Saturday 12th October, 2019 at 9:13pm
After a tough examination by Connah’s Quay Nomads, Thistle progressed to the Quarter Finals of the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup courtesy of goals from James Penrice and Raffaele De Vita. A pleased Ian McCall spoke to ptfc.co.uk shortly after the full time whistle.
“I thought we thoroughly deserved it. 2-0 didn’t flatter us. There was a lot of things to like about how we played in the first half and we didn’t get embroiled in how they wanted to play. I’ve got no issues with how they want to play. They play a system that suits them and gets them results so it was really, really pleasing to get a win. To have two wins out of the last three is a good start.
Connah’s Quay proved to be stubborn opposition and it was a couple of moments of quality which saw the Jags through.
“Listen, we all know the good results they have had up in Scotland. They made it to the final last season, had a good result against Kilmarnock and beat a good Cove Rangers side in the last round.
“At times you have to be very, very patient with the ball. You have to move the ball about, if you need to go back to the goalkeeper then you need to do that. They sat off and let us have the ball in our half of the pitch, sat deep and then pressed then. I thought we passed it well first half and stood up to them. It was terrific.”
There were strong performances throughout the side and the gaffer was pleased to emerge with a clean sheet.
“I’m really, really pleased to get a win and a clean sheet at Firhill. I thought the two centre backs and Tam O’Ware stood up well to the aerial threat. Stuart Bannigan was wonderful. Kenny Miller was terrific for the entire game. He bough us a lot of fouls and got us out.
“I thought Osman Kakay did very well down the right as well. We lack a bit of pace but I thought him and Ryan Williamson were a real threat down the right hand side of the team. There wasn’t a single failure in the team today.
With a place booked in the next round Ian is keen that the cup journey continues even deeper into the tournament.
“The last time Thistle were in the final we took 6,000 fans to Livingston. We’re in the quarter finals and the competition now starts to take shape. We’ll see what the draw hands us – hopefully a home tie – and prepare for it when it comes.”
A more in depth video interview with Neil Scally is available to Jagzone subscribers now as well as Thistle players, Raffaele De Vita, James Penrice – log in to view.
Jagzone subscribers will also be able to watch extended highlights of the game.
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