The Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup
Sat 7 September, 2019. Kick Off: - 3pm
Links Park, Montrose
DD10 8QD
Prices
Adults: £15
Concessions (over 65s, full time students, under 18s and disabled supporters): £8
Family (one adult and one U16): £18
Entry To The Stadium
The match will have segregation this weekend and as such Thistle fans should enter Links Park via Union Row.
For more info, click here.
JagZoneLIVE v Montrose
Our audio commentary service, JagZone LIVE, will be broadcasting from Links Park as Partick Thistle begin their 2019/20 Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup journey against Montrose.
The build-up to the game, with our commentary team of Christopher Dobie and Jags midfielder Callum Wilson, will begin at 2:45pm, 15 minutes ahead of kick-off.
The two sides have never met in cup competition before but will battle it out for a place in the fourth round of the Challenge Cup in Angus.
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.
Supporters’ Buses:
City Centre Branch:
Pick ups:
Q Club – 10:45
Station Bar – 11:00
Non members welcome.
Please call 07979496154 or email for any further information.
John Lambie Jordanhill Branch:
Pick ups:
Jordanhill Station – 11:45
Thornwood Bar – 11:50
Prices:
Adults – £18
Concession – £12
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 – 11:00
Esquire House – 11:20
Maryhill Community Halls – 11:35
Non-Members fares:
Concessions – £12.00
Full fare – £18.00
To reserve seats, please e-mail .
If you intend to travel regularly and are not already a member, why not join the North-West?
The benefits of membership are:
1. Your seat is guaranteed for every League, Betfred Cup, Challenge Cup (I’m reluctant to give it its’ latest name) and Scottish Cup match Thistle will play in Scotland (and Berwick) in season 2019-20 – apart from any played in Glasgow.
So, no need to e-mail or phone every time
2. Your membership can be paid in one lump sum or spread throughout the season in amounts to suit your budget
3. You could make a significant saving over the cost of travelling as a non-member.
After three years of holding membership prices, this year the North-West’s concession fare has again been held at £150 and the full fare actually reduced by £20 to £250 to bring about a fairer balance between the rates.
If, however, you are likely to be a less frequent traveller, we still look forward to having you aboard for a season which, hopefully, will see the excitement generated at the upper end of the table rather than in the cellar!
Saturday sees Gary Caldwell’s Thistle side travel to Links Park to take on Montrose in the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup. Although the competition isn’t one that always features highly on a manager’s list of priorities, the Jags boss is determined that it is a competition his side want to win with that campaign starting on Saturday.
“We’ve tried to create an environment where we want to win everything. Whether that’s a game or a drill in training, a quiz during an overnight stay or a match on a Saturday, we want to be winners. The competition in which we play has nothing to do with that as we want to win every game we play and every competition we are involved in. That exact sentiment is what we’ll take into Saturday’s match and anything but absolute focus and the right mentality will not be acceptable.
“I think we create habits as a team. Losing becomes a habit but so does winning. You get in a run of doing something, and doing it well then it breeds confidence and you build on that habit and continue to do it.
“The season so far has been very mixed. The Betfred Cup has been positive and our form in that competition has been good and we’ve progressed. even within that though we realised that not everything was perfect and there were areas we needed to improve in and we did that. The league form though has been poor and has not been good enough in terms of performance or results. We know that and it is down to us to fix it.
“On Saturday though we saw a team that is capable of winning football matches and had it stayed 11v11 or even 10v11, I think wwe would have come away with the three points. As a group and as a club we now need to stay strong and believe in the work we’re doing and believe that it will reap benefits sooner rather than later.”
With the transfer window having officially closed for business Caldwell was able to add two new additions to his squad on deadline day, business he insists will help his squad achieve their goals for the season.
“I’m very happy with the business we did on the final day of the window. I think it has been another good window recruitmentwise and we’ve added competition in some key areas. I think Reece offers us a controller in midfield and Ozzy was someone who came up late who I actually had at Chesterfield when he was just a kid. He’s got a great attitude and offers us competition in that position which we didn’t have up until that point.
