Tue 8 March, 2022
cinch Championship 
Firhill Stadiumcinch Championship
Tue 8 March, 2022. Kick Off: - 19:45
Firhill Stadium
Partick Thistle v Queen of the South – Tuesday 8th March 2022
Partick Thistle play the second game of their Firhill double header as Queen of the South visit Maryhill in cinch Championship action on Tuesday evening.
All supporters are strongly encouraged to pre-purchase their tickets ahead of matchday to avoid lengthy Firhill queues.
Ticket prices for this match are priced at:
Adults – £20
Concessions (Over 65s, students, disabled supporter including carer, 16-18 year olds) £15
Under 16 – £5
Purchasing before matchday
Ticket purchases before matchday (8th March) are available to buy through one of the methods below:
Matchday purchases
Tickets can be purchased on matchday through online sale. The Executive Offices will not be open on matchday.
Very limited provision will be made at the Jackie Husband ticket office for home supporters, without bank cards or online access, to use cash to purchase tickets for this game.
Away Supporters
Away fans can purchase their ticket for this league game through one of the two methods below:
Away supporter ticket prices for this match are priced at:
Adults – £20
Concessions (Over 65s, students, disabled supporter including carer, 16-18 year olds) £15
Under 16 – £5
Online ticket sales for Queen of the South fans will be available right up until kick-off.
There will be no provision available for physical in-person ticket sales for Queen of the South supporters on matchday.
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.
After Kevin Holt’s goal against Inverness last Friday night got them back to winning ways, Partick Thistle will be looking to make it two wins on the trot as they take on Queen of the South at Firhill this Tuesday. It will be no easy task though as the Doonhamers have been in rejuvenated form under the stewardship of interim player-manager Wullie Gibson, winning their last three games in a row without conceding a goal. The teams battled to a 0-0 draw at Palmerston Park the last time they met but Thistle will be hoping to go one better this time round as they seek to move within six points of league leaders Arbroath. Jags assistant manager Neil Scally spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of the game:
“We scored late on against Inverness so naturally we can’t wait to get stuck into our next game. It was a great feeling on the night and that was still there when we came back in for training so I think the boys are feeling good at the moment but we need to make sure we carry the momentum into this game against Queen of the South.”
Reflecting further on the victory over the Caley Jags, Neil said it felt good to come out of a tight contest with all three points.
“It was always going to be a tough game because Inverness are a good side but we were really pleased with the way we started the game. We were on the front foot straight away and probably should have been in front by half-time.
“Coming out for the second half, they changed things a bit and were catching us on the break a bit more which led to some chances for them albeit Jamie didn’t have too much work to do. It was one which could have gone either way and we’re just glad we got that goal.
“There have been a few games like that in the last few weeks where we’ve created chances but not taken them and we’ve drawn or lost. At this point in the season the majority of games are going to be close but if we can get into a habit of producing in the big moments like we did on Friday then we’ll be doing well.”
Thistle started March in fifth place but now find themselves in third and Neil says that’s really pleasing to see as Thistle now hope to build towards the top of the table.
“It’s obviously great to see us up in third with a couple of games in hand as well. That’s not the end goal for us though, we want to push further up and the games in hand give us an opportunity to put more pressure on the top two. It’s now up to us to make sure we go and perform in the games we’ve got coming up.”
In terms of our midweek opposition, Scally is expecting a very stern test against a resurgent Queen of the South team.
“Wullie taking over seems to have given them a bit of a lift and they’re playing with confidence at the moment. I don’t really expect them to come here and sit in considering the form they’ve been so I reckon it could be a pretty open game.”
Finally, Neil gave us the latest team news ahead of the game against the Dumfries side.
“We’re the same again for this game with Scott Tiffoney still out. As is always the case at this point in the season there are a couple of other guys carrying knocks but we work closely with the physio to make sure they are managed properly in training and in games.”
Exclusive video interviews with Ross Docherty and 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 Queen of the South, starting at 7:15pm – click here to tune in.
We will be providing a pay-per-view option, priced at £12, for any supporter who wishes to watch our livestream of the match – click here for more info.
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.
Having beaten Inverness in dramatic fashion four days prior, Partick Thistle looked to build on that win as they took on Queen of the South in midweek at Firhill in a rearranged cinch Championship fixture.
There was one change made by Ian McCall to the team which started the win over Caley Thistle with Alex Jakubiak taking Brian Graham’s spot in the starting XI.
In their triumph over Inverness, Thistle were impressive in the first half but unfortunately that wasn’t something they could replicate against the Doonhamers. In fact, neither team threatened much during the first 45 minutes. It took until the 22nd minute for a semblance of an opportunity to appear as Darragh O’Connor headed goalwards but Kevin Holt was well-placed to clear the effort.
There was another headed chance for the away side on 28 minutes as Ruari Paton went close to a second goal at Firhill this season. A Wullie Gibson free-kick dropped perfectly in behind the Thistle defence finding Paton in plenty of space, however, the ex-Stranraer man couldn’t keep his header down and the score remained level.
