Betfred Cup
Tue 24 July, 2018. Kick Off: - 19:45
Cliftonhill Stadium, Coatbridge
Fixture Information:
Admission Details:
This fixture is a PAY AT THE GATE fixture
Prices:
Adults – £12
Concessions – £6
Under 16s – £3
A concession is qualified as a person under 18, over 65 or a student with a valid matriculation card.
Supporters’ Buses:
City Centre Branch:
Pick ups:
Q Club – 17:20
Station Bar – 17:30
Non members welcome.
Please call 07979496154 or email to book.
John Lambie Jordanhill Branch:
Pick ups:
Jordanhill Station – 18:30
Thornwood Bar – 18:35
Prices:
£12 for adults
£6 for concessions
All Jags fans are welcome but booking is essential.
For seats please contact Alistair on 07817612563 or email
For general enquires please contact Iain on 07779668357 or email
Membership Information:
Membership of the John Lambie Jordanhill Supporters bus is available for all Championship games. Indeed it is advisable as considerable savings are made as compared with paying for each game as it comes.
Membership prices are as follows.
Adults £200
Concessions (senior citizens, students and school pupils) £115.
Parent and child £240
Payments can be a one-off transaction or by instalments(as long as the full amount is paid by the end of the season)
North-West Branch:
Pick ups:
Milngavie Station – 18:15
Esquire House – 18:35
Maryhill Community Halls – 18:50
Non-Members fares:
£12 for adults.
£7 for concessions.
To reserve seats, please e-mail or call 0141 632 3604 before 9:00 pm.
Membership Information:
The annual cost for membership on the North-West Branch will be:
Full Adult Membership: £270.00
Concession Membership: £150:00
(School aged children, unwaged adults, senior citizens & matriculated students)
As before, both levels of Membership entitle you to:
Your membership may be paid in a lump sum at the start of the season or by regular payments, to suit your budget, throughout the season.
It’s been a satisfactory start to the 2018/19 season for Partick Thistle manager, Alan Archibald as his side have played twice and won twice. A disappointing second half showing against Morton has put the two wins into a bit of perspective but six points from six available is nothing to be scoffed at. Now, a full week after their last game, the Jags prepare for a tricky trip to Cliftonhill to take on Albion Rovers. The League Two side are yet to pick up a point in Group E but performed admirably against Ayr at the weekend and will certainly provide a tough test for the Maryhill men. Thistle boss, Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of the third group stage fixture of the season.
Alan began by stressing that his team can’t expect an easy game against the Wee Rovers and that they certainly won’t be taking John Brogan’s side lightly.
“It’s sure to be a tough game. They were really poor against Stenhousemuir but improved massively for the Ayr game. You can never take any game for a win before you play as we’ve seen with other teams in this competition and we’ll treat Albion Rovers with plenty of respect.”
Archie says that with more pressure on Thistle than Rovers, it’s important that the Jags stick to what they know and impose their style of play on the match.
“Ultimately, if we play our best, we should win without a doubt. However, if we aren’t at our best then we can easily be shocked. No one expects them to win so that could give them a bit of freedom and encouragement but if we can start well and put that fire out then everything will be much easier from there on.”
The gaffer knows that after flying starts to both of their group games so far, the Jags have fallen away as the games have gone on. Although he’s been disappointed by that, he predicts that the team’s performance over 90 minutes will improve with the more game time the players get.
“Both our first half performances have been strong and thankfully, we’ve taken a couple of first half chances in each match, which was something we didn’t do at times last season. Against Stenny, we let them back in briefly then took control again whereas, against Morton, we completely lost control in the second half. Hopefully we get a more consistent performance over 90 minutes as the guys hit full fitness and get to know each other as players.”
Archibald admitted that it has been quite difficult to prepare for Albion Rovers as they are a team in a period of huge change. They have a new manager in John Brogan and 20 players leaving the club including 28-goal man, Alan Trouten. As such, it’s tough to discern a real style of play from their two games so far and there’s an element of the unknown about the Cliftonhill side.
“It’s impossible to predict how they’ll play and who’ll start. John Brogan will still be testing different things out with his players and we have to be ready for anything. I went to see them against Ayr on Saturday because they have a lot of players I didn’t know much about and I’ve tried to relay what I learned to the players.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Chris Erskine, Miles Storey 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 it to Cliftonhill? Jagzone members can listen to live audio commentary of the match. JagZoneLIVE begins at 2:30pm 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 © 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 returned to Betfred Cup action a week after a Maryhill win over Morton as they travelled to Coatbridge to take on Albion Rovers. The Jags came into the game off the back of two wins in the opening two Betfred Cup fixtures while Albion Rovers were yet to pick up a point in Group E.
Only one change was made to the side that won last Tuesday with Cammy Bell remaining in goals behind an unchanged back four of James Penrice, Tam O’Ware, Sean McGinty and Christie Elliott. In sitting midfield it was Shea Gordon and Craig Slater once again, in behind number ten, Jack Storer. Out wide, it was Blair Spittal and Miles Storey who was replacing the injured Chris Erskine with Storey having penned a revised contract last Thursday which will keep him at Thistle for the upcoming Championship campaign. Kris Doolan was the sole striker and captain for a third game running.
