Tue 1 February, 2022
cinch Championship 
Firhill Stadiumcinch Championship
Tue 1 February, 2022. Kick Off: - 19:45
Firhill Stadium
Match Information:
Ticketing Information:
Partick Thistle v Ayr United – Tuesday 1st February
A busy February gets underway with the visit of Ayr United to Firhill on Tuesday night action under the Firhill floodlights.
Ticket prices for this match are priced at:
Adults – £20
Concessions (Over 65s, students, disabled supporter including carer, 16-18 year olds) £15
Under 16 – £5
Purchasing before matchday
Ticket purchases before matchday (1st February) are available to buy through one of the two methods below:
Matchday purchases
Tickets can be purchased on matchday through online sale. The Executive Offices will not be open on matchday.
Limited provision will be made at the Jackie Husband ticket office for home supporters, without bank cards or online access, to use cash to purchase tickets for this game.
Partick Thistle Season Ticket Holders
This fixture is on the Partick Thistle 2021/22 season ticket. Use your season ticket card, or the PTFC ticketing app at the turnstile to gain entry to Firhill. Season tickets are only valid for the stand they were purchased for with no changing between stands on a game by game basis, currently permitted.
If you are a Partick Thistle season ticket holder who is due to be self-isolating on the date of this fixture, or who develops Covid-19 symptoms between now and matchday you should not attend this fixture. In this event, please contact to update us. We will de-activate your season card for this fixture and provide access to the live stream of the match.
Away Supporters
Away fans can purchase their ticket for this cinch Championship fixture through one of the two methods below:
Away supporter ticket prices for this match are priced at:
Adults – £20
Concessions (Over 65s, students, disabled supporter including carer, 16-18 year olds) £15
Under 16 – £5
Online ticket sales for Ayr United fans will be available right up until kick-off. There will be no provision available for physical in-person ticket sales for Ayr United supporters on matchday.
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.
A hectic February begins for Partick Thistle tomorrow evening as they take on Ayr United at Firhill in cinch Championship action. It’s the first of seven games in 26 days for the Jags and it’s a tough start to that stretch against an Ayr side who have lost just once in their four league games under new manager Lee Bullen. They’ll be keen to avenge the two 4-0 defeat the Maryhill men have inflicted on them already this term. Jags assistant manager Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of the contest:
“It was frustrating that the game was called off at the weekend because we were all prepared for a massive game but it was probably the correct decision at the end of the day. For us, it meant training on Sunday to keep the guys sharp for Tuesday night and it was a good session so we’re looking forward to the game.”
Ayr are one of a few teams in the bottom half of the table who have shown signs of improvement over the past couple of months and Archie says the team should expect a very tough game against the Somerset Park side.
“The new manager has changed quite a lot in a fairly short time. I think the way they approach the game will be different to the last time we played them and they’ve signed a few new players as well to bring something fresh to their squad.
“They’ve won games against Raith Rovers and Arbroath which shows you there’s been a improvement and also means that they’ll not be scared coming to play us.”
Thistle have still only lost once at Firhill since the end of September and Alan reckons the team are feeling confident when playing at home at the moment.
“We’ve found ways to get the ball down and play in recent games at home. We used the ball well against Raith, Killie and Airdrie so that’s encouraging for us.
“Especially now that we’ve got the fans back to give us that extra little bit during the game, we need to make sure we make full use of the home advantage when we have it.”
It’s been a busy deadline day for the Jags with Kyle McAllister and Alex Jakubiak arriving on loan from St. Mirren and Dundee respectively and Archie is looking forward to seeing what the pair have to offer in Thistle colours.
“I think they’re two great signings for us. Alex is a player who has been unlucky with injuries since he’s been at Dundee but he’s someone I’ve been aware of for a while. From our point of view, it’s about keeping him fit, getting him on the pitch and letting him show what he’s got.
“Kyle gives us something different off the right flank. We’ve had Tiffoney working magic on the left but on the right we’ve had to ask guys to fill in when it’s not their natural position so hopefully Kyle can maybe bring more balance in the wide areas.”
Archibald finished by giving us an update on team news ahead of the meeting with the Honest Men.
