Betfred Cup
Tue 17 July, 2018. Kick Off: - 19:45
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Fixture Information:
Admission Details:
This fixture is a PAY AT THE GATE fixture
Prices:
Adults – £12
Concessions – £6
A concession is qualified as a person under 18, over 65 or a student with a valid matriculation card.
Thistle fans can purchase tickets for our home matches from ptfctickets.co.uk.
Thistle’s Betfred Cup ties are NOT available on the 2018/19 Partick Thistle season ticket
Season ticket holders are able to add the game to their card.
Tonight sees Thistle return to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill for the first time this season with fellow Championship side, Greenock Morton, the opponents. With the Jags’ Betfred Cup campaign getting off to a winning start on Saturday at Ochilview Thistle gaffer, Alan Archibald, is anticipating a tougher test against the Ton. Archibald took time out of his day to take ptfc.co.uk though some key points ahead of the match.
“It’s certainly going to be an interesting game, especially with the matches coming as quickly as they do at this time of year. It will be a tougher test than Saturday I think as we come up against a full time team who are likely to be fitter and sharper. It’s a team similar to ourselves though in terms of they’ve been through a bit of a rebuild over the summer with a lot of players moving on, so it is all set up to be an intriguing contest.
“We’re all looking forward to being back at home and the pitch is looking superb so we know we’ll have a decent surface to play on. These groups are so tight and this is going to be a crucial clash but we are definitely looking forward to it.”
Thistle raced into a two goal lead after six minutes, Archibald’s side failed to capitalise on the early dominance, something the gaffer was keen to improve on.
“I think having had a look back over Saturday’s game it was much as we thought, a great start but then we probably took our foot off the gas a little bit. There were definitely things we could have done better but there’s a lot of new relationships in this side so it will take some time and work – that’s one of the big focuses for us to work on in the coming weeks and months.”
With midfielder, Shea Gordon, getting both goals against The Warriors, Archibald was encouraged to see goals coming from across the pitch and that is something he is keen to build on.
“We need to make the pitch as big as possible on Tuesday night and that comes from getting the support to our striker up the pitch. We saw that working to our advantage on Saturday and getting goals from all over the pitch is something we have struggled with in recent years. We can’t simply rely on Kris Doolan to score our goals every season – especially as he’s more or less the only striker in the building at the moment.
“We must get support to those forward players and get bodies in the box. Dools isn’t the kind of striker where we can just lump balls to him and we recognise that so the support really is crucial.”
Finally, Archibald took us through the latest all important squad news ahead of Morton’s visit.
“We came through Saturday more or less unscathed, apart from Aaron Lennox of course. He’s away for a scan but it looks like he might have taken a bad one to the knee so we continue with our bad luck in terms of goalkeepers in this competition. The good thing is Cammy Bell will come back into contention. That isn’t taking anything away from young Jamie Sneddon though who I thought was excellent on Saturday when he came on.
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Can’t make The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill? Jagzone members can listen to live audio commentary of the match. JagZoneLIVE begins at 7:30pm on Tuesday night.
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Article Copyright © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Three days after their season opener against Stenhousemuir, Partick Thistle returned to action with their first home game of the new campaign. Morton were the visitors in Maryhill as the Betfred Cup entered its second round of group stage fixtures.
There was one change to the team who ran out 2-0 winners at Ochilview on Saturday as the injured Aaron Lennox was replaced by Cammy Bell, who was making his Thistle debut. The defence was unchanged with James Penrice, Tam O’Ware, Sean McGinty and Christie Elliott making up the back four again. Once again it was Craig Slater and Shea Gordon at the base of the midfield in behind Blair Spittal, Jack Storer and Chris Erskine. Kris Doolan started alone up front.
The game started quickly with a shot on goal within a minute for the hosts. A Morton tackle inadvertently knocked the ball into the path of Kris Doolan in the Ton box. He fired a shot on goal with his weaker right foot but his effort was beaten away by Ryan Scully.
Thistle were dominating the early proceedings and that dominance led to the Jags breaking the deadlock in the 16th minute. A cross from Thistle number 17, Craig Slater was headed clear by a Morton man but the bouncing ball fell the way of Jack Storer, 25 yards from goal. Without thinking twice, Storer slammed a half-volley towards goal, meeting the ball on the rise and finding the top corner. The goal was Jack’s first in the red and yellow and he’ll do well to score a better one.
The home side would double their lead just 13 minutes later with a very different goal. The opener was a long-range belter out of nowhere; however, the second was a well-worked team goal that started with the defence. Towards the end of the move, Christie Elliott played a well-timed pass through to Chris Erskine on the right hand side of the Morton box. Erskine then played a low ball across the face of goal, which came to James Penrice at the back post. The young full-back then finished confidently, netting his first Thistle goal as Jack Storer had done earlier in the game.
It was very nearly 3-0 in the 32 minute when Tam O’Ware went close from six yards. It was Craig Slater who delivered the free kick into the danger area and O’Ware was the man who rose to meet the ball. He tried a deft flick into the far corner but his attempt rebounded back off the post.
