Saturday 11th August, 2018 at 6:56pm
Partick Thistle marked the return of league football to Maryhill with their first win of the new Championship season. Falkirk were the visitors as the Jags embarked on their second fixture of the fresh campaign, claiming their first league points this term. The hosts started on top, dominating the Bairns and ultimately taking the lead in the 23rd minute as James Penrice’s deflected effort beat Leo Fasan. Thistle doubled the advantage five minutes later as Chris Erskine’s mazy run culminated in a convincing left footed finish into the Falkirk net. The away side did pull one back in the 90th minute but couldn’t draw level in added time with the match ended 2-1. A very pleased Thistle boss, Alan Archibald spoke to ptfc.co.uk following the game.
Archie began by praising his side’s first half performance with the Jags easily the better team during the opening 45 minutes.
“We asked our boys to show no fear and put the last couple of games behind them. Obviously, confidence is going to be a problem when you lose consecutive games but I felt that the guys really stepped up this afternoon. They were showing for the ball and not shying away which was great to see and I think we were good value for our lead at the break.”
Archie was quick to highlight the application of his players who put a lot into the game and were very organised throughout the match.
“We asked the whole team to work hard. They’ve been working on shape and filling in gaps when they appear and overall, our shape was excellent. Falkirk barely created anything from open play and that was testament to the work the boys did to keep our formation.”
The gaffer was happy for Chris Erskine who got off the mark for the season with a wonderful goal that consolidated the Thistle lead in the 28th minute.
“Chris was excellent today and I think he epitomised everything that was good about us this afternoon. He worked very hard going both ways and really showed his commitment to the team with a couple of those tackles he made. He’s been slightly off the pace so far this season but to perform like that today and top it off with a goal, will do him the world of good.”
He then went on to talk about Miles Storey who he felt had a good game despite being caught on the wrong side of the Falkirk defence a few too many times.
“He brought something different. It was a big decision to drop Kris Doolan but we thought we had maybe become too predictable and needed a change. Miles provides a threat in behind that no other player does and that stretches the opposition in a way that opens up space for other players.”
Alan told us of his disappointment that his side couldn’t hold onto their clean sheet as a loose ball in the box was slammed home by Rees Greenwood in the 90th minute.
“It was just a long throw which is something of a lottery. We know we need to be able to defend against those sort of things in the Championship but for that one, the ball just drops to the Falkirk lad and it’s a terrific finish. It made the finish a bit nervy but we still have to be proud of the overall performance.”
Archie and the Thistle squad must now prepare for a midweek trip to Stranraer as the Jags’ Irn Bru Cup Campaign gets underway. Kick-off is 19:45 from Stair Park.
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