Sat 11 April, 2015
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
Firhill StadiumLyle Taylor (54, 61)
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Sat 11 April, 2015. Kick Off: - 15:00
Firhill Stadium
On the eve of one of the biggest games of Thistle’s season so far, Alan Archibald took time to speak to ptfc.co.uk about just how big this tie really is.
“It’s difficult to overstate just how big this game is for our season. If we win it takes us above Kilmarnock and gives us a fantastic platform to build on post-split but if we lose we are dragged right back into the scrap which is the last place we want to be.
“It’s definitely true that the form of Motherwell and Ross County has compacted the bottom half of the table but we know we have never been far enough away from the bottom three teams to relax. We went through a poor run and that cost us at the time but, to be fair to the lads, in recent weeks they have been a credit to themselves.”
Even after the defeat at Celtic Park on Wednesday, motivation is not something Archibald has struggled to find for his players.
“To be fair the guys have been good and it has been easier in recent weeks with the positive performances. When we were losing games the heads never dropped and we just had to keep them focussed on the next game. There is still a really positive feel around the place and the players are full of confidence.
“A win tomorrow and we can relax a bit but I don’t think that will be enough to keep us safe so there will still be that pressure. We just need to focus on our own performances and getting the results our play deserves, if we do that then I think it’s safe to say the table will look after itself.”
Archie knows it is important not to underestimate tomorrow’s opponents as a number of new players have strengthened the Motherwell squad.
“They have made a couple of key signings and I think that has made a big difference to them in the latter stages of the league. They will likely bring a strong support tomorrow and I hope that our fans will match them all the way. It’s a massive game for both sides and I think it will be a big game atmosphere to reflect that. It is a high pressure game but it is also the type of game that all footballers look forward to playing in.”
Finally Archibald passed on the all important team news:
“We’ve got a few guys struggling unfortunately. Welsh, Elliott and Seaborne will all miss out and Doolan and Lawless are both struggling with knocks from Wednesday night. We’ll wait and see how they are and give them every chance to be involved.”
With the stakes high for both clubs, there was much anticipation around the visit of Motherwell to Firhill on Saturday. After a battling and spirited display against Celtic manager, Alan Archibald, made one enforced change to the starting XI, with Lyle Taylor replacing the suspended James Craigen. Kris Doolan recovered from his hamstring injury sufficiently to take a place on the bench.
It was the visitors who were on the front foot in the early stages and Sutton glanced an early header well wide. A few minutes later, Osman and Fox seemed to miscommunicate and McDonald pounced on Osman’s poor back pass, he found Sutton eight yards out and his shot would have been goal bound had it not been for a magnificent block by Frans who deflected the ball inches wide of the post.
Thistle slowly started to settle and impose themselves on the game in a swirling wind which was making conditions far from easy for the players. Both Taylor and Lawless looked lively and O’Donnell was enjoying space on the right hand side. All that was lacking was the final ball in the danger area, as the Jags looked for the opening goal.
Erwin saw a header easily saved by Fox at the other end but Thistle were now enjoying the majority of possession. A long O’Donnell throw caused trouble for the ‘Well defence and, after some trickery from Lawless, the shot from Osman was deflected into the arms of Long. Taylor fired a great cross along the six yard box which just evaded Stevenson and then a lovely long pass from Frans was controlled by Taylor and his powerful effort from an angle was too high. Ainsworth played Lasley in wide of the Thistle box but his chipped effort went wide of Fox’s goal and, at half time, the teams went in level at 0-0.
Into the second half and Higginbotham fired wide from 25 yards after good work from Taylor as Thistle pressed forward and, in the 54th minute the home side deservedly took the lead. O’Donnell was pulled back and, from the resulting free kick, Higginbotham found Balatoni who had brilliantly lost his man at the back post. Thistle’s centre half headed strongly back across goal and there was Taylor to nod home from a couple of yards out to make it 1-0.
Minutes later it could have been two when Lawless found Booth who sent Taylor through on the keeper but his effort was well saved by Long for a Jags corner.
