SPFL Ladbrokes Championship
Sat 6 April, 2019. Kick Off: - 15:00
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Fixture Information:
Admission Details:
This fixture is a GENERAL ADMISSION fixture
HOME ticket prices:
Spectators looking to use the Jackie Husband stand will require to purchase a ticket from the portable ticket office next to the Jackie Husband reception.
Cash gates in operation for the John Lambie and Colin Weir Stands.
Prices:
Adults – £20
Concessions – £15
Under 16s – FREE
A concession is qualified as a person between 17 and 18, over 65* or a student with a valid matriculation card.
AWAY ticket prices:
Prices:
Adults – £20
Concessions – £15
Under 16s – £5
*Please note that bus passes are not a valid proof of ID for 65+ concession. Valid forms of ID for 65+ concession are: standard UK Driver’s license, passport, Birth certificate, VALIDATE UK proof of age card, NUS card, National ID card.
Thistle head back to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill for the visit of Dunfermline Athletic tomorrow afternoon as Gary Caldwell’s side look to build on last week’s impressive victory against Greenock Morton.
With three points, and a clean sheet, picked up last Saturday afternoon, it has been a buoyant training pitch this week as preparations continue for the match against the Pars.
Speaking to ptfc.co.uk, manager Gary Caldwell said:
“The team has been fantastic this week. The atmosphere around the camp has been good and the training has been of a very high energy. We can’t wait until 3pm on Saturday afternoon to get back on the pitch and hopefully replicate what was a good performance against Morton last week.”
Every player wearing red and yellow last weekend against Greenock Morton could have been proud of their performance and the gaffer is looking for that to continue heading into tomorrow’s game.
“It’s never going to be easy in this league. We had to defend at times last week but everyone worked really hard in the team to get in us into the lead and then to defend it. Conor Hazard made big saves at crucial times and he was just one of fourteen players who contributed to the performance and the result last weekend.
“The two strikers were the catalyst to how we performed. They held the ball up and brought a big threat to our team. We’ve got a fantastic array of talent and competition in the attacking zones. Lewis Mansell and Scott McDonald had been doing well and then we brought Kris in last week and he popped up with two goals. It’s important that everyone keeps working hard on the training pitch to try and get into the team and when they get the chance, they have to do the business by scoring goals.”
With teams around Thistle playing each other over the course of the weekend Gary knows that is a great incentive for three points which will see the side climb the table.
“We have to keep winning games to progress up the table and keep looking up the table rather than down. From the beginning of January we’ve focused on the teams above us and been positive to try and win games to progress up the table.
“This league is extremely tight. There is competition throughout the division and every team will have something to play for right until the final weekend of the season.”
Finally the gaffer rounded off by updating us on team news.
“Andrew McCarthy is still struggling with injury so he won’t be available. Tam O’Ware is progressing on the grass but still not in contention to get in the squad. Everyone else is fit and ready to go.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Conor Hazard, Jack McMillan and Jags manager, Gary Caldwell, are available to Jagzone subscribers – log in now to see them.
Jagzone members will also be able to watch extended highlights and a full match replay of the game.
Can’t make it to The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill? Jagzone members can listen to live audio commentary of the match. JagZoneLIVE begins at 2:45pm on Saturday.
For a full list of all the great content you can access from just £5.99 per month as a Jagzone member, click here.
Article Copyright © 2019. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Partick Thistle returned to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill to face Dunfermline Athletic off the back of a terrific 3-0 away win at Greenock Morton. Their opponents from Fife were looking to recover from their first back-to-back defeats since mid-January. Five straight league wins under Stevie Crawford had seen the Pars rise into the promotion play-off spots but losses against Dundee United and Ayr had made those dreams slightly more difficult to achieve.
For the hosts, there was one change from the side which blew Morton out the water a week prior in a brilliant first half. Conor Hazard, who made a crucial save at 0-0 against the Ton, retained his place between the sticks behind a back three of Steven Saunders, Steven Anderson and Sean McGinty who was coming in for the injured Christie Elliott. In Elliott’s absence, Jack McMillan moved out to right wing-back with James Penrice on the opposite side. In midfield, Shea Gordon started alongside Stuart Bannigan once again after a successful return from injury at Cappielow. Blair Spittal acted as the bridge between midfield and attack at number 10 behind the strike-force of Scott McDonald and Kris Doolan. On the bench for Thistle were Jamie Sneddon, Gary Harkins, Craig Slater, Joe Cardle, Aidan Fitzpatrick, Miles Storey and Lewis Mansell.