The hosts’ best opening on the first period came with nine minutes to go until the break. Stuart Bannigan fed the ball into Alex Jakubiak’s feet and the number 10 laid the ball off to Richard Foster on the left wing. Foster lifted a cross towards the edge of the six-yard box where Juan Alegria rose above his marker to nod it towards the top corner. He couldn’t have done much more with his attempt and yet Josh Rae was still able to get a hand to it, clawing it away from goal to deny the Colombian a first Thistle goal.
Thistle made two changes at half-time as Brian Graham and Cammy Smith replaced Juan Alegria and Connor Murray and the alterations seemed to have an immediately positive reaction on the pattern of the Jags’ play.
Six minutes after the restart Josh Rae was called into action again and it was a Richard Foster cross causing issues once more. The full-back swung a right-footed ball in from the left side after a quickly taken throw-in and Cammy Smith attacked it. The midfielder couldn’t get a touch to the ball and that almost caught Rae out as he flapped an arm at the ball to just about tip it over the bar.
There were two further half-chances for the Maryhill men before ten minutes had past in the second half. First Cammy Smith had a low shot comfortably saved after some nice build-up play from the Jags and ten Brian Graham saw his deflected effort comfortably held after Smith had worked the ball over to him.
Thistle continued to apply the pressure as the hour mark came and went. Alex Jakubiak drove forward on the right side of the Jags’ attack and fired a shot wide of the far post before Ciaran McKenna headed wide of the same post as he got on the end of Stuart Bannigan’s cross.
As the minutes ticked on, the home side seemed to be getting closer and closer and Brian Graham had one of the team’s best opportunities yet on 67 minutes. Richard Foster received the ball from Kyle Turner and floated a teasing ball towards the back post where Brian Graham was patiently waiting. The number nine attacked the delivery when it came into reach and powered a header back across goal but it bounced inches past the upright and out for a goal kick.
Another big chance was passed up by the home side in the 70th minute as a Kyle Turner corner caused a bit of turmoil for the visitors. His set piece flew towards Ross Docherty but his flick-on rebounded off Wullie Gibson and into the path of Cammy Smith. The number 11 took the shot on first time with his left foot but couldn’t keep his effort down as the shot flew over the bar.
Then, just as it seemed the game was slipping away from the Jags, there was hope! A Richard Foster pass towards the edge of the box was touched on by Kyle Turner. That got Cammy Smith moving in the box but as he tried to latch on to the Turner lay-off, he was dragged to the ground by Josh Debayo prompting the referee to point to the spot.
Kevin Holt was the man who stepped up to take the spot kick and the left-back, who scored the winner in the team’s previous game, was tasked with doing the same again. With every eye in the stadium on him, he stepped up and confidently fired his penalty into the bottom right corner despite Josh Rae guessing the correct side and after a red and yellow barrage in the second half the Jags finally had the goal they were looking for.
They almost had a second goal a couple of minutes before time as well as Brian Graham came close to scoring one of the best goal seen at Firhill in a long while. The striker dispossessed Euan East at the half-way line and dribbled down the right touchline before evading the challenge of Wullie Gibson with some neat footwork. He then reversed a pass to Cammy Smith who had made a run past him on the right flank. Graham then burst forward into the box and received a pass back from Smith, shimmying past Darragh O’Connor before seeing his shot saved by Josh Rae.
It proved inconsequential though as the home side saw the game out to take a massively important three points courtesy of another Kevin Holt goal.
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.
A familiar tune rang around the stands at Firhill at the end of tonight’s game against Queen of the South as the indestructible Kevin Holt produced another match-winning moment for Partick Thistle. The number three stepped up to take an 80th minute penalty to win the game after Cammy Smith had been dragged to the ground in the Doonhamers’ box. The Jags were able to see it out to take them within six points of the Championship summit with a game in hand on the two teams above them. Jags manager Ian McCall spoke to ptfc.co.uk after the game:
“That was a massive win for us but it really should have been more than 1-0. I think both teams started the game slowly but after half-time we really turned things up a notch and we created a few really good chances.
“Everyone knows it isn’t easy on that pitch at the moment but we kept pushing and pushing and deserved the three points at the end of the game.”
After a tepid first 45 minutes the manager made a couple of half-time changes and he says he was pleased with the impact they made.
“We brought on Brian Graham and Cammy Smith to serve specific roles. Juan and Connor weren’t bad in the first half but we wanted a focal point like Brian and someone who could run in behind like Cammy.
“I think you saw the ball stick up front a bit more with Brian on the park and Cammy got involved with plenty of the play including winning us the penalty so it was good to see them having that impact. We also had Kyle Turner come off the bench and he was very active in that second half too and at this stage of the season you need the full squad so that was good to see.”
For the second consecutive game it was Kevin Holt who popped up with the key moment as he struck an 80th minute penalty past Josh Rae to secure the victory and McCall was full of praise for the Thistle hero.
