SPFL Ladbrokes Championship
Fri 22 March, 2019. Kick Off: - 19:05
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.
Friday night sees a return to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill for Partick Thistle as they take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle, live in front of the BBC Scotland cameras. It’s a match that, if the Jags secure all three points, could see them go as high in the league as seventh, with their rivals having to wait until Saturday to play.
However, Thistle gaffer, Gary Caldwell, knows that the most important thing is for his side to take care of their own business against Caley. And, while he acknowledges it was a good performance the last time out against the Highlanders, he knows consistency is key.
Speaking to ptfc.co.uk, Caldwell said:
“We were excellent first half, but they are a different team as well at the minute. The last time we played them they played more or less a flat 4-4-2 and they were a bit more direct. They’ve changed to a 4-2-3-1 and they have loads of players in attacking areas that can find little pockets of space and cause us problems.
“I was at the Dundee United game in the cup where they were excellent so they are a different team to the one we played up there but one which I firmly believe we can beat. We have to focus on our game and how we attack and how we play to go and get those three points.”
“Of course it was disappointing not to take all three points on Saturday but a draw away from home is turned into a good point if you back it up with a win. That’s what we need to do tonight.
“I think consistency is a massive thing in football but it is probably during the games that the consistency has to improve for us. From game to game it’s understandable, it happens, but during games, our levels vary too much. We have to focus on becoming a more consistent team and becoming a more reliable team in possession. If we focus on sticking clearly to the game plan and making that work we will get all three points.”
One of the biggest disappointments from the Falkirk match was the fact the side started so well. The emphasis for Caldwell now is killing games off when his side are dominating.
“Of course it’s massive that you start any game well and we have changed that throughout my time here, we’ve got much better at that. Like i said before, it’s now continuing what you’re doing well and making sure you are ruthless in those moments, to show your dominance on the scoreboard and your dominance in the game. One goal in this league, as we’ve found, isn’t enough. We simply have to make that dominance count on the scoreboard.”
With eight games remaining the Thistle boss knows the magnitude of every game his side have left.
“Every game is big between now and the end of the season for so many different reasons. We understand that, as a group of players, we have to focus on making sure we get the points that we need, first of all to take us out of trouble and then see how the league pans out come the last few games of the season. It’s so tight, there’s so many different things, twists and turns that can happen between now and the end of the season.”
“The league is so tight, three points, or a run of three points, can make such a significant difference. Dunfermline have shown that recently, a team that was drifting towards the bottom of the league suddenly find themselves in fourth, so we have to make sure that we not only win on Friday night but we follow that up with a run of victories that pull us well clear of trouble and we can start looking higher up the table.”
With Steven Anderson and Christie Elliott both being ruled out at late notice last week Jags fans will eagerly awaiting injury news ahead of tonight’s clash.
“Ando is fine, he had a concussion but he trained on Tuesday and he had the all clear from the doctor to do that. Christie trained yesterday and we will see how he is after that. Everyone else is fit and ready to go so it’s good to have a full squad to pick from. It means we have options to try and effect the game in a positive way.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Steven Saunders, Craig Slater 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 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 6:50pm tonight.
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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.
Partick Thistle returned to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill for the first time since Aidan Fitzpatrick’s dramatic late winner beat Dundee United as they took on Inverness in Maryhill. Since that triumph over the Tangerines, the Jags had been eliminated from the Scottish Cup at Tynecastle and picked up a point at the Falkirk Stadium while on the road.