The match started slowly with a bobbly surface halting any football either side tried to play. The first chance fell on 13 minutes when a blocked Blair Spittal shot ricocheted the way of Shea Gordon. Having netted twice against Stenhousemuir, Shea looked for a third goal for the club as he shot from 20 yards. He found the target but a fairly central effort was tipped over the bar by Daniel Potts.
The away side’s next big opportunity fell in the 23rd minute as Kris Doolan went close to a first of the season. Miles Storey did well to keep the ball alive in the Rovers box before playing it across the face of goal. It fell to Doolan who tried to slam home into a ‘keeperless net but Albion number four, Barry Eley was on hand to block his effort.
Half chances for Slater, Spittal and Storer followed before Kris Doolan went very close once again just ahead of the break. A quick Thistle break saw a deep cross come in from James Penrice on the left. The delivery found the head of Kris Doolan at the back post and the Jags’ skipper tried to find the opposite corner with a looping header. His attempt looked sure to nestle into the corner of the goal but went just wide of Daniel Potts’ right-hand post.
So, the teams went into the interval with the game goalless. Thistle had huffed and puffed throughout the opening 45 minutes without threatening to blow the Albion house down. The hosts had sat deep and defended the box but done it well, dealing with most of Thistle advances and limiting the Jags’ shots on goal. Quicker transition from defence to attack would be great for the away side with the Maryhill men moving the ball a bit too slowly in the opening stages.
The second half started positively for the travelling Thistle side as Spittal and Storey both had half chances and Kris Doolan has a goal chalked off for offside with all this pressure coming good in the 59th minute when Alan Archibald’s side finally made the breakthrough. The ball came in from the Thistle left as Jack Storer delivered from the flank. He found Miles Storey who took a slightly loose first touch. Nevertheless, the ex-Swindon man was first to the ball and he fired confidently past Daniel Potts to secure his first goal of the season and put his team ahead at long last.
In the 71st minute, all at Cliftonhill witnessed a piece of Partick Thistle history. Jack Storer was forced off through injury and was replaced by Aidan Fitzpatrick. A product of the Thistle Weir Youth Academy, Aidan’s debut was significant as he is the first Jags player to make an appearance in the first team having been born in 2000 or later. A second change came shortly after as Andy McCarthy replaced Kris Doolan with Mes Storey moving into the centre forward role.
Thistle doubled their advantage in the 83rd minute as Aidan Fitzpatrick made another piece of Jags history. Having come on 12 minutes earlier to become the first player born in the 21st century to play for Thistle, he quickly became the first player born in the 21st century to score for Thistle as he slotted home the first professional goal of his career with seven minutes of the 90 left to play. It was Tam O’Ware’s long ball that searched for the youngster but he had to tell Miles Storey to leave it before he controlled the ball. A sublime first touch was followed by a confident finish as Aidan got off the mark as a senior player at just 17 years of age.
The visitors had one final chance to make it three as Blair Spittal took the final corner of the match on 88 minutes. The number seven’s delivery dropped in the box and Tam O’Ware smashes an effort goalwards but for the second time in a week, the centre half was denied a first competitive goal by the woodwork as his effort rebounded off the bar.
That was the final action of the game as the referee blew for full time at 2-0. A dominant and ultimately comfortable win for the Jags after a tough first half. Goals for Miles Storey and Aidan Fitzpatrick represented each player’s first of the season. The win means that Saturday’s clash with Ayr will be a group decider with the team who secures an outright win or penalty victory topping the group. That game is from the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill and kicks off at 15:00.
THISTLE TEAM: Bell, Penrice, O’Ware, McGinty, Elliott, Slater, Gordon, Spittal, Storer (Fitzpatrick, 71’), Storey, Doolan (McCarthy, 80’).
UNUSED SUBS (PTH): Sneddon, Keown, Wilson.
ALBION ROVERS TEAM: Potts, Smith (Wharton 71′), Forrester, Eley, Murdoch, McGeough, McLear, Gallagher (McMahon, 61’), Gracie, Watters (Fisher, 65’), Kearney.
UNUSED SUBS (ALR): Hallford, Cunningham, Watson, Green.
A week after their 2-1 triumph over Greenock Morton in Maryhill, Partick Thistle returned to Betfred Cup action with a trip to Coatbridge to take on Albion Rovers. The Jags continued their winning ways as they ran out 2-0 winners at Cliftonhill but it was no easy victory. It took 59 minutes for the visitors to breakthrough as Miles Storey bagged his first of the season. The Maryhill men doubled the advantage in the 83rd minute as debuting substitute Aidan Fitzpatrick buried his first professional goal. Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk following his side’s third win in three games.
Archie began by saying that although he was pleased to get the three points, he felt his side could have done more over the piece.
“It was always going to be a tough one but we should have created more. First half, we struggled to get the ball back to front quickly. Obviously, with the pitch, that was more difficult but we still should have been better than we were. Second half, there was improvement in that regard. Our midfielder were making more incisive passes and in the end we got our goals.”
