Tuesday 1st August, 2023 at 5:24pm
It’s time for the first McCrea Financial Services Player of the Month award of the season as we reflect on a busy July which saw the team return to competitive action with four games in the Viaplay Cup group stages.
We started with trips to Balmoor and Tannadice before returning home to take on Falkirk and then Spartans in our first ever competitive game against the Edinburgh side.
The games had a bit of everything from 93rd minute equalisers to goalkeepers taking penalties but now it’s time to dig back through it all and decide which of our four nominees should win the first McCrea Financial Services Player of the Month prize of 2023/24.
Brian Graham
Officially named as club captain during July, Graham’s additional responsibilities haven’t distracted him from getting his name on the scoresheet regularly. He opened his account for the new campaign with an equaliser against former club Dundee United before then netting a viciously struck free-kick against Falkirk in the following game. He rounded off the group stages with the goal that secured the team’s progression to the last 16; a pressure penalty in the 86th minute against The Spartans, decisively dispatched from 12 yards.
Zander Mackenzie
July was a month of opportunities for some of our Thistle Weir Youth Academy graduates though Zander Mackenzie’s time on the pitch came in a less natural role. Filling in at right-back for Jack McMillan, the 17-year-old excelled as he earned widespread plaudits for his display in the win at Tannadice before going on to impress again against The Spartans, setting up the opening goal of the game. This all came after committing his long-term future to the club the day before our competitive opener at Peterhead.
Harry Milne
Having not played a minute of competitive football since March, Harry Milne would have been forgiven for taking some time to bed himself back into the team. The full-back, however, had other ideas when he scored two minutes into his return from injury at Peterhead and then bundled home the winner at Tannadice against Dundee United. Also scoring in both of Thistle bonus point shootouts, Harry capped the month off by signing a one-year contract extension with the club.
Ben Stanway
Another example of youth getting a chance, Ben Stanway was given his first start as a Jag on the opening day of the season against Peterhead. The midfielder put in an outstanding display in the Thistle engine room but wasn’t content with just a positive 90 minute performance – the 18-year-old volunteered to take the first penalty in the bonus point shootout setting the tone by finding the back of the net. Little did he know he’d be back up to take penalty number 11 which he also fired home. Stanway would go on to start again in the following game at Tannadice, playing a crucial role in his team’s 2-1 turnaround triumph.
So, those are your nominees for the July McCrea Financial Services Player of the Month award.
It’s up to you to cast your vote to make sure your choice wins the prize.
Voting is now open and will close at 6pm on Thursday, 3rd August.
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