SPFL Trust Trophy
Sat 4 September, 2021. Kick Off: - 13:00
Stair Park
Supporters are reminded that Saturday’s game will kick off at 1pm.
Match information:
Ticketing information:
Admission details for this fixture have now been confirmed.
Prices are as follows:
Adults – £10
Concession and Youths(over 65 and 12-16) – £5
Primary School Aged children – FREE
Cash gates will be in operation for Thistle fans with no requirement to purchase tickets in advance.
Live stream:
Unfortunately, there will be no live stream for this fixture.
Audio Commentary
Our JagZone audio commentary service returns on Saturday with audio coverage of our SPFL Trust Trophy fixture against Stranraer.
Join Christopher Dobie on Saturday afternoon as he brings you the full 90 minutes of action. The show gets underway at 12:30.
To listen to the broadcast, simply log in to your Jagzone account, click on the audio commentary tab and press the play button on the player.
Supporters’ Buses:
City Centre Branch:
Pick ups:
Q Club – 09:45
Station Bar – 10:00
For seats call Duncan 07979496154 or e-mail
John Lambie Jordanhill Branch:
Pick ups:
Jordanhill Station – 10:30
Thornwood Bar – 10:35
Prices:
Adults – £16
Concessions – £10
Booking is essential and priority will be given to former members and regulars. Seating will be limited and face-coverings must be worn on the bus; as stipulated by Allander’s.
To make a booking phone or e-mail Alistair on 07817612563 or Alternatively phone or e-mail Iain on 07779668357 or
North-West Branch:
Pick ups:
Milngavie Railway Station – 09:30
Esquire House, Anniesland – 09:50
Maryhill Community Central Halls – 10:05
Fares:
Full fare – £16
Concessions – £10
We will be going straight to, and returning straight from, this fixture and, as the ground may not offer any catering, and is some distance from the centre of the town, you might want to consider bringing sandwiches/soft drinks.
Additionally, please remember that the wearing of a face covering is mandatory at all times when on the North-West bus and will remain so until government guidelines are changed.
After three wins from four to start the cinch Championship season, Partick Thistle are back in cup action this weekend as their 2021/22 SPFL Trust Trophy campaign gets underway. They take on League Two side Stranraer who come into the contest off the back of a late comeback win over Cowdenbeath at Central Park. Thistle assistant manager Neil Scally spoke to ptfc.co.uk ahead of the tie:
“We head to Stranraer in a good place after the result at the weekend. It was a very good performance from start to finish and that was pleasing for us. We controlled the game brilliantly and even when they had their spell of possession, we stopped them turning it into clear shots on goal.
“Going forward we looked dangerous right throughout the game and, if we’re being really honest, we could have added a couple of more goals if we were really ruthless but you can complain too much after a 3-0 win like that.”
Scally said the clean sheet was especially pleasing considering the enforced changes that the management team had to make for the match.
“We just keep getting injuries at the back at the moment but that’s why we’ve got a big squad. Tunji slotted in excellently alongside Kevin Holt and, as I’ve said, they weren’t creating chances on Saturday.
“Our defensive base was key for us at the end of last season and we want that to be a feature for us this year too.”
Heading to Stranraer for the SPFL Trust Trophy, Neil says there may be an opportunity for players who’ve been coming off the bench to good effect recently to get a shot from the start.
“I think it’ll be a good chance for some of the players who have been contributing as substitutes to go and get minutes and get the chance to impress us. You’ve seen it over the past few weeks; the guys who come off the bench are players who can make a difference and they deserve a chance to start.”
Thistle haven’t been away to Stranraer since 2018 when the Jags ran out 5-0 winners at Stair Park but Neil says the team still know to expect a tough contest from Jamie Hamill’s side.
“It’ll be difficult, there’s no doubt about that. They’ll be right up for it and we need to give it just as much effort as they do. If we can do that then we hope that our quality will shine through but the boys know that it’ll most likely be a battle out there.”
Scally finished by giving us the latest team news ahead of our trip South-West.
“We’ve got Harry Stone, Lewis Mayo and Zak Rudden missing because they’re away with the Scotland under 21s. Steven Bell will miss out too and Ciaran McKenna is still a bit away from being in contention for a matchday squad; he’s done some training but it hasn’t been impact.
“Jake Hastie also can’t play unfortunately because he played for Rangers in the first round of the cup.”
A further in-depth interview with Thistle assistant manager Neil Scally as well as a chat with Ross Docherty will be available for JagZone subscribers to watch today – log in to view.
