Friday 12th September, 2025 at 10:55pm
Partick Thistle completed a second half comeback to defeat visitors Airdrieonians 2-1 thanks to goals from Dan O’Reilly and Alex Samuel. Samuel is the first Welshman to score for Thistle since Maurice Parry, who scored his only goal in a 3-2 defeat to Hamilton Academical in January of 1910.
Tonight’s victory sees Thistle level on points with St Johnstone, Raith Rovers, and Arbroath with 10.
Thistle came into tonight with no changes since 30th August’s win over Raith Rovers. New signing from St. Mirren Oisin Smyth was named on the bench whilst Zander Mackenzie had picked up a knock and was not a part of tonight’s proceedings.
The game kicked off after a minute’s applause remembering the legendary Jimmy Bone who sadly passed away last week. Bone famously scored Thistle’s fourth goal in that historic 4-1 win over Celtic in 1971.
It was Airdrie who had an early chance in the opening minute when they won a corner.
Ex-Jag Cole McKinnon opened the scoring for the visitors, following a second corner the ball fell to his feet from outside the box and his strongly hit shot found the back of the net to make it 1-0.
A few minutes later McKinnon had another go from outside the box but this time it sailed over the bar.
Tony Watt had a volley attempt go over the bar on minute 12. Seconds later there was appeals for handball from another ex jag Sean McGinty however the referee waved played on.
15 minutes in Logan Chalmers stood over a free kick outside the box, his cross found Watt’s head, but his effort was caught by Airdrie keeper Matthew Connelly.
Another penalty appeal was waved on when Aidan Fitzpatrick was brought down in the box following a corner.
The chances kept coming as O’Reilly’s header went over the bar from a further Chalmers corner. The same thing happened only two minutes later this time from Aidan Fitzpatrick’s cross.
Lewis McGrattan’s attempt from 25 yards out tested Josh Clarke who got a hand to it to send it out for a corner.
Ts’oanelo Lets’osa’s shot from inside the box was saved by Matthew Connelly. Tony Watt appeared to be brought down In the box, but the referee was having none of it. The last action of the half and Thistle went in trailing.
Half-time: Partick Thistle 0 Airdrieonians 1
When the second half got underway Thistle were strong. Lets’osa cleverly won the ball back which Watt picked up, his pass to Robbie Crawford was successful until he was dispossessed before any chance could happen.
On minute 61, deadline day signing Smyth made his debut and shortly afterwards from an Airdrie corner the ball landed in front of Craig Ross whose attempt went over the bar.
A Chalmers attempt went wide and that was his last of the game as he came off for Steven Lawless.
From a corner Lee Ashcroft swung his head at the ball but not enough to challenge Connelly.
However on 77 minutes Aidan Fitzpatrick whipped in a corner which found the head of O’Reily who brought things level 1-1.
Looking to add another, multiple attempts were blocked but in the end Alex Samuel’s shot found the back of the net for his first goal in Thistle colours.
Paddy Reading cleared the ball off the line with two minutes to go. Mere minutes later Lewis Strapp’s attempt is headed away by the captain Lee Ashcroft.
Full Time Partick Thistle 2 Airdrieonians 1
Partick Thistle: (Gk) Josh Clarke, Paddy Reading, Lee Ashcroft, Dan O’Reilly, Ben McPherson, Robbie Crawford (Kyle Turner 66’) Ts’oanelo Lets’osa ( Luke McBeth 84’), Ben Stanway (Oisin Smyth 61’) Logan Chalmers (Steven Lawless 66’) Aidan Fitzpatrick, Tony Watt ( Alex Samuel 61’)
Unused substitutes: (Gk) Lewis Budinauckas, Cammy Logan, Thomas Horn, Matthew Falconer
Airdrieonians: (Gk) Matthew Connelly, Lewis Strapp, Sean McGinty, Aidan Wilson, Chris Mochrie (Aaron Reid 75’) Euan Henderson, Craig Ross, Lewis McGrattan ( Tate Xavier Jones 84’), Jamie Barjonas ( Cameron Cooper 84’) Charlie Telfer, Cole McKinnon (Dean McMaster 64’)
Unused substitutes: Cade Melrose, Gavin Gallagher, Liam McStravick, Rhys Armstrong, Cole Williams
Referee: Grant Irvine
Attendance: 3,234
50/50 Prize Winners
First Prize: £485 – Ticket no. 257344
Second Prize: Crossbar Challenge – Ticket no. 257082
By Craig Vassie
