SPFL Ladbrokes Championship
Sat 11 August, 2018. 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:
Falkirk supporters will be located in the North end of the Colin Weir Stand.
Prices:
Adults – £20
Concessions – £15
Under 16s – £5
League football returns to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill this Saturday as Falkirk visit Glasgow on Ladbrokes Championship matchday two. Thistle come into the game looking for a first win of the new league campaign and will have a slightly larger squad than was on show last time out as Andrew McCarthy and Christie Elliott both return from suspension with Jack Storer hoping to play a part following illness last weekend.
Thistle manager, Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of the competitive season’s sixth fixture.
The Jags gaffer began by touching on the significance of Saturday away from the football as the Club prepares to honour Thistle legend, David McParland who unfortunately passed away last month.
“Everyone was very sad to hear of Davie’s passing as he’s obviously a hero here at Thistle. I was able to be at his funeral and the turnout there was great, however, it’s good that we also have the chance to pay our respects to him at the stadium where he spent so much time. What he did for this club is unmatched by anyone and hopefully we have a good turnout at the weekend to give him a suitable send off.”
This week’s opposition, Falkirk, offer a bit of an unknown challenge for Thistle. The Bairns have signed more players than any other Championship side this summer but Archie says his team will be fully briefed on their opponents ahead of the game.
“They’re going to be an almost completely different side to the one from last season, not too dissimilar to ourselves. Their games this season have all been at the same times as ours so I haven’t seen them play live but I’ve watched a lot of footage and we’ve used what we’ve seen to educate the players. Footage doesn’t tell you everything though and their squad isn’t settled yet so I’m sure Paul Hartley will still be changing some things around which means we have to be ready for anything.”
With McCarthy, Elliott and Storer all hopefully back in contention Archibald will have additional options available to him this weekend, a factor he says could make the difference.
“Having Christie, Andy and Jack back gives us a wee bit more to choose from. Of course, Christie’s suspension left us without a natural right-back but now he’s returned to contention which is great. Andy and Jack bolster our midfield options and having more bodies means we have the opportunity to change things and have more of an impact on the game in the later stages – I didn’t really have that option last week. Andy and Jack both played in a reserve bounce game this week so that should help to get them up to full match sharpness.
“Regardless of who we have available, it is vital that we stick to our game plan. We didn’t do that well enough in the last two games and individual errors cost us dearly. We have always known how hard this league is going to be so we have no excuses from that point of view. A campaign isn’t ruined or written off on the first day though and we’ve been working hard all week to continue building the relationships across our squad that will bring success this season – hopefully that starts on Saturday.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Christie Elliott, Chris Erskine 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 The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill? Jagzone members can listen to live audio commentary of the match. JagZoneLIVE begins at 2:45pm on Saturday afternoon.
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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.
League football returned to Maryhill this afternoon as Falkirk visited the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill for Partick Thistle’s first home fixture of the 2018/19 Championship campaign. The Jags came home after a 2-0 defeat kicked off the new season at Somerset Park last Saturday but were looking to bounce back with a result against Paul Hartley’s Bairns, who also suffered opening day defeat, at the hands of Inverness Caley Thistle.
Two changes were made to Thistle starting line-up from last weekend’s game as two players jumped straight back into the team after not being in the squad seven days ago. Replacing Max Melbourne, Christie Elliott returned at right-back having served his one-game suspension and took hold of the captain’s armband for the day. The rest of the back four consisted of Tam O’Ware, Sean McGinty and James Penrice ahead of Cammy Bell between the sticks. Shea Gordon played the anchor role in midfield for the first time this season, giving Craig Slater a bit more freedom as the floating central midfielder. Jack Storer started as the player in the middle of an attacking midfield three with Chris Erskine and Blair Spittal on either flank. Miles Storey played as the sole striker with Kris Doolan not starting for the first time of the season with Thistle’s number nine on the bench.
