SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Sat 27 January, 2018. Kick Off: - 15:00
McDiarmid Park, Perth
Supporter Information:
Match Admission:
Thistle fans will have the choice of two stands:
NORTH STAND(behind the goal)
Adult – £23
Senior Citizen – £13
13 – 18 year old – £12
Accompanied U12s – Free of charge
WEST STAND
Family Deal (turnstile 5 ONLY) – 1 adult and up to two kids aged 12 and under – £16
Please note the Family Deal is NOT available in the North Stand.
Adult – £24
Senior Citizen – £15
13- 18 year old – £14
DISABLED SUPPORTERS –
Wheelchair/ambulant disabled + personal assistant tickets are priced at £14 (price includes PA).
Wheelchair users will be accommodated in West Stand – Ambulant have choice of West Stand or North Stand.
Supporters’ Buses:
City Centre Branch:
Pick ups:
Q Club – 11:20
Station Bar – 11:30
Non members welcome.
Please call 07979496154 or email to book.
Jordanhill Branch:
Pick ups:
Jordanhill Station – 13:00
Thornwood Bar – 13:05
Prices:
£16 for adults
£8 for concessions
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 – 12:30
Esquire House – 12:50
Maryhill Community Halls – 13:00
Prices:
£16 for adults
£10 for concessions.
After the winter break the games are now coming thick and fast for Jags boss, Alan Archibald, as his side prepare to face a St Johnstone side who are yet to play their first match of 2018.
Tuesday night saw Thistle take on Celtic at the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill and, despite a 2-1 defeat, Archie was keen to focus on the positives when he spoke to ptfc.co.uk after training today.
He said: “There were definitely positives to take from Tuesday night – especially from the first 45 minutes. I thought we were well in the game and managed to score first which is ever so important. I also thought we looked a threat every time we won the ball back high up the pitch. We also had the other positive of having three or four players back which made it feel like we had a handful of new signings.
“It was really disappointing not to take anything from the game on Tuesday to be honest. We don’t take enough from the games against the top four or five teams but at the same time we don’t often get turned over either. It’s usually the case of an odd goal costing us which puts more pressure on the games against teams around us in the table. It’s definitely something we’re looking to rectify as the season progresses.”
With Abdul Osman, Mustapha Dumbuya and James Penrice all completing 90 minutes on Tuesday and with Callum Booth having come through Saturday’s William Hill Scottish Cup tie with no issues, Archibald is delighted to have a selection headache to consider ahead of Saturday’s match.
“Getting those boys back makes such a difference. Our bench looked strong on Tuesday and it’s looking strong again for Saturday which we can only view as a positive really. We made a few changes for Tuesday to give the likes of Dumbuya and Penrice some game time and they all did ever so well and have given me a real headache for this week.
“I think we’ve been into double figures in terms of the number of matches where we haven’t been able to fill our bench this season. That comes down to the fact that we simply have not had the players. Getting boys like Callum Booth, Mustapha Dumbuya and Abdul Osman back make an absolutely huge difference. It gives us options and we can make changes with different players in different positions. It gives us a headache for Saturday, as I say, but it is a nice problem to have.”
A series of postponements means St Johnstone haven’t yet played their first game of the year but Archibald certainly won’t take anything for granted.
“It’s difficult to assess just where St Johnstone are as a team because they haven’t had a game since before the winter break. That definitely makes it tougher to judge how they’re going to play. The fact they’ve not had a game in so long means that they will be chomping at the bit to get going again but also, hopefully for us, it means there might be a little bit of rustiness there as well.
“St Johnstone are always a really tough opposition and if you look back over the recent results between us they are nearly always extremely close affairs with hardly anything in them. The pattern tends to be that the team who scores goals at the right time will go on to take the points and other than that there isn’t much difference. Hopefully this week it will be us that edge it.
“We’ve got pretty decent record up there and I hope that the players can take that as a positive going into the match on Saturday. Our away form has been really poor this year and it has let us down badly. We were up at McDiarmid Park and won earlier in the season but our league form away from home just has not been good enough. It will undoubtedly be a different match but hopefully the lads can look back on that experience of winning up there, take confidence from that fact and know that they can go and get a result.”
The next five fixtures see Thistle play teams around them in the table and could go a long way to defining the Jags’ season.
“It’s a huge period for us. We’ve got 15 games left now and we have to target each and every one of them to ensure we start climbing the table. Our aim is to get right back in amongst the pack and that can start this weekend when we get the chance to go within three points of St Johnstone which is a massive incentive.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Andy McCarthy, Tomáš Černý and Jags gaffer, Alan Archibald, are available to Jagzone subscribers – log in now to see them.
Jagzone members will also be able to watch extended highlights of the game.
Can’t make it to McDiarmid Park? Jagzone members can listen to live audio commentary of the match. JagZoneLIVE begins at 2:30pm on Saturday.
