SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership
Tue 3 April, 2018. Kick Off: - 19:45
Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall
Supporters’ Information:
Admission Details:
Thistle supporters will be located in the North East Extension.
Prices:
Adults – £24
Concessions(students with a valid matriculation card and over 65s) – £14
Juniors(Under 18s) – £5
Disabled person and Carer – £14
For any wheelchair requests, please contact Ross County Football Club direct on 01349 860860
Supporters’ Buses:
City Centre Branch:
Pick ups:
Q Club – 13:50
Station Bar – 14:00
Non members welcome.
Please call 07979496154 or email to book.
Jordanhill Branch:
Pick ups:
Jordanhill Station – TBC
Thornwood Bar – TBC
Prices:
TBC for adults
TBC for concessions
TBC for parent and child
All Jags fans are welcome but booking is essential.
For seats please contact Alistair on 07817612563 or email
For general enquires please contact Iain on 07779668357 or email
North-West Branch:
Pick ups:
Milngavie Station – 14:30
Esquire House – 14:50
Jordanhill Station – 15:00
Maryhill Community Halls – 15;10
Please note: This coach is being shared so seats are limited.
Prices:
£25 for adults
£15 for concessions.(School aged children, unwaged adults, senior citizens & matriculated students)
For seats call 0141 632 3604 before 21:00 or e-mail
Partick Thistle face the challenge of a second game in four days as they travel to Dingwall to take on Ross County in a crucial battle at the bottom of the table tomorrow. The Jags lost out 2-0 despite a solid performance especially in the first half. The Maryhill men showed a vast improvement against the Hibees when their display against Hearts two weeks prior is considered and could have taken the lead with 20 minutes to go had they not seen a goal chalked off. Now they turn their attentions to tonight’s game against County. A win for the Jags would see Thistle move six points clear of their opponents, however, a Staggies victory would take County above the Jags on goal difference. The game is one of the biggest of this season’s relegation fight and ptfc.co.uk spoke to Alan Archibald to preview the clash.
Archie began by outlining the importance of tonight’s game and ensuring that everyone understands that the game could be season defining.
“It’s a huge game and everyone knows that. It’s the same for both clubs; it’s probably the perfect example of a ‘six-pointer’. They have the incentive of being able to come off the bottom of the table if they win so they’ll be right up for it and we need to be as well. We did well for long spells on Saturday but we lost so now the boys just want to be back on the park.”
Thistle were perhaps a tad unlucky with decisions on Saturday as they were defeated by Hibs but the gaffer wants his players to cast that from their minds so they can focus on what’s ahead rather than dwelling on what’s been and gone.
“We didn’t get the rub of the green but that’s just what football is like sometimes. You can’t expect everything to go your way and sometimes the big ones go against you. It’s important that we can take the positives from our performance and try to develop that without thinking back to the result. That’s in the past now and all we can do is go out and get the result we want at County.”
During the defeat by Hibs, Thistle lost their goalkeeper Tomas Cerny to injury so we asked Alan to give us an update on the number one’s condition.
“The injury is one that Tomas has had before which makes it easier for us to handle. Overall, it’s our decision whether we’d want to risk him or not. He’s getting slightly better each day but if we do risk him we could lose him for a long period and we don’t want to be missing him for longer than necessary. It’s something that will involve close communication with our medical team and we’ll make a decision with the help of their advice.”
The Thistle boss then spoke about the team’s confidence. The side haven’t won since the end of January and are without a goal in three games but he hopes they’ll take encouragement from the way they played at the weekend and use that against a County team with confidence problems of their own.
“I think confidence can be very important to any team. It’s very difficult to get the best out of your players if they aren’t feeling confident and that will be affected when you don’t win for a while. It can affect decision making on the park and can make players mess up simple things. Ultimately, there will be two teams tonight who are both struggling and we just have to impose ourselves and find our confidence through a positive start to the game.”
Thistle travel to Dingwall tonight looking to extend their lead over bottom club, Ross County with a win. Kick-off is 19:45 from the Global Energy Stadium.
More exclusive preview interviews with Niall Keown and Jags gaffer, Alan Archibald are now available to Jagzone subscribers – log in now to see them.
Jagzone members will also be able to watch extended highlights of the game.
Can’t make it to the Global Energy Stadium? Jagzone members can listen to live audio commentary of the match. JagZoneLIVE begins at 7:15pm on Tuesday.
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 © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Thistle headed north to Dingwall looking for three valuable Ladbrokes Premiership points which would put a bit of daylight between themselves and Ross County. It was a deeply disappointing 90 minutes for everyone of a Jags persuasion as the home side ran out 4-0 winners on a snowy night in the Highlands. Manager Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk shortly after the full time whistle to give his thoughts on the match.
“The game didn’t start great and so it proved. It was fast and frantic with a lot of long balls. Just as it was starting to settle down, County went and got their goal. They kicked on from it and we did not get a reaction from it, which was the most disappointing thing. We knew the first goal was going to be pivotal tonight and we just didn’t respond.”
With the Jags trailing by two goals, the gaffer made a double half time substitution in a bid to get back in the match, but it was to prove in vain.
“The game wasn’t over at half time and we brought on Erskine and Spittal in a bid to get that goal back. We thought County might have been vulnerable; the same as us, if we got a goal back in the second half but at 3-0 the game is over. Our defending was so poor and it didn’t let our forward thinking players get into the game. Ross County gave us three warnings before they got their third goal and that was disappointing. We didn’t see enough from the players.”
The side slid to the bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership table after tonight’s defeat and with just six games left, Alan knows the side are running out of time to climb the table.
“It will be a tough run in and we’ve got to concentrate on it. The good thing is we are still within touching distance of the teams above us. Tonight’s game gave us the opportunity to close the gap on the teams above us and we didn’t take it. We’re going to have that chance over the next few games and while it is there we have to get results.