The hosts started very brightly and threatened the Falkirk defence without carving out a real chance in the opening stages. Craig Slater did register the game’s first shot on target in the eighth minute but the number 17 dragged his ranged effort and Leo Fasan had a very easy save to make.
Thistle would, however, capitalise on their strong start in the 23rd minute when James Penrice opened the scoring. Following a Blair Spittal free-kick delivery into the box, the cleared ball fell the way of Miles Storey. The Englishman then turned the ball back to James Penrice. The Thistle Weir Academy Graduate then checked infield before weaving his way past three defenders and shooting. His initial attempt seemed to be going wide but a deflection off a Falkirk body took it past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. The goal, which has been awarded to Penrice, is the left—back’s second of the season making it his best ever scoring campaign after just six games.
The advantage was quickly doubled just five minutes later when Chris Erskine struck home his first goal of the new season. The Jags number ten received the ball from Christie Elliott and immediately drove inside. He cut past not one, not two, but three Falkirk players before slamming home a left footed effort from just inside the box. The goal gets him off the mark for the 2018/19 season and sent the home side into the break with a two goal lead.
After the half-time interval, Miles Storey went close to netting his first in the league this year as he thundered an effort narrowly wide from over 25 yards. The shot came at the end of a long spell of Thistle possession containing over 20 passes and eventually Spittal teed Storey up but his powerful effort couldn’t find the target.
On the hour mark, Falkirk went very close to pulling one back and a bit of good luck on the Jags’ part kept the score at 2-0. After Rees Greenwood was fouled by Craig Slater, Hearts loanee, Andrew Irving stepped up and curled a sumptuous effort towards Cammy Bell’s goal. The set-piece attempt came back off the cross bar and ricocheted against Bell’s back. Hearts were in mouths right around the stadium but the ball bounced behind for a corner rather than bouncing into the net.
The subsequent corner presented another opportunity for the travelling Bairns as they once again hit the woodwork. A delivery from the Jackie Husband Stand side of the pitch was met by Falkirk defender, Scott Harrison who nodded goalward. The header looked to be threatening the top corner of the Thistle goal but it only clipped the bar on the way over.
Shortly thereafter, Thistle made their first change of the game as Jack Storer came off to be replaced by Kris Doolan in the 65th minute.
The visitors’ next chance to pull one back came with ten minutes of normal time remaining. The ball was fed to Paul Paton who had made a ghosting run into the Jags’ penalty area. He turned and lifted a pass towards the back post where Jordan McGhee had made a terrific run from the left of defence. He tried a drilled effort at the near post but missed the target completely when it seemed a fairly simple finish for the Bairns’ number three.
The Jags then made two further alterations during the last ten minutes. Firstly, Blair Spittal was replaced by Aidan Fitzpatrick in the 81st minute before Callum Wilson was then handed a debut, coming on for Chris Erskine in the 89th minute.
As the game entered added time, Falkirk did manage to pull a goal back. A long throw by Aaron Muirhead dropped in the box and first on the scene was Bairns substitute, Rees Greenwood who rifled a low shot into the back of the net at the near post, leaving Cammy Bell with no chance whatsoever.
Although Falkirk then began pushing hard for an equaliser, it was Thistle who came closest to the game’s fourth goal through Kris Doolan in the 91st minute. Miles Storey fed the ball to the talismanic forward and Doolan took a touch before shooting. He lashed a left footed shot towards goal but found only the side-netting as he continues his search for his first of the new season.
That would be the final action of the game as Kevin Clancy blew for full-time at 2-1. The Jags picked up their first three points of this season’s Championship having shown marked improvement on the previous week’s showing.
Thistle now turn their attentions to something of a cup week. First up is Stranraer away in the Irn Bru Cup with kick-off at 19:45 this Tuesday from Stair Park.
THISTLE TEAM: Bell, Elliott, O’Ware, McGinty, Penrice, Gordon, Slater, Spittal (Fitzpatrick, 81’), Erskine (Wilson, 89’), Storer (Doolan, 65’), Storey.
