Ladbrokes Premiership Play-Off
Thu 17 May, 2018. Kick Off: - 19:45
Tony Macaroni Arena
Supporter Information:
Admission Details:
There will be no tickets sold in advance for Partick Thistle supporters with all admission on a cash at the gate basis. Thistle fans will be housed in the East Stand.
Livingston have advised all Partick Thistle supporters to arrive in plenty of time to avoid missing any of the action as the turnstiles are expected to be extremely busy.
Prices
Adult: £20
Concession: £15
Under 16s: £5
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.
Jordanhill Branch:
Pick ups:
Jordanhill Station – 18:10
Thornwood Bar – 18:15
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
North-West Branch:
Pick ups:
Milngavie Station – 17:30
Esquire House – 17:50
Maryhill Community Halls – 18:00
Non-Members fares:
£14 for adults
£8 for concessions.
To reserve seats, please e-mail or call 0141 632 3604 before 9:00 pm.
It is essential that you only request the number of seats you actually require and that any cancellations are communicated to us ASAP.
Members seats are guaranteed and do not need to be re-booked. Nor do those who reserved seats on the way back from Dundee need to reconfirm.
Coach allocation information will be issued later.
It feels like it has been a season of massive games for Alan Archibald’s Jags but none have been more significant than the next two fixtures. The two legged Ladbrokes Premiership Play-off Final will decide which league Thistle will play their football in next season and it will be Livingston trying to bring the Jags five year spell in the top flight to an end.
In a week of enormous pressure, Alan Archibald still found the time to speak to ptfc.co.uk ahead of Thursday’s first leg clash with Livi. The gaffer started the discussion by rubbishing any talk of the West Lothian club being nothing but a physical team.
“They are a physical side but I think that sometimes overshadows how good a team they are. They do play good football and they have good players. They can pass the ball and play as well but because they are so strong that is where the focus lies. A lot is made of their style of play but their footballing ability definitely shouldn’t be underestimated and we certainly won’t be.
“They are one of the best teams in their league at set plays and we know that but I don’t think it is anything too different to what we’ve faced before. We’ve had good preparation in terms of the games we’ve played previously. We’ve taken on St Johnstone, Ross County and Motherwell, they all play a similar system and are a similar size so we’ve no excuses and we just need to make sure we’re ready for it.”
Although Archibald is doing his best to keep his players focused on what they can control, the enormity of the match is certainly not lost on him.
“I feel like I’ve been saying this every week but it is an absolutely huge game. We got the victory last Saturday with a good performance and that now gives us the opportunity, over two games, to secure our Premiership status. The Dundee result also gives us momentum because going into yesterday’s game we hadn’t won since the first game of the split but getting that result does give us a bit of confidence.
“We need to make sure we manage the game as it goes on, particularly given that it’s over two legs. That’s definitely something we’ll touch on with the players as it is different playing a game over two legs. That being said, we will still be looking to win the game and that really is all that counts.”
Unusually for the Premiership team Thistle are actually going into the first leg with the better form. Two wins and two draws was nearly enough to see them secure automatic safety but that wasn’t to be. The good post-split form gives the Jags a much needed boost going into the final two matches of the season.
“Over the last five games we’ve certainly seen a shift in terms of performance and there has definitely been an increase in quality since the split. The guys have really started to trust in each other and trust in the way they play again. We haven’t won every game but we’ve been in every game and we’ve created chances, that gives you a bit of momentum and the lads have started to believe in themselves a lot more as a result.
“That kind of belief gives us the confidence that we need going into these next two challenging games. We need to be ready for everything that the game will bring but I thoroughly believe that we have what it takes to secure our place in the top flight for another season.
“Ultimately, we just need to look after ourselves. Our own performance, that’s all we can control.”
At the end of a long season everyone knows what is required and Archibald is certain that he will need his whole squad between now and full time on Sunday.
“Our depth of squad is going to be all important for these last two games. You’ve seen Ryan Edwards, Kris Doolan and Conor Sammon all come off the bench and make an impact in recent weeks. I know sometimes I get criticism and I know it can be frustrating from the outside but we need that impact from the bench. We’ve had that impact in just about all of the post-split games and it has made a massive difference.
