Friday 10th January, 2025 at 11:31pm
A frosty night in Hamilton was heated up by goals from Brian Graham and Ben Stanway as Partick Thistle took all three points with a 2-1 success over Hamilton Academical. Reghan Tumilty’s goal had given the hosts lead in the second half but an inspiring comeback took the points back to Glasgow.
Manager Kris Doolan has made two changes following last weekend’s home defeat to Dunfermline Athletic with Luke McBeth and Robbie Crawford handed starts with Charlie Sayers and Aidan Fitzpatrick moving to the bench.
Thistle had a free kick early in the second minute taken by Logan Chalmers, but his shot travelled into the palms of Hamilton’s keeper Charlie Albinson.
One minute later Chalmers had an attempt on goal but a block from a Hamilton defender resulted in a corner which was subsequently cleared.
On the 20-minute mark a handball from Stuart Bannigan led to an attacking freekick in favour of Hamilton. Connor Smith’s cross met Oli Shaw’s head which went just past the post but David Mitchell in goal looked to have it covered.
A headed flick on led to a Robbie Crawford volley going wide of the post and out for a goal kick. Not long after Brian Graham had an attempt at the edge of the box which hit the crossbar and travelled over as Thistle showed more attacking promise.
Quick and fancy footwork from Chalmers led to another attempt on goal but was again blocked by an opposing defender on the half hour mark.
On minute 38 there were safe hands from Mitchell as an attempt from Scott Martin went towards the left-hand side of the goal.
A Mitchell clearance led to another attempt from Martin who tried a chip, but the shot-stopper was there once again to comfortably save it.
Five minutes from half-time Hamilton were awarded a free kick but Stephen Hendrie’s freekick was cleared away by Stuart Bannigan.
Former Thistle player Sean McGinty has his shot saved by Mitchell which led to a corner and this was quickly followed by a Shaw shot that sailed over the bar.
Thistle then attacked Scott Robinson has an initial shot blocked and then the follow up saved by Albinson right before the halftime whistle.
Half time – Hamilton Academical 0 Partick Thistle 0
Six minutes into the second half Kanayo Megwa was fouled on the edge of the box resulting in a free kick. Chalmers took the free kick however his shot went over the bar.
Following a corner Crawford’s cross went into the box and there were penalty claims for a foul on Dan O’ Reilly but the referee waved play on. Following this Kyle Turner had an attempt on goal only to watch it go over the bar.
Following a corner Tumilty’s low drilled shot went past Mitchell in goal giving Hamilton a 1-0 lead in the 61st minute.
With 20 minutes left to play Tumilty ran with the ball before crossing into Shaw whose header brought out a fine diving save from Mitchell with the home full-back seeing a shot take a deflection which led to another corner.
In the 74th minute skipper GRAHAM found the equaliser for The Jags as substitute Aidan Fitzpatrick played the ball low into the box from the left for the striker to slot into the back of the net to make it 1-1.
Shaw was through on goal shortly afterwards with Mitchell who used his legs to save the shot as Hamilton pushed to regain their lead.
There was to be another goal and it was a joyous one for Thistle as substitute BEN STANWAY’S astonishing curled effort from outside of the box hits the back of the net as Thistle made it 2-1 in the 81st minute.
Two minutes later Graham made a bursting run before passing it to O’ Reilly but the cross did not reach anyone and went out for a throw-in.
As Thistle pressed for another goal for security Fitzpatrick and Stanway linked up well as Stanway tried to replicate his goal but this time it went high and over the bar in the 87th minute.
Three minutes of added time were added as Fitzpatrick picked out Stanway once again who tried an attempt on goal but the assistant’s flag was up.
Full time – Hamilton Academical 1 Partick Thistle 2
Teams
Partick Thistle – David Mitchell, Kyle Turner, Stuart Bannigan, Brian Graham, Logan Chalmers (Steven Lawless 84), Robbie Crawford (Ben Stanway 73) Scott Robinson, Luke McBeth, Dan O’Reilly, Lee Ashcroft, Kanayo Megwa (Aidan Fitzpatrick 73)
Unused substitutes – Luis Cameron (GK), Liam Smith, Terry Ablade, Charlie Sayers, Ricco Diack, Matthew Falconer.
Hamilton Academical – Charlie Albinson, Jackson Longridge ( Nikolay Todorov 84), Sean McGinty, Scott Martin, Jamie Barjonas (Kevin O’Hara 79) Connor Smith, Barry Maguire, Oli Shaw, Reghan Tumilty, Stuart McKinstry (Euan Henderson 79), Stephen Hendrie
Unused substitutes – Dean Lyness (G/k), Steven Bradley, Daire O’Connor, Tony Gallacher, Aaron Eadie, Marcus Syme.
Referee – Iain Snedden
By Craig Vassie
