In a stunning display of attacking football, Thorn 2011 triumphed over Giffnock with an emphatic 8-0 victory in their league encounter at Auldhouse Park on 16 August 2025. The match kicked off at 9:10 am, and it quickly became evident that Thorn were in formidable form, showcasing their prowess throughout the 80 minutes of play.
Thorn 2011 lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, designed to maximise their attacking potential while maintaining a solid defensive structure. Liam Curivan took his place in goal, shielded by a back four consisting of Alexander McIntyre on the right, James Welsh and Jack Ross in central defence, and Elliot Marner on the left. The midfield trio featured Joe Caldwell on the right, Gus Piper in the centre, and Leon Bradley on the left, providing both creativity and support to the forward line. Up front, Ryan Haigh operated on the right, Markus McAuslan was central as the striker, and Kayden Gallagher occupied the left forward position. The substitutes for Thorn included Aidan O'Malley, Spencer Li, Kaiden Wilkie, Dan Wilson, and Callum Provan.
The scoring opened in the 16th minute when Gus Piper found the back of the net, setting the tone for what would be a relentless assault on Giffnock's goal. Piper's strike was a well-placed effort that left the Giffnock goalkeeper with little chance, igniting the Thorn supporters and signalling the start of a dominant performance.
Joe Caldwell doubled the lead in the 31st minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse from Giffnock. His clinical finish showcased his composure in front of goal, and he would soon add another to his tally just eight minutes later, scoring again in the 39th minute. Caldwell's brace before half-time left Giffnock reeling as the teams headed into the break with Thorn leading 3-0.
The second half saw a flurry of substitutions for Thorn, with Spencer Li, Kaiden Wilkie, Dan Wilson, and Aidan O'Malley all introduced shortly after the restart. This tactical shift did not disrupt Thorn's momentum; rather, it seemed to invigorate the squad. Dan Wilson scored just six minutes into the second half, making it 4-0 in the 51st minute, further demoralising the Giffnock side.
Caldwell continued his impressive performance by scoring his third goal in the 60th minute, completing his hat-trick and further extending Thorn's lead to 5-0. The substitutions continued to pay dividends as Spencer Li got on the scoresheet himself in the 63rd minute, adding to the growing tally and showcasing the depth of Thorn's attacking options.
With the game well in hand, Ryan Haigh joined the scoring party in the 72nd minute, making it 7-0. The Giffnock defence was left exposed time and again, unable to cope with the relentless pressure from Thorn's forwards. A yellow card was issued to Giffnock in the 76th minute, a reflection of their frustration as they struggled to contain Thorn's attacking prowess.
Markus McAuslan capped off the scoring in the 80th minute, sealing an astonishing 8-0 victory for Thorn 2011. His goal was a fitting conclusion to a match that had been dominated by the visitors from start to finish.
Joe Caldwell's outstanding performance earned him the Player of the Match accolade, having not only scored three goals but also contributed significantly to the team's overall play. Thorn 2011 will take immense confidence from this commanding victory as they look to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures.
