cinch Championship
Sat 21 August, 2021. Kick Off: - 15:00
Gayfield Park
Match Information:
Ticketing for Thistle fans:
Tickets for our trip to Arbroath are available for Thistle supporters to purchase. Jags fans can purchase their ticket for Saturday’s match at: https://www.arbroathfc.co.uk/away-tickets/
All tickets for this fixture need to be purchased online in advance by Thistle supporters with no cash turnstiles in operation on matchday.
Live stream
Arbroath are streaming Saturday’s fixture for any supporter who wishes to tune in. The live stream is priced at £13 and is available to purchase at: https://arbroathfc.tv/
Supporters are advised to register and sign up by 2pm on Saturday to get yourself familiar with the website and so you have time to have any problems resolved.
If this is your first time using Arbroath’s PPV platform, you will have to create an account by clicking on “Get my Access” on https://arbroathfc.tv/
Your login will be your email address and then you will asked to create a password and enter in your payment details. The cost is £13
Having successfully created your account you can then click “Watch Live” and then sit back and enjoy the game!
If you have any issues please use the live chat box on the right hand side of the Arbroath FC TV website. Their support staff will help you directly from there and will have you logged in.
Audio Commentary
Our JagZone audio commentary service returns on Saturday with audio coverage of our cinch Championship match in Arbroath.
Join Michael Max and Christopher Dobie on Saturday afternoon as they bring you the full 90 minutes of action. The show gets underway at 2:30.
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.
Match Programme
Supporters will be able to buy Saturday’s Matchday programme at Gayfield. Copies will be for sale under the small marquees inside the entrance gates.
The cost of this programme will be £2.50
Supporters who can’t make it along on Saturday, but who would still love a copy of the issue can order one. Please contact Terry Brumpton on 07771 802 048 or email: – The cost is £2.50 for the programme and £2 for postage and packaging
Supporters’ Buses:
City Centre Branch:
Pick ups:
Q Club – 10:15
Station Bar – 10:30
For seats call Duncan 07979496154 or e-mail
John Lambie Jordanhill Branch:
Pick ups:
Jordanhill Station – 12:15
Thornwood Bar – 12:20
Prices:
Adults – £15
Concessions – £10
Booking is essential and priority will be given to former members and regulars. Seating will be limited and face-coverings must worn: this follows instructions from the coach company.
To make a booking phone or e-mail Alistair on 07817612563 or Alternatively phone or e-mail Iain on 07779668357 or
North-West Branch:
Sorry, all available non-member seats are now taken!
Pick ups:
Milngavie Station – 11:30
Esquire House – 11:50
Maryhill Community Central Halls – 12:05
Fares:
Concessions – £10.50
Full fare – £17
Please note that face coverings will be compulsory on North-West Buses, unless individuals are medically exempt or exempt by age, and that this will remain the case until current Scottish Government guidelines are amended.
We will be operating, at least initially, at very reduced capacity and no traveller will be required to sit beside anyone, unless they are part of a “social bubble” with that person.
Because of that, a very limited number of non-member seats are available and booking enquiries should be sent to
The management team’s written previews and reactions are presented by The Jags Trust. You can keep up to date with the latest from The Jags Trust by visiting their website, www.jagstrust.com.
Partick Thistle return from a two-week break from competitive action this weekend as they face Arbroath at Gayfield Park. The Jags haven’t played since they beat Dunfermline 3-0 at East End Park a fortnight ago and will be to continue their winning start to the cinch Championship season as they take on Dick Campbell’s men. Thistle boss Ian McCall spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of the match:
“It’s going to be a really tough game up there. They’ve got a fantastic defence at Arbroath and I think that’s been the foundation of their team in recent years. The last time we were at Gayfield we didn’t play anywhere near well enough but we’ve come a long way since then so hopefully this time we can go and get the win.”