Jags fans wouldn’t have to wait long to see the team extend their lead though. In the 61st minute Higginbotham sent Booth scampering down the left to the bye line and his low cross found Taylor five yards out, Long brilliantly saved his first effort but could do nothing about the rebound as Taylor poked his, and Thistle’s, second goal home.
Thistle were now well on top and a terrific charging run by Bannigan saw him bulldoze his way into the box and his cut back was cleared off the toes of Taylor. Lawless also had an effort in an attempt to replicate his winner against Inverness but his fierce drive from 20 yards was parried by Long as the Jags continued to turn the screw. O’Donnell then cut inside onto his left foot but saw his well struck shot well saved again by Long.
As time ticked down there were changes made and, shortly after arriving to the game, Kris Doolan tried his luck from 25 yards but fired over. The last action of the game saw the visitors’ substitute, Carswell, pick up two yellow cards in the space of five minutes. The first was for hauling down Bannigan as he looked to break and the second was for thumping into Stevenson from behind, a challenge that on another day may have seen a straight dismissal. The sending off marked a poor day for the visitors but ultimately an excellent afternoon’s work for Thistle.
Saturday once again saw another excellent team performance from the home side with everyone working hard for each other. On another day the score line could have been bigger but for some great goalkeeping from Long.
Thistle: Fox, Booth, Frans, Balatoni, O’Donnell, Osman, Bannigan, Higginbotham, Stevenson, Lawless, Taylor (Doolan)
Subs: Gallacher, Doolan (79), Richards-Everton, Fraser, McDaid, Wilson, Keenan
After a stunning second half display saw Thistle triumph 2-0 at home to Motherwell, Alan Archibald cut a satisfied figure as he spoke to ptfc.co.uk after the game.
“It’s fair to say that everyone at the club is absolutely delighted with the win and the performance, particularly in that second half. There wasn’t much to watch in that first half but I thought we were definitely the better team in the second 45 and more than deserved our victory.
“At half time we just told the boys to keep doing hat they were doing, particularly at the back. We wanted them to get the ball down and pass it a bit better because I didn’t think we did that too well in the first half. To be fair to the lads they took on board what we said and that showed in the second half.
“There were a few complaints about the pitch and the wind during the break but that’s the same for both sides and we certainly weren’t going to let our players use that as an excuse. We got our creative players on the ball and I think that was the difference after half time.”
Lyle Taylor got the two goals and, although always reluctant to single out any individual for praise – or criticism for that matter – Archibald couldn’t help but compliment the on loan front man’s performance.
“Lyle is always a threat, that’s what he brings to the side. He’ll play off the shoulder of the last defender all day long and, when a striker of his quality does that, there is always the chance of goals. He’s shown a great deal of character to pop up with the two goals today, particularly after he missed the two chances in Aberdeen. To be fair he could have had a hat trick today had it not been for a good save by the keeper.”
With the league split just around the corner, Archie is only too aware of just how important this run of good performances will be as the season draws to a close.
“The confidence and momentum we’re carrying just now is going to be crucial going into those final five games. It’s a happy dressing room at the moment and there is a good feel around the club in general. We just need to make sure we carry both the confidence and momentum through the break and into the final leg of the season.”
Although today was a massive step towards guaranteed safety, with the bottom half remaining tight on points the Thistle boss knows there is still work to be done.
“There’s no doubt that today’s result gives us a big step towards safety, but the job isn’t done yet. We need to get our heads down, work hard and make sure we get over that finishing line as soon as possible. Once we have secured our place in the league for next term we can start targeting the teams above us and aim to finish as high in the table as we possibly can.
“The fans played a massive role today as well and I want to give them a special mention. They were magnificent at Celtic Park on Wednesday night and were fantastic again today. They’ve turned out to back us in a massive game today and it was a big boost for the players on the park. I can only hope that we can count on them to help us over the line in our remaining home games because they have been phenomenal all season.”
