Sat 28 November, 2020
SPFL League One 
Links ParkSPFL League One
Sat 28 November, 2020. Kick Off: - 15:00
Links Park
Montrose are the opposition this week for Partick Thistle as they look to secure their first away points of the new League One campaign. The Jags were victorious last Saturday, beating East Fife 2-0 at Firhill while the Gable Endies suffered defeat at Broadwood despite coming from behind twice during the game. Jags assistant manager Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of the trip to Angus:
“The win last week was big one for us. We were and still are missing so many players but the guys who were out there did a terrific job and looked the better side for probably the whole game apart from maybe ten minutes at the start of the second half.
“We created enough chances to score more than we did but we got those two goals and that was plenty with the defensive showing we put in to get the clean sheet which was just as pleasing as the goals.”
The victory over Darren Young’s side moved the Maryhill men up to fourth in the table and Archie says the squad has been lifted by those three points.
“The guys have been in great spirits this week and a win will do that. We were happy with how we did against Morton and it was good to win the penalty shoot but getting a clear cut win in the league has really boosted the mood of the group so hopefully we can carry that into the Montrose game.”
Coming back from suspension, Brian Graham’s goals either side of half-time were the difference in the game and Alan was very complimentary of the frontman’s efforts.
“He’s a massive player for us and as we saw last weekend, he can be a difference maker as well in terms of the results. It takes good character to step up and score a penalty having missed one a couple of weeks ago so huge credit to him for that and then his second goal was just brilliant so hopefully there’s plenty more to come from Brian.”
One of the other standouts from the win was Mouhamed Niang who had to fill in at centre-half to help cover for the plethora of players Thistle have out injured at the moment. The 21-year-old did a stellar job alongside Darren Brownlie as Thistle earned their first clean sheet of the League One term.
“Mouhamed did a terrific job at the back. He’s been a midfielder for a while now but he played centre-half when he first played with our reserves so we had confidence in him playing there. The whole defence did a really good job and stopped East Fife creating very much at all throughout the 90 minutes.
“That’s two clean sheets in a row now so we’re hopeful that we can keep that going. We still have plenty of injuries but you saw last week that we can be a good, organised unit even with those players missing.”
Archie stressed the importance of building some momentum after getting back to winning ways against East Fife.
“It’s key that we look to build on the win last week and put a run together. We saw quite a bit of Montrose last season by virtue of the fact that we had two players on loan there so we know they’re a good footballing side with some really potent attackers.
“Against East Fife, we felt that it was our best performance of the season so far even if we maybe didn’t score as many as we should have so for us it’s about carrying that forward into this week’s game so we can play with similar control and self-belief.”
To finish, Alan gave us an update on the injury front with a slightly more positive week this time round.
“Thankfully we haven’t picked up any more injuries this week but we’ve brought the amount of contact training and small-sided games right down to a minimum to avoid that. We’ve worked more on fitness and finishing so we’re glad to have no new problems to report.
“Positively, Blair Spittal has been moving a bit more freely this week which is a sign that it might not be quite as bad as we had thought so that’s good as well.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Thistle assistant manager, Alan Archibald and Ryan Williamson are now available for JagZone subscribers to watch – log in to view.
JagZone subscribers will be able to tune in to live audio commentary for this weekend’s clash with Montrose – click here to tune in.
We’ll also have extended highlights and a full game replay of our trip to Montrose on JagZone this Saturday evening.
Article Copyright © 2020. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Partick Thistle went to Montrose this afternoon looking to make it back-to-back league wins, building on their 2-0 victory over East Fife last weekend. The Jags hadn’t faced the Gable Endies in league action since 1992 though the two sides had faced off in Challenge Cup action last September with Thistle 2-0 victors on that occasion.
With injury problems persisting for the Jags it was an unchanged line-up from the one which began the triumph against East Fife with only four subs available once again.
The hosts came into the game with the joint-best attack in the division while no one had conceded more goals than the Angus side, meanwhile, the travelling Maryhill men were experiencing a contrasting dilemma. Their defence had been much less porous than the home side with seven fewer goals conceded, however, they’d managed only six goals in five games compared to the Gable Endies’ 11.
Nevertheless, Thistle were first on the scoresheet after just six minutes. A corner towards the front post area found the head of Ross Docherty who glanced it towards goal. Montrose ‘keeper Allan Fleming was able to claw it off the line but Connor Murray was on hand to force it over the line to give Thistle the lead and claim his first goal as a Jag.
The sprightly hosts weren’t deterred by the opener though as they came back at Thistle and carved out a couple of chances to get level. Firstly, after some nice football in the Jags half, Russell McLean was able to set up Lewis Milne but the midfielder’s driven effort was comfortably stopped and held by Kieran Wright.
