SPFL League One
Sat 7 November, 2020. Kick Off: - 15:00
Firhill Stadium
In line with Scottish Government guidelines, this match is a closed doors match. It is imperative that all fans support the club and protect the squad by staying away from the stadium and enjoying all content safely from home.
Matchday Coverage:
Live Stream
Season Ticket Holders
For season ticket holders looking to view today’s stream, click here
All season ticket holders have received details on how to log in. If you need matchday assistance with log-in details, or with viewing the stream, please contact
Pay-per-view Pass
Any supporter who wishes to watch our League 1 match against Airdrieonians can purchase a pay-per-view pass, priced at £10, from https://ppv.ptfcpass.co.uk/events
If you require any assistance with your purchase or watching Saturday’s stream, please contact
For full information on how to purchase your pay-per-view pass, click here.
Audio Commentary
Audio Commentary will be available for supporter on JagZone.
Starting at 2:30, tune in to hear Michael Max and Christopher Dobie take you through the ninety minutes of action, with thirty minutes of comprehensive build up before the game.
In Game Coverage
We’ll have our usual in-depth text commentary right here on ptfc.co.uk. Social Media Updates will also be available through our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
Post Match
After the 90 minutes of action we’ll have post match reaction from the Jags camp on JagZone following the full time whistle. A full game replay and comprehensive highlights package will also follow on JagZone.
Match Programme
Match programmes are available to purchase online through our programme production partner Curtis Sport.
Click here to purchase the match programme for this fixture or sign up to a season long subscription.
Half Time 50/50 draw
Our 50/50 draw will be conducted at half time during Saturday’s match. Tickets are available to purchase until 3:30 on Saturday afternoon.
Click here to purchase 50/50 tickets
Druring this unique but exciting season we are looking forward to bringing you extensive matchday coverage throughout the campaign. Due to the current exceptional circumstances, our coverage may change or be impacted if a member of our media team is required to self-isolate at short notice. We thank you for your understanding and patience around this situation.
Partick Thistle look to bounce back from a late defeat against Cove Rangers last weekend as they take on Falkirk at Firhill this Saturday. The Jags have taken three points from their opening three games of the League One season but will look to return to winning ways and continue their strong home form as the Bairns visit for matchday four. Thistle assistant manager, Alan Archibald, spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of the fixture:
“With the way the fixtures have gone this becomes a very important game for us. We don’t want to see that gap open up between us and the top of the table so it’s vital we get a victory this weekend, particularly against Falkirk who will be one of the challengers for the title.”
Archibald says that the result at Cove was extremely difficult to take for the management and the players but he’s hopeful the team can respond with a positive result against Falkirk.
“The Clyde defeat, I think we weren’t good enough and deserved to lose but that wasn’t the case against Cove. It was a terrible game in awful conditions and I think we were pretty comfortable in the second half especially which made it even worse when that goal went in.
“The manner of it was a sucker punch. Losing a game in injury time after such a hard game where the boys battled really well and probably had the better of it after half time was really difficult but we now come back home where we’ve started well and we believe we can go and win this game to get back on track.”
The Maryhill men now have three straight home games to contend with and Archie is looking for the team to build some momentum in these games.
“It’s a good opportunity to string some results together, without a doubt. The first handful of games were always going to be tough with the way the fixtures were set but now we need to go on a run and there’s no better way to start that than with these three games we have at home.”
The new tier system in Scotland is allowing fans in certain areas of the country to return to stadia in small numbers and although that’s not yet the case at Firhill, Alan is looking forward to welcoming supporters back when the time does come.
“Everyone is desperate to see fans back in the stadium so hopefully it’s sooner rather than later. I’ve noticed it more at away grounds like last weekend when it was a bit eerie, to be honest. I think we’re just about used to it at Firhill at this point but the atmosphere will never fell normal without the buzz of the support.”
Next, Archie gave us updates on Jamie Sneddon and Zak Rudden who both went for surgeries this week to solve issues that had seen them miss recent fixtures.
“Jamie went for his operation this morning so we haven’t actually heard how his went yet. Zak’s was on Wednesday and he came through his fine so now for both of them it’s about getting stuck in to their rehab programs and trying to work their way back to fitness.
“Thankfully we were able to get them in for surgery fairly quickly. As you can imagine, there’s a lot of stress on the NHS at the moment and even going private, it’s tough to get booked in so we’re glad they both got sorted this week.”
Ciaran McKenna is another player who has missed time in the past few weeks and will have to go for surgery but Archibald says that Coronavirus protocols have slowed the process of his recovery.
