Match Report

Aberdeen v Partick Thistle – 27th December 2017

Wednesday 27th December, 2017 at 11:00pm

Partick Thistle hauled themselves off twelfth spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership with a win over Hamilton in Maryhill and they looked to stay clear of the top flight bottom spot as they travelled to Pittodrie to take on second-placed Aberdeen.

Alan Archibald made three changes to the team that beat Martin Canning’s Hamilton four days prior as late injury troubles forced his hand. Martin Woods, Kris Doolan and Chris Erskine all missed out on squad places, having started at the weekend, due to injury. They were replaced in the starting XI by Conor Sammon, Andrew McCarthy and Jordan Turnbull, who returned from suspension.

The match started slowly for both sides with few shots being taken early on. Greg Stewart saw a shot saved and one blocked as he looked to break the deadlock. At the other end, Conor Sammon had a chance but his attempt on the turn was weak and easily saved.

Thistle almost caught the hosts out on the break after 20 minutes. Paul McGinn received the ball as he broke down the right flank and he whipped a delivery towards the edge of the box. The ball found Barton who then attempted a header on goal but his effort flew well wide as he met the ball to squarely.

Aberdeen had the ball in the net on 25 minutes but it wouldn’t count as the referee chalked it off. A corner came in threatening the Thistle box and it dropped in the six yard box. Adam Rooney and Daniel Devine jostled as they looked to reach the loose ball. Rooney did end up poking the ball home from close range but the referee’s whistle went; punishing a high foot by the Dons striker.

Further half chances fell for the teams with Conor Sammon, Ryan Christie, Andrew McCarthy and Greg Stewart all having sights of goal before the break, however, no one could make a breakthrough ahead of the interval and the game went into half time at 0-0.

The best chance of the game so far almost allowed Aberdeen to take the lead three minutes into the second half. Ryan Christie managed to break the Thistle backline, latching onto a high pass. He then attempted to lift the ball over the in rushing Tomas Cerny. He did that successfully and the as the ball moved towards goal, the Pittodrie crowd seemed ready to burst into celebrations. Those celebrations were halted, though, by Ryan Edwards who cleared the ball off the line.

Thistle would make their first alteration of the match on 56 minutes as Miles Storey replaces Steven Lawless adding a bit more pace to the Jags frontline.

The change was made to give Thistle more of a threat going forward but despite that it would be Aberdeen who took the lead a minute past the hour mark. Ryan Christie used some clever skill to evade the challenges of Ryan Edwards and Daniel Devine before then cutting the ball across goal into the six yard box. His delivery found Aberdeen striker, Adam Rooney who simply tapped home from a couple of yards to put his side ahead.

As the visitors looked to draw level, they created their best chance of the second half with 20 minutes to go. Blair Spittal’s whipped corner was met by Daniel Devine who had peeled off his marker. He stooped to head on goal but got caught under the ball and nodded over from around ten yards.

The Jags made another attacking change as they continued to press for an equaliser. Kevin Nisbet came on for Andrew McCarthy with 15 minutes to go.

Unfortunately for the away side, there was no leveller to be had as the game ended 1-0. Results elsewhere meant that the loss left Thistle bottom of the league in goal difference behind Ross County who picked up a draw against St. Johnstone as the Jags fell to defeat.

Thistle now focus on a crunch match with the aforementioned Ross County in a game that will decide who goes into the winter break bottom of the league. Kick-off is 15:00 from the Energy Check Stadium at Firhill.