Unfortunately, the home side will not be offering a live stream of tomorrow afternoon’s fixture. However, JagZone subscribers will be able to tune in to live audio commentary for our clash with Stranraer, starting at 12:30pm – click here to tune in.
We’ll have extended highlights and a full game replay of the fixture on JagZone following the game.
Article Copyright © 2021. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Partick Thistle got their 2021/22 SPFL Trust Trophy campaign up and running today as they took on Stranraer at Stair Park.
The Jags made the trip South-West on the back of a 3-0 win over Greenock Morton at Firhill seven days prior with the hopes of booking themselves a place in the third round.
There were three changes to the team that started that triumph over the ‘Ton in Maryhill. Connor Murray replaced Kyle Turner on the right side of the midfield and Ross MacIver took Brian Graham’s place at fore of the Thistle attack. Cammy Smith was the other player who came into the team making his first start as a Jag in place of Zak Rudden who was away with the Scotland under 21s squad.
Ian McCall’s side started the game on the front foot and were rewarded for their early efforts when Tunji Akinola struck home the opener after 12 minutes. A Connor Murray corner towards the front post fell between Ross Docherty and Akinola and the latter took control of the ball and began dribbling away from goal. He had the option of a lay-off to Shea Gordon but instead opted to swivel onto his left foot and take the shot on. His effort flew towards goal, finding the back of the net with plenty of power to give Thistle the lead.
Jamie Sneddon had to be on his toes to deny Stranraer a near-immediate response in the 16th minute. Ross Smith latched onto a loose ball in the Jags’ box and tried a shot from 15 yards out, seeing his effort blocked by Kevin Holt. However, the deflection only sent the ball looping towards the top corner meaning Jamie Sneddon had to get across his goal quickly to turn the shot away.
The home side went close to a leveller again 10 minutes later with Jamie Sneddon called into action for a second time. As the Blues tried to force a way through the Thistle defence on the left flank Tunji Akinola got a tackle in which sent the ball rolling towards Sean Burns. The Stranraer defender, who must have spotted Sneddon a few yards off his line, then tried to lob the Thistle goalkeeper from 30 yards. Sneddon backpedalled swiftly and tipped the ball over the bar to deny the hosts the equaliser they were seriously threatening to get.
The next big chance of the game arrived with 37 minutes on the clock through Connor Murray. The winger was given the ball on the left flank and cut onto his right foot before trying one of his trademark curling efforts towards the far corner. It was on target and required a solid hand from former Thistle Weir Youth Academy goalkeeper Luke Scullion to turn it behind for a corner.
The visitors’ push for a second goal continued as half-time drew close with Ross MacIver going close six minutes before the break. Ross Docherty made a diagonal run into the penalty area which Stuart Bannigan picked out with a chipped ball forward. The skipper drove a first time ball into the goalmouth area which ricocheted up off a defender into MacIver path. The number 19 attempted a drilled half-volley but his strike was too central and Scullion was able to save with his legs before watching Cammy Smith fire the rebound comfortably wide.
Thistle started the second half with the same attacking impetus that they ended the first with and that led to another great opportunity to double their advantage 10 minutes after the restart. Ross Docherty was given the ball in the defensive half and he turned away from one Stranraer man before playing an inch-perfect pass into Connor Murray’s path as the number 17 broke away from the home defence. He raced into the Blues’ box and took the shot on from about 12 yards out, however, Luke Scullion was on hand again to make the save and keep his team within a goal of the Jags.
Stranraer then began to force their way back into the game in search of that crucial equaliser and they weren’t far away from finding it with a 67th minute free kick. Substitute Matt Yates stepped up to take it from 20 yards out and his shot was only a yard or so over the crossbar.
In the 73rd minute, Jamie Hamill’s side had an even better chance to restore parity, from a free kick once again. This one was from much further away with Sean Burns lifting a ball into the Thistle box from near enough the half-way line but he was able pick out Craig Ross in considerable space near the back post. Under no pressure Ross attempted the volley but got the connection all wrong meaning the ball bobbled into Jamie Sneddon’s arms when he really should have been making it 1-1.
Any hopes of getting level for the home side were snuffed out in injury time when Kevin Holt headed home his third of the season. A Kyle Turner corner was floated into Stranraer box and Blues defender Ayrton Sonkur was first to it, however, his clearing header was misdirected and went straight to Holt who simply nodded home past the defender on the near post. That made sure of the result for Thistle and secured their spot in the next round.