“The first four games of the league are gone now and there’s nothing we can do to get those back. What we must do though is learn from the mistakes we did make and ensure we come away a better team. I believe in the players we have here and I believe they have what it takes to turn our league form around.
“We now have competition in every position and that means that if any player isn’t showing it in training or isn’t performing on a Saturday then we have the ability to take them out and they know that. Competition drives success and that’s what we’re hoping for going forward.”
Remarkably a combination of injury, suspension and international call ups means that Caldwell will be without 10 first team players for Saturday’s clash. That 10 includes Alex Jones who received an unfortunate knock in training this week.
“I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it in my time in football to be honest but that’s why we have a squad of players to choose from. We know we have individuals who are ready to step up and this kind of situation just offers them the opportunity they are looking for. It’s then up to them whether or not they take it.
“Jones took a really unfortunate one in training. There was a collision and he rocked his ankle. He went for an X-ray that showed there wasn’t a break but he has an MRI next week to check for muscular damage. It doesn’t look quite as bad as we first thought but it will likely be a few weeks at least and we’ll just have to wait for the scan result to be sure.
“Sena will come into the squad as will Bradley Renfrew, Dean Watson and Andy Rodden. It will be a good experience for those lads and hopefully they will take it.”
The Jags gaffer doesn’t need anyone to tell him that Thistle’s recent form in terms of results has not been up to scratch and he knows that performing for spells in a game without getting the result is not good enough.
“I always try to be positive. I am confident in this group of players and I believe in what they can do. However, as we have seen in the league, we need to go out and do it more regularly. Too often we go out and show promise during periods or deliver over a part of the game without getting the result. That’s what we need to change but I firmly believe that with this group of players it is possible.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Lewis Mansell, James Penrice and Jags manager, Gary Caldwell, will all be available to Jagzone subscribers this afternoon – log in 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? JagzoneLIVE will bring you coverage of the full 90 minutes through our audio commentary service which begins begins at 2:45pm so join us from then.
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.
A professional performance saw Thistle run out relatively comfortable victors at Links Park against Montrose in the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup tie. Goals from Joe Cardle and Kenny Miller were enough to see the Jags into the next round.
Thistle boss, Gary Caldwell, spoke to ptfc.co.uk after the match and started by singing the praises of his side.
“We’re delighted with the win and with the professional aspects of the performance. It’s a bit of a cliché but these games are never easy. Playing lower league teams you find they’re always up for it, as the underdogs they have nothing to lose which makes it difficult.
“We got off to a fantastic start and scored a brilliant goal but after that I do think we could have been better in terms of our possession of the ball. We were a bit sloppy at times but it’s not easy and the pitch was very dry but we’re very happy to be in the next round.”
Midway through the first half there was a heated exchange between Kenny Miller and his own back four which seemed to spark life back into the Jags performance. Although disharmony is not something he wants to see, Caldwell did admit that he wouldn’t mind seeing a bit more of that from his side.
“I think sometimes we’re too nice, I’m delighted to see that in our game occasionally. We’re on the pitch to win and do well and in order to do that we must demand the most from each other. If that requires some harsh words then so be it. When we get off the pitch we can discuss and analyse but sometimes that is the spark we need.”
Next up for Thistle is Arbroath on Friday night as Caldwell’s side return to league action. The Jags boss knows league form has not been good enough so far but is determined to turn the form around.
“We go into our next game and we know we need to win a game of football, it’s as simple as that. Confidence is good, we played well against Ayr and had the result taken away from us as a result of two red cards, we’ve won the game today and we need to take those positives into the match on Friday night.
“Arbroath will be a tough 90 minutes. They’ve already show that they are not to be taken lightly. The hard work starts as soon as we get on the bus and the full focus will be on taking three points next week.”
A more in depth video interview with Gary Caldwell is available to Jagzone subscribers now as well as reaction from Reece Cole and Tam O’Ware – log in to view.
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
Sat 7 September, 2019
The Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup 
Links Park, Montrose
Dean Watson has been terrorising Iain Campbell since he came on and the left back is finally booked.