The gaffer added to the squad on Wednesday with the signing of Tunji Akinola on a one-year deal and he says he was very pleased to get that deal sorted.
“We’re hopeful that he can do really well for us. He’s been with the group for a week and a half and played in a bounce game so we had plenty of time to see what he’s like. He’s someone who can play at centre half or full back so that helps us out a lot.
“We spoke to people at West Ham to make sure he would fit in here as a person and we reckon he’s the right type of boy. He’s only 22 as well so there’s development in him but he’s got great attributes already; he’s strong and he’s quick but he’ll have to fight his way into this team.”
Jake Hastie also joined the Jags this week, signing on loan from Rangers, and the manager feels Hastie has what it takes to do really well for Thistle.
“We were really pleased to get Jake in. I spoke to him before he joined and my main point was for him to come here and enjoy his football again doing what he does best which is creating and scoring goals. That won’t be easy but he’s looked good in training and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can produce on the park.”
McCall admits he would like to add further to the group but also says that he’s very happy with the calibre of player he has available to him right throughout the squad.
“In an ideal world we’d love two more players to really solidify the depth in the squad but there is already a lot of competition. For example, at Dunfermline it was Cammy Smith, Connor Murray and Ross MacIver that came off the bench and they all played very well and then the previous week we had Scott Tiffoney come off the bench to score the winner.
“I think every player in our first team squad is good enough to play and contribute so although it’s not the biggest squad I’ve ever had, there’s plenty of quality in there which should stand us in good stead.”
Exclusive video interviews with Stuart Bannigan and Thistle assistant manager Alan Archibald will be available for JagZone subscribers to watch today – log in to view.
JagZone subscribers will be able to tune in to live audio commentary for our clash with Arbroath, starting at 2:30pm – click here to tune in.
The home side are offering a pay-per-view option, priced at £13, for any supporter who wishes to watch the match – click here for more info.
We’ll have extended highlights and a full game replay of the fixture on JagZone following the game.
Article Copyright © 2021. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Following two league wins to start the cinch Championship season Partick Thistle travelled to Angus in search of a third consecutive victory, taking on Arbroath at Gayfield Park.
The Jags made one change to the team which started their 3-0 win over Dunfermline Athletic a fortnight prior with captain Ross Docherty dropping out of the squad due to injury, being replaced in the line-up by Ross MacIver.
The first half-chances of the match fell to Scott Tiffoney and Michael McKenna as the two sides felt their way into the match but Tiffoney popped up again in the sixth minute with the game’s first clear-cut opportunity. He weaved his way through a couple of challenges before taking aim from a tight angle. His low shot was on target but Arbroath ‘keeper Derek Gaston was able to turn it away with his feet.
Thistle were forced into an early change in the 25th minute when Ciaran McKenna suffered a shoulder injury following a full-blooded challenge near the half-way line. This meant a Jags debut for Tunji Akinola who slotted into the right-back spot Ciaran had been occupying.
This didn’t seem to faze the visitors though with Ian McCall’s side taking the lead after 34 minutes. The goal came about as a result of Kyle Turner’s perseverance with the number six picking the ball up in midfield before playing a one-two with Brian Graham and driving through the heart of the hosts’ defence. Once he reached the penalty area he fired towards goal and although Derek Gaston was equal to his effort, it rebounded off Red Lichties defender Colin Hamilton into the net.
Unfortunately for the Maryhill men, they didn’t reach half-time with their lead intact. A foul given away 20 yards from goal would prove costly for the Jags as Michael McKenna stepped up and curled an effort into the back of the net via a touch from Harry Stone and the inside of the post.
Coming out for the second half it was the home side who looked much the better team and former Jag James Craigen almost put them in front three minutes after the restart. Joel Nouble lifted a pass over the Thistle defence into Craigen’s path and the midfielder tried to finish into the far corner, however, Harry Stone was able to parry away from goal.