UNUSED SUBS (PTH): Sneddon, Keown, Melbourne.
FALKIRK TEAM: Fasan, Muirhead, Dallison, Harrison, McGhee, Sammut (Russell, HT), Paton, Irving, Petravicius (Greenwood, HT), Lewis, Mackin (Froxylias, 61’).
UNUSED SUBS (FLK): Mutch, Kidd, Robson, O’Hara.
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.
Partick Thistle marked the return of league football to Maryhill with their first win of the new Championship season. Falkirk were the visitors as the Jags embarked on their second fixture of the fresh campaign, claiming their first league points this term. The hosts started on top, dominating the Bairns and ultimately taking the lead in the 23rd minute as James Penrice’s deflected effort beat Leo Fasan. Thistle doubled the advantage five minutes later as Chris Erskine’s mazy run culminated in a convincing left footed finish into the Falkirk net. The away side did pull one back in the 90th minute but couldn’t draw level in added time with the match ended 2-1. A very pleased Thistle boss, Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk following the game.
Archie began by praising his side’s first half performance with the Jags easily the better team during the opening 45 minutes.
“We asked our boys to show no fear and put the last couple of games behind them. Obviously, confidence is going to be a problem when you lose consecutive games but I felt that the guys really stepped up this afternoon. They were showing for the ball and not shying away which was great to see and I think we were good value for our lead at the break.”
Archie was quick to highlight the application of his players who put a lot into the game and were very organised throughout the match.
“We asked the whole team to work hard. They’ve been working on shape and filling in gaps when they appear and overall, our shape was excellent. Falkirk barely created anything from open play and that was testament to the work the boys did to keep our formation.”
The gaffer was happy for Chris Erskine who got off the mark for the season with a wonderful goal that consolidated the Thistle lead in the 28th minute.
“Chris was excellent today and I think he epitomised everything that was good about us this afternoon. He worked very hard going both ways and really showed his commitment to the team with a couple of those tackles he made. He’s been slightly off the pace so far this season but to perform like that today and top it off with a goal, will do him the world of good.”
He then went on to talk about Miles Storey who he felt had a good game despite being caught on the wrong side of the Falkirk defence a few too many times.
“He brought something different. It was a big decision to drop Kris Doolan but we thought we had maybe become too predictable and needed a change. Miles provides a threat in behind that no other player does and that stretches the opposition in a way that opens up space for other players.”
Alan told us of his disappointment that his side couldn’t hold onto their clean sheet as a loose ball in the box was slammed home by Rees Greenwood in the 90th minute.
“It was just a long throw which is something of a lottery. We know we need to be able to defend against those sort of things in the Championship but for that one, the ball just drops to the Falkirk lad and it’s a terrific finish. It made the finish a bit nervy but we still have to be proud of the overall performance.”
Archie and the Thistle squad must now prepare for a midweek trip to Stranraer as the Jags’ Irn Bru Cup Campaign gets underway. Kick-off is 19:45 from Stair Park.
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Craig Slater and Callum Wilson. Log in now to see it as soon as it is available.
Highlights will be added shortly and will be free for Jagzone subscribers.
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Alan will be here for the next big moment – will you? 2018/19 season tickets are on sale now – buy yours here.
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 11 August, 2018
SPFL Ladbrokes Championship 
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
A late goal from Ross Greenwood meant that the closing stages of this game were more tense than they should have been but it was a deserved win for Thistle all the same.
Both Thistle goals came in the first half. A James Penrice effort after 23 minutes being followed by a Chris Erskine goal 5 minutes later.
This was a good display from Thistle that perhaps just lacked the killer third goal with Falkirk pressing hard late on.
Storey pushes the ball to Doolan whose effort goes narrowly wide.
Greenwood's low drive pulls one back for Falkirk.
Lewis' header drops wide of Bell's left hand post.
Thistle Man of the Match: Chris Erskine
Harrison is late on O'Ware as the defender clears the Falkirk corner.