“Chris Erskine was struggling with his hamstring last week which is why he only made the bench on Saturday but he’s got a good chance for Thursday and will hopefully be available. Niall Keown and Callum Booth should both come back into contention too.”
Make one last trip to support the side this season at the Tony Macaroni Arena on Thursday night. This fixture is pay at the gate for Partick Thistle supporters who are advised to arrive early to ensure entry for kick off.
More exclusive preview interviews with Baily Cargill 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 Dens Park? 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.
It was another night of disappointment for the Thistle support this evening as the side lost 2-1 at the Tony Macaroni Arena in Livingston. With a second leg still to come at the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill on Sunday afternoon, our season isn’t quite over but it makes for a very difficult task against a well organised Livingston side. Manager Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk shortly after the full time whistle to talk about the game.
“We got the best possible start by scoring but I didn’t think we started the game well and it probably disguised how we started the game. I was delighted with that and getting the goal but disappointed with the two goals we lose. Its two throw ins that lead to the two goals we lost. Our overall performance wasn’t what we wanted and that’s a big disappointment.”
The Jags gaffer was disappointed with the way his side failed to adapt to their opposition and didn’t pass the ball as well as desired.
“We’ve played that system and shape a number of times over the last 4 or 5 games and we know what to expect. We’ve passed the ball in that shape and created good opportunities. Tonight, we didn’t pass the ball at all. We got drawn into playing long balls onto their three centre halves which wasn’t the plan. We set up with two strikers but we couldn’t get our creative players onto the ball to make opportunities for them.”
With the second leg to come on Sunday, only a Thistle win will give any hope to Premiership football next season.
“We need to win the game. We need to set up to win the game as best we can. Livingston are a good team. They are good at what they do. We need to make sure we try and pass the ball a bit better at the right times. We’ve got to pass when it is on to play.
“We’re going back to our home ground which is a place we’ve had a bit of joy this season and we’re hoping that continues on Sunday. It’ll be a very touch match but we’ll have our support behind us and they were terrific again tonight. It’s going to be tense and nervy but we’ll be giving it everything we’ve got to make sure we are a Premiership side next season.”
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Callum Booth. Log in now to see it as soon as it is available.
Jagzone subscribers will be able to rewatch the full 90 minutes soon
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.
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.
Thu 17 May, 2018
Ladbrokes Premiership Play-Off 
Tony Macaroni Arena
We're entering a minimum of three additional minutes.
Storey breezes past a couple of Livi defenders before being tackled. Cargill picks up the mantle and wins a throw deep in the Livi half.
Devine is closest to it but it goes to the back post with Barton. He fires over a cross and Cargill flies to the ground screaming for a penalty but the referee waves away the appeals.
Cerny makes a great reaction save from Pittman but the flag is up for offside.
It's deep to Halkett but he heads wide.
Ball smashed across the bx and finished high into the net by Pittman.
2-1 Livi
Corner is cleared at the second time of asking.
Livi break and look dangerous as they head towards the Thistle box. Cargill blocks the shot for a corner though.
Some better play Thistle but it's still proving a struggle to create any clear cut chances.
Play is stopped for another head knock. Again the Livingston player stays down and looks hurt.
Another big shout for a foul at the edge of the box from Livingston but Craig Thomson says no. The ball is cleared for a throw. Another long throw follows but is eventually cleard by Thistle.
Long throw from Livingston is nodded down to the edge of the area to allow a speculative cross but it clears the bar and almost clears the stand.
A deep free kick is drilled into the box by Edwards. It bobbles around the box and eventually falls to Sammon who turns and hits it on the half volley but his shot is wide. Looks like the big man was called offside anyway.
Chance for Livi as Pittman breaks through past Cargill. He gets a shot away but Cerny spreads himself well to make the save.
Better from Thistle as they put some real pressure on the Livi box. No clear shot though and Livi clear. Immediately after there's a nervy moment from the Jags as Devine plays a weak pass back to Cerny but the Jags clear.
Livingston starting to look dangerous as Devine heads a low ball clear. Another ball comes in that Devine again hacks clear.
Devine takes a heavy touch and gives away a foul trying to get it under control.
Livingston win a throw 10 yards from the byline.- a chance for the long throw but Barton heads it clear.