Milne had another opportunity to restore parity in the 25th minute when a well-placed delivery picked him out in the middle of the Jags box. He looked to strike a volley goalwards but entirely miscued and saw his effort fly high over the crossbar.
Ian McCall’s side could easily have doubled their lead on the half hour mark when Ross Docherty showed some great ambition to charge forward from midfield. The Jags’ skipper broke away from a couple of defenders before manoeuvring past the goalkeeper and firing the ball across the goal line towards the waiting Brian Graham. Unfortunately, the ball wouldn’t reach the striker as Kerr Waddell got back to make a vital interception under his own crossbar.
The final decent chance of the first period came in the 32nd minute as Russell McLean got on the end of a cross from Andrew Steeves. The striker had found half a yard of space in the front post area and managed to stoop to meet the defender’s cross, however, he couldn’t direct it on target.
Once the second half started, neither side was able to take control of proceedings and chances were scarce. Ross Docherty went relatively close with a 20-yard free kick and Joe Cardle saw a low shot bobble just wide of goal from the corner of the box but it wasn’t until the 69th when we saw the first real sight of goal in the second 45. The ball fell to Graham Webster in the Jags penalty area and the Gable Endies’ midfielder wiggled away from his man to find a bit of room. Under little pressure, he had the whole goal to aim at from around 15 yards but he ballooned the ball well over crossbar letting the away side off with one.
15 minutes later Montrose had another good chance as substitute Ross Campbell found himself free in the box as a corner kick was swung in. The delivery from the side opposing Links Park’s lone stand found the head of the unmarked Campbell just second after he had been brought on but the number 15 couldn’t keep his header down and the opportunity went begging.
From there, the home side sent plenty of high balls into the box but Thistle were able to withstand the advances and hold out for a valuable three points which moved them to within four points of the league leaders, Falkirk. Next up for the Jags are Dumbarton at Firhill in the first game of December.
Partick Thistle made it back-to-back victories in League One today as they beat Montrose 1-0 at Links Park. Connor Murray was the difference maker with his finish from close range in the sixth minute proving enough to see the Jags to victory and bring them to within four points of league leaders, Falkirk. Thistle manager Ian McCall spoke to ptfc.co.uk following a satisfactory performance in Angus:
“That’s three clean sheets in a row now and a very good defensive showing today again. I mean, it’s no secret that we’re down to the bare bones but it’s a win.
“I do think we could have made the game more comfortable especially in that last ten minutes. Ross Docherty, Brian Graham, Shea Gordon and Joe Cardle all had opportunities to make it 2-0 but I have to say Montrose are a very good side with a good young manager and they played well.
“To compete at the top of the league you’ve got to be able to come to places like Montrose on a cold November day on the AstroTurf and get three points and we’ve done that which we’re delighted with.”
Ian was very complimentary of the backline who made it three clean sheets in a row with another shutout this weekend.
“I’m really pleased for them to get another clean sheet. Sena was terrific again and Richard Foster was praising him at full time because that’s now two top performances in a row from him. Also, to see Kieran Wright come and collect that high ball in the last minute – it was excellent – he’s been a real find for us.”
The three points mean there is now only a four point gap between the Jags and the League One summit so the gaffer feels it was a crucial success.
“You can’t understate how important that win was for the club. There are still three more games until the end of the first third of games so hopefully we can continue this momentum against Dumbarton at home next week.”
A further reaction interview with Thistle gaffer Ian McCall is available for JagZone subscribers to watch now – log in to view.
We’ll also have extended highlights and a full game replay of today’s match on JagZone this evening.
Article Copyright © 2020. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Despite some late Montrose pressure, the Jags see the game out and secure all three points in Angus.
Waddell crashes into the back of Brian Graham and picks up a booking.
Watson fouls Cardle just outside the box.
Thistle get the second 45 started.
Ross Docherty's low header is clawed off the line by Fleming but Murray is able to force it home.
McLean is cautioned for simulation after going down in the box as he and Wright went for the ball.
Montrose kick off here at Links Park.
Thistle travel to Angus to take on Montrose this afternoon in League One with the Jags keen to add to the win they earned last weekend against East Fife.
Ian McCall's side are yet to register a point away from home this league season albeit this is only their third League One fixture on the road.
Links Park will be a familiar location for some in the Jags squad with the team having won at the ground in the Challenge Cup just over a year ago. Joe Cardle and Kenny Miller were the scorers on that day.
Furthermore, two of the travelling squad are former Gable Endies themselves with Blair Lyons and Mouhamed Niang having both spent time there last season.
It's an unchanged line-up from the one which won seven days ago with Thistle's continuing injury problems limiting them to just three outfielders on the bench.
The team is as follows: Wright, Williamson, Penrice, Brownlie, Cardle, Bannigan, Graham, Murray, Niang, Foster, Docherty.
Substitutes: Scullion, Lyons, Gordon, Reilly.