Sat 17 August, 2019
Betfred Cup 
The Energy Check Stadium at FirhillKenny Miller (80), Penrice (96), Saunders (114)
Blair Spittal (60), Paton (105)
Betfred Cup
Sat 17 August, 2019. Kick Off: - 15:00
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Prices
Adults: £18
Concessions (over 65s and students): £10
Juveniles (under 16): £5
Travelling Support
Away fans will be housed in the north end of the Jackie Husband Stand.
There is a cash gate for County supporters and a card payment option will be available at the Jackie Husband Stand ticket booth.
JagZone LIVE v Ross County
Our audio commentary service, JagZone LIVE, will be providing comprehensive audio coverage as Partick Thistle look to reach the Betfred Cup quarter-finals with a win over Ross County.
The build-up to the game with our commentary team will begin at 2:45pm, 15 minutes ahead of kick-off.
The Jags will be hoping to upset the Premiership Staggies and continue what has been a fruitful league cup campaign so far.
To listen to the broadcast, simply log in to your Jagzone account, click on the audio commentary tab and press the play button on the player.
Jagzone LIVE is only available to Jagzone subscribers so sign up here to listen to the show.
Matchday Programme against Ross County
This weekend, Partick Thistle take on Ross County at home in our Betfred Cup last 16 tie having progressed from the group stages in July.
A win would see Thistle secure a place in the quarter-finals, however, the Staggies provide stern opposition having started the 19/20 season in excellent form after winning the Championship last term.
Our matchday programme for the game, which is the second 48-pager of the season, will be available for just £3.
Included in the programme will be:
Copies of our matchday programme will be on sale around the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill ahead of kick off tonight.
If you can’t make it along to the game, copies of the programme can be purchased online from our programme supplier, Curtis Sport, here.
Half-Time Draw
This week it’s former Jags midfielder, Ian MacDonald who will be performing the half-time draw at the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill.
Ian played for Motherwell and Stranraer during his career but played his best football in Maryhill, making several hundreds of appearances in the red and yellow of Partick Thistle.
You can buy your draw tickets from our sellers around the ground ahead of the game.
Aitken Suite
The Aitken Suite will be open from 12 noon until kick-off and will re-open after the game between 5 and 6pm.
There will be no PlayerZone after the match.
The suite is located in the Colin Weir Stand and you can enter from Firhill Road.
Match Build-Up
Ahead of the weekend’s clash with County, we have had plenty of build-up from various members of the Jags playing department on both ptfc.co.uk and JagZone.
Click on the links below to find all our match previews from this week.
Website Previews:
JagZone Previews:
This weekend sees Thistle move away from Ladbrokes Championship action as they prepare to take on Ross County in the Betfred Cup. The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill is once again the venue as Thistle look to put a poor second half performance against United behind them and book their place in the quarter finals of this season’s Betfred Cup campaign.
In a switch to the usual proceedings, the Jags assistant manager, Brian Kerr, spoke to ptfc.co.uk to preview the fixture and give his thoughts on where the team was in terms of preparation.
“We’re very confident. Confidence is high as we look to book a place in the quarter final of the Betfred Cup. The boys are desperate to put right Friday night because we all know it wasn’t good enough. We’ll need to be at our best though because County have clearly showed just how good they can be already this season.
“It has been a frustrating start to the season for us because we have really struggled to get the consistency we need through the 90 minutes. We’ve shown in spells, like the first 45 minutes against Dundee United, just how good we can be but the challenge now is to get that through the whole game and start taking all three points from these matches.
“It’s not an easy thing to work on on the training pitch but we are close to having a very good side and if we can work together to take that final step then there could be some really exciting times ahead. We just need to get that belief into the players, a belief that they can win these games and that they are capable of putting in top performances for a full match.”
While many would have seen recently promoted Ross County as a “good” draw Kerr didn’t see it that way, insisting that County would put up as stiff a challenge as anyone else in the competition.
“We can’t take County for granted in any way, shape or form. They won the league last season for a reason. They’re incredibly well organised and always have been – we saw that last season. We went to see them play Hearts at the weekend and, to be honest, that was probably game they should have won. We know they’ll come here and be a real danger and we have to be ready for a very tough game or we won’t be in the hat for the next round, it’s as simple as that.
