SPFL Ladbrokes Championship
Sat 20 April, 2019. Kick Off: - 15:00
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Fixture Information:
Admission Details:
This fixture is a GENERAL ADMISSION fixture
HOME ticket prices:
Spectators looking to use the Jackie Husband stand will require to purchase a ticket from the portable ticket office next to the Jackie Husband reception.
Cash gates in operation for the John Lambie and Colin Weir Stands.
Prices:
Adults – £20
Concessions – £15
Under 16s – FREE
A concession is qualified as a person between 17 and 18, over 65* or a student with a valid matriculation card.
AWAY ticket prices:
Prices:
Adults – £20
Concessions – £15
Under 16s – £5
*Please note that bus passes are not a valid proof of ID for 65+ concession. Valid forms of ID for 65+ concession are: standard UK Driver’s license, passport, Birth certificate, VALIDATE UK proof of age card, NUS card, National ID card.
As the Thistle first team prepare for a massive game against Alloa, the full focus of everyone on the football side of the Club switches to ensuring the three points stay at The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill.
Despite the potential magnitude of the game, when Jags boss, Garry Caldwell, sat down to talk exclusively to ptfc.co.uk he insisted that the focus is on the game itself and not the potential ramifications in terms of league position.
“The preparation since we first came into the Club has been the same in terms of the analysis of our opponents and the information we give the players and of course in terms of the quality from the players during the week. So, from that point of view it hasn’t really changed.
“When it comes to the focus everything goes up for everyone due to the importance of the game and the stage we are at in the season. Every game has been important for a number of weeks now and we have worked with a level of intensity that I think has shown that.
“There is still a confidence and a certainty in the players that they know we have what it takes to achieve what we need to achieve this season. We’ve had that for a few weeks now and I think it culminated in Saturday’s performance which I think was one of our best. We controlled the game and looked defensively sound but most of all we performed consistently across the 90 minutes.
“We’re in a good place at themoment but we all understand that we must start converting the positives from recent games into points and, most importantly, wins as soon as possible.”
Although preparation is undoubtedly key for Caldwell, he knows that if Thistle can play their game effectively then there will be the opportunity to hurt Alloa, especially if his side starts well.
“We always look to play our way and hurt the opposition. We respect Alloa and we will be aware of the threats they offer but we need to be on the front foot and be the team that takes the game to them. We can look back on the last three games with real confidence and look to build some real momentum by taking all three points on Saturday.
“We enjoy playing at home and I think the size of our pitch probably suits us more than them but we need to make it count. We played well against them and won on the Indodrill pitch and if we play well out here then we can win again. We need to use the space to our advantage though, we can be expansive and use the ball to make the pitch feel as big as possible but, first and foremost, we know we need to be in the fight and match Alloa’s intensity in every aspect of the game.”
At this stage of the season three games in a week might look like an unwanted strain on a football team in Thistle’s position but the manager is pretty clear that the triple header is an opportunity, not a burden.
“We had to sit back and watch other teams pick up points last week and the week before but I told the boys “this week is our week”. Now we get the chance to play three games in a week when teams around us don’t and that gives us a great opportunity. It’s a chance for us to put a big marker down.
“We are in control of our own destiny and that starts on Saturday. we have three difficult games in a week but they are three games we believe that we are capable of taking maximum points from. We’re ready, the club is ready and we can go in with real confidence.”
With free supporters buses laid on for the Ayr and Queen of the South games Caldwell knows just how important the Red and Yellow Army could prove to be during the run in.
“They have a huge role to play between now and the end of the season. They have already been absolutely magnificent but we need them again for the last push. We need them to turn up in numbers and back the team, give us their support. We all know it hasn’t been good enough but we’ll get over the line this season and then we’ll be working to give us all a team and a club that we can be very proud of.”
Finally, with the squad for County last week impacted by illness and injury the gaffer gave an up to date picture of player availability ahead of Saturday.
“Steven Saunders had a niggle early last week and then picked up a sickness on the Thursday night into Friday. He actually drove up himself on the Saturday morning to be available to sit on the bench which really showed his commitment. Similarly Conor Hazard had a chest infection in the latter stages of last week which meant he was only fit for the bench. Both of those players have fully recovered and, apart from Andy McCarthy who has been struggling with a series of frustrating setbacks for a few weeks now, we have a fully fit squad which is fantastic.
“A lot of teams are fading physically now but i think we are getting stronger and stronger and that will be massive in the closing stages of the campaign.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Kris Doolan, Scott McDonald and Jags manager, Gary Caldwell, are available to Jagzone subscribers – log in now to see them.
Jagzone members will also be able to watch extended highlights and a full match replay of the game.
Can’t make it to The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill? Jagzone members can listen to live audio commentary of the match. JagZoneLIVE begins at 2:45pm 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 © 2019. 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 the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill this afternoon as they hosted Alloa Athletic in the Ladbrokes Championship for the second time this season. Last time the Wasps were in Maryhill, they battled their way to a 2-2 draw despite the Jags leading the game twice. Since then, the teams had met once, at the Indodrill Stadium, where Thistle had come away with a 2-0 triumph thanks to goals from Blair Spittal and Scott McDonald.