The match began in open fashion with both teams moving the ball quickly from back to front and it only took nine minutes for the first goal of the game to arrive. Unfortunately for the Jags faithful, it came for the travellers as Tom Beadling put them in front. The midfielder got on the end of a well-weighted cut-back from the left before using some nice footwork to get past Jack McMillan, opening up the target for a shot. He then fired a left-footed shot low across goal, beating Conor Hazard and finding the corner.
It didn’t take the visitors long to double their lead either as Bruce Anderson made it two on 23 minutes. Dunfermline played a corner low to an area of space near the front post where Anderson was waiting, having escaped his marker. The Pars’ number 12 met the delivery on the volley, stroking it home into the far corner before wheeling away to celebrate in front of the away section of the Jackie Husband Stand.
Thankfully for the home side, they would get one back ahead of the break as Ryan Blair turned into his own net. The move started with a quick throw out by Conor Hazard and after a bit of passing the ball in the middle of the park, Stuart Bannigan fed the ball forward to Scott McDonald who laid it off for Blair Spital. The number seven then slotted it through for the breaking James Penrice before the left-back reversed a pass into Scott McDonald’s path. The Australian then drilled a ball across the six-yard box and, in a panic, Ryan Blair turned it past his own ‘keeper giving Thistle a lifeline in the process.
The Jags were almost level a minute after their first goal as Stuart Bannigan looked for Blair Spittal in behind the Dunfermline rear-guard. The Jags captain picked the ball up in the midfield before quickly lifting a pass forward with Spittal the intended target. The Thistle top scorer swung a leg at the ball but couldn’t make proper contact, allowing Ryan Scully to collect.
At half time, Gary Caldwell was forced into a change as Jack McMillan came off injured. With no Christie Elliott available, that meant there needed to be some improvisation and Joe Cardle was brought on as Blair Spittal went to right wing-back and the substitute took Spittal’s place in attacking midfield.
The hosts’ first chance of the second half came when Stuart Bannigan delivered a free kick to the back post which Sean McGinty headed goalward. Ryan Scully made the save and McGinty was tackled before he could force the rebound home.
As the Maryhill men continued to push for an equaliser, Miles Storey and Aidan Fitzpatrick were introduced in the 69th and 74th minute respectively, coming on for Shea Gordon and Steven Saunders.
Shortly after their third and final change, the Jags found their leveller through Scott McDonald. The Australian benefitted from a Joe Cardle cross which evaded two Pars defenders before being controlled by McDonald. He used his chest to cushion the ball before rifling a half-volley past Ryan Scully at the near post.
Thistle had a couple of chances to complete the comeback and take all three points with Miles Storey and Blair Spittal going close but they were unable to find that crucial third goal and the game ended 2-2.
Next up for the Jags will be an away trip to face league leaders Ross County in Dingwall. Kick-off is 15:00 in the Highlands.
PARTICK THISTLE TEAM: Hazard, Penrice, McGinty, S. Anderson, Saunders, McMillan, Bannigan, Gordon, Spittal, Doolan, McDonald.
UNUSED SUBS (PTH): Sneddon, Harkins, Slater, Mansell.
DUNFERMLINE ATHLETIC TEAM: Scully, J. Longridge, Ashcroft, Devine, Craigen, Beadling, Blair, Todd (Williamson, 55′), L. Longridge, El Bakhtaoui (Hippolyte, 81′), B. Anderson (McCann, 84′).
UNUSED SUBS (DNF): Gill, Durnan, Higginbotham, Vincent.
An entertaining ninety minutes at the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill saw the points shared between Partick Thistle and Dunfermline Athletic as the sides drew 2-2.
The Jags fell two goals behind early in the game but responded well to grab a very merited point, with only last ditch defending and good goalkeeping from Ryan Scully, denying the Maryhill men the victory.