Gary Caldwell made four changes to the team which started at the Falkirk Stadium six days prior with the first coming in goals as Jamie Sneddon replaced Conor Hazard with the Celtic loanee away on international duty with the Northern Ireland senior squad. In defence, Christie Elliott and Steven Anderson returned from injury at right-back and centre-half respectively with Steven Saunders and James Penrice completing the back four. Jack McMillan operated at the base of midfield as he did in Thistle’s last home fixture only this time it was as part of a diamond in the middle of the park. Stuart Bannigan and Craig Slater were on either side of the midfield unit with Gary Harkins in the number ten role, coming in for Joe Cardle. Up front, the pair who linked up for Thistle’s opener against Falkirk retained their places as Scott McDonald and Lewis Manseel went in search of similar success against Caley. On the bench for the hosts were Aaron Lennox, Sean McGinty, Blair Spittal, Kris Doolan, Miles Storey, Aidan Fitzpatrick and Joe Cardle.
The first sight of goal came for the travelling Highlanders after ten minutes after a quick turnover around the half way line. Christie Elliott was the man dispossessed as Aaron Doran tracked back to stop the advancing Thistle defender. The ball then fell to Carl Tremarco who rushed forward into the open space left by Elliott. He was allowed to take a shot from the edge of the box but his effort was weak and Jamie Sneddon held easily.
The next chance in what was a poor first half came on 35 minutes as Inverness continued to look slightly more dangerous than their Glaswegian adversaries. John Robertson’s side broke from a Thistle corner with Coll Donaldson flicking the ball to Joe Chalmers to truly start the counter. Chalmers then fed Sean Welsh who was sprinting down the Caley right before receiving a return pass from Welsh. Chalmers then took one touch to open things up before curling a shot goalward. Unfortunately for him, his effort was far too central and Jamie Sneddon was able to simply help it over the bar.
Sneddon would be called into action once more before the break as a Caley free kick was headed towards goal by Jordan White. The big forward tried to find the bottom corner but Sneddon got down well to his left to turn it away. Carl Tremarco tried to knock the rebound home but Steven Saunders defended well, knocking the ball off Tremarco to win a goal kick.
The home side came out for the second half looking better than they had during the first and they even had the ball in the net in the 50th minute, though it was ruled out. Mark Ridgers punched Craig Slater’s cross clear after a short corner, however, Steven Anderson knocked it back into the danger area where Scott McDonald brought the ball down. The Australian tried a shot on the spin which was blocked. It deflected into the path of Steven Saunders who fired home from a couple of yards but the assistant’s flag was indicating the defender was offside. Shortly thereafter, Gary Caldwell made his first substitution of the game as Lewis Mansell was replaced by Miles Storey before then also introducing Blair Spittal on the hour mark in place of Gary Harkins.
The visitors then had the ball in the net as well, however, their goal stood as Aaron Doran gave Caley the lead. Joe Chalmers forward pass was aimed for Inverness striker, Jordan White, but the number 19 used an intelligent dummy to let the ball run through to Aaron Doran who had broken the hosts’ backline. Doran set himself before slotting home, beyond the outrushing Jamie Sneddon as the away side drew first blood.
Thistle fought back, though, and answered with an equaliser just three minutes later. Blair Spittal fed the ball into Scott McDonald in the Caley box with the number ten then laying it off for Stuart Bannigan. The midfielder’s first touch set himself for a left-footed short and that’s exactly what he went for. Bannigan curled an attempt towards goal, picking out the far corner and in the process netting his first goal since October 2015 when he scored the third in a 3-0 win over Dundee United.
The Jags then had a chance to take the lead as Blair Spittal looked to score his ninth goal of the 2018/19 season. The substitute got in behind the Caley rear-guard and controlled a high pass from Scott McDonald on his chest. Spittal then tried to volley home past Mark Ridgers at the ‘keeper’s near post but the attempt ricocheted wide off the outside of the post. Then, in the 71st minute, Joe Cardle came on for Christie Elliott as the home side continued to push for the winner.
Nevertheless, it was the travelling Inverness side who would find the vital third goal of the game as Tom Walsh once again proved to be a thorn in the Jags’ side. After Steven Saunders failed to clear the ball, Liam Polworth lifted the ball over the top to Aaron Doran, the scorer of the game’s opener. He flicked the ball into the air with Tom Walsh breaking into the box and the midfielder slammed home a volley that beat Jamie Sneddon all ends up.