Alloa have bounced back remarkably in the time since that defeat to the Maryhill men with Jim Goodwin’s side coming into this clash off the back of four straight wins – their best winning run in Scotland’s second tier since 1973. On the other hand, the hosts had experienced mixed fortunes. A 2-1 defeat to Inverness was a disappointing result, however, that was their only loss in the six games prior to the fixture against Alloa.
Following a well-contested 0-0 draw with league leaders Ross County a week before, Gary Caldwell made no changes to his starting line-up. Jamie Sneddon retained his place in the first XI as he looked to keep his first consecutive league clean sheets since joining Thistle. In defence, Sean McGinty, Steven Anderson and Jack McMillan acted as the back three once again with James Penrice and Christie Elliott as wing-backs on either flank. Craig Slater and Shea Gordon linked up again in the midfield with Blair Spittal just ahead of them while Scott McDonald and Kris Doolan continued their partnership up front. On the bench for the home side were Conor Hazard, Steven Saunders, Gary Harkins, Joe Cardle, Aidan Fitzpatrick, Miles Storey and Lewis Mansell.
Thistle scored in the fourth minute when they beat Alloa back in February but it was the Wasps who hit the front early in this meeting. 14 minutes in, a corner came in from the Jackie Husband Stand side of the ground and wasn’t cleared properly by Thistle. Eventually, the ball came to Jack Aitchison and the on-loan Celtic striker shifted the ball onto his right side before bending a low shot into the far corner, past the unsighted Sneddon.
As Thistle looked to bounce back, they had a good chance to do so in the 28th minute. After a series of corners, one ricocheted out of the six-yard box and fell to Shea Gordon despite Neil Parry hitting the deck on the goaline. Gordon tried a first-time half-volley but his effort was off target. Sean McGinty managed to redirect it into the danger zone but the Alloa defenders managed to force it away.
The hosts had another good chance through Kris Doolan with ten minutes of the first half to play. When presented with space, Sean McGinty charged out of defence and played a great pass into the feet of Scott McDonald who then flicked the ball around the corner for Kris Doolan who was running through on goal. The striker opened his body up to shoot but Neil Parry was out sharply to make a big stop ahead of the break.
The teams went into the interval with Alloa leading 1-0 but there were changes made by Gary Caldwell at half-time. Joe Cardle and Gary Harkins were brought on in an attempt to enhance the team’s creativity while Christie Elliott and Shea Gordon came off. This saw the Jags convert to a 4-4-2.
The change had an immediate impact as well with Joe Cardle bagging his third Thistle goal just two minutes into the second period. The number 32 was given the ball by Jack McMillan before taking two touches to set himself and rifling a driven shot past Neil Parry, into the far corner.
Joe Cardle was involved once again as Thistle took the lead in the 66th minute. The two half-time sbstitutes combined as the number 32 received the ball from Gary Harkins about ten yards outside the Alloa box. Cardle skipped past one challenge before being wiped out right on the edge of the box, earning a free kick that Scott McDonald stepped up to take. The Australian made his Thistle debut against Alloa, scoring on that day, and he would be on hand to sting the Wasps once again as he lifted a right-footed shot into the top corner. Neil Parry got a hand to the effort but was unable to keep it out as McDonald made it three in his last four at home appearances.
Alloa could have hit back when Jack McMillan gave the ball away in the middle of the park, however, when Alan Trouten fed the ball to Jack Aitchison, he could only muster a weak shot which Jamie Sneddon saved easily. Shortly thereafter, McMillan came off injured to be replaced by Steven Saunders who was making his return after illness.
Sneddon was called into action again with 13 minutes left on the clock as Jordan Kirkpatrick found Scott Taggart in space on the Alloa right. The defender proceeded to deliver a lovely low cross into the box which found Kevin Cawley. The midfielder, who scored the last time Alloa came to Maryhill, kept his half-volley on target but was denied by the legs of Jamie Sneddon who then gathered the ball at the second attempt.
The home side had one opportunity to wrap things up and make it three in the closing stages as Scott McDonald looked for his first brace as a Jag. He played a quick one-two with Joe Cardle before Cardle lifted a ball into the box towards Kris Doolan. The striker knew he wouldn’t be able to control and instead cushioned a header back into McDonald’s path. Neil Parry was sharp off his line and managed to block the striker’s shot though, keeping Alloa in the game.
The visitors couldn’t find that vital second, however, and the Jags came away with all three points in what was a crucial game for both teams. Gary Caldwell’s side moved above Falkirk into ninth and to within a point of Alloa and Queen of the South with a game in hand.
That game in hand comes on Tuesday as Thistle take on Ian McColl’s Ayr United for the first meeting of two this week with the Honest Men. Kick-off is 19:45 at Somerset Park.
