Wednesday 2nd April, 2025 at 9:14am
Partick Thistle booked their place in the Glasgow Cup semi finals on Tuesday night, prevailing 5-3 on penalties after a rollercoaster 4-4 draw against Clyde.
It was an eight goal thriller at Petershill, held in partnership with the Partick Thistle Charitable Trust. The Jags fought back from 3-1 down to take the game to a shootout, with Jamie Low’s decisive spot kick earning the bonus point needed to confirm progression.
A draw against Queen’s Park as well as defeats to Rangers and Celtic saw Thistle bottom of the table going into the final game of the group stage, but knowing that a win over already-qualified Clyde would see them through at the expense of the Spiders.
Thistle fielded a side largely consisted of youth players, with a sprinkling of senior players. Stevie Lawless made his first start of the calendar year, having last came on as a sub against Morton at the start of February.
Terry Ablade and Alex Jakubiak also featured, alongside squad regulars Zander MacKenzie and Matthew Falconer, while Luis Cameron started in goals.
By comparison, Clyde played a relatively strong team, with Ross Lyon, Logan Dunachie and Andy Murdoch all retaining their starting place from Saturday’s 2-1 league win over Stranraer.
Clyde took the lead on 14 minutes after a ball into the box found Robbie Leitch down the middle of the park, with Leitch then slotting to the left of goalkeeeper Cameron.
Three minutes later, it was 2-0 to the Bully Wee. A loose ball bobbled into the box for Kyle Connell to pick up. Cameron rushed on to try and claim it, allowing Connell to fire past him to double the lead.
Thistle rallied, halving the deficit on 26 minutes. Terry Ablade was able to knock down a high ball in the box for Matthew Falconer to hit home.
The first half ended without any further goals, but Thistle continued to find more confidence, looking positive up to the break.
Half Time – Partick Thistle 1 Clyde 2
The changes were rung by both sides at half time. Alex Jakubiak and Zander Mackenzie made way for Nicholas Lockhart and Thomas Horn, while former Thistle player Tommy Robson came on for Clyde at the expense of Logan Dunnachie.
Clyde restored their two-goal cushion two minutes after the break when Conor Scullion produced a tidy finish across the box to net into the left corner.
Thistle weren’t down and out yet though, with a trio of chances all sailing over Clyde keeper Robbie Hemfrey’s bar.
The Jags pulled one back on 72 minutes. Che Campbell with a lovely finish from inside the box, low to the keeper’s right.
Five minutes later, Thistle had levelled the tie with a thunderous effort from Thomas Horn beating the keeper to make it 3-3.
The young Jags side smelt blood, grabbing a fourth before Clyde could get a chance to regroup. Che Campbell’s curling effort into the far corner sent the Petershill faithful into a state of delight as it looked like Thistle were on course for the vital three points.
The Bully Wee, though, would provide one last twist in the tale. The last ten minutes saw Clyde throw men forward in hope of an equaliser. Luis Cameron was forced into a fine close range save from Dominic Docherty, before Scott Williamson fired over the bar from the edge of the box.
Williamson was not finished though, blasting home from a few yards out to level the game at the death and take it to a penalty shootout.
A bonus point in the shootout would be enough to leapfrog QP in the standings and take their spot in the semis, whilst defeat in the shootout would see The Jags exit.
After seven successfully converted penalties between them, Cameron saved Docherty’s effort to put Thistle on the precipice. Jamie Low then completed a perfect set of spot kicks as Thistle ran out 5-3 winners on penalties.
Full Time – Partick Thistle 4 Clyde 4 (5-3 on Penalties)
It was a valiant display from the Thistle youngsters against a strong Clyde team, with both sides now joining Rangers and Celtic in the semi finals of the tournament.
Thistle will be aiming to win a ninth Glasgow Cup, having last lifted the trophy in 1989.
Teams:
Partick Thistle: Luis Cameron; Liam Rooney, Jamie Low, Alex Mann, Liam Dolan, Matthew Falconer, Zander Mackenzie (Nicholas Lockhart 46’), Che Campbell (Charlie Waddell 84’); Terry Ablade (Jamie Taggart 60”), Steven Lawless (Ben McKenna 60’); Alex Jakubiak (Thomas Horn 46’)
Unused Substitutes: Connor Storey (GK)
Clyde: Robbie Hemfrey; Marley Redfern (Scott Williamson 55’), Jamie Bradley, Logan Dunachie (Tommy Robson 46’), Kyle Connell, Callum Hannah, Robbie Leitch, Darren Hynes, Ross Lyon (Darren Lyon 46’), Conor Scullion (Taylor Sutherland 55’), Andy Murdoch (Dom Docherty 46’)
Unused Substitutes: Jay Kennedy (GK)
BY David Forrest