That’s how the game would finish with the Highlanders sneaking an exciting second half which swung both ways at various points. The defeat meant the Jags failed to move above Falkirk and failed to extend their lead over Alloa in the table, however, Alloa’s defeat the following day meant that they failed to capitalise on Thistle’s defeat.
Next up for the Jags is a trip to Greenock to take on Morton. Kick-off is 15:00 from Cappielow Park on March 30th.
PARTICK THISTLE TEAM: Sneddon, Elliott (Cardle, 71’), Anderson, Saunders, Penrice, McMillan, Bannigan, Slater, Harkins (Spittal, 60’), Mansell (Storey, 54’), McDonald.
UNUSED SUBS (PTH): Lennox, McGinty, Fitzpatrick, Doolan.
INVERNESS CT TEAM: Ridgers, McKay, McCart, Donaldson, Tremarco, Trafford (Walsh, 68’), Welsh, Chalmers, Doran (Rooney, 85’), Polworth, White.
UNUSED SUBS (ICT): Mackay, McHattie, McCauley, Machado, Austin.
Inverness came to Maryhill for the second time this season as Partick Thistle looked to secure a win which would see them climb out of the relegation play-off position. Unfortunately, for the home side it was the Caley Jags who came away with all three points thanks to goals from Aaron Doran and Tom Walsh who netted his second winner of the 2018/19 campaign at the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill.
Doran opened the scoring half way through the second half only for the goal to be cancelled out by Stuart Bannigan three minutes later. The Highlanders would have the last laugh though as Walsh struck with nine minutes to play bagging what proved to be the difference-making goal. Thistle manager, Gary Caldwell, spoke to ptfc.co.uk following the match’s conclusion.
“It’s a hugely disappointing result in the end. I thought the first half was very poor from both teams and there weren’t many dangerous attacks. However, the second half was livelier and at 1-1, it was a game that we were very much in.
“We were probably the slightly more dominant team. We had a goal disallowed, hit the post but we couldn’t get that final touch or pass in the box to grab that second goal.”
Gary mentioned his frustration with the manner of the two goals conceded which he felt were easily preventable.
“Both of their goals were two easy in the way that they came through the middle of the pitch. For the first one, we allow the runner in behind and he has so much time to pick his spot when he’s shooting and Jamie Sneddon has no chance. Then, with the second, we don’t clear the ball and that allows for a quick lay-off and stunning finish.”
Despite the defeat, Caldwell was pleased with the drive and determination shown by his substitutes in what was an end-to-end second half at times.
“We always say to those guys on the bench; when you get on the pitch, that’s your time to show what you can do. It’s an opportunity that you have to grab and I was happy with the impact of the guys that came on. They shifted things in our favour but we didn’t have the killer touch and were punished for that with their second goal.”
The gaffer also gave us a quick update on one of the players who went off, Lewis Mansell.
“Lewis is fine, he just felt a bit sick. Going back out for the second half he just didn’t feel right and we decided to bring him off after he spoke to the medical staff so we’ll see how he does over the next couple of days.”
A more in depth video interview with Gary Caldwell is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Stuart Bannigan and Jamie Sneddon – 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.
Fri 22 March, 2019
SPFL Ladbrokes Championship 
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
There is bitter disappointment as Thistgle go down to a 2-1 defeat at home to Inverness thus missing the opportunity toi climb the league table.
The final score is a little harsh on Thistle who were pushing hard foir a winner at 1-1 when Inverness scored what proved to be the winner with 10 minutes remaining.
Minimum of 4 minutes of additional time to be played.
It's nearly game over but Sneddon makes himnself big and is able to block Doran's shot.
Walsh collects a flick from McCart and thumps the ball home.
Spittal comes close after collecting a gem of as pass from McDonald.
Thistle are close to the lead. McDonald reads Spittal's excellent pass but his cut back can't be converted into a goal.