PARTICK THISTLE TEAM: Sneddon, Penrice, McGinty, Anderson, McMillan (Saunders, 72’), Elliott (Cardle, HT), Gordon (Harkins, HT), Slater, Spittal, Doolan, McDonald.
UNUSED SUBS (PTH): Hazard, Fitzpatrick, Storey, Mansell.
ALLOA ATHLETIC TEAM: Parry, Dick, Graham, Hetherington, Taggart, Robertson, Flannigan, Shields (Cawley, 77’), Trouten (Kirkpatrick, 71’), Zanatta, Aitchison (Hamilton, 71’).
UNUSED SUBS (ALL): Henry, Roscoe, Brown, Peggie.
It was a return to winning ways for Partick Thistle this afternoon at the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill as the Jags came from behind to claim a huge three points against Alloa Athletic. The travelling Wasps hit the front early on through Jack Aitchison as a loose ball fell the youngster’s way after a corner. The Maryhill men fought back though, levelling things two minutes into the second half thanks to Joe Cardle low shot from 20 yards. The comeback was completed in the 66th minute as Scott McDonald bagged his sixth Jags goal, curling a free-kick beyond Neil Parry. The three points moved Thistle off the foot of the table and to within a single point of the two teams above them with a game in hand. Thistle manager, Gary Caldwell, spoke to ptfc.co.uk after the final whistle, beginning by touching on the poor first half showing and what changed during the break to spark the Jags’ fightback:
“It was a disappointing first half. There were some choice words at half time; I changed the shape and made two substitutions. However, the resurgence was all the players doing. First half the players didn’t step up and show bravery but the players second half showed incredible bravery.
“I do hold up my hands for the first half, the formation we had been playing, 3-5-2, had been doing well but first half it just didn’t work. We needed one of the centre backs to step out and I didn’t do my job well enough in explaining that so we had to change it at half time and put that extra man in midfield.
“I said it wasn’t going to be easy to do that at 0-0, it was even more difficult at 1-0 down. I was delighted with the response, delighted with the result but it’s just three points. There are three big games left, starting Tuesday evening and we have to focus on them.”
The gaffer was very happy with the character shown by his side to come from behind against an Alloa side who were playing very defensive football after the opening goal.
“It’s not easy playing in that situation, I’ve been there as a player before, down south with Wigan. I understand it’s difficult. We will learn from today, the resilience and character we have compared to pre-Christmas is incredible and that’s the positive I take from today.”
“Everyone played their part; it was a team effort. Alloa have done excellently this season, especially as of late and to beat them is very pleasing.
“For a part time team they are incredibly fit, play some good stuff and to be in the position they are in, they deserve a great deal of credit. We knew they would keep going until the end and they did just that.”
He was full of praise for the squad in general who gave their all in what was a pivotal game for the Club.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the players since January; the application, the dedication, the character they have shown on more than one occasion now, it’s not a coincidence. They have created a spirit, a togetherness and no matter the way the game is going they always give their all. We have a squad with depth and have substitutes that can come on and make a difference as we saw today.”
Coming out after the break, Joe Cardle fired Thistle level after two minutes of the second 45 and Gary emphasised the importance of that early goal with respect to the game as a whole.
“Straight away, once we got that goal you saw the difference, you saw the forward step in terms of intent. I said that at half time, you either take a forward step or a backward step, and you’ll never win a game taking a backward step. I knew from a minute into the second half we were going to win the match, just because of the way we went out and attacked.”
A more in depth video interview with Gary Caldwell is available now to Jagzone subscribers as well as reaction from James Penrice – log in now to see them.
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 © 2019. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk
Sat 20 April, 2019
SPFL Ladbrokes Championship 
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Chance for Alloa but Sneddon manages to pull off a fantastic save with his feet before the ball is rebounded into his arms.
From the resulting free kick Scott MCDONALD curls an effort in off the underside of the bar.
Cardle goes on a mazy run. He's brought down as he advances into the box but the ref says it is a free kick right on the edge.
Harkins beats a number of challenges and floats a ball to thr back post.It's headed clear and falls to Slater but his goalward shot is blocked.
The other sub this time, Gary Harkins creates spaces and unleashes a fierce shot but Parry saves.
Instant impact from Joe Cardle. He gathers the ball and from 20 yards strikes the ball into the left half corner.
McGinty advances forward, he finds McDonald who slips a lovely ball through to Doolan however he can't beat Parry while through on goal.
Thistle have a free kick 35 yards out. Spittal floats it in but Parry gathers at the back post.
Thistle win a series of corners but despite some pinball in the box are unable to get the equaliser.
Scott McDonald creates space for himself but his shot is high over the bar
A corner isn't cleared properly, it comes to Aitchison at the edge of the box and he curls the ball low into the corner
After a good passing move Slater finds himself in space and forces Parry to palm away his shot.
Great run and ball from Jack McMillan down the right and its headed for a corner.