“His has taken a bit longer because he was going to see a consultant to get a better look at it and you have to actually register a negative COVID test just to get in the door and be looked at so it’s just an example of how everything takes an extra couple of days at the moment.
“It’s the same for everyone obviously but it just so happens that we have a handful of key players out just now and these little things just mean it’s moving a bit more slowly than is typical.”
More exclusive preview interviews with Thistle assistant manager, Alan Archibald and Brian Graham are now available for JagZone subscribers to watch – log in to view.
We’re streaming our clash with Falkirk on Saturday afternoon. A pay-per-view pass costs just £10 for this match. Click here to purchase your pay-per-view pass.
We’ll also have extended highlights and a full game replay of the opening league match of the season on JagZone this Saturday evening.
Article Copyright © 2020. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
It was a return to Firhill for Partick Thistle as they hosted Falkirk on matchday four in the League One 2020/21 campaign. Thistle were looking to bounce back from late heartache at Cove after conceding a late goal whilst Falkirk were looking to maintain their unbeaten run.
The Jags manager, Ian McCall, made three changes for the game against Falkirk. Connor Murray, Joe Cardle and Ryan Williamson all came into the starting eleven with Mouhamed Niang, Richard Foster and Shea Gordon dropping to a depleted substitutes bench.
It was a beautiful day for football at Firhill as the sun was shining on the park, the wind was low, and the park looked terrific. The game started lively with Thistle controlling possession and looking confident on the ball, however, that all changed after ten minutes as Falkirk took the lead with the first serious action of the game. Callumn Morrison tried a shot from distance which deflected off Penrice’s leg who he tried to block the shot. This looped the ball high into the air dipping over Kieran Wright, giving Falkirk the early lead.
The Jags continued to perform on the front foot, pressing Falkirk back. This pressure eventually paid off as Ryan Williamson got high up the pitch to support the attack, hitting the touchline with the ball but before he could send in a cross, he was fouled by Falkirk’s defender Dixon. Brian Graham looked to level the scoring from the spot, but his penalty was saved as the keeper dived to his left.
Thistle looked to put the disappointment behind them as they continued to push for the equaliser, this time Connor Murray tried his luck at the Falkirk goal but P.J. Morrison produced a good save and put it out for a corner.
Falkirk almost doubled their lead before half time when the ball broke to one of their players in the box. It looked to be certain that the Jags were going into half time two goals down but somehow Anton Dowd’s shot came crashing off the post and spun away from goal.
As the first half ended Thistle came out all guns blazing the second half to get back into the game. In the opening minutes Cardle whipped over a freekick from the right-hand side, finding Docherty in space within the box, but he couldn’t get the power behind the shot to direct it towards goal. A couple of minutes later Brian Graham received the ball down the left hand side of Falkirk’s box, he turned and weaved to create space to cross the bal. His delivery looked as if it could sneak in at the back post but it narrowly evaded the post and went wide.
Brian Graham continued his one man crusade for a Jags leveller when he met another Joe Cardle free kick, but this side from the other side of the pitch. The power cross from the Jags number seven was met by Brian Graham who beat the keeper but also saw his header drift past the post.
That man Joe Cardle was involved once more in Thistle’s next attacking move but this time his hard work paid off. Blair Spittal sent in a cross which Brian Graham nodded down in the six yard box. Connor Murray challenged Mark Durnan for the ball but Joe Cardle came flying in to head the ball goalwards, beyond the despairing defender and into the net.
Like buses, two Thistle goals came along in quick succession as Thistle took the lead. Cardle turned provider after being picked out by Ross Docherty. His whipped cross was met by Brian Graham who headed home from close range to fire Thistle into the lead.
Blair Lyons was introduced to the action as Thistle looked to see our their lead with the pacy attacker coming dangerously close to intercepting slack passes by the Falkirk rearguard. There was a claim for a second Jags penalty when Lyons tumbled inside the box, but the match official waved away the claims. The ball broke to Stuart Bannigan who could only send his effort narrowly over the bar.
With time winding down, it looked like Thistle were set to take all three points from the match but with just a handful of minutes remaining on the clock, the Bairns snatched an equaliser. Conor Sammon got on the end of a looping deflected cross to tee up Charlie Telfer who powered a volley past Kieran Wright to level the scoring.
The game ended in a draw with Thistle putting in another strong second half performance that didn’t earn the points it deserved. Next up for Thistle is the final Betfred Cup group tie against Greenock Morton next Saturday at Firhill.