“At the moment, I don’t think we’ve got anything new to worry about. Richard Foster who missed the cup game against Airdrieonians has been back in training and should be available but that’s it as far as injury news is concerned.”
Exclusive video interviews with Jamie Sneddon 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 Ayr, starting at 7:15pm – click here to tune in.
We will be providing a pay-per-view option, priced at £12, for any supporter who wishes to watch our livestream of 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 © 2022. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Partick Thistle were looking to continue their 100% record against Ayr United during the 2021/22 season as the Honest Men came to Maryhill for a midweek clash to open up February. The Jags were 4-0 winners in both of the sides’ previous meeting this term but the much improved Somerset Park side would be keen to get some revenge as they made the trip to Maryhill under new boss Lee Bullen.
Ian McCall made two changes to the side which beat Airdrieonians 1-0 in the Scottish Cup 10 days prior. Richard Foster returned to the side in place of Kevin Holt who missed the game with a slight knock while Robbie Crawford took the place of Zak Rudden who departed for Dundee on deadline day.
Neither team looked particularly threatening in the opening stages as the game settled down into a steady tempo and it took until the 25th minute for the game’s first real chance to appear. It came from the right flank where Ciaran McKenna swung in a dangerous ball towards the edge of the six-yard box for Brian Graham to attack. The number nine jostled his way past Jack Baird, powering a header towards goal which unfortunately was straight at Aidan McAdams who batted it away.
A minute after that, Thistle were in again. Robbie Crawford slotted a pass through to Cammy Smith who had found a gap in the Ayr defence and the number 11 looked set to get his second goal of the season but, knocked off balance by a recovering defender, Smith couldn’t force the ball past McAdams and the ‘keeper made another important save for his side.
Just as Thistle seemed to have found their attacking rhythm, Ayr caused them a scare at the other end. James Maxwell picked up the ball midway inside the Thistle half and turned to survey the options in from of him. He spotted Sam Ashford making a clever infield run from the right wing and he picked out the January signing with a curling pass. Ashford took one touch to control before driving a low shot towards goal which Jamie Sneddon had to get down sharply to stop. The loose ball bounced back out towards Ashford but Richard Foster was there first to clear it.
Coming out for the second half, it didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken with Thistle making the breakthrough just six minutes after the restart. It was a well-worked goal instigated by Lewis Mayo as the defender played an excellent pass into the feet of Brian Graham to get the Jags moving up the pitch. Graham played it to Ross Docherty who in turn laid it off for Robbie Crawford. The former Ayr man then spotted Graham making a burst towards the penalty area and fed a well-weighted pass into the striker’s path. Thistle’s top scorer had three goals already this season against Ayr United and he continued to pile the misery on the Honest Men as he stabbed the ball into the bottom corner to put his side ahead and move him onto 15 for the season in all competitions.
In previous games this season, Ayr had capitulated after conceding the first goal but Lee Bullen’s side came back at Thistle after falling behind although they struggled to break down the resolute Jags backline. Even the loss of Richard Foster to injury didn’t seem to shake the hosts’ rearguard as Stephen Hendrie came on and got up to speed quickly.
As the game got closer to the final whistle there were a few sights of goal for the visitors. Firstly, on 81 minute, a Kerr McInroy shot was blocked and fell towards Andy Murdoch but the midfielder’s attempted first-time shot flew high and wide into the John Lambie Stand.
Alex Jakubiak came off the bench in the latter stages to make his debut for the club and he almost marked it with a goal. A high ball bounced away from Sean McGinty, allowing the on-loan Dundee forward to run onto it. He got to the ball 15 yards from goal and tried to fire a shot in quickly, however, McGinty had recovered well and was able to deflect the effort over the bar. He had another half-chance in the 85th minute when the ball fell to him just inside the Ayr box after a poor clearance but his snapshot flew comfortably over the bar.
There was some late pressure for the home side to deal with as Fraser Bryden and Kerr McInroy had shots from just outside the box but neither man could hit the target in injury time and the Jags saw the game out to take all three points.
The Maryhill men remained in fifth place, though they still have games in hand on every team in the league.
