Thursday 22nd August, 2019 at 10:54am
Scottish Cup (3rd Round)
10th January 2004
Greenock Morton 0 Partick Thistle 3
There were huge expectations amongst the home fans before this match. You could sense that from afar. They were convinced they could win this game and progress to the next round. In his programme notes, home manager John McCormack, answered the question ‘Are you up for it?’ by saying ‘You bet we are!’ The scene was therefore set for a nerve-tingling battle. On the substitutes bench for Thistle was a young goalkeeper by the name of Pinkowski, who would no doubt require a little time to settle down. How long did he get? Precisely eight, yes eight, minutes. That’s how long had gone when Kenny Arthur sustained an injury which forced him to leave the field. However, we need not to have worried.
The young goalkeeper had a fine game, supported by experienced players around about him. Once David Rowson had opened the scoring after 35 minutes, Thistle’s passage to round four had been safely negotiated. Young Pinkowski played his part admirably and had no trouble with the squally conditions which can cause problems for even the most experiences ‘keepers. James Grady put away with ease not one, but two penalty-kicks awarded by the lanky John Rowbotham – Two penalty kicks? Sometimes you wait a long time for one and along come two!
When this cup-tie was played, Thistle had co-managers in charge; Gerry Britton and Derek Whyte, not a system I ever fancied.
The full team on the day of the featured match was as follows:- Kenny Arthur, David Lilley, Grant Murray, Adrian Madaschi, Ian Ross, Jamie Mitchell, David Rowson, Kenny Milne, James Grady, Andy Thomson, John-Paul McBride.
Thistle had therefore managed to successfully overcome a potentially tricky tie. We proceeded to thrash Hamilton Academical 5-1 in the next round. Were we within touching distance of Hampden? Well, not exactly. We lost to Dunfermline, something we’ve done a fair few times over the years.
Never mind, in two years it will be the centenary of our famous Scottish Cup success. A repeat would be nice in 2021 – same opposition, same result – yes, please.
Robert R.