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Article Copyright © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Having returned to league action with a defeat by Celtic during the week, Partick Thistle travelled to St. Johnstone in search of their first Ladbrokes Premiership away win of the season this afternoon. The Jags were looking to widen the gap between themselves and the league’s bottom club, Ross County, who play tomorrow.
Alan Archibald made five changes to the side who lost narrowly to the Scottish champions on Tuesday as he stuck with the four-at-the-back system. Tomas Cerny remained in goals while Paul McGinn and Callum Booth came in at either side of the defence, replacing James Penrice and Mustapha Dumbuya. For Booth, it represented his first league start since the Jags played the Perthshire Saints at McDiarmid Park in August. Jags skipper, Abdul Osman retainer his place in the midfield, however, he would be partnered by the returning Martin Woods this afternoon as Andrew McCarthy dropped out of the squad. Chris Erskine came in for Ryan Edwards in the number 10 role and Steven Lawless came in for Blair Spittal on the wing. Miles Storey started on the opposite side of the pitch with the in-form Conor Sammon up front looking to score in a fourth consecutive game.
Due to consecutive postponements of their Scottish Cup fourth round tie, St. Johnstone hadn’t played a competitive game since the end of 2017. This seemed to be affecting the Saints as they started slowly and the visitors almost took advantage within the opening minute. Good play on the Jags’ left by Miles Storey led to Chris Erskine receiving the ball on the edge of the box, wide of the goal. He played a low ball across the six yard box looking for a teammate to tap home. Conor Sammon came close to getting a touch but couldn’t quite reach it, however, it did come towards Niall Keown at the back stick. Unfortunately for the number five, he couldn’t bag a third goal of the season as Steven Anderson made an excellent last ditch tackle to turn the ball off Keown for a goal kick.
Thistle would capitalise on their good start, though, in the 12th minute as Steven Lawless struck for the away side. Once again it was Miles Storey causing all the problems for Thistle as his quick play got him to the by-line. He then cut the ball back to Steven Lawless who stood in plenty of space as he curled home as left-footed shot from close range. The goal represented the winger’s first in the league this season and the Jags’ first away league goal since Chris Erskine scored at Rugby Park in early December.
Having fallen behind in the 12th minute, the hosts thought they were level in the 14th. David Wotherspoon whipped an in-swinging free kick in from the Saints’ left wing and the delivery skipped right through, into the net. However, the Perth side weren’t allowed much time for celebrations as the referee blew for a foul on Niall Keown in the Thistle area.
The game quickly died down for a 20 minute period after the chalked off goal and it took until the 39th minute for another opportunity to present itself. With six minutes left of the first half, Chris Erskine found Conor Sammon with a lofted pass. The Irishman brought the ball down before bending an effort on goal with his left foot but his curled effort went just past Zander Clark’s right-hand post.
That chance would prove to be the last of the first 45 minutes as Thistle made it to the break with their one goal lead intact. Both teams had plenty of the ball but goalmouth action was scarce in the first period. Both teams would surely be looking to improve in the final third for the second half.
The visiting Thistle side came close to a lead-doubler just five minutes into the second 45 through man-on-form, Conor Sammon. January acquisition, Baily Cargill marched out of defence with the ball at his feet before back-heeling it to Chris Erskine. The midfielder then looked to fire a shot goalward but he scuffed the attempt. Fortunately for Erskine, his mis-hit effort came the way of Sammon. The ex-Derby County man poked a toe at the ball and got the ball on target but his shot was weak and easy for Clark to save and hold.
As the energy seemed to be fading in the Thistle team, Alan Archibald made a change to re-energise his side and who better than Ryan Edwards to do exactly that? The Australian midfielder came on for Chris Erskine on the hour mark and his impact was instant as he set up a goal just three minutes after coming on.
The move all began with Callum Booth driving in-field from the left and playing the ball to Steven Lawless. Thistle’s goalscorer then fed the ball towards Conor Sammon who failed to control. Luckily for Sammon, the ball skipped through to Ryan Edwards in behind the St. Johnstone defence and the number 19 picked out Sammon with a cut-back. Conor was then left with the simple task of tapping home from close range which he gladly completed making it five goals in four matches for the Hearts loanee.
Just as it seemed Thistle were set to maintain their consolidated lead and see out the game, the Perthshire Saints were offered a route back into the match. A high ball over the Thistle defence caused plenty of problems and as the ball bounced towards the Jags’ goal, Tomas Cerny wiped out David McMillan with a high challenge. As a consequence, the referee pointed to the spot and Cerny was booked for the foul. Liam Craig stepped up to take the spot kick and the experienced midfielder made no mistakes from 12 yards, burying it in the Thistle net.