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.
The unbeaten start to 2022 continued for Partick Thistle as they beat Ayr United 1-0 in the cinch Championship this evening. A single Brian Graham strike early in the second half proved to be the difference as he scored his fourth goal of the season against the Honest Men and his 15th in all competitions for the Jags this term, becoming the first Thistle player to hit that mark since Kris Doolan in 2016/17. The win doesn’t move the Maryhill men up any places in the table but they now sit just five points off the top of the league with at least one game in hand on each of the teams ahead of them. Jags boss Ian McCall spoke to ptfc.co.uk following the final whistle:
“That was a really tough game and you could see there’s been a huge improvement in Ayr since the last time we played them. Saying that, I did think we deserved to win the game. Brian and Cammy had good chances in the first half and then we had a few moments in the second half but we’ll take the 1-0 because all that matters are the three points at the moment.”
Thistle top scorer Brian Graham popped up with the all-important goal and the gaffer was delighted to see his number nine producing once again.
“He’s such an important player to this team in a lot of ways but you’re always going to judge a striker on the goals he scores and he scores some important ones for us. The goal was actually a really well-worked one which started in the defence and moved through the midfield and then when Brian runs onto it, you usually back him to score.”
Robbie Crawford provided the assist for Graham’s winner and Ian was pleased to see one of his January signings contributing at the top end of the pitch.
“Robbie’s a player who I think has the ability to be a real creative force in attack but it’s about unlocking that. Each game he plays you can see him getting more and more comfortable and he’s showing more of that side of his game. The pass for Brian was brilliant and I think that’s something we’ll see more of going forward.”
The Jags used four of their substitutes on the night with Stephen Hendrie, Alex Jakubiak, Kyle Turner and Ross MacIver coming off the bench and the manager was happy with their contributions.
“It’s going to be a very busy period for us over the next month so everyone has to play their part. Stephen has come off the bench in our last two games and done a good job which is great to see. Ross and Kyle both did well too, helping us keep the ball up the other end.
“As for Alex, I thought he looked pretty sharp and had a couple of great moments. He’ll get a bit more time training with the team over the next few days and that will only help him in getting to know his teammates and building his sharpness even further.”
Now the team look forward to another Firhill fixture on Saturday afternoon as Queen of the South visit Glasgow and McCall says all focus now turns to that game.
“We can’t afford to let our attention slip. Each game is going to be difficult and they’re only going to get harder as we get closer to the end of the season and points become even more important. Queen of the South made it really difficult for us last time we played them and we’ll expect another tough one this weekend.”
Further reaction from Thistle manager Ian McCall and Robbie Crawford will be available for JagZone subscribers to watch – log in to view.
We’ll also have extended highlights and a full game replay of today’s match on JagZone tonight.
Article Copyright © 2022. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Brian Graham's goal five minutes into the second half gives Thistle a slender but deserved win despite a few nervy moments before the finish.
Chance for McInroy at the edge of the box but he is closed down quickly and as a result can't keep his shot down and the ball goes over the bar.
Docherty looks to be fouled but play goes on and Bryden has a chance at the edge of the box but drags his shot well wide of goal.
Jakubiak clears at the edge of the box and tries to break.
Into injury time
Tiffoney again looks for a penalty for what looked a fairly clear tug but once more the referee is uninterested.
Turner's corner is headed clear by Reading but Thistle pick the ball up again a snap effort from Jakubiak goes over the bar.
Jakubiak's effort is deflected over the bar.
Turner's corner is cleared and although Tiffoney picks up on the left he is crowded out.
When McInroy's shot is blocked in spins back to Murdoch who lashes a shot high and wide of Sneddon's goal.
Bannigan steps over the free kick allowing Tiffoney to go for goal but he drags the ball wide of target.
McGinty pushes Smith to the ground and Thistle have a free kick some distance from goal but in a central position.
Sneddon needs to be sharp off his line to collect the ball at the edge of his box ahead of Ashford.
Graham does well to find Smith. Smith in turn pushes a pass through to Tiffoney inside the Ayr box. He hoes to ground with loud appeals for a Thistle penalty but again the referee isn't interested.