“I think County are a team that a lot of clubs can learn from in this division. They just had a way of winning games regardless of whether they were playing well or not. As a group they just knew how to get through 90 minutes and come out the end with a victory. They were ruthless and well organised but most of all they made sure that pretty much every game they played they came out of having picked up points.”
With the Betfred Cup offering the prospect of a pre-Christmas trip to Hampden, Brian is only too aware of how much of an early season boost a decent cup run could provide to the Thistle players.
“The way the Betfred Cup is structured means you could find yourself in a quarter final having only played a couple of league games. It’s a shot sharp competition but it can be a real catalyst for your season. A decent run in any competition and a trip to Hampden is enough to lift everyone at a football club, the players, the staff, the fans – everyone. That’s what football is about and that’s where we want to be, without a doubt. For the team a win will give us a massive confidence boost and a massive boost in belief and that’s exactly what we’ll be aiming for on Saturday.”
Finally the Jags assistant gave a positive update with his team news.
“In terms of our team news it is very much as you were. The long term guys are still out but we haven’t picked up any fresh knocks so we’ll go into the match without any additional concerns.”
A more in-depth video interview with Thistle manager, Gary Caldwell, is available to watch on JagZone now as well interviews with Joe Cardle and Alex Jones.
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 14:45 tomorrow.
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.
After two games without a win in the league, Partick Thistle returned to Betfred Cup action as they looked to get back to winning ways against Ross County. The visiting Staggies came into the game in excellent form having won five and drawn one in their first six games of the 19/20 campaign, however, when all was said and done it was the Jags who had booked a spot in the cup’s quarter-final stage. Blair Spittal opened the scoring on his first visit back to Maryhill after leaving Thistle in the summer to give County the lead in the second half but a Kenny Miller strike in the 80th minute took the contest to extra-time. Thistle looked the better of the two sides at the start of the bonus half hour and were rewarded as James Penrice curled a free-kick home off the inside of the post to put the home side ahead but the Staggies struck back through substitute Harry Paton who showed great composure to slot the ball past Scott Fox from a tough angle in the 105th minute. There was one more goal to be scored and it came for the Jags as Steven Saunders headed home a James Penrice corner to make it 3-2 and to send the Maryhill men through to the last eight. Jags boss, Gary Caldwell, spoke to ptfc.co.uk following the final whistle beginning by summarising a dramatic 90 minutes.
“I’m absolutely delighted with that and it’s the performance more than anything. We’ve worked extremely hard this week at being more aggressive as a team and playing on the front foot. Trying to play the game our way and dictating the flow of the match which I felt the boys did well today in spells against a Premiership team who I think will be comfortable in the top flight this year.
“For them to go a goal behind and keep believing in what we are doing and then get back into the game; it was terrific. Then, in extra time, with both teams tiring, I thought we had the edge mentally and physically and we didn’t give them a second to catch their breath which I feel was a big part of what won us the game, in the end.
“The players were giving their all with headers, clearances, blocks and everything else and I feel like the fans really bought into that and you could feel a real positive energy coming from the stands as the game went on. It wasn’t a great performance from start to finish but the supporters stuck with us all game long and it felt like everyone was pulling in the same direction today.”
The gaffer then expanded on his point about the players leaving everything on the pitch by discussing the importance of effort in the performance.
“We had great energy throughout the match and that aggression that I talked about. We gave away the most fouls in a game since I’ve been here which tells me we were getting close to County and putting them under pressure which is great.
“To go along with that, we had quality and for spells we played great football. They’re a good side too and they came back into it but after their goal, it was relentless; the way we came at them and fought for second balls and, to be honest, I thought we could have won it before the 90 minutes were over.”
Now the Jags await the quarter-final draw to see who they’ll face next in the Betfred Cup but Caldwell knows that whoever they do end up facing it’s going to be another tough test as Thistle look to reach Hampden.
“I said to the players after the game; enjoy this feeling, it’s what you work for as a footballer but you have to come back down to earth. There were still aspects of that performance that we can improve on and we’ll continue to work with the players to get better so that when that quarter-final comes around, we’re ready to win it whoever it’s against.”