The goal set up a nervy end to the match for the Maryhill men and Adam Barton came on for Steven Lawless in the 83rd minute to bolster the away side’s defence. However, a slack bit of play from the substitute almost allowed St. Johnstone to equalise. The number 13 was dispossessed by Chris Kane in the defensive third of the pitch and Kane proceeded to fire a volley towards goal. His shot was powerful but, in the end, veered wide of the far post.
The pressure continued building on the visitors’ backline but that pressure was lifted in the third of five added minutes when Ryan Edwards restored Thistle’s two goal advantage. Conor Sammon’s aerial battling led to the ball dropping to the Australian who powered through the challenge of Chris Millar, allowing him a clear run on goal with the hosts’ backline all out of position. Edwards sprinted into the box and ignored the options to his right, slotting the ball past Zander Clark and making it 3-1, securing the three points in injury time.
The referee would then blow for full time with the score at 3-1 as Thistle achieved victory on the road for the first time of the league season. The win moves the Jags to within three points of today’s opposition and six points clear of Ross County in bottom spot.
Alan Archibald’s side now build-up to a trip to Motherwell next Saturday. Kick-off is 15:00 from Fir Park.
THISTLE TEAM: Cerny, McGinn, Keown, Cargill, Booth, Osman, Woods, Lawless (Barton, 82’), Erskine (Edwards, 60’), Storey, Sammon.
UNUSED SUBS (PTH): Scully, Devine, Dumbuya, Spittal, Doolan.
ST. JOHNSTONE TEAM: Clark, Comrie, Anderson, Shaughnessy, Watson, Scougal, Millar, Craig, Wotherspoon, MacLean (Kane, 56’), Johnstone [McMillan, 56’ (Alston, 77’)].
UNUSED SUBS (STJ): Mannus, Gordon, Kerr, McClean.
Article Copyright © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
The first half of the season was tough for Partick Thistle but things seem to have turned a corner for the Jags. Five wins from six home league games to end 2017 guided Thistle off the foot of the Ladbrokes Premiership and they have now secured their first away league win of the season. A 3-1 win at McDiarmid Park was the reward for a Jags side who did plenty of work during the game. Goals from Steven Lawless, Conor Sammon and Ryan Edwards saw the away side claim the three points to move them six points clear of Ross County in 12th place with the Staggies still to play this weekend. Jags boss, Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk following the game.
Archie started by praising the team’s performance as he believes they deserved the points over 90 minutes.
“I thought we started very well. We looked hungry, we looked up for it and that’s always the first step. We had spoken about catching St. Johnstone out because they haven’t played since the end of last year and I thought we found some success in doing that. Everyone knows that the first goal is vital in this fixture so to get it early on was good and it was a well-worked goal. Miles Storey did excellently to create the opportunity and then Steven Lawless finished it well.”
The manager then spoke of the importance of winning in the Premiership away from home. After so long without a win away from home in the league, Alan hopes the squad can now start to pick up more points on the road.
“That was obviously the big problem in the first half of the season. If you want to survive in this league, you have to get results at home and away but it’s difficult to pinpoint what the problem has been exactly. McDiarmid Park tends to be a difficult place to come but they haven’t been great here recently so we came with confidence and I thought that showed. The key is now that we build on this and make sure that this isn’t a one off.”
The gaffer then spoke about his squad. The Jags were plagued with injuries in the first half of the season and were often unable to fill the bench. Today, now only did they have the full seven substitutes but Archibald had to leave three fit players out of the first team squad.
“It was a really tough team to pick today. Having played on Tuesday, I felt that we needed to freshen things up which is why we made five changes. It was maybe a bit unfair to leave Andy McCarthy and James Penrice in the stands but that just shows the strength of the squad at the moment. Having the strong bench doesn’t just give us more options for the starting XI, but it makes it easier for us to see out games. Being able to bring Adam Barton and Ryan Edwards on is brilliant as it lets us adapt to the situations that present themselves.”
Archibald then complimented Conor Sammon who grabbed his fifth goal in four games as Thistle secured victory and he’s been a big part of the Jags’ upturn in form.
“I think the key for Conor has been regular starts. None of our strikers have really had a sustained period of starting games so I think the goals have come with that consistency. He’s scoring goals now but he’s also a handful for the opposition which can help take the pressure off us in tense games. It was his battling that lead to the third goal and that’s what we ask of him. He’s a great professional and it’s good to see him hitting form.”
Thistle now start preparations for another away trip as the Jags take on Motherwell. Kick-off is 15:00 from Fir Park next Saturday.
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Baily Cargill and Ryan Edwards. Log in now to see it as soon as it is available.
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Article Copyright © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Sat 27 January, 2018
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
McDiarmid Park, Perth
As Conor Sammon wins an aerial duel, Ryan Edwards burstsonto the ball with no defender between him and the goal. Ryan speeds in on goal and finishes low past Clark with his right foot before unleashing the kangaroo celebration in front of the travelling Jags fans behind the goal.
