Friday 16th August, 2019 at 8:55am
Scottish Premiership
13th August 2014
Partick Thistle 4 Ross County 0
What a way to get the ball rolling at the beginning of a new season! A similar outcome today would do very nicely, thank you. Oddly enough, we had beaten County by an identical score-line back in 2004, so who knows?
This will be, for the statistically-minded, Ross County’s 28th visit to Firhill since 1999 when they played us in a Second Division fixture. Yes, we were down there 20 years ago, just passing through, of course.
For the match itself, this was the Thistle team selected:- Scott Fox, who has represented both clubs, Stephen O’Donnell, Dan Seaborne, Conrad Balatoni, Stuart Bannigan, Ryan Stevenson, Steven Lawless, Kallum Higginbotham, Jordan McMillan, Abdul Osman, Gary Fraser.
Thistle were in early command, but the opening goal didn’t arrive until the 40th minute, courtesy of Stuart Bannigan. An own goal after 55 minutes helped us on our way before Gary Fraser and Stephen O’Donnell chipped in to make the score even more convincing; the final goal arriving in the 89th minute. After that, one leaves the ground full of positive thoughts about the future. In the next game we drew 1-1 at Dens Park against Dundee and then lost 2-1 to Hamilton Academical. The early euphoria had now evaporated and we were back in the real world. A win, a draw and a defeat – we have seen it all before – countless times!
Within the programme for the featured match is an article featuring Kris Doolan. I must admit I became a bit emotional. Be strong, Robert, especially with games coming up against Ayr United! It’s a harsh world at times, don’t you think?
Returning to this week’s game, it’s interesting to reflect upon the fact that since 1999 Thistle have played Ross County at Firhill at four different levels, as follows:- Second Division, First Division, Premiership and Championship – never a dull moment.
Robert R.