After that second goal went in, there were two debuts for the Maryhill men with Thistle Weir Youth Academy players Ji Stevenson and Ben Stanway coming off the bench to replace Scott Tiffoney and Stuart Bannigan for the final minute or so.
The win sets up a third round meeting with Queen of the South at Palmerston Park, to be played on the weekend of 9th/10th October.
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
Partick Thistle booked their spot in the third round of the SPFL Trust Trophy this afternoon as they beat Stranaer 2-0 at Stair Park. The Jags won the game thanks to the goalscoring exploits of their two centre-halves with Tunji Akinola and Kevin Holt finding the back of the net either side of the half-time break. Akinola fired the Maryhill men in front with an emphatic left-footed finish in the first half while Kevin Holt netted his third of the season in injury time at the end of the game. Jags boss Ian McCall gave his thoughts to ptfc.co.uk following the victory:
“It’s good to get the win first and foremost and I was really happy with the first half performance. We were well on top and should have scored a couple more at least but at the end of the day we’re through and that’s what it’s all about in cup football.
“We used the wide areas well in the first half and created some really good chances but just weren’t ruthless enough when in front of goal and with the score at 1-0 it was still game on going into the second half. Credit to Stranraer though, they came out after half-time and pushed us right to the very end.”
Despite the pressure from Stranraer after the interval, the Jags secured their third clean sheet in four games to see the win out and McCall was pleased with his team’s solidity.
“As I’ve said, they made it a real cup tie in the second half and it became a bit end-to-end at times. We stood up well to that though and Jamie didn’t need to make all that many saves overall. Tunji and Kevin looked very good together again, winning headers and making blocks so I was happy with how we dealt with what Stranraer threw at us.”
It wasn’t just defending on the agenda for Akinola and Holt with both of them finding themselves on the scoresheet; something that the gaffer was very happy with.
“Holty’s on some run at the moment which can only be a good thing for us. As for Tunji, his was some finish, a really good goal so I was very pleased for him. Having the threat of goals from all over the pitch is serving us really well at the moment and hopefully it continues.”
Thistle number 11 Cammy Smith made his first start in today’s game and he completed 90 minutes which the manager says should do him the world of good.
“Cammy’s been great for us off the bench over the last few weeks so it was good to get him a start this afternoon. He looked very lively throughout the game and was unlucky not to get a goal but I still think there’s a lot more to come from him. Getting these minutes into his legs will hopefully benefit him too.”
Thistle youngsters Ji Stevenson and Ben Stanway were able to make their senior debuts in the dying stages of the game and Ian said it was good to get the duo on for their first taste of the professional game.
“We had four young boys on the bench today which will be a good experience for them but I was really happy to get Ji and Ben on the pitch even just for a couple of minutes. There’s a very talented group of young players coming through the academy at the moment and getting them in and around the first team is great.”
The Jags are on the road again next week to face Inverness at the Caledonian Stadium and McCall is looking forward to the top of the table clash.
“It sets us up nicely for that trip up north. It’ll be two teams in good form and in good spirits so it should make for a good game. They’ve been excellent so far this season and it will be a really difficult game but we’re confident at the moment and will go into the game looking to get the win.”
Due to technical issues, there is no JagZone reaction from the Jags camp this afternoon.
We’ll have extended highlights and a full game replay of today’s match on JagZone tonight.
Article Copyright © 2021. Permission to use quotations from this article online is only granted subject to appropriate source credit and hyperlink to ptfc.co.uk.
Sat 4 September, 2021
SPFL Trust Trophy 
Stair Park
Thistle make it through to the next round of the SPFL Trust Trophy but although the win is a deserved one they aren't entirely convincing, especially in the second half, in doing so.
Tunji Akinola's 11th minute goal gave Thistle a 1-0 half time lead with Kevin Holt's goal in injury time sealing Thistle's slot in the next round.
That will seal the win. Turner's corner is headed back towards goal by a Stranraer defender and Holt heads home from close range.
Walker goes for goal with the free kick but it is a poor attempt and Sneddon makes an easy save.
Holt is penalised for aa foul and Stranraer have a free kick in a threatening position.
Smith threads a pass through for Graham but the Thistle number 9 has strayed into an offside position.
Turner is able to lay a pass back into the path of Foster who screws his shot high and wide of target.
Turner takes the free kick and although there is at least one Thistle touch to it, it takes the ball away from goal and out for a goal kick.
Graham wins Thistle a free kick in from the left touchline.