Jags gaffer, Gary Caldwell, spoke to ptfc.co.uk after a whirlwind 90 minutes.
“It was a great response from the side considering the start to the game. The first 20 minutes weren’t good enough. We didn’t start the game with any intensity. We had poor body language, we weren’t ready for the fight and the two goals woke us up.
“For 60-65 minutes after that I thought we were outstanding. The way we played was on the front foot. We had forward momentum throughout the second half in the chances we created. It’s never easy when you give the opposition a two goal start to come back and win the game and we just fell short in doing that. The character and reaction from everyone in the side was fantastic.”
On the back of a positive result last week at Cappielow, the Thistle manager was at a loss as to why the men in red and yellow started so sluggishly.
“I don’t know why we started so poorly. I don’t know why there was such a slow start but I’ll find out. We need more individuals being ready for the game and the fight from the first minute.”
Results elsewhere mean that Thistle rise to 8th in the Ladbrokes Championship table, despite not defeating the Pars and Gary knows it could be an important point at the end of the campaign.
“It’s a point. It’s a big point when you are 2-0 down and it looks unlikely you’ll get anything from the match. From that point of view it’s really positive. I was delighted with the response and character shown. It’s another point to the total. We’ve got 15 more points that we can add to the tally so we need to turn our focus to getting as many as we possibly can.”
Thistle were camped in the Dunfermline half for the entirety of the second half and the gaffer was pleased with the effort his side put in.
“I think you could see we were the only team trying to win the game in the second half. We made positive subs which forced them to change to try and contain us. We moved to three players up front to match them up and it worked because it got our second goal.
“We will always be a team that will try and win the game, if we are drawing at home or away with 10 minutes to go, we’ll hope to be in the ascendency to try and win the match. I thought the players gave everything, we just couldn’t get the final shot but, in fairness, the goalkeeper for Dunfermline made some big saves for them. In terms of effort, I was pleased with everyone.”
Scott McDonald popped up with his fifth goal in Partick Thistle colours to secure the draw and the manager was pleased for the Australian.
“It was a fantastic finish. It was only a half chance for me but he just needs a sniff on goal to put it away. There were times when the ball was in the box where you wanted it to drop to him or Kris Doolan as they would have ended in goals but they maybe fell to the wrong player or defenders managed to get the ball clear. The front two, then three, worked really well and helped us get up the pitch to get back into the game to get the draw.”
A more in depth video interview with Gary Caldwell is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Blair Spittal and Scott McDonald – log in now to see them.
Highlights will be added at midnight and will be free for Jagzone subscribers.
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Article Copyright © 2019. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk
Sat 6 April, 2019
SPFL Ladbrokes Championship 
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Thistle battle back from falling 2-0 behind to grab a point that might yet prove vital come the end of the season. The foot of the division looking even tighter after this afternoon's games.
The free kick goes into the Thistle box. Some sticks out a foot to it but the ball falls nicely to Hazard.
Cardle is penalised and it's Dunfermlione's turn to have a free kick in the opposition's half.
The referee spots a push as Doolan throws fbe ball long into the Dunfermline box.
The ball is clerared but Thistle have a throw.
Another Thistle free kick deep inside the Dunfermline half. This time over on the left hand side.
Spittal's free kick is headed clear.
Thistle free kick deep inside the Dunfermline half.
Cardle squares to Spittal whose low shot looks as if it might evade the grasp of Scully who just manages to save.
Man of the Match: Blair Spittal
Scully miskicks a clearance. Doolan gets hold of the ball but Scully redeems himself buy saving Doolan's curling shot.
This game is incredibly open at the moment. You would not bet against there being a winner.
Dunfermline clear the corner.
A thumping shot from Spittal touches off a defender.
Spittal's cross is nodded down into the path of Storey but his shot spins wide of goal.
McDonald nearly gets in behind the Dunfermlinbe defence but has to settle for a corner.
Thistle are level. Cardle's cross falls to McDonald and his low shot beats Scully at the keeper's right hand post.
We've a break in play for Saunders to receive some treatment.
Spittal's corner is headed down by Saunders. Doolan spins onto the ball but can't force it home.
