Sunday 28th May, 2023 at 7:21pm
It’s difficult to remember a month in Partick Thistle history where each individual game has been as important as the slate the Jags contested in May.
It all began with a do or die fixture against Raith Rovers that saw Thistle’s play-off ambitions hanging in the balance – a 2-2 draw secured a 4th placed finish for Kris Doolan side and thus began the post-season campaign. First up, it was Queen’s Park in the quarter-finals and a 4-3 win at Firhill was followed by a resounding 4-0 triumph at Ochilview to see the Maryhill men through to the semi-finals.
There they met Ayr United and confidently won 3-0 at Firhill before sealing a spot in the finals by beating the Honest Men 5-0 at Somerset Park on a glorious night in Ayrshire.
Unsurprisingly, there have been a collection of impressive performers in those five games but we’ve narrowed it down to four candidates for the red and yellow army to choose from for the McCrea Financial Services Player of the Month for May:
Aidan Fitzpatrick
With Thistle trailing 2-1 at Stark’s Park, Kris Doolan brought Aidan Fitzpatrick on in the 66th minute of the game as the Jags faced a fifth placed finish – one minute later the winger set up the equalising goal which would book Thistle’s play-off spot. Then, replacing the injured Stuart Bannigan in the first half of the first leg against Queen’s Park, he was back on the scoresheet with the team’s third of the night. Come semi-final time, our academy graduate was in creative mood once again and set up Brian Graham’s second goal to make it 3-0 against Ayr at Firhill before providing two assists in the return leg at Somerset.
Vote for Aidan on Twitter
Brian Graham
It’s often said that in big moments you need your big players to stand up and be counted and there’s no doubting that Brian Graham has done that throughout May. At Firhill against Queen’s Park it looked as if things were going to finish level after the Spiders had fought back to 3-3 from two goals down, however, with 97 minutes on the clock Thistle’s number nine had something to say about that. Lee Hodson’s flick found the frontman in the box and he fired into the bottom corner to give his side an advantage heading to Stenhousemuir. After those late heroics in the first leg, he did his business early in the second; scoring after 14 minutes to set the wheels in motion for a comprehensive win. He followed that up with a double in the home leg against Ayr which gave Thistle their strong position heading into the return leg.
Vote for Brian on Twitter
Jack McMillan
Fresh off the back of winning the McCrea Financial Services Player of the Year award, Jack McMillan has taken his game to another level as the play-offs have kicked in. The full-back has scored three goals in his last four games including the opener in both legs of the play-off semi-finals against Ayr. He has also been teeing up teammates at his usual rate with a couple of assists in those four games, as well as playing his part in three clean sheets in as many games.
Vote for Jack on Twitter
Scott Tiffoney
There’s been plenty of really enjoyable football played by Kris Doolan’s Jags this past month and Scott Tiffoney has been involved in an awful lot of it. The winger scored the equaliser against Raith Rovers which made sure the Jags got into the play-offs and then across two legs against Queen’s Park, he managed a goal and two assists. He didn’t let up in the semi-finals either, setting up the second Thistle goal in the first leg before notching a brace in the second leg.
Vote for Scott on Twitter
So, those are your nominees for the May McCrea Financial Services Player of the Month award.
It’s up to you to cast your vote to make sure your choice wins the prize.
Voting is now open, closing tomorrow(Monday 29th May) at 7:30pm.
Don’t forget you can follow our sponsors McCrea Financial Services on Twitter and Facebook where they provide useful updates and the latest news on mortgages and getting the most out of your finances.
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