cinch Championship
Fri 14 January, 2022. Kick Off: - 19:45
Firhill Stadium
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.
It’s the first game at Firhill in 2022 this Friday for Partick Thistle as they host Kilmarnock in the cinch Championship. The Jags got the new year started with a 2-2 draw against Hamilton last weekend but will now look to go one better as Killie visit Maryhill. The Ayrshire side got the Derek McInnes era off to a winning start as they beat Queen of the South 2-0 at Palmerston Park last Saturday and will be keen to repeat the result they got last time they came to Firhill when an own goal and an Oli Shaw volley saw them take three points. Thistle assistant manager Neil Scally spoke to ptfc.co.uk to preview the clash:
“It’s obviously a really big game for both teams and one that we’ve been looking forward to. We’ve been preparing well this week and having missed games and some training over the past few weeks, every session has been vital for us. Add in the gametime we got against Hamilton and we’re in a good place ahead of the match.”
Reflecting on the 2-2 draw against Accies at the Fountain of Youth Stadium, Neil was disappointed the team didn’t manage to win the game.
“I thought we were the better team overall, certainly the more creative and if we’d taken our chances then we could have won by a couple. Early on they were on top but we grew into things and looked the more dangerous of the two teams.
“To be fair, in terms of general play, it was probably fairly even but when you look at chances Tiff had a couple of chances that he could have done better with, Brian had one, Holty had a header cleared off the line and there were a couple of deflected shots that were very close so ultimately we came off the pitch feeling like we should have taken the three points rather than one.”
Now the Jags prepare to face third-placed Kilmarnock and although they’ve recently changed manager, Scally doesn’t expect a drastic change of approach from the Rugby Park outfit.
“This season they’ve been a fairly direct and physical team who are tough to score against and I don’t think that’ll change now that Derek is in charge. Against Queen of the South they set up a bit differently but, as I say, I don’t think the way they go about the game will be massively different.”
A win would bring Thistle within a point of their opponents with a game in hand and Neil reckons that should be a big incentive for the Jags’ players going into the game.
“At the moment, we’re playing catch-up because of the games that have been called off so every game is a chance to put pressure on everyone else and when you’ve got a game against one of the other top five teams it’s even more so.
“For us, we know how big a win would be in this game but Kilmarnock will be thinking the same thing. We’re getting to a point in the season when the importance of each game goes up week after week so we just need to keep a level head and focus on getting a result.”
To finish, Neil gave us the latest team news ahead of the clash.
“We’re now getting the squad back to full strength after having had so many players missing a couple of weeks ago. Shea Gordon is going out on loan to Queen of the South which is one change but there are no new injuries to talk about at the moment which is great news.”
Exclusive video interviews with Neil Scally and Kyle Turner will be available for JagZone subscribers to watch today – log in to view.
Due to current national restrictions on outdoor event attendances, a limited number of Thistle fans will be allowed to attend this fixture at Firhill. Entry to the game was decided by a ballot and fans who were successful have been notified.
A PPV live stream is available for supporters to purchase, priced at £12 – 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 turned out at Firhill for the first time of 2022 as Kilmarnock came to Glasgow for some Friday night action under the lights.
The Jags had started their new year with a 2-2 draw against Hamilton six days prior while Kilmarnock had beaten Queen of the South 2-0 the previous weekend in what was new manager Derek McInnes’ first game in charge.
Two changes were made by Ian McCall to the team which drew against Accies with Stuart Bannigan and Cammy Smith replacing Kyle Turner and Brian Graham who both took a spot on the bench.
The away side dominated the opening stages but struggled to create clear chances. The best they could muster was an effort from Oli Shaw from just inside the box after he’d escaped the attentions of Lewis Mayo but the ex-Hibernian forward didn’t get anywhere near enough power on the attempt and Jamie Sneddon simply fell on the ball.
Them all of a sudden, after 19 minutes, there was a huge chance for Killie. A pass into Callum Hendry was expertly laid off by the number 16 into the path of Blair Alston who was rushing towards the box. The midfielder moved through a huge gap in the Jags backline and tried his luck from 18 yards out. His shot was firm but central and was parried away easily by Jamie Sneddon.
Thistle first serious sight of goal came just before the hour mark as Zak Rudden and Cammy Smith played a quick one-two that got the former into the visitors’ penalty area. Unfortunately for Rudden, Kilmarnock goalkeeper Zach Hemming was out sharply to smother his finish and force it out for a corner.
Rudden had another opportunity three minutes later as Richard Foster picked the striker out with a low cross from the right wing. The number 10 tried a first time swinging strike but didn’t quite get the connection he was looking for and saw the shot trundle into Zach Hemming’s arms.