Alan praised both goalscorers, Miles Storey and young Aidan Fitzpatrick who both opened their accounts for the season.
“I was very pleased for Miles and Aidan. Miles finally got his contract sorted last week and can now focus on his football. He is a player who thrives off self-confidence and hopefully the goal gives him that. As for Aidan, we want him to be more involved in the first team this year and getting him in the pitch was the big thing. We wanted to get the debut out of the way but for him to step up and score is a really great sign.”
The gaffer is now looking forward to Saturday’s crunch match against Ayr which will decide who tops Group E.
“Ayr played well again tonight and have been in really great form. They’ve scored plenty and only conceded once so it will be a tough game without a doubt. They’re riding on the crest of a wave but we have to focus on our own game and play the football we played during the first half against Morton over 90 minutes.”
Alan’s Jags return to action on Saturday afternoon as Ayr United head to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill. Saturday’s match will decide which team wins Group E in the Betfred Cup and kick-off is 15:00.
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Kris Doolan and Aidan Fitzpatrick. Log in now to see it as soon as it is available.
Highlights will be added shortly 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.
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.
Tue 24 July, 2018
Betfred Cup 
Cliftonhill Stadium, Coatbridge
#JagZoneLIVE Man of the Match, sponsored by Pursuit Marketing, is Thistle's new number 19. Miles Storey.
Spittal delivers a corner which falls for O'Ware. He smashes an effort off the bar from around 10 yards out.
Aidan Fitzpatrick, born days before Peter Lindau's famous hat-trick against Stirling Albion, is on the end of an O'Ware crossball pass. He takes a touch and controls a finish beyond the goalkeeper.
Spittal drills a shot wide of target. It takes a deflection as it goes wide but the referee awards a goal kick.
A thumping clearance from McGinty sends play right down the other end of the park and Doolan wins a throw right by the corner flag.
Thistle Sub: It's a competitive debut for Aidan Fitzpatrick as he replaces Jack Storer. With a birthday of March 2001, Aidan becomes the first player born after 2000 to play a competitive match for the Jags.
Storey cuts in from the right hand touchline and unleashes an effort. It is goal bound buefore a last ditch block knocks it away for a throw.
A late challenge on Storer goes unpunished before Storey wins a corner.
The overlapping Elliott receives a pass from Storey before cutting inside the box. Rovers have numbers back and it breaks to Penrice on the edge of the box who fires over.
Storey advances down the right taking out ten defenders in the process. He tries a cross but his effort deflects back off him from the defender for a goal kick.
A quick throw in sees a cross to Storey at the back post. He takes a touch before drilling a low left footed effort beyond the goalkeeper.
Spittal and Storer are both denied by last ditch Rovers defending.
A great delivery by the Jags number 3 is met by O'Ware but he can't keep his header down.
Storey cuts inside from the left and fires an effort over the bar.
Storer sprays it wide to Spittal but his cross is too close to Potts.
Penrice delivers over the first corner of the second half. It falls to Slater at the edge of the box but his effort is high and wide.
McGeough heads over from a Rovers set piece.
Thistle have the ball in the net but the flag is up for offside. Slater's shot is fumbled, an offside Gordon squared it for Doolan to tap home. Bright start to the second 45 by Thistle.
A deep cross is headed back across goal by Spittal but it's just behind Gordon and the home side clear.
Thistle break away and Doolan meets a cross from the left. His head is inches past the post.
Rovers pick up on a slack pass and break. McLear takes the selfish option and blazes over with Watters in acres of space screaming for the ball.
Storey crosses for Gordon who can't quite guide a volley on target. An Elliott cross for Spittal takes a bobble causing the number seven to send his effort over the bar.
Gordon slips the ball to Storer who tries a shot from 30 yards but it trundles wide of goal.
Penrice goes on a mazy run into the box but can only send his shot inches wide of target.
Spittal doesn't give up on the ball and manages to win a corner from Eley
Storey whips over a great left footed cross which Gordon goes for. He is just beaten to it by the home defender as the home side escape.
Eley denies Kris Doolan a certain goal after the ball fell to the striker six yards out. The defender blocking the shot from the Jags number nine.
Gordon picks up the ball around 30 yards from goal and advances forward. From the edge of the box he shoots inches past the post.
Storey in behind again and he fires over a good cross. It's only a good Eley header away from being a typical Doolan header. Spittal fires the rebound over.
Gordon surges through midfield before spraying it wide to Storey. He passes to the overlapping Penrice who has a cross hacked away.
Penrice delivers the in swinger but it is headed clear by the home defence. They break down the park and O'Ware does well to head clear a cross.
It's cleared to the edge of the box where Spittal has an effort blocked. It falls to Gordon who forces the keeper to tip over. Penrice to take this one.
The corner comes to nothing as the home side clear two Slater deliveries.
Gracie finds space inside the Jags box and drills a low effort across goal which goes past the far post by inches.
Patient play from Thistle generates movement towards the box. Storer goes the long way past a defender but is just beaten to the ball before Elliott's cross is beyond Doolan for the goalkeeper to collect
Rovers try to get down the right hand side but McGinty allows the ball to bobble out for a goal kick