Slater's shot from the edge of the box is onb the rise ands clears the bar.
Spittal takes the corner but it is headed clear.
Thistle are level. He doesn't score many but this is a cracker as he curls the ball home from the edge of the box.
Inverness clear the corner.
Inverness draw first blood. Doran finds too much space and when left with Sneddon to beat he confidently slips tyhe ball home.
Storey again does well down by the bye line but he can't find a Thistle player with his cut back.
Storey lays the ball into the path of Spittal who gtries to lift a shot into the top corner of the net but Ridgers is there to greab hold of his effort.
Spittal is involved straight away and he is fouled by Mckay. As McDonald gathers the ball play is allowed to continue but after McDonald sends his shot wide out comes the yellow card for the Inverness player.
Polworth's shot goes high and wide of the Thistgle gkal.
This is better stuff from Thistle and Storey does well but his cross is cleared by McCart.
Ridgers is happy to seea first time shot from Slater come straight at him.
We've a wee delay in play here for Mansell to receive treatment.
Thistle think they have the lead when Saunders knocks the ball home after good work from McDonald following a short corner but as Saunders turns away to celebrate he sees the flag up for offside.
Thistle appeal for a handball as a Slater shot strikes an Inverness player just outside the box.
Polworth has the first effort of ther second half but it goes well wide of target.
It's level at the break with Thistle happy to get in at the interval not trailing. It's been a poor game with Inverness the better side and have twice come close to scoring. Doran's angled shot going wide before Sneddon ;produced an excellent aave to keep out a header from Trafford.
Thistle meantime have offered little save for a McDonald shot straiught at Ridgers.
Chalmers aims a free kick deep into the Thistle box and it takes a great one handed save from Sneddon low near his left hand post to keep a header out.
Thistle are unbder pressure until Anderson chests the ball back to |Sneddon. Thistle will be the happier side to hear the half time whistle.
Good defending from Saunders who steps across to clear the ball and is fouled in the process.
Inverness are close again. Welsh has far too much space in midfield and he threads a pass through to Doran whose angled shot is wide of Sneddon's right hand post.
And Inverness nearly score with Sneddon tipping over Chalmers' shot. The corner that follows though comes to nothing.
Inverness break after the corner is cleared.
Slater's corner finds Anderson but his effort flies well wide of goal.
Tremarco's error gets Thistle a throw down near the corner flag and the chance to build some pressure.
Inverness are the better side at the moment.
Welsh takes the free kick but it is a poor one and clears the Thistle crossbar with a bit to spare.
Another Inverness free kick this time about 10 yards closer to the Thistle goal.
The free kick is a good one and Thistle are forced to defend it at the back post.
Trafford is fouled and Inverness have a free kick perhaps just too far out for a direct effort on goal but still with a chance to threaten the Thistle goal.
The second of Slater's corners causes Inverness problems but McDonald isn't able to force the ba;ll goalwards.
Harkins touches the ball back to McDonald whose shot is straight at Ridgers.
Inverness come forward down the Thistle right exploting space after Elliott is robbed off the ball. Tremacro shoots but it is an easy save for Sneddon to make.
Penrice is able to get the ball over from the left but his cross is over hit.
Neither side has made much of an impact in the opening exchanges on a cold and blustery night.
The free kick is aimed deep towards Anderson at the back post. He wins his header but Inverness get the ball clear.
McDonald is fouled and Thistle have a free kick wide on the right.
We're just 20 minutes away from kick-off in a match that should Thistle win they will climb a couple of places in the league table.
Gary Caldwell's team selection sees four changesa from the side that started at Falkirk last weekend.
Conor Hazard is on international duty with Northern Ireland and Jamie Sneddon comes in to replace him in goal.
Steven Anderson and Christie Elliott missed out last week through injury but both return tonight while there is also a start for Gary Harkins.
Dropping to the bench are Sean McGinty, Blair Spittal and Joe Cardle.