cinch Championship
Sat 26 March, 2022. Kick Off: - 15:00
Rugby Park
Fixture Information:
Ticketing Info:
Thistle finish March with a trip to Ayrshire to face the league leaders Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in the cinch Championship.
The game kicks off at 3pm.
Tickets for this game are only available online. There will be no cash gate in operation on matchday.
Click here to buy your ticket online now through Kilmarnock’s online ticketing site.
Tickets are priced as below:
Adult – £20
Concessions (Over 65s, under 21s and students) – £15
Under 18s – £10
Under 16s – £5
Under 5s – Free of charge
Please note all under 5 tickets must be booked via the ticket office, these will not be available online. If you would like to book an under 5 ticket and are unable to attend at the ticket office please email or call 01563 545311 and the Kilmarnock ticketing team will assist you.
Away supporters will be situated within the Chadwick Stand for Saturday’s game. Kilmarnock have advised that if an away supporter purchases a home end ticket they will be denied entry.
Supporters are asked to bring a face covering to the match as they are mandatory in enclosed areas including the toilets.
Supporters’ Buses:
City Centre Branch:
Pick ups:
Q Club – 12:15
Station Bar – 12:30
For seats call Duncan 07979496154 or e-mail
John Lambie Jordanhill Branch:
Pick ups:
Jordanhill Station – 13:00
Thornwood Bar – 13:05
Prices:
Adults – £12
Concessions – £8
Booking is essential and priority will be given to former members and regulars. Seating will be limited and face-coverings must worn: this follows instructions from the coach company.
To make a booking phone or e-mail Alistair on 07817612563 or Alternatively phone or e-mail Iain on 07779668357 or
North-West Branch:
Pick ups:
Milngavie Railway Station – 12:40
Esquire House, Anniesland – 13:00
Maryhill Community Central Halls – 13:15
Fares:
Full fare – £11
Concessions – £6.50
Please remember that the wearing of a face covering is mandatory at all times when on the North-West bus and will remain so until government guidelines are changed.
The management team’s written previews and reactions are presented by The Jags Trust. You can keep up to date with the latest from The Jags Trust by visiting their website, www.jagstrust.com.
With six games to go of the cinch Championship season, Partick Thistle travel to Rugby Park to take on league leaders Kilmarnock. The Jags missed the chance to move into third place in midweek as they were beaten by Dunfermline at East End Park while Kilmarnock were 2-1 winners against Queen of the South in their last fixture. Thistle assistant manager Neil Scally spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of the trip to Ayrshire:
“It’s been a difficult couple of results for us and we’ve dropped below the levels that we’ve set for ourselves this season which has been really disappointing but there is still a lot to play for.
“Coming into this season the aim was always for us to go and challenge for the play-offs and we’ve done that. We’re sitting in fourth place and it’s in our hands as we head into the run-in.
“That being said, we know the past couple of results have been unacceptable and if we continue to perform like we have in those games then we’ll struggle to stay in fourth place. That’s why we’re keen to get back on the right track this weekend and then move into a full week of training next week.”
When looking back on the defeats to Hamilton and Dunfermline, Scally thought that the Jags’ inability to do the basics right had cost them.
“This season in general we’ve been pretty sound defensive and mistakes have been rare but in the last two matches we’ve made basic error after basic error and when you do that, you’ll be punished.
“On Tuesday, we went ahead and conceded within the first ten minutes and then for the next 20 minutes we were sloppy and allowed Dunfermline to keep the pressure on us which is ultimately what decided the game. Losing eight goals in two games is unlike us so we need to get back to doing the basics right.”
Now, Neil says the team have to try to get past their defeats to Accies and the Pars so they can make a positive push towards the end of the season.
“As I said earlier, we still have plenty to play for. When you’ve lost games like we have this past week the best way to put it behind you is to get stuck into the next game.
“Hopefully the players remember that it’s been a bad week in what has been a good season for us overall and there’s still time for us to bounce back. That starts at Rugby Park this weekend”
Taking on the league leaders is no easy task with Derek McInnes’ side unbeaten in six league games but Scally still believes the team can produce a result.
“They’ve been very good in recent weeks and that’s why they find themselves at the top of the league. There’s no shortage of quality players in their squad but we played them in January and felt we were the better team that night so we can take confidence from that.
“It’ll be a tough game but you have to believe in yourself. We seem to play quite well on the artificial surfaces and theirs is one of the better ones so we’ve just got to go out there and try to get a result.”
Finally, Neil gave is the latest team news ahead of the game against Killie.
“With the games coming one after another at the moment, the guys aren’t getting much time to recover so we’re still going to be a bit light this weekend although we’ll still have a strong starting line-up out there.
“That’s why we’re looking forward to having a full week of training next week. It’ll give us a chance to get a few players back from injury and give everyone else the opportunity to recover well and then get some more consistent training in their legs.”
An exclusive video interview with Thistle assistant manager Neil Scally will be available for JagZone subscribers to watch today – log in to view.
