SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Sat 4 February, 2017. Kick Off: - 15:00
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Supporter Information:
This game is PAY AT THE GATE
Jags fans will be seated in the normal sections of the South Stand and prices are as follows:
Adult: £25
Over 65: £19
Over 75: £15
Student: £15
Under 18: £10
Under 12: £6
Any supporters requiring ambulant disabled tickets or wheelchair tickets please contact Partick Thistle Football Club to book.
Ambulant disabled: £19 + free carer ticket
Wheelchair: £10 + free carer ticket
Supporters’ Buses:
City Centre Branch:
Pick ups:
Q Club – 09.20
Station Bar – 09.30
Non members welcome.
Please call 07979496154 to book.
Jordanhill Branch:
Pick ups:
Jordanhill Station – 10:00
Thornwood Bar – 10:05
Prices:
£25 for adults
£15 for concessions
£30 for parent and child
All Jags fans are welcome but booking is essential.
For seats please contact Alistair on 07817612563 or email
For general enquires please contact Iain on 07779668357 or email
North-West Branch:
Pick ups:
Milngavie Station – 10:30
Esquire House – 10:45
Maryhill Community Halls – 11:00
Prices:
£20 for adults
£12.50 for concessions.
A concession qualifies as school aged children, unwaged adults, senior citizens & matriculated students
Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of his team’s journey to Aberdeen to face the in form Dons on Saturday. Although keen to look forward not back, he did allow a moment of reflection on Wednesday night’s disappointing loss at home to St Johnstone.
Archibald said: “I thought we were decent in the first half we moved the ball quickly and did things fast but we just couldn’t get that goal and, in the end it was an error that cost us. The biggest disappointment was the second half where we didn’t really turn up – that was the biggest negative.”
Despite a run of tough games the Thistle gaffer is confident that his side have what it takes to keep a relatively good run of results going.
“We can’t get away from a tough run but we need to be positive and go into these games believing we can win. We’ve had a good couple of months and we just need to keep that going. There is still plenty to play for this season and we can’t lose track of that as we progress.”
Jason Banton joined the squad as Thistle’s only deadline day signing and Archibald knows exactly what he is getting in the 24 year old winger.
“Jason brings a bit of flair and creativity. It wasn’t an area we were actually looking to strengthen but with Declan McDaid leaving we just didn’t want to leave ourselves short. It will take him a wee bit of time to get up to fitness and full pace but we’re hoping he will bring a bit of competition in those attacking areas.”
Although Wednesday night’s game saw Thistle drop out of the top six, Archie knows the table remains incredibly tight.
“I don’t think you can read too much into it just now as you’re only one victory away from getting into the top six and one defeat from dropping back out of it again. I’m pretty sure it will stay that way right until the end of the season so we just need to keep pushing ourselves in every game in order to achieve our goals.”
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is now available to Jagzone subscribers. Log in now to see it. Jagzone members will also be able to watch highlights of the game from midnight and will be able to listen to live audio commentary from Pittodrie.
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Since the turn of the year, it had been one win, one draw and one loss for Partick Thistle in competitive action. However, the Jags were still looking for their first Ladbrokes Premiership victory of 2017 as they made the near 150 mile journey from Glasgow to Aberdeen to take on the Dons at Pittodrie.
There were four changes to the Thistle side that started against St. Johnstone earlier in the week. Mustapha Dumbuya made his first competitive start of the season, replacing Callum Booth who missed out through injury. Loanee, Niall Keown, dropped to the bench making way for Daniel Devine. Club captain Abdul Osman returned to the first eleven with Sean Welsh finding himself among the substitutes alongside Chris Erskine who was replaced by David Amoo. The Jags’ January signing, Jason Banton, was named on the bench as he continues to build towards match fitness.
The match started slowly but kicked into life in the 13th minute when Aberdeen created the game’s first opportunity. Kenny McLean was able to match on to a clever knockdown. He took a touch and steadied himself before hitting the ball on the half-volley. Thankfully for the Jags, the shot was at a comfortable height for Tomas Cerny and the Czech ‘stopper was able to parry away from danger.
Three minutes later, Thistle had a chance of their own. David Amoo was able to find space in behind the Aberdeen back line and got his head up looking for a teammate to cut the ball back to. He spotted Kris Doolan, stood five yards from goal, and tried to pick out the striker. However, Dons defender, Ash Taylor, was on hand to turn the ball behind for a corner, denying Doolan a tap-in.
The next opening fell for the home side. A floated cross into the Thistle box was aimed towards Adam Rooney. The Northern-Irish striker attempted a speculative overhead kick that he slightly misjudged. Luckily for Rooney, the ball deflected off his foot landing at the feet of Andrew Considine who was at the far side of the box. The defender hit a half-volley towards goal but the shot was weak and straight at Cerny, causing the ‘keeper no trouble whatsoever.