That was the final clear chance of a good first half for Thistle and the Jags went into the break with a two goal lead as they did on Saturday.
Early in the second period, they made a change with Alan Archibald calling on Miles Storey to replace goal hero, Jack Storer and then in the hour mark, another change was made when Andy McCarthy was introduced to the match in place of Blair Spittal.
In the 67th minute, substitute Miles Storey almost set up a third using his bundles of pace. The number 19 burst past his man with blistering speed and whipped a left-footed cross into the front post. He found Chris Erskine who tried to volley the ball as he ran into the delivery but his effort rifled a yard or two wide of the near post.
With 17 minutes left, Morton pulled a goal back. A quick throw-in saw Chris Millar lay the ball off to Michael Tidser. The Ton playmaker then fed a lovely pass into Reghan Tumilty who ran into it and struck a low effort on goal. Unsighted by a couple of bodies, Cammy Bell was unable to stop the shot bulleting into the bottom corner as the visitors dragged themselves back into the game.
Morton came closest to an equaliser with four minutes of the regulation 90 left. Charlie Telfer slotted a great ball into Scott MacLean who then smashed an angled effort on goal. The powerful drive was saved by Bell but he had a bit of trouble diverting it past the post although he just about did.
That chance proved to be Morton’s last big one as Thistle ground out the 2-1 victory. The win puts Thistle in a great position ahead of a trip to Cliftonhill next Tuesday with six points from a possible six so far in Group E.
THISTLE TEAM: Bell, Penrice, McGinty, O’Ware, Elliott, Gordon, Slater, Erskine, Storer (Storey 52′), Spittal (McCarthy, 60′), Doolan.
UNUSED SUBS (PTH): Sneddon, Wilson, Fitzpatrick.
MORTON TEAM: Scully, Tumilty, Iredale (Strapp 69′), Buchanan, Kilday, Telfer (Purdue 82′), Millar, McAlister, McHugh (Oliver 65′), Tidser, MacLean
UNUSED SUBS (MOR): Gaston, Langan, Armour, Hynes
Article Copyright © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
After almost two full months away, football returned to the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill this evening as Morton visited Maryhill. The game represented our first at home for the new season and Thistle faced the stern test of a Ton side that’s been rebuilt over the summer. The game was right and nervy towards the end but the hosts edged out the travelling Morton team with the match ending 2-1. A thunderbolt from Jack Storer in the 16th minute and a James Penrice finish saw the home side to victory despite Reghan Tumilty’s second half strike. In the end, it was another three group stage points in the bag for Thistle and Jags boss, Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk following the final whistle.
Alan began by reflecting on a game of two halves. First half, it was Thistle dominance, however, Morton pulled themselves right back into things for the second 45 and will be feeling a bit disappointed with defeat.
“In the first half we used the ball well, moved it quickly and created some decent chances. Like Saturday, I felt we could have been a bit better with our final ball but you can’t complain too much when you’re two goals up at half time. Despite that, we fell away in the second half. Morton came out with a renewed optimism and confidence, which we let grow throughout the second half. In the end, they could have easily nicked an equaliser which is disappointing when you consider the dominant position we were in at the break.”
Archie did praise Jack Storer, who found the back of the net in the opening stages with a goal that might have won the goal of the season award already. The number 11 let fly on the half-volley and his effort arrowed into the top corner, bearing Ryan Scully all ends up.
“Jack’s a talented lad and he has that in his locker. He’s still young and has plenty to learn but we definitely feel that he has plenty to offer for us and hopefully we’ll see more of that as the season progresses.”
With only five names on the bench this evening, the gaffer admitted that there is still a lot of work to do in the transfer market but he knows what areas need addressing and is already looking at potential targets to help fill the squad.
“We know our business is far from finished. We’re still light on numbers and ideally we’d have a better bench to help us towards the end of game’s like tonight’s but the squad isn’t done yet. We are actively looking but you want the right fit. You want guys with hunger and a desire to play and those players aren’t always easy to find.”
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers and will be followed by reaction from Shea Gordon and Jamie Sneddon. Log in now to see it as soon as it is available.
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Article Copyright © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Tue 17 July, 2018
Betfred Cup 
The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill
Two first half goals proved to be enough for Thistle to collect their second win of the season and leave themselves in a good position in group E of the Betfred Cup.
It was though a far from convincing second half performance with Morton the better side for the vast majority of it. Tumilty's goal with 17 minutes remaining was well taken and well deserved.
There were more than a few anxious moments before the full-time whistle but Bell was only required to makes one real save when a MacLean shot nearly squeezed into the corner of the net.
Thistle now top the section with 6 points to Ayr and Stenhousemuir's 3 points but those sides will have the chance to draw level with Thistle at the weekend with The Jags sitting out the next round of fixtures.
Storey is pealised for a push as he tries to reach Slater's free kick.
Erskine is fouled and Thistle have a free kick inside the Morton half.
Thistle have a goal kick. Again Bell in no hurry to take it.