JagZone subscribers will be able to tune in to live audio commentary for our clash with Kilmarnock, starting at 2:30pm – click here to tune in.
Kilmarnock will be providing a pay-per-view option, priced at £12.99, for any supporter who wishes to watch a livestream of the match – click here to purchase.
We’ll have extended highlights and a full game replay of the fixture on JagZone following the game.
Article Copyright © 2022. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
A hectic month of March ended for Partick Thistle with a trip to Rugby Park to face table-topping Kilmarnock for what could be the fourth and final time this season.
The Jags were looking for a result to end their results slump of three consecutive defeats while Derek McInnes’ league leaders were looking to continue their recent purple patch which has seen then undefeated in league action since 9th February.
Four changes were made by Ian McCall from the team which started at East End Park on Tuesday night as Thistle’s list of absentees only grew. Lewis Mayo, away on international duty, was replaced by Tunji Akinola while Stephen Hendrie came in at left-back in place of Richard Foster who dropped out of the squad. Kyle Turner came in for Robbie Crawford who was also missing while Cammy Smith dropped to the bench as Connor Murray returned to the starting line-up.
Things almost got off to the perfect start for the travelling Jags as Juan Alegria went close to a first goal in red and yellow. The Colombian picked the ball up around the half-way line and held off a couple of challenges to advance towards the Kilmarnock box. The route to goal opened up for him and he looked to find the bottom corner from 20 yards out, however, his effort skipped just pasty the post.
Not long after Thistle had their first shot on target as Scott Tiffoney looked to get involved. The winger got the ball on the left flank before cutting inside past Lee Hodson and trying his luck. His shot flew towards goal with plenty of power but was straight at goalkeeper Zach Hemming who saved with comfort.
A relatively bright start from the away side was snuffled out in the 21st minute as Killie hit the front with their first real threat on the Thistle goal. It was a free-kick, conceded by Thistle just short of 25 yards from goal which Kyle Lafferty stepped up to take. The Northern Irishman, who already had five goals in five Rugby Park league games since returning to Ayrshire in January, arrowed a near-perfect shot into the top corner leaving Jamie Sneddon with no chance.
That seemed to boost the hosts’ confidence and three minutes later they could have had a second. Oli Shaw pinched the ball off Ross Docherty in the Thistle half and slotted a ball to Kyle Lafferty on the left side of the box. The 34-year-old moved the ball onto his left foot then dragged a shot comfortably wide of the far post.
Right before the end of the first half, Thistle had a glorious opportunity to level things up. An in-swinging Kyle Turner corner flew towards the back post without Zach Hemming coming to challenge for it and that allowed it to find its way to Kevin Holt and Juan Alegria who were waiting on the far side. In the end it was the striker who got his head to it but he couldn’t find the target and it drifted back across goal and out for a goalkick.
Having ended the first period on a frustrating note, the second half would get underway in a similar vein for the Jags. Just 15 seconds after the restart, they would find themselves two down as Kyle Lafferty struck again. After giving the ball away at the half-way line, Rory McKenzie was given space to lift a cross into the box which found Lafferty and he wasted no time in controlling and firing a low shot beyond Jamie Sneddon to double the lead.
Then, just before the hour mark, Killie came very close to a game-killing third goal. A free-kick swung in from near the right touchline was won in the air by Ash Taylor as the former Aberdeen defender looked to guide a header back across goal, however, his attempt bounced back off the bar before being cleared for a corner by Stephen Hendrie.
This tried their best to find a route back into the game and they did get a goal back though it ended up coming too late. The goal was another from a Kyle Turner corner as he picked out the run of Ross Docherty allowing the Thistle skipper to knock it towards goal. It seemed like it would be cleared relatively simply by the Killie defence but a slight deflection on the goal-line took it past Zach Hemming and into the back of the net.
There was to be no dramatic equaliser, however, with the home side able to see out the win to extend their lead at the Championship summit.
For Thistle, they now look forward to a game against Arbroath at Firhill when they’ll be hoping to welcome a few absent names back to the squad. That one is a 3pm kick-off on 2nd April.
The management team’s written previews and reactions are presented by The Jags Trust. You can keep up to date with the latest from The Jags Trust by visiting their website, www.jagstrust.com.
Partick Thistle made the trip to Ayrshire to face cinch Championship leaders Kilmarnock in the final game of March. Two moments of quality from Kilmarnock hitman Kyle Lafferty saw Killie lead by two goals before the Jags grabbed a consolation when Connor Murray bundled home from a Thistle corner kick. Despite a late rally, the points remained at Rugby Park with Thistle remaining two points clear of Raith Rovers in fourth position. Ian McCall caught up with ptfc.co.uk shortly after the full time whistle.
“I was really, really proud of the players today. There are ways to get beat and today they gave absolutely everything. On another day one of those late crosses drops right to us and we head up the road with a draw. I hope today’s performance gives the players a bit of confidence because it was a massive improvement from the last couple of games and we now look ahead to another massive game against Arbroath at Firhill.”