In the 24th minute the visiting side had another chance to open the scoring, this time through Christie Elliott. Adam Barton lifted a ball over the Aberdeen defence finding the run of Elliott who was breaking in on goal. The Englishman struggled to get the ball under control and failed to connect well with his shot, scuffing his shot allowing Dons goalkeeper Joe Lewis to collect easily.
At 27 minutes in, Aberdeen had their first clear cut chance of the match. Niall McGinn whipped a corner into the Jags’ box aiming for Ash Taylor who had managed to lose his marker. The centre-half had a free header and nodded the ball towards Thistle’s goal. Unfortunately for Taylor, his attempt missed the target, rebounding off the support post behind the goal.
As the interval approached Aberdeen struggled to create anything more than half chances. Graeme Shinnie saw a long range strike saved by Cerny and Kenny McLean’s attempt from a difficult angle hit the side netting, but despite their best efforts, the hosts couldn’t find the breakthrough before the half.
Thistle went into the break having defended well and threatened on the break. David Amoo’s pace and trickery had been causing the home team’s defence a lot of problems but there was no goal to show for it. No changes were made at the half way point.
The referee got the game underway for the second half and just five minutes in the deadlock was almost broken. Christie Elliott found space on the left wing and hit a deep cross towards the back post where Ryan Edwards was waiting. The Australian rose to meet the ball with a diving header but could only direct his effort a foot wide of the post.
Two minutes prior to the hour mark Kris Doolan made way for Ade Azeez. Six minutes after this, Aberdeen made two very attacking changes. Derek McInnes took defenders, Shay Logan and Mark Reynolds off, replacing them with Ryan Christie and Jayden Stockley.
Nine minutes after the substitutions were made, they began to repay their manager’s faith in them as the Dons took the lead with 17 minutes left. After Cerny was forced into a save by Johnny Hayes, Aberdeen had a corner to take. The corner found substitute Stockley who headed home after losing his marker. It was a goal that Thistle would be disappointed about. After defending so well for 73 minutes, it was a slack bit of marking that allowed the Reds to score.
Following the goal, Chris Erskine was brought on in place of David Amoo to try to add some creativity to the Thistle attack.
Aberdeen almost doubled their lead immediately as Adam Rooney was played through by an over-the-top ball. He latched on to the end of the aforementioned high pass and tried to get the ball down. He managed to get into position for a shot and he blasted an attempt low towards goal. Jags ‘keeper Tomas Cerny got down low to his right to stop the shot excellently, keeping his side in the game for now.
In the 79th minute, the visitors had their last big chance of the match. Daniel Devine hit a curled ball around the Dons’ defence finding Azeez in behind. The striker controlled and shot but under pressure and from a difficult angle, he could only find the outside of the post.
Thistle would be made to rue their missed opportunities as the home side doubled their lead in added time. Jayden Stockley found space in the Jags box and decided to selflessly cut the ball back to fellow substitute Ryan Christie who was then able to slot the ball under Cerny making it 2-0.
This capped off a disappointing afternoon for the travelling Jags who would feel that it was definitely a match they could have taken something from. Unfortunately it was another case of being unable to score with Thistle’s last league goal coming in late December against Dundee.
Alan Archibald’s men now look towards next Saturday’s William Hill Scottish cup game against St. Johnstone at McDairmid Park for a chance at redemption as they look to continue their cup journey.
Thistle: Cerny, Dumbuya, Lindsay, Osman (C), Amoo (Erskine, 72), Doolan (Azeez, 57), Lawless, Barton, Elliott, Devine, Edwards (Nisbet, 80)
Thistle subs: Ridgers, Welsh, Erskine, Azeez, Keown, Banton, Nisbet
Aberdeen: Lewis, Logan (Christie, 63), Shinnie, Considine, Taylor, Reynolds (Stockley, 64), McLean, Rooney (O’Connor, 82), McGinn, Hayes, Jack (C)
Aberdeen subs: Alexander, O’Connor, Pawlett, Christie, Stockley, Storey, Wright
It was another disappointing evening at Pittodrie for the Jags but there were plenty of positives to take from the performance. Thistle number two, Scott Paterson, spoke to ptfc.co.uk after the full time whistle.
Reflecting on the defeat, Paterson said: “We’ve just said to the players that obviously we’re disappointed we’ve lost the game but it was a match that I felt we were still in for large spells. We caused Aberdeen problems and they are a very good team, especially on their own patch.
“I think that when we do get these chances at places like Pittodrie and Parkhead, we’ve got to take them and again we didn’t tonight so it feels a bit same old same old. To be fair we’ve conceded from a set play, a corner to be exact, which is disappointing because I felt the back four were superb today and the whole team did well defending set plays which is a big part of Aberdeen’s game. As for the second goal, it was just a wee lapse of concentration from a throw in.
“All in all it was a disappointing 90 minutes but we’ve just got to distance ourselves from it and carry on to our next game.”