There will be five added minutes to end the match.
Barton gives the ball away at the edge of the box and it lets Kane in on goal. He fires a volley in early but it flashes wide of the far post.
Miles Storey sees a low shot saved by Clark after good work with Booth on the wing. He had the option of Edwards square but went for the shot.
Craig sends Cerny the wrong way and the Saints are back into the game.
Cerny picked up a booking for the foul.
Cerny knocks over McMillan in the box and the referee points to the spot. The Czech goalkeeper is not happy with the decision whatsoever.
Callum Booth cut inside from the left and played the ball to Lawless. The winger then fed it into Conor Sammon who couldn't control the ball. However, it ran into Ryan Edwards' path and the Australian cut it back to Sammon who tapped home to make it five in four games.
The ball falls to McMillan in the box and the substitute fires on goal with a half-volley. Tomas Cerny is down well though and turns it away.
MacLean finds Johnstone with a well-weighted ball but he nods it far wide of the back post.
Cargill marches out of defence and back-heels it to Erskine. Erskine scuffs a shot which comes towards Sammon. The big man pokes it towards goal but it's straight into Clark's grasp.
A clearing header falls to Erskine on the edge of the box but his half-volley goes wide of the goal.
St. Johnstone get the second 45 started here in Perth.
It's 1-0 going into the break at McDiarmid Park with Steven Lawless' goal proving the difference so far.
The match has been a scrappy one but both teams have had plenty of time on the bsll. Thistle have probably created the better quality chances with Niall Keown seeing a shot blocked at close range and Conor Sammon narrowly missing from 15 yards.
For the hosts it's been mostly ranged efforts although they were feeling agrieved when a David Wotherspoon goal was ruled out for a foul on Niall Keown as the free-kick was swung in.
Both teams will be looking for a bit more in the final third for the second half but Thistle will be hoping that their extra game time in the last week will prove important in the closing stages.
There will be one added minute.
Erskine finds Sammon with a high pass. Sammon brings it down and cuts onto his left foot before shooting but the attempt curls just past Clark's post.
After a quick start to the game, the match has really cooled down with goalmouth action scarce. St. Johnstone are currently enjoying a period of sustained possession but are struglling to cut open the Jags' rear-guard.
Lia Craig fires a driven shot in from 30 yards, however, it's off target again from the number 26; this time wide of the goal.
Comrie's cross finds MacLean who heads over under pressure.
Conor Sammon's knock down comes to Erskine who shoots from 20 yards but his low effort is easy for Clark to save.
Wotherspoon whips an in-swinger from the St. Johnstone left and his free-kick skips into the goal off the far post. However, Niall Keown was judged to have been fouled as the ball came in and a free-kick was given.
Miles Storey races past Watson on the Thistle left before cutting the ball back to Steven Lawless who found space in the Saints box. The number 11 then makes no mistake firing it into the top corner from close range.
A superb Jags break ends as Paul McGinn's low cross skips just past Conor Sammon and out of play.
McGinn sees a whipped cross headed behind.
After a Saints free kick from deep, the ball bounces about in the box before coming to Watson. His shot deflects up for Cerny to save and hold.
Liam Craig fires a shot well over the bar from 25 yards out.
Some great work on the Thistle left gets the ball to Erskine who fires the ball low across goal. Conor Sammon can't quite reach and Niall Keown sees a shot blocked at the back post. Unfortunately for Thistle, it comes back off Niall and goes for a by-kick.
Chris Erskine gets the game under way here in Perthshire.
Hello and welcome to the ptfc.co.uk live text commentary for Partick Thistle's trip to Perth to take on Tommy Wright's St. Johnstone.
The Jags will kick-off six points behind their opponents but a win would bring the McDiarmid Park side to within touching distance for the Maryhill men. The Jags haven't won away in the league all season but did pick up a victory here in Perth as they beat the Saints 3-0 in the Betfred Cup.
There are five changes for Alan Archibald's side as the Jags' management team stick with the four-at-the-back that served them well on Tuesday night as Celtic squeezed past Thistle. Tomas Cerny remains in goal behind the centre-half partnership of Niall Keown and Baily Cargill who will be playing their second game together, less than a week after meeting. Callum Booth and Paul McGinn come in as full-backs, replacing Mustapha Dumbuya and James Penrice. Martin Woods comes in for Andrew McCarthy in midfield alongside Abdul Osman while Chris Erskine replaces Ryan Edwards in the number 10 role. Miles Storey retains his place on the left wing but Steven Lawless returns to the starting line-up in place of Blair Spittal who drops to the bench. In-form Conor Sammon starts as the lone striker, looking to score in a fourth consecutive match.
The teams are out warming up and kick-off is just 15 minutes away. Join us at 15:00 for all the action from McDiarmid Park.