Crowd: 598
Thistle have the ball in the net following Turner's corner, through Holt we think, but the referee penalises him for a high foot and Stranraer have a free kick.
There is a chance for Smith but he can't keep his shot down.
There is a great chance for Ross at the back post as a free kick comes into the Thistle box but his touch lets him done allowing Sneddon to collect,
Docherty collects a clearance at the edge of the box but his shot goes wide without troubling the home goalkeeper. Thistle are make heavy weather of things at the moment.
Tiffoney sends over a cross from the left that Graham isn't too far away from making contact with.
Yates and Smith stand over the free kick. It's Yates that takes it and he is about a foot too high with his effort.
Stranraer win a free kick about 5 yards outside the Thistle box and a little right of centre.
Best chance yet for a Stranraer equaliser. Smith leaves Holt on the ground but can't hit target, sending his shot wide of Sneddon's left hand post.
Looks as if both Graham and Turner are set to come on.
Akinola is on hand to clear a Burns cross.
Thistle are under a little pressure with two quick Stranraer corners but the second of Smith's two corners is well defended.
Thistle really could do with the security of a second goal as a half chance for Woods is evidence of but he shoots wide.
Scullion makes another good stop to keep the score at 1-0 but he really should have been left with no chance after Murray collects Docherty's delightful through ball.
Murray has the ball wide on the right but with MacIver waiting in the middle his cross is too deep.
Smith gets away from Sonkur on the left. His run takes him into the box where he ignores Murray to his right and shoots for goal himself only to see his shot blocked.
Murray cuts across the edge of the Stranraer box but his shot is blocked.
Thistle get things back underway. No changes at the break.
Tunji Akinola's 11th minute goal is enough to provide Thistle with a half-time lead that really should be greater than just a single goal.
Ex Jag Scullion has made a number of good saves, most notably from Smith, Murray and MacIver, to keep things at 1-0.
Although Thistle have been in almost total control the precariousness of a one goal lead has twice been underlined with Sneddon making a couple of important saves in isolated raids on the Thistle goal.
Foster drags a shot wide of goal as the half time whistle approaches.
Murray's corner is headed clear at the edge of the 6 yard box. Thistle are pressing hard for a second goal before the break.
That should be 2-0 but Scullion makes a good block with his legs to deny MacIver before Smith sends a shot wide of target.
Bannigan's corner that follows is too deep and goes out for a goal kick despite MacIver's best attempts to keep the ball in.
Scullion gets a strong hand to a Murray shot from the left hand corner of the box.
MacIver is unable to get a touch to Murray's cross that is deflected wide for an unproductive Thistle corner.
Murray's corner is cleared. Thistle remain on the attack though only for play to be halted for a Stranraer player to receive a spot of treatment.
Burns tries an effort from wide on the left and it takes the fingertips of Sneddon to get the ball over the bar for a corner that is headed clear by Gordon.
Smith gets himself into a good position inside the Thistle box but Akinola is there to clear his cross.
Bannigan takes the free kick but it is well defended.
Thistle have a free kick wide on the right hand side.
Thistle are on the attack again and there is a hint of a chance for MacIver inside the box but his flicked effort takes the ball over the crossbar.
Stranraer are close to an equaliser as Sneddon does well to claw away Rennie's shot.
Bannigan takes the corner and although it is delivered into a good area nobody can get a touch to it. Thistle well on top at the moment.
Nearly a quick fire second for Thistle as Scullion denies Smith.
The corner produces the game's opening goal. Akinola collects the ball but is facing away from goal. He turns sharply before lashing home a shot from 12 yards.
First chance of the game. Docherty lifts a pass from MacIver to chase. He holds off Robertson but Scullion pushes his shot round the post for a corner.
Foster is able to push a pass to Smith to his right. Although Smith manages to squeeze out a shot there in no power behind it and Scullion has an easy save to make.
Woods crosses from the left but Sneddon is there to claim the ball.
Holt's pass back is a shade under hit and Sneddon has to come out his box to clear.
Stranraer get the game underway.
Thistle's SPFL Trust Tropky campaign starts this afternoon at Stair Park, home of Stranraer.
Fresh from an impressive 3-0 league win over Morton seven days ago, Thistle make three changes to the side that starts today.
In come Cammy Smith, who makes his first start as a Partick Thistle player, Connor Murray and Ross MacIver.
Kyle Turner and Brian Graham start this game while Zak Rudden is on under 21 duty with Scotland.