Despite the disappointment, Scott was keen to emphasise the positives of the evening’s performance.
“I think the boys are a positive bunch, their confidence is always high, but we just need to keep going. I think we played some positive stuff today and we caused Aberdeen some problems on the break, which was good because that was something we had been working on all week. We’re just lacking that cutting edge in front of goal and it’s been the story all season. We’ve just got to keep going because the good thing is that we are creating chances.”
Sat 4 February, 2017
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
Thistle produce a hardworking display but lose to second half Aberdeen goals.
Any hopes of a Thistle comeback vanish as Christie strikes in injury time.
Shinnie's shot goes across the Thistle 6 yard box and out for a throw.
Great chance for Thistle as Azeez holds off the attention of a defender but shoots wide.
Erskine takes this corner and it is headed clear.
Hayes gets away from Dumbuya but his shot thumps off a defender.
Nearly number 2 for Aberdeen. A ball over the top gives Rooney a grear chance but he is denied by Cerny.
Stockley powers home a header from the corner.
Thistle clear the initial free kick but the pressure remains and Hayes fizzes in a shot that Cerny saves.
Aberdeen have a free kick just in from the corner flag on the Thistle right. Dangerous moment for The Jags.
Cerny is off his line to claim a cross from the Aberdeen left.
Edwards' corner is poor and although Lindsay tries to flick the ball on Aberdeen clear.
Thistle try and break quickly but Edwards pass splits Amoo and Doolan and Aberdeen clear.
After Amoo is fouled on the right Edwards swings in a free kick that Devine wins but nods over the bar.
The Thistle defence is under pressure as McLean cuts the ball back but Barton steps in to clear.
Lawless gets the ball out wide to Elliott on the left. His cross is a good one and Edwards stretches to reach it at the back post but isn't able to get his header on target.
Lindsay wins the ball off Hayes at the edge of the Thistle box to halt an Aberdeen attack. Their first of the half.
4 additional minutes to be added.
4 minutes additional time to be played.
4 minutes additional time to be played.
Thistle have produced a hard working first half display and go into the dressing room at the break with the game tied at 0-0.
It's Aberdeen that have had the better chances. Cerny has saved well from McLean and Shinnie and Taylor powered a header wide from a corner when he should have hit target at the very least.
Thistle opportunities have been much rarer but they have looked an occasional threat. Amoo has posed the Aberdeen rear guard a few problems and he and Dumbuya have on occasion linked up well down the right.
The best Thistle chance, however, fell to Elliott inside the box but he didn't get enough power into his shot after being set up by Barton following good play involving Barton and Lawless.
Amoo breaks for Thistle and he is fouled just inside the Aberdeen half.
Cerny gets two solid fists to a Shinnie shot and that is enough to get the ball clear.
Dumbuya on the overlap collects an Amoo pass and his cross is gathered at his near post by Lewis. Decent link up play between the two Thistle players.
Thistle aren't able to make anything of a couple of corners in rapid succession.
Aberdeen are close again. A cross comes in from the right and McLean is able to flick the ball goalwards at the near post but only finds the side netting.
Free header for Taylor as the corner comes in but he powers his header wide, hitting the stanchion behind the goal, when he really should have hit the target.
Real opportunity for Thistle. Barton and Lawless combine to present Elliott with a chance in front of goal but he is under pressure and can't get any power into his shot.
A Hayes ball into the Thistle box finds Considine at the back post but he shoots straight at Cerny.
Lewis comes off his line to confidently claim an Edwards free kick from wide on the left.
Edwards' corner is cleared at the edge of the Aberdeen box.
A great ball in from Amoo is cleared with Doolan waiting to pounce.
Shinnie shoots from distance but it is an easy save for Cerny.
First chance of the game comes the way of Aberdeen. Cerny is thankful that McLean's shot is straight at him as that allows his to parry the well struck effort away.
Barton's through ball holds up in the wind a little and nearly allows Doolan to collect the pass but a defender manages to get the ball back to Lewis.
The wind is making things a little tricky but Thistle have looked comfortable with the ball on the ground.
First Aberdeen thrust towards the Thistle goal but Lindsay is there to clear Shinnie's cross.
Amoo makes a promising run down the right and the ball is cleared for a Thistle throw.
It's a cold afternoon in Aberdeen with a stiff breeze coming off the north east coast.
After the disappointment of the midweek defeat at the hands of St Johnstone Alan Archibald has made four changes to his side although we suspect at least one of those changes is enforced.
There is no place in the starting eleven or on the bench for Callum Booth.
Mustapha Dumbuya comes in for his first start since returning from injury while Christie Elliott starts with his appeal on his red card on Wednesday pending.
There are starts too for Abdul Osman, David Amoo and Danny Devine all of whom were on the bench midweek.
Sean Welsh, Chris Erskine and Niall Keown drop to the bench.