Saturday 9th March, 2019 at 6:57pm
Partick Thistle got back to winning ways this afternoon as Aidan Fitzpatrick’s last minute winner secured a dramatic win for the Jags against Dundee United. The Maryhill men had taken the lead very early on through Scott McDonald as the Australian headed Joe Cardle’s cross home. The visitors were able to level, however, as Nicky Clark curled a free-kick home from 20 yards. The Tangerines continued to push but nevertheless it was the hosts who would grab the crucial third goal of the game as Lewis Mansell fed Aidan Fitzpatrick, allowing the 17-year-old to turn home past Benjamin Siegrist. The win moves Thistle off bottom spot going into their cup quarter-final replay at Tynecastle on Tuesday. Jags boss, Gary Caldwell, spoke to ptfc.co.uk after the final whistle:
“It’s a brilliant three points, absolutely brilliant. We got that goal early on and from then on, played well without causing them too many problems but we were very comfortable in the game.
“In the second half, as it wore on, we were dropping a bit deeper and we could have been punished more than we were for that which is something I said to the players after the match and is something we have to improve on.
“Going past that, the lads showed sensational spirit and desire to win that football match. In the end it was two young guys linking up to score a massive goal from our point of view.”
Gary was particularly pleased that his side got the win because it now means they can put the losses to Ross County and Dunfermline firmly in the rear-view mirror and look to build another strong run like the one they started the year with.
“This group of players has only really had one and a half bad games this year and we’re in March and although those were poor results, there is still plenty of football to be played and hopefully we’re now back on the right track with the victory this afternoon.”
The gaffer gave particular praise to Aidan Fitzpatrick who was the player with the killer touch as he was played through by Lewis Mansell in the 90th minute.
“Both Fitzy and Lewis did brilliantly when they came on. They really caused United all sorts of issues and ran the channels well. Fitzy had a chance to play it to Lewis a few minutes before but just picked the wrong option. Luckily, Lewis did the right thing when a similar break came and when you need that bit of quality in front of goal in a one-on-one Fitzy has it.”
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