Slater does well but Morton have a throw and continue to press as we go into injury time.
The flag goes up for offside against MacLean and Thistle have a free kick tat Bell is in no hurry to take.
Elliott's poor clearance is siezed up by purdue who shoots over the bar. Thistle hanging on here.
MacLean's shot nearly squirms under Bell but the keeper gets enough of the ball to get it wide.
Thistle Man of the Match: Jack Storer
There is space inside the box for Strapp to get a header at the Thistle goal but it goes over the bar.
Crowd: 2,088
Telfer's deep cross finds Strapp inside the Thistle box but he is stretching to reach the ball and can only send his header wide of goal.
That's been coming all half. Tumilty finds space at the edge of the box and he fires a low shot past Bell and into the bottom corner of the net. An excelent finish from the Mortomn full back.
Millar isn't too far off target when he looks up and elects to shoot from 25 yards out. The ball goes just wide of Bell's right hand post though.
Much better from Thistle. Storey has been lively since coming on and his cross is met by Erskine who fires wide.
Penrice's cross, after a neat pass from Storey, is cleared. Better from Thistle.
Bell makes a good catch from a Telfer cross.
McGinty gets his head to Slater's free kick but no Thistle player is able to get hold of the ball.
Storey opens things up for Thistle and gets the ball out wide to Elliott on the right. His cross though is overhit and play restarts with a Morton goal kick.
Bell gets a hand to a low shot from Kilday that helps keep Thistle two goal advantage but it is looking a precarious lead at the moment.
Although MacLean's effort is well wide of target Thistle are inviting pressure from Morton at the moment.
O'Ware clears after Tumilty's cross causes problems for Thistle.
O'Ware heads clear as Morton continue to press.
Elliott makes a neat interception but then gets caught and gives away a free kick.
Tidser's corner is deep and Doolan is able to head clear. Morton still on the attack though.
A good showing from Thistle sees them take a two goal lead into the dressing room at half-time.
The first goal, a tremendous half volley from Jack Storer from 25 yards plus out, will be hard to top all season.
The second that arrived 12 minutes later wasn't quite in the same category but was a well crafted goal all the same with James Penrice netting after good play from Elliott and Erskine on the right hand side.
Thistle have been a little careless at times and Morton were pressing for a way back into the game when the half-time whistle sounded.
Morton are finishing the half on top as Thistle get just a little careless in possession.
Erskine is getting himself into some good positions but this time it is Spittal whose pass is just a shade too heavy.
Slater takes his time to try and pick out Erskine's run forward but his pass is just over hit.
That's the closest we've been to a Morton goal with Telfer's effort from the right side of the box just clearing the back post.
Penrice and then Slater get the corner clear.
Slater's corner s met by the head of O'Ware and he is only denied a goal against his fornmer club by the post.
As Elliott sends over a cross from the right the referee stops play for an earlier foul on Erskine.
Thistle have been a threat down the right and that is where the goal comes from. Elliott pushes the ball into the path of Erskine whose cross finds Penrice who knocks the ball homne from close range.
Storer with the corner this time. It's aimed low towards the front post and cleared. The ball hitting off Gordon and going out for a goal kick.
Tidser has a shot for Morton from outside the box but there is no power in his shot and Bell has an easy save to make.
Slater's corner is poor and Morton break quickly and should make more of a situation that sees them have two men free on the left hand side.
Slater sends over the corner but as the ball comes ovewr the referee spots a foul from O'Ware and Morton have a free kick.
That will hard to top all season. A Pentice cross is headed clear but only as far as Jack Storer who from fully 30 yards thunders a shot high into the back of the net.
Erskine's excellent crossfield pass finds Penrice on the left. Penrice crosses but his ball is just too high for Gordon.
Erskine's ball over the top of the Morton defence catches Spittal in an offside position.
Erskine nearly threads a pass through to Doolan but Buchanan is there to intercept.
That's a better ball in from Spittal this time. It's deep to the back post but McGinty is able to hook the ball back towards goal where Scully, at a stretch, claws the ball away.
Kilday under a little pressure from Doolan does well to head the ball back to Scully.
Spittal tries to curl a cross into the Morton box from the right hand side but there is far too much pace obn the ball and it drifts out of play for a goal kick.
There is a free header for Morton at the back post from the corner but the ball is a little too high for MacLean who can't direct his header downwards.
First chance for Thistle. Gordon pushes through a pass for Doolan but Sculyy is able to push Doolan's drive away.
Another season of football at The Energy Check Stadium at Firhill begins tonight with a vvisit of Morton in the Betfred Cup.
The two sides had contrasting starts to the new season at the weekend. While Thistle were busy starting the season with a 2-0 win at Stenhousemuir, Morton were going down to a 3-1 defeat at Ayr United.
That means a win is all but essential for Morton to keep their hopes alive of progressing to the knock out stage of the tournament. For Thistle, three points would put them in a good position ahead of the remaining group matches.
The Thistle side selected for tonight's game shows just the one change from the side that started the season with a win and that change comes in goal where Cammy Bell comes in to make his Thistle debut.