Thistle then had the ball in the back of the net as Zak Rudden headed home what he thought was his first goal of the league season but Brian Graham was adjudged to have committed a foul as he nodded home and the goal was ruled out.
Two minutes later it was Arbroath who had the ball in the net and there was nothing wrong with their effort. Again Nouble was at the centre of things as he shook off two defenders on the left flank before delivering a pinpoint cross to Michael McKenna at the near post. The number eight headed home powerfully to give Dick Campbell’s side the lead and get his second of the day.
A tough start to the second half for the away side was compounded when Nicky Low made it 3-1 in the 57th minute. After a Thistle corner was repelled, Tunji Akinola turned the ball back to Harry Stone. The ‘keeper then tried to pick a teammate out in the midfield only to see his pass intercepted by Low. The former Dundee player set himself before curling a left-footed shot past Stone and into the gaping goal.
That third for Arbroath left the Firhill side with a mountain to climb and despite plenty of possession and no shortage of effort, chances were at a premium in the closing stages. Cammy Smith was introduced off the bench and his arrival provided a spark in the Jags’ midfield but the closest he came to reducing the deficit was a strike from 25 yards which ended up flying just over the bar.
Kyle Turner was able to set up Brian Graham for a tap-in in the dying moments of the match but Thistle were once again denied by the officials with the offside flag their enemy on this occasion.
So that’s how things finished with Arbroath running out 3-1 winners as Thistle’s recent struggles at Gayfield continued. Thistle’s attention turns to their return to Firhill to face Greenock Morton in more cinch Championship action.
The management team’s written previews and reactions are presented by The Jags Trust. You can keep up to date with the latest from The Jags Trust by visiting their website, www.jagstrust.com
Partick Thistle suffered their first defeat of the new cinch Championship season this afternoon as they were beaten 3-1 by Arbroath at Gayfield Park. It was a game that started well for the Jags with a Colin Hamilton own goal putting the Maryhill men in front after 34 minutes, however, a Michael McKenna free-kick restored parity seconds before the interval. McKenna found the net again early in the second half before Nicky Low solidified the lead just before the hour mark and that’s how the game ended with Dick Campbell’s men claiming all three points. Thistle boss Ian McCall spoke to ptfc.co.uk after the final whistle:
“During the first half we were as comfortable as I’ve seen coming to Arbroath with any team. We created some good opportunities, and should probably have had more than one goal to show for it.
“It was an individual mistake which meant we weren’t leading going into half time which would have made all the difference. It’s a mistake and they happen but it needs to be learned from going forward. We were punished for another individual mistake in the second half which meant the game was very stretched as we battled to try and get back into it.”
A key moment arrived early in the second half when Zak Rudden headed Thistle into what they thought was the lead until the referee ruled out the goal for a Brian Graham foul.
“I’ve seen it back and I’m confused as to how there is a foul in it. It is one we can feel harshly done by but that’s not the reason why we lost the game. It was a key moment though, as going 2-1 up completely changes the game.
“We created a number of chances today that were well saved by the goalkeeper, so it’s encouraging we are creating these opportunities but we need to keep being as clinical as we have been so far this season.
Thistle hit the front just after the half hour mark with Kyle Turner central to the goal but the manager was disappointed he didn’t see more moments like the one that led to the goal.
“It was a great run from Kyle and he’s got that ability to just flip the switch and drive. He did really well and earned the bit of luck he got with the own goal but the frustrating thing was we didn’t see more of that throughout the match.”
One bright spark for Thistle was midfielder Cammy Smith who came off the bench in the second half and looked lively as the Firhill side chased the game and McCall says he’s looking forward to seeing more from the number 11.
“Cammy did well when he came on. He gave us a bit of a different threat in between the lines and that was probably the only bright spark of the second half. He did really well when he came off the bench at Dunfermline as well and I know there’s more to come from him this season.”
There was a strong contingent of supporters wearing red and yellow at Gayfield and the gaffer was disappointed that they weren’t rewarded for their travels.