Great chance for Falkirk. Paton collects the ball inside th Thistle box. His pass to McGhee to his left is well judged but McGhee can't hit target with Bell to beat.
Froxylias' shot hits the wall before Paton's pass finds Greenwood in an offside position in the Thistle box.
McGinty's challenge on Lewis earns Falkirk a free kick in a promnising position near the right hand corner of the Thistle box.
Elliott gets past his man on the right amd his low driven cross is cleared.
A flurry of corners from Falkirk come to nothing though Bell did have to look smart to tip a header over his bar from the second of the three corners.
Slater's corner is into the Falkirk six yard box but it is headed clear.
From the Falkirk corner Harrison gets a header that clips the bar on the way over.
It's a magnificent effort from Irving but the underside of the bar and Bell combined keep the ball out.
Slater fouls Greenwood and Falkirk have a free kick about 30 yards from the Thistle goal but in a central position.
A real neat interchange of playing involving Erskine, Spittal and Storey ends with Storey's powerful shot going wide.
Slater gets into a promising position at the left corner of the Falkirk box but drags his shot wide of target.
Spittal can't get enough on his attempted pass to Storey and Falkirk clear.
Gordon gets the all clear and is back on.
Break in play as Gordon receives some treatment following a collision. Play restarts with a dropped ball while Gordon is assessed at the side of the pitch.
Thistle virtually dominated the entire first 45 minutes and they take a deserved 2-0 lead into the dressing room at half-time.
On an afternoon where Thistle paid tribute to David McParland it was appropriate that the opening goal was scored by Academy graduate James Penrice.
Five minutes after the opening goal the second arrived from Chris Erskine after some typical Squiddy magic at the edge of the box.
Falkirk have offered little but the job is only half done at present.
One minute of additional time to be played.
When play does restart Penrice lifts the free kick deep into the Falkirk box aiming for O'Ware but the referee spots a push from the Thistle defender and Falkirk win a free kick of their own.
McGhee fouls Slater and both players are going to need a spot of treatment before play can restart.
Storer's through ball nearly finds Storey but Fasan is able to clear.
A Slater cross is cleared as Thistle look for a third goal.
Storey finds room on the right but he over hits his cross slightly and the ball goes out of play on the other side.
No good fortune about that one and is some typical Erskine trickery. He wriggles his way to the edge of the box where he fires powerfully into the back of the net.
Chance for Falkirk as Lewis crosses from the left and Mackin can't quite reach the ball at the back post despite his best efforts to do so.
There is a touch of good fortune about that one but it is well deserved all the same. Penrice works an opening for himself but his shot isn't cleanly struck. It takes a deflection though and that is enough for the ball to beat Fasan.
Storey knocks the ball back into the path of Spittal whose shot is blocked before Fasan gathers the spinning ball above his head.
Storey is again a threat but he can't find a teammate with a cut back from the right. Thistle a bit slow in getting into the box to offer support.
Fasan nearly allows a deflected effort from Elliott to go out for a corner.
Slater's left foot shot from the edge of the box doesn't really trouble Fasan but some good play from Thistle once more.
A long ball forward catches Storey in an offside position but he is proving to be a handful in the early stages of the game.
Storey plays a really good ball into the box from the right hand side but nobody makes the run to meet it.
Penrice's corner is headed clear at the front post. Better deliver required.
McGhee makes a great interception to prevent a Storey cross from finding the head of Erskine.
It's been a really positive start from Thistle.
Dallison stretches out a foot to clear a Penrice cross.
Penrice's corner is headed clear.
Falkirk are the visitors for Thistle's first home league game of the season.
After the disappointment of last week's game at Ayr manager Alan Archibald makes two changes to his starting eleven. In come Christie Elliott, who captains the side, and Jack Storer as Kris Doolan and Max Melbourne drop to the bench.
In Aaron Muirhead and Paul Paton the Falkirk sode side includes two members of Thistle's Championship winning side of season 2012/2013.