At this point, the hosts had taken control of proceeding and their improvement within the game almost paid dividends as Cammy Smith went close to an opener in the 42nd minute. Stuart Bannigan lifted an exquisite ball out to the left flank for Kevin Holt and the left-back then drilled a low ball across the box which made its way to Smith on the opposite side. He took a touch and fired a shot towards the far bottom corner but was denied by a goalmouth clearance from Brandon Haunstrup.
Killie improved at the start of the second half and probably should have had the opener 11 minutes after the restart. After Callum Hendry slipped on the ball in the box it fell to Lee Hodson whose deflected shot fell to Oli Shaw. The number nine was six yards out with plenty of the goal to aim at but had his shot saved and held by a recovering Jamie Sneddon.
The away side would get their deadlock-breaking goal though and it came as the result of a contentious penalty award. Oli Shaw ran onto a ball in behind the Jags defence and tried to lift a cross into the box. The delivery was blocked by arm of Richard Foster who appeared to have his arm by his side, however, referee Nick Walsh quickly pointed to the spot.
Oli Shaw stepped up and made amends for his earlier miss by sending Jamie Sneddon the wrong way and getting his second goal in two games at Firhill this term.
Kilmarnock then began to sit in, defending their one-goal lead and even bringing on an extra centre-half in the form of Euan Murray. That tactic seemed to be working until Ross Docherty produced a moment of magic in the 88th minute. Lewis Mayo picked up the ball in the defensive half and charged forward through a gap in the Killie midfield before feeding the ball to Docherty. The Thistle skipper then took a touch before unleashing a pure strike which flew into the bottom right-hand corner of Zach Hemming’s goal.
That was how things finished as Thistle came from behind to claim a point against their adversaries from Ayrshire. Next up for the Maryhill men is a Scottish Cup clash with Airdrieonians at Firhill. That one is a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, 22nd January.
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.
Firhill hosted its first game of football of 2022 as Kilmarnock came to Maryhill this evening for some Friday night action. The Ayrshire side were 2-0 winners away from home against Thistle earlier this season and looked set to take another three points from Glasgow after Oli Shaw’s controversial second half penalty, however, Ross Docherty popped up with a captain’s contribution in the 88th minute to secure a point for his side. Jags boss Ian McCall spoke to ptfc.co.uk after the game:
“I thought we were the better team for most of that game. We controlled the middle of the park and the two guys at the centre of that were Ross Docherty and Stuart Bannigan. At the end of the day, to score late like that to earn a point is a great feeling but we thought we shouldn’t have been in that position in the first place.
“We’ve seen the penalty incident back and we feel really hard done by on that one. If that one is a penalty then the one in the first half when Kevin Holt is going forward should be a penalty too but look, the credit goes to the boys for bouncing back from that and making sure it didn’t decide the game.”
Reflecting on the first half, the gaffer felt his team were able to find some good positions although they should have made more of them.
“There were moments when we looked really dangerous but we didn’t make the most of it. One drops to Doc at the edge of the box but he gets it all wrong and Tiff had a chance to shoot which he didn’t take. We did have one really big chance with Cammy Smith but credit to their defender who makes a great block to keep it out.”
The team had to wait until two minutes from time to get their leveller and the manager was full of praise for his squad’s attitude when chasing a goal.
“We had to push right until the end and we did that. It’s a group of players who I know will give their all and will always show that pride while they’re on the pitch. The subs who came on were the same and I thought Kyle, Brian and Ross all contributed well to the way we finished the match.”
Although the fans who were in the ground made plenty of noise, McCall said he couldn’t help but think about what it would have been like with an unrestricted capacity.
“They gave us a great backing tonight and it didn’t sound like only 500. I just wish we could have had a few thousand Jags fans in tonight seeing the way the team battled and fought to get the draw. I’ve said since I came in that the link between the crowd and the team is very important to me and hopefully the supporters appreciate the guts the boys showed tonight.”
Now Thistle look towards a cup clash with Airdrieonians at Firhill as the Maryhill look to reach the next round of the Scottish Cup but Ian says he expects a stern test from the Diamonds.
“They’re a good team who are doing well in League One at the moment so it won’t be an easy game at all. We go into it with plenty of confidence and belief though and will be looking to get into the next round. Also, we’ll be welcoming more fans back in and I’m hopeful we’ll see a really good crowd for that game.”
Further reaction from Thistle manager Ian McCall and Ross Docherty will be available for JagZone subscribers to watch tonight – 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.
Fri 14 January, 2022
cinch Championship 
Firhill Stadium
Ross Docherty's equaliser 4 minutes from the end earned Thistle a point when it looked as if a controversial penalty for handball converted by Shaw just before the hour mark would be enough to give Kilmarnock the points.
Hemming palms the corner away and when Thistle return the ball into the box the most unpopular man inside Firhill collects it.
Kilmarnock break and Thistle are under some pressure. The break of the ball looks going against Thistle and presenting Killie with a chance until Akinola steps in to clear.
There will be a minimum of 4 minutes additional time.