“It was a fantastic Thistle crowd that travelled up today and we’re all disappointed that we didn’t send them home happy. Listen, Arbroath is never an easy place to go and we have no divine right to win, we have to earn it. In this league, you’ll lose games of football, but it is how you react to it that will dictate your season. We have to shake it off, train well and look forward to a game next week at Firhill where I’m sure the Thistle fans will be out in numbers making a terrific atmosphere.”
Further reaction from Thistle manager Ian McCall will be available for JagZone subscribers to watch later – log in to view.
We’ll also have extended highlights and a full game replay of today’s match on JagZone tonight.
Article Copyright © 2021. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Sat 21 August, 2021
cinch Championship 
Gayfield Park
After taking the lead after 32 minutes Thistle are undone by a series of individual errors and slide to a 3-1 defeat sending the sizeable Thistle support massively disappointed.
Smith tries to get a cross over from the left but it goes out for a goal kick. The full-time whistle must just be seconds away now.
Tiffoney's shot is blocked.
Deep into injury time.
Graham is there to apply the finish to a neat Thistle move but as he turns away to celebrate he sees the flag up for offside.
Craigen collects the ball in the middle of the Thistle half and drills a shot over Stone's crossbar.
Turner's corner is cleared and Arbroath break through Linn who drags a shot wide of goal.
Tiffoney crosses from the right but Gaston collects at his front post. Time is running out on Thistle who desperately need something to happen.
Dowds is involved again for the home side after some sloppy Thistle play but his shot is poor and goes wide.
Thistle are under pressure and a Dowds header just drops over the bar.
Turner takes the free kick and he tries to find Mayo at the back post but there is too much pace on the ball.
Smith is fouled at the edge of the box, in line with the 6 yard box, after he collects a Foster pass.
It's better from Thistle at the moment and Turner finds Smith to his left who sends a shot about a foot over the Arbroath crossbar.
Thistle look for a penalty as Graham tries to reach a Tiffoney cross but referee Irvine is rightly not interested.
A neat Foster pass finds Tiffoney. He in turns picks out Smith who after taking a touch sees his shot blocked.
The corner is cleared but with the rain lashing down and the wind picking up this is becoming a miserable experience.
Turner's corner goes near post where Gordon tries to flick the ball towards goal but it goes out for a goal kick.
Thistle badly need a goal but there is no hint of one coming.
A Stewart header goes only narrowly wide of Stone's right hand post.
The floodlights are coming on here but it is looking bleak for Thistle at the moment.
Thistle try to hit back and MacIver gets his head to a bouncing ball but he is unable to direct his header on target.
Thistle have it all to do now. Low gathers Stone's poor clearance and shoots past the Thistle keeper who will have had better afternoon's.
Thistle work the free kick out to the left and Tiffoney but he is denied space and Arbroath clear.
Thistle have a free kick about 30 yards, maybe a shade further out, from goal in a central position,
Tiffoney cuts across the edge of the Arbroath box before O'Brien steps in to make the challenge and whip the ball away.
It's Arbroath though that take the lead with McKenna in the right spot t apply the finish to a ball from the left.
Rudden has the ball in the net for Thistle but the flag is up for offside.
Thistle are close to regaining their lead. Foster's excellent slide rule pass finds Tiffoney on the left side of the box. His first touch is a shade heavy and that might have given Gaston just enough of an opportunity to spread himself and make the save.
It takes a good stop to his left from Stone to keep out a Craigen effort as the home side start the second half firmly on the front foot.
Not for the first time Nouble's strength causes Thistle problems. On this occasion it takes a well judged challenge from Mayo to snuff out the danger.
We are all square at the break and that is probably a fair reflection of the first 45 minutes.
Thistle did take the lead after 32 minutes when Colin Hamilton saw the ball rebound off him for an own goal after Gaston had saved Turner's shot.