“We’ve got another game this Saturday, albeit a very tough game against a top six side. It is time to go and stand up. We can’t hide and feel sorry for ourselves after tonight’s result.”
A more in depth video interview with Alan Archibald is available now to Jagzone subscribers. Log in now to see it.
Jagzone subscribers can rewatch the full 90 minutes soon.
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 © 2018. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk
Tue 3 April, 2018
SPFL Ladbrokes Premiership 
Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall
An absolutely terrible night for the Jags as an Alex Schalk hat-trick helps to sink the visitors 4-0. There wasn't much in the first half but two goals made sure the home side had a comfortable lead at half time and in truth they never really looked back from there.
Some massive games for the Jags now and it all starts on Saturday.
It's a good ball in and only Cargill on the line stops it from being five.
Thingds could get worse here as Woods looks to be struggling with a knock.
A massive thanks must go to the almost 300 Thistle fans who have made the long trip north.
Sad to say, there's nothing much to report here as the game slowly runs it's course - a very tough one to take.
McKay breaks into the box from the right side of the pitch. His inital shot draws a great save from Scully but Schalk is there to bundle in the rebound and seal his hat-trick.
Schalk breaks into the box but his shot is weak and trundles wide.
Fox punches the Spittal effort clear.
Ball is cleared as the corner comes to nothing.
It's drilled to the near post but Spittal is there to turn it behind.
It looked like he got the ball but Collum disagreed.
An Erskine shot is closed down at the edge of the area. The Jags building some pressure now but no clear cut chances.
THe corner comes in but is headed clear. eventually the ball comes out to Osman at the edge of the area but his curling shot goes just over the County goal.
A superb shot from Spittal is tipped over the bar by Fox for a corner.
superb sliding tackle from Ryan Scully gets the ball clear after a very dangerous looking attack down the left side.
Elliott cuts in and has a shot from 30 yard but it is gathered easily by Fox.
Schalk breaks free and gets beyond the Jags back three he fires across Scully and into the far corner for his second of the night.
Ball into the County box is headed clear but falls to Woods who hits it on the volley but sees his shot screw wide.
COunty shot from edge of the area is easily picked up by Scully.
Some positive play between Erskine, Spittal and Elliott wins the Jags a corner. Spittal tales it and it's a good one. the ball bounces around the box and ends up going out for a goal kick.
Schalk has the ball in the net again but it's offisde.
Some nice interplay etween the two subs, Spittal and Erskine, but thr movr breaks down outside the box.
Another half chance for County as Schalk drills a shot just wide of goal.
Cargill slips putting a ball into the box and balloons it high over the bar.
First chance of the half goes to County as a rasping shot goes a yard or two over Scully's crossbar.
A terrible 45 minutes for the Jags despite not really playing all that badly. It hasn't been a classic by any means with a lot of long balls and errors from both teams. In truth though there has really been very little between the sides but, despite that, the scoreboard does not lie.
County looked dangerous from set pieces but their first goal came from nowhere. Safe to say the next goal will be absolutely huge and Thistle simply must be the ones to score it.
At half time it's Ross County 2-0 Partick Thistle
We'll be back with the action from the second half shortly.
Corner to Thistle and it'll be Woods to take it. It flashes across goal and only needed a touch but there's nobody there.
Draper rises highest to head home from the corner.
County win another corner, this time from an Absdu Osman header.
And ther home side take the lead as Alex Schalk strikes hard and low to Scully's right. A good finish low into the corner.
One for the blooper reels as the ball cannons off the assistant referee and sends him tumbling.
The initial corner is cleared and Barton gets onto it but slips as he plays the cross. Goal kick.
Cargill drives forward and lays it to Edwards who wins a corner.
Woods will take it,
Miles looks to break through the stalwart County defence but, after beating two men, his touch takes the ball away from him and it goes out for a goal kick.
An innocuous collission between Barton and McKay leads to a free kick for County from 30 yards.
Schalk takes it but it goes well over Scully's bar.
Good link up play between Sammon and Storey leads to Miles getting a shot away from the edge of the box. It's a weak one though and Fox collects easily.
County win a free kick half way into the Jags half. Gardyne will take.
It's a good free kick and Ross Draper got up well to meet it with his head. Luckily for Thistle the effort is comfortably wide.
The Highlanders looking good from set plays though.
Some good pressure from Thistle but it comes to nothing as Storey loses it at the edge of the box.
County counter but a good ball into the box is well headed clear by Barton - good defending.
Deserved caution for a late challenge on Abdul Osman.
County win a corner after a good attack down the right wing and nearly open the scoring as Souttar puts his header over the bar.
Even but nervous through the first 10 minutes. Thistle have had the best chance from the corner but other than that there haven't really been any opportunities as both sides defend well.
Good pressing from Osman wins Thistle the first corner of the game.
And how has that stayed out!? Cargill gets a flick at the near post which Fox manages to claw away and then Sammon pokes the ball towards goal only for Fox to again somehow keep it out.
A worrying start to the game as McGinn goes down and looks in pain. He's back on his feet now but Thistle have to face a free kick from the corner of the box.
It goes into the back post but Osman is fouled and the Jags get a free kick just outside their own six yard box.
It goes long and for a minute it looks like Sammon might get on the end of it but Fox xomes to the edge of his box and collects on the slide.
And that's the teams coming out here at the Global energy Stadium in Dingwall for what is undoubtedly one of the biggest games of the season for both clubs. Niall Keown comes in for the suspended Danny Devine, with Scully replacing the injured Cerny and Martin Woods coming in for Andy McCarthy.
It's sure to be exciting so stick with us for all the latest action.