It's a debut for Thistle Weir Youth Academy graduate Dean Watson
Today's attendance is 831. Thanks to every Jags fan who made the trip to Montrose
Sloppy defending and set up keeps the pressure on the Jags rearguard as Montrose win a second corner through Niang's brave block
Montrose threaten but Fox smothers with Rennie ready to pounce.
Williamson picks out Robson with another pin point cross from the right but his header is off target,
An impressive debut from Cole comes to an end
The corner doesn't go as planned as Montrose clear.
A hotly contested throw in is award to Thistle on the half way line to the fury of the Montrose bench. One of the Montrose coaches has had enough and wanders out the dug out to take a seat in the stand to enjoy the rest of the game.
Williamson's cross is flapped by Lennox but the goalkeeper grabs it as Miller looks to try and poke the loose ball home.
Reece Cole takes responsibility for a free kick 30 yards from goal. It's an excellent effort which hits the bar with the goalkeeper beaten. Montrose scramble clear.
De Vita pings the ball wide to Cardle. He cuts into the box with Robson busting a gut to support and fires a cross along the face of the goal which goes unmet.
Robson wins a Thistle corner. Thistle have stepped it up a gear in the second half this far
Cardle races away down the right hand side firing over a cross which is directed over the bar by Tommy Robson.
Niang sprays the ball wide to Cardle who tees up the overlapping Willamson. His cross is met by Miller who heads across goal to put Thistle two goals ahead.
Cardle's cross is claimed under pressure by Lennox. Ross Campbell collapses in pain as Scott Fox claims Lennox's resulting in a stoppage in the game.
The corner is poor but from the second cross, Fox claims under pressure close to the half way line
A Montrose free kick is headed clear by the Jags defence. As Thistle break the referee blows the whistle for half time
Cardle hits a speculative shot into the arms of Lennox from 25 yards.
Tam O'Ware steps out from the back and the ball is played to him on the edge of the Montrose penalty box. He tees up Niang who has his shot smothered by a defender and Lennox before it bounces out off him
Montrose break forward and Webster pings over another cross which is cleared by the Jags defence. Miller looks to break and is taken out by Dillon
Successive crosses from Penrice and Cardle are repelled away as Thistle step up the tempo as the half comes to a close.
Cardle fizzes the ball into Miller. He tries to play it to De Vita but the link up isn't quite there and Lennox gathers.
A couple of flick ons get Montrose in behind the Jags defence but Webster's cross is poor and Fox gathers easily
Great creativity from Cardle allows Robson to march down the left. His cross picks out Niang who opts to pass to Miller than shoot. The ball works it way to Cardle 22 yards from goal who fires an effort a couple of feet over the bar.
Not much to report in the way of goalmouth action. Thistle having the bulk of the possession but the home side are trying to break up play as much as possible when presented with the chance.
Niang has space inside the box on the right and fires a shot which Lennox deals with comfortably
Ross Campbell meets an Iain Campbell free kick but it is easy for Scott Fox to gather.
An overhit corner sees the ball pose no danger and Thistle get a goal kick
A great pass from McGinty finds Miller behind the defence. He does brilliant to lay it off to Da Vita but a poor touch takes the ball out of play
Miller picks up the ball 30 yards from goal, advances and fires a shot straight into the arms of Lennox.
Reece Cole loses the ball in the sun allowing Webster to get possession outside the Jags box. McGinty is right there to clear the danger.
The perfect start for the Jags as Joe Cardle slots home at the back post from a James Penrice cross. A great period of play saw the Jags build possession before Cardle finished with aplomb
We're at Links Park in Montrose for this afternoon's Tunnocks Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup tie against League One Montrose.
There is a first start for deadline day signing Reece Cole while Mouhamed Niang also makes his first appearance for the Jags. There is a youthful look to the bench with Thistle Weir Youth Academy graduates Dean Watson, Andrew Rodden and Bradley Renfrew all available as substitutes.
If the sides are tied after 90 minutes, we'll proceed straight to a penalty shoot out to see who progresses - there is no extra time.