A more in depth video interview with Gary Caldwell is available to Jagzone subscribers now and reaction from James Penrice and Steven Saunders will be online shortly.
Highlights will also be available to view later and will be free for Jagzone subscribers.
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
FULL-TIME EXTRA-TIME
PARTICK THISTLE 3, ROSS COUNTY 2
Into added time in extra time
A minute to go. Thistle lead 3-2.
Robson hacks the ball clear.
County work a short corner and when the ball is delivered into the box Fox claims it.
County corner on the left.
GOAL THISTLE
THISTLE 3, COUNTY 2
Saunders is on the end of the corner to hit powerfully into the bottom corner of the net.
Thistle corner on the left.
O'Ware is there to head the corner clear.
County corner from the right.
County can make nothing of the corner.
County corner on the left
McGinty stoops to reach Penrice's corner but it is an easy save for Laidlaw.
Laidlaw makes a great save to deny Miller after Mansell lays the ball back to him. Thistle with a corner.
Mansell tries to reach a Robson cross but is beaten to the ball by a defender.
Back underway in the second period of extra-time.
HALF-TIME EXTRA TIME
THISTLE 2, ROSS COUNTY 2
GOAL COUNTY
THISTLE 2, COUNTY 2
Paton twists and turns inside the box and fires across fox and into the far corner of the net.
Palmer is booked.
Thistle make their permitted additional substitution with O'Ware coming on for Jones.
Another County corner on the left that McGinty clears.
County corner on the left. It's wporled short and Thistle clear.
GOAL THISTLE!
THISTLE 2, COUNTY 1
Penrice the free kick and finds the net via the inside of the post.
Fontaine takes out Miller and is booked and Thistle have a free kick about 6 yards outside the box and marginally left of centre.
McGinty takes charge and heads the corner clear.
Remember we're now playing extra time at Firhill.
County corner on the left.
County have a corner on the right.
Thistle have a great chance to take the lead right at the start of extra-time but Mansell shoots wide.
With the wind picking up County struggle to clear. Both Palmer and Jones have shots blocked before Jones shoots inches wide.
Watson turns a shoots in one movment but the ball is stright at Fox.
Minimum of 3 minutes additional time to be played.
Saunders thumps in a shot from close on 30 yards out but the ball goes wide.
A Miller volley strikes a defender.
Mansell tries to flick home a Williamson cross but the ball drops wide for a County goal kick.
Thistle Man of the Match: Kenny Miller
Saunders sticks out a boot to intercept an Erwin pass that was heading towards Mckay right in front of the Thistle goal.
County are nearly back in front but Fox dives full length to grab the ball after it rebounds off Erwin and flies goalwards.
Kenny Miller is perfectly placed to collect a Jones cross to fire past Laidlaw and tie this game at 1-1.
Not for the first time Thistle don't do an effective job of defending the corner and Fontaine heads over Chalmers corner.
County nearly grab a vital second goal but Fox gets his fingertips to a curling effort from Gardyne.
Gordon makes a late run into the County box to connect with a cross from the left but his header is too high and goes over the bar.
Robson plays a good pass to Penrice on the left and his low driven cross is cleared.
Before any change can be made Fox makes an easy save from a Mckay shot.
Thistle look set to make a double change.
There are appeals, mostly from the crowd, for a Thistle penalty for handball after a Gordon ball into the box.
Fontaine just prevents Cardle's corner going out for another corner on the far side.
Penrice's corner is cleared at the near post.
County profit from poor defending. Saunders' clearing header is poor and is quickly siezed upon by Spittal who powerffully fires home.
Jones is starting to look a danger to the County defence but on this occasion the ball is whipped away from his feet.
Bannigan is penalised for a foul near the half way line. There is a lecture but no card from the referee but the message is clear. One more foul and it is a yellow card for the Thistle captain.
Jones flicks the ball into the feet of Miller inside the County box but the flag goes up for offside.
Chalmers whips the free kick in but Fontaine can't get a touch at the back post and Thistle have a goal kick.
Bannigan barges Stewart to the ground and County have a free keck on the left halfway between the touchline and the corner of the Thistle box.
