Saturday 22nd February, 2025 at 6:34pm
A fine first half performance from Partick Thistle was not quite enough to see off Airdrieonians at The Wyre Stadium at Firhill with the 90 minutes finishing tied at 1-1.
The interim management team of Brian Graham and Mark Wilson made five changes to the starting line-up for the visit of The Diamonds.
Graham returned in his role as striker and captain with Lewis Budinauckas making a quick-fire debut on-loan following his loan move from Rangers.
Josh Reid made his starting debut with Robbie Crawford and Kyle Turner also in from the kick-off with Daniel Mackay back on the bench.
After a minutes’ applause to mark the life and service of club scout Bobby Dinnie MBE, Stuart Bannigan kicked off with referee Dickinson quickly speaking to Turner for a robust challenge.
The Jags adopted a 4-1-4-1 formation with Budinauckas getting his first touch with a couple of minutes played as he took a free-kick following on offside.
On seven minutes Budinauckas made his first save as leapt high to clutch a swerving free-kick from the visiting Adam Frizzell.
Shortly afterwards Kanayo Megwa did well to get forward on the right and send a cross into the box that was cleared with the full-back sent crashing to the ground on 12 minutes when he tried to create danger again,
Logan Chalmers took the resultant free-kick which the Airdrie defence headed clear this time.
With quarter of an hour gone the visitors forced two corners however it was Thistle that scored the opener!
The second dead ball was long and when it was crossed back into the home box it was cleared into the path of Stuart Bannigan who charged forward and found Megwa galloping to his left. The defender took the ball to 20 yards from the Airdrie goal before sliding a pass into the path of GRAHAM who drilled into the far corner.
The hosts had their tails up and Dan O’Reilly and Chalmers both had efforts on Kieran Wright’s goal with O’Reilly firing just over and the shot-stopper denying Chalmers.
After Frizzell had fired past the home goal with half an hour played Thistle moved the play up to the other end with Chalmers crowded out just as he was away to shoot.
Eight minutes from the break Thistle came close twice within seconds as Stanway sent a low diagonal shot against the inside of a post with Turner denied by the outstretched hand of Wright when he drilled in a rebound.
Half time – Partick Thistle 1 Airdrieonians 0
O’Reilly picked up a yellow card early into the restart for a foul 25 yards out however a mix-up by the visitors when it was taken ensured there was no danger created.
On 52 minutes Megwa showed his attacking qualities again with a run and cross that was just an inch away from being turned in at the back post by Turner.
Two minutes later, with Bannigan off the pitch after getting treatment, Airdrie equalised when a lightning break saw Ben Wilson turn in a Frizzell cross from six yards.
Referee Dickinson surprised many just before the hour mark when he failed to point to the spot when Turner intercepted a headed pass-back and looked to skip around Wright only to crash to the ground.
Three minutes later Stanway glanced a header just wide as Thistle put the disappointment of not being awarded a penalty.
Matthew Falconer came on to make his debut on 74 minutes with the home grown youngster replacing Crawford.
As the final ten minutes approached Josh Reid stood strong to block a Wilson 20 yarder after another breakaway from Airdrie.
Megwa started another attack on 82 minutes with a nice turn, run and pass that found Chalmers who was crowded out as looked to swing over a cross.
Substitute Terry Ablade’s pace won Thistle a foul in injury time however no danger came from it and Thistle had to settle for a draw.
Full time – Partick Thistle 1 Airdrieonians 1
Teams
Partick Thistle – Lewis Budinauckas, Kanayo Megwa, Lee Ashcroft, Dan O’Reilly, Josh Reid, Stuart Bannigan (Scott Martin 57), Logan Chalmers, Robbie Crawford (Matthew Falconer 74), Ben Stanway (Luke McBeth 62), Kyle Turner (Aidan Fitzpatrick 62), Brian Graham (Terry Ablade 74).
Unused substitutes – David Mitchell (G/k), Aaron Muirhead, Daniel Mackay, Zander Mackenzie.
Airdrieonians – Kieran Wright, Dylan MacDonald, Mason Hancock (Lewis Strapp 69), Dean McMaster, Ben Wilson (Lewis McGregor 73), Adam Frizzell, Lewis McGrattan, (Liam McStravick 69) Chris Mochrie (Aaron Reid 73), Sam Graham, Alex Bannon, Rhys Armstrong (Gavin Gallagher 69).
Unused substitutes – Cade Melrose (G/k), Aidan Wilson, Cammy Bruce, Craig Watson,
Referee – David Dickinson
Crowd – 3599
50/50 draw result
First prize – Ticket Number 236090 – £545
Second prize – Ticket number 238551 – Chance to take part in half-time cross bar challenge