That goal did look as if it might be enough to give Thistle a half-time lead but almost right on the half-time whistle Michael McKenna was able to draw his side level with a free kick that beat Stone at his right hand post.
McKenna spots a gap to Stone's right and although the Thistle keeper tries to get across in time and does get a hand to it he can't prevent the ball going in via the post.
Hamilton is clipped and Arbroath will have a free kick near the left hand corner of the Thistle box.
Low advances to the edge of the Thistle box and although Low's shot is well struck it is almost straight at Stone which allows him to complete a relatively comfortable save.
Low spots Stone off his line but from 40 yards out and wide on the left he sends a shot well off target.
Graham is penalised for a push as he tries to reach Turner's corner at the back post.
Thistle don't go direct for goal from the free kick, Bannigan instead finding Graham to his left who earns Thistle a corner.
Tiffoney is fouled and Thistle have a free kick in a dangerous position.
Thistle open the scoring and for the second game in a row Thistle profit from an own goal. To be fair this time Colin Hamilton was unfortunate to see ball rebound off him after Gaston had made a fine stop with his legs to deny Turner.
Nouble's strength causes the Thistle defence some problems and although they manage to snuff the ball away from him it is picked up again but Henderson whose shot from 20 yards is easily saved by Stone.
McKenna's afternoon sadly comes to an early end as Olatunji Akinola comes on to make his Jags debut.
Break in play for Ciaran McKenna to receive a spot of treatment.
Tiffoney, over on the right hand side, sends over a cross deep into the Arbroath box that despite Graham's presence is well defended.
Nouble threads a pass through to McKenna in a good position inside the Thistle box but the flag goes up for offside.
There's no lack of height in the Arbroath side and they try and make use of that as Low sends over the corner but although Nouble gets his head to the ball his tame header drops well wide of goal.
It's a frantic, very open, game of football so far with neither side taking any kind of control of the game.
Low's cross is only cleared as far as Gold but Stone makes a comfortable save from his low shot.
Graham puts over a cross from the right but it is too close to Gaston to allow Rudden to make a proper challenge for it.
Stone gathers Craigen's cross at his front post.
Some typical tricky play from Tiffoney gets him into the Arbroath box and his shot is saved by the feet of Gaston with the loose ball knocked behind for the game's first corner which Thistle can't make anything of.
The home side have started well and there is a half chance for Gold inside the Thistle box but he can't keep his shot down and Stone isn't required to make a save.
Low gets over a great cross from the Arbroath left that Thistle are hard pressed to get clear.
The travelling Thistle support are creating a fantastic atmosphere. It's great to have them back!
Early shooting chance for Thistle but from outside the box Tiffoney drags his shot well wide of target.
10 minutes later than planned, Thistle get the game underway.
Away Days are back and a large travelling Thistle support is expected to make the trip to Arbroath this afternoon.
They are, however, going to have wait just a little longer to see some action as heavy traffic delayed the arrival of the Thistle team.
We are pleased to report that all have now arrived safe and well and the game is due to kick-off at 3:10pm.
When the match does start Ian McCall's starting eleven will show just the one change from the side that started against Dunfermline a fortnight ago.
injury has ruled our skipper Ross Docherty meaning a starting berth for Ross MacIver although we expect that his inclusion will see Kyle Turner move from his role on the right side of the Thistle midfield against Dunfermline into a more central role this afternoon.
On the bench new signing Olatunji Akinola is joined by sub keeper Jamie Sneddon, Cammy Smith, She Gordon and Connor Murray.
Arbroath include former Jags Ricky Little and James Craigen. The latter of which having good reason to recall the last time a Thistle kick-off was delayed.
While Thistle go into today's game with a 100% record from the two league games played thus far this season the home side are still looking for their first league win of the season.
Thistle though have rarely, if ever, found things easy at Gayfield and a similar experience is expected today although thankfully can confirm that there is next to no breeze although it is wet.