“He’s done absolutely brilliantly for us this season and these last two games have only highlighted his importance. I mean, just looking at his defensive work, he’s slotted back into central defence seamlessly and has helped us to a couple of big clean sheets.
“You then look at his two goals and they’re both very impressive in different ways. The one against Inverness is just great technique on his weaker foot and then the one tonight requires a lot of bravery and bottle and he stuck it away confidently.”
Now the team move their attentions to a trip to Cappielow to face Greenock Morton which the gaffer knows will be another vitally important game.
“We’ve built a little bit of momentum with these two wins after a few games without a win so we can’t let that fizzle out. Morton are another one of those teams who have improved a lot over the past few months and they beat us at Firhill not too long ago so we know it will be really tough.”
Further reaction from Thistle manager Ian McCall and Kevin Holt 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.
It's a second win and a second 1-0 win in a row for Thistle.
It's another late winner as well but no less than Thistle deserved although it took a penalty emphatically slammed home by Kevin Holt to secure the win.
Big cheer goes up as Sneddon gathers the ball.
Thistle try and keep the ball in the corner but it goes out for a Queen's throw.
Turner is fouled down by the left hand Queen's corner flag. We're into additional time now.
Graham nearly seals the win after some fantastic football but Rae makes a great block to keep his team in it.
It needs a great challenge from Holt inside the Thistle box to stop a Queen's threat.
Jakubiak wriggles his way into the box but can't quite lay the ball back for Graham to have a shot on goal.
Whose taking the penalty? It's goal hero from Friday Kevin Holt and he makes absolutely no mistake slamming the penalty low and hard into the net.
There is a tug inside the box and the referee points to the spot.
Holt nods on Turner's corner but out of the reach of Graham at the back post.
It's a great chance as Turner's corner drops to Smith but he leans back as he hits the ball and it clears the crossbar.
Foster crosses from the left and Graham's header slips agonisingly wide of goal.
McKenna is on the end of a Bannigan cross but his header drops wide of goal.
Crowd: 2,044
Jakubiak collects a pass wide on the right and cuts inside and his low shot isn't too far wide of the far post.
Graham gets the ball at his feet inside the box but he can't get enough power into his left foot shot that is easily saved by Rae.
Johnston's corner threatens the Thistle goal before going out for a Queens throw on the opposite side.
Smith again involved for Thistle but there isn't enough pace on his shot to really trouble Rae who saves near his post.
Bannigan's corner is cleared as far as Smith whose shot thumps off a team mate.
Rae almost makes a complete mess of a simple Foster cross but just scrambles the ball away for a corner.
Graham and Smith link up well but the latter can't find Jakubiak with his pass.
Graham nearly slips a pass through for Jakubiak.
It's not been a good game of football played in difficult underfoot and overhead conditions.
Thistle were forced to clear the ball off their own goal line and Juan Alegria forced Rae into the Queens goal into an excellent save. And that's been it pretty much.
The referee ends the half promptly on the 45 minute mark.
Crawford stretches for but can't reach a Docherty cross as half-time nears.
Bannigan's free kick is poor but Docherty picks the ball up again just outside the box. He lifts into the area where Holt swivels before sending a shot over the bar.
Docherty is fouled near the right hand corner of the Queen's box.
Thistle are desperately unlucky not to go in front as Rae makes a great save to claw a Alegria header away.
First effort on goal from Thistle. It's a reasonable effort from Murray from just outside the box but it's never going to trouble Rae who can watch it go wide of his right hand post.
Queens are definitely looking the more likely side as conditions get worse and worse. A Cooper shot that looked like troubling Sneddon is blocked by a defender.
That's by far the best chance of the game so far. Gibson delivers a free kick deep into the Thistle box that Paton gets his head to but can't keep his header down which clears the bar.
As the rain pours down it takes Rae in the Queens goal over 40 seconds to take a goal kick.
It takes Queens nearly 90 seconds to take the corner and when they do finally figure out which corner it is be taken from they nearly score with Holt having to clear off the line.
In chasing a long ball forward from Foster, Alegria forces East into a hurried headed back pass to his keeper.
Jakubiak and Foster link up well but Foster's pass to Murray to his right is poor and the ball is cleared.
Murray does well on the right hand side to twist away from Debayo but his cross is overhit.
Very little to report from the first 11 minutes. If anything it is Queens that have settled the better of the two teams.
Early chance for Thistle to put the Queens defence under pressure but a Bannigan free kick drifts out for a goal kick.
It's Thistle that get the game underway and will be shooting towards the John Lambie Stand in the first half.
The football keeps on coming and Thistle will be looking to follow up Friday's win over Inverness with another three points and keep the pressure on Kilmarnock and Arbroath above them in the league table.
Ian McCall has made just one change to the side that started against Inverness with Alex Jukubiak given a start ahead of Brian Graham who will start on the bench this evening.