It was late drama once again for Partick Thistle as they conceded a late goal to drop two points against Falkirk at Firhill this afternoon. The Jags trailed early on as a result of a freak Callumn Morrison goal but battled back to lead thanks to headers from Joe Cardle and Brian Graham, however, a Charlie Telfer strike late in the day meant the points were shared at full-time. Jags boss Ian McCall spoke to ptfc.co.uk after the full-time whistle to give his thoughts on the match:
“It’s frustrating to drop points to a late goal again but I thought the boys did well today and I was proud of the performance. To fall behind so early to a freak goal like that one was tough but we came back into it and were on top for long spells.
“We had a couple of good chances at one-nil with the penalty and one that Ross Docherty had from four yards out but we kept pushing and got our goals deservedly.
“I have to give Joe Cardle a mention, it was a brilliant performance by him today with his goal and assist and that’s the sort of creativity we need every week.”
The opener came as James Penrice lofted the ball over his own goalkeeper and into the Thistle net but McCall felt that there should have been an offside flag before the incident.
“I have just spoken to the linesman to let my feelings be known on it. I was sitting in the stands and it seemed clear to me that he was half a yard or more the wrong side. I’ve now had a chance to see the video and you can see quite clearly that he’s off.
“After that, Morrison picks up the ball and Penrice tries to put a tackle in but it ricochets into the net and that’s a complete fluke.”
The gaffer complimented his team on how they managed to pick themselves up in the second half and get in front.
“After half-time I felt we dominated large parts of it, moving the ball around the pitch well and we were the better team by far. Docherty has that chance from Joe Cardle’s free-kick that he should have buried but then we get our goals and they were two well-worked goals, I thought.”
Ian was, however, disappointed to see his team concede in the closing stages again, dropping points in the process.
“We got a little bit nervy towards the end in the final 10 or 15 minutes as we try to see it out. They started to control a bit more of the ball and got the goal which comes from a deflected cross but it’s a good finish to be fair.
“As I’ve said already, we had big moments in the game and if we take our chances such as the penalty and some of our clear-cut opportunities either side of half-time then we could have been out of sight by the point they equalised.”
Thistle now sit on four points after four league games and McCall is hopeful that his side will be able to pick up more points over their next few games as the Jags aim to start climbing the table.
“I think you wait and look at the league after the first third of games are played and judge how well you’re doing at that point. We still have five games until we get there and we’ve already played Falkirk and Cove who are going to be two of the top teams in this division so now we have to kick on and get closer to the top end of the table.”
The Maryhill men now have a Betfred Cup fixture against Morton to contend with next weekend and Ian says he would rather have another league game to get stuck into.
“I think ideally we’d get to go straight back into the league but we’ve got this game to play in the cup. Brian Graham and Ross Docherty will be suspended so we’re depleted further for it so we’ll wait and see whether we have a chance of qualifying and base the team we pick off that.”
A further reaction interview with Thistle gaffer Ian McCall and Ryan Williamson 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 this evening.
Article Copyright © 2020. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Sat 7 November, 2020
SPFL League One 
Firhill Stadium
There is more late goal frustration for Thistle.
After trailing 1-0 at the break two goals to two minutes from Joe Cardle and Brian Graham had Thistle 2-1 and heading towards a vital three points.
There were under 3 minutes on the clock though when Falkirk sub Telfer fired home to deny Thistle the win that on the balance of play they would probably have merited.
Morrison shoots but it is an easy save for Wright.
Falkirk clear the corner and break forward.
Graham is fouled near the edge of the Falkirk box a few yards in from the goal line.
The 90 minutes have come and gone. Into injury time now.
The scores are level again. The ball falls into the path of Telfer about 8 yards out and he fires home.
Man of the Match: Joe Cardle
An inviting Lyons cross is headed clear after Graham lays the ball back to him.
Todd shoots from 20 yards but his shot is on the rise and clears Wright's bar. Not by much but enough.
Nearly a Falkirk equaliser. Mercer nods the ball down to Kelly and his first time shot is straight at Wright when either side of him would surely have produced a goal.
There are loud shouts for a Thistle penalty as Lyons cuts into the box. Referee Irvine though is uninterested and when the ball is worked back to Bannigan he spoons a shot over the crossbar.
This game has been turned on its head. This time Cardle is the provider with a cross that Graham bullets home with his head.
Thistle are level at last and it is fitting that it is Cardle that scores it as he has been a real threat to Falkirk throughout the game. Spittal's cross is headed on by Graham and Cardle is on hand to nod the ball home.