Jones gets two chances from Cardle's corner. The first hits a defender and the the second goes narrowly wide of the far post.
Miller gets in behind the County defence but Laidlaw blocks his route to goal. Corner Thistle though.
Play quickly moves to the other end and there is a chance for Mckay who shoots wide.
Early opportunity for Thistle as Miller has a shot from just outside the box. It's a clean hit but far too close to Laidlaw to cause him any undue problems.
No goals in the first half and not in truth much to talk about.
Thistle had the better of the first 15 minutes or so without really threatening.
Since then County have been the better side having the better, only, chances. Spittal and Stewart spuring opportunities that will feel that they should have taken.
Minimum of one minute additional time to be played.
Thistle make a real mess of that corner although they do end up with a throw.
County spurn another excellent chance to take the lead. Fraser skips past Penrice as if he isn't there and his cross is met by Stewart at the back post but his header is poor when at the very least he should hit target.
Spittal misses a glorious opportunity to mark his Firhill return with a goal. Thistle are caught on the break and Mckay plays a pass to Spittal to his left. Spittal is left with Fox to beat but sends a poor effort over the bar.
The free kick finds Stewart at the back post but just as he lines upm to take a shot the flag goes up for offside.
County win another free kick on the left. This looks like being at a good angle to put some pressure on the Thistle defence.
The free kick is taken much closer to the penalty box than the touchline where the foul seemed to take place but McGinty clears with a powerful header in any case.
The referee spots an infringement near the left touchline and County will have a chance to get the ball into the Thistle box.
Cardle has the ball in the net for Thistle with a well struck shot but the flag had long since gone up for a clear offside against the Thistle player.
County spurn a good chance to take the lead. Gardyne plays a ball in behind the Thistle defence on the County right. Stewart collects that ball but drags the ball wide of the far post.
Fox is again unable to collect Chalmers' corner but although there is no free kick given he is clattered as he tries to collect the ball.
Spittal plays a ball into the feet of Mckay whose shot ois blocked at the expense of a corner.
Miller comes deep to collect the ball before finding Penrice on the left with a well judged pass. Penrice advances but despite two attempys can't find a Thistle player in the box with a cross.
County are getting more and more into this game. Although on this occasion a cross goes harmlessly out for a goal kick there is a sense that the Premiership side are starting to get into their stride.
That should have been an opening goal for County. Fox comes for but doesn't take the corner and when the ball is nodded back across goal it takes a goal line clearance from Gordon to prevent Stewart's header from finding the net.
Penrice is forced to nod the free kick behind for a corner.
County win a free kick about 35 yards from the Thistle goal near the left edge of the box. Too far for a shot though.
A lovely pass from Jones nearly finds Cardle at the edge of the box. Laidlaw though is there first but slices his clearance to Miller who tries to find the net from distance and a wide position but he too slices the ball.
Gordon breaks up a forward move from County and advances before seeing a shot blocked by a defender, the ball spinning out for a Thistle throw on the left hand side.
Penrice gets the better of Fraser on the right but Fontaine is across quickly to clear his cross ahead of Jones.
Cardle takes the game's first corner and it nearly produces a goal with a County defender's attempted clearance coming off his own crossbar. Thistle are the better side at the moment.
Thistle continue to see the lion's share of possession but Gordon's pass to De Vitta is over hit and any danger is swiftly snuffed out.
That's a bit more promising. Basnnigan sprays an excellent pass out to Penrice on the left. In blustery conditions County struggle to clear his cross but eventually do so.
Uneventful I think would be a fair description of the game so far. Thistle have retained possession of the ball well but have done little with it.
Thistle kick the game off and are shooting towards the city end in the opening 45 minutes.
It's Betfred Cup action at The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill with Ross County the visitors and a slot in the last 8 of the competition up for grabs.
Gary Caldwell makes three changes to the side that started last Friday against Dundee United.
Scott Fox starts in goal against his former side while there are starts for Shea Gordon and Raffa De Vita.
Tommy Robson and Cammy Palmer are the players that drop to the bench alongside goalkeeper Jamie Sneddon where they are joined by Tam O'Ware, Lewis Mansell, Mouhammed Niang and Evan Galasso.
Blair Spittal starts for County against his former team.