Free kick to Live. Fifteen yards inside the Jags' half. It's lumped into the box but the offside flag goes up.
And we're back under way here in Livingston. No changes for either side it would seem.
And that's half time here in Livingston.
Thistle took the lead but were pegged back minutes later as they failed to hold onto the advantage.
Other than that though there really hasn't been a lot in it and the sides probably deserve to be equal at th break.
A massive 45 minutes ahead for both teams.
Stay tuned, more to come.
Woods takes the resulting free kick himself and drifts it towards the back post but nobody can get to it and it's out for a goal kick.
Thompson booked for a late challenge on Woods.
There will be a minimum of two minutes added time.
Chance for Thistle. A ball in from Barton falls to Sammon but his shot is wide to the left of Alexander's post.
Booked ofr a late challenge.
Jags free kick 45 yards out to the right of the box.
It's poor though and clears everyone for a throw.
A healthy attendance of 5,469 here at the Tony Macaroni Arena. An extremely good Jags following here too.
Thanks to you all.
Thistle lose the ball and Livingston are a man up on the Jags defence. Some excellent defending from Cargill sees the ball cleared wide but Livi get it back in. The cross is poor though and Cerny holds it well.
What a save by Cerny!
A good ball into the box finds a Livi player free at the back post. The header is a good one but Tam dives well and gets strong hands on it to push it wide. Thistle clear.
Some good play by Booth and Lawless sees a great ball in and, for a moment, it looked like Doolan was getting on the end of it but the ball was over his head by inches. It ended up with Barton who put another ball in but again couldn't find a red and yellow shirt.
Danny Devine looked to be in trouble there as he lost the ball and appeared to foul Thompson who was clear on goal. The ref waves play on though. A bit of a let off for Thistle as Livi continue to look the stronger side here.
Another good ball from Cargill almost finds Barton in the box but Alexander is out quickly to claim.
A bonkers period of play that could have seen three or four free kicks given ends in a Thistle free kick on the half way line. Cargill lofts it into the box but it's well defended by Livingston.
The Livi fans are celebrating but it's premature. JAcobs plays a brilliant ball into the box and Thistle don't clear it first time. A shot is fizzed towards goal and rippled the side netting which prompted some to think it was in.
Close for the home side.
A late challenge on Ryan Edwards gives the Jags a free kick slightly left of centre about 35 yards out.
Edwards dummies it and Woods hits it very well but it's just over the bar.
Another soft looking foul is given against Woods in the middle of the pitch and the innevitable long ball is put into the box, this time Cerny collects.
Almost straight from kick off there is a nasty clash of heads deepp into the Livi half. Cagill was involved but seems to be fine. Longridge stays down for Livi as he recieves some treatment. Appears to be OK though.
And Livingston equalise. Some nice play around the edge of the box sees the ball played to the right of the area. Jacobs shoots across goal, Cerny gets a strong hand on it but can't keep it out as it finds the inside of the back post.
1-1
A soft free kick results into a good looping ball into the box which result in a Livi header on goal. It doesnt trouble Cerny though and is eventually cleared.
And it's there, the Jags take the lead through Krisssss Doooolan!
A wonderful ball into the box from Cargill gave Dools the chance to slot home.
A big goal from a big player .
1-0!
Livi get a free kick wide on the left. The ball in looks at first to be far too heavy but Barton doesn't deal with it at the back post and it's met by a Livi head which sends the ball dangerously back across th Thistle box it is eventually cleared.
Woods puts the ball in but it goes straight across the box.
Barton knocks the ball down for Doolan in the box but it doesn't fall for the number 9 and goes out for a corner.
Livi have had all the play so far but that was what was expected. Thistle seeing it away though.
It's a sunny Tony Macaroni Arena this evening as Thistle get ready to fight for their Premiership status against the Championship runners-up Livingston. Manager Alan Archibald restores Kris Doolan to the starting line up after his winner against Dundee last weekend. Miles Storey drops to the bench. Callum Booth also replaces Christie Elliott in the starting line up after recovering from injury. Injury denies the gaffer the services of Chris Erskine but Andrew McCarthy is back in the squad.
It will be a nervy night here at Livingston as the Jags support continue to stream in.