Falkirk have the chance to catch Thistle on the break but Leitch can't find Todd in space to his right.
Spittal takes the free kick but can do no better than clip the top of the Falkirk wall.
Spittal is fouled about 10 yards outside the Falkirk box in a central position.
Alston has a shot from outside the Thistle box but it is always drifting off target and this time Wright isn't required to make a save.
Leitch does really well to find space for a shot and it takes a good stop from Wright to prevent that shot from increasing the Falkirk lead.
With players over a Cardle cross takes a deflection which allows Morrison to gather the ball at his front post.
It's another excellent delivery from Cardle this time finding the head of Graham but his header drops wide of goal.
Penrice is fouled on the left and it is another Thistle set piece is a promising position.
It's an excellent free kick from Cardle and it finds Docherty right in front of goal but he is unable to direct the ball towards the Falkirk goal.
Cardle has the feet taken from under him and Thistle have a free kick in a promising position.
Wright is off his line quickly to punch clear an Alston cross.
No changes from Thistle at the interval.
Thistle are unfortunate to be behind but it has been a frustrating first 45 minutes of football for The Jags.
There was a real touch of good fortune surrounding the Falkirk's opening goal with Thistle handed the perfect opportunity to level things just three minutes later when Williamson was fouled in the box but Morrison was able to save Graham's penalty.
Murray tested the Falkirk keeper with a low drive and Thistle worked themselves into countless promising positions without truly threatening the Falkirk goal.
There was a major let off for Thistle almost right on half time when Dowds spurned a great chance when he struck the post when he really should have hit target.
Falkirk miss a glorious chance to extend their lead almost right on half time but Dowds strikes the post when he has the whole goal to aim at. A real let off for Thistle.
Spittal delivers a cross into the Falkirk box that no Thistle player is able to anticipate.
Cardle's deliver from the corner is good but it is cleared to Spittal at the edge of the box but his shot is blocked by a defender.
Alston's corner goes deep where it is too high for Dowds.
Cardle fouls Dixon on the left touchline and Falkirk have the chance to threaten the Thistle goal.
The second of two quick corners from Cardle is cleared. Bannigan returns the ball into the Falkirk box but Morrison takes charge and claims the ball.
Thistle come close again and Spittal sees his shot as the pressure on the Falkirk goal builds up.
Cardle is fouled wide on the right and Thistle have a free kick close to the corner flag. Cardle takes the free kick himself but it is headed clear.
Graham clips a ball into the box that looks as if it might be destined to land in the path of Cardle but Durnan gets enough of a touch on the ball to get it back safely to his goalkeeper.
Penrice swings a cross deep into the Falkirk box but Morrison is off his line to claim the ball ahead of Graham.
Murray forces Morrison into a save close to his right hand post.
A Cardle cross is too high for Graham and when Bannigan collects and crosses the ball is cleared.
Docherty makes up a lot of grounds to deny Dowds a chance after he collects a pass from Morrison.
Thistle can make nothing of the corner that follows Graham's penalty miss.
Graham takes the penalty. He aims it to Morrison's left and the Falkirk keeper guesses correctly and pushes the ball behind for a corner.
Williamson is brought down and Thistle are going to have a chance to tie the scores.
Just what Thistle didn't want and there is a real touch of bad luck about this one as Morrison knows little about it as the ball breaks off him and loops over Wright's head and finds the back of the net.
Breen and then Graham get their heads to Cardle's free kick but neither header threatens the Falkirk goal and the ball is cleared.
Wiiliamson is caught off the ball and Thistle have a free kick just in from the right hand touchline midway inside the Falkirk half.
Docherty chips a ball into the Falkirk box that Cardle despite getting into a good position is unable to hook the ball towards the Falkirk goal.
Alston takes the free kick and shoots for goal but Wright sees his shot coming and is able to collect without moving.
Falkirk have a free kick at the left hand corner of the Thistle box.
Morrison puts another cross into the Thistle box that Brownlie again clears.
Brownlie does well to clear a dangerous looking cross from Morrison.
Falkirk kick the game off and Thistle will be shooting towards the John Lambie Stand in the opening 45 minutes.
Manager Ian McCall has made three changes to the starting eleven as Thistle look to grab a vital three points against Falkirk.
Into his starting eleven come Ryan Williamson, making his first start of the season, Joe Cardle and Connor Murray.
Shea Gordon, Mouhamed Niang and Richard Foster are the trio that drop to te bench to make way for them.
Falkirk list ex Jags Ben Hall and Gary Miller in their starting eleven with Conor Sammon on the bench.