Spittal's corner is well defended,
Spittal is fouled and Thistle have a free kick on the right.
Thistle work the ball into the path of Penrice inside the Dunfermline but he can't get the ball under control. Thistle are pressing but the ball just won't fall for them at the moment.
El Bakhtauoi's run ends with a shot cleraring the Thistle crossbar.
Thistle break quickly when the corner is cleared. Gordon gets the ball over to Penrice on the right. Penrice is tackled as he advances but Thistle don't get the corner they were expecting.
Hazard gets a hand to a free kick from Blair and in doing so keeps Thistle in the game.
Bannigan curls the ball in towards the back post but Thistle can't force the ball home despite two attempts to do so.
Doolan is fouled and Thistle have a free kick in from the right touchline.
Penrice has the ball at the left corner of the box but wastes any opportunity but shooting wildly off target.
Penrice sends over a good cross from thge left. Scully fumbles but Thistle can't take advasntage of that.
Thistle again struggle to defend a corner and Dunfermline should have a third goal with a header from Ashcroft going just wide.
Thistle make a half-time change.
A fortunate own goal after 30 minutes has handed Thistle a lifeline after a poor first half display that had seen Thistle trail by two goals.
There has been a moderate imporovement since the own goal but a big improvement is still requkired if Thistle are to rescue anything from this game.
Saunders shoots from fully 30 yards out. He makes clean enough contact with the ball but it goes well wide of goal,
McDonald cuts across the edge of the Dunfermline box before sending a shot wide of Scully's right hand post.
Anderson is on the end of Spittal's corner but his downward header goes wide.
Doolan's shot after collecting a pass from Penrice spins off a defender.
El Bakhtaoui shoots from distance but Hazard makes an easy save.
The flag goes up for offside against Doolan as he attempts to coll;ect a forward pass.
Almost out of the blue Thistle are nearly level. Spittal collects a chipped pass but Scully blocks.
McDonald's cross is knocked into his own net by Ryan Blair.
Nearly a third for Dunfermline. The Thjistle defence is opened up with far too much ease but Anderson's shot is poor which allows Hazard to make a comfortable save.
Nearly 30 minutes played and we've just had the first hint of a Thistle chance. McDonald plays a good ball to the back post where McMillan's header hits the top of the bar.
Bannigan whips over a good free kivck but is cleared. Gordon collects the ball on the left and his cross is blocked.
McDonald is fouled and Thistle have a free kick wide on the right hand side.
A Penrice cross is cleared.
It goes from bad to worse for Thistle. The corner is aimed low and Anderson spins away from his marker to connect and fire home. Thistle have it all to do now.
After a poor pass Saunders recovers to make an important interception as Dunfermline threaten the Thistle goal, The away side are well in control at the moment.
Spittal's cross towards the back post drifts out of play. Thistle have offered little since falling behind.
Anderson makes an important block as Dunfermline line up a shot. The ball spins high into the air and Hazard grabs hold of it.
Hazard nearly presents Dunfermline with a chance when he [pushes a cross from the left back into the danger area but the ball is cleared.
Craigen is booked for a wild challenge wide on the left but Thistle can make nothing of the free kick that follows with Scully making a comfortable catch.
Dunfermline strike first with an entirely avoidable goal. Thistle deal with the corner but concede possession very cheaply. Dunfermline come forward again and Beadling sets himself for a chance and fires low past Hazard.
The referee spots a shove as Spittal's corner comes over and the whistle had long sounded when Anderson heads the ball into the net.
Dunfermline explot some space down the Thistle right but when the cross comes over McGinty is able to chest the ball back to Hazard. It's been an open start to the game.
McDonald gets the ball out wide to McMillan. Mcmillan skips past a defender and lifts a cross into the box that Scully claims.
Spittal looks for a free kick at the edge of the Dunfermline box as he attemptsa to gather a McMillan pass but referee Clancy waves play on.
With just five games remaining after this afternoon's fixture we are now at the stage of the season where there is little margin for error.
Thistle should be approaching this afternoon's match with Dunfermline brim full of confidence following last week's excellent 3-0 success at Morton.
Just one change is made to the side that started that game with Sean McGinty starting with Christie Elliott unavailable.