Friday 7th February, 2020 at 12:12pm
Scottish League 1st Division
29th October 2011
Dundee 0 Partick Thistle 1
Thistle gave a good account of themselves as is often the case at Dens Park, and with more ruthless finishing would not have required a penalty-kick to secure the points. The 25th minute proved to be a crucial point in the match. Rab Douglas got himself ordered off, thus handing the initiative to Thistle. Paul Cairney made no mistake from the spot and this proved to be the only goal of the game. With 65 minutes still to go, there was a lot of work to do, but the visitors, marshalled by captain Alan Archibald, saw the game out reasonably comfortably, and so the points came back to Glasgow with us.
Dundee won the toss and chose to allow Thistle to attack downhill in the first-half. This is a policy adopted by most clubs whose grounds are on a bit of a slope. The slopes are a lot less prevalent nowadays than in days gone by. So, what was the Thistle team on this occasions? Well, in goal and keeping a clean sheet, was Ryan Scully. The full-backs were Paul Paton and Aaron Sinclair, before he became Aaron Taylor-Sinclair. Interesting, at no time did he remain shackled to a defensive role. I used to like when he sped down the left flank. It may not be generally known, but he was originally from Aberdeen and joined Thistle from Montrose. Defensive duties were entrusted to Conrad Balatoni and Alan Archibald, assisted by David Rowson, Paul Cairney and Stephen O’Donnell. Completing the starting eleven were Chris Erskine, Christie Elliott and on-loan Ranger Kyle Hutton. Among the substitutes were three very familiar names – Stuart Bannigan, Liam Lindsay and the one and only Kris Doolan.
Who could have envisaged in October 2011 the massive part that these three would play in the fortunes of Partick Thistle in subsequent years? Stuart and Kris racked up a massive number of appearances in spite of the former’s lengthy spell out through injury. Liam played considerably less often, but bowed out spectacularly. With football players one can never predict with certainty what lies ahead. Maye it’s just as well that’s the case!
If you are over a certain age you will be familiar with the song which refers to “taking the road and the miles to Dundee” It was certainly a rewarding thing to do on 29th October 2011.
Robert R.
