SPFL Development League
Tue 15 November, 2016. Kick Off: - 18:00
Firhill Stadium
Despite an excellent start to the campaign, Partick Thistle’s Development team had slumped to two league defeats in a row in November. They had a chance to get back to winning ways against Falkirk at Firhill. The visitors came into the game one place above the Jags, in fourth place and on an eight game unbeaten run.
Four changes were made to the side that lost against St. Mirren last Tuesday. Conor Cullen, Ian Stokes, David Wilson and Kevin Nisbet were all dropped from the side and were replaced by Struan Herd, Andrew McCarthy, Declan McDaid and a trialist.
The match started slowly and took a while to get going with the first chance of the game falling after ten minutes. Declan McDaid played the ball out wide to Mark Lamont who played a ball into the box which Neil McLaughlin tried to turn towards goal but it was slightly behind him and he missed the target.
Unfortunately for Thistle, just four minutes after that opportunity Falkirk would take the lead. Nathan Austin managed to lift the ball over the Jags’ trialist to present himself a free run on goal. As the attacker entered the box he felt a nudge on his back from Michael McMullin and he went down. The referee very quickly pointed to the spot, giving the Bairns a huge chance to break the deadlock. The man who won the spot kick would step up to take it and he made no mistake from 12 yards, sending Herd the wrong way.
The home side almost mustered up an instant response when Mark Lamont’s sensational chipped attempt from 30 yards was only stopped by the fingertips of a backpedalling Deniz Mehmet in the Falkirk goal.
The Bairns had an opportunity to double their lead just before half-time. Scott Shepherd was bearing down on goal but an outrushing Struan Herd managed to block his attempts. The ball then dropped to Falkirk goal scorer Austin who shot towards goal but Struan Herd was there to make the save.
Michael McMullin was forced off the pitch due to injury prior to the half-time interval. He was replaced by Ian Stokes while there was one substitution made during the break as Ross Fleming was introduced into the match with the trialist being withdrawn.
When the teams re-emerged for the second period the Jags took a very different shape with Scott MacKenzie electing to go for a 3-5-2 formation.
The second-half, much like the first, started at a timid pace. It took 13 minutes for the first opportunity to materialise as Nathan Austin cut inside from the right flank and curled an effort towards the top corner which just flew over the crossbar.
The visitors almost scored a second in the 62nd minute thanks to Conor Langton. The number 7 hit a shot from around 25 yards out that had Struan Herd beaten all ends up. Fortunately for the goalkeeper, the attempt smacked off the outside of the post and went out for a goal kick.
The Jags made their final change when Declan McDaid came off and James Stokes was sent on.
After a long game of nothing really coming off for the young Thistle team they finally made a breakthrough as the home team drew level. Andrew McCarthy fed the ball into Neil McLaughlin who set himself before firing a rasping shot past Mehmet at the near post.
The goal sent a surge of adrenaline through Scott MacKenzie’s team as they searched for the all-important winner. Callum Wilson picked up the ball ten yards inside the opposition half before turning his man and playing the ball to James Stokes on the right wing. The substitute hit a ball into the centre where Neil McLaughlin managed to get a deft touch on the ball to take some of the pace off the delivery. The man who started the attack, Callum Wilson, was running into the box and the ball fell perfectly for the midfielder as he raced towards goal placing it home, across goal, into the far corner. The boys in red and yellow celebrated together behind the Falkirk goal as they had snatched victory form the jaws of defeat in the dying moments of the evening encounter.
In a game where good chances were hard to come by for both teams, Thistle will be delighted to return to winning ways in the league while ending Falkirk’s unbeaten run. The young Jags rise above the Bairns in the Development League table, moving into fourth having played a game more than today’s opponents.
The Development squad’s next fixture comes next Tuesday night against Rangers at the Forthbank Stadium in Stirling with kick-off at 6pm.
Tue 15 November, 2016
SPFL Development League 
Firhill Stadium
A tremendous win for Thistle to come from behind with just moments on the clock!!
Wilson slas home from inside the box and Thistle might just have grabbed the win!
Stokes pushes a shot against the gpalkeeper taking a heavy touch
Jagzone Man of the Match - Ross Fleming
McCarthy can't quite get on the end of a through ball from McLaugh;in as Falkirk hack clear.
McLaughlin fires into the near post to grab Thistle a deserved equaliser. A good build up with a good finish
Thistle pushing for an equaliser but the Championship side are proving stubborn opposition.
Herd pushes Stowes effort around the post after the break from the corner
After McCarthy's effort is sclffed clear Mehmet manges to punch away
Herd gathers Stowe's free kick
Penrice is needing some medical attention after a hefty challenge. He'll be good to continue,
A hobbling McDaid leaves the pitch
Lamont gets a toe on the end of McDaid's free kick but its straight at the goalkeeper.
It's been a tame second half as Falkirk are happy to disrupt play and slow the game down. Thistle win a free kick 30 yards from goal
Fleming latches onto a through ball but his cut back doesn't have enough conviction to slip past the goalkeeper.
Langton clips the outside of the post with a shot from 25 yards
The flag is up for offside as Shepherd throws himself to the turf after rounding Herd.
Austin blazes over the bar from inside the box
Blues tries a swerving effort which Herd claims
McLaughlin has the ball in the net but the flag is up for offside.
Falkirk swithc to 3-5-2 as well with that sub
Thistle whip over a cross but Falkirk clear.
A lofted ball into the Falkirk box trundles out for a goal kick
Thistle a lot more assertive in the second half. They haven't yet tested the goalkeeper though
Thistle move to a 3-5-2 formation.
Austin blazes the free kick over the bar.
McMullin is the victim of a crude, unpunished, Falkirk challenge and his day is done. Ian Stokes replaces him in a tactical reshuffle. McInally moves in to central defence.
A great reaction save from Herd denies Austin
Henderson's lob almost catches out Herd but the ball drops over the bar.
After McDaid links up with McLaughlin, Deniz saves his 20 yard shot.
A poor touch from McLaughlin allows the Falkirk keeper to claim a through ball.
Austin claims a knock down but can only send it straight at Herd.
Not much to report here. The shrill of the referees whistle is disrupting the flow of this game significantly.
Thistle break from a Falkirk free kick but McDaid's cross is claimed by the goalkeeper.
The game has settled down a little with more structured play. The Championship side are winning a lot of cheap fouls in midfield, something Thistle will have to watch out for
Lamont tries a delicious chip from a long way out but it's matched by a tremendous save from the goalkeeper
Austin sends Herd the wrong way from 12 yards out.
A very soft penalty for Falkirk after miscommunication from the Jags defence.
Shepherd fires an effort against Herd but the flag was up for offside.
THistle break in numbers. McDaid passes wide to Penrice. He drills a low cross into the box but McLaughlin can only flick it past the post.
Straight on the attack for Falkirk as Thistle's trialist defender heads clear.
Thistle on the attack. Lamont picks out McLaughln but the attacker cant' get the ball out of his feet
Falkirk whip a free kick into the Jags box but the referee blows for a foul on a Jags player