Thistle gave as good as they got throughout the encounter and the Jags gaffer didn’t feel the scoreline at the half time interval reflected the first half proceedings.
“I felt we were very unlucky to be losing at half time. I didn’t think there was much in the game and maybe we shaded it but it is terrific quality from the free kick which gives Kilmarnock the lead. Kyle Lafferty has that in his locker and it’s a moment where you have to put your hands up and appreciate the quality.
“Then 30 seconds into the second half they get a second goal. It was a good goal from a Kilmarnock perspective but from us it was really, really poor. We gave away possession cheaply and they punished for it and I think that gave us a little bit of shock. I thought we weathered the storm in the 20 minutes after that goal really well but we stayed strong and got a goal back. I just wish we had scored it about 10 minutes earlier because that would have made it quite interesting. The ball just didn’t drop for us in the box.”
With five games to go Thistle remain in the promotion play-off hunt with tough fixtures ahead and the gaffer is looking ahead to April with optimism.
“We’ve had a really hard schedule over the last six weeks or so and we’ll now play once a week – like everyone else – for the rest of the season. We were missing a lot of players today and hopefully we can get three or four of them back for next week’s game. We’ll have a full week of training which will give us the chance to prepare and make sure we work on their loads and make sure we are ready for Saturday. We’ve got to win some matches, that’s pretty obvious, but we’re right in this and it’ll go right to the wire.”
Further reaction from Thistle manager Ian McCall will be available to watch on JagZone tonight – log in to view.
We’ll have extended highlights and a full game replay of the fixture on JagZone later tonight.
Article Copyright © 2022. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Sat 26 March, 2022
cinch Championship 
Rugby Park
Despite a late goal Thistle are unable to rescue a point.
Hemming claims the corner.
McKenna's low cross is cleared.
The 90 minutes have come and gone.
A Hendrie cross is headed clear.
A lifeline for Thistle as Turner's corner is bundled home.
Crowd: 5,003 (548 Thistle fans)
Turner's corner is cleared. Thistle pick the ball up again and it is worked wide once more to Turner. This time his cross finds Tiffoney at the corner of the box but his shot goes wide. Thistle battling at least but don't look like scoring.
A Turner free kick from the left is too close to Hemming who claims the ball with the minimum of fuss.
Docherty is penalised for a foul as Turner's low corner comes over.
The crossbar comes to Thistle's rescue as Taylor's header strikes the bar before the ball is scrambled behind for a corner.
Lafferty misses a chance to complete his hat-trick as after taking a touch he sends a shot over Sneddon's crossbar.
Killie have a chance to really kill the game as Murray sees his powerful shot blocked by a defender.
Within seconds of the restart Killie double their lead. A simple ball into the box finds Lafferty who drills his shot past Sneddon.
Thistle get the second half underway.
There were encouraging signs at the start and the end of the half from Thistle but the middle portion was dominated by the home side who lead thanks to a Lafferty free kick after 21 minutes.
Into additional time at the end of the first half. Should be a couple of minutes of that.
Hemming takes charge this time and claims Turner's corner.
Turner'a corner nearly produces an equaliser. It goes deep to the back post where Alegria's header goes just wide of the far post.
Alston tries his luck with a free kick from at least 30 yards out. It's wasted effort as it goes over the bar with Sneddon untroubled.
Thistle try to break from Hendrie's clearance from the corner but Alegria is unable to find Tiffoney to his left.
Tiffoney does really well down the left and lifts a cross into the Killie 6 yard box that is just a shade too high for the two Thistle players looking to apply the touch that may well have brought the equaliser.
Turner sees a shot blocked by a defender as Thistle try and show some resistance.
There's a chance of a second for Kilmarnock. Shaw finds Lafferty at the left hand side of the Thistle box but this time his finish is poor and drags the ball wide of the far post.
Lafferty, who just a few minutes earlier has been in some apparent pain and requiring a couple of minutes treatment, makes absolutely no mistake with a fantastic free kick that Sneddon simply can't anywhere near.
The home side win a free kick about 5 yards outside the Thistle box just left of centre.
First real threat from the home side. McGinn threads through a pass that Lafferty is able to collect. He is able to cut the ball back towards the Thistle goal but his angle is far too tight to trouble Sneddon.
Tifoney tries a shot from the left hand corner of the Kllie box. Hemming is able to make a comfortable save but it's been an encouraging start from Thistle all the same.
Turner whips the free kick over but Hemming makes a comfortable catch.
Thistle free kick wide on the left.
That's a really positive start from Thistle as Alegria forces his way to the edge of the Killie box before shooting wide of target.
It's the home side that kick the game off. Thistle will be defending the goal with the travelling support behind them.
There are four changes to Ian McCall's team selection for this afternoon's clash with league leaders Kilmarnock.
In come Tunji Akinola, Stephen Hendrie, Kyle Turner and Connor Murray.
Cammy Smith drops to a bench that includes youngsters Ben Stanway, Ricco Diack, Lewis Mackle.
Lewis Mayo, on international duty misses out as do the injured Robbie Crawford and Richard Foster.