Dempsey tries to find McKenzie at the back post with the free kick but it drifts away from the Ayr man and Thistle have a goal kick.
Aye have a free kick about 30 yards from the Thistle goal over to the left hand side.
Graham has the ball at the right hand edge of the Ayr box with McGinty directly in front of him. Not sure if it is a shot or an overhit cross from Graham but either way the ball drifts wide of the far post.
Dempsey's corner is cleared but not without some difficulty and Ayr remain on the attack.
Foster's night looks to be done.
Foster looks to have hurt himself in a challenge with McKenzie and the physio is on to give him a spot of treatment.
After a patient build up in midfield the ball is slid through to Graham who makes no mistake with a low shot past McAdams.
Maxwell side foots a shot a long way wide of the Thistle goal.
It's a poor corner from Bannigan that doesn't get past the first defender at the near post.
Sneddon makes a confident catch from Dempsey's free kick.
Maxwell's cross comes of what is adjudged to be the hand of Akinola and Ayr have a free kick in a dangerous position.
Docherty thumps the free kick to safety but Thistle can't get hold of the ball to build their own attack and the ball remains deep inside the Thistle half.
Ayr win a free kick down near the corner flag on the Thistle left.
Thistle look for another corner as Mayo tries to flick the ball goalwards but in truth it was a poor corner from Smith.
There is another tussle involving Graham and McGinty who don't look the best of friends at the moment.
Ayr break quickly after a Bannigan free kick is cleared and it takes some great tracking back from Tiffoney to get the ball away from the advancing Maxwell.
Not on this occasion they are not as the free kick is poor and goes out of play for a Thistle goal kick
Ayr are growing in confidence and they have a free kick deep inside the Thistle half. They've looked good at set pieces so far.
Another let off for Thistle. This time Ashford's touch is far from poor and it takes an excellent stop from Sneddon to prevent him from opening the scoring.
Nearly an opener for Ayr. Ashford collects a free kick directly in front of the Thistle goal but his touch is poor and Sneddon gathers. Something of a let off for Thistle.
Crawford threads through a pass for Smith. Smith looks to be held inside the box but there is no penalty. Smith does manage an effort on goal but McAdams saves.
McKenna sends over a great cross from the right that Graham gets his head to but his header flies straight at McAdams who saves. A foot either side of him ad that was the opening goal.
Thistle try just one pass to many in trying to create room for a shot near the edge of the Ayr box.
It's all a bit scrappy at the moment with Thistle finding it difficult to create space inside the Ayr half.
Ashford's challenge on Docherty earns him the game's first yellow card.
After that little spot of treatment Sneddon is fine and play restarts.
Sneddon seems to have taken a kick to his ankle while gathering the ball at the edge of his box and is going to need a spot of treatment.
A Docherty shot is deflected allowing McAdams to make an easy save.
Thistle aren't convincing in trying to clear the corner but the referee spots an infringement and Thistle win a free kick.
There's a first hint of a chance for Ayr. A cross comes over from the Ayr right but Ashford can't quite stretch far enough at the back post to reach it.
Tiffoney sends over a cross from the right as Thistle continue to press for an early goal. There's probably a touch too much pace on the ball and the threat is cleared.
Graham is able to head McKenna's back post cross back towards goal but Smith can't get on the end of it. Promising start from Thistle all the same.
Tiffoney's trickery at the edge of the box gives Thistle an early glimpse of a chance but Foster's touch is poor as he collects Tiffoney's pass and the opportunity is lost.
It's Ayr that get the game underway. Thistle will be shooting towards the John Lambie Stand in the first half.
A hectic February starts with the visit of Ayr United.
Ian McCall makes two changes to the side that started against Airdrie in the cup.
In come Richard Foster and Robbie Crawford as Kevin Holt misses out and Zak Rudden having left to join Dundee.
A hectic February starts with the visit of Ayr United.
Ian McCall makes two changes to the side that started against Airdrie in the cup.
In come Richard Foster and Robbie Crawford as Kevin Holt misses out and Zak Rudden having left to join Dundee.