MacIver flicks on but Graham can't keep his shot down.
All of a sudden Thistle have the scent of a winner as Holt volleys over from the edge of the box.
Thistle are level. Mayo charges forward from the back and pushes a pass to Docherty to his right. Docherty's effort from just outside the box leaves Hemming with no chance.
Hemming takes charge and claims Turner's corner while under little pressure.
Tiffoney manages to find space inside the box but makes a mess of his cross.
MacIver wins a flick on but Foster can't get on the end of it and Hemming collects. Thistle don't look like finding an equaliser at the moment.
Tiffoney gets the ball in a good position deep inside the Kilmarnock half but over hits his pass looking for Graham's forward run.
Some fairly blatant play attacking from the Killie keeper, which is fooling nobody, holds the game up.
Turner's corner is flicked away from goal by a Killie defender.
Graham is again involved for Thistle but he can't get enough curl on his shot from the left hand side of the Kilmarnock box is get the ball beyond Hemming.
Graham comes deep to win the ball and passes to Tiffoney. Tiffoney looks for a free kick as he tries to wriggle his way towards goal but referee Walsh is uninterested,
A low shot from the edge of the box from Graham is too straight to trouble Hemming.
The corner finds Taylor at the back post but it is an easy save for Sneddon.
Shaw slams the penalty home.
A cross strikes the trailing hand of Foster and the visitors are given the softest of soft penalties.
Great chance for Killie. After a Hendry shot is blocked the ball spins right to Shaw but he can only stab the ball straight at Sneddon.
A Tiffoney cross is a shade too high for Rudden.
A McKenzie shot is blocked by Foster near the edge of the Thistle 6 yard box.
Thistle have got stronger as the game progressed and will feel slightly unfortunate not to take a narrow lead into the dressing room at half-time.
A net bound Smith was deflected away from goal with half-time just two minutes away after Rudden had earlier spurned a good opportunity following a Docherty cross.
It's been anything but one way traffic however and Sneddon had to be at his pest to push an Alston shot away on the 20 minute mark.
Sneddon gets a strong hand to a cross from the left with Bannigan on hand to complete the clearance.
Smith's corner is cleared. Thistle are well on top at the moment and probably don't want to hear the half-time whistle.
Bannigan picks out Holt with a great pass. Holt in turn finds Smith with his cross and his shot is deflected wide.
Hemming is quickly off his line to claim Smith's corner at the edge of his 6 yard box.
A Foster cross is flicked on into the path of Holt but his touch is poor and isn't able to manage an effort on goal.
Best chance yet for Thistle. Docherty crosses from the right and Rudden has space as he gets away from his marker but he doesn't get enough on his shot allowing Hemming to save.
It's Bannigan with the corner on the right and it is a good one but the referee spots an infringement and awards Killie a free kick.
Smith and Rudden exchange passes giving Rudden an opportunity but Hemming is quickly off his line to block Rudden's effort though Thistle do earn a corner.
A low Rudden cross is thumped to safety.
Foster crosses from the right that Smith is able to get his head too but his glancing header is well wide of Hemming's right hand post.
Shaw has an effort for Killie but as the ball bounces in front of him he can do little more than lift a shot tamely over Sneddon's crossbar.
Thistle are less than convincing in getting the corner away but the immediate danger is cleared.
Killie are close to opening the scoring. Alston finds room inside the box and is takes an excellent save from Sneddon to palm the ball away from goal.
Taylor totally misjudges a ball lumped forward by Mayo. Rudden is quickly on the ball but the flag goes up for offside.
Thistle are able to threaten though and Bannigan touches the ball to Docherty whose shot is blocked by a defender.
The Thistle fans are trying to generate some kind of atmosphere but the action on the pitch is very scrappy at the moment.
Sneddon looses a grip of a cross as he is barged to the ground by Taylor with the referee awarding Thistle an obvious free kick despite Taylor's pleas of innocence.
There are shouts for handball at the edge of the box as Smith is challenged after collecting a Rudden flick on.
Tiffoney has a shot from outside the box that goes wide of target.
Smith takes the corner and it is delivered into a good area inside the six yard box but it is well defended and headed clear.
Tiffoney wins Thistle the first corner of the game.
And Thistle are on the front foot early on as Smith sees a shot blocked by a defender.
Kilmarnock kick the game off. Thistle will be shooting towards the John Lambie Stand in the first half.
Another calendar year of football at Firhill begins with the visit of Kilmarnock.
Sadly Covid regulations means that there will be a maximum of just 500 Thistle fans inside the stadium for a fixture that under normal circumstances would have attracted a large and noisy crowd.
It's still a potentially highly significant fixture despite the lack of numbers and Ian McCall has made two changes to the side that started at Hamilton at the weekend.
Into the starting eleven come Stuart Bannigan and Cammy Smith while Kyle Turner and Brian Graham drop to the bench.