on Ballingry Rovers.

Craig Gilbert was on holiday so his newly appointed number two, Graeme Turnbull, took charge of the team with the Hibs U19 gaffer, Ian Forbes, by his side. And the duo watched their team, captained by Ian Hepburn following his return to Memorial Park, take a 2nd minute lead through Daniel McNab.

Craig Wilson equalised in the 25th minute but Stevie Leslie put the Hibs back in front in the 36th minute.

Ballingry’s player-manager, Lee Dair, struck a brilliant, audacious free-kick to level affairs right on half-time.

For over 20 minutes in the first-half, there had been a thunderstorm accompanied by torrential rain that threatened to see the game abandoned. Thankfully, the storm passed to allow the game to continue and Andy Adam put the Hibs in front again in the 62nd minute after James O’Hare allowed Mathew Gay’s free-kick to squirm from his grasp.

Dair equalised again just three minutes later but four minutes from time, Adam Drummond’s deep cross was perfect for Stevie Leslie to steam in and head the ball into the net.

Results are not considered important during pre-season but nonetheless this was a good result for the visitors against super league opponents and should serve as a confidence booster for the season ahead.
 
Ballingry Rovers: O’Hare, Fleming, Campbell, Conners, Fyfe, Fotheringham, Buchan, C.Wilson, Bryce, Meikle, D.Wilson. Subs: Barney, Dair
 
Thornton Hibs: Rowbotham, Low, Drummond, Hepburn, McGowan, Adam, Gay, McNeil, Ireland, Leslie, McNab. Subs: Trialist, Trialist, Gordon, Main